NEW BUSINESSES GETTING READY TO OPEN

Loyalsock Township, a Lycoming County municipality, has added, and continues to add, new businesses into 2022, has kept this end of the county bustling. In fact, according to Loyalsock Township Manager Bill Burdett, businesses including Popeyes and Texas Roadhouse as set to soon open on the Golden Strip. These two new businesses are set to join other newcomers to the strip including Crumbl Cookies, Mitchkicks, K Jewelers, and Hobby Lobby, amongst others. Burdett sees the township has simply a great place to work and live and has noted the townships continued work toward maintain a low tax rate. As reported by SUN Gazette, Burdett went on to note that the future is bright for Loyalsock.

VACCINATIONS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5

Pfizer on Tuesday asked the U.S. to authorize extra-low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5, potentially opening the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots as early as March. In an extraordinary move, the Food and Drug Administration had urged Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to apply earlier than the companies had planned — and before it’s settled if the youngsters will need two shots or three. The nation’s 19 million children under 5 are the only group not yet eligible for vaccination against the coronavirus. Many parents have been pushing for an expansion of shots to toddlers and preschoolers, especially as the omicron variant sent record numbers of youngsters to the hospital. Pfizer aims to give children as young as 6 months shots that contain one-tenth of the dose given to adults. The company said it had started submitting its data to the FDA and expects to complete the process in a few days.

COVID REPORTED AT KEYSTONE CENTRAL

A report published yesterday, cited 56 known positive student cases of COVID-19 in the Keystone Central School District, with 17 at the elementary level and 39 secondary students.  According to Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin, there were also seven active cases among district staff members, for an overall total of 63. As reported by therecordonline.com, a “Test To Stay” option at district schools. Any staff or student who is identified as a close contact may voluntarily participate in order to stay in school – that is if they negative and are symptom free. With parental permission, school nurses will be able to do a rapid COVID test free of charge. More information will be provided when the test kits arrive.

COVID UPDATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new cases. Clinton County reported 32 new cases. Centre County added 65. Lycoming County added 66 and Tioga County added 7. Northumberland County added 85 new cases on Tuesday, with Snyder recording 29, 26 in Union and nine in Montour.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FUNDING

Governor Tom Wolf today announced that 30 counties have received nearly $28 million in additional federal funding to enhance their behavioral health programs. The grants will target specific statewide priorities, including mobile crisis mental health services, telehealth, student assistance programs, start-up funding for residential treatment services and assisted outpatient treatment, and additional crisis services projects. These projects include walk-in and remote crisis supports, expanding crisis, respite, and residential care capacity, and enhanced collaboration with law enforcement to assist with crisis response.

Project areas and applicants receiving funding include:

• Additional Crisis Services (21 projects): Lycoming/Clinton Counties, 8 County Regional (Centre, Clearfield/Jefferson, Huntingdon/Mifflin/Juniata, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties);
• Telehealth Capacity (Two projects): Bradford/Sullivan Counties and Columbia/Montour/Snyder/Union Counties; and,
• Student Assistance Program (Nine projects): Lycoming/Clinton Counties.

AIRLINE SAYING NO MORE MONKEY TRANSPORTS

The airline that carried monkeys’ part of the way to a U.S. research laboratory before they were involved in a highway crash in Pennsylvania says it will stop the shipments.  The move by the African airline is the latest skirmish in a long-running battle between animal-rights groups and researchers — with airlines caught in the middle — over the use of animals in medical experiments. On Jan. 21, a truck towing a trailer with 100 monkeys collided with a dump truck on a Pennsylvania highway. Several of the monkeys escaped. Authorities said later that three were shot and killed and they accounted for the rest. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which assisted local authorities after the crash and escape of some of the monkeys, said Tuesday that the monkeys are at an approved quarantine facility. A CDC spokeswoman declined to give the location of the facility or say what the lab intended to do with the monkeys.

BACK TO REMOTE LEARNING

Milton Baugher elementary school is moving to remote learning for two days… this is following an increase in COVID cases and also the quarantining of staff and students. According to reports from the school district, there were 25 positive cases at Baugher Elementary with over 90 students and staff quarantining. The announcement came late Monday and the shift to online with go through tomorrow.  The students are expected to return to in-person instruction on Friday.

EXPANDING BOUNDARIES AND BALANCING WORKLOADS

The shifting of magisterial districts to expand boundaries to balance workloads between four magisterial district judges is open for review and comment. According to SUN Gazette, the proposal, set up by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts’, is set to shift two city wards to District Judge Aaron Biichle’s office in 2023 and then three precincts in Loyalsock Township to District Judge William Solomon’s office in 2024. Also, Williamsport Wards 8 and 9 would move to District Judge Biichle’s office. Copies of the proposed plan may be reviewed at the office of district court administrator at the Lycoming County Courthouse,  at the James V. Brown Library and at each of the Lycoming County magisterial district courts.

Comments on the proposed plan must be submitted by Feb. 18, 2022.

SUNDAY EVENING GARAGE FIRE

Fire ripped through a garage in South Williamsport around 6 p.m. Sunday evening. The garage, located on the 400 block of Winthrop Street was under control by 6:25 pm. South Williamsport Fire Chief reported the fire was in the garage and did not spread to nearby buildings. Multiple fire companies worked  with the South Williamsport Fire Department to battle the blaze, including Loyalsock, Montoursville, DuBoistown and Nisbet. With no injuries reported, according to SUN Gazette, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

COVID CASES FOR SUNDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported new cases. Clinton County reported 25 new cases. In Centre County 111 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 86 and  Tioga added 21. There were 114 new cases in the Susquehanna Valley counties: 59 in Northumberland County, 33 in Union County, 14 in Snyder and eight in Montour County.

WASD EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS $4,708 TO SUPPORT PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

In its latest grant round, the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation (WASDEF) recently awarded $4,708 to support three program enhancements across the district.  $2,200 was granted to district social workers Megan Hunter and Heather Way to support the purchase of Find Your Anchor suicide prevention kids.  And, $1,500 was given to special education teacher Caitlin McClain at Jackson Primary School and $1,008 to Williamsport Area High School social studies teacher Matthew DeWire. So far this school year, WASDEF has directly supported 13 projects, programs and initiatives totaling $119,326.

GRANT MONEY FOR WASD

WASD Education Foundation recently facilitated the receipt of more than $37,000 in grant funding to support three programs via the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania through Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donations:  $13,538 was approved to help support this year’s return of the district’s #MillionairesRead summer reading program. $12,200 was approved to support the purchase of new projection and sound systems for the Blackbox Theatre at WAHS for Marie Fox’s Drama classes. In addition, $12,105 was approved to support enhancements to music teachers Meghan Louder and Sam Robinson’s Hip-Hop, Rap and Rock course at WAHS..

STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE QUARTERLY FIREARMS PURCHASE DENIAL INVESTIGATIONS

​ The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) conducted 337,911 background checks during the fourth quarter, which is an 11% increase from the previous quarter. In addition, PSP released the number of firearms purchase denials, subsequent investigations, and arrests that resulted from investigations for the fourth quarter of 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2021, 5,330 people were denied. In total, 1,380 denials were referred to law enforcement agencies and 13 arrests were made with a warrant at point of purchase. In Pennsylvania, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or if they willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive a firearm seller, licensed dealer, or licensed manufacturer.

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS

United Ways across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and United Way of Pennsylvania are calling for state legislators to join 28 other states that currently offer individual working taxpayers some tax relief in the form of an Earned Income Tax Credit. A new economic impact study commissioned by United Way of Pennsylvania and released today shows that for every one dollar in cost to the state budget, a refundable EITC will generate a return of seven dollars from additional state and local tax income, business revenue and reduced spending on public assistance. Ron Frick, President of the Lycoming County United Way said, “A refundable EITC helps the individual and the economy so passage of this legislation is a win-win-win for the Commonwealth, the economy and residents in the counties we serve.”

INFRASTRUCTURE LAW

Arriving just hours after a Pennsylvania bridge collapse, President Joe Biden stared into the cratered muddy earth where the aging span fell early Friday, striking evidence supporting the $1 trillion infrastructure law he already had planned to tout on his trip to Pittsburgh. Standing before concrete barriers papered with yellow police tape, Biden craned his neck to look out over the gaping expanse left by the crumbled bridge, as the smell of gas from a nearby leak filled the air. The infrastructure law signed by Biden has earmarked about $1.6 billion for Pennsylvania bridge maintenance, with tens of billions more for public transit, highway maintenance and broadband internet expansion in the state.

LYCOMING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

Section 8 programs will highlight the Lycoming County Housing Authority booth at the West Branch Susquehanna Builder’ Home Show, scheduled April 1 through the 3 at the Lycoming Mall. According to SUN Gazette, the tenant-based program is a section 8 housing choice designed so that the assistance follows the program participant, according to information on the authority’s website. Under the program, tenants pay between 30 and 40% of their adjusted gross monthly income in rent and the Lycoming Housing Authority pays the remainder of the negotiated rent directly to the landlord under a Housing Assistance Payments Program.

GUN LEGISLATION BILL

Pennsylvania’s state Senate recently approved veto-destined legislation to help gun owners and gun-rights organizations collect damages in court from cities that passed firearms restrictions that were found to violate state law. Despite the veto threat by Gov. Tom Wolf, the bill passed the Republican-controlled chamber, 32-17, with three Democrats joining every Republican in support of it. The bill passed the Republican-controlled House in June and goes to Wolf’s desk, the latest in a long-running disagreement with the Democrat over how to deal with gun violence. Under the bill, a gun owner or a gun-rights organization would have standing in court to sue municipalities over firearms ordinances that they contend are more restrictive than state law. A city whose gun ordinance is struck down in court could be ordered to pay damages.

ASSAULT AT UPMC WILLIAMSPORT

A Williamsport man faces charges after he assaulted two nurses and damaging parts of the triage room at UPMC Williamsport. According to reports Chaz Turner was yelling obscenities and issuing threats to hospital staff on Jan 3 around 10:20 pm. Turner became combative, smashing a computer stand and other items as he attempted to resist arrest. Turner was arraigned before District Judge Aaron Beak Lee with multiple charges including aggravated and simple assault. Turner has been released on $50,000 bail.

FELONY CHARGES FOR WATSONTOWN WOMAN

A Watsontown woman allegedly gave her boyfriend, Earnest Lee Sharr Jr. the fatal dose of drugs that eventually ended his life on Sept 24.  has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Februrary. Samatha Jo Acy, is scheduled to appear in front of District Judge Michael Diehl. She is charged with multiple counts including felony drug delivery in death. According to daily item, she remains incarcerated in Northumberland County jail in lieu of $125,000 bail.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

According to the Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, the elephant in the room is the condemned City Hall. The newly formed Williamsport City Council wrestles with options as they are looking at upwards of $20 million dollars to repair,  replace and return city employees to offices in the historic building known as City Hall. Fortunately, the Trade and Transit I and II centers are reliable and convenient homes to city offices and departments as the important decisions are made.

ACCIDENT CLOSES LYCOMING CREEK ROAD

Fire and rescue personnel responded to the 1700 block of Lycoming Creek Road yesterday afternoon around 4:40 pm. According to fire crews, they arrived to find two vehicles with fluids leaking. As the incident progressed, southbound lane of Lycoming Creek Road were closed at Roosevelt.  Details will be provided as they become available.

RULING IN FAVOR OF HAWBAKER

A statewide appeals court ruled in favor of a State College construction contractor in a ruling released January 19^th.  It was a 22-page decision that explained Glenn O. Hawbaker cannot be prevented from bidding and doing work in the commonwealth.  PennDot was attempted to restrict Hawbaker from bidding and working on state highway projects for upwards of three years, due to a recent case where Hawbaker plead no contest to theft charges. According to the SUN Gazette, the no contest plea means the company agreed to be punished as if it were guilty, but did not expressly admit its guilt, therefore no contest plea agreements cannot be used in civil or administrative proceedings.

A BOOST FROM THE CLINTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Dozens of local charitable and service organization received a sizeable boost from the Clinton County Community Foundation. Wednesday, the group awarded $427,209 at the Foundation’s annual meeting at the Ross Library. These awards, according to therecordonline.com, were in addition to previously provided award amounts of $223,061.

COVID CASES IN OUR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health  added new cases on Thursday. Clinton County reported 50 new cases. In Centre County 219 new cases were added. Lycoming County added 197 and Tioga added 90. There were 147 new cases in Northumberland County, 93 in Union, 60 in Snyder and 29 in Montour.

SAFETY GRANTS FOR NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded several schools safety grants. The funds, which totaled $11,000 – $60,000 included the Milton Area SD, MT Carmel Area SD, Northumberland Christian school, Shamokin Area SD and Joseph School. Milton Area SD – $20,000 for programming, Mount Carmel Area SD – $25,000 for equipment, Mount Carmel Area SD – $60,000 for their school resource officer, Northumberland Christian School – $17,000 for equipment, Northumberland Christian School – $12,000 for programming, Shamokin Area SD – $20,000 for programming, Joseph School – $25,000 for equipment.

GUILTY BY CLINTON COUNTY JURY

A Mill Hall man was arrested and charged when he was found with an active bench warrant on May 4, 2021.  Jonathan Wesley Gadd, was convicted of four separate charges by a Clinton County jury on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 after a 1-day trial.  The jury found the defendant guilty of multiple charges including Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Escape.  The charges stemmed from a May 4, 2021 report of a suspicious individual, found on the rocks along the dike levee on West Water Street in the City of Lock Haven.  When law enforcement officers responded to the scene, they encountered Gadd, who had an active bench warrant for his arrest following his failure to appear in court in October 2020.  As officers detained Gadd he was able began to flee, forcing officers to deploy a Taser to stop him. Gadd’s attorney, Andrea Pullizzi, suggested that Gadd was not trying to escape, but was merely attempting to turn around to smoke a cigarette prior to going to jail. Gadd is scheduled for sentencing on March 21, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of 13 years in prison.

MOTHER CHARGED AND INCARCERATED FOLLOWIN DEATH OF HER 3-MONTH-OLD CHILD

A three-month-old child was in cardiac arrest Tuesday afternoon and his mother has now been charged with involuntary manslaughter.  State police reported the infant to be in arrest and subsequently transported to UPMC with CPR attempts unsuccessful. The infant was pronounced deceased and Lycoming County Coroner conducted the autopsy.  There has been no information released from the medical examination to this point. According to SUN Gazette, state police reported they were at the South Main Street, Montgomery residence earlier in the day to check on the welfare of the child.    Tallia Charlebois (shar la bwa) is incarcerated and charged with involuntary manslaughter amongst other charges.

NEW EQUIPMENT FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Body cameras will be in area police departments soon. Milton and Northumberland Borough Police Departments expect to be equipped in the next few weeks. Watsontown Police Chief Rod Whitherite noted his department will be outfitted and functioning with their body cameras in about a week.  Other police departments, including Buffalo Valley Regional, Sunbury and Mahoning Township are already or also preparing to utilize the technology.  According to the Daily Item, Chief Whitherite says the equipment improves accountability and lowers the reports of police misconduct. It is another tool that can capture evidence and is fully supported by the public.

 ENERGY BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE

Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Legislature signaled again Wednesday that it wants to stop municipalities in the nation’s No. 2 natural gas state from adopting building codes that prohibit gas hookups, as some states, cities and counties consider all-electric building codes as a way to fight climate change. The bills prohibit municipalities from writing new building codes that restrict utility service based on the energy source. The move protects the state’s hometown natural gas industry, and as well as utilities and companies that refines and delivers fossil fuels to residential and commercial buildings. Neither bill has reached Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk.

CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTION IS READY

Congressman Fred Keller released a statement in response to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announcing its plan to withdraw President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers with more than 100 employees. In the statement Keller acknowledges the months of bipartisan pressure from the House and Senate and the collaboration with Senator Mike Braun to create the Congressional Review Act resolution to eliminate the mask mandate. He advised all that he is ready to implement the Act if the Biden administration attempts to revive this effort.

COVID UPDATED LOCAL CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 20 new cases. In Centre County 137 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 113 new cases. And Tioga added 12. There were 158 new cases in Northumberland County, 62 in Snyder, 46 in Union and 40 in Montour.

CONTACT TRACING AND OPTIONAL MASKING

The ending of contact tracing and optional masking has been a topic of the Danville Area School Board. Last night, board members voted 7-0 with two abstentions to end most contact tracing and resume optional masking. According to the Daily Item,  changes in contact tracing policy means non-symptomatic students and staff will no longer be required to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID.

ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

A preliminary hearing in store in February for a Shamokin woman while caring for a 6-month-old child who accidentally overdosed on heroin. Lyndsay Gray is scheduled to appear in front of Shamokin District Judge John Gembic. According to the Daily Item, on Dec 22, Gray allegedly used heroin in the same room as the boy and then fell asleep. When she awoke, she found the infant unresponsive and not breathing. At Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, the boy was able to be revived with Narcan, an overdose reversal medication. Gray is facing a felony count of endangering the welfare of a child and remains an inmate at Northumberland County Jail in Coal Township in lieu of $40,000 cash bail.

WILLIAMSPORT MAN PICKED UP BY US MARSHALS

A man wanted by Sunbury Police following a shooting earlier this month is jailed on $100,000 bail after he was captured by U.S. Marshals on Monday. Hakeem Jefferson of Williamsport was brought before Sunbury District Judge Mike Toomey. Jefferson is charged with felony person not to possess a firearm after police said they discovered a handgun in a vehicle at the scene of a Jan. 3 shooting on Packer Street, where two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. According to an online media outlet, Jefferson is now incarcerated at the Northumberland County Jail and will appear for a preliminary hearing at a later date.

DOMESTIC IN WATSONTOWN

Watsontown Police responded to a domestic dispute yesterday morning at 8:00 am in the 100 block of E Ninth Street to find Natalie Asher had struck a male in the face and neck area. Asher was charged with one summary count of Harassment. Charges were filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Michael Diehl, Milton.

SCAM INVOLVING EBT CARD ALERT

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead today advised Pennsylvanians of a potential phishing scam texting people that their EBT card is locked. Pennsylvanians should not reply or share any personal information if they are contacted in this manner.  DHS and other government agencies do not and will not send text alerts regarding EBT, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or any other public assistance programs. The United States Department of Agriculture publishes informationOpens In A New Window about potential SNAP scams, but Pennsylvanians should always be aware of the threat of phishing schemes through unsolicited calls and text messages. Pennsylvanians who have questions about whether a call, text, letter, or other communication is legitimate should contact DHS’ Office of Income Maintenance. EBT balance and transaction inquiries as well as card replacements can be requested from DHS’s EBT contractor, Conduent, at 888-328-7366. Pennsylvanians can also access their EBT balance through the myCOMPASS PA mobile app in a safe and secure manner.

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING FIRE

Flames tore through a residential neighborhood in Lycoming Township, yesterday morning. Multiple fire companies responded to the two alarm blaze in the 1800 block of Kenyon Aveue.  According to Sun Gazette,  a family of three  and their pets safely escaped their burning home thanks to a security alarm. Reports noted damage estimates  to be at least $75,000. The residents are staying with relatives. According to the State Police Fire Marshal, the cause of the fire does not appear suspicious, but remains under investigation at this point.

WILLIAMSPORT CITY MAYOR THINKING REPAIRS AND REUNION

The damage estimate has risen through the millions of dollars to repair the water damage and to continue with the required accessibility upgrades for Williamsport City Hall. The Williamsport City Council and Mayor Derek Slaughter have their work cut out for them, welcome 2022. However, Williamsport Mayor Slaughter is continuing to look forward and prepare for a new year of events that have been missed.  For example, the 28th Little League Congress will take place in Williamsport from June 10 through June 13. This event will bring people from all over the world to Williamsport. The International Congress meets every four years and has not been held in Williamsport since the 1980s.

COVID UPDATES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 67 new cases. In Centre County 249 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 154 and Tioga County had 58. There were 144 new infections reported in Northumberland County, 37 in both Montour and Snyder counties and 36 in Union County. 

WOLF ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $8 MILLION IN GRANTS TO INCREASE SCHOOL SAFETY

Governor Tom Wolf today announced that $8 million in competitive Safe Schools Targeted grants has been awarded to 303 local education agencies (LEA) to increase school safety by purchasing equipment, enacting new programs, and hiring security personnel and school resource officers.  More than $40 million in Safe Schools Targeted grants has been awarded to LEAs across the commonwealth since 2015.

MONKEYS MADE THE NEWS THIS PAST WEEKEND

The three monkeys that escaped and were loose along the interstate in Montour County have all been humanely euthanized. The monkeys escaped after a truck carrying 100 of them crashed on Friday afternoon along Route 54 in the area of the ramp onto Interstate 80 near Danville. According to a CDC spokesperson, the monkeys were en route to a CDC-approved quarantine facility after landing in New York, originally from eastern Africa. According to wnep, the CDC has reported, “the surviving monkeys will be quarantined and will be monitored for infectious diseases for at least 31 days before their release.”

PARKING IN THE CITY 2022

Parking will be more expensive for those who want to park in the City of Williamsport, beginning March 1.It was at a recent Williamsport Parking Authority meeting, where the fees were raised by upwards of $5. As reported by SUN Gazette, Operations manager, Dave Kish, noted the permit rates have not been increased in over 10 years.

LATE NIGHT CRASH

A motor vehicle accident shut down parts of route 15 last evening. Fire crews from Old Lycoming, the police and ambulance personnel were on the scene of a crash involving two tractor trailers and a car involved in the 2200 block of Route 15 southbound in the area of Mill Lane over pass. Route 15 south was closed, but has since opened. There are no reports as to injuries at this time.  

FRIDAY FIRE AT LOCAL DONUT BUSINESS

Dunkin Donuts, just off Route 405 and Penn Street in Muncy was hit hard by a blaze on Friday morning. Muncy Fire Chief Scott Delany reported the fire was a unique winter fire. He explains.

According to Delany the reopening may not be for upwards of a month or more at the Muncy Dunkin Donuts.

 SNOW ARRIVES IN VALLEY OVERNIGHT

With several inches of snow on the ground and many schools on delay this morning, PennDot reminds you they have reduced speeds on many of their larger roadways as the plow trucks are working to clear your path. Please check 511pa.com for updates on road conditions and even plow truck locations before you travel. Know before you go.