MASK MANDATE THROWN OUT IN COURT
An order by Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary that requires masks inside K-12 schools and child care facilities was thrown out yesterday by a state court that said she lacked the authority. The Wolf administration put the decision on hold by filing an immediate appeal. Commonwealth Court sided 4-1 with the ranking Republican in the state Senate and others who sued to challenge the masking order that took effect in early September as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Within hours of the decision, it was put on hold when Health Department lawyers filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court. The judges said Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam’s mandate did not comply with the state’s laws about reviewing and approving regulations and was adopted without an existing disaster emergency declared by the governor.
LOCAL CASES OF COVID-19 FROM YESTERDAY
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases. In Clinton County 70 new cases were reported on Wednesday. Centre County saw an increase of 51 new cases, while Lycoming County ballooned by 131 and 26 new cases in Tioga County. There were 89 were registered in Northumberland County, 18 in Snyder, 21 in Union and eight in Montour.
GOLD MEDAL TEAM FROM CLINTON COUNTY
The Clinton County Special Olympics volleyball team has brought home gold. According to therecordonline.com, the most recent competition was at Villanova University for their Fall Fest from Nov 4 through the 7th. In addition to their gold medal, the team was chosen to represent Special Olympics PA Volleyball in June 2022 in Orlando, FL, as the only Pennsylvania volleyball team.
CHIPS ACT IN PENNSYLVANIA
Governor Tom Wolf and a bipartisan group of governors sent a letter to Congressional leaders today urging Congress to help create hundreds of thousands of American jobs and incentivize domestic semiconductor production by passing the Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors for America (CHIPS) Act. The global shortage of semiconductors has idled automotive manufacturing plants across the country, affecting more than 575,000 American jobs. The CHIPS Act would encourage semiconductor production to return to the U.S, providing a key material used in automobiles, health care devices, farm tractors and combines and the defense industry.
NEW ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER IN PENNSYLVANIA
Geisinger today announced plans for The Orthopaedic Center Pennsylvania, a new multi-floor, free-standing orthopaedic care facility. Geisinger is investing $180 million to bring world-class orthopaedic care to central and northeastern Pennsylvania – and beyond – in one location through the new specialty care center. The new facility in Buckhorn will be located off Mall Boulevard near the Columbia Mall, so community members don’t need to leave the area for advanced bone, joint and muscle care. Surpassing large-scale orthopaedic hospitals in major metropolitan areas, The Orthopaedic Center Pennsylvania will serve patients in central and northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond by featuring specialized operating rooms and a dedicated inpatient unit focused on recovery and mobility after surgery.
NEW SCOREBOARD UP AND RUNNING
It has been a project, in the works for a while, and now they are soon ready to reveal it to the community at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter reported the scoreboard, which is also a videoboard, up and ready for reveal. With many people to thank for the support of the project, Mayor Slaughter advised there would be a dedication ceremony in the very near future.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION FOR RESCUE PLAN FUNDS
The rescue plan funds, public work session meeting is planned for the Williamsport City Council on Monday, November 15th at 7pm. The meeting will highlight the funds and the many uses for it within the city. According to Mayor Derek Slaughter, the meeting will be virtual and available for viewing on the Williamsport City You Tube Channel.
TAX DECREASE IN UNION COUNTY
The preliminary operating budget, adopted by the East Buffalo Township Supervisors includes a reported tax decrease, according to the Daily Item. The projected budget, including both revenue and expenses finds the budget balanced at $5,362,288 with an operating carry over of just under $5 million. The budget is open to viewing at the office located on Fairground Road and also online. Next month, during the supervisors meeting, the final version will see a vote.
THEFTS FROM STORAGE UNIT
Unknown suspects forced entry into a storage unit in Delaware Township, on State Route 405, sometime between October 28 and November 3. The actor or actors reportedly stole numerous NASCAR racing jackets, NASCAR hats, coin collections and other collectibles. Stolen items have an estimated value of $6500. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the State Police in Milton.
A NEW CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
It is a new Christmas program, presented by the South Williamsport Police Department and sign up nights for families that wish to be recipients of gifts provided by the Christmas program. There will be two (2) sign up dates: 1. Saturday, November 13th from noon-3pm 2. Monday, December 6th from 5pm-8pm
If you have any questions or concerns about the program, please contact: The South Williamsport Police Department.
EXEMPTIONS GIVEN, BUT THEY ARE STILL REQUIRED TO TEST
They received religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Now, 73 Geisinger employees are seeking a federal injunction to block the medical giant from requiring mandatory twice-weekly testing for COVID. In their class action court petition, which was filed on Monday, employees report they would be terminated on Nov 16 if they refuse three tests, which began Tuesday. According to the Daily Item, a telephone conference is set for attorneys on November 15th with presiding judge, Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann.
