FINALIST FOR 2021 PERSON OF THE YEAR
A building full of opportunity stood strong against challenges and has earned the title of finalist for 2021 person of the year. According to SUN Gazette, the James V. Brown Library stood strong, as a safe place for every resident and visitor to Lycoming County to learn and grow. According to SUN Gazette, however, in June 2021, a rainbow display was picked apart and how it became the focus of a community struggle, earning criticism from two Lycoming County Commissioners.
FIRE DESTROYS RESIDENCE IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP
An early Wednesday morning residential blaze was a total loss in Loyalsock Township. Multiple fire companies responded to the 1900 block of Inverness Road around 1:20 am. According to SUN Gazette, there were no injuries and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall was requested to investigate.
AIRPORT READY FOR SPRING FLIGHTS WITH SOUTHERN AIRWAYS EXPRESS
Spring will bring more than warmer weather to Lycoming County. Williamsport Regional Airport Executive Director Richard Howell announced there may be upwards of three flights a day from Southern Airways Express beginning in the spring. This news gets better, as Howell explained United Airlines has an agreement with Southern Airways for ticketing and baggage, ensuring more of a seamless, less dramatic, connection to larger flights. According to SUN Gazette, nine-passenger Cessna Caravans would fly between Williamsport and Washington D.C. with Southern Airways.
LIGHTS OF HOPE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION NEXT WEEKEND
The Lycoming County United Way is grateful for the way the communities in north central Pa. continue to come together to celebrate and support each other in times of need. The United Way is collaborating with community businesses and organizations for upcoming recognition events highlighting the efforts of healthcare workers in the region. Lights of Hope Community Celebration which includes Sojourner Truth Ministries, UPMC Williamsport, Hon. Derek Slaughter, Mayor, City of Williamsport and Lycoming County United Way Fri., Jan. 7, 5 p.m. on the Front Lawn of UPMC Williamsport, 700 High St., Williamsport.
LOCAL COVID-19 CASES FOR WEDNESDAY
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 33 new cases. In Centre County 174 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 86. There were 95 new infections in Northumberland County, 60 in Snyder, 37 in Union and 31 in Montour. Tioga County had 35 new COVID-19 cases.
CONSTRUCTION MOVING FORWARD
The Nicholas Meat Sustainable Resource Facility (SRF) located across Route 880 from the Nicholas Meat facility east of Loganton, is transformed into an active construction site that will be home to an innovative and comprehensive environmental management system. Featuring award-winning waste-to-energy technology within an advanced water treatment facility set to help create renewable energy, decrease the company’s carbon footprint, capture greenhouse gases, and reuse water. Tanks will be installed spring 2022 and buildings will be constructed in summer. Final project estimated for completion 2023.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR MAN IN JAIL
Rape charges have been added to the list of charges holding a Lycoming County man in jail. Kryshane Keoni Sha Goas, charged with multiple felonies, including a third rape charge, this one dealt with contact with a minor at Montoursville Area High School. When these charges were filed, Goas already had two active rape cases against him that included upwards of six felonies. According to northcentralpa.com, Goas faces Judge Gary Whiteman for a preliminary hearing on February 14th.
UPMC HEALTH PENALIZED BY INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman today announced a $250,000 penalty stemming from a comprehensive Affordable Care Act market conduct examination that the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) conducted on the practices and procedures of UPMC Health Coverage, Inc. and UPMC Health Options, Inc. The UPMC examination, which covers the period from January 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016, identified claims processing violations, including claims being denied when they should have been paid and notification and processing delays. The examination also reported Unfair Insurance Practices Act violations relating to unclear communications, as well as prompt pay and interest violations, and maximum-out-of-pocket miscalculations. The department has ordered UPMC to take corrective action to address the violations.
YORK AND SCRANTON TO GET FEDERAL COVID-19 HELP
Department of Health (DOH) Acting Secretary Keara Klinepeter and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield announced that the federal government has identified York and Scranton based hospitals and emergency medical services (EMS) to receive strike team deployment to support the health care system in Pennsylvania. On December 15, the Wolf Administration outlined key support areas needed in Pennsylvania to support our health care systems. Identified supports included critical staffing supports and additional pandemic response support focused on rural areas.
LITTLE LEAGUE GETTING SET FOR NEW YEAR
As part of a continued evolution of its organizational structure, Little League® International has announced the elevation of six current staff members at its headquarters location in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, effective as of January 1, 2022. According to Stephen D Keener, Little League President and CEO, “Several elevations have occurred to support our marketing, communications, and museum operations, as well as the Risk Management department.” Congratulation to Brian McClintock for his move to Senior Communications Executive, Brent Stahlnecker the Senior Director of Risk Management, Kevin Fountain the Senior Director of Communications, Adam Thompson the Director of the World of Little League® Museum, Kevin Feinberg the Director of Partnership Marketing and Taigen Tebbs as the new Licensing Manager.
