SECOND TRIAL FOR FORMER WASD TEACHER
A former Williamsport Area School District teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor student started his second trial this week in Lycoming County Court. According to the Sun Gazette, 43 year old Christopher Yoder allegedly had contact with the minor during the 2011-12 school year and is facing statutory and institutional sexual and other assault charges. Yoder previously faced six counts of unlawful contact with a minor but he was not convicted in November of 2022.
ACCIDENT TUESDAY IN SHAMOKIN DAM
State Police are investigating a crash that happened near Shamokin Dam Tuesday near the Routes 11 & 15 intersection. According to police, 45-year-old John Lower of Sunbury was not wearing a seatbelt when he crashed into the mountainside along Route 11 at about 5:30pm. Lower had suspected serious injuries but there is no word on what facility the man was taken to. Hummels Wharf fire and EMS crews, PennDOT, and local fire police were on the scene.
CLINTON COUNTY WOMAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON
A Lock Haven woman was sentenced in Clinton County Court on Tuesday for charges against her for eight separate criminal offenses relating to an April home invasion on the 300 Block of Pennsylvania Avenue in South Renovo. According to the Lock Haven Express, Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury said 26 year old Breanna Englert must serve a 12 year sentence for felony Criminal Trespass, Terroristic Threats Recklessly endangerment, simple assault, and one count of Cruelty to Animals. DA Dave Strouse had asked for Englert to receive the maximum sentence; 25 years, saying a lesser sentence would be an injustice, because it’s his opinion that Englert will re-offend.
NEW ALERT SYTEM COMING TO SUNBURY
An emergency alert system is expected to be implemented next year that Sunbury officials say will allow city officials to alert residents of announcements, such as council meetings, street sweeping, planned events as well as emergency or weather announcements. According to the Daily Item, Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious says they are considering a system that also has a new time card feature for city employees who will then be required to use city-issued identification badges to log in and out of work for their shifts. Both new initiatives are set to begin in early 2024.
MAN DIDN’T LEAVE WILLIAMSPORT HOME AFTER BREAK-IN
A man who was discovered inside a Williamsport woman’s home December 4th was arrested by city police. According to North Central PA dot com, the Germania Street homeowner said she went to investigate a noise and found 56 year old Bradley James Ryan had entered her home through an unlocked door looking for someone the woman said didn’t live there. Ryan left the home but stayed on the property, later attempting to enter the home through a basement door. When police arrived they took Ryan into custody and he was committed to Lycoming County Prison on 15 thousand dollars bail.
ROAD RAGE LEADS TO BROKEN CAR WINDOW
Police say a driver involved in a road rage incident Saturday, fled the scene after throwing an object at the victim’s car and breaking their rear window in Snyder County. According to North Central PA dot com, the victim was driving along Ninth Street and N. Susquehanna Trail in Monroe Township, when another driver, possibly in a maroon Dodge Ram pickup truck threw an unknown object breaking the back window of the Subaru Forester, before they drove north on Airport Road. If you have information about the incident, call police at 570 374-8145.
HALF MIL INCREASE FOR WILLIAMSPORT REAL ESTATE TAX
Williamsport City Council has adopted a half mil real estate tax increase along with the 2024 budget this week. According to the Sun Gazette, after previous readings and work sessions through the budget, the rate was set Thursday at 16.72 mills. Homeowners with property assessed at a value of 100 thousand dollars will now pay 1,672 dollars per year. Councilwoman Liz Miele was a dissenting vote, saying the half mil will not work with the expected financial circumstances.
AUDUBON SOCIETY WANTS TO WORK ON THIRD BIRD ATLAS
People who live in Tioga or Potter Counties are invited to partner with the Tiadaghton Audubon Society to help work on the third edition of a birdwatchers’ database project. According to the society, the third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas compiles birdwatchers’ observations to determine changes in bird populations, locations, and behaviors. There will be an in-person information session about the project on Wednesday, December 20 at 6 p.m. in the old music room of the Wellsboro Area School District Administration Building at 22 Nichols Street, Wellsboro. For more details, email the Tiadaghton Audubon Society by emailing TAS member at yahoo.com.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Basketball
Boys
Williamsport 49 Crestwood 47
Shamokin 67 Montoursville 46
Mount Carmel 54 Jersey Shore 43
Milton 61 Midd-West 37
Norry Christian 63 Weatherly 53
Girls
Hughesville 75 St. John Neumann 16
Jersey Shore 52 Mount Carmel 31
Sullivan Co. 63 CMVT 15
Williamson 47 Towanda 37
Benton 31 Midd-West 19
Greenwood 44 Line Mountain 38
NFL Thursday Night Football
Raiders 63 Chargers 21
Saturday NFL this week
Vikings vs Bengals 1pm NFL Net
Steelers vs Colts 4:30pm NFL Net
Broncos vs Lions 8:15pm NFL Net
NFL Sunday
Jets vs Miami Dolphins 1pm CBS
Chiefs vs Patriots 1pm FOX
Giants vs Saints 1pm
Dallas vs Buffalo 4:25pm FOX
Baltimore vs Jacksonville 8:20 NBC
NCAA Bowl Games Saturday
Myrtle Beach Bowl from Conway, SC
Georgia Southern vs Ohio Bobcats 1am ESPN
Avocados from Mexico Bowl in Orlando, Florida
Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State 3:30pm ABC
NBA
Celtics 116 Cavaliers 107
Bulls 124 Heat 116
Nuggets 124 Nets 101
Kings 128 Thunder 123
Clippers 121 Warriors 113
NBA Tonight
Detroit vs 76ers 7pm
Lakers vs San Antonio 7:30 ESPN
Knicks vs Phoenix 10pm ESPN
