A Western Clinton County project that will produce shale natural gas – fired electricity to thousands in New York and Pennsylvania; will proceed despite an Environmental Hearing Board ruling saying that state – approved emission limits for sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds are too high. The facility will be located at the former Pennsylvania Railroad railcar and repair shop, that sits on 68 acres, in Renovo. The project investment could top $850 million dollars, and provide some 70 jobs in the construction phase and bring 30 permanent jobs to the Renovo Energy Center.
A Mifflinburg woman, who was formerly employed by Bucknell University, has been charged with a felony of access device fraud; after allegedly making 140 charges to Amazon, with the university credit card, for personal use. Tonya Struble, 39, had made the improper charges between February 7th and May 26th. Struble was arraigned in district court and bail was set at $25,000 unsecured. Struble had previously been charged for forging her clearances, when she applied for a job in March with Geisinger in Danville.
With the Old City project in downtown Williamsport moving along, with the public-private partnership; it has got other area locations wanting to becoming a part of the renaissance of the downtown area, especially near the Interstate 180 area. Rick Mahonski, the owner of River Valley Plaza, is looking at improving the look and feel of the plaza, to bring further growth to the area. The Starbucks location is looking at making improvements to the restaurant, by adding an additional drive through for customers. The improvements are just some of the things that will be done after Williamsport City Council approved the developers to apply for a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant. The RACP grant being applied for is not to exceed $4 million and will come at no cost to the city.
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams-Dunn has announced the appointment of Gregory Kisko, as the District Forester for Sproul State Forest. Sproul State Forest is located in Clinton and Centre counties, which is a part of the Pennsylvania Wilds. Kisko will oversee management of the forest, which covers more than 305,000 acres and features steep and rugged hillsides cut by the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries.
Lycoming County Commissioners are hoping to address the housing shortage that is being experienced in the area. The housing shortage was identified during meetings earlier this year to explore how best to allocate the county’s American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. Now, the commissioners have a plan to address that need. Out of the meetings with area developers, realtors and water authorities, a small task force was formed to explore the issue and try to come up with solutions. From that, an application was developed for the Housing Supply Initiative Grant Program. Interested parties can begin to submit applications to the county on Oct. 1st.
The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association are inviting the public to a picnic and joint meeting, that will include a tour of the Lycoming College Biology Field Station. The tour will include research and demonstration projects on conservation and restoration of the Loyalsock Creek riparian floodplain and ecosystem. Reservations are requested for the event.
A South Williamsport man has been arrested and charged in relation to sexual molestation of a 10 year old child. Dalton William Schlee, 29, was jailed for felony and misdemeanor charges in Williamsport. Schlee faces three counts of aggravated indecent assault, two counts of indecent assault and one count each of unlawful contact with a minor and corrupting the morals of a minor. The alleged incident occurred sometime between June 2019 and March 2020, police said. Following his arraignment, Schlee is jailed in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $125,000 bail.
A refuted gang member has been arrested in Williamsport, for a felony charge of illegal possession of a firearm. Steven Oliver Singletary, a former member of the “Tat Gang” which sold heroin and cocaine in the Williamsport area between 2012-2014, was arrested stemming from an incident at his girlfriend’s home in the city on August 24th. Due to his drug conviction six years ago in federal court, the 35-year-old man is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Singletary is free on bail.
A New Berlin man was charged with felony sexual assault and forcible compulsion after an alleged incident last August, at a hotel near Lewisburg. Abdur-Rahim Harper, 30, was arraigned on September 1st, with bail set at $50,000 unsecured, with a preliminary hearing set for September 15th.
A Lewisburg contractor is accused of taking a deposit from a couple and failed to start the home improvements as promised. Francisco Avila, 31, owner of Avila’s Home Improvement, gave a quote to the couple and placed a $3,000 deposit with the contractor; but, did not return to complete the work. Avila was charged with Theft by Deception, deceptive business practices, and other related charges. A bench warrant is out for Avila’s arrest.
IN SPORTS…
MLB Draft League –
The Williamsport Crosscutters have clinched the second half title of the MLB Draft League, after defeating the Frederick Keys, on the road in Maryland. The Cutters defeated the Keys, 5 to 3, on Sunday evening and will now head to West Virginia tonight, to face the Black Bears, who won the 1st half title, for the MLB Draft League Championship.
MLB SCORES –
NY Yankees over Minnesota, 5-2
Toronto defeated Baltimore, 7-3 in Game 1
Toronto doubled up Baltimore, 8-4 in Game 2
Tampa Bay slipped past Boston, 4-3
Cleveland doubled up Kansas City, 6-3
Washington blanked St. Louis, 6-0
Milwaukee edged Colorado, 6-4
Chicago White Sox over Seattle, 3-2
Arizona blanked San Diego, 5-0
Houston edged Texas, 1-0
LA Angels annihilated Detroit, 10-0
San Francisco defeated LA Dodgers, 7-4
COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS –
AP Top 25
Alabama remains at #1 after their victory over Utah State on Saturday. Ohio State drops from #2 to #3, with Georgia, leapfrogging the Buckeyes to #2, Clemson and Michigan, round out the Top 5. Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Baylor and Oklahoma State, round out the Top 10. Pittsburgh was picked at #19. Penn State did not make the rankings for the week.
