LINDEN MAN ARRESTED FOR STRANGULATION

A Linden man was taken into custody for allegedly strangling a victim January 2^nd after she told him how he should use the cash he had won at a local VFW.  According to North Central PA dot com, 43 year old Dustin Dewaine Keller and the female victim argued inside a car outside their residence about whether to share lottery winnings.  Police say Keller then attacked the victim before they were called in for a domestic dispute.  When officers arrived they observed red marks on the victims neck before attempting to take Keller into custody.  He allegedly resisted arrest before he was subdued and arrested.  Keller faces strangulation, simple assault , resisting arrest charges and more.  He is in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 50 thousand dollars monetary.

THIEVES HACK ATM IN LEWISBURG

Twenty nine thousand dollars was stolen a couple of months ago from an ATM in Lewisburg.  According to State Police, unidentified suspects hacked the ATM machine at the Service First Federal Credit Union on Walter Drive in Kelly Township on November 6^th.  If you have information about the suspects or the theft, call state police at Milton (570) 524-2662.

TOLLS INCREASE ON THE TURNPIKE

Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went up five percent last weekend and open tolling has begun in some areas of the state-wide roadway.  According to the Keystone, prices went up after bond borrowing requirements require the Turnpike commission to continue to raise the costs over the next 14 years.  Toll booths have been removed and there are overhead gantries installed in the eastern part of the state.  The process uses EZ pass or Toll-by-Plate transactions for cars traveling on the Turnpike there.  The western section will see Gantry construction completed by January 2027.

“OPERATION WARM” HAS COATS AND SHOES FOR SELINSGROVE KIDS

Pre-registered children are able to take advantage of free coats, shoes and socks this month at the Operation Warm event in Selinsgrove.  According to the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency they are partnering with W&L Subaru to provide coats in sizes ranging from 2T to adult medium and shoe sizes from children’s 11 to youth 7.  Families can email [email protected] or call 570-374-0181 for more information about registering for the give-away that will take place at the CVAC office on Bridge Street in Selinsgrove on January 23rd.

FIGHT AT LOYALSOCK NAIL SALON

Two women got into an argument that escalated to a physical altercation at a Loyalsock Township nail salon December 30^th.  According to police reports, they were called to New Summer Nails for a noise complaint.  Forty year old Limeng Yang allegedly had grabbed a woman’s arm to keep her from walking out the door at about 4pm.  That person punched Yang in the face.  Yang faces harassment charges.

NY MAN ARRESTED FOR SELLING DRUGS TO PATIENT IN SAYRE

A man from Binghamton New York was arrested outside a hospital in Sayre for allegedly selling drugs to a patient admitted there.  According to North Central PA dot com, 36 year old Christopher Arnold, was seen on surveillance video by hospital staff who said they saw a drug transaction take place December 28^th saying they were visiting the patient.  Arnold and another man were questioned when they were sitting outside the facility and then police say they took Arnold  into custody after investigators said there was fentanyl inside a baggie found inside the hospital with the patient they said they visited – however, they could not tell the police the patient’s last name.  Arnold was charged with conspiracy to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance.  He is free on 65 thousand dollars bail.

CLOSURES FOR NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING TODAY

Today is a National Day of Mourning after President Biden declared the day when Former President Jimmy Carter died December 29^th.  According to media outlets, our longest living president will be laid to rest today at Washington National Cathedral.  As a result of the federal holiday, all post offices will be closed and regular mail will not be delivered, and the daily paper will not be printed.  The New York Times says the Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will close U.S. markets. The Supreme Court, federal courts, and the Library of Congress will also be closed.  State offices, schools, banks and private businesses are not required to close for a National Day of Mourning, but are still encouraged to fly flags at half-staff until January 29^th.

DANVILLE MOOSE AND OTHERS RAISE FUNDS FOR FAMILY

The Danville Moose and Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Company are holding a fundraiser for the woman who lost her home to a fire on Christmas Eve in Danville.  According to organizers, a spaghetti and meatball dinner will take place Saturday January 18^th to assist Anne Dewald and her family who lost almost everything in the blaze.  The event will happen at the Danville Moose at 458 Mill Street in DanvillE with food, raffles, entertainment and more.  Call 570 274-1121 for information.

SPORTS

PIAA HS
Boys Wrestling 
Towanda  53                         Cntrl Columbia 15
Boys Basketball
Central Columbia 52           Montoursville  35
Central Mountain  63          Jersey Shore  55
Lewisburg  69                       Milton  50
Bloomsburg  64                    Hughesville  47


Girls Basketball
Muncy  35                             Northwest  18 
South Williamsport  47       Sullivan County  24
Lewisburg  64                       Williamsport  30 
NP Liberty  41                      Williamson 36
NE Bradford  61                   Canton  27

NCAA Football Tonight
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
Cavaliers  129      Thunder  122
Pacers  129           Bulls  113
76ers  109            Wizards  103
Knicks  112          Raptors  98
Pistons  113         Nets  98
Bucks  121            Spurs  105

NBA Tonight
Raptors  vs Cavaliers  7pm
Warriors  vs Pistons  7pm
Timberwolves  vs Magic  7pm NBAtv
Hornets vs Lakers  10:30pm

NHL
Capitals  2  Canucks  1
Blackhawks  3  Avalanche 1
Panthers  4  Utah  1
Flames & Kings postponed due to wildfires near LA

NHL Tonight
Sabres vs Senators  7pm ESPN+
Bruins vs Lightning  7pm ESPN+
Devils vs Rangers 7pm ESPN+
Stars vs Flyers  7pm ESPN+
Oilers vs Penguins  7pm ESPN+
Islanders  vs Golden Knights 10pm ESPN+

TENNIS
The Australian Open starts Sunday morning in Melbourne  (Saturday night in the U.S.) and will run for 15 days.
* Novak Djokovic will be playing in his first event alongside new coach Andy Murray, his former on-court rival and a three-time major champion.  Nobody has won the men’s title at Melbourne Park more often than Djokovic.
*  Third-seeded American Coco Gauff is a potential semifinal rival for Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus

MUNCY MAN CHARGED WITH ARESON FROM 2020 INCIDENT

A man from Muncy is facing arson charges after police say he set fire to his mother’s home in South Williamsport several months after she died.  According to the Sun Gazette, an affidavit was filed this week that alleges 43 year old Peter Allen Zielewicz, who had previously involved himself with the South Williamsport Fire Department, had access at the time to road flares and materials that were found to be the origin of a fire that was intentionally set at the vacant Hastings Street home in October 2020.  Investigators say Zielewicz committed arson to collect insurance money.  He faces several felony charges including arson, possession of explosive materials, failure to prevent a catastrophe and more.  He was released on 50 thousand dollars bail.

MILLERSBURG MAN ATTEMPTS TO CASH FALSE CHECKS

A man from Millersburg is in custody after he tried to cash fraudulent checks in Mount Pleasant Mills.  According to state police, 35-year-old Brian Lauver allegedly wrote a check to himself for 900 dollars and attempted to cash it at a local bank.  State police responded to a call from the bank officials who were told that Lauver had attempted to cash check that were not legitimate at he bank before.  He was arrested and charged in Snyder County with forgery and counterfeiting.  He is in custody in lieu of 15 thousand dollars. 

CHESTNUT FESTIVAL COMING TO LOCK HAVEN

Lock Haven will host the inaugural Pennsylvania Chestnut Festival this month, a festival will be held to honor the heritage of chestnut trees that are the inspiration for the name of Castanea Township.  According to the Clinton County Economic Partnership and Visitor’s Bureau, the event is January 25^th 2-7pm and will be at the Castanea Fireman’s Picnic Grounds Building, at the Piper Memorial Airport on Lower Creek Road in Lock Haven.  There will be chestnut inspired foods as well as live polka music and an appearance by Lock Haven’s Private Stock Trio.  The PA Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will be on site promoting the comeback of the chestnut tree in Pennsylvania.  Get details at www.castaneatownshippa.gov.

PENN STATE GAME ON THE BIG SCREEN

Penn State vs Notre Dame will be available to watch at District Cinema Thursday night at 7:30.  According to The District Cinema at Lycoming Valley they will offer tickets for the Capital One Orange Bowl  – the College Football Playoff semifinal for 14 dollars plus fees.  The game is presented by ESPN and Theater Sports Network, at District Cinema, 965 Lycoming Mall Circle. Tickets are available now at thedistrict.dipsontheatres.com.

DEWART FIRE DESTRTOYS HOME ALONG ROUTE 405

Firefighters from 3 counties battled a vacant house fire along Route 405 in Delaware Township early Tuesday morning.  According to the Sun Gazette, crews responded to the fire at about 3am which had engulfed the home and affected utility wires nearby.  Warrior Run Area Fire crews said the fire took about an hour to get under control as they had to shuttle water from a hydrant in the township.  Officials have not determined the cost of the damage, a state police fire marshal was expected to investigate this week.  Internet access was cut from the area due to the damaged wires, but no injuries were reported. 

ENDANGERMENT CHARGES FOR MAN WHO  KICKED CHILD

A man from Sunbury was arrested for with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children after police were called in response to him kicking a 12 year old special needs child on December 26th.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say the child’s mother said 37 year old Timothy David Graefe was upset with the child for not  listening to him and allegedly kicked him in the ankle and knee before twisting his arm to make him comply.  When the child’s mother told Graefe to stop he threw a glass of water on her.  Graefe is also facing misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment in Northumberland County Court.  His bail was set at 10 thousand dollars unsecured.

SENATOR GENE YAW SWORN IN AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK

Senator Gene Yaw was sworn into his fifth term in the Pennsylvania Senate yesterday in Harrisburg.  According to a press release, the Senator, who represents Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties, and the other members of the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus  were part of the ceremony at the Capitol.  Senator Yaw has served as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and currently is chairman of the Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors, chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and vice chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Commission.  He was named to the City and State Pennsylvania Energy and Environment Power 100 list in 2023.

FLY TYING CLASS IN WILLIAMSPORT

A low cost fly tying class will be offered through this month and next by the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, the weekly course is 20 dollars for adults and 10 for chaperoned youth between 12 and 18, will be held Tuesday evenings at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church at 807 West Fourth Street in Williamsport and runs through February 25.  Tools and materials will be provided.  Register by emailing [email protected] or calling or texting Walt Nicholson at 570-447-3600.

SPORTS

PIAA HS
Boys Wrestling
State College  58         Williamsport 9
Muncy  36                   Loyalsock  16
Montgomery  42         Warrior Run  26
Towanda  57              NE Bradford  12
Williamson  57            Wellsboro 10
NP Liberty  40            Troy  34
Girls Wrestling
Bald Eagle Area  42    Phillipsburg Osceola  27
Boys Basketball 
St John Neumann  53              Sullivan Co.  46
South Wmspt  68                    Benton  37
NP Mansfield  62                    Athens  35 
NP Liberty  80                        Williamson 45
Girls Basketball
Loyalsock  73                          Warrior  Run 12
Jersey Shore 59                       Central Mountain  42
Hughesville  46                       Bloomsburg  13
Lewisburg  61                         Milton  29

NCAA Football Tonight
Notre Dame vs Penn State  Semifinals/Orange Bowl  7:30pm ESPNNCAA 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
Hornets 115                   Suns  104
Rockets  135                  Wizards  112
Mavericks  118              Lakers  97
Timberwolves 104         Pelicans  97
Hawks  124                   Jazz 121
(^mid-court 3-point at the buzzer)
Celtics  118                    Nuggets  106
Heat  114                       Warriors  98


NBA Tonight
Thunder  vs Cavaliers  7pm ESPN
Wizards  vs 76ers  7pm
Raptors  vs Knicks  7:30pm
Pistons vs Nets  7:30pm
Spurs  vs Bucks  9:30pm ESPN

NHL
Oilers  4                Bruins  0
Stars  5                 Rangers  4
Blue Jackets  4     Penguins  3
Maple Leafs  3     Flyers  2
NHL Tonight
Canucks vs Capitals 7:30pm ESPN+
Avalanche vs Blackhawks  7:30pm TNT/Max
Panthers vs Utah  10pm TNT/Max