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+

OLD LYCO SUPERVISOR STEPS DOWN

Old Lycoming Township Supervisor David W. Shirn resigned as board Chairman as of Monday and a resignation letter was read by Supervisor Justin Kastner at Tuesday’s meeting.  According to the Sun Gazette, Shirn’s letter thanked the taxpayers and noted that an environment of disrespect and threats from previous employees led to the decision to step down after 6 years as supervisor and 47 years with the fire department.  Kastner said they appreciated Shirn’s contribution to the township. A third supervisor is expected to be appointed within the next two weeks.

SALLADASBURG ELEMENTARY TO CLOSE

Even with public and online support of keeping the building open, Jersey Shore School Board voted 6-3 in favor of closing Salladasburg Elementary School Monday night.  According to WNEP, in an effort to save money, the students will be moved to Jersey Shore Elementary.  Last year, the school board voted not to close Salladasburg Elementary School, instead choosing to redistribute class size, but after a cooling off period in August, the decision to close has happened  According to the Sun Gazette, parents and community members at the meeting Monday expressed disappointment and sadness at the decision, saying concerns should be about the children and the school board seems to think only about the costs.

HEATING OIL THEFT IN CENTRE COUNTY

Police are investigating the theft of home heating oil earlier this month in Centre County.  According to Pennsylvania State police in Rockview, 125 gallons of heating oil was stolen sometime between October 31^st and November 1^st from a home on Lower Gyp Road in Benner Township.  Police are seeking leads and information about the theft or any suspects.  Call stae police if you can assist the investigation 814-355-7545.

TROUT RUN SEEKING DONATIONS FOR CLAM STEAM FUNDRAISER

After devastating flood damage from Tropical Storm Debby, the Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company continues to work toward funding the restoration of their facilities.  They will be holding their 65^th annual Clam Steam on Sunday, December 1^st in a new location, 98 Upper Powy’s Road in Cogan Station.  The fundraising event will feature raffles consisting of various items and the company is seeking donations from the community to help support them, either through merchandise, in-kind donations, gift baskets or other gifts.  Email TRVFC16 @ icloud.com and find out how you can help keep Trout Run fire trucks rolling.

SUNBURY MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO ABDUCT WOMAN

A man from Sunbury is in custody after police say he attempted to abduct a female from the city.  According to the Daily Item, police reports say the victim mistook the car of 66-year-old Leroy Benner for an acquaintance and got in the vehicle about 9:30am last Friday.  Benner allegedly grabbed the woman and would not let her out of the car, driving to an area near Shikellamy High School where he attempted a sexual assault, but she escaped and rand tyo a nearby house.  Police are investigating several reports of a man attempting to get women to get into his car along all near Fourth and Market Street, which could be related to Benner.  He is in Benner in Northumberland County Jail awaiting an arraignment today.  Call Northumberland County 911 if you have information or video footage of the incident near Route 890 or Cider Press Road.

GALETON MAN ARRESTED FOR GUN THREAT

A man from Galeton is in county jail after threatening the mother of his child with a gun.  According to state police, 33 year old Jamie Lee Hignutt pointed a gun at the woman October 31^st around 9:45pm saying he wanted to kill her in their West Main Street home.  Police were called and charged Hignutt with  terroristic threats, simple assault, and harassment. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing in Potter County Jail, unable to post bail, according to court records.

MCCORMICK INVITED TO WASHINGTON NOW

A spokesperson for Senator Chuck Schumer says David McCOrmick along with Democrat Ruben Gallego of Arizona have now been invited to attend freshman orientation.  According to the Tribune Review, some media outlets declared McCormick the winner in an upset victory Friday, but his opponent, Senator Bob Casey, has not yet not conceded.  At last count 59 year old McCormick, of Pittsburgh, leads by 40,000 votes with a margin of 49% to 48.4% over Casey.

CRIME WATCH IN SUBURY TO RETURN

A Crime Watch program will return to Sunbury after city officials approved a new plan for the city this week.  According to  Police Chief Travis Bremigen, his plan is to form various Crime Watch groups across the city and assign a police officer to be in charge of the sections.  Training would be provided so that volunteers would also help address code issues. The public will be updated soon about how to submit a letter so they can get involved in 2025.  The program would identify where privately owned cameras are located and also foster relationships with city businesses so that timely issues can be addressed.

SPORTS

NBA
Magic  114                     Hornets  89
Hawks  117          Celtics  116
Pistons  123         Heat  121
Knicks  111                   76ers  99
Suns  120             Jazz  112
Warriors  120       Mavericks  117
NBA Tonight
Celtics vs Nets  7:30pm
Bulls  vs Knicks  7:30pm
Cavaliers vs 76ers  7:30pm
Pelicans vs Thunder  7:30pm ESPN
Grizzlies vs Lakers  10pm ESPN

NHL
Jets  6                   Rangers  3
Devils  4               Panthers  1
Oilers  4               Islanders  3
NHL Tonight
Red Wings vs Penguins  7:30pm TNT
Kings vs Avalanche  10pm TNT/Max
NHL News
The Winnipeg Jets made NHL history with their 6-3 victory at the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, becoming the first team to win 15 of its first 16 games in a season.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