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.

10-YEAR CONTRACT FOR PSU FOOTBALL COACH

Penn State football coach James Franklin agreed to a new 10-year contract Tuesday that will guarantee him at least $75 million through 2031. Franklin and Penn State’s Board of Trustees agreed to the terms, which include a yearly base salary of $7 million, retention bonuses of $500,000 each year and a $1 million annual loan for life insurance. Franklin is 67-32 at Penn State with seven bowl appearances in his eight seasons. The Nittany Lions won the Big Ten championship in 2016. A Pennsylvania native who called the Penn State gig his “dream job” when he was hired away from Vanderbilt in 2014 will coach his 100th game at Penn State when the Nittany Lions visit No. 12 Michigan State on Saturday. Franklin previously signed a six-year deal in 2019. The terms of that contract would’ve had him earn $5.75 million next season with a $250,000 raise each remaining year.

PENNSYLVANIA’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell for the eighth month in a row in October, according to new state figures, as payrolls grew but the labor force shrank amid an ongoing struggle for employers struggle to find workers. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 6% from September’s rate, according to state Department of Labor and Industry figures released Friday. The national rate was 4.6% in October, and Pennsylvania lags most other states, tied at 40th among 50.

UPDATED COVID-19 CASES FOR OUR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases Clinton County reported 20 new cases. In Centre County 61 new cases. Lycoming County added 45 new cases. There were 41 in Northumberland County, 21 in Snyder, 20 in Union, 12 in Montour. Tioga County had 19 new covid-19 cases reported yesterday.

RACE CONCEDED FOR PA COMMONWEALTH COURT

The Republican candidate trailing in a statewide recount for an open seat on Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court conceded the race on Tuesday to Democrat Lori Dumas. On Twitter, Drew Crompton congratulated Dumas and the other winners in the judicial races that were on the statewide ballot in Pennsylvania’s Nov. 2 election. Republicans won three of four statewide judicial races on the Nov. 2 ballot. A statewide recount in the Commonwealth Court race was mandated after Dumas’ finished within a half-percentage point ahead of Crompton, according to unofficial returns posted online by the state Department of State.

COURT DENIES EMPLOYEES REQUEST TO AVOID COVID-19 TESTING BY EMPLOYEER

Over 100 Geisinger employees were denied their request to keep Geisinger Medical Center from conducting twice-weekly testing for COVID-19 by a federal judge on Tuesday. Although those employees had previously received religious exemptions from the COVID-19 mandate at Geisinger, they were still required to participate in the periodic testing or face possible termination. Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brawn released a 30-page order which explained that the employees’ complaints lacked the merit necessary to obtain his ruling. According to Geisinger Medical Center, “Employees have until 11:59 p.m. (Tuesday night) to submit their test results. Employees who do not accept the accommodation to meet the COVID-19 vaccine requirement with regular testing will voluntarily resign on Wednesday, Nov. 24,” as reported by the Daily Item. A Nov. 1 deadline passed with 24,000 employees who complied and 150 fired at that time for not adhering to the mandate.

STOLEN VEHICLE LEADS TO PURSUIT AND CRASH

A driver in a stolen vehicle attempted to elude state police in Sunbury. The pursuit ended in a crash in the area of Purdy Street, according to the Daily Item.  Troopers reported one individual fled the scene on foot, while the other was taken into custody. State police report the investigation is still ongoing.

ROVING DUI PATROLS AND SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

Police are monitoring highways with both roving DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints through Sunday night. According to an online media source, the regional Highway Safety Network is set to target several roads in the valley. Some of these are in Northumberland County and they include Route 61, 147, 225, 901, 125, 54 and 487.

GEISINGER RECEIVES DESIGNATIONS DUE TO MILITARY CARE/EMPLOYEES

Geisinger has been recognized for its continued support of military veterans and active service members and has received  two recent designations. The Pennsylvania-based health organization was recognized by Military Times on its 2021 Best for Vets: Employers rankings and earned the 2022 Military Friendly® Employer designation by VIQTORY. Both honors recognize Geisinger’s commitment and efforts to building programs and opportunities for military veterans. Geisinger employs more than 700 active-duty service members and veterans throughout the system.

UPMC FINANCIALS OVER FIRST 9 MONTHS OF 2021

UPMC’s continuously strong financial results for the first nine months of 2021 underpin its robust investment in caring for its 92,000 employees as well as the growing number of patients throughout all the communities UPMC serves during the still-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the same period a year ago, UPMC outpatient revenue increased 17%, while physician services revenue grew 12%; admissions and observations increased by 5%. UPMC’s earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization (operating EBIDA)—a key measure of financial performance and the ability to generate the necessary resources for reinvestment—were $1.3 billion.

INDECENT ASSAULT TO 6 YEAR OLD CHILD

A Montgomery man indecently assaulted a child as young as 6 years old.  Charles Adams, 38, of Montgomery, is said to have touched the girl inappropriately when she was six and 10 years old. Prosecutors charged Adams with 336 counts related to sexual abuse of children according to SUN Gazette. District Judge John Kemp pondered the charges and opted to hold over some charges which he saw could be accounted for, before reserving a decision on the rest of the counts until another time. Then, on June 2^nd, District Judge Jerry Lepley arraigned Adams, who is out on $75,000 bail.

HANDGUN CHARGES TO TAYLOR PLACE MAN

A man with a handgun was chasing a woman through the 1600 block of Taylor Place Tuesday afternoon. Neighbors reported the screaming could be heard throughout the neighborhood. According to Sun Gazette, Keven Geter was apprehended at gunpoint. He was subsequently searched and  a stolen handgun in his pants pocket. There was no information as to the name or condition of the woman. Geter was arraigned in front of District Judge Christian Frey on multiple charges including felony charges of carrying a firearm without a license. He was committed, in lieu of $125,000 bail, to the Lycoming County Prison.

MEETING TO DETERMINE USES OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING

Potential projects for the Williamsport city’s portion of the $25.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding include the Brandon Park baseball fields, a flood-control project for Grafius Run, levee recertification required repairs and the replacement of multiple fire engines for the Williamsport Bureau of Fire.  Williamsport City Council met during a third work session on Monday to discuss and debate the proper uses for the American Rescue Plan funds. As their meetings stack up, the City Council will hold budget meetings Nov. 29^th and Dec. 1 at 7pm. A council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2.

OLD CITY STREET RECONSTRUCTION

Rebuilding East Fourth Street, from Basin to Mulberry Streets and Campbell Street, from West Third to West Fourth Streets is known as Old City Street reconstruction and a price tag to the city of Williamsport of $906,475 in a Multi-Modal Transportation Grant obtained because of the dedicated work of the commonwealth finance authority.

REAL ESTATE HIKE IN LOCK HAVEN CITY

$200,000 in real estate tax income is needed to secure the balanced budget for Lock Haven City Council in 2022. The hike needs to be approved by city council at the Dec 6^th meeting. It sits to be the first real estate levy in the last 6 years.

THANKSGIVING TRAVEL

With the busy holiday travel period just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) came together outside of PTC’s headquarters in Harrisburg to remind drivers of the importance of safe driving and consistent seat belt use. 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. The periods of heaviest traffic will be 3:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 23 and Wednesday, November 24. Thanksgiving Day is when traffic will be at its lightest. Overall, holiday traffic is up 39 percent over the same travel period last year; however, traffic is still down 9 percent from 2019 holiday traffic volumes prior to the pandemic.

OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAY

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.

OVER $1.5 MILLION TO HELP LYCOMING COUNTY

$1.65 million has been presented to different Lycoming County projects through multiple state authority grants.  Sen. Gene Yaw joined state Reps. Jeff Wheeland and Reps. Joe Hamm in support of the Commonwealth Financing Authority Grants. Over of $900,000 was provided to Williamsport to improve both Campbell and Fourth Streets in safety and appearance through the multimodal transportation fund grant. Other projects set to receive funds are the Greenway Trail project in Jersey Shore, Warrensville Road in Eldred Township and the Lycoming Biology Field Station Inc. in Upper Fairfield Township.

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 35 new cases. In Centre County 74 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 91 new cases. There were 61 in Northumberland County, 16 in Union, 11 in Montour and eight in Snyder.  Tioga County had 37 new covid-19 cases reported yesterday.

NEWLY SWORN AT WILLIAMSPORT BUREAU OF POLICE

The Williamsport Bureau of Police is pleased to announce that this morning at 10:00 Police Officer Nathan Kendall was officially sworn in with the Williamsport Bureau of Police. PO Kendall’s addition to the police department brings Williamsport Police compliment to 47 sworn police officers. PO Kendall will begin his Field Training next week. Williamsport Bureau of Police congratulates PO Kendall on beginning his journey as a Williamsport City Police Officer!

FATALITY ON GOLDEN STRIP IDENTIFIED

The Lycoming County Coroner’s Office is investigating the fatal crash with PA State Police in the 1900 block of East Third St..  Ronald Wagner was pronounced dead on arrival at the emergency room at UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Hospital.  Mr. Wagner was traveling east on East Third St. striking another vehicle from behind in the 1900 block of East Third St. in Loyalsock Twp.  Mr. Wagner was unrestrained and found to be in cardiac arrest due to multiple blunt force trauma at the time of impact.  Resuscitative efforts were continued while in route to the emergency room without successful resuscitation being pronounced dead at 5:06 PM.

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

​ The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that all driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IN WATSONTOWN

A Watsontown man was sleeping behind the wheel of his running vehicle on Main Street in Watsontown.  Watsontown Police have charged Yuriy Gussev, of Watsontown, when on October 23, at 12:40 A.M. when, after chemical testing, he had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .163%.  Gussev has been charged with two counts of Driving Under the Influence.

STABBING AT ARM BAR IN MILTON LEADS TO CHARGES

A stabbing at a bar in Milton led to charges for two local men.  It was the Arm Bar in Milton, where Milton Police alleges Shannon Parrish of White Deer and Corby Brown of Milton were involved in a fight. Following an investigation charges were filed at the office of DJ Michael Diehl on Oct 21. According to the Daily Item, both Parrish and Brown have preliminary hearings there Dec. 1.

COMMONWEALTH FINANCING AUTHORITY 100 PROJECTS

Governor Tom Wolf announced 100 new project approvals today through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for environmental and infrastructure projects in counties across Pennsylvania. The 100 Act 13 projects approved today are in 38 counties. The total funding amount is more than $10.4 million. The projects are designated for specific initiatives as follows:

• Flood Mitigation: Greenways, Trails and Recreation: Sewage Facilities: Watershed Restoration and Protection:

MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION FUND MONIES FOR 54 COUNTIES OF PENNSYLVANIA

Governor Tom Wolf today announced the approval of 166 new projects through the Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF), improving Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure and ensuring safer, more reliable transportation accommodation across the commonwealth. The projects total more than $84 million in funding. The 166 MTF projects approved are located in 54 counties: Centre, Lycoming, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Snyder, Susquehanna and Union.

GOV WOLF WORKING FOR INCREASED PAY, PAID LEAVE AND SAFER WORKPLACES FOR ALL

Gov. Tom Wolf continues to step up pressure on Republican legislative leaders to finally support hardworking Pennsylvanians. During a press conference in Philadelphia, the governor announced new proposed regulations to ensure tipped workers are treated fairly and outlined his legislative agenda for workers that will increase paychecks, guarantee paid leave and create safer workplaces.

FEMALE VETERANS DAY IN PA

Continuing the Wolf Administration’s effort to support women in the commonwealth and recognize those women who have served their country through the military, the Pennsylvania Commission for Women is seeking statewide nominations for its sixth Female Veterans Day Ceremony as part of Women’s History Month in March 2022. Veterans that are selected will be honored by Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf. This year, the Female Veterans Day nomination form is available online. Nominees must be current Pennsylvania residents and have served at least four years in any branch of the U.S. military. The deadline for nominations is January 14, 2022. All final honorees will be notified via email by mid-February.

REPUBLICANS EXAMINING THE 2020 ELECTION

Republicans in the Pennsylvania Senate said  they will pay up to $270,000 over the next six months to have an Iowa consulting firm examine the 2020 election with an eye toward developing changes to state election law. The “forensic investigation” is being launched in response to pressure from Republican supporters of former President Donald Trump upset over his 80,000-vote loss in the state, but is well short of the Arizona-style “audit” that many of them have clamored for.A related subpoena issued by a GOP-controlled Senate committee, seeking voter data from the executive branch, is currently on hold awaiting a hearing in Commonwealth Court next month.