MONTOURSVILLE NATIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT

A Montoursville native has taken the oath of office to become a justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Republican Kevin Brobson was sworn in on Monday in the high court’s Harrisburg courtroom. The oath was administered by Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt, who served with Brobson on Commonwealth Court. A ceremonial event had been scheduled for Friday but was postponed because of the pandemic. Brobson is a Montoursville native who now lives in Dauphin County. He spent more than a decade on Commonwealth Court, including as its president judge, and has been a member of the state’s Judicial Conduct Board. He is a graduate of Lycoming College and Widener University Law School.

ASSAULT CHARGES ON HUGHESVILLE MAN

A Hughesville man assaulted a woman who was driving with him in a car on East Third Street in Loyalsock Township on December 9^th. According to SUN Gazette, Dominic J. Thomas suddenly turned to the female driver and struck her several times, while threatening to slice her throat.  State Police in Montoursville have charged Thomas with several charges and he is now free on $10,000 bail.

WILLIAMSPORT COMPANY HAS TOURS PLANNED FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS

Spartronics Williamsport is a leading supplier of mission-critical defense electronics in Williamsport, which started with the inception of GTE in 1959 in Williamsport.  According to SUN Gazette, Spartronics is expecting to welcome elected state, county, and local officials to tour the Williamsport facility this month to discuss federal investments, reach out and obtain local government support and enable the growth of the workforce in Pennsylvania.

COVID-19 CASES FOR LOCAL AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 13 new cases on Tuesday. In Centre County 174 new cases were recorded on Tuesday. Lycoming County added 92.Tioga County added 15. There were 95 new infections in Northumberland County, 53 in Snyder County, 28 in Union and 16 in Montour.

ICE FACILITY PLANS MOVING FORWARD IN WILLIAMSPORT

Plans continue to move forward for the Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) facility, according to Gary Knarr, city zoning officer. The proposed location is 2851 South Reach Road is set to be an ICE facility, according to SUN Gazette.  Knarr went on to say the facility will not be a location used to jail or house immigrants. When all is done, codes Administrator Joseph Gerardi and Gary Knarr will conduct a final walk through and inspection, thereby providing the occupancy permit that is needed to use the location.

WOMAN DIES AT GMC FOLLOWING MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY

An accident caused injuries that ended the life of a woman on Sunday, Jan. 2. Leah M. Fisher was traveling south on North Mill Street near Pepper Run Road. According to state police, Fisher lost control and veered into the northbound lane, striking another vehicle. Fisher was taken to Geisinger Medical Center Danville by Flemington Goodwill Hose Ambulance Association where she succumbed to her injuries, police said.

SUNBURY MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING SHOOTING IN SUNBURY

Police allege a Sunbury man shot two men on Monday night near Packer Street in Sunbury.  According to police, Felix Pena and Tyrone Short were transported to Geisinger Medical Center in critical condition after Yusuf McLaurin shot them during a possible drug interaction. As reported by Daily Item, McLaurin is slated to appear before Judge Toomey for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 11. McLaurin will appear before Toomey on Jan. 11 for a preliminary hearing on the charge. The investigation continues and more charges are expected to be filed.

SENTENCE HANDED DOWN FOR MAN GUILTY IN THE DEATH OF A 3-YEAR-OLD

It was a sentence based on his responsibility in the death of 3-year-old Arabella Parker.  Jahrid Burgess will see upwards of 50 years but no less than 24 years in state prison. It was November when Burgess was found guilty by jury for multiple charges including homicide and four felony counts of aggravated assault for a person under 13 for the beating death of the 3-year-old, whose injuries caused her death a month later.  According to District Attorney Tony MAT UH LVICH , it was one of the worst crimes he has experienced in his two year terms as district attorney.

INVESTIGATION OF VOTING MACHINES IN PENNSYLVANIA

Dominion Voting Systems has asked a court to restrict any inspection of its voting machines as part of what Republican lawmakers call a “forensic investigation” of Pennsylvania’s 2020 election to a laboratory that has specific credentials. The Denver-based voting-system manufacturer filed paperwork in court Monday evening as Republican lawmakers move to inspect Dominion’s machines and software in southern Pennsylvania’s sparsely populated Fulton County using an unaccredited contractor that has no election experience. In its court papers, Dominion requested an order requiring that any inspection be conducted by a federally accredited voting system test lab or a national laboratory used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Fulton county heavily backed former President Donald Trump, whose baseless claims about election fraud in 2020′s presidential election have propelled various Republican endeavors to search for fraud in states Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

GOVERNOR SET TO DELIVER FINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL

Pennsylvania is sitting on a fat budget reserve, a healthy and growing surplus, and billions in unspent federal coronavirus relief cash. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, about to deliver his eighth and final state budget proposal to lawmakers, says Pennsylvania’s flush accounts make this a “magical year” in “budget surplus territory” that won’t require higher taxes or spending cuts. The governor’s annual budget address is scheduled for Feb. 8 and will be followed by weeks of hearings by the appropriations committees in the House and Senate. Normally, arm wrestling between the governor and Legislature over the budget gets done in June, with passage shortly before or after Pennsylvania’s next fiscal year begins July 1.

MAXIMUM SENTENCE HANDED DOWN TO FORSYTH

President Judge Nancy Butts sentenced a Williamsport man with the maximum sentence yesterday after he was charged in the death of a 19 month old child. Jason M. Forsyth will see between five and 10 years in state prison for involuntary manslaughter, a second-degree felony. According to SUN Gazette, Forsyth is not eligible for parole.

COVID CASES FOR FRIDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported new COVID cases for yesterday. Clinton County reported 56 new cases on Friday. In Centre County 284 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 118 new cases.  There were 110 new infections in Northumberland County, 44 in Snyder, 43 in Union and 11 in Montour.

DCNR GRANT FUNDING FOR MONTOUR AREA RECREATION COMMISSION

State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) today applauded the funding announcement by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) dedicating thousands toward waterways protection, stormwater management, as well as park and recreational improvements throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union and surrounding counties. In Montour County, the Montour Area Recreation Commission received $125,000 for use toward the further development and rehabilitation of Hopewell Park located in Mahoning Township.

MUMMERS PARADE MOVED TO SUNDAY

The Mummers Parade, believed to be the nation’s oldest folk festival, stems from a mixture of immigrant traditions, some dating back of the 1640s, dubbed “mummer,” probably from the German word for “mask.” The outdoor portion of Philadelphia’s famous and sometimes inflammatory New Year’s Day parade featuring the Mummers has been pushed to Sunday because of rain in the forecast. The indoor portion of the events, including performances at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will still continue as planned on Saturday, officials said. City officials also announced the New Year’s Day fireworks planned for Penn’s Landing at 6 p.m. are canceled because of the weather forecast.

MEETING CHANGED DATE AND WENT VIRTUAL

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that a meeting of the Fisheries and Hatcheries Committee originally scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at the PFBC’s Centre Region Office has been rescheduled. The meeting will now take place on Thursday, January 13, 2022 beginning at 1:00 p.m. and will be conducted online with Commissioners and PFBC staff participating remotely. The public may view a live stream of the meeting by visiting  the PA Fish and Boat Facebook page. Public comments pertaining to the agenda can be submitted by calling (717) 705-7846 beginning on Monday, January 10 at 8:00 a.m. until Tuesday, January 11 at 12:00 p.m.

PENN STATE TO START SEMESTER IN PERSON, AS PLANNED  

Penn State will start the spring semester as planned, with in-person classes and activities held as scheduled with continued health and safety protocols in place. The University will continue to closely monitor the conditions around University Park and its Commonwealth Campuses and will alter its plans if necessary. Additional and/or enhanced protocols may be added in the coming weeks to reflect the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus omicron variant.  While conditions vary by region and community, at this time, Penn State’s action is consistent with that of about half its Big Ten peers. The latest information on the University’s response to the pandemic can be found on the Coronavirus Information website.

JUDGE SWORN IN UNION COUNTY

She is now officially known as Judge Lori R. Hackenburg, Court of Common Pleas Judge for the 17^th Judicial District of Union And Snyder County.  Friday, in front of a small crowd, she stepped forward and raised her right hand, solidifying hopes for those who voted for her and moving forward with her career. According to the Daily Item, she is the second female to serve as a county judge in the 17^th Judicial District. There is a robing and swearing-in ceremony planned at the Northumberland County Courthouse on Monday at 11 am.

SUN GAZETTE CARRIER SAVES A WOMAN FROM HOUSE FIRE

A hero emerges when the need arises.  It was early Wednesday morning when a residential blaze erupted in Loyalsock Township.  A SUN Gazette newspaper carrier, out delivering on her morning route, heard screams coming from inside. Becky Levano made the decision to go in and found Sheila Myers and her dog, Buddy, at the rear of her home, unable to escape. According to SUN Gazette, Levano assisted Myers to the outside of her home, moments before the fire exploded, consuming everything.

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

The public comment deadline is today and the Clinton County Commissioners have renewed their call for more information regarding  the proposal from the Maryland Air National Guard in which they wish to expand training flights over a large swath of north central Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, the commissioners shared their most recent letter they sent to the Maryland National Guard. This letter also included petitions from hundreds of concerned citizens, looking for information and expressing concerns, according to therecordonline.com. The commissioners on Wednesday shared with the media their most recent letter, what they called “a final stand,” to the Maryland National Guard, sending along information they have gathered, including petitions with hundreds of signatures from area residents expressing their concern about the safety of the flights. This final letter, joins one sent by Governor Tom Wolf.  

$3.5 MILLION PAID TO EMPLOYEES IN 2021

In 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) investigated more than 4,000 complaints of alleged labor law violations and returned more than $3.5 million in earned wages to Pennsylvania workers whose employers violated a labor law, according to data released today by L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier. Most of the complaints investigated in 2021 and in recent years were relevant to the Wage Payment and Collection Law (WPCL), the Minimum Wage Act (MWA), the Prevailing Wage Act, (PWA), the Child Labor Act (CLA) and the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act (CWMA). The Bureau of Labor Law Compliance includes 24 investigators, four supervisors and six central office staff who work in district offices located in Altoona, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton.

THE NEW PA SENIOR FOOD BOX PROGRAM

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Aging Secretary Robert Torres today highlighted the Wolf Administration’s successful rebrand of the PA Senior Food Box Program in 2021, formally known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Over 7,100 seniors enrolled after the department made significant steps to improve access to and awareness of the program. Key to the effort is a partnership between the Departments of Agriculture and Aging that has enabled the Department of Aging’s PACE pharmaceutical assistance program to conduct outreach to its enrollees who may also be eligible for the Senior Food Box Program. Through these actions in 2021, Pennsylvania is optimistic that it will be approved to maintain its existing caseload by the USDA in the coming year. The Administration hopes to further increase enrollment in 2022 and increase Pennsylvania’s caseload to serve even more seniors in need in the coming years.

POLICE REMIND DRIVERS OF OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAY

The New Year’s Eve Holiday has historically resulted in an increase of impaired driving crashes and arrests.  With this in mind, the Old Lycoming Police Department hopes to get drivers to think if they plan on celebrating with alcohol and other substances this holiday weekend.  Police officers want to take this opportunity to remind drivers that preventing an impaired driving incident is simple.  Remember to plan ahead, designate a sober driver and leave extra time to get to your destination. New Year’s weekend impaired driving/DUI Task forces statewide in addition to locally in Lycoming County will be part of Operation Safe Holiday, tasked with removing impaired drivers from the roadways.

OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAY

Operation Safe Holiday continues through New Year’s Day. Law enforcement will conduct impaired driving enforcement details, with zero tolerance toward drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. According to PennDOT data, there were 1,175 crashes resulting in 31 deaths during the same period in 2019. Drivers are also reminded to obey Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop, or disabled vehicle. The goal of the Move Over Law is to protect law enforcement, emergency medical providers, and other first responders when responding to crashes.

DCNR GRANT TO RIDER PARK IN GAMBLE TOWNSHIP

State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) today applauded the funding announcement by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) dedicating thousands toward waterways protection, stormwater management, as well as park and recreational improvements throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union and surrounding counties. These highly competitive DCNR grants were awarded through the Conservation Community Partnerships Program (C2P2).  In Lycoming County; First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania received $250,000 for further development of Rider Park in Gamble Township, Lycoming County. Work will include construction of a pavilion, pedestrian walkway, parking area, access drive and stormwater management measures; installation of interpretive signage; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. ESF

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TRAFFIC STATISTICS BY PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE

The Pennsylvania State Police investigated 488 motor vehicle crashes, which killed six people and injured 90 others, during the Christmas holiday weekend from December 24-26, 2021. Alcohol was a factor in 8% of the crashes, including one fatal crash, and resulted in 181 DUI arrests. State Troopers also arrested 158 individuals on criminal charges and issued 4,007 traffic citations. With New Year’s Eve celebrations still ahead, state police will once again be on the lookout for impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Remember to plan ahead for a safe ride home before heading out, especially if your holiday plans involve alcohol.

TURNPIKE TOLLS INCREASING AS PROMISED IN JULY

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) reminds drivers that a toll increase announced earlier this year is set to take effect just after midnight Sunday. In July, the PTC approved a 5% toll increase for all E-ZPass and PA Turnpike Toll By Plate rates for the entire system. This is the first time in six years that the annual increase has been less than 6%.The most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for Toll By Plate customers. To find updated 2022 toll rates go to paturnpike.com

THE 2021 PERSON OF THE YEAR!!

It is an act of giving and giving back. Donations are accepted and then turned into adorable monkeys that are sent to needy children for emotional support.  Alyson Creasy is not your typical 12-year-old, as her website, alysmonkeys.org, has allowed her to send over 6,000 monkeys to those in need.  Because she continues to make a difference in the community and beyond, Aly has become a 2021 person of the year finalist, as reported by SUN Gazette.

COVID CASES FOR SATURDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 41 new cases on Saturday. In Centre County 319 new infections and Lycoming County added 56. There were 102 new infections in Northumberland County. There were also 31 cases in Montour County and 20 each in Snyder and Union.

BATTLE THE OPIOID GETS 50 PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES

A global settlement with hopes of bringing $1 billion to the Commonwealth to battle the opioid battle just added fifty Pennsylvania counties. Three pharmaceutical distributors, Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, with Johnson & Johnson, are involved in the settlement equaling $26 billion that requires needed industry changes. According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro,  “Pennsylvania lost 5,172 lives to overdoses in the last year alone, which is 14 Pennsylvanians a day.”He went on to say Pennsylvania is expected to receive up to $232 million in 2022, distributed to local governments that signed on to the settlement.  According to therecordonline.com, locally, Clinton, Montour, Snyder and Union have signed onboard. the remaining 17 counties and multiple subdivisions have until next month to decide.

NEW YEAR’S BABY AT EVAN HOSPITAL

Evangelical Community Hospital in combination with The Family Place are excited to announce a new year’s baby girl, born Saturday morning at 2:04 am, on January 1, 2022,  to Jedediah Lemon and Carlee Jo Rudy of Mifflinburg. According to the Daily Item,  the baby was delivered by Angela Cassel, Certified Nurse Midwife with OB/GYN of Evangelical.

AMENDMENT TO RELEASE NEEDED FUNDING

Lycoming County Commissioners voted in favor of a new amendment of the agreement with STEP in order to release round two of the funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. With a reported $1.2 million remaining of the nearly $7.5 million received by Lycoming County after the first round, which continues distribution through September 2022, money will be running out. In fact,  according to STEP’s chief operations and planning officer, STEP will be running out of the plan’s funds in early January or February due to the weekly pay-outs of the reported $200 to $300 thousand. As reported by SUN Gazette, the new amendment is set to release needed funding.

EXTENSION FOR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT

An extension has been announced by the Lycoming County Commissioners for the American Rescue Plan Act. The pre-application for the act, extended to February 28, allows municipalities, public authorities, non-profitss and businesses to apply for funding. According to SUN Gazette, the county’s website, Lyco.org, is where interested individuals or groups can proceed with the application process.  The next meeting of the commissioners will be  Jan 4^th at 10 a.m. in the Executive Plaza.

CHILD RAPIST GOING TO STATE PRISON

Sentencing yesterday was for a convicted child rapist. Justin Dean Etters, 30, of Beech Creek, was sentenced to a total term of 55 years in a State Correctional Institution. Etters was charged in May of 2021 for the rape of an 8 year old boy. Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury imposed the sentence, but prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Salisbury told Etters that he was a “monster who must be removed from society.”  Etters was also found to be a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) by the Court.

UPDATED COVID-19 CASES FOR TUESDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 10 new cases. In Centre County 100 new cases. Lycoming County added 46. Tioga County added 10. There were 48 new infections in Northumberland County, 37 in Snyder, 30 in Union and 15 in Montour.

US SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DIES

Harry Reid, the former U.S. Senate majority leader and Nevada’s longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.Reid died Tuesday, “peacefully” and surrounded by friends at home in suburban Henderson, “following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer,” according to family members and a statement from Landra Reid, his wife of 62 years. Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents — Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama — a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

HOSPITALS TO GET MUCH NEEDED ASSISTANCE

Pennsylvania hospitals overwhelmed with the latest COVID-19 surge will get help from federal teams as Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration finalizes the details, Wolf’s office reported. Wolf’s administration did not give details about how many people will be in the federal “strike teams,” what sort of expertise or equipment they will bring with them and when they could feasibly arrive at hospitals in Pennsylvania.In a statement, Wolf’s acting secretary of health, Keara Klinepeter, said Wolf’s administration is working to determine which hospitals will receive help and what sort of resources they will get.

OVERWHELMED FACILITIES LOOK TO GOVERNMENT FOR HELP

Pennsylvania hospitals overwhelmed with the latest COVID-19 surge will get help from federal teams as Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration finalizes the details, Wolf’s office reported.Hospitals and nursing homes statewide have been sounding the alarm in recent weeks as largely unvaccinated COVID-19 patients fill hospital beds, sending some acute-care facilities over capacity. Hospitals are reporting very long emergency-room wait times, while staffing shortages in nursing homes are forcing some to stop accepting new residents. Pennsylvania is reporting an average of almost 9,000 new, confirmed infections per day over the last two weeks, up 50% since the second half of November. The number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospital care has increased by 80% since last month, at more than 4,500 per day.

SUNBURY POLICE LOOKING FOR 17-YEAR-OLD FOR FELONY GUN CHARGES

Police are looking for a 17-year-old Sunbury man who held up another man by gunpoint on North 4th Street on Monday as he took $40 and the victim’s cellphone. An arrest warrant has been issued for Elijah Simpson, who is charged with felony robbery and firearms not be carried without a license charges, according to the Daily Item. Police report Simpson will be facing charges as an adult. Anyone with information on Simpson is asked to call Northumberland County 911.

BLACK BEAR DISTROYED BEE HIVES

It was a black bear, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, that destroyed beehives owned by a Montour County man. The attack, which occurred last night, was not witnessed. However, the owner, Larue Shultz saw the impression of a bear paw and opted not to replace the hives.  Jared Turner, Pa Game Warden, warned that bears return to properties where they had earlier found food. He goes on to say after a bear visit, residents should remove hives, feeders and take trash inside for at least the following weeks. Although most bears are in hibernating mode, the unseasonably warm weather have inspired some to stay awake a while longer.

THEFTS OF PACKAGES FROM MAILBOX, POLICE LOOKING FOR HELP

A secure mailbox was damaged with multiple packages and letters taken in a theft that occurred sometime between Saturday, Dec 18 and Monday Dec 20. The mailbox was located at 5071 Lycoming Mall Road, Fairfield Township and was owned by Fairfield Auto Group.  If anyone has any information on this incident, you are urged to contact the State Police at Montoursville, as the investigation continues.

HIT AND RUN DRIVER SOUGHT

State police are looking for help with the identity of a hit and run crash that occurred Thursday, December 23, which damaged a mailbox and a PennDot sign on SR 405 in Clinton Township, Lycoming County. According to police, the vehicle will have damage on the front passenger corner.  It fled in an unknown direction following the crash. If you have any information on this incident, please contact State Police in Montoursville.