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.

ADDITIONAL DUI CHARGES

A Jersey Shore man faces additional charges as he sits in jail. Charles Daily Jr, in prison for driving intoxicated and striking a motorcyclist in November, is looking at additional DUI charges for a separate incident. According to Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police, Daily was released from the previous incarcertion with $50,000 bail, almost struck a pedestrian in Jersey Shore. As reported by Sun Gazette, police witnessed the incident in the 300 block of North Main Street, two days after he struck the motorcyclist.  Charges of DUI, reckless driving and careless driving have been filed with  District Judge Denise L. Dieter, who recommitted Daily in lieu of $250,000 bail.

LOCAL COVID UPDATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 72 new cases on Thursday. In Centre County 252 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 272 and Tioga added 64. There were 187 new cases in Northumberland County, 92 in Union, 61 in Snyder and 47 in Montour County.

SENTENCING FOR DOUBLE MURDER

It was the plea and sentencing hearing in Snyder
County Court  for a Paxinos man yesterday, where family and friends of murder victims Heather Sue Campbell and Matthew T. Bowersox spoke of their loss. According to the Daily Item, Christopher T. Fernanders pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and received a mandatory life sentence without parole for the July 10, 2020, fatal shootings of Campbell, his former wife, and her friend, Bowersox of Mifflinburg who were gunned down in the parking lot of a Monroe Township restaurant parking lot where Fernanders followed Campbell after placing a GPS tracker on her vehicle.

A PLACE TO STAY WARM OVER THE FRIGID NIGHTS

It is a ministry of the first Methodist Church  on 604 Market Street in Williamsport. It is also a warming shelter, welcoming any and all who need a warm place to stay in these frigid temperatures.  The Code Blue Emergency Overnight Warming Center is the topic of Backyard Broadcasting “in touch” program Sunday, where you can more about a warm place to stay in the city. In Touch is on Sunday morning.

UNKNOWN RETURN FOR A LOCAL COMMUNITY CARNIVAL

The Mifflinburg Hose Company Firemen’s Carnival may have seen its final season. The combination of an aging venue and the growing costs at organizing and producing the Union County event may be to blame. It has been a staple in the small borough of Mifflinburg since the early 1950s.  The location for the yearly carnival needs serious electrical building maintenance and the price tag for proper adjustments could venture near $100,000. The event has served the Mifflinburg Vol Fire Company as a significant source of donations and monetary support.  The final decision on the future of the Mifflinburg Firemen’s Carnival will take place at a meeting on January 31.

ROBBERY FROM GAMES OF CHANCE MACHINES

A robbery at a Northumberland bar occurred sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning  at Bob’s Washington Tavern on King Street. Police Chief Kriner went on to say the suspect took  an unknown amount of money from games of chance machines in the bar. He says officers are conducting interviews and conducting an investigation. Larry Bohner, owner, has posted pictures and video of the incident on social media as well, asking for the public’s help.  According to the an online media source, the suspect was reportedly seen walking up Orange Street, in the vicinity of the Northumberland police station.

FARM SHOW ATTENDANCE DOWN THIS YEAR

The Pennsylvania Farm Show returned as an in-person event this month, but parking revenue suggests many stayed away during the still-raging COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Agriculture said Thursday that parking revenue was down by more than 40% from 2020, the most recent in-person show. Last year’s show was done virtually. Parking revenue is used as a rough proxy to gauge attendance at the Farm Show, because the massive indoor agriculture exposition held every January in Harrisburg does not charge admission or count how many people come through its doors. In a normal year, some half-million people attend. An Agriculture Department spokesperson said more than 600 people at the Farm Show this year were vaccinated against COVID-19 or the flu at on-site Health Department clinics.

FUNDING FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Governor Tom Wolf was joined by state Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes in Philadelphia today to announce a $15 million increase in funding to ​further support grassroots gun violence prevention efforts through the Pennsylvania Commission for Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention program.

MILTON CHEERS THEIR WAY TO TEXAS

A national cheer competition in Dallas, Texas will see a team from our area. The Milton Area Varsity Cheerleaders will leave the commonwealth today to continue their winning streak in Texas.  The team has recently won their 9^th PIAA District 4 Competitive Spirit Cheer Championship this past weekend. They are set to compete both Saturday and Sunday in two categories.  Following this competition, the team will compete in Hershey on Jan 28 and 29.

MULTIPLE CALLS FOR 911 CREWS

The Lycoming County 911 has been busy this morning. In fact, Fire Crews were sent to the Dunkin Donuts, just off Route 405 and Penn Street in Muncy. There was reported to be fire in the roof at one hour into the incident.  Please avoid the area if at all possible.

Fire Crews were also sent to 311 Willow Street in Montoursville for an odor of gas in a structure. There is a large boiler inside the structure and UGI has been notified. With the building ventilated and the boiler attended to, the fire crews returned to available status in Montoursville.

SIX MONTHS OF ABUSE

A Williamsport man allegedly abused a woman over a six month period. Anthony Williams, allegedly struck the woman with a closed fist numerous times, according to Williamsport police. Over the past 6 months, this abuse continued as well as threats and not allowing her to leave. According to SUN Gazette, the woman escaped the house the next day when she climbed out a window. District Judge Christian Frey arraigned Williams for multiple charges including false imprisonment and simple assault. He was initially incarcerated on $50,000 bail, but was later released on unsecured bail.

DISTRICT JUSTICE RETIREMENT

A local District Justice quietly retired after 10 years in office, District Judge Jon E. Kemp retired on Jan. 2. According to SUN Gazette, President Judge Nancy Butts has appointed District Judge William C. Solomon to serve as administrative judge for the magistrate’s office at 2134 Route 405. Solomon, whose office is on Lycoming Creek Road in Old Lycoming Township, will ensure that matters are properly handed in the office until a new judge is elected in November 2023 and takes the bench in January 2024, Stahl explained. Retired Senior District Judge Allen P. Page III will serve in the Route 405 office one to two days a week and will handle preliminary hearings until mid-May when Kemp is expected to return to handle such hearings for the remainder of the year, Stahl said.

BOOST TO VETERANS PARK

The Veterans Park in Clinton County has received a welcome boost with a $5,000 donation from Northwest Bank in the form of a $5,000. According to Dave Harger from project developer Harger Utility Charities, the project has commitments of $216,167 to this point. He said the goal is $500,000, which will include some level of in-kind services as well as cash. As reported by therecordonline.com, the anticipated start date for the park renovations is this spring. Then, there will be a dedication date of Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

GOV TOM WOLF ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is urging the U.S. Senate to prevent election sabotage and protect our freedom to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.  The governor is also encouraging the Pennsylvania state legislature to pass HB 2090 from prime sponsor House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton that would bolster the state’s election process and further remove barriers to voting.

BOATING NEAR SUNBURY POSSIBLY NOT A REALITY FOR 2022

A huge majority of this year’s upcoming boating season will be gone near Sunbury due to delays in Fabridam repairs.  In fact, according to an online media source, the marina docks may not even be installed this year.  The Fabridam repairs were delayed due to this past fall’s multiple high water events, most notable events were Fred, Henri and Ida. However, sources say there is still a possibility for a partial boating season, as the main Shikellamy Marina boat ramp will remain open. With many questions for the Susquehanna River and the Fabridam, answers may become clearer the closer we get to summer.

COVID CASES FOR OUR LOCAL AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 32. In Centre County 140 new cases and Lycoming County added 129. There were 208 cases in Union County and 141 new cases in Northumberland County, 53 in Snyder and 26 in Montour County. Tioga County added 7.

THE COMMONWEALTH COURT IS STEPPING IN

A statewide court has given lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf two weeks to break a stalemate around redrawing Pennsylvania’s congressional districts to account for a decade of demographic shifts. The Commonwealth Court issued the order Friday, acting on a request last month for it to get involved in the process. It set Jan. 30 for the deadline for it to render its judgment on proposals that are submitted to it. That deadline is barely two weeks before the date — Feb. 15 — when candidates can start circulating petitions to get on primary election ballots. The primary election is May 17. The Commonwealth Court told parties in the case — including lawmakers, activists and Wolf — that they must submit a proposed map by 5 p.m. on Jan. 24.

ANOTHER VEHICLE THEFT FOR WINFIELD MAN

Vehicle thefts in the area are charged to a Winfield man. State police utilized an aircraft to find a man facing two vehicle theft charges. David Gockley of Winfield was arrested on January 5 for a vehicle theft on Tame Deer Road. Gockley fled into the woods and the State Police called their aviation unit to assist in finding him. According to an online media source, Gockley was jailed on $100,000 bail and faces a number of charges including DUI, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property.

POSSIBLY $20 MILLION TO BRING CITY HALL BACK

Moving forward, yesterday’s Williamsport City Council’s public works committee asked Mayor Derek Slaughter for a cost estimate to repair and repurpose Williamsport City Hall. The building recently suffered major damage from water leaking in the roof and then a coil that broke in the heating system.  As reported by SUN Gazette,  according to Jon Sander, city engineer, the project, which includes the needed accessibility upgrades and to repair and recondition the building will be well above $6 million and closer to $20 million to complete.  As reported by SUN Gazette, a deadline exists where the court ordered consent decree for accessibility guidelines and corresponding upgrades must be finalized by March.

MATCHING GRANT FUND TO REVITALIZE A WILLIAMSPORT STAPLE

It was a Redevelopment Assistant Capital Program and a matching grant of $1 million which received approval from the Lycoming County Commissioners for DiSalvo’s Restaurant. According to SUN Gazette, DiSalvo’s, located in the East Fourth Street/Basin Street area of the city, can now begin work on their $2 million renovation project. Lycoming County will enter into a sub-recipient agreement with DiSalvo’s for the state grant money which passes through the county to DiSalvo’s project. According to Commissioner Rick Mirabito, the $2 million project will create jobs for people in the community.

CLEAR THE SNOW OR FACE A FINE

Clearing the snow in front of your residence or business does more than just clear a walkway, insurance companies report it is also the best way to prevent injuries and those lawsuits associated with snow and ice accidents.  According to the Williamsport City Bureau of Codes there is a 24 hour time period after the precipitation stops, where the owner of any building fronting on any street or alley and the vacant lot owner where there is a sidewalk in front up to and including the corner crosswalk of the premises must clear the sidewalks. According to SUN Gazette, there is a grace period, but it does not last long and business and homeowners can face fines up to $2000 for not removing the snow and ice.

 LOCAL COVID CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 29 new cases. In Centre County added 104. Lycoming County added 107. There were 82 in Northumberland County, 47 in Union, 28 in Snyder and 17 in Montour. Tioga County added 13.

NO CHANGES TO DESIGNATIONS IN LOCK HAVEN

The residential to commercial designation for several blocks on the northern side of East Main Street will have to wait, as the Lock Haven City Council declined to act to change the designation. Representatives from the old E Main Street United Methodist Church in Lock Haven started the process moving from residential to centre business district designations that were favorably received from Clinton County and the City of Lock Have Planning Commissions.  However, city council has not followed suit. According to therecordonline.com, Council member Richard Morris made a motion to send the zoning request back to the planning commission so they could respond to several questions from the council.

AIRPORT BUDGET APPROVED

A $1.4 million budget for the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority was approved for this year at its recent monthly meeting. In the discussion was the 5% increase in wages and benefits for employees and the overall operating costs. According to Sun Gazette, CARES Act funding of $660,000 is expected to make up the deficit with the budget.

SEN. YAW:  LYCOMING COUNTY FARM RECEIVES CENTURY FARM AWARD DURING THE 106^TH PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW

State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and his staff on Friday recognized the Scott and Bonnie Wheeland Farm, Cogan Station, as a “Century Farm” Award recipient through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program.  The special event was held during the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. The “Century” and “Bicentennial” farm program was established by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to help promote the strength and durability of Pennsylvania’s farm families.  In order to qualify, a family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis, and the farm must include at least 10 acres of the original holding or gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products.

DOMESTIC ALTERCATION SENDS WOMAN TO HOSPITAL

A Jersey Shore woman was seen at the hospital for injuries to her head. She suffered from a four inch laceration on her forehead and was covered in her own blood.  According to state police, the victim reported to the emergency room physician she was struck during a domestic altercation with an artic tumbler cup.  Christopher Eck of Jersey Shore was taken into custody and transported to the Clinton County Correctional facility.  District Justice Keith Kibler arraigned Eck and set his bail at $7,500.

POINTING A FIREARM AT MULTIPLE VEHICLES BRINGS A MILTON MAN CHARGES

A Milton man pointed a gun at a vehicle full of passengers.  According to state police, Williams Smith, was reportedly standing  in the middle of the road near Pottsgrove last Sunday around 12  noon.  State police reported they received multiple calls on the male waving his handgun about.  However, when the police arrived, Smith was facedown in the roadway with his arms and legs spread and his handgun over 15 feet from him, according to the Daily Item.  He was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault with a pendng preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Michael Diehl.

WANTED MAN IN JAIL

A wanted man was picked up on Sunday during a criminal sweep and is now jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.  Farrington Fitch is a  homeless man who, Sunbury police allege, pulled a knife during a robbery of a victim who was giving him a ride last November. According to Daily Item, after Fitch asked for a ride, he pulled out a knife and stole upwards of $500 and the victim’s cellphone.