HEAVY SNOW BRINGS DOWN TREES, POWER LINES
The wet heavy snow has brought wires, trees and tree limbs down overnight. There are numerous scanner reports of issues around the region, and PennDOT has reduced speeds on I-80 this morning to 45 miles per hour. In Lycoming County there are downed trees along Route 554 between Route 15 known as Market Street and Montgomery Pike in South Williamsport and Elimsport Road in Washington Township, and Little Pine Creek Road between Route 44 in Cummings Township and English Run Road in Pine Township. In Northumberland County, watch for utilities impacted by branches and trees down along Musser Lane between Dugan Road and the Lycoming County line in Delaware Township.
MAN IN CRASH AFTER POLICE PURSUIT IDENTIFIED
The man involved in a police pursuit in Loyalsock Township that ended in a crash and the discovery of the driver dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound has been identified. According to PennLive, 36 year old Timothy James Bird of Sunbury was stopped initially on I-180 east around 12:54 am on Sunday, then eluded police starting a chase toward the Northumberland County line. Bird went off the roadway and overturned in the roll-over crash. Once they investigated the scene, state police found weapons in the car and according to the Lycoming County Coroner, the cause of death was the gunshot.
FUEL AVAILABILITY BILL HEADING TO PA SENATE
Legislation ensuring that state residents have options when it comes to fuel availability was approved this week by the Senate Local Government Committee. According to prime sponsor Sen. Gene Yaw the “Energy Choice” legislation, limits municipal entities from banning a specific type of fuel source for appliances and heating homes or businesses. The language is fuel-neutral. Yaw said some states are looking to ban certain fuel sources, but Pennsylvania residents have a lots of energy options. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
PLANETARIUM SHOWS COMING BACK TO LYCOMING COLLEGE
Lycoming college is bringing back the First Friday Planetarium shows that have been paused since the pandemic. According to WNEP, the state-of-the-art Lynn Science Center is offering a free show this Friday starting at 5pm which at the moment is sold out and has a wait list of over 250. According to the planetarium manager, Melissa Kiehl, there will be two shows on each Friday after the opening weekend and the shows will feature monthly show themes. March will feature strange objects in the sky and the stories behind them.
SNYDERTOWN MURDER TRIAL DELAYED
A man accused of killing three people in Snydertown will have his trial delayed after new information has come to light according to the man’s legal team. According to the Daily Item, Northumberland County President Judge Paige Rosini granted a motion of continuance for 25 year old Matthew Reed, accused of killing Susan Williams, and James Dicken and John Paul Dicken in 2021. Rosini said since they are hearing a death penalty case, time will be granted for more preparation. Jury selection was originally scheduled for May 8th, but now a status conference will be held in April to see where the defense stands. Reed is facing three counts of homicide, two felony counts of robbery and more and is being held without bail in the Northumberland County jail.
ELDERLY MAN WAS VICTIM IN HOUSE FIRE
A 78 year old man died in a house fire in Dewart Sunday. According to the Sun Gazette, Warrior Run Area Fire Chief Douglas Funk said the fire destroyed the home on Spencer Street and 76 year old Dennis Hassenplug, perished in the fire. According to the Daily item, state police fire marshals said Hassenplug died as a result of a fire-related elevation of carbon monoxide. Firefighters from Milton, White Deer Township, Turbot Township, Lewisburg, Montgomery and Muncy worked for 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. The blaze is reported to be accidental.
RAISE THE REGION STARTS TOMORROW
The 30 hour online giving event called Raise the Region begins tomorrow with a 6pm launch with First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania at the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships. According to a press release, 334 nonprofit organizations from Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder Tioga and Union Counties are all eligible to benefit from the fundraising efforts. This is the 11th year FCFP has held Raise the Region and since 2013, has raised over 14.4 million dollars for area nonprofits. Find out more at raise the region dot org.
SPORTS
PIAA State Basketball Championships 1st Round Friday 3/10
Boys Class 1A
North Penn Liberty vs Linville Hill Christian @ Manheim Twp HS 7pm
LaAcademia @ Sullivan County 7pm
Boys Class 4A
Eastern York @Danville 7pm
Shamokin Area @ Valley View 7pm
Littlestown @ Lewisburg 7:30pm
Girls Class 2A
Lancaster Mennonite @ South Williamsport 7pm
Northern Lehigh @ Line Mountain 7pm
Girls Class 3A
Bloomsburg @ Dunmore 7pm
Holy Redeemer @ Mount Carmel 7pm
NBA
76ers 147 Pacers 143
Cavaliers 118 Celtics 114
Trailblazers 110 Pistons 104
Heat 130 Hawks 128
Nuggets 118 Raptors 113
Kings 123 Pelicans 108
NHL
Oilers 3 Sabers 2
Sharks 3 Jets 2
Flames 5 Stars 4
Blackhawks 5 Senators 0
Kings 4 Capitals 2
Canucks 4 Predators 3
NCAA Men’s Basketball
West Coast Conference Tournament Semifinal
Gonzaga 84 San Francisco 73
St Mary’s 76 BYU 69
