LAST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT FROM WILLIAMSPORT REGIONAL AIRPORT … FOR NOW

As the last commercial flight is slated to leave the Williamsport Regional Airport this afternoon, Richard Howell, executive director says he remains “cautiously optimisitic” for a new carrier by spring. Howell went on to remind residents the airport is not closing with the ending of commercial flights. “We run 20,000 operations a year,” he said. According to a media outlet, the market here is healthy with businesses, colleges and factories that “call this airport home.”

LIVE LINE ELECTRICAL SAFETY EXHIBIT BY PPL

PPL Electric Utilities recently offered a Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit used to teach first responders, contractors, businesses, school students and the public about the dangers of live wires and how to stay safe around them at Pennsylvania College of Technology on Sept. 15. Total attendance was more than 100 for the day with more than 20 first responders from Lycoming County, including local firefighters and paramedics. According to SUN Gazette,  PPL is slated to return  for the spring semester on Monday, April 18.

YOUTUBE BOOTING LOCAL VIDEOS

A Jersey Shore Area School Board meeting was initially among the videos booted when YouTube announced a sweeping crackdown of vaccine misinformation Wednesday. According to Jersey Shore Area School District Superintendent Brian Ulmer,  the district learned last week that its Sept. 13 board meeting was removed from YouTube, but it has since been reuploaded to the platform. According to SUN Gazette, the video-sharing platform said it will no longer allow users to baselessly speculate that approved vaccines, like the ones given to prevent the flu or measles, are dangerous or cause diseases.

LYCOMING COLLEGE RANKED ONE OF THE NATION’S BEST

Lycoming College was ranked once again as one of the nation’s best liberal arts colleges in a series of rankings released this fall by the Princeton Review, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. Lycoming ranked No. 124 in U.S. News & World Report National Liberal Arts Colleges list for 2022, and ranked No. 32 on the publication’s Top Performers on Social Mobility list. In addition to academic excellence, U.S. News cites Lycoming’s strengths in alumni giving, financial resources and faculty resources. Lycoming was recognized as one of the nation’s “Best 387 Colleges and Universities” in the 2022 edition of the annual college guide published by the Princeton Review. In this year’s Washington Monthly Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings, Lycoming College took the No. 77 spot, with a No. 30 ranking in social mobility. According to a media outlet, the Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education U.S. College Rankings, ranked Lycoming as being among the top 37 percent of nearly 800 colleges and universities in its database.

45^TH SEASON FOR THE COMMUNITY THEATRE LEAGUE

The Community Theatre League as it celebrates its 45th season entertaining and educating Greater Williamsport. The league of thespians and educators was recently awarded a $47,800 grant awarded by the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. According to a media source, the money will be used to update equipment and websites and to provide training to employees.

DOMESTIC BRINGS CHARGES FOR LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP MAN

Charges lodged against Loyalsock Township man Brandon Mull of Country Club Lane, faces several charges following a domestic disturbance with a woman at their home in which he said he was going to shoot her and himself, according to court records filed by state police at DJ Whiteman’s office. According to a media outlet, Mull has been charged with terroristic threats, false imprisonment, simple assault and harassment and although initially jailed, Mull is now free on $15,000 bail.

CHILD ENDANGERMENT IN WILLIAMSPORT

Detectives with the Lycoming County District Attorney’s office said a search of a person’s phone turned up multiple videos and images of a child being assaulted. Tyree Hakim Holly, 26, of Williamsport was in custody when authorities received a search warrant for his iPhone. Detective Loretta Clark said Holly’s phone possessed images of him with a juvenile engaged in several sexual acts. According to a media source, Holly was charged with multiple felonies is being held at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $125,000 bail waiting a preliminary hearing Sept. 30.

COVID-19 LOCAL RESULTS

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 20 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 40, while Lycoming County increased by 77, 40 in Northumberland County, 19 in Snyder, 13 in Union and nine in Montour.

RETIREMENT FOR FORMER CHIEF LYCOMING COUNTY DETECTIVE

Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner announced the retirement of former Chief Lycoming County detective William Weber yesterday. In a press release, “Upon arrival to the office Tuesday, September 28, I was provided with a copy of the Attorney General’s Sealed Search Warrants in the Myrtle Beach/Williamsport Baseball matter. I immediately requested a meeting with Detective Weber. During this meeting, Detective Weber informed me that he was retiring, effective immediately. Today is Detective Weber’s 40th anniversary as a law enforcement officer. The “Myrtle Beach/Williamsport Baseball matter” referenced in the DA’s statement is related to an investigation into allegations of sexual assault of a former Williamsport Area High School baseball player in March of 2018 during a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. According to northcentralpa.com, Detective William Weber was involved with handling the DA’s investigation at the time of the allegations.

INFORMATIONAL PICKET ALONG ROUTE 15

A Presidential Executive Order to enforce vaccinations of Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) staff (not inmates) will begin on Oct. 8, 2021. If staff are not fully vaccinated by Nov. 22, 2021, they will face employment termination. Andy Kline, the President of the Council of Prison Locals, Local 148, USP Lewisburg, relayed the following details on the Bureau Of Prisons response to the national mandate. As reported by a media source, in opposition to the mandate, union members from USP Lewisburg, USP Allenwood, FCI Schuylkill  and others will organize an Informational Picket along Route 15 in Lewisburg and Montgomery on Thursday Sept. 30 from 7am-12pm.

MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT

It was a crash in South Williamsport and upwards of nine people were injured, but all declined treatment except two who were taken to UPMC Williamsport following this four-vehicle chain-reaction crash at East Southern Avenue and Hastings Street in South Williamsport about 12:30 p.m. yesterday, according to borough police. The names of those involved were not available. According to SUN Gazette, multiple ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

VOTE AUDIT QUESTIONS FOR LYCOMING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Both county commissioners Tony Mussare and Scott Metzger are open to additional audits of votes if there is a need for it, referring to possible audits in Tioga County and in the southeastern part of the state. According to a media outlet, no audits have been suggested for here. According to Rick Mirabito, the lone Democrat on the Board of Commissioners, unless someone can bring evidence of wrongdoing, it would not be fruitful to spend taxpayer dollars to do another audit.

JERSEY SHORE AREA SCHOOL BOARD MASK DIRECTIVE QUESTIONED

 “Do what’s right for the kids,”  a parent,  Ann Marie Pfirman, spoke up to the Jersey Shore Area School Board at their meeting as she made the case for a masks-optional policy for district students. Pfirman noted that because of what she claimed is inaction by the board, some of the parents and citizens have taken action by sending a letter from their attorney to the school board. Pfirman went on to ask the school board to work with the parents to get masking optional and also to stop the segregation practices that the district has allowed the teachers and the administrators to do in our classrooms. As reported by SUN Gazette, the board did not respond to the comments. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Middle School Auditorium, 601 Thompson St.

GUILTY PLEA FOR 2017 INFANT DEATH

Abdullah Friend, 30, of Williamsport, pleaded guilty to his responsibility in the death of his infant child in April of 2017. By his admission in court yesterday, Friend reportedly handled the child in a reckless manner in such a way that led to death, eventually resulting in asphyxiation, according to District Attorney Ryan Gardner. Prescient Judge Nancy Butts sentenced Friend to one to two years in the Lycoming County Prison, with credit for time served, as well as a consecutive six and a half years of probation. As reported by a media source, Friend’s actions included reckless batter and a tight swaddle that resulted in asphyxiation, said District Attorney Ryan Gardner.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

The South Williamsport Area School Board elected Todd Engel as its President and Steve Rupert as Vice President and accepted the resignations of two school directors at this week’s meeting. The recent resignations of former president Nathan Miller and vice president Nicholas Fiorini left the board with two vacancies. In other matters, Superintendent Dr. Mark Stamm reported to the board that since August the district has had 26 cases of positive COVID-19 infections at the high school, 15 at Central Elementary School and four at Rommelt Elementary School. According to a media outlet, the board met in executive session following the meeting to consider personnel matters.

CONVICTED FELON UNABLE TO POSSESS FIREARMS

As a convicted felon, Susquehanna Township resident Edward Jay Manley, is prohibited by law to possess a firearm at any time. Armed with a search warrant, police took from the home numerous rifles, handguns and shotguns on Aug. 4 after receiving a tip, according to an affidavit. As reported by a media source,  he was arraigned last week on 15 felony counts of convicted felon not to possess a firearm, Manley, convicted of felony burglary in 1990, was released on $15,000 bail.

SECOND AMENDMENT SUPPORT AT LYCOMING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING TUESDAY

Lycoming County Sheriff Mark Lusk spoke before a group of community members as the county commissioners considered a resolution in support of the Second Amendment. “You won’t find this sheriff enforce anything that the federal administration tries to shove down our throats, because we have the right to bear arms,” …Matthew McDermott, director of administration and chief clerk then read the resolution before the crowd. According to the SUN Gazette, the resolution stated that the commissioners “wish to express their intent to stand for Second Amendment rights and oppose any effort to unconstitutionally restrict such rights of citizens to keep and bear arms,” McDermott read. By a unanimous vote, the commissioners passed the resolution. The next meeting of the commissioners will be at 10 a.m., Oct. 5 in the Commissioner’s Board Room, 1st floor Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St.

COVID-19 LOCAL CASES FOR TUESDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 11 new cases were reported on Tuesday, Centre County saw an increase of 58, while Lycoming County increased by 72, 29 in Northumberland County, 23 in Union, 20 in Snyder and seven in Montour County.

MASK EXEMPTION BILL PASSES STATE SENATE COMMITTEE

AP is reporting… A bill that would allow parents in Pennsylvania to exempt their children from wearing a mask at school cleared a state Senate committee on Tuesday as Republican lawmakers started making good on their pledge to counter the governor’s statewide mask mandate.  The legislation would hand the ultimate decision on masking at school to parents and guardians, allowing them to overrule any face-covering mandate imposed by the state Department of Health, a local health department or a school board.  The Senate Education Committee approved the bill on a party-line vote. It requires passage by the full Senate and the House before going to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, whose office said he opposes the bill.

STORMREADY HOSPITAL DESIGNATION

Evangelical Community Hospital is now ‘StormReady,’ that’s an official designation from the National Weather Service.  During a news conference yesterday, the weather service recognized Evangelical Community Hospital as the second hospital in Pennsylvania to gain the Storm Ready status.  Features of a  StormReady Hospital includes having a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center in the building – but it also meets virtually – one aspect of it allows hospital staff access to a chat program with the National Weather Service to get their gut feeling on incoming severe weather, according to a media outlet.

SHOTS FIRED IN WILLIAMSPORT

On Sunday, September 26^th at approximately 2:36 pm, officers from the Williamsport Bureau of Police were dispatched to the 900 block of Park Avenue for multiple shots fired and several vehicles fleeing the area. Upon arrival to the scene, officers located several vehicles and residences struck by gunfire as well as other corroborating evidence to the shooting.  The scene was closed off to traffic and officers maintained a presence in the area until the collection of evidence was completed. Officers also located evidence related to this incident in the area of the 300 block of Brandon Place.  If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Agent Brittany Alexander at the Williamsport Police Department.

COVID-19 LOCAL RESULTS

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 24 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 65, Lycoming County increased by 67, 32 in Northumberland County, 13 in Union and eight each in Montour and Snyder counties.

CLINTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 100 YEARS OLD

Clinton County Historical Society celebrates 100 years of charter, by continuing to collect and preserve the history of Clinton County.  A celebratory banquet will be held on Oct. 17 at the Lock Haven Elks, 109 E. Main Street to include a special presentation by ; Thomas “Tank” Baird is at 7 p. m. According to therecordonline.com, Mr. Baird is the past president/current vice president of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology and has eleven seasons of historic and pre-historic archaeological excavation experience. He published an article “Mysterious Mound Builder Artifacts Found in Rural Clinton County.”

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL PERFORMED AT BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

A NBA Hall of Famer was in the Valley this weekend…as a DJ.Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal performed at Bucknell University’s annual Fall Fest, but was held for the first time in two years due to the pandemic. According to campus newspaper, The Bucknellian, O’Neal performed under his stage name, ‘DJ Diesel.’ The event occurred Friday night at Sojka Pavilion.

OVER THE EDGE GOES OVER THE TOP

It was the annual “Over the Edge” fund raising event and it sent participants down 150′ from the top of the Genetti Hotel to the street on Saturday. The event is sponsored by UPMC and is a fundraising partnership between the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation, River Valley YMCA and the YWCA of Northcentral Pa. According to Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter’s Facebook page, It was an honor to kickoff this year’s “Over the Edge” fundraiser alongside Mr. Steve Johnson to benefit three of our amazing local non-profits. Mayor Slaughter and UPMC Northcentral President Steve Johnson kicked off the historic event by rappelling and helping to raise over $16,000.

HARASSMENT BY COMMUNICATION

From July 16 to Sept. 10 of this year, a Danville woman received 47 calls and 53 text messages, many of which threatened her. According to Danville Borough Police, Jamie Alisha Adams, 31, of Bridge City, TX, was charged multiple felonies. As reported by a media outlet, onn July 20, Adams sent a text message that read, “Please drop the charges…” allegedly in reference to another case that charged Adams with similar offenses. Adams was released on $100,000 nominal bail, meaning she only had to pay a small amount, as she awaits a preliminary hearing scheduled at the end of the month.

NARCOTICS CHARGES FOR WILLIAMSPORT WOMAN

A 57-year-old Williamsport woman is facing felony charges after detectives with the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit purchased 11 prescription pills from her. On June 10, a confidential informant placed a call to Brenda Allison Jones in the presence of Detective Robert Anderson to arrange the purchase.  Jones was charged with third-degree felony criminal use of a communication facility and felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Court records show Jones posted $50,000 unsecured bail and agreed to show up in person for her preliminary hearing.A formal arraignment with Aaron Biichle is scheduled for Oct. 11 at 8:30 a.m.

ASSAULT CHARGES ON WILLIAMSPORT MAN

Williamsport police charged a man with second-degree simple assault, first-degree terroristic threats, and second-degree false imprisonment after they said he locked a woman inside a bedroom. All charges are misdemeanors filed against Joshua Tito Kendall, 36, of Williamsport, who allegedly told the woman he would “kill her” if she ever tried to leave him. Kendall posted $50,000 monetary bail on Sept. 16 through a professional bondsman located in Unityville. He is scheduled to appear before Judge Aaron Biichle on Oct. 14 at 8:45 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

LAWSUIT GOING  TO COURT REGARDING STATE OF HEALTH MANDATES

The Montoursville Area School District mask lawsuit by parents will continue for at least another week. U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann said he would decide Friday whether to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the district from enforcing a mask policy mirroring what the state health department mandates. Parents of 15 district students are seeking an injunction.

MIFFLINBURG MAN CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR LEAVING DOGS IN HOT SUN FOR HOURS

A Mifflinburg Man was arrested recently for animal cruelty. State police say 50-year-old Daniel Moll was arrested for leaving three dogs in a parked car with the windows up for 4-5 hours. By the time they were found, one dog had succumbed to the heat. Troopers have charged Moll with felony animal cruelty and neglect charges .

A DANVILLE BUSINESSWOMAN DIED FOLLOWING EXPLOSION

A long-time Danville businesswoman had died following a welding accident Thursday afternoon. Mahoning Township Police Chief Fred Dyroff says 64-year-old Kathy Snyder died from her injuries overnight at Lehigh Valley Health Network Regional Burn Center near Allentown. As reported by the Daily Item, Dyroff says the accident occurred just before 2 p.m. Thursday at her shop when a diesel tank she was welding exploded. Snyder had operated Haupt Welding for more than 30 years, which was founded by her father in 1960.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

As the Commonwealth marks National Suicide Prevention Month in September, legislation to hold accountable a person who instructs, causes or solicits another person to commit suicide is now awaiting the governor’s signature.  “Shawn’s Law” is named after Shawn Shatto, a young woman who took her own life in her parent’s Newberry Township home after she received a step-by-step guide on how to die by suicide from an online chat forum. She was provided the instructions to make the poison to take her own life.  House Bill 184 calls for sentences for a person who encourages another person who is under the age of 18 or has an intellectual disability to die by suicide to be increased.

A COMPREHENSIVE ELECTION REFORM

A comprehensive election reform measure vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Tom Wolf has been reintroduced in the state House. A key component of the bill – to expand voter ID guidelines to require all voters to present ID each time they cast a ballot – was initially cited by the governor as a main reason for his veto, but he has subsequently said he is open to expanded ID requirements. The Voting Rights Protection Act, now House Bill 1800, would expand ID requirements but also ensure ALL registered voters can comply by calling on counties and the Department of State to issue durable voter registration identification cards, similar to those already provided. Voters also would be able to use other types of identification, including their state-issued driver license or ID card.

STATE PRISON TIME FOR PHILADELPHIA MAN

State prison is what is in the future for a man who was found guilty of selling heroin, fentanyl and cocaine to Williamsport residents in 2019. William Lincoln, 39, of Philadelphia, recently received a state prison sentence of 20 years and nine months to 34 years and six months for multiple drug charges, according to a media outlet. According to a media source, the jury in his March 2021 trial determined he intended to sell 87 bags of fentanyl and cocaine and 15.7 grams of meth, among many others, across three different court cases he stood trial for at once.

DEBT CEILING

With Pennsylvania’s lawmakers in Washington sharply divided, the Senate is set for a showdown that could end in an unprecedented debt default or a government shutdown. Battles over the debt ceiling and government funding have become an almost perennial tradition in Washington, particularly when the president and Congress are at odds. On Tuesday, the House voted 220-211 to keep the government funded and to raise the debt limit, allowing the United States to pay off its bondholders for a while longer. Pennsylvania’s delegation was split along party lines, with every Democrat voting to raise the limit and every Republican voting against it. The measure now moves to the Senate, where Republicans have shown little interest in helping to raise the ceiling — despite having voted to do so two years ago.

TRANSFER MONEY APPROVED FOR WILLIAMSPORT CITY

Williamsport City Council approved a transfer ordinance totaling $100,000 to cover costs associated with three tasks. The transfer of money in the 2021 general fund will be used to pay$20,000 as part of the city obligation to have its buildings meet the Americans with Disabilities Act, secondly $70,000 for foundation cost for the Muncy Bank Stadium scoreboard, and, finally, $50,000 is for a pickup truck that will not be able to be delivered until next year, as reported by the SUN Gazette.

WIRES DOWN, CLOSING ROADS

Motorists are advised that part of Route 2039 (Warrensville Road) is closed between Route 2014 (East Third Street / Broad Street) and Four Mile Drive in Loyalsock Township, Lycoming County, due to downed utilities. A detour using local roads is in place.  The road is expected to be closed for several hours. Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

VIRTUAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING FOR MONTGOMERY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Montgomery Area School Board held a virtual meeting and parents joined to express their views on the order from the state Department of Health requiring students, staff and visitors to be masked in district buildings. Visitors, who included concerned residents and family members, cited the inconsistencies in the mask/no-mask issue, claiming that although the state created the order, there is no way of enforcing it, along with concerns which included students suffering from trouble breathing and concentrating. According to SUN Gazette, a concerned mother asked for a special meeting and the board did not respond. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 19.

WILLIAMSPORT CITY HIT BY VANDALS

The city has been hit by vandals who have caused about $800 in damage to the street pedestrian crossing buttons and spray painted derogatory words about city police at the Brandon Park bandshell. The matter was addressed at the public works committee meeting this week. The most recent affected pedestrian crossing buttons, which are affixed to poles at intersections, were unscrewed and taken, according to SUN Gazette.

RECORDED PHONE CONVERSATION AS EVIDENCE IN COURT PROCEEDING

In a recorded phone call to a relative submitted as evidence, Ikeem Fogan said police caught him on camera while shirtless the night he was accused of shooting a convenience store clerk and killing a customer in 2019. As reported by SUN Gazette, this ties together two threads of testimony in the case that alleges Fogan wounded JoBeth Wetzel and killed Rhonda McPeak in the Newberry Uni-Mart on Aug. 4, 2019, and fled the scene, ditching articles of clothing on the way, according to Martin Wade, the first assistant district attorney prosecuting the case its a subtle confession.

UPDATED COVID-19 LOCAL REPORTS

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 23 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 62, Lycoming County increased by 70, 51 in Northumberland County, 19 in Snyder, 17 in Union and 9 new cases reported in Montour County.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THEFT IN MILTON

It was a sexual assault and theft case out of Milton. Martin Esperanza, 27, of Milton, now faces a third-degree felony charge of robbery for an incident that occurred Sept. 12 on Eschbach Road, Turbot Township. According to State Police at Milton, a woman was her vehicle with Esperanza when he allegedly assaulted her, took the woman’s cell phone and left her along the roadway. He was committed to Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29 at Judge Diehl’s office.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT GRADUATE WINS AWARD

After earning her second MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Week award, junior Bella Green, a South Williamsport graduate, has earned her first United Soccer Coaches Division III Offensive Player of the Week award. Green leads the MAC Freedom in goals (8), assists (6) and points (22). As reported by Sun Gazette, just seven games into the season, the junior is tied for 15th in the program’s single season history in goals, tied for ninth in assists and tied for 14th in points.

ELECTRONIC SIGNS TO HELP PREVENT COVID-19 IN WILLIAMSPORT

Williamsport City Council’s regular meeting is tonight and they are expected to look into a company who specializes in electronic signs, which could help provide guidance on preventing COVID-19 and produce some revenue through advertisement. According to Skip Memmi, Williamsport City director of community and economic development, Community Development Block Grant money of $60,000 would bring five signs into low to moderate income neighborhoods. Company representatives will be on hand to further explain the sign benefits, as reported by a media outlet.

WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING IS TONIGHT

Williamsport City Council’s regular meeting is tonight and they are expected to review an ordinance to transfer money in the general fund budget to pay for various projects. Specifically, the transfer for the $64,000 change order for the video scoreboard foundation costs at Muncy Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field, will be inspected. According to SUN Gazette, other transfer requests will be for the accessibility inspection of city-owned buildings other than City Hall, and the treasurer’s office is looking for an additional $10,000 in legal services relating to more work in audits, and their consultants are doing related to collecting additional business privilege and mercantile taxes.

SENIOR EXPO IN MONTOURSVILLE TODAY

To better serve seniors in our region, a group of state, local, and county representatives from various organizations will be on hand to offer information and services. More than 75 vendors will be participating in the event. State Representative Joe Hamm and State Senator Gene Yaw will host a Senior Expo this Thursday, today  9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Faith United Methodist Church, located at 700 Fairview Drive in Montoursville. Complimentary document shredding will be provided by North Central Sight Services. There is a limit of two boxes per person. Organizers ask that shredding services only be used by individuals, not businesses. In addition, the Lycoming County Sheriff will provide an unused prescription medication return drop box for visitors to safely dispose of any unwanted medications.

SENATOR YAW SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTERS 

A bill establishing statewide uniform requirements restricting the use of “Class B” firefighting foams containing added (PFAS) for training purposes and testing … was approved today by the full Senate, according to prime sponsor Sen. Gene Yaw, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. According to Senator Yaw, “Firefighters can face an extremely higher level of PFAS exposure compared to other emergency responders.” “This bill will undoubtedly protect firefighters moving forward, while also safeguarding our ground and surface water from contamination.” If approved, Pennsylvania would follow Colorado, Kentucky, Virginia and Washington that have enacted laws banning the use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams.  The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

PENNDOT TALK BACK PLAN

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced the launch of a Public Comment Period for the draft 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and Freight Movement Plan (FMP). The plans are available for review through October 19, 2021. According to PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We need Pennsylvanians to join this conversation to help us make these plans even more responsive to future public needs. Whether we are speaking about more efficient freight movement, modernized public transit, reduced highway congestion or increased options for bicyclists and pedestrians, these improvements are only possible with a public commitment to a sustained level of investment for years to come,” All information is available online under Tell Us What You Think at penndot.gov/planning.

GEISINGER VISITOR RESTRICTIONS

Beginning today, Geisinger’s updated visitation policy will go into effect for all hospital locations. Changes include: Admitted patients will be allowed two designated visitors through the duration of a hospital stay, meaning visitors may not switch out with other visitors. Emergency room patients will be permitted one visitor for the duration of their stay once the patient is in the treatment area. Emergency room patients who are positive for COVID-19 or who are suspected of having COVID-19 are not permitted visitors. Geisinger encourages alternate means of visiting with a loved one in the hospital, including phone calls and virtual visits through Facetime, Skype or other means.

GEISINGER VISITOR RESTRICTIONS

Beginning today, Geisinger’s updated visitation policy will go into effect for all hospital and outpatient locations. At all outpatient locations, changes include: No visitors are permitted during outpatient appointments, unless medically necessary. Outpatient appointments include certain surgeries, mental or behavioral health, primary care and others. Geisinger encourages alternate means of visiting with a loved one in the hospital, including phone calls and virtual visits through Facetime, Skype or other means.

BENNINGHOFF SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF IDA DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATION

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff yesterday voted in support of House Resolution 139, which would extend the provisions of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Aug. 31 disaster emergency declaration relative to the aftereffects of Tropical Storm Ida. “When Pennsylvania voters approved two constitutional amendments in May giving the Legislature a greater say in the management of disaster emergency situations, this is the exact type of cooperative management they expected,” Benninghoff said. “Tropical Storm Ida had a serious impact on many communities across Pennsylvania. As that extensive recovery effort continues, renewing the disaster declaration is clearly necessary.” House Resolution 139 would extend the disaster emergency declaration until Oct. 27, 2021.

BENNINGHOFF VOTES FOR GREATER INFORMATION SHARING TO HELP COMBAT OPIOID EPIDEMIC

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff yesterday voted in support of an amendment to House Bill 1774 that would allow for increased information sharing between departments of material from the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program as a tool to help the Commonwealth combat the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic. This legislative fix was identified by Gov. Tom Wolf as a helpful component of the opioid disaster emergency declaration, which expired in August after being renewed 15 different times by the governor. “Cooperative government means that when a disaster declaration is extended 15 times, maybe it is time for permanent solutions, instead of a permanent emergency. That is the essence of what we are doing today: We are providing a permanent fix to help combat the opioid addiction epidemic in Pennsylvania,” Benninghoff said.

BENNINGHOFF SUPPORTS WARD RESOLUTION ON PRISONER REALLOCATION

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff yesterday morning voted in support of a resolution offered by Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward during a meeting of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission that would put additional guidelines on how prisoner reallocation data is to be compiled and counted by, among other things, ensuring that individuals incarcerated to a minimum sentence expiring after April 1, 2030, will be counted at the prison at which they reside. The resolution further fleshes out the decision by the commission at its last meeting to adopt a prisoner reallocation proposal that changes the long-standing practice of having state inmates counted where they eat, sleep and live at the time of the census—like every other Pennsylvanian—and instead counts them where they resided prior to incarceration.

STRIPE OUT GAME 

Contest with the Hoosiers on Oct. 2 is a Stripe Out Penn State Football’s contest against Indiana on Oct. 2 will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, it was announced Monday. The game will also be available on the Penn State Sports Network (6 p.m. airtime) and GoPSUsports.com.
The Nittany Lions hold a 22-2 all-time record vs. Indiana, with Indiana winning last year’s matchup 36-35 in overtime. Penn State faces off with Villanova in Beaver Stadium on Saturday at noon ET on Big Ten Network. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 28-20 victory over Auburn.

GOVERNOR WOLF AND IT’S ON US

Continuing his commitment to combatting campus sexual assault, Governor Tom Wolf announced that $1 million in It’s On Us PA grants are available to colleges, universities, and other postsecondary schools in Pennsylvania. Since 2016, the Wolf Administration has awarded over 190 It’s On Us PA grants totaling nearly $5 million to more than 75 postsecondary institutions, including public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will accept applications for grants of up to $30,000 through October 20, 2021. Grant applications are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website.

PROSECUTION IN MURDER TRIAL

In the prosecution’s opening statement on Tuesday in the Criminal Homicide trial of I-Keem Damont Fogan, 23, District Attorney Martin Wade told the jury the story of a “robbery executed very poorly.”  Wade walked the jury through the night of August 4, 2019, showing still images of the shooting that occurred at the Uni-Mart, 1944 W. Fourth St., that injured JoBeth Wetzel, the cashier on duty that night, and took the life of Rhonda McPeak, a customer in the store. In her opening statement, public defender Nicole Spring drew attention to the potential trauma the jurors may experience while serving at the trial,  acknowledging the shocking crime that took place the night of Aug. 4, 2019. They would, she said, have to witness surveillance footage of the two women being shot, a difficult thing to bear.The trial continues this morning in the Lycoming County Courthouse.

COVID-19 LOCAL UPDATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County six new cases were reported on Tuesday, Centre County saw an increase of 40, Lycoming County increased by 49, 41 in Northumberland County, 14 in Union County, 21 in Snyder, and four in Montour.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA STOLEN

State Police at Montoursville are investigating a burglary in Fairfield Township in which medical marijuana was stolen. The residence, on O’Dell Road, was entered sometime during the day on Sept 7^th.  The suspects took upwards of $60 in medical marijuana and fled the scene. If you have any information, please contact the State Police in Montoursville.

THEFT IN MIFFLINBURG

A victim is out $850 after a Union County man allegedly stole parts from an auto he was expected to repair. David Walls, 47, of Mifflinburg, is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of parts from the victim’s vehicle and keeping the $850 she paid for repairs, according to State Police at Milton. The vehicle was taken to Walls’ residence to make the agreed repairs, after several months the vehicle was not returned. The victim went to get her vehicle and realized several parts were missing.  Items missing included; the transmission, battery, catalytic converter, and starter, according to state police. According to northcentralpa.com, charges against Walls are being filed at the office of District Judge Jeffrey Mensch.

MONTOURSVILLE grad gets Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Football Co-Offensive Athlete of the week

Shippensburg University red shirt junior quarterback Brycen Mussina was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Football Co-Offensive Athlete of the week after equaling a career high with five touchdown passes in Saturday’s victory at Clarion. Mussina, a Montoursville graduate, was 23 of 37 for 350 yards and equaled a career high with five touchdown passes before he was relieved in the fourth quarter. As reported by SUN Gazette,  it was the first time a Shippensburg player has been named the PSAC Eastern Division Football Offensive Athlete of the Week since Mussina was recognized during his redshirt freshman season on October 22, 2018.. it is Mussina’s second career PSAC weekly award.

MURDER TRIAL IN WILLIAMSPORT

On Tuesday in the Criminal Homicide trial of I-Keem Damont Fogan, public defender Nicole Spring, in her opening statement, drew attention to the potential trauma the jurors may experience while serving at the trial,  acknowledging the shocking crime that took place the night of Aug. 4, 2019. They would, she said, have to witness surveillance footage of the two women being shot, a difficult thing to bear. According to the SUN Gazette, the trial continues this morning in the Lycoming County Courthouse.

MANDATED MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION FOR WILLIAMSPORT PUBLIC SAFETY

The Williamsport City’s mandated minimum contribution to police, fire and employees’ pension funds is $4.1 million.  According to city officials  $1 million less than the previous obligation. On their regular meeting, Williamsport’s City Council’s Finance Committee gave the minimum municipal obligation a positive recommendation.  Broken down, contributions for police are $1.8 million; fire, $1.1 million and officers and employees, $1.1 million, this according to city interim finance director, Joseph Paw Lak, who goes on to say the city must approve the obligation to pay pensions by Sept 30, as reported by SUN Gazette.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS FOR TREE REPLACEMENT 

The city may be able to use a portion of the $25.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds to replant trees removed when the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reconstructed West Fourth Street in Newberry two years ago. In total, 51 trees were taken out overnight in an area less than a mile in length, leading to outrage from West End residents impacted who are asking for 40-plus trees.  Chad Eckert, city forester, said if the funds are approved for the replacements, there are a variety of tree species that might work. However, PennDOT reported it will not be able to return to the project until 2028. According to a media outlet, a second work session on the use of the American Rescue Plan funds is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 30. The meeting will be held remotely on YouTube and accessible on the city website.