FORMER MOUNT CARMEL OFFICERS AGREE TO A PLEA DEAL
The two Mount Carmel police officers accused of using excessive force on arrestees between 2018 and 2021, have agreed to enter guilty pleas to a single count of conspiracy to deprive rights under the color of law, meaning it was outside of their bounds as a lawful authority. According to the News Item, the plea will then allow the government to move to dismiss four counts of deprivation of rights against Former lieutenant David Donkochik and patrolman Jonathan McHugh. The maximum penalty for a conspiracy offense can include 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 and three years’ supervised release.
WOMAN CHARGED WITH FELONY SHOPLIFTING
A woman using her Weis rewards card while she allegedly stole groceries from several stores is facing additional felony shoplifting charges after 2 prior theft incidents with the law. According to North Central PA dot com, through an investigation of the reward card used and review of surveillance video, police discovered that 33 year old Alyssa Hay of Shamokin stole over 250 dollars-worth of groceries at the self-checkout over 6 occasions in August and September of 2024. She faces the felony charges after police say she was previously caught shoplifting in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Hay’s preliminary hearing is March 18th in District court in Shamokin.
BURN BAN IN CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP
A burn ban is in effect in Catawissa Township after brush and field fires have plagued the area lately. According to Columbia County Supervisors, careless outdoor burning has brought about the ban which will be in place until the end of March. State officials have warned about recent elevated fire risks due to dry weather, low humidity, and the accumulation of fuels like dry grass, leaves, and dead branches. Residents are encouraged to wait to start outdoor burning until later this spring.
BEAVER STADIUM TO BE RENAMED
The Penn State Board of Trustees has announced that a Cumberland County-based home improvement company owned by an alumnus of the University has put forth a $50 million gift for the naming rights of Penn State’s iconic Beaver Stadium. According to a press release, the stadium will now be known as “West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium” in an agreement with West Shore Home which is owned by the Werzyn family. B.J. Werzyn is a 1999 PSU graduate and the founder and CEO of West Shore Home, LLC headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The new name will take effect for the 2025 season and continue through 2039.
MAN BANNED FROM COAL TOWNSHIP WALMART
A man from Paxinos has been charged with felony retail theft for under ringing items at the Walmart on State Route 61 in Coal Township and has recently been banned from the store. According to the Shamokin Police Department, 28 year old Logan C. Faust was seen on surveillance cameras during several instances last November in which he held several items but only scanned one of them before he left the store. In addition to felony theft, Faust was also charged with three misdemeanor counts of trespassing. He will face additional trespassing charges if he enters the Coal Township Walmart again.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON
Man from Northumberland County has been sentenced to 96 months in prison with 4 years supervised release after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges. According to the Daily Item, court records say 27 year old Samuel Rodriguez distributed thousands of doses of methamphetamine and fentanyl between October 2022 and February 2023. A Co-defendant, Paris DeSimone, was previously sentenced to 42 months and also faces 4 years of supervised release. PA State police conducted the investigation.
RAISE THE REGION STARTS TONIGHT
Three hundred and seventy six non-profits have registered for “Raise the Region”, a record number this year for the 30-hour fundraising campaign coordinated by the First Community Foundation Partnership that starts tonight at 6pm. Blaise Alexander family dealerships provide 175 thousand dollars in stretch funds for bonuses and incentives, as the public donates funds and support the non-profit businesses that mean the most to them. Backyard Broadcasting will be announcing the progress and successes of the event throughout the day tomorrow. The online drive ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Raise the Region has raised more than $19 million for local nonprofits, since its inception in 2013.
GENEALOGY PROGRAM AT THE TABER
A genealogical presentation is coming up in Williamsport this month. According to a press release, the event will be at the Taber Museum on West Fourth Street in Williamsport with genealogy professional and Society member Nancy McCurdy who will assist those interested in researching their family tree by offering tips and strategies as well as genealogical case studies and inspiration from her own research. The March 29th program is free and open to the public with doors opening at 12:30 and the program at 1pm.
SPORTS
PIAA State Boys Basketball Second Round
Shamokin 59 Allentown CC 53
Girls Basketball
Imhotep 52 Hughesville 41
Loyalsock 54 West Catholic 35
Hazelton 62 Bethlehem Liberty 48
PIAA State Basketball Second Round Tonight
Boys Class 2A York Catholic vs Northwest @ Martz hall, Pottsville 7:30pm
Boys Class 3A Warrior Run vs West Catholic @ Martz hall, Pottsville 7:30pm
Boys Class 6A Hazelton vs Conestoga @ Freedom HS Bethlehem 7pm
NCAA Men’s Basketball
Gonzaga 58 Saint Mary’s 51
Notre Dame 55 Pitt 54
Syracuse 66 Florida State 62
NCAA Men’s Basketball Today
Cincinnati vs Iowa State 12:30pm ESPN
Iowa vs Ohio State 6pm Peacock
DePaul vs Georgetown 6:30pm Peacock
USC vs Rutgers 8:30pm Peacock
Seton Hall vs Villanova 9pm Peacock
UCF vs Kansas 9:30pm ESPN2
NBA
Cavaliers 109 Nets 104
Pistons 123 Wizards 103
Pacers 115 Bucks 114
Pelicans 127 Clippers 120
NBA Tonight
Hornets vs Hawks 7:30pm
Thunder vs Celtics 7:30pm ESPN
76ers vs Raptors 7:30pm
Timberwolves vs Nuggets 10pm ESPN
Knicks vs Trail Blazers 10pm
NHL
Bruins 3 Panthers 2
Devils 5 Blue Jackets 3
Senators 5 Flyers 2
Penguins 3 Golden Knights 2
Hurricanes 4 Lightning 1
Jets 2 Rangers 1
Capitals 7 Ducks 4
Kings 4 Islanders 1
NHL Tonight
Sabres vs Red Wings 7:30pm TNT
Canucks vs Flames 9pm ESPN+
Ducks vs Utah 10pm TNT
Canadiens vs Kraken 10:30pm ESPN+
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