ARSON CHARGES FOR 22 YEAR-OLD

A Williamsport man has been arrested after an investigation into several fires that were intentionally set in the city between November 4^th and 5^th.  According to the Sun Gazette, in a joint effort between Williamsport Police, Fire and Pennsylvania College of Technology police, they have apprehended 22 year old Jacob George Fichter who police say admitted during an interview that he had set the fires.  A search warrant for Fichter’s residence and car had been issued and police found clothing worn by the suspect seen on surveillance video, man-made incendiary devices and also discovered a bicycle allegedly used by the suspect.  Fichter was charged with a host of arson charges, reckless burning and endangerment, loitering and other charges.  He is in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 200 thousand dollars bail.

DRUG INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST OF WILLIAMSPORT MAN

After a tip in Williamsport that there were drugs being manufactured at a residence at the 800 block of Poplar Street in early November, probation officers filed search warrants for the residence and found 22 year old Dante Caiden Kolasa in possession of marijuana, cocaine, guns, pills, and cash.  According to North Central PA dot com, officers observed drugs and paraphernalia when they went to the home and struggled to handcuff Kolasa, who allegedly resisted arrest.  He was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm prohibited, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest and more.  He is in Lycoming County Prison in liue of 95 thousand dollars bail.

ROLLING ROADBLOCK POSTPONED FOR KELLY TOWNSHIP

A rolling roadblock announced for today along Route 15 in both directions in Kelly Township, for removal of utility wire has been postponed.  According to PennDOT, a contractor for Windstream planned to cut and remove wires that span Route 15 between Colonel John Kelly Road and Zeigler Road.  The project will now take place at a future date.  Get road information 24/7 at 511PA dot com.

GRANTS FROM DCNR TO UPGRADE REC AREAS OF LYCOMING COUNTY

Over a million dollars has been awarded for two projects in Lycoming County thanks to the Community Conservation Partnership Program by DCNR.  According to an announcement by State Senator Gene Yaw and Representative Jamie Flick the funding will help transform Lycoming County and the City of Williamsport by expanding recreational opportunities and improving public spaces.  Ove 649 thousand dollars is earmarked in Lycoming County for the Susquehanna River Walk Extension project, and in the city, over 400 thousand dollars will be used for the rehabilitation of Youngs Woods Park including pedestrian walkways, a pickleball court and a parking area.  Get more details about the funding at SenatorGeneYaw.com or.RepFlick.com. 

MOTHER ARRESTED AFTER TODDLERS FOUND IN ROAD

A woman from Lewisburg is facing child endangerment charges after her two toddlers were outside her home unsupervised and running in the road on West Market Street.  According to the Daily Item, a driver found the toddlers in dirty diapers ages one and three, running on West Market Street about 9:25am on October 23^rd , and saw them almost hit by cars.  That driver looked after the children for about 15 minutes before police entered the home of 20 year old Meah Buss who was coming down from the second floor of the home .  Buss told police she had been in the bathroom for about 5 minutes.  Union County Children & Youth Services were also on the scene before police charged the mother with  child endangerment.  Buss is free on her own recognizance and has a preliminary hearing December 19^th.

MAN FACES MORE CHARGES AFTER THREATENING MAN’S FAMILY

A man who came to Williamsport from New Jersey and sought help from a resident along Louisa Street which led to an arrest, is facing more charges after threatening the man’s family for kicking him out. According to the Sun Gazette, Gerral Ingram who is a convicted felon, was allegedly verbally abusive after he stayed for a short time with the victim’s family and was asked to leave October 10^th.  After charges were filed, Ingram then brought firearms back into the home where they were in close proximity to children who lived there.  His case was held for court for felony endangering the welfare of a child, convicted felon not to possess a firearm, terroristic threats, and more along with disorderly conduct and harassment charges.  Ingram is behind bars in lieu of 75 thousand dollar bail.

PSP SEEKING SUSPECT IN KULPMONT THEFT

State police are seeking the suspect in the November 6^th robbery at the Sunoco convenience store in Kulpmont.  According to the News Item, 55 year old John McLaughlin entered the store and stole the Games of Skill money box, which contained $4,500 and also stole a safe containing over 48 hundred dollars which the female employee was unable to stop him from doing.  McLaughlin has been charged by state police with multiple felonies including burglary, robbery and theft relating to the robbery.  He remains at large.

ADDITIONAL FEMA ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD DAMAGE IN PA

Additional federal public assistance has been approved after Gov. Josh Shapiro requested the new FEMA funds following the devastation caused by remnants of Tropical Storm Debby in August. In order for a region to qualify for FEMA funding there must be a cumulative total of $23.9 million in eligible disaster response and recovery damages and costs. After the approved program, there will be additional hazard mitigation funding for the 29 counties  to help rebuild and better resist future disasters.

SPORTS

NFL
Packers 20            Bears  19
Dolphins  34        Raiders  19
Rams  28              Patriots 22
Colts  28              Jets  27
Steelers  18           Ravens  16
Bills 30                 Chiefs 21
Chargers 34          Bengals  27
NFL Monday Night Football
Texans vs Cowboys  8:15pm  ESPN /ABC

NHL
Hurricanes 4         Blues  1
Capitals  5            Golden Knights 2
Rangers  2            Kraken  0
Predators 5         Canucks 3
NHL Tonight
Blue Jacks vs Bruins  7pm
Avalanche  vs Flyers  7pm NHLNet
Oilers vs Canadiens 7:30pm
Ducks vs Stars  8pm
Capitals vs Utah 9pm ESPN+

NBA
Cavaliers  128      Hornets  114
Timberwolves  120  Suns 117
Pistons 124         Wizards  104
Knicks  114          Nets  104
Rockets  143        Bulls  107
NBA Today
76ers vs Heat 7:30pm
Wizards vs Knicks  7:30pm
Rockets  vs Bucks  8pm NBAtv

FORMER CITY OFFICER SENTENCED TO PROBATION

It’s a 28 month probation sentence for former Williamsport Bureau of Police Cpl. Eric B. Derr.  According to the Sun Gazette, after Derr’s 3-day trial in August, he was found not guilty of misdemeanor unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records and obstruction of the administration of law, but was convicted of  28 counts of unlawful use of a computer for exceeding his authority on use of the state JNET system from 2015 to 2019. In his sentencing hearing, Derr received support from family and friends who said he was a true friend and family man, but his victim said on the stand that he was predator that all women should fear.  Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor ordered Derr to serve the first 12 months of his sentence on house arrest and pay a 500 dollar fine.

MORE FLIGHTS FROM WILLIAMSPORT TO WASHINGTON

A representative from Southern Airways told the Lycoming County commissioners at their meeting yesterday that the airline will be expanding the schedule from Williamsport to Dulles in 2025, allowing travelers to depart earlier allowing for a more convenient business schedule.  According to the Sun Gazette, beginning January 1^st, there will be 12 round trips to Washington DC per week, departing Lycoming County weekdays at 5:50am for a 7:30 arrival and a return flight from DC at 5:25pm returning to Williamsport Regional at 7pm.  Estimates of use of the new flight schedule are expected to generate a 25 percent increase in ridership and revenue. 

PA LAWMAKER COULD BE TAPPED FOR TRUMP’S CABINET

Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson who is currently House Agriculture Chair from Pennsylvania’s 15th District may be asked to join President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet.  According to Politico, Thompson is being considered for the Trump Administration’s Agriculture Secretary. The transition team for President elect Trump have not made any announcements reflecting this choice, but Thompsopn canceled a local event Tuesday saying he needed to be in Washington, DC.  Matthew Brennan, Thompson’s chief of staff said in a statement that he  is humbled by the prospect, but he has not been offered the position.

SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN STARTS

The Salvation Army launched their annual Red Kettle campaign this week with the 6th annual Red Kettle Kickoff breakfast, and exceeded their goal of corporate and individual pledges, bringing in $52,000.  Families interested in eligibility can still sign up for the program as the distribution of toys and holiday meals is being coordinated now.  According to Salvation Army officials, in recent years the red kettle campaign has had to adapt to the loss of brick and mortar store shopping, instead turning to online donations using “Kettle Pay,” where people can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, and QR codes.  Use Give.salvationarmy.org for donating online.

TEEN DRIVES MOTHER’S CAR INTO DANVILLE DYKE

A 13 year old boy from Northumberland drove his mother’s car into Mahoning Creek near the Danville Middle School yesterday afternoon around 1pm and was uninjured in the accident.  According to the Daily Item,  Montour County police were notified of the teen driver who was traveling along Route 11 driving his mother’s gray Kia Telluride before he went through the Danville Area Middle School parking lot and over the dyke before landing in the creek.  Several companies responded to the emergency, and required a backhoe to remove the vehicle from the water.  No word on what charges could be filed against the juvenile.

HEALTH WORKER CHARGED WITH THEFT

A home health worker from Athens has been charged with financially exploiting a care-dependent person and theft, after the 90 year old victim’s family filed a report last month for incidents in September and October.  According to North Central PA dot com, 54 year old Lisa Pate allegedly took money from her client on September 17^th, and over the next few days, the victim’s family tested their faith in Pate by stashing 150 dollars and checking to see if it was there the next day – of which 70 dollars was taken.  Pate who left the employment of the health care company who hired her after she was accused of the theft, was questioned by police and denied the actions.  She has a preliminary hearing on December 3^rd.

FORMER PENN COLLEGE STUDENT FACES CHARGES FOR EXTORTION

Some charges against a former Penn College student who allegedly tried to extort money from another student, have been dropped in Lycoming County Court.  According to North Central PA dot com, 19 year old Kahsan Tahir Youk of Spring City will still face charges after he threatened another student following the solicitation of a business opportunity on a social media account.  Youk later, made demands for the victim to hand over bank information, saying he would have friends attack him if he didn’t comply.  The victim did make deposit on September 16^th but authorities say the bank determined the deposit was fraudulent and that transactions that were attempted that were not made by the account owner.

SELINSGROVE VFW COLLECTING FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

Selinsgrove VFW Post 6631 is collecting items for those communities in North Carolina still recovering from Hurricane Helene.  According to the Daily Item, donations of items like bottled water, baby items, hygiene & cleaning supplies, and more will be loaded onto a trailer on the property at the VFW 940 Route 522, Selinsgrove  to be taken to the VFW State Headquarters in North Carolina.  Call ahead to arrange pick up of donations during regular hours at the VFW Post 6631 Monday through Saturday 11am til 9pm and 1-8pm Sundays.

SPORTS

HS Football State Playoffs  Tonight 7pm kick-off

PIAA First Round
Class 6A
State College vs Williamsport
BYB Game of the Week
6:30p/7p 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

NCAA Football Saturday
Clemson vs Pitt  12pm ESPN
Penn State (4) vs Purdue 3:30pm  CBS
Virginia vs Notre Dame  3:30pm NBC
Tennessee(7) vs Georgia (12)7:30pm  ABC
Kansas vs BYU  10:15pm ESPN

NFL
Thursday Night Football
Eagles  26  Commanders  18
NFL Sunday
Ravens vs Steelers   1pm CBS
Chiefs vs Bills  4:25pm CBS
Bengals vs Chargers  8:20pm NBC/Peacock
NFL Monday Night Football
Houston vs Dallas  8:15pm ESPN /ABC

NBA
Jazz 115  Mavericks  113
NBA Cup – Group play
76ers  vs Magic 7pm
Nets vs Knicks 7:30pm
Lakers vs Spurs  7:30pm ESPN
Grizzlies vs Warriors  10pm ESPN

NHL
Flyers  5  Senators  4
Devils  6  Panthers  2
Rangers  3  Sharks 2
Islanders  5  Canucks  2

NHL Tonight
Penguins  vs Blue Jackets 7pm NHL Net
Capitals vs Avalanche 9pm ESPN+
Golden Knights vs Utah 9pm

NHL Saturday
Sabres vs Flyers  7pm ESPN+