FIRST CONFIRMED CASE IN PENNSYLVANIA

Health officials reported the first confirmed case of the omicron variant in Pennsylvania on Friday, a man in his 30s from Philadelphia. The health department said the variant’s arrival was “not unexpected” in Philadelphia and that residents should “seriously reconsider” plans for indoor holiday gatherings. Much remains unknown about the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, including whether it is more contagious, as some health authorities suspect, whether it can thwart vaccines and whether it makes people as sick as the original strain. People in at least five other states have tested positive for omicron, including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota and New York. Word of Philadelphia’s omicron case came as Pennsylvania reports sharp increases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

CHECKS AND BALANCES

A Transit Oversight Committee was created by Williamsport City Council and has been set to expand the legislative accountability of both River Valley Transit and city government. The ordinance, passed on second reading, last night received a unanimous vote. In layman’s terms, the ordinance is a series of checks and balances on River Valley Transit’s operations, a sore topic in Williamsport for some time. In fact, according to SUN Gazette, the years between 2009 and 2019 are under investigation by State Attorney General Josh Shapiro and the most recent audit failed to show much improvement.  The ordinance takes effect Dec. 22 with the committee including three members of council, the mayor, the city controller, and the city’s director of finance.

UPDATED COVID-19 CASES LOCALLY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 40 new cases. In Centre County 141 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 137 new cases. Northumberland County with 108 new cases, 32 in Snyder County ;34 in Union County and 11 in Montour.

LOCAL HOSPITAL PUSHED TO LIMITS

With numbers as nearly high as last December, Evangelical Community Hospital is full again with the current COVID surge, according to President and CEO Kendra Aucker. With patients who waited to get care, due to high volumes of people and long wait times at doctors and hospitals, they are now sicker than ever. Aucker reported their resources, staffing and even beds are pushed to their limits. To help the surge, Evangelical Community Hospital has created an ED surge clinic. According to an online media outlet, staffing shortages have also hurt the hospital. With the hospital reaching daily higher COVID numbers, Aucker stresses, “It’s important to get vaccinated, boosted, and do your part.”

LONG RANGE SNOW PREDICTION

AccuWeather’s white Christmas forecast looks ahead at the chances of a white Christmas across the contiguous U.S. AccuWeather’s team of long-range forecasters, looked to key patterns that could favor snow in time for the holidays this winter. Included in the snow prediction effort is La Nina, which is the phase in which sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean drop to lower-than-average levels for an extended period of time. Due to the La Niña storm track, however, they are two states most likely to have a higher-than-normal chance of a white Christmas, along with western Idaho and portions of Northern California and Nevada. The chances of snow on or around Christmas are lower for us, across the mid-Atlantic, as temperatures just may not be cold enough for snow to fall and remain on the ground.

VETO SUPPORT FOR PA GOVERNOR

Following Governor Tom Wolf’s veto of Senate Bill 565 yesterday, nearly a dozen law enforcement, domestic violence, minority and family advocacy organizations have expressed their support for the veto to strike down legislation that would have made it easier for concealed weapons to be carried throughout Pennsylvania by unvetted gun-holders.

LEFT OVER BUTTER SUGGESTION

Now that Thanksgiving is over, what are you going to do with your leftover 5 pounds of butter? For a second year, the Department of Agriculture and Pennsylvania Farm Show invite Pennsylvanians to Butter Up! and try their hands at crafting a do-it-yourself butter sculpture. The contest, conducted on social media, will be open for submissions through Friday, December 17, 2021 at 12:00 PM. “Every year, millions tune in to see the unveiling of a 1,000-pound sculpture to kick off our annual Pennsylvania Farm Show,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.  “The Butter Up! contest is a perfect opportunity to engage the public in one of the most beloved traditions of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. In September, Redding unveiled the 2022 Farm Show theme, Harvesting More.

2022 PA FARM SHOW IN JANUARY

The 2022 Pennsylvania Farm Show will feature a return of fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, famous Farm Show Food Court, bunny hopping and sheep shearing competitions (among hundreds of other competitive agricultural events), cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred^® Culinary Connection, and more than one million square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who power Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry.

FARRANDSVILLE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

The Pa Department of Transportation will soon hold an Open House/Public Plans Display for the Farrandsville Road Improvement Project. This information meet will present the revised plans for future improvements to Farrandsville Road in Clinton County. The displays for the Farrandsville Road Retaining Wall with Pedestrian Facility incorporate development of the alignment based on environmental contrants constructability concepts, and engineering requirements. Right-of-way impacts will be available for review and comment. The meeting is set for  Tuesday, December 14 at the Dunnstown Firehall on Route 150 from 5 pm to 7 pm.

GRANT MONEY FOR SUNBURY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

A $1 million state grant has been awarded to the Sunbury Municipal Authority with the help from Senator John Gordner and State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver. The Sunbury Transfer Station will get a much needed upgrade to increase daily operation levels, according to the Daily Item.  According to city officials, the upgrade will allow the facilities to accept 300,000 thereby allowing local waste collectors use of the facilities, as well.

AMENDMENT TO A CIVIL COMPLAINT IN WILLIAMSPORT

They amended their civil complaint in federal court which claimed the police violated the defendants’ rights to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure, excessive use of force, assault and others, when multiple officers entered a Newberry residence at 5:30 am on Sept 29, 2020. According to SUN Gazette, U.S. Chief District Judge Matthew W. Brann allowed Libby Williams and Rocellus Carter to refile the complaint.

VETOED AS PROMISED

Gov. Tom Wolf followed through on his veto threat Thursday, rejecting Republican-penned legislation to allow people to carry a firearm openly or concealed, without a permit, adding to his total for Pennsylvania’s chief executive with the most vetoes in more than four decades. Wolf, a Democrat, called the bill “dangerous.” Wolf’s veto comes amid a tide of deadly gun violence in Philadelphia, the state’s largest city, and political finger-pointing over blame. Republicans said the bill would have made people safer. Wolf has said it is a top priority to address what he says is a gun violence crisis affecting largely minority communities, but the Republican-controlled Legislature has rejected nearly all his proposals.

CRIMINAL ATTEMPT HOMICIDE ON WILLIAMSPORT MAN

A Williamsport man kicked in a woman’s front door. He then threatened to kill several occupants before strangling and beating the victim until she became unconscious. December 2nd, 2021 at approximately 12:38 am – Daniel Justin Miller Sr., was arranged by MDJ Jerry Lepley on Criminal Attempt Homicide, Strangulation, Aggravated Assault, other charges and placed in Lycoming County Prison without bail.

MULTIPLE CHARGES SEND WILLIAMSPORT WOMAN TO JAIL

A Williamsport woman set fires at her neighbor’s door and then threw a knife through the neighbor’s apartment window. On November 30th, 2021 at approximately 11:45 pm – Tiffany Marie McGinty, attempted to flee into the basement, then out of the residence, and then became physically resistive/combative with officers before being taken into custody.  Tiffany McGinty was later arraigned before MDJ William Solomon on the multiple charges, denied bail and detained in the Lycoming County Prison.

LOCAL UPDATED COVID-19 CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 29 new cases. In Centre County 85 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 139 new cases. There were 88 new cases in Northumberland County, 36 in Snyder County, 16 in Union County and 14 in Montour. Tioga county had 16 new covid 19 cases listed yesterday.

REAL ESTATE TAXES UNCHANGED FOR 2022

No change in real estate taxes for Clinton County for the second straight year. The 2022 preliminary budget was revealed by the Clinton County Commissioners and unanimously approved during their sesson yesterday. According to therecordonline.com, December 30^th, with no changes, the document will see final adoption.

PUBLIC SAFTY BUDGETS EVALUATED

Public Safety budgets were carefully inspected during the Williamsport City Council Budget meeting on Wednesday. An estimated $10 million budget was presented to the Williamsport City Council Budget Committee on Wednesday. Chief Justin Snyder of the Williamsport Bureau of police presented the proposed budget with an additional proposal to deploy 48 officers. Also at the meeting, $6.7 million budget was proposed by the Williamsport Bureau of Fire Chief Mark Killian, who also noted the hiring of four firefighters, the academy and training costs for his department.  Finally, $872,053 was proposed by Joseph Geradi, the Williamsport Codes administrator, who noted the budget included uniforms and other items necessary for his staff of enforcement officers and other inspectors.

MAN IDENTIFIED WITH DENTAL RECORDS WAS RULED SUICIDE

The body of the man found along the Susquehanna river bank in Fairfield township on Monday afternoon has been positively identified through dental records. According to Lycoming County Coroner Charles Kiessling Jr, the death has been ruled a suicide and there will be no further details released on this incident.

KEEPING TABS ON RIVER VALLEY TRANSIT

A Transit Oversight Committee was created by Williamsport City Council and has been set to expand the legislative accountability of both River Valley Transit and city government. The ordinance, passed on second reading, last night received a unanimous vote. In layman’s terms, the ordinance is a series of checks and balances on River Valley Transit’s operations, a sore topic in Williamsport for some time. In fact, according to SUN Gazette, the years between 2009 and 2019 are under investigation by State Attorney General Josh Shapiro and the most recent audit failed to show much improvement.  The ordinance takes effect Dec. 22 with the committee including three members of council, the mayor, the city controller, and the city’s director of finance.

HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP

The remains of a white male washed up onto the riverbank yesterday afternoon on the Susquehanna River near Hiller Road in Fairfield Township, Lycoming County. The remains were found by hunters in a hunting party. Pennsylvania State Police in Montoursville and the Lycoming County Coroner are investigating.

OZ RUNNING FOR PA SENATE

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity physician, said he would run for Senate in Pennsylvania, jumping into a crowded G.O.P. primary. In his announcement, Dr. Oz described his frustration with the “arrogant, closed-minded people in charge” who shut schools and businesses during the pandemic.

TIADAGHTON STATE FOREST ATV PILOT CONNECTOR PLAN

State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), Majority Chairman, and Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19), Minority Chairwoman, will hold a briefing of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 at 10AM to discuss the Tiadaghton State Forest ATV Pilot Connector plan by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The briefing will be held at the Tiadaghton District Office, 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road, Waterville, PA 17776, and will include a presentation from DCNR, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), and a number of local and regional organizations including the Central Mountains ATV Association, Inc., Pine Creek Preservation Association, Slate Run Sportsmen’s and others. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating is reserved for the presenters.  Members of the public can watch the briefing LIVE at https://environmental.pasenategop.com/.

MASK ORDER REMAINS IN PLACE

An order requiring masks inside Pennsylvania’s K-12 schools and child care facilities will remain in place while the state Supreme Court considers the governor’s appeal of a lawsuit that overturned the mandate, the high court ruled Tuesday. The justices in a 5-1 decision put on hold a lower-court order that said the mask mandate would not remain in place as litigation over it continued. If the justices hadn’t acted, the mask mandate would have ended on Saturday. The Commonwealth Court majority said acting Health Secretary Alison Beam lacked authority to require masks, that she did not comply with state laws about reviewing and approving regulations and that the mandate was adopted without an existing disaster emergency declared by the governor.

NO INCREASE IN TAXES

No increase in property or other taxes in Williamsport, as the Mayor has a proposed $28.3 million budget for 2022. This evening at 7 pm a second budget work session will be held, according to SUN Gazette, focusing  on public safety departments which make up  80% of the overall cost of the general fund budget through police and fire department including their operation and salaries and pensions.

COVID-19 CASES UPDATED YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 26 new cases. In Centre County 64 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 110 new cases. Tioga county had 16 new covid cases reported yesterday.

SUNBURY POLICE LOOKING FOR SUSPECTS IN MULTIPLE BREAK INS

Upwards of a dozen vehicle break-ins happened in the city of Sunbury Monday night.  According to Police Chief Brad Hare the break ins were from various sections of the city and while some vehicles were unlocked, some actually had windows smashed. According to the Daily Item, if you have any information on these break ins, please contact the Northumberland County 911 center.

FLEEING CAR CRASHED SENDING OCCUPANTS TO HOSPITAL

An adult man crashed with a female juvenile in his vehicle as they attempted to flee police on Monday night.  Gavin Schomburg, 18-year-old male and a juvenile female were taken to the hospital with serious injuries after crashing their car while leading State Police in pursuit. The pursuit began in the area of Canfields Lane, Loyalsock Township and ended on Kehrer Hill Rd. Once the vehicle crashed it caught fire with both occupants still in the vehicle. Multiple other members from PSP Montoursville arrived on scene and both occupants were pulled from the burning vehicle. Both occupants were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver was found to be in possession of a large amount of drugs. SCHOMBURG is charged with multiple felonies including fleeing and eluding and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI.

SPENDING PLAN FOR THE $1.2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTION INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT

Governor Tom Wolf shared an overview of enhancements Pennsylvania anticipates receiving through the passage of President Joe Biden’s bold, historic $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Based on historical formula funding, the White House anticipates Pennsylvania receiving the following infrastructure improvements with federal funding to include but not limited to: Repair and rebuild roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Help connect every Pennsylvanian to reliable high-speed internet. Prepare more of our infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather events and deliver clean drinking water to Pennsylvanians.

Interventional Cardiology Reaccreditation for Evangelical Community Hospital

Corazon, Inc., a national leader in services for the cardiovascular specialty based in Pittsburgh, has granted reaccreditation to the Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) program at Evangelical Community Hospital. As a result of a successful examination of policies, procedures, staff education, and skills exhibited, the Hospital has been reaccredited for one year. By doing a yearly inspection of the service, the Hospital is able to stay on track with what is already working well and implement any new quality measures that emerge.

stage of Radio City Music Hall.

MISS USA PAGEANT TONIGHT

Miss Pennsylvania, Sydney Robertson of Williamsport, is in Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete in the 70^th edition of the Miss USA Pageant which can be seen  tonight at 8 p.m., and viewed on FYI Network or live on the streaming service Hulu. If Sydney wins the title of Miss USA, she will travel to Israel next week to compete in the Miss Universe Pageant.

UPDATED LOCAL COVID-19 CASES IN OUR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported 4,160 new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 22 new cases. In Centre County 82 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 59 new cases. There were 48 new infections in Northumberland County, 10 in Snyder, six in Montour and five in Union County. Tioga County had 19 new COVID cases listed yesterday.

FIRE IN SHAMOKIN DAM

A family is displaced, as a fire destroyed a home in Shamokin Dam Saturday night. According to an online media outlet, nine fire companies responded around 11:30 pm. There were no injuries and, according to an online media source, the Red Cross was called to assist the family.

MONEY LAUNDERING GETS NIGERIAN MAN PRISON TIME

A federal judge in Pennsylvania has sentenced a Nigerian man to more than seven years in prison for conspiring to launder approximately $1.89 million in mail and wire fraud proceeds in a scheme that targeted women. Jabin Okpako, and his wife, Christine Bradley of Sayre, transferred the funds out of the United States to three separate bank accounts in Nigeria, prosecutors said. Authorities said the couple targeted women, ranging in age from 55 to 85, who visited online game, relationship and dating websites. According to prosecutors, the fictitious purposes included to help a worker in Alaska who fell from a tower, to aid the United Nations and to recover a $6 million inheritance. The judge ordered Jabin to make restitution in the amount of $440,950 and to forfeit proceeds of the criminal activity.

A DATA CORRECTION IN PA NUMBERS OF VACCINATED ADULTS

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week dropped its percentage of vaccinated adults in Pennsylvania by nearly five percentage points in what apparently was a data correction to weed out duplicates. The agency on Wednesday adjusted the percentage to 68.9%, after a day earlier putting the percentage at 73.7% of Pennsylvanians 18 and older. The downward revision amounted to a reduction of about 1.2 million doses. Pennsylvania’s Department of Health said it sends its data to the CDC, and began in July to refine its data to remove duplicate information and correct data on first, second and booster doses. The data correction comes as infections, hospitalizations and intensive-care unit cases are rising in Pennsylvania and many other states.

FLEEING WITH CHILD IN CAR

A Linden man fled from police with a child in his car. A State Police Corporal stopped Jarod Tedesco, on Wednesday night, as he was weaving in-and-out of his driving lane and traveling well below the posted speed limit. The stop, just outside of Williamsport, was brief because Tedesco took off when a second trooper arrived to assist. The pursuit, winded south on Route 220 and ended in Woodward Township on Stewart Street. He was cooperative until he was searched and then he became belligerent and struggled with troopers. Again, he attempted to flee, this time on foot, until a trooper deployed his tazer.

Tedesco was medically cleared by UPMC Williamsport, arraigned in front of District Judge William Solomon on multiple charges, and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $99,000 bail.

MAN KILLS MOTHER WITH BAT

A Coal Township man allegedly struck his mother in the head with a baseball bat, killing her, in their home last weekend. Christopher Depka is charged with killing Sarah Jones and wrapping her body in blankets in her bedroom.  According to WNEP, Depka was seen via surveillance video at Rite Aid with her ATM card one day before she was found dead. A search of the property, revealed a bloody aluminum baseball bat in Depka’s bedroom. He was arraigned and commited to Northumberland County Jail with no known bail.

SUNBURY FIREFIGHTERS FIGHT FLAMES A SECOND DAY

For the second day, Sunbury firefighters dealt with a house fire in the city. The fire, on Susquehanna Avenue on Friday afternoon, damaged multiple rooms of an apartment complex. It began in a bedroom of the second floor, extended to the attic and out a first floor window, where it lit a neighboring residence on fire. The two alarm blaze brought firefighters from Sunbury, Northumberland, Shamokin Dam, Selinsgrove and 9 other companies. According to an online media outlet, the home is a loss and uninhabitable. Although no injuries were reported, the Red Cross was on scene to help residents. The fire is under investigation.

LOWE’S MONEY SCHEME GETS SUSPECTS JAIL TIME

A money scheme has been running on local Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. Montoursville police reported possibly three suspects entered Lowe’s and preyed on cashiers. They purchased items. Using a  Global Cash Card and returned the items, at a neighboring Lowe’s … receiving cash back.  Montoursville Police identified Savannah Danielle Dillard and Ahman Shantone Mack Boxley of Michigan. Both have been charged with multiple felonies and have been committed without bail. According to the Northcentralpa.com, the third individual has not yet been identified.

PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO PAY PA TURNPIKE TOLLS

After more than $104 million in Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls went uncollected last year, a state senator says he’s come up with a way to prevent future losses. Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna, a member of the 14-member Senate Transportation Committee, says he plans to introduce a package of bills to prevent future uncollected tolls, commonly referred to as “leakage.”  If a driver fails to pay, a lawsuit could be the next step. But if a motorist has $500 or more in unpaid toll violations or invoices over three years, the Turnpike Commission can request to suspend their registration. This makes it easier to bill commercial drivers who utilize the more than 550-mile system. Flynn’s proposal, a Senate companion to legislation in the House, would lower the threshold needed to trigger a registration suspension from six unpaid tolls to four — or from $500 to $250. It also proposes raising the statute of limitations from three to five years to give Turnpike officials more time to pursue offenders.

DATA CORRECTION DROPS COVID VACCINE RATES IN PENNSYLVANIA

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week dropped its percentage of vaccinated adults in Pennsylvania by nearly five percentage points in what apparently was a data correction to weed out duplicates. The agency on Wednesday adjusted the percentage to 68.9%, after a day earlier putting the percentage at 73.7% of Pennsylvanians 18 and older. The downward revision amounted to a reduction of about 1.2 million doses. Pennsylvania’s Department of Health said it sends its data to the CDC, and began in July to refine its data to remove duplicate information and correct data on first, second and booster doses. The data correction comes as infections, hospitalizations and intensive-care unit cases are rising in Pennsylvania and many other states.

LUNG SCREENING PROGRAM AT GMC       

Geisinger’s lung cancer screening program, launched over the last year, is the best way for at-risk patients to receive annual screenings key to the early detection of lung cancer.  When detected early, lung cancer is easier to treat, and screenings become an important diagnostic tool in the process. Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer-related deaths in men and women in the U.S and lung cancer screenings are non-invasive diagnostic tests that can help detect cancer in its earliest stages. Patients are eligible for yearly lung cancer screening if they do not have lung cancer symptoms and meet all of the following criteria: Are between the ages of 55 and 77, have a 30-pack-year history of smoking, Currently smoke or quit smoking within the last 15 years.

MAN FLEES POLICE WITH CHILD IN CAR

A Linden man fled from police with a child in his car. A State Police Corporal stopped Jarod Tedesco, on Wednesday night, as he was weaving in-and-out of his driving lane and traveling well below the posted speed limit. The stop, just outside of Williamsport, was brief because Tedesco took off when a second trooper arrived to assist. The pursuit, winded south on Route 220 and ended in Woodward Township on Stewart Street. He was cooperative until he was searched and then he became belligerent and struggled with troopers. Again, he attempted to flee, this time on foot, until a trooper deployed his tazer.

Tedesco was medically cleared by UPMC Williamsport, arraigned in front of District Judge William Solomon on multiple charges, and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $99,000 bail.

RACE FOR THE NEXT U.S. SEAT IN PA

The Republican field of candidates aiming to capture Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat in next year’s election is churning anew, with the candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump out and intriguing new candidates possibly in. Out is Sean Parnell — a favorite of Donald Trump Jr. — who ended his campaign after losing a custody battle in court in which the judge said he believed allegations of abuse made by Parnell’s estranged wife. The high-stakes campaign to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey in the battleground state could determine control of the Senate in next year’s election. March 8 is the last day to file petitions with enough voter signatures to get on the May 17 primary ballot.

MAN KILLED MOTHER AND USED HER ATM CARD

A Coal Township man allegedly struck his mother in the head with a baseball bat, killing her, in their home last weekend. Christopher Depka is charged with killing Sarah Jones and wrapping her body in blankets in her bedroom.  According to WNEP, Depka was seen via surveillance video at Rite Aid with her ATM card one day before she was found dead. A search of the property, revealed a bloody aluminum baseball bat in Depka’s bedroom. He was arraigned and committed to Northumberland County Jail with no known bail.

COVID-19 CASES IN PA REPORTED YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 33 new cases. In Centre County 91 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 97 new cases. Northumberland County’s total increased by 75. Tioga County had 24 new covid-19 cases.

SUNBURY FIREFIGHTERS KEPT BUSY WITH SECOND FIRE

For the second day, Sunbury firefighters dealt with a house fire in the city. The fire, on Susquehanna Avenue on Friday afternoon, damaged multiple rooms of an apartment complex. It began in a bedroom of the second floor, extended to the attic and out a first floor window, where it lit a neighboring residence on fire. The two alarm blaze brought firefighters from Sunbury, Northumberland, Shamokin Dam, Selinsgrove and 9 other companies. According to an online media outlet, the home is a loss and uninhabitable. Although no injuries were reported, the Red Cross was on scene to help residents. The fire is under investigation.

MONEY SCHEME GETS CASH FROM GLOBAL CASH CARD PURCHASES AT LOWE’S

A money scheme has been running on local Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. Montoursville police reported possibly three suspects entered Lowe’s and preyed on cashiers, and made purchases using a Global Cash Card and not cash, then went to a neighboring Lowe’s and returned the items, receiving cash back.  Montoursville Police identified Savannah Danielle Dillard and Ahman Shantone Mack Boxley both from Michigan, charged with multiple felonies and committed to jail without bail. According to the Northcentralpa.com, the third individual has not yet been identified.

PA TURNPIKE EXPECTS A BUSY WEEKEND FOR TRAVEL

The Pennsylvania Turnpike expects Thanksgiving to be the busiest travel holiday of the year with 3.15 million motorists traveling during the six-day period starting today and ending on Sunday. Overall, holiday traffic is up 39 percent over the same travel period last year. Operation Safe Holiday kicked off on November 15 with the “Click It or Ticket” Thanksgiving enforcement mobilization which runs through November 28. During the effort, PSP will offer no-cost child passenger safety seat fitting clinics at several locations statewide, with the goal of keeping Pennsylvania’s youngest travelers safe on the road. Throughout Operation Safe Holiday, law enforcement will also conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols beginning the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 24, through the New Year’s holiday to crack down on drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.