QUARANTINE FOR THE SPOTTED LATERN FLY
Pennsylvania has now added Lycoming County in the spotted lantern fly quarantine zone in an effort to stop the spread of the invasive pest. Sydney Moore, a plant inspector with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture visited with the Lycoming County Commissioners and explained the quarantine. Residents are encouraged to use a checklist to ensure they are not carrying flies, in any life stage, on your car, camping items or you. A checklist is available on the Pa Dept of Agriculture website. Although the pest is not known to bite humans, they will attack the heart of the agriculture economy, these being wine grapes, juice grape, apples and peaches.
SHOOTING REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN THE CITY
Williamsport residents have been plagued with gunfire in the city. As reported by SUN Gazette, shots fired in the early morning hours of March 26 were heard on a surveillance video. Although no one was injured, police are still looking for the shooter on Eldred Street. Police are also continuing the investigation into shots fired near West Church Street just before 2 am on Sunday. This shooting sent one man to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call Patrolman Salisbury with the Williamsport Bureau of Police.
POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION
The Williamsport City Planning Commission approved and has awarded a positive recommendation for a Williamsport construction management company’s land development plan for a mixed-use commercial-residential project in Old City. As reported by SUN Gazette, Pine Ridge Construction Management Inc. has received the nod for the site at 255 E. Third Street, which carries a price tag of $20 million. The land development plan now goes before city council for approval.
LYCOMING COUNTY CLEANWATER ACTION PLAN
Lycoming County’s Cleanwater Action Plan, will be presented on Wednesday, April 13 at 7pm at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Williamsport by the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited. As reported by SUN Gazette, Matt Long, district manager of the Lycoming County Conservation District, and Billy Clees, coordinator of the County’s Cleanwater Action Plan will discuss projects for Pine Run, Bottle Run, and Bennetts Run. Most of the projects are focused on waterways impaired by agricultural activities.
ASSAULT CHARGES ON WATSONTOWN MAN
An 18-year-old Watsontown man was charged with simple assault and harassment. On Friday, just after 3:30 pm, Watsontown Police were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of South Main St. for a report of a domestic disturbance. Wyatt Lane Hoffman had allegedly assaulted a female victim by striking, shoving and kicking her during a domestic dispute. Hoffman was taken into custody and arraigned by Magistrate Michael I. Diehl of Milton, with bail being set at $5,000.00, unsecured. A preliminary hearing has been set for April 13th.
POLICE WARN OF CHECK WASHING SCAM
Local residents are being warned to be aware of check washing scams that have occurred in Mahoning Township. Police have reported that since early this year, victims have had checks taken from mailboxes and then information “washed” or erased from the checks and then upgraded to higher amounts. News outlets say the inspection arm of the United Postal Service is investigating the incidents. They say outgoing mail is most safe when placed in blue collection boxes managed by the postal service and that to have mail held by the post office when going out of town.
SANDUSKY FILES AN APPEAL IN FEDERAL COURT
The lawyer of the convicted sex offender, Jerry Sandusky, has filed another appeal in federal court. According to WNEP, the most recent appeal claims Sandusky’s legal team made errors that led to him not getting a fair trial ten years ago. He has unsuccessfully appealed at the State level in previous years. They are asking for the previous trial and sentence to be thrown out so a new trial can be scheduled.
ONLINE CLEMENCY APPLICATION HELPS EX-CONVICTS
With April designated as Second Chance month, there is a plan to improve online access for ex-convicts in Pennsylvania so they can apply for clemency. According to Commonwealth Media Services, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has unveiled a new initiative through his role as chair of the state Board of Pardons, that will remove the paper-based process of applying for a pardon and transition to a digital system for the first time in state history. A mobile app will allow applicants to upload documents and track the status of their application. The system should be up and running by January 2023.
SOUTHSIDE MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD PORN
A South Williamsport man has been arrested after he was linked to an email address that was flagged for child abuse and pornographic material. According to NorthCentralPAdotcom state police say a tip came through in January that led investigators to the home of Christopher Fraunfelter who was taken into custody March 15th after a search warrant revealed that the man was in possession of the material in question. Fraunfelter had a preliminary hearing March 28th with Judge Gary Whiteman.
