CLOSING ARGUMENTS TODAY

Closing arguments are scheduled in the murder trial of Jordan Rawls, who along with two other men is accused of the robbery and killings of Shane Wright and his mother Kristine Kibler at their Poplar Street home on Halloween Night of 2016.  Testimony yesterday included Kibler’s daughter who testified as to the events of that night, as well as Rawls co-defendant Casey Wilson who told the jury that Rawls was the last man to run out of the house, after gunshots were heard.  Wilson has already pleaded to 3^rd degree murder.  Co-defendant Joseph Coleman was found guilty of 2^nd degree murder. The prosecution is seeking a 1^st degree murder conviction against Rawls.

ESCAPE ATTEMPT IN TIOGA COUNTY

Word from Tioga County that two prison inmates at the County Prison in Wellsboro attacked a corrections officer last month, trying to get her keys in an alleged escaped attempt.  21 year old Safari Kahl and 21 year old Ashley Abplanalp are accused of drawing the female officer into their cell, and then throwing hot water on her back, getting her on the floor and trying to take the woman’s keys on March 10^th.  She was able to get away and call for help.  The two face several charges and are scheduled to be re-arraigned on April 15^th.  The investigation continues.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH INJURES TWO

Two were injured in a motorcycle crash in Clinton Township yesterday afternoon.  That crash occurred as a motorcycle went down at Routes 15 and 54 in the township around 12:49pm. The two were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries, though their names and conditions were not released.  Crews were on the scene for over an hour.  The motorcycle crash remains under investigation.

MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING EX-GIRLFRIEND

A Williamsport man was arrested by city police on Monday following a break-in and assault of his ex-girlfriend.  30 year old Robert Foley is accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house early on Monday morning, while she was asleep, assaulting her and threatening to kill her and then fleeing with her cellphone.  He is charged with burglary, strangulation and a host of other counts and was jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail.  The woman reportedly had filed a PFA against the man.

MAN ARRESTED BY NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT UNIT

A Philadelphia man is jailed in lieu of $350,000 dollars bail for drug dealing in the city of Williamsport and Loyalsock.  The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit has arrested 29 year old Zachary Tate for four alleged sales of crack cocaine between February 12^th and March 19^th of this year.  He is charged with possession with intent to deliver and related offenses.

CRASH VICTIM IDENTIFIED

State police in Montoursville have released the name of a woman flown to Geisinger Medical Center following a crash in Franklin Township on Monday.  The crash occurred shortly before 9:15 on Monday night on Route 118 as 26 year old Elissa Barnes of Unityville lost control of her vehicle which went off the roadway and struck two trees.  She was flown onto Geisinger with serious injuries.  Her condition has not been reported and no one else was involved in that crash.

GROVES FILES APPEAL

Citing seven reasons why he should get a new triasl, the attorney for Loyd Groves has appealed a Clinton County Jury’s December conviction of the man for the third degree murder of Kathy Heckel.  Heckel disappeared in Lock Haven more than 27 years ago and the 69 year old  Groves, who was always a suspect was arrested in January of 2015 following the gathering of evidence in the cold case.  He is serving a state prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.

CHILD ABUSE LEGISLATION VOTE NEXT WEEK

Two pieces of legislation which could make it easier or victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits are expected to be voted on in the State House of Representatives  next week.  One bill would eliminate the statue of limitation and give victims of abuse until the age of 55 to file lawsuits.  The other would begin the process of amending the state Constitution to allow a two-year retroactive window for lawsuits over past abuse.  The bills are expected to undergo a committee vote on Monday and a full house vote on Wednesday.

PAVING TO BEGIN

Detours, delays and plenty of road work is expected in the city of Williamsport this spring and summer.  A story in this morning’s Williamsport Sun Gazette says city officials have targeted about 36 streets for milling and paving now that asphalt plants are opening up.  Crews will start in Newberry to the west and work their way east in the city.  Motorists can expect detours, as well as flaggers over much of the city during the construction season.