PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY VEHICLE ON WASHINGTON BLVD

 A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Washington Blvd Sunday and his identitiy has been released.  According to the Lycoming County Coroner, 52 year old Gerald Miles was under the influence of alcohol at about 10pm as he crossed to the north side of the street, and was hit by a 19 year old driver  who told police he didn’t see Miles before he hit him since he was wearing dark clothing.  The man was taken to UPMC Williamsport immediately after the accident but died of  traumatic head and chest  injuries about 2:30 Monday morning.  Police are investigating and have impounded the car that hit Miles.  

SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT BROUGHT LIVE WIRES DOWN

A school bus with students aboard struck a utility pole yesterday in Clinton Township that brought down utility wires onto the bus and trapped the occupants on board until PPL arrived and de-energized the wires.  According to the Sun Gazette, the accident occurred on Brouse Road near Route 405 at about 3:10pm and authorities commended the driver and 26 students who remained calm for the entire ordeal until they were able to exit the bus safely and leave the scene on another bus – about 4pm.  PPL shut down a power grid removing the live wire threat.  The driver was in contact with officials via cellphone during the entire incident and there were no injuries reported.

FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION HOLDING ZOOM MEETINGS

A slate of virtual meetings with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission is happening today.  According to the Sun Gazette, a fisheries and hatcheries committee meeting starts at 10 which is expected to include discussion on  the Stretegic plan for management of Trout fisheries in PA and brook trout conservation efforts, among other topics.  Other meetings today also include a law enforcement committee meeting at 2:30pm.  The PA Fish and Boat commission’s quarterly meeting will also be held online but it comes about January 27^th.
https://bit.ly/Fish-HatchJan7 (Webinar number 2861 757 1456). The attendee password is “public.”

WILLIAMSPORT MAN BRAVES THE COLD FOR HOMELESS VETS

A local man will spend 2 days in the brutally cold weather this weekend to raise awareness for homeless veterans in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, Paul Mills, sergeant-at-arms for the Sons of the American Legion Post 1, will camp out in front of the Legion on January 10^th through the 12^th to kick off Operation Help, a way to raise funds and bring awareness about Lycoming County veterans who face homelessness .  Mills will also be joined by the local Blue Star Mothers who will support him.  Mills will be in front of the American Legion Post 1, 10 E. Third St., Williamsport beginning noon on Friday.

DELIVERY DRIVER PEPPER SPRAYS STOPPED MOTORIST

An Amazon driver from Allenwood is facing harassment charges after pepper-spraying a motorist who stopped to speak to her along Tower Road in Union County.  According to the News Item, 30 year old Alisha Molino is a delivery driver who had pulled to the side of the road after going through a stop sign December 19^th.  Milton State police say Amber Traver stopped to advise Molino that she had run the stop sign.  After driving away, Travers said she was followed by an angry Molino who got out of the truck and sprayed Travers through her open car window with pepper spray along the roadside in Limestone Township.  Molino was located nearby and was charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct and has a preliminary hearing today in Union County Court.

SENIOR FACILITY NEEDS SUPPLIES FOR EVACUEES

In the aftermath of the fire that displaced residents at the Mount Carmel Senior Living Community, the facility which is west of Mahanoy City, who took them in, is seeking support from the public.  According to media outlets, the Birches at Shenandoah Manor said they are in need of essential items since taking in the residents; including men’s and women’s clothing in various sizes, from small to 3X as well as Depends and other personal care products. If you can help call 570-985-3562 for more information.

NO SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHERS IN 2025

The Lycoming County SPCA has announced that will not be able to provide spay/neuter vouchers for low- to moderate-income eligible pet owners this year. According to the Sun Gazette, the LyCo SPCA posted on their social media pages, that due to grant restrictions, they are unable to offer a reduced rate incentive this year.  Upon hearing of the program cancellation, Mayor Slaughter said he wants to address the budget issue with city council members.  In Snyder, Northumberland, or Union Counties, residents can go online to sunpets.org for spay/neuter assistance in their communities.

CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY COMING IN MARCH

Members of the public who want a greater understanding of law enforcement are invited to sign up for Citizen’s police academy – a 7 week weekly program that is designed to expose selected citizens to training officers receive and general law enforcement concepts and responsibilities.  The Wednesday evening sessions are taught by members of the Pennsylvania State Police and local departments and give an overview of multiple police procedures, techniques, and topics such as use of force, crash reconstruction, forensics, criminal investigation, DUI enforcement, and more.  Classes begin March 5^th and those who are 18 years or older with no criminal history should submit an application before February 2^nd.  Email sbarrett @pa.gov for more information.

SPORTS

PIAA HS

Boys Wrestling
Montoursville  62          Canton  10
Wyalusing  39      Troy  29
Cntrl Colum.  42            Bloomsburg  18
Girls Wrestling
Shikellamy  39     Williamsport  36


Boys Basketball 
Jersey Shore  74  Norry Christian  56
Northwest  54      Muncy  30
Girls  Basketball
Crestwood  44      Loyalsock  42
NP Liberty  48     Sullivan County  25
Towanda  48        Wellsboro  44
NP Mansfield  41           Canton  35

NCAA Football Thursday
Notre Dame vs Penn State  Semifinals/Orange Bowl  7:30pm ESPN
NCAA Football Friday
Ohio State vs Texas  semifinal /Cotton Bowl  7:30pm ESPN
Nat. Championship 1/20  7:30pm ESPN

NFL Saturday
AFC  Wild Card Payoffs
 Chargers  vs Texans  4:30pm  CBS
Steelers  vs Ravens  8pm PrimeVid
NFL Sunday
Broncos  vs Bills 1pm CBS
NFC Wild Card Playoffs
Packers vs Eagles  4:30pm FOX
Commanders  vs Buccaneers  8pm NBC
Vikings  vs Rams  8pm  ESPN/ABC

NBA
Suns  109   76ers  99
Pacers  113           Nets  99
Magic 103  Knicks  94
Bulls  114  Spurs  110
Bucks  128           Raptors  104
NBA Tonight
Rockets  vs Wizards  7pm
Lakers  vs  Mavericks  7:30pm TNT
Celtics vs Nuggets  10pm TNT
Heat vs Warriors  10pm

NHL
Sabres  4               Capitals 3
Canadiens  5        Canucks  4
Avalanche  3        Panthers  1
Devils  3               Kraken  2

NHL Tonight
Oilers  vs Bruins  7pm ESPN+
Stars  vs Rangers  7pm ESPN+
Blue Jackets  vs Penguins  7pm ESPN+
Maple Leafs  vs Flyers  7:30pm ESPN+/Hulu

MAN MAKING VIDEOS CHARGED WITH TRESSPASSING

A man from Mill Hall is facing possible charges after police say he was seen trespassing on land in Clinton County and the owners called police.  According to North Central PA dot com, 45 year old Steven Eoute was confronted by the couple while he sat in his truck with his wife allegedly making adult content TikTok videos.  He then fired multiple shots from a handgun after he was asked to leave the wooded area in Bald Eagle Township.  Police have charged Eoute with reckless endangerment with more charges potentially pending. 

MAN CHARGED WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

The incarcerated suspect who allegedly shot a man several times November 8^th at a home on Wither Hollow Road in Woodward Township, is facing additional charges of animal cruelty for shooting another man’s dog while it was in his care.  According to the Sun Gazette, Tyler Scott Whyte shot and killed Shawn Reid’s dog, just before Shawn Shipton, who was on the property to repair a vehicle, was shot and wounded.  Whyte now faces felony aggravated cruelty to animal charges and was recently recommitted to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of an additional 15 thousand dollars bail.  Whyte had been jailed without bail since last November for attempted homicide and related offenses.  Shipton is recovering from his injuries. 

GRANT FOR MONTGOMERY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

About 800 customers in Montgomery Borough will benefit from almost one million dollars in grant money meant to upgrade the water line infrastructure.  According to the Sun  Gazette, State Representative Jamie Flick announced the funding made available through the Local Share Account Statewide program.  The upgrade will ensure that residents and emergency responders have access to reliable water service.  Montgomery Water Authority officials said the grant money will help replace infrastructure of a large part of Wagner Avenue and Broad Street.

FARM SHOW STARTS SATURDAY

The 109^th Farm Show starts tomorrow in Harrisburg, but there is a food-court preview available starting at noon today until 9pm.  According to the farmshow.pa.gov website, the PA Preferred reception takes place this afternoon for farm show producers and Ag supporters and opening ceremonies will be broadcast live on social media tomorrow morning at 10am from the Main Hall.  Admission is free to the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, but parking is $15, and may be paid by credit card, at all Farm Show Complex-operated lots.

SHAMOKIN MAN ARRESTED FOR STRANGULATION

A man from Shamokin was taken into custody after police say he strangled his girlfriend for saying he drinks too much.  According to Shamokin Police witnesses called them December 14^th after 50 year old Tracy Sperlbaum was seen choking the victim several times, once until she turned blue.  Sperlbaum had a small cut on his arm and said the victim used a knife to cut him, but police didn’t find a weapon.  He was charged with a felony count of strangulation, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary harassment with set bail at $5,000.

DEWART MAN BREAKS INTO WOMAN’S HOME

A man from Dewart was facing charges after he forcefully broke into a woman’s home in West Chillisquaque Township, stole a 5 dollar glass pig and left the property.  According to North Central PA dot com, 46 year old Paul McClintock kicked in the victim’s front door November 17^th and shoved the woman into a wall before he stole the pig and fled.  Most charges were withdrawn against McClintock, who police say has a long criminal history.  He did plead guilty to a summary harassment charge in December 11^th.

GUTTER WORK IN MIFFLINBURG NEXT WEEK

Work to install gutters is expected in Mifflinburg next week and there will be road restrictions as a result.  According to PennDOT, a contractor will be installing gutters this coming Wednesday on a property along Chestnut Street  which is Route 45 between Fifth and Sixth Streets in Mifflinburg Borough.  Work is expected to take place between 9am  and 11am with flaggers in place weather permitting.

FARM SHOW BUTTER SCULPTURE UNVEILED

The 2025 Butter sculpture at the 109th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show was unveiled last night and features a dairy cow set against a Pennsylvania farm backdrop, with a vibrant cityscape nestled in the distance. The latest sculpture was presented by the American Dairy Association North East and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The sculpture will be on display in the Main Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show through January 11^th, after which the butter will be recycled at Reinford Farms in Juniata County.

SPORTS

NCAA Football
Notre Dame  23    Georgia  10
Ole Miss  52         Duke  20

College Football Playoff Semi-final
Notre Dame vs Penn State   Orange Bowl -1/9  7:30pm ESPN
Ohio State  vs Texas   Cotton Bowl – 1/10   7:30pm  ESPN
Monday 1/20 – National Championship  7:30pm ESPN

NFL Saturday
Browns  vs Ravens  4:30pm ESPN/ABC
Bengals  vs Steelers  8pm ESPN/ABC

NBA
Pacers  128          Heat  115
Celtics  118          Timberwolves 115
Net 113                Bucks 110
Warriors  139       76ers  105
Lakers  114          Trail Blazers  106
NBA Tonight
Celtics  vs Rockets 8pm
Wizards  vs Pelicans 8pm
Knicks  vs Thunder  8pm  NBAtv
Cavaliers  vs  Mavericks 8:30pm
Hawks vs Lakers  10:30pm NBAtv

NHL
Rangers 2             Bruins  1
Wild  4                 Capitals  3
Maple leafs 2        Islanders  1
Avalanche 6         Sabres  5
Utah  5                 Flames  3
Golden Knights  5  Flyers  2
NHL Tonight
Penguins  vs Panthers  7pm  NHLnet
Ducks  vs Oilers  9pm ESPN+