THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS A NUMBER ONE HITS WEEKEND ON 93.3 WBZD! STARTING ON FRIDAY AT 5PM, YOU CAN LISTEN ALL WEEKEND FOR CHOICE CLASSIC NUMBER HIT NUMBER ONE HIT SONGS AS WE SAY GOODBYE TO SUMMER AND SALUTE THE HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY.
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HOUSE MAJORITY POLICY COMMITTEE HEARING
It was a House Majority Policy Committee hearing in Williamsport yesterday, where business leaders gathered to consider the complications of not enough people willing to fill the available jobs in the workforce. Dave Lanzer, site director, West Pharmaceuticals, noted the struggle to recruit new workers and considered generous unemployment benefits for much of the problem, citing 42% of those collecting unemployment benefits are earning more not working than working.
LYCOMING COUNTY JUDGE DENIES INJUNCTION
A Lycoming County judge Tuesday afternoon issued an opinion denying two Little League baseball teams’ requests for a special and preliminary injunction to play in the Little League World Series after two coaches in the Southwest Regional tournament tested positive for COVID-19. A media outlet reported, Judge Eric R. Linhardt ruled yesterday to deny the request for the injunction made by Needville Little League and Tulsa National LL Inc., which sued Little League Baseball Inc. in county court. But he ruled the teams presented sufficient early evidence in a hearing Monday to move the case to a civil trial.
OFFICES BEGIN THE MOVE FROM CITY HALL
City employees are in the process of vacating City Hall after it was recently condemned because of mold and other airborne factors, a city official said. According to the SUN Gazette, the biggest moving involving the most logistics is for the first-floor and basement police department, which has more than 50 on its staff. “We are exploring options right now and have some ideas that we are looking at,” Justin Snyder, city police chief, said when asked about the department relocation, which must happen by Sept. 3 as part of the condemnation order.
ROAD RAGE LANDS WOMAN IN JAIL
A Williamsport woman fired three rounds at another motorist on Interstate 180 in Montoursville during a road-rage incident yesterday morning around 7 a.m. One of the rounds blew out the back window of a male’s Chevy Blazer. According to a media source, the Montoursville borough Police Chief Jeff Gyurina said there were no injuries. Alexa McDevitt, went on to her place of employment on Fairfield Road and was taken into custody with multiple charges. McDevitt, who was arraigned before District Judge Gary Whiteman and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
HOUSE MAJORITY POLICY COMMITTEE MET IN LYCOMING CO
Working toward the goal of economic recovery and growth for Pennsylvania, Reps. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Union) and Jeff Wheeland (R-Lycoming) co-hosted a panel of educational, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and business leaders before the House Majority Policy Committee in Lycoming County on Tuesday to address the issues facing Pennsylvania businesses today.“Pennsylvania businesses are hurting and today we heard, directly from them, three common points,” said Hamm. “Regulations and red tape from Harrisburg are strangling our business owners, making it much harder for them to operate in Pennsylvania. Second, the continued government handouts paying 42% of Pennsylvanians more to stay home than to go to work continue to hinder our Pennsylvania businesses. Those first two can be solved by government getting out of the way of the free market. Lastly, the need for a workforce that is trained and ready to meet industry needs has never been more important.”
MONTGOMERY WATER AUTHORITY AND THE 2021 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The Montgomery Water Authority is set to receive $244,731 of the 2021 Community Development Block Grant allocation and will utilize it to replace the water main on Brook Street. A media source reported the county commissioners approved the distribution of the funding yesterday, which totals $607,455.Other communities receiving the grant funds include Jersey Shore Borough, $80,710 for curb cuts; Montoursville, $83,059 for homes in need; and South Williamsport, $99,656 for the Habitat for Humanity acquisition.
PASS-THROUGH FUNDING
The County Commissioners met and approved pass-through funding from the federal emergency management public assistance program for $100,000. The funding was slated for River Valley Health and Dental for advertising and promotion for the vaccination program conducted by the health center. In addition, they approved $10,000 for a recruiting and retention package for the 911 Call Center, with $5,000 going to each part of the package. According to a media outlet, it was noted that this does not come out of the general fund and the cost is expected to be reimbursed through the state’s 911 for emergency services.
MASKING GUIDELINES IN MUNCY SCHOOL BOARD
The Muncy School Board voted this week to allow students to not wear masks while riding buses or taking other transportation. Under the district’s health and safety plan, students and staff are not being required to wear masks in buildings and on school grounds in the coming school year. SUN Gazette reported the board also voted to allow some exceptions for the quarantining of a student, including if the student has been vaccinated. The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m., Sept. 20.
COVID-19 UPDATED FROM PA DEPT OF HEALTH
Pennsylvania Health officials announced 81 more patients were hospitalized statewide for COVID yesterdy, while also registering 2,027 new cases. According to therecordonline.com, Clinton, is among 24 counties considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to have a “high” level of community transmission. 39 counties, including Lycoming, Centre and Union, are considered to be in the ‘substantial’ range; and only Sullivan County is considered by the CDC as having a ‘low’ level of community transmission.
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Corvette Show September 18, 2021
Street Closures for the Day
Close South Main Street from Penn Street to Water Street
Place Barriers on South Main Street at Both Sides of High Street
Place Barriers on South Main Street at Both Sides of Carpenter Street
Close North Main Street from Water Street to Mechanic Street
Place Barriers on North Main Street at Both Sides of Noble Alley
Place Barriers on North Main Street at Both Sides of Brady Street
Place Barriers on West Side of North Main Street at Grant Street
North McCarty Alley behind Muncy Bank will remain open for vendors.
Noble Alley between North Main Street and North Washington Street is a one way going
East. The club will need to bring cars in the opposite way from North Washington to
Main Street.
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WHAT ARE THE MUSIC MONTAGE’S YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING FOR? BELOW IS A SAMPLE
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL TOUR MUSIC MONTAGE 1
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL TOUR MUSIC MONTAGE 2
RAPE CHARGES FOR NEW COLUMBIA MAN
Felony rape, and sexual assault charges sends a Union County man to jail. State Police in Milton were called to Evangelical Community Hospital the afternoon of Aug. 8 to speak with a victim for a reported rape that occurred in White Deer Township, according to northcentralpa.com. Monday Ky A. Getz of New Columbia, has been charged with multiple felonies and remanded to Union County Jail on $50,000 monetary bail. According to SUN Gazette, Getz’s preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 24 at the office of District Judge Jeffrey Mensch.
HUMANE OFFICER CHARGES TWO LINDEN RESIDENTS WITH MISDEMEANORS
A woman allegedly admitted to owning eight of the 13 cats found in poor conditions at her home, according to a police affidavit. Candace Leeann Temple, 48, Linden, claimed ownership of eight of the felines and identified the owner of other animals as John Daniels, 50. According to SUN Gazette, Humane Police Officer Shawn McMonigle filed multiple misdemeanors on both Temple and Daniels and their preliminary hearing is Aug. 25 before the Honorable Judge Jerry C. Lepley.
EVIDENCE IS GOING TO BE USED, BASED ON FINDINGS BY PRESIDENT JUDGE NANCY BUTTS
Three pieces of evidence, to be used during the trial of a Muncy woman accused of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of her own daughter, were permitted by county judge. President Judge Nancy Butts denied a motion to suppress evidence gained from a phone search and a blood draw, in addition to refusing to suppress statements made in a consented interview with police in the case of Demsey Long, of Muncy. According to a media outlet, State Police accuse Long of being under the influence of amphetamine, methamphetamine and THC, which led to the death of her infant child in April of 2020.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER RATES MAY GO UP, PENDING A VOTE AT THE NEXT MEETING
For 342 times during the last school year, classrooms in the Montoursville Area School District were without a teacher because of a lack of substitutes, according to statistics Superintendent Christina Bason. Citing a national teacher shortage, Bason said that the district draws from several sources in order to find substitute to cover the classrooms. Daily sub rates would possibly change to $90-$100 for the first 30 days and $110 beyond that. The board agreed that the increase should be placed on a future agenda for a vote.According to a media outlet, the next regularly-schedule board meeting will be at 7 p.m., Sept. 14 at McCall Middle School, 600 Willow St.
THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH LYCOMING COUNTY YESTERDAY
A brief — but powerful — thunderstorm swept through parts of Lycoming County on Thursday afternoon, blowing down numerous trees and snapping a few utility poles. According to SUN Gazette, the 911 call center, which handles emergency dispatches for Lycoming County handled nearly three dozen storm-related incidents during a two-hour period beginning about 1:30 p.m.“We had trees on wire as well as a pole and transformer down there. Residents in the upper end of Pleasant Stream Road were still without power for some considerable time” Ralston Fire Chief John Orr said.
A brief — but powerful — thunderstorm swept through parts of Lycoming County County on Thursday afternoon, blowing down numerous trees and snapping a few utility poles. Plunketts Creek Fire Chief Brad Stine reported that at least “a dozen trees” or more fell in his fire district alone. Route 87 from Barbours to Hillsgrove was closed for at least two hours due to several large down trees at the Lycoming-Sullivan county line, Stine said. According to SUN Gazette, Trout Run firefighters handled several emergencies related to the storm, including trees down on Lower Bodines Road and a transformer fire at Route 14 and Field Station Road, both in Lewis Township.
EMERGENCY FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING
The Loyalsock Township School Board approved spending $91,000 of emergency federal grant funds to upgrade the HVAC management system. A proposal from Siemens Industry, Inc. to migrate the building management system to a Desigo Optic Workstation was accepted by the board at their recent meeting. In addition, five policies, two which are new were approved. The policies were recommended for implementation regarding threat assessment. The policies approved cover weapons, threat assessment, hazing, bullying/cyberbullying and school security personnel. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the board conference room, 1605 Four Mile Drive.
MASKING CONCERNS AT THE EAST LYCOMING SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The East Lycoming School Board meeting this week featured opposing views from district residents on the issue of masking students. One concern was that COVID-19 remains a health threat and there are serious concerns with optional masking. Another concern was for the psychological damage that occurs as kids are forced to wear a mask all day. Board president Richard Michael noted that the health and safety plan will be reviewed on a regular basis and “adjusted as needed.”
THE PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR WOLF
The union that represents about 10,000 guards in Pennsylvania’s state prisons told Gov. Tom Wolf yesterday it plans legal action to stop his effort to force them to get COVID-19 vaccines over the next month. The president of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association sent a letter to the Governor Wolf as a direct response to orders from Wolf saying guards and some other state workers are required to get fully vaccinated by Sept. 7 or face weekly testing. Union president John Eckenrode told Wolf his policy announcement was “a slap in the face — and frankly, way too late because thousands of our members already have been infected, due to your inaction.”
KIDS’ UNITED COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND AT COCHRAN PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRESS
Progress on the Kids’ United Community Playground at Cochran Primary School is moving forward. According to Dr. Timothy S. Bowers, superintendent at the Williamsport Area School District relayed that several workers are struggling to build the new equipment without assembly instructions provided. Bowers went on to say, “That’s a huge, huge project.” Ground was broken for the all-access playground in June on a plot of land on the north side of Cochran. The 9,400-square-foot playground, located closer to the school to allow for increased accessibility and lighting, will replace the playground that had been at the school.
LITTLE LEAGUE HOPEFULS ARE HEADING TO THE LARGEST STAGE FOR LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
It appears as if four more teams are heading to the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
Honolulu Little League Team is heading to Williamsport after their latest win, Upper Providence (Oaks , Pennsylvania) has earned a spot, Taylor North Michigan and Sioux Falls, SD are also heading to play in the largest stage for Little League Baseball.
CRITICAL RACE THEORY MOTION ENDS AT 1
It was Montoursville Area School Board member Ron Snell who introduced the motion to ban teaching of Critical Race Theory in the district. The vote never received a second motion. Those in attendance of the meeting, shared emotionally charged reasons both for and against the instruction known as Critical Race Theory. According to SUN Gazette, the resolution suggested the board would oppose “public school and publicly funded charter school curriculum instruction or materials promoting critical race theory or advocating similar divisive concepts relating to sex, race, ethnicity, color or national origin.”
BUILDING SEARCH FOR NEW LYCOMING COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE
A meeting was scheduled between the Lycoming County Commissioners and the owner of a building the Commissioners are considering purchasing. The building would complete a 9-year-search for the ideal structure for the Lycoming County Coroner’s Office. According to a media outlet, the three commissioners are meeting with Don Lundy to explore the possibility of purchasing the property in Newberry. The commissioners advised they would update the public on any and all decisions as they become available.
SAFETY FENCING FOR JOB SITE IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP
A four month, or 16 week, timeline was provided to the Loyalsock Township Supervisors for the construction of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant. With the project looming, township officials have begun preparing for the process of installing safety fencing around the commercial job site. The township supervisors stated at their last meeting they were beginning to look into the criteria for fence requirements, based on needs by Dave Carson, site inspector. Thoughts on the project included concern for safety on the site, who’s responsibility was it to place and fence and how much would it add to the overall cost of the project. Research continues.
STATE POLICE IN STONINGTON AND MILTON
According to State Police in Stonington, the incident was in the area of the 3400 block of Snydertown Rd., in Snydertown, when Garry Reigle of Sunbury observed a state trooper. He began yelling profanities at the trooper, as he asked him to get off the roadway. Reigle remained standing on the roadway, and was cited for disorderly conduct. State Police at Milton were called Sunday morning to a residence in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County, for a burglary in progress. The suspect fled the scene prior to troopers’ arrival around 2 a.m. at the residence on Ivy St. State police observed pry marks on the front and back doors of the residence. According to northcentralpa.com, anyone with information may contact PSP Milton at (570) 524-2662.
PA DEPT OF CORRECTIONS DASHBOARD
It was designed to enhance the state’s efforts to promote data transparency in the criminal justice atmosphere. The Pa Department of Corrections initiated the new dashboard on July 30. Recidiviz is a non-profit organization which facilitates data sharing inside the criminal justice system, thereby creating a public-facing website to answer questions dealing with prisons and parole in Pa. The dashboard, which is updated weekly, shares data related to Pennsylvania’s corrections system along with analysis and educational context.
MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTOR GETS FELONY CHARGE
A Williamsport Area High School mathematics teacher was suspended after authorities said he made inappropriate comments to students on several occasions. Christopher P. Yoder, Williamsport was charged with multiple felonies following an investigation by the Williamsport Bureau of Police. During a Snapchat conversation with a student, Yoder allegedly made comments about wanting to see her in the shower and other suggestive comments. Two witnesses, who went to authorities, explained they were fearful of Yoder, according to northcentralpa.com. Yoder was held on $85,000 monetary bail at the Lycoming County Prison.
CROSSCUTTERS PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Troy Taylor, the 19-year-old who became a full-time pitcher in October of 2019 during his freshman year at Long Beach State. With raw talent and a great desire to refine his craft, Taylor has seen rapid progression and has come a long way in the past year and a half. But what kept radar guns pointed at Taylor were his mean slider and 95 mph fastball. Taylor will follow through with his original plan to report to UC Irvine and play more Division I ball before he declares for next year’s draft.
UPDATE ON DRIVER’S CONDITION
It was a motorcycle accident that sent an Orangeville to the hospital. On Aug 2 around 7:10 p.m. Pete Rose of suffered serious injuries when his motorcycle collided with a truck driven by Matthew Neidig of Hughesville on Rte 442 and Neufer Hollow Rd in Muncy Creek Township. According to a media source, Rose remains in intensive care at UPMC Williamsport.
UPMC URGING MASK, DISTANCE AND VACCINATE
The Delta, Delta Plus and future variants bring with them a laundry list of concerns and UPMC professionals continue to urge individuals to mask, distance and vaccinate. “We expect to see some evolution,” Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology, said during a news briefing. “We are facing a pandemic that will be with us for some time. … It will continue to evolve.” According to SUN Gazette, Snyder stressed the pandemic could be with us years down the road. He added that while vaccines are not mandated at UPMC at the moment, the potential is still there for the future.
MASK PROTOCOLS CHANGING PENN COLLEGE
With the threat of the now dominant Delta variant, the Pennsylvania College of Technology has changed their masking protocols and now requires all students, faculty, staff and visitors to be masked, regardless of vaccination status. At Penn College, the new protocols went into effect Aug. 9. Fall classes begin at the college on Aug. 16. The masking protocols will be re-evaluated every two weeks, beginning Aug. 27. As reported by a news source, Penn College has no plans at this time to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students.
MASK PROTOCOLS CHANGING LYCOMING COLLEGE
With the threat of the now dominant Delta variant Lycoming College has changed their masking protocols. According to an update sent to students from Dr. Kent Trachte, Lycoming College president issued a message to students, “All members of the community will be expected to wear masks indoors in public settings. This protocol means that everyone will begin the semester wearing masks during class. While more detail will be provided, you should be prepared with a supply of masks. The decision at Lycoming was made following a convening of the COVID Response/Advisory Group at the beginning of the month.
TRADING PROPERTY WITH LYCOMING COUNTY AND CITY OF WILLIAMSPORT
Following lengthy discussion and debate at their weekly meeting, Lycoming County commissioners voted 3-0 in favor of a land swap with the city of Williamsport which includes the county-owned Executive Plaza building and the city’s Third Street parking lot. Commissioner Rick Mirabito who voted against the land swap two weeks ago decided to change his vote, despite reservations regarding transparency and questions over the appraised value of city land. City council had already approved the issue. The swap transfers the land underneath the plaza building and its parking lot to the county. According to a report from SUN Gazette, the land on the parking garage owned by the county will transfer to the city.
LOOKING FOR BIDS TO PURCHASE NEW GLOCKS
The city reaches out for bids to vendors to provide cost estimates on 55 Glock handguns and related equipment for City police. Chief Snyder wants to put the gun bid out and is using PennBid to find eligible vendors. According to a media outlet, the estimated cost is $57,000 for the firearms and associated equipment. The firearms with attachments were listed in the six-year capital projects budget with payment over two years. In other related action, the committee also gave a positive recommendation on a resolution authorizing an existing memorandum of understanding with the Williamsport Area School District. It is a new year and the cost went up to $317 per day, for the school resource officer service.
CITY MAY HIRE NEW OFFICER
Williamsport Bureau of Police may be hiring a 47th police officer, should City Council approve the hiring tomorrow. City Police Chief Justin Snyder asked City Council’s finance committee to recommend the hiring of Nathaniel Kendall, the newest candidate who will be done with the police academy soon, and prepared to be put on the street by Nov. 15. According to a media outlet, the committee gave the request a positive recommendation. In other related action, the committee also gave a positive recommendation on a resolution authorizing an existing memorandum of understanding with the Williamsport Area School District. It is a new year and the cost went up to $317 per day, for the school resource officer service.
GOV TOM WOLF CALLS TO STATE EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED
Some 25,000 employees of Pennsylvania’s prisons and state health care and congregate care facilities have about a month to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or take weekly tests for the virus, Gov. Tom Wolf announced yesterday. Wolf said workers in those jobs — and all new hires at those facilities — have until Sept. 7 to get fully vaccinated. In addition to the Corrections Department, it applies to state hospitals, veterans’ homes, community health centers and homes for those with intellectual disabilities. Starting Oct. 1, all state workers under Wolf’s jurisdiction who prove they are fully vaccinated will also be given an extra day off of work as an incentive to increase the vaccination rate.
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES TEAMS
Four teams have earned Little League World Series berths Lafayette, Louisiana became the first qualifier Sunday. Wylie, Texas will be competing at the Series for the first time and also captured its first state championship. Texas fought through the loser’s bracket, winning three straight games to reach both the Southwest final and the Series. Stuart/Palm City became Florida’s first Series qualifer since 2008. Finally, this is the third time since 2013 Nolensville will be playing at the Series.
CHEATING ON URINE TEST EARNS TEST TAKER MISDEMEANORS
A 57-year-old Williamsport man attempted to cheat a mandatory urine test and now faces charges. Barry Scott Sanders was scheduled for the test on July 26 as part of supervised bail. Sanders later told officers he had been “smoking weed” and having home issues and got the urine from a “buddy” in Hughesville Sanders was charged with three separate misdemeanors that ranged in varying degrees and he will appear before Judge Aaron Biichle on Sept. 16 for a preliminary hearing. No bail was listed for Sanders.
OVER-RINGING MERCHANDISE AT WAL-MART IN KELLY TOWNSHIP
A woman accused of stealing more than $2,400 of merchandise from Walmart in Kelly Township will have a preliminary hearing scheduled next month. Rhoda M. Sensenig, 22, of Beaver Springs, was charged with a third-degree felony of retail theft for allegedly under-ringing merchandise at a self-checkout on several occasions. The charges were filed last month by Pennsylvania State Police at Milton following an investigation.Total amount of loss between December and March was $2,462.29, Kramer wrote in the affidavit.Sensenig’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2 at the office of District Judge Jeffrey A. Rowe.
PENDEMIC RELIEF UPWARDS OF $5 BILLION
Pennsylvania is set to receive $1.6 billion in one-time pandemic relief which will allow a safe and sustainable return to in-person learning after the U.S. Department of Education approved Pennsylvania’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) plan. Following the additional $1.6 billion infusion, the state will have received a total of $5 billion in ARP ESSER funds to help Pre-K to 12 schools, and impartially expand opportunity for students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
BICYCLE ACCIDENT SENDS WILLIAMSPORT TEEN TO UPMC
A Williamsport boy collides with a van while riding his bicycle, near the intersection of West Third and Maynard Streets on Monday morning around 9:05 a.m., according to SUN Gazette. Reports state the teen was on his cellphone and failed to stop at a red light. The teen was taken to UPMC Williamsport and his current condition is unknown.
CHARGES BOUND OVER FOR COURT
A New York man has all of his sexual assault charges held over for court. Casey Guyer, 36, of Little Falls allegedly inappropriately touched a 14-year-old boy, upwards of four different occasions from summer 2019 to summer 2020 in Williamsort and Loyalsock Township. Guyer had his preliminary with District Judge Christian Frey and will appear for a formal arraignment in front of Judge Marc Lovecchio on Aug 23.
CITY EMPLOYEES LEAVE CITY HALL TEMPORARILY
City employees have begun the tedious task of temporarily moving to another location, while the City Hall is cleaned and all of the mold, mildew and possibly, airborne asbestos and radon are removed. According to SUN Gazette, the third floor is empty and the second floor will be by the end of this week. The Bureau of Police and the Codes will have until September 3 to relocate from City Hall. Interestingly enough, while the building is returned to a place of human occupancy, the building continues to be accessibility updated, based on the court-ordered consent decree.
CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT
Mifflinburg Buggy Museum has been awarded $22,000 capacity building grant from the Southern Tier Community Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. According to a media outlet, the grant provides for upgrades to the technology used at the museum. It is the hope that with the new technology and software, that much of the information and education will be available online to teachers, historians and researchers.
PA DEPT OF HEALTH COVID-19 DASHBOARD
Updated COVID-19 dashboard with the most recent statistics for COVID-19 in our local area. Lycoming County 20 reported new cases of COVID-19, Clinton 15, Montour 3, Northumberland 13, Snyder 4
MONTHLY PAY DEDUCTION FOR THE UNVACCINATED
With the surge in Delta variant cases, some businesses are considering the possibility to instate a monthly pay deduction of $20 or $50 for employees who choose to remain unvaccinated. Mercer is a large employee benefits consultancy that works with thousands of employers around the world. While the company would not disclose names of companies considering the deduction, they did say it would be similar to the $20 to $50 a month charges which many companies apply to workers who smoke. Data from a Mercer survey of more than 300 employers showed “10% provide a financial incentive, although 19% offer extra paid time off as a reward. Some employers are now offering additional time off so employees can assist with their children’s vaccinations.”
SUNBURY SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CARETAKER
She was at his home to help and provide his daily living needs, a caretaker, when a Sunbury man allegedly sexually assaulted her in his home. Robert Weaver, 62, caused physical injury when he assault occurred, as reported by the Sunbury Police Department. Weaver, who is being held at the Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $200,000 monetary bail, was charged with multiple felonies. Weaver is scheduled to appear before Judge Michael Patrick Toomey on Aug. 10 for a preliminary hearing.
MONEY ALLEGEDLY STOLEN FROM CHURCH, USED FOR PERSONAL REASONS
A Sunbury couple, a Pastor and his wife, were alleged to have taken money from the church to pay for personal accounts. Gary Smith and his wife Cindy Smith, of the Calvary Tabernacle Church, allegedly appropriated nearly $14,400 in church funds from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of 2017 to pay for various personal items that included Sirius XM radio, a Peloton exercise bike, and a kayak. The couple was charged with multiple felonies and released after they posted $10,000 unsecured bail each. A status conference is scheduled for Sept. 3 with Judge Paige Rosini.
DEATH THREATS LANDED SUNBURY MAN IN JAIL
A Sunbury man allegedly threatened to kill a woman several times in July. Alan Englehardt, 72, allegedly kept multiple firearms in his home. And, according to a witness, who visited the Sunbury Police Department and handed officers multiple pocket knives. The accuser claimed she has feared for her life and unable to sleep. Englehardt was taken into custody and given $100,000 monetary bail for his alleged actions at the end of July and is being held at the Northumberland County Prison as he awaits a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 10.
NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK
The River Valley Health and Dental Center plans to celebrate National Health Center Week, this week. The celebration’s goal is to raise awareness and understanding of America’s Health Centers, according to SUN Gazette. As part of the celebration, a special activity has been planned for Thursday, August 12 from 9 a.m. to noon for its celebration of children and their families. This year is River Valley Health & Dental’s 10th year as an independent community health center.
STEPPING OFF THE LEDGE FOR A CAUSE
A local fundraiser gives you the opportunity to rappel down the side of the 192-foot-tall Genetti Hotel. Participants first raise $1,000 with the Over the Edge Fundraiser, supporting the River Valley Regional YMCA, YWCA North Central PA and the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation … these groups have been working together with the Over the Edge fundraiser for the past four years to raise money for local programs. To date, more than 100 people have rappelled down high-rise buildings in Williamsport. The event is to be held Sept. 25.
INDOOR MASKING RECOMMENDATION FOR LYCOMING COUNTY
Indoor masking, for the fully vaccinated and unvaccinated, is a recommendation for Lycoming County from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention— as of Thursday. Lycoming County recently passed the CDC threshold of “substantial transmission,” which means the weekly COVID-19 case rate is between 50 and 100 cases per 100,000 people according to the county COVID-19 Hub. According to a media source, this, coupled with the CDC’s claim that the Delta variant is the “predominant” strain in the U.S. now, leads to updated guidelines.
SOJOURNER TRUTH MINISTRIES OPENS HOME
After three years of planning, remodeling and prayer, Sojourner Truth’s House of Hope has begun accepting its first residents. The house, located next to Sojourner Truth Ministries, can house up to 12 people. But, they say the plan is to start slowly with three women initially. Before being accepted into the program, the potential residents will be assessed. Devotions are a daily requirement for those in the program as well as weekly church attendance, either in-person or virtually and meeting with a budget coach weekly. The length of time a resident stays in the program is around six months or longer.
CHANCE ALUMINUM CORP MOVING INTO JW ALUMINUM PLANT WITH PLANS OF HIRING 100 EMPLOYEES
Plans are to hire upwards of 100 employees to work in an aluminum distributor, as they are moving into a plant on Trenton Avenue in Williamsport. AA Metals Inc., with headquarters in Orlando, recently acquired the former JW Aluminum plant and it will operate under the name Chance Aluminum Corp. According to a media source, the owner expects to start operations as early as October. For the next 12 months the company plans to generate over $100 million revenue.
GEISINGER SETS PATIENT VISITATION RESTRICTIONS AND MASK REQUIREMENTS
Illustrating Geisinger’s commitment to protect the safety of patients, visitors and employees, changes involving visitation restriction are in place. As COVID-19 cases increase, Geisinger will reinstate visitation restrictions and continues to enforce mask requirements per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines, beginning today. Hospitalized patients and patients in the emergency room are permitted two visitors only. For outpatients, one visitor is permitted.. According to a media outlet, masks must be worn (regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status) by all patients, visitors and employees in all Geisinger buildings and facilities.
OPIOID DISASTER DECLARATION
Gov. Tom Wolf failed last week in a push to extend the state’s opioid disaster declaration, while prosecutors ramped up pressure to ensure drug companies can be punished for their role in the crisis. The governor pressed lawmakers last week to return from their summer recess to extend the disaster declaration, which is set to expire in less than three weeks. The declaration — which grants the state certain powers to deal with the years long opioid crisis — only lasts 21 days since voters approved strict limits on the governor’s emergency powers this year. More than 5,000 Pennsylvanians died from drug overdoses last year, according to preliminary data from Wolf’s office. That’s a significant increase from 2019 and the most deaths in a year since 2017.
DECOMMISSIONING OF THE UNIT 2 REACTOR AT THREE MILE ISLAND
The decommissioning of the Unit 2 reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant is delaying demolition of the reactor’s two cooling towers, according to a media outlet. Frank Helin, director of the demolition project told the TMI-2 Community Advisory Panel that the towers will come down in 2022 instead of this fall. The decommissioner, TMI-2 Solutions, company plans to start removing what remains of TMI-2’s damaged core by mid-2022. It expects to complete the entire clean-up process by 2037. On its website, TMI-2 Solutions says it anticipates the project will cost $1.06 billion. It says the trust fund dedicated to the reactor’s decommissioning contains about $877 million, but that fund growth over time will provide enough money to cover the costs.
HANNA SELECTED AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
Dr. Bashar Hanna has been chosen by the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education as interim president of Mansfield University during its July Board of Governors meeting. Hanna will continue to serve as president of Bloomsburg University, a position he’s held since 2017, and interim president of Lock Haven University, a position he was appointed to in February. According to a media source, in addition, Hanna will lead the team overseeing the Northeast Integration of three universities – Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield – into a single accredited entity with three distinct campuses.
BUCKNELL MASKING REQUIREMENTS CHANGE
Bucknell University announced it is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor campus spaces and implementing weekly testing for unvaccinated staff and students. According to a media source, emails sent to staff and students by Bucknell University today. The new policies are “in response to the recent significant increase in COVID-19 cases in Union County.” According to the email, masks are required “of everyone in all public and academic indoor campus spaces” and should be worn “regardless of social distancing or vaccination status.”
FRAUD INVESTIGATION BASED ON CARD USAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION
A Williamsport man was charged with several misdemeanors stemming from a fraud investigation conducted by the Old Lycoming Township Police Department on July 28. Police reported a card, was used without permission, by the caretaker of the card owner. Media outlets report Carl Wesley Caum, 49, allegedly spent more than $1,400 on two separate cards in the victim’s name from Jan. 29 to April 7 of 2021. The bail for the felony case was listed as $25,000 unsecured and his preliminary is scheduled before Judge William Solomon on Aug 18.
TODDLER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL WITH MORPHINE OVERDOSE
On Tuesday, a Williamsport Police Officer transported a two-year-old and his mother to the hospital after an apparent overdose on morphine. According to the report, the toddler got into Drew Barasky’s unprescribed morphine pills. According to a media outlet, Barasky was charged with multiple charges and held at the Lycoming County Prison after he was unable to provide the $50,000 monetary bail. His preliminary is scheduled for Aug 12 before Judge Aaron Biichle.
CITY WORKERS RELOCATE UNTIL CITY HALL IS CLEARED
City Hall workers are going to temporarily relocate to the third floor of Trade and Transit Centre I. Painters with the city were applying fresh coats of paint inside Trade and Transit Centre I’s third floor Thursday. The building’s first floor and basement remain occupied by the Community Theatre League, which leases the basement and first floor space from River Valley Transit. According to SUN Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter said he is having everyone inside, including police, to be relocated temporarily to safer premises, not necessarily in the same location.
ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN CHARGES
Lycoming County Children and Youth caseworkers reported they arrived at the home of Cellastean Moore and Kalvin Sampson’s home on Hazel Drive in Loyalsock Township about 4:15 p.m. on April 20, to find children from 2 yrs to 7 yrs with no adult supervision. A media outlet reported, both the mother and father face a felony charge of endangering the welfare of children. On Thursday morning at the office of District Judge Gary Whiteman, where they were arraigned and released on $15,000 bail each.
PENN STATE FOOTBALL EYES FUTURE, HOPEFUL
Penn State is set to take the field for preseason camp as less than a month remains before the Nittany Lions travel to Wisconsin for their season opener on Sept. 4. After a full allotment of spring practices and two spring scrimmages, it appears the 2021 season will return to normal as Penn State begins its eighth season under coach James Franklin. Seven opponents are set to visit Beaver Stadium this season: Ball State (Sept. 11), Auburn (Sept. 18), Villanova (Sept. 25), Indiana (Oct. 2), Illinois (Oct. 23), Michigan (Nov. 13) and Rutgers (Nov. 20).Despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the Delta variant, Penn State athletic officials haven’t indicated that they’re considering amending their previously announced return to full-capacity athletic events this fall.