TERRORISTIC THREATS

A Watsontown man allegedly pulled the Victim’s hair and threatened to kill the Victim in the 600 block of Elm Street on Friday morning. David E. Phillips was taken into custody, charged with a misdemeanor count of Terroristic Threats and a summary count of Harassment, arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Michael I. Diehl and committed to the Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $50,000.00 bail.

LOCK HAVEN REACCREDITED

Over the last three years, Lock Haven University has been engaged in a reaccreditation process through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), in which the institution has been accredited by since 1949. In mid-October, a MSCHE team virtually visited LHU’s campus to discuss the university’s self-study and meet with the campus community. The MSCHE team commended LHU’s faculty for the exceptional work done in the area of assessment, noting that, “LHU has built a comprehensive system of student learning outcomes assessment from the ground up.” The team also extended a commendation to the faculty, staff and administration for their dedication and loyalty to the institution and willingness to work above and beyond. In his final comments, the team chair stated that, “LHU is truly a caring, student-centered community.”

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES

On Saturday, the DOH reported there were 126 new Valley cases, the 11th time in 12 days with at least 100 cases. State Health officials recorded 66 new cases in Northumberland County, 34 in Snyder, 22 in Union and nine in Montour. Centre added 115, Clinton 26, Lycoming 72, Montour 9 and Tioga County added 17 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER MOVING TO LIMIT VISITATION

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase systemwide, we are limiting visitors for inpatient settings. Effective, Monday, Dec. 20, one visitor is permitted per hospitalized adult patient. Other family members, friends and general visitors will not be permitted at this time. In the Geisinger  system, one in four inpatients has COVID and we are reaching or exceeding capacity in some hospitals. These guidelines protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. Having fewer visitors allows our staff to focus on treating our patients.

THREAT TAKEN SERIOUSLY

A bomb scare on Friday closed the entrance to the Jersey Shore Area Senior High School. According to police, students were moved to another building and were reported to have been released at regular dismissal bells. As reported by the Express, state police with a bomb-detection k-9 arrived around 3 p.m. There were no injuries reported. This is an ongoing story.

MILITARY SHARE PROGRAM IN DUBOISTOWN

Military Share program food distribution early Wednesday morning at the VFW Duboistown Post 7863 provided meals from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.  According to Angel Fortin, the coordinator of Military Share Program for the DuBoistown area, the meal of frozen turkey, milk, eggs, potatoes, apples and more were given to veterans and their families through the fundraising efforts of the VFW and a grant of $15,000 from Highmark. according to sun gazette, at the end of the day, over 375 families were provided meals.

VACCINE MANDATE MOVES AHEAD

A federal appeals court panel on Friday allowed President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for larger private employers to move ahead, reversing a previous decision on a requirement that could affect some 84 million U.S workers. The 2-1 decision by a panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati overrules a decision by a federal judge in a separate court that had paused the mandate nationwide. The mandate from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration was to take effect Jan. 4. With Friday’s ruling, it’s not clear when the requirement might be put in place, but the White House said in a statement that it will protect workers: “Especially as the U.S. faces the highly transmissible Omicron variant, it’s critical we move forward with vaccination requirements and protections for workers with the urgency needed in this moment.” Republican state attorneys general and conservative groups said they would appeal Friday’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A RESIDENCE SHOT IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

A projectile, fired from a gun, struck a house in Loyalsock Township.  According to State Police in Montoursville, on December 12, they were dispatched to Richards Avenue to find that an unknown person had shot her bathroom window. Sometime between Thursday, December 9 and Friday December 10, a BB struck the side of the home, breaking one window and becoming encapsulated between the panes.  This incident remains under investigation.

TAX RELIEF FOR THOSE RECEIVING LOAN FORGIVENESS IN TWO PROGRAMS IN PA

Pennsylvania will no longer impose state income taxes on public sector workers and nurses who receive student loan forgiveness from two major programs, the Wolf administration announced Friday. The change impacts participants in the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which provides debt relief to teachers, social workers, military members and other public servants, and the Pennsylvania Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program, a recent pandemic-era initiative to forgive up to $7,500 in student loan debt incurred by state-licensed nurses. According to Gov Tom Wolf in a news conference yesterday,  “These people have chosen to serve the public, and often in lower-paying fields, because they want to make a difference. They don’t have thousands of dollars lying around to pay a one-time tax bill. So it’s wrong to take what should be a blessing and turn it into just another burden.”

COVID-19 CASES UPDATED

The state Department of Health registered new cases on Friday statewide. State Health officials recorded 76 new cases in Northumberland County, 41 in Snyder, 20 in Montour and 17 in Union. Lycoming County added 57, Clinton 18, Centre 88, Tioga County had 23 new cases, 76 in Northumberland and 20 new COVID cases listed yesterday in Montour County.

KAUPAS CAMP AT BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

For one month each summer, roughly 60 middle-school students around Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, descend on the campus of Bucknell University to attend the Kaupas Camp, a free day camp to learn sports, ecology, playing instruments and more.  These opportunities are provided in large part by philanthropists serving long-term sentences at a nearby medium-security state prison in Coal Township, where about 250 men participate in the Lifeline Association, a giving circle that contributes to local charities. Many of its members are incarcerated for life; the rest will have spent at least 10 years in prison by the end of their sentences.  Lifeline primarily contributes to charities that promote the well-being of children, for example, they raised $3,743 for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and $500 for Marley’s Mission, a local nonprofit that offers horseback-riding therapy to children overcoming trauma.

COVID-19 CASES UPDATED

On Saturday, the DOH reported there were 126 new Valley cases, the 11th time in 12 days with at least 100 cases. State Health officials recorded 66 new cases in Northumberland County, 34 in Snyder, 22 in Union and nine in Montour. Centre added 115, Clinton 26, Lycoming 72, Montour 9 and Tioga County added 17 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

A nationwide effort hits home with ‘Wreath’s Across America‘, an event full of history and lessons for the young, when wreaths were placed on the graves of U.S. veterans of all wars past. In total, according to Dori Rankinen, the coordinator for Central Pennsylvania Wreaths Across America, 12 cemeteries in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties were covered Saturday. As she mentioned on In Touch,  “They say a person dies twice. First, when they take their last breath physically, and then again when there’s no one left to say their name and tell their story.”  The ceremony started at 10 a.m. in Montoursville and upwards of 300 volunteers honored the fallen with a wreath and a mention of their names. It was a successful event of remembrance and respect. Congratulation to Dori and the Central Pennsylvania Wreaths Across America for a successful event.

SMOKE DETECTORS AVAILABLE TO WILLIAMSPORT RESIDENTS

The Williamsport Bureau of Fire provides Fire, Rescue, and EMS service to the City of Williamsport which also serves as the county seat for Lycoming County, PA. The City encompasses over nine square miles and has a permanent population of approximately 30,000 residents as well as 10,000 college students. The Williamsport Bureau of Fire was organized in 1874 as a career department with a staff of 33 sworn personnel and one Administrative Aide. The Williamsport Bureau of Fire offers FREE smoke detectors to residents of the City of Williamsport.  The Bureau will come out and install these smoke detectors for you at NO CHARGE. In order to obtain a FREE smoke detector, you can stop by Fire Headquarters at 440 Walnut Street, Williamsport, PA, and a Fire Fighter will review all of the information with you.  Smoke detectors are available to everyone.

FIREFIGHTERS TAKING EQUIPMENT TO KENTUCKY

When asked for help, the call is answered. Firefighters from our area are sending that help to fellow firefighters in Kentucky, who lost everything in last Friday’s massive tornadoes.  The equipment is set to leave for Mayfield tonight and has firefighting gear and apparatus from our local heroes. Departments lending their hand are the Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Co, Clinton Township Vol Fire Co and have extended to county wide efforts from Lycoming, Clinton, Tioga and Columbia Counties.  According to SUN Gazette, this has been a combined efforts of firefighters reaching out  to help other firefighters to help others.

TAXPAYER-FUNDED ELECTION INVESTIGATION

A legislative subpoena issued as part of a taxpayer-funded election investigation — specifically its request for the personal information of 9 million Pennsylvania voters — went before Commonwealth Court Wednesday, with arguments surrounding its purpose and intragovernmental sharing of information. A panel of five judges heard arguments in the now-consolidated case brought by legislative Democrats and Attorney General Josh Shapiro to challenge the review of the 2020 general and 2021 primary elections, and prohibit the release of voters’ driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers.

LEGISLATION TO BAN PRIVATE FUNDING OF PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS

House Bill 2044, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Westmoreland, would prohibit county and state elections officials from accepting private donations to administer elections.The move was inspired by millions of dollars in grants to local election offices provided by nonprofits controlled by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during the last election cycle. Republicans in the House State Government Committee highlighted in November $35 million in grants from nonprofits, including the Center for Tech and Civic Life, controlled by Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, to help administer elections in 24 of the state’s 67 counties. Centre County was among the recipients. The House sent HB 2044 to the Senate on a vote of 113-90.

COVID-19 LOCAL CASES UPDATED

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 34 new cases. In Centre County 90 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 63 new cases.  85 new cases in Northumberland County, 34 in Snyder, 15 in Union and five in Montour. Tioga County 31 new cases reported yesterday.

REMOTE LEARNING FOR ANOTHER AREA SCHOOL

COVID-19 is blamed for another school moving to remote learning. Selinsgrove elementary school is moving to remote learning beginning tomorrow until Wednesday December 22. Selinsgrove Elementary Superintendent Frank Jankowski posted to the district’s website, indicating their reasoning was based upon the “current number of positive COVID cases, quarantining of students and staff members, and projected impact on operations.” The move impacts the elementary school only, Jankowski said. According to the district’s COVID update, there are six positive cases at the school.

POLICE ARE ASKING FOR HELP

Police are asking for your help. The investigation into the “violent sexual assault” in Danville Borough on December 6^th still has investigators scratching their heads. Reports say the incident happened in the area of East Market and Mill Streets.  Although Danville Police report there is no imminent threat to the public, the suspect remains at large and police are asking residents to remain vigilant. According to an online media outlet, the suspect was described as white male, medium build and about six-feet tall. Anyone with information is asked to call Danville Police 570-275-2101.

PENNSYLVANIA ASKS FEMA FOR HELP WITH COVID SURGE

Pennsylvania asked the federal government on Wednesday to send health care workers to hospitals and nursing homes that are increasingly under stress from persistent staffing shortages and the latest COVID-19 surge. The Wolf administration requested Federal Emergency Management Agency “strike teams” for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and ambulance companies in the hardest-hit areas of the state. Pennsylvania also asked FEMA for 1 million rapid at-home coronavirus tests and for an increase in the state’s allocation of monoclonal antibody treatments, to be targeted to “rural areas, regions with higher social vulnerability, and lower vaccinations rates.”

OVERHAUL PROBATION IN PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania’s state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation to overhaul how probation is handled, in an effort to clamp down on people being stuck on an endless probation cycle or being sent back to jail for minor violations. The vote, 46-4, sends the bill to the House of Representatives, where a previous Senate bill died without a vote last year. The bill aims to limit the length of probation sentences and the circumstances under which a non-violent offender on probation can be sent to jail, part of a nationwide reconsideration of probation and parole measures. State law does not limit the length of probation sentences and critics say non-violent offenders are often incarcerated for technical violations that aren’t crimes, disrupting their families and employment. It also disproportionately affects racial minorities, they say.

CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS

The Republican-controlled state House of Representatives voted Wednesday to block the centerpiece of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to fight climate change, a cap-and-trade program to clamp down on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, although the chamber for now lacks the votes to stop it. The vote, 130-70, was on a resolution that Wolf can veto, and the authorizing regulation — which would make Pennsylvania the first major fossil fuel state to adopt carbon pricing — can take effect if both the House and Senate cannot must a two-thirds majority to override the veto. The regulation calls for Pennsylvania to join a multistate consortium, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which sets a price and declining limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

MORE WATER DAMAGE TO WILLIAMSPORT CITY HALL

Williamsport Bureau of Fire responded to an alarm at Williamsport City Hall, where they determined a coil broke in the air handler within the heating system above the second floor ceiling.  At 1:30 am yesterday morning, the plumbing to burst releasing extremely hot water. The basement, first floor, and second floor sustained significant water damage. According to Williamsport Mayor Slaughter, the building is being evaluated for structural integrity. The damage is extensive with ceiling tiles fallen on the second and first floors according to  Jon Sander, city engineer. According to SUN Gazette, this is a second significant water leak at City Hall. The other, in July, rain came through the leak in the roof.

VOTERS REQUIRED TO PRESENT VALID ID

In an effort to allow the public to have the final say on a series of issues many Pennsylvanians consider to be a priority, the House advanced a package of constitutional amendments, said Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster). One amendment in particular filed by Rep Jeff Wheeland passed in the House would require voters to present valid identification prior to voting, regardless of voting method.

COURT APPEARANCE RESCHEDULED

A New Columbia woman received a rescheduled date for her appearance at Union County Court.  Melissa Keister is required to report for sentencing December 21. Keister was convicted in September in a jury trial for one count of endangering the welfare of a child. According to the Daily Item, State Police accused her of intentionally starving a child in her guardianship.

POLICE CRASH DURING PURSUIT IN UNION COUNTY

A Mifflinburg Police officer crashed his cruiser Monday night. There were no injuries and according to Mifflinburg Police Chief Jeffrey Hackenburg, the accident was a result of a pursuit from Monday night around  11:45 p.m.  The cruiser suffered major damage, as the cruiser left the roadway, hit a fence and rolled over along Red Ridge Road near the intersection with Wildwood Road. Officer Bremigen was not injured and the accident remains under investigation.

THEFTS OVERNIGHT

Two trucks owned by the Asplundh Tree Service were broken into while they were parked overnight at the Flying J Gas Station.  The trucks, according to police, were there December 8 at 5:30 pm to December 9 at 7 am and multiple items were taken from the trucks included a Husk 572 chainsaw, 2 Stihl MS 201 Chainsaws, a Stihl MS 194 Chainsaw, and three sets of Buckingham Climbing Gear which included spikes and ropes. While video surveillance is being used, anyone with any information is asked to contact the State Police in Lamar.

MUSIC COLLECTIVE’S UPCOMING SEMESTER

Music continues at the Uptown Music Collective! The Collective’s winter enrollment week begins on December 13th and runs until December 17th, 2021.  Enrollment is open for both in-person and virtual private lessons on Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Keyboards, and Drums. The Winter Semester will begin on January 10th, 2022, and will run for 15 weeks. The Winter Semester will see the continuation of in-person classes and workshops, as well as the Adult Music Program known as “AMP”.  In the last 21+ years, the Uptown Music Collective has grown from what many used to call “the best-kept secret in the Williamsport area,” to one of the area’s most highly respected, non-profit, educational organizations. There are currently openings for students of all levels who are looking for private instruction. The school also offers financial assistance upon request and scholarship opportunities every year.  For more information call the Uptown Music Collective.

CANDY CANE LANE

It is time to see the lights in DuBoistown at Candy Cane Lane. The Street, also known as Summer Street, will have the lights on from 5 to 10 pm daily until New Years.  According to SUN Gazette, Candy Cane Lane is celebrating it’s 64^th year lighting the way into the Christmas season. Also, at the Duboistown Borough Hall, there will be live reindeer, Santa and Mrs. Claus, refreshments and activities for the kids, December 18^th from 4 pm to  7pm.  After the event, Santa boards a fire truck and rides up to on Candy Cane Lane.

HOUSE BILL 2071 BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) applauded the passage of legislation that will help break down the barriers to broadband deployment in underserved and unserved areas of Pennsylvania. The legislation, House Bill 2071 sponsored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean/Cameron/Potter), passed the House with a unanimous vote. House Bill 2071 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

CROSSCUTTERS GIVING TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS

The Williamsport Crosscutters recently presented the American Rescue Workers with a check for $4,737.88, representing the proceeds from the team’s 50/50 raffles during from the 2021 season. The Crosscutters 50/50 raffle is presented by The Pitch In Charitable Foundation, a non-profit foundation of professional baseball teams. This represents the fifth straight season that the team has donated it’s 50/50 proceeds to the American Rescue Workers. Cutters Vice-President of Marketing Gabe Sinicropi stated, “The American Rescue Workers is a great organization, run by great people, doing great work. We know that the donated funds are put to good use, helping the most vulnerable in our population in their time of need.” In the past five seasons, the Williamsport Crosscutters have donated over $31,000 to ARW through the foundation’s 50/50 raffle.

ARPA SPENDING PLAN FOR HCBS

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) today highlighted Pennsylvania’s spending plan for approximately $1.2 billion in enhanced federal Medicaid funding made available to states through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This funding will support Medicaid’s home and community-based services (HCBS) system throughout the commonwealth, which helps seniors, people with disabilities, and children with complex medical needs safely live in their community among their family and peers. This funding will strengthen Pennsylvania’s home and community-based services system by allowing more Pennsylvanians access to critical services in their communities and supporting service providers that perform this work every day.

GOVERNOR WOLF AND THE PENNSYLVANIA BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Governor Tom Wolf issued a statement today following House passage of H.B. 2071, which would create the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. The Authority would serve as a single point of contact for parties interested in expanding high-speed internet access and is charged with identifying access to funding sources and coordinating efforts for broadband deployment. Expanding access to broadband is a priority for me and my administration is working closely with Democrats and Republicans in both chambers to craft an authority that will serve Pennsylvanians.

PENNSYLVANIA TASK FORCE 1 SENDING HELP TO KENTUCKY

 Governor Tom Wolf today announced that two members of Pennsylvania Task Force 1 Urban Search & Rescue are deployed to Kentucky to assist in response and recovery efforts after devastating tornadoes crossed the state and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. The deployed members are part of the Incident Support Team that will coordinate the efforts of all US&R assets that are deployed to Kentucky. PA-TF 1 is one of 28 teams that are part of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System and is a federal resource that can quickly be mobilized to deploy to incidents anywhere in the country. The team is sponsored by the Philadelphia Fire Department.

LEGISLATION APPROVED TO PREVENT SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM COVID-19 REQUIREMENT TO GO TO SCHOOL

The Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation Monday to prevent school children from being required to get a COVID-19 vaccination to attend school, although it likely faces a veto by Gov. Tom Wolf. The bill passed on party lines, 28-21, and goes to the House of Representatives. Neither the state nor any school district in Pennsylvania require the COVID-19 vaccination to attend school.Wolf, a Democrat, opposes the bill and has no plans to require the vaccine, his office said. “The administration has no plans to mandate vaccines for K-12 schools so this is nothing more than a waste of time and taxpayer money, and is a distraction from the real issues Pennsylvanians are facing that Republicans should be addressing,” Wolf’s office said in a statement. Rather, Wolf’s office said Republicans should urge their constituents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

LAWMAKERS ADVANCE PLAN TO BOOST BROADBAND INTERNET EXPANSION

The state House voted unanimously Wednesday to set up a governmental body to develop a statewide plan for broadband internet funding and expansion into unserved and underserved areas of Pennsylvania. The bill, which was sent to the Senate, would set up the independent Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. It would act as a central point to coordinate grant money in underserved areas. Pennsylvania is in line for at least $100 million in federal money to expand broadband in the state. The federal infrastructure bill also allocated about $37 billion nationally to be doled out based on financial need, including monthly subsidies for the cost of connectivity. The authority that would be set up under the House-passed bill would consist of an 11-member board and have a six-year lifespan, unless extended. Members would be chosen by the governor and legislative leaders. The bill sets minimum broadband speeds to match federal standards. The governor’s office says the authority will support what’s expected to be construction of new towers, lines and broadband equipment.

RESIGNATION FROM PENNSYLVANIA’S HEALTH SECRETARY

Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary will resign her post and depart the Wolf administration at the end of December, the governor’s office announced Monday. Alison Beam had served in an acting role since January, when Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf tapped her to replace Dr. Rachel Levine, who left for the Biden administration. Beam, who had previously served as Wolf’s deputy chief of staff, guided the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response over the past year. She oversaw vaccine distribution and imposed a mask mandate for schools that was struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last week.

UPDATED COVID CASES LOCALLY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 17 new cases. In Centre County 54 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 22 new cases. There new infections reported 18 in Union, 14 in Snyder and eight in Montour County. Tioga County had 11 new cases listed yesterday.

MASK MANDATE THROWN OUT BY STATE SUPREME COURT

A statewide mask mandate for Pennsylvania schoolchildren was thrown out by the state Supreme Court on Friday, raising the prospect that at least some students in the state may soon be allowed to attend classes without a face covering. The practical impact of the decision will depend on what the justices say in the written opinion or opinions they will issue in the case and which schools and school districts impose their own masking requirements. The attorney general’s office, representing Beam, told the court earlier this week there does not appear to be anything to prevent schools and school districts from issuing their own masking orders. The mask mandate took effect in early September. Wolf announced in November he intends to return authority over masking decisions to local school districts in January, but will continue to require masks in child care centers and early learning programs.

NURSING HOME STAFFING SHORTAGES AFFECTING ALL LEVELS OF CARE

Pennsylvania nursing homes say they are coping with dire staffing shortages that have forced many of them to stop accepting new residents, which in turn is preventing hospitals jammed with COVID-19 patients from discharging those who require lower levels of care. Industry officials met with Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration this week to ask for help, and to press their case for a $200 million infusion from the state’s share of the federal coronavirus relief package signed by President Joe Biden in March. Long-term care facilities say the money would be spent on retention bonuses for current workers. The workforce crunch at skilled nursing homes and personal care facilities is having a spillover effect on hospitals, which are under strain from a 55% increase in COVID-19 patients since mid-November. Hospitals are treating more than 4,500 patients infected with the coronavirus, according to the state Department of Health, and are desperate to free up bed space and ease lengthy wait times in emergency rooms.

GRIDLOCKS IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

Geisinger, a large health system in central and northeastern Pennsylvania that is also short on beds because of the COVID-19 surge, said gridlock at nursing homes, rehab centers and psychiatric facilities is contributing to its capacity woes. The average length of stay at Geisinger hospitals has nearly doubled to eight days, according to Dr. Jaewon Ryu, president and chief executive officer. The worker shortage at nursing homes predated the pandemic, but has worsened over the past two years in a state with one of the nation’s highest proportions of older people.

USE OF FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION

The Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission (Commission) today approved recommendations related to police-involved shootings, other uses of force and bias-based policing. Governor Wolf established the first-of-its-kind Commission last year to review and improve policies within commonwealth law enforcement agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction including, but not limited to, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Department of General Services Capitol Police, and the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) Park Rangers. The Commission announced in May the formation of three committees to review completed internal investigative findings to determine if they were prompt, fair, impartial, complete and performed in a manner consistent with applicable policies.

• The Critical Incident Review Committee reviews investigations of police-involved shootings resulting in injury or death of civilians conducted by covered agencies;

• The Use of Force Review Committee reviews a random sampling of other uses of force involving injury or death of civilians; and

• The Bias-Based Policing Review Committee reviews all investigations of racial or ethnic discrimination and other bias-based policing and/or external complaints of bias or discrimination during interactions with covered agencies.

IT’S ON US PA GRANT TO LOCAL CAMPUS

Building on his commitment to campus safety, Governor Tom Wolf today announced 34 institutions of higher education will receive up to $30,000 in It’s On Us PA grants. Launched by Governor Wolf in 2016, IT’S ON US PA is a statewide campaign that invites education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to be part of the solution to protect students from sexual violence. The list of awardees include Bucknell University in Lewisburg was awarded $30,000.  Since 2016, the Wolf Administration has awarded 184 IT’S ON US PA grants totaling nearly $6 million to post-secondary institutions, including public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS, RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES AT LATEST AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING

Airport infrastructure improvements topped the list of thing to do at the last Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority Board meeting. Things are happening at the airport, including Lycoming County Water and Sewer taking over the sewer system and installing updated sewer pumps in Summer of 2022. Several state-funded projects include, but are not limited to, runway rehabilitation, paving and a T-hangar door repairs. The board agreed to continue holding its meetings the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. during 2022. Meetings will be held at the airport.

SWIPING YOUR PACKAGES WILL BECOME MORE COSTLY TO THE PIRATES

Porch pirates who swipe your deliveries may soon be facing increased penalties if it’s up to Pennsylvania lawmaker. Rep. Wendi Thomas, partnered with Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub to create a bill that would stiffen penalties for theft of mail involving a package, bag or letter that would result in a summary charge for a first offense involving merchandise valued at less than $150. According to therecordonline.com, when the value of the item taken is more than $150, or a second offense, the penalty moves to a second-degree misdemeanor. A third offense would get you a third-degree felony, no matter the package value.

UPDATED COVID-19 CASES LOCALLY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported  new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 38 new cases. In Centre County 68. Lycoming County added 91. There were 106 new cases in Northumberland County, 44 in both Union and Snyder counties and 15 in Montour. Northumberland County has had at least 100 cases five times in December.

MAN FOUND DEAD IN HOSPITAL BATHROOM BELIEVED TO BE VICTIM OF OVERCROWDING

A man was found dead in a hospital bathroom is believed to have died as a result of overcrowding in the emergency room, according to Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn. The 70-year-old Mount Carmel man was discovered on Nov. 23 inside a Geisinger Medical Center bathroom. According to the Daily Item, the man arrived at the emergency room a while earlier, complaining of weakness and not feeling well. The man was provided care, which included oxygen in the waiting room before he was found dead 12-hours and 15 minutes later in a single stall bathroom. An investigation into Rowland’s death is ongoing and Lynn said an autopsy was performed on Nov. 25 and the results are pending.

POLICE LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY HELP

A “violent sexual assault” was reported on E. Market Street and Mill Street in Danville on Monday night. Danville Police Chief Jonathan Swank reported they are looking for a white male, medium build and approximately 6 feet tall. He goes on to advise residents to keep walkways and entry ways well lit and be aware of your surroundings. According to the Daily Item, there was no futher information provided on the assault or victim. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Danville Police.

SENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT IMAGES TO MINORS WITH OTHER MINORS IN THE ROOM

A Northumberland County man allegedly sent sexually explicit images to a minor with other minors in his room. Timothy Eugen Cawley, ,Turbotville, was charged with  multiple  felonies: including, A count of child pornography. The charges were filed in the Milton office of District Judge Michael Diehl. The state police North East Computer Crimes Unit received a referral via the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program on Nov. 26 for events that occurred on Nov. 21. According to the Daily Item, Cawley was committed to Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail with a preliminary hearing at Dec. 15 with Judge Diehl.

 A FULL HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO TREAT PATIENTS

A local hospital is operating well above 100 percent capacity. UPMC Williamsport officials say the surge in COVID-19 patients has taxed their resources and their staff. According to reports from WNEP TV, there are upwards of 78 people currently hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 infections throughout UPMC hospitals in the north-central region. The end results are longer wait times in the emergency department, even though hospital staff  have even opted to practice waiting room medicine to help those they can, quicker. And surgical postponements are at nearly 60 for those non-emergent elective surgeries.

ANOTHER HAT IN THE GOVERNOR RING

A Republican state senator from southcentral Pennsylvania said Saturday that he will run for governor, adding to the GOP’s double-digits-deep primary field aiming to take on the presumed Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, in next year’s election. Sen. Scott Martin, of Lancaster County, announced it in a video on his campaign website and Facebook page. He becomes the second Republican state senator in a field that is roughly a dozen deep and likely to grow.

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES UPDATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 22 new cases. In Centre County 77  and Lycoming County added 89 new cases.  69 new cases in Northumberland County, 31 in Union County, 28 in Union and 12 in Montour County.

MASKING REMAINS IN LEWISBURG

Some masking will still be required Monday in the Lewisburg Area School District, according to Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Baugh. Students 11-years-old and younger and unvaccinated students, staff and visitors are required to wear a mask while indoors, according to an online media outlet. The federal mandate still requires masks to be worn while on the school buses. An emergency meeting of the school board, to discuss this issue, will be held Thursday.

BUDGET DAY CLOSE AT HAND

Thursday night is said to be the night when the Williamsport City Council will approve the 2022 buget and set the city tax rate. The council worked tirelessly for hours on Thursday attempting to amend the previous budget proposal from Mayor Derek Slaughter.  The long session began as the council took $51,349 from their legislative contingency and moving it toward increasing salaries in departments of public safety, public works, codes and the treasurer. The proposal on the table to hire a new police officer was delayed for the next meeting. According to SUN Gazette, the next meeting is a special meeting starting at 7 p.m. Thursday and  held remotely via YouTube. The site is accessible on the city website.

ATV REGIONAL TRAIL CONNECTOR PILOT

Sen. Gene Yaw said he’s encouraged after convening the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on Wednesday to field testimony for a proposed ATV connector trail in Tiadaghton State Forest. Legislators authorized the first ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot in 2020 in response to the growing popularity of the vehicles for outdoor recreation in the region, ending a 17-year moratorium on new trails. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) said the pilot’s first riding season, which lasted from July 16 until Sept. 26 and spanned trails in parts of Tioga and Potter counties, resulted in no “serious” accidents and caused no adverse impacts on nearby streams and forestland. Still, state officials said more studies must be conducted to understand the impacts of ATVs operating alongside vehicles on public roads. With the second riding season scheduled to open on Memorial Day, DCNR hopes to expand the pilot to include the Haneyville ATV trail and tie it into Tiadaghton State Forest, which covers more than 146,000 acres in Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, Clinton and Union counties.

KELLER-BRAUN EFFORT CLEARS CRUCIAL HURDLE IN EFFORT TO NULLIFY BIDEN’S UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDER

Today, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) made a statement after Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) secured bipartisan passage of the Senate Congressional Review Act (CRA) to eliminate President Biden’s vaccine mandate on private-sector job creators with more than 100 employees and all 50 Republican Senators in supporting the CRA, setting the stage for the U.S. House to consider Congressman Keller’s companion bill. On Tuesday, Congressman Keller announced his legislation had garnered the support of all 213 House Republicans. Congressman Keller’s CRA resolution now only needs five Democrat cosponsors to reach the 218 member threshold required for a discharge petition to force a vote on the House Floor.

ANOTHER PURSUIT IN THE CITY

A high-speed police pursuit ended with a crash on Grampian Boulevard, according to Williamsport Bureau of Police. It was Wednesday around 5:15 pm, when the only known occupant, fled the scene of the crash. According to the SUN Gazette, unknown driver committed multiple traffic violations, including high speeds and stop signs. Williamsport Police towed the vehicle to their impound lot and will obtain a search warrant for a proper search through the interior of the vehicle.

FEDERAL TIME FOR FIREARMS OFFENSE

A firearms offense brought a Williamsport man five years in a federal prison.  Joshair Jones, 19, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann. According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Jones possessed the firearm, with obliterated serial numbers, between Aug. 1 and Aug. 16, 2020.  At sentencing, the United States in a presentation involving a shooting from July 31, 2020 in Williamsport was able to produce evidence of Jones’s involvement. The investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

MASK ORDER INSPECTED BY STATE SUPREME COURT

A lawyer for Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary on Wednesday defended the validity of the secretary’s order requiring masks inside K-12 schools to fight COVID-19, asking state Supreme Court justices to focus on a single regulation. The regulation, adopted in 2000, gives the Health Department authority to direct a “modified quarantine of contacts of a person” with a communicable disease or infection and any other control measures for the surveillance of disease needed to protect people from it. The justices have ordered that Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam’s directive, which took effect in early September and also applies to child care facilities, will remain in place while they consider a legal challenge from the state Senate’s highest ranking leader and others. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who installed Beam as acting health secretary, announced last month he intends to return authority over masking decisions to local school districts in January, but will continue to require masks in child care centers and early learning programs.

SPEEDING AUTO CRASHING IN STREAM IN CLINTON COUNTY

A Sunbury man crashed his Shelby Charger in a small stream, after police say he had been traveling at speeds in excess of 70 miles an hour, while under the influence of alcohol.  Juan Reyes was southbound on Route 220 near the I-80 ramps on December 3. Reyes continued south on S. Heckmans Gap Road at a high rate of speed, traveling through a parking lot and into the woods at about 70 miles an hour and overturning into a small stream. He was transported to Geisinger Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Police reported multiple charges were filed with the local District Justice.

BACK TO NORMAL

Classes are returning to normal in the Milton Area School District today, according to Milton Area Superintendent Dr. Cathy Keegan and Milton Borough Police Chief Curt Zettlemoyer in a joint statement yesterday. With the threat from Tuesday identified, it has been determined there is no immediate threat to the students and staff, according to the Daily Item.  In other school news, the Shikellamy School District  sent out a “One Call” alert Tuesday, but a follow up investigation revealed no threat and classes were held Wednesday, as normal.

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 30 new cases. In Centre County 125 new cases. Lycoming County added 96 new cases. Tioga County had 21 new cases yesterday. State Health officials recorded 117 new cases in Northumberland County, 38 in Union, 33 in Snyder and seven in Montour.

CONGRESSIONAL MAPS INCLUDE DEBATE AND PUBLIC COMMENT

A Republican-controlled state House committee planned to vote on a proposed map of Pennsylvania’s new congressional districts that its chair introduced into legislation Wednesday, as a rival map was being prepared in the Senate where lawmakers promise an open process with debate and public comment. House State Government Committee Chairman Seth Grove, R-York, said Wednesday the map he introduced into legislation was among 19 submitted to his committee. Democrats, however, immediately criticized the process, saying the map was sprung on them and is being sent to a vote before the public can comment on it. And they swiftly criticized the map as heavily favoring Republicans.

COVID-19 WEARING RESOURCES THIN

One of Pennsylvania’s largest health systems has run out of beds because of the latest COVID-19 surge, with doctors and nurses practicing “waiting room medicine” on patients who are forced to endure 10- to 20-hour delays in the emergency department, officials said Wednesday. Geisinger is running at 110% capacity across its nine hospitals in central and northeastern Pennsylvania — overrun with largely unvaccinated COVID-19 patients who represent a quarter to well over half of all admissions, said Dr. Jaewon Ryu, Geisinger’s president and chief executive officer. He said he expects the situation to deteriorate further in coming weeks, citing sharply rising numbers of cases and the increasing percentage of tests coming back positive. Geisinger isn’t the only Pennsylvania health system under strain. Statewide, an average of 3,900 people per day have been hospitalized with COVID-19 over the past two weeks, up 50% in a month, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. About 13% of the state’s adult ICU beds and 10% of its medical-surgical beds are available, the health department said.

CARDS TO VETS FROM KIDS

It was upwards of 210 students from the White Deer Elementary School who worked diligently towards getting Christmas cards and letters sent to veterans in two hospitals. According to the daily item, It was last week, when elementary students from k-5 in Milton area elementary school also prepared cards for vets at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center in Luzerne County and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.