LINDEN MAN ARRESTED FOR TWO SEXUAL ASSAULTS
A man from Linden is in custody after he was arrested for allegedly raping an unconscious woman September 26th in Williamsport, as well as having chares filed against him for having inappropriate contact with a woman with cognitive disabilities. According to Sun Gazette, 65 year old James Anthony Esposito Jr, was previously hired by one victim to trim trees on her property and later approached her in a social setting when he saw her at a bar in the city’s East End. At the end of the evening Esposito followed the victim to her home where she agreed to let him in her home for a beer. Police say the woman reported losing consciousness and awoke later saying she sexually assaulted Esposito was arrested two days later and then charged for the other assault from Sullivan County. He is in Lycoming County Prison on no bail.
KCSD EMPLOYEES TO BE SENTENCED FOR CORRUPTION OF MINORS
The two women accused of sex-related offenses with minors when they were staff at Keystone Central School District have pleaded guilty in the case. According to the Lock Haven Express, 36 year old Dana Ann Kitchen engaged in photo and file sharing with two juvenile males on the Snapchat platform and was charged with felony corruption of minors and two counts of unlawful contact with minors. 29 year old Brittany Kay Koch, of Beech Creek was also charged with the third degree felonies. Sentencing for Kitchen could result in 20 years, for Koch a maximum of 14 years. Both women will be required to register as Megan’s Law Offenders for at least 25 years.
LIHEAP APPLICATIONS TO BE ACCEPTED THROUGH APRIL 2025
Assistance for winter energy bills is available and the application process has begun for the federal grant program LIHEAP. According to the Lock Haven Express, PPL Electric Utilities customers can apply for up to $2000 assistance through April of 2025, but are encouraged to act early while funds are still available. PPL provides other assistance for customers facing a tight budget, including OnTrack offers fixed monthly payments and referrals to energy-saving programs for income-eligible customers, and other payment arrangements. Go online to find out more pplelectric.com/billhelp or call 1-800-342-5775.
BURN BAN IN MONTOUR COUNTY
Montour County Commissioners have implemented a burn ban this week over high fire risk and dry conditions in North Central PA. According to media outlets, it was a unanimous vote Tuesday passing a resolution and imposing a ban on any and all outdoor burning. Fines could be imposed if the ordinance is violated. Fines are set at $100 for the first offense adding one hundred dollars for each offense thereafter. Burn bands remain in effect for areas of Northumberland, Sullivan, and Lycoming Counties – including a camp fire ban at state parks and burn ban on Pennsylvania Game lands.
CORRECTION: VICTIM IN SHOOTING DID NOT HAVE A FIREARM
It was erroneously reported this week that the victim in a Friday night shooting of Daughterys Run Road in Woodward Township had also been armed but according to state police only the suspect in the shooting had been armed in the incident. According to the Sun Gazette, police say 28 year old Tyler Whyte and 33 year old Shawn Shipton were involved in a vehicle transaction on Friday during which Shipton allegedly damaged the axle of the car he planned to purchase. Investigators say when Shipton and two others returned to the property off of Wither Hollow Lane later to repair the damage, Whyte was there yelling and mocking them. Moments later those on the scene said Whyte produced a gun and shot nine times at the victim. According to an affidavit, Shipton was taken to UPMC Williamsport with five gunshot wounds to the left side of his chest and a collapsed lung. Whyte was arraigned early Saturday on felony charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.
AUTOMATIC RECOUNT TRIGGERED IN PENNSYLVANIA
An automatic recount has been triggered for the Nov. 5 general election race for U.S. Senate. According to Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt the vote totals for Senator Bob Casey and Dave McCormick are within the one-half of 1 percent margin that calls for the recount under state law. The recount will begin November 20th and must be complete by noon on Nov. 26th the results will then be published after the 27th . The unofficial returns at his time reflect that McCormick leads with 48.93% of the count with 48.5% for Casey . A recount uses over $1 million of taxpayer funds.
BUCKNELL SURVEY AVAILABLE FOR LEWISBURG RESIDENTS
Two educators from Bucknell University are seeking public input on community needs at Wolfe Field in Lewisburg by conducting a survey that was constructed by a team of stakeholders in the community and then given to students to create a survey based approved by the Bucknell University Institutional Review Board. The students in the Integrated Perspectives course will be able to take the survey results and analyze how communities are building resilience and capacity to address problems complicated by climate change. To find out more about the survey go to lewisburgneighborhoods.org before this Sunday.
SPORTS
NBA
Celtics 139 Nets 114
Bulls 124 Knicks 123
Cavaliers 114 76ers 106
Bucks 127 Pistons 120 /OT
Spurs 139 Wizards 130
Lakers 128 Grizzlies 123
NBA Tonight
Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz 9pm NBAtv
NHL
Red Wings 3 Penguins 2
Maple Leafs 4 Capitals 3
Utah 4 Hurricanes 1
NHL Tonight
Flyers vs Senators 7pm
Devils vs Panthers 7pm
Sharks vs Rangers 7pm
Blues vs Sabres 7:30pm Hulu
Islanders vs Canucks 10pm ESPN+
NFL Thursday Night Football
Commanders vs Eagles 8:15pm PrimeVid
HS Football State Playoffs Friday
PIAA First Round
Class 6A
State College vs Williamsport
BYB Game of the Week/Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network
Quad A Juniata vs Shamokin
Class A Muncy vs Lackawanna Trail @ Scranton
District 4 Championships Friday
AAA – Lewisburg vs Danville
AA – Warrior Run vs Troy @ Mansfield U
