LYCOMING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LEND A HAND TO A BOROUGH IN NEED

They attempted to complete the project without asking for additional help. However, the borough of Lairdsville asked the Lycoming County Commissioners for assistance with their new mandated sewage project. Following their $1.1 million stortfalls, which included COVID and the increasing price of steel, the assistance will go a long way. With the assistance of a $500,000 grant and upwards of $700,000 in loans (repayable  over 15 years at 0% interest), the borough of Lairdsville was successful in finding ways to reach the goals of a state mandated sewage system without placing additional burdens on their taxpayers. The vote was yes from the Commissioners was unanimous to help with the project.

FEDERAL LAWSUIT IN U.S. MIDDLE DISTRICT COURT

A federal lawsuit in U.S. Middle District Court alleges, a Lycoming County woman suffered racial slurs by a co-worker. As a woman of Asian descent, Ruth Charles, a former clerk in the office of District Attorney Ryan Gardner, had filed for a civil action suit, even naming Gardner and Lycoming County.  Charles claims she suffered from acts of discrimination, an unsafe workplace due to retaliation issues and more. According to SUN Gazette, Charles has requested Chief Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann to oversee proceedings in front of a jury.

FIRE SCARE FOR LOCAL MAN

A smoldering fire in his bathroom set off a smoke alarm around 12:15 am, yesterday.  As reported by SUN Gazette, Myron Cowher called 911 and fire crews arrived at 2818 Route 14 to find a light smoke condition. Fire crews from Ralston, Hepburn and Old Lycoming Townships reported the fire under control within 15 minutes.

UPDATED COVID-19 NUMBERS FOR OUR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 14 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 32, while Lycoming County increased by 56. Tioga County had 10 new cases, 27 in both Northumberland and Union counties, 15 in Snyder and six in Montour.

CONTRACT AWARDED DANVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

A contract agreement was reached last night in the Danville Area School District. KCBA Architects, of Center Valley, was awarded the contract upwards of $4.7 million in renovations for Liberty Valley Intermediate School and Danville Primary School. According to the Danville Area School District Business Manager, Bobbi Ely, the school board, in September, had approved an $8.8 million bond. The work inside Liberty Valley will include heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades and improvements. According to the Daily Item, the sidewalks were also an issue, as well as the roof and moisture complaints with the flooring.

MEN PICKED UP BY FBI ON ORDER BY FEDERAL JUDGE

Three men were taken into custody by FBI agents last week, on the orders of a Federal Judge, based on charges of attempting to entice a minor into committing acts of sexual activity and prostitution. According to PennLive and online court documents, Erick D. Metzger, Frank A. Nork and Patrick Taylor are accused engaging in the crime in Union County on either Oct. 21 or Oct. 23. Magistrate Judge William Arbuckle ordered their detention with little to no further details available at this time.

SUNBURY WOMAN MISSING,, POLICE ARE ASKING FOR HELP

State police are actively investigating a Sunbury woman who has been missing since April 2020. Angel Donahue of South 4th Street, has been missing by relatives. State police are assisting in the investigation who said Donahue’s social media and bank accounts remain inactive since April 2020. According to a warrant, Donahue isn’t listed as being in an local hospitals. Troopers said Donahue is missing under suspicious circumstances, as reported by the Daily Item.

STATE PRISON FOR SUNBURY MAN

Drug and gun charges from an incident in Snyder County land a Sunbury man in state prison. Snyder County District Attorney announced yesterday  Maurice Doster was sentenced four to 10 years in state prison  and later convicted on drug charges and unlawful possession of a firearm by a former felon. According to an online news source, Doster is required to serve a minimum of four years before he is eligible for parole.

ATTEMPTED BREAK-INS IN MONTOURSVILLE

A man from South Williamsport attempted to break into a school and a local floral business. According to northcentralpa.com, Michael Campbell attempted entrance in the Montoursville Area High School by pounding on the front doors. When he was unsuccessful, he jumped a fence and did enter the complex via the football field. According to reports, he then allegedly attempted to get into Nevil’s Flowers at 748 Broad Street. He was apprehended without gaining entry and faces multiple misdemeanors. Originally arraigned in front of District Justice Aaron Biichle, Campbell posted $10,000 bail with a preliminary hearing set for Nov. 10 in front of District Justice Gary A. Whiteman.

ARREST FOLLOWING HEAD-ON CRASH

On October 5^th, Blair Creek Township Police responded to a head-on collision in Berwick.  Joseph Rish, of Berwick, was arrested after fleeing the scene of the crash. Upon further investigation officers found Rish had three active DUIs.  Rish is being held at the Columbia County Prison after a judge denied him bail.  Rish faces charges of first-degree misdemeanor accidents involving death or personal injury, third-degree misdemeanor driving with a suspended license, and third-degree misdemeanor accident involving an attended vehicle, and three summary traffic offenses. (NCP)

PLANNED JAIL BREAK FAILED

A man arrested for the murder of three people earlier this year is now being arrested on charges for plotting an escape from Northumberland County Jail. Matthew Reed allegedly wrote a letter to his dad saying he wanted him to help him escape the jail during a court appearance. Reed is now being charged with felony escape and aggravated assault for his threats to law enforcement.  Reed will appear before Shamokin District Judge John Gembic on the new charges. (WKOK)

SEXUAL CHARGES ON JERSEY SHORE MAN

A Jersey Shore man has been found guilty of 48 charges related to the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old. Obadiah Moser of Jersey Shore was convicted of raping a child from the time the victim was 12 to the time he was 15.  The victim opened up about his abuse in a courtroom in front of Judge Nancy Butts.  The Judge found Moser guilty of three counts of child rape, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor, and several other felonies.  Moser was released on bail and is scheduled to be in court on February 17^th. (NCP)

RESIGNATION OF BLOOMSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

Change is on the horizon for the Bloomsburg Area School District following the recent resignation of Superintendent Dr. Donald Wheeler.  The Superintendent’s resignation was preceded by the departure of 10 teachers from the district in July.  In addition to unhappy staff and teachers, the district is also facing scrutiny for their graduate rates and inaccurate date reporting.  An investigation by the district revealed that four students, who were reported as not graduating, had in fact graduated. The district moved for Jason Moser, who is currently the Secondary Complex Executive Principal, to serve as Interim Superintendent until a replacement is found. (NCP).

FELONIES TO PARENTS FOR ENDANGERMENT

Parents in Woodward Township are facing a felony charge each after authorities said they neglected to provide medical care for a juvenile child.  Michael Kephart and Elizabeth Kephart each face a second-degree felony charge of endangering the welfare of children after an investigation found a child with a life threatening mouth infection.  The couple posted a $1,500 unsecured bail and was released from custody on Oct. 19. Both are due in court on Oct. 26 for a preliminary hearing. (NCP)

FOOTBALL AND CHEER PROGRAMS RECEIVE GRANT

Firetree Place, a nonprofit community center, recently received a $4,000 grant from the Little League for Youth Sports at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.  The funds have been used to establish quality programming within their Williamsport Youth Football and Cheer programs.  The grant helps to provide speed and agility drills for the athletes at a discounted price.  If you have any questions about the Williamsport Youth Football and Cheer program, please contact Firetree Place. (NCP)

SCHOOL OPEN TO PRE-PANDEMIC ADMISSIONS

Red Rock Job Corps, a vocational school in Sullivan County, has reopened back to in person classes.  During the pandemic, Job Corps operated under restricted enrollment due to the residential aspects of the program.  With new safety measures, the decision to reopen Job Corps enrollment lifts the remaining restrictions on enrollment and restores the program to pre-pandemic admission standards.  Enrollment in this center is limited to Pennsylvania residents only. (NCP)

LOCAL COVID-19 NUMBERS FOR LOCAL AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 4,496 new cases of COVID-19.  There were 82 new cases in Lycoming County, 63 in Northumberland County, 32 in Union, 21 in Snyder and 10 in Montour. (KOK/DOH)

UPDATED COVID-19 NUMBERS FROM OUR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 18 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 51, while Lycoming County increased by 63, Tioga had 12, 40 in Northumberland County, 18 in Union, seven in Montour and two in Snyder.

SNAPCHAT POST TAKEN SERIOUSLY

It was last evening when Keystone Central School District Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn Martin alerted the news media to threats at a “Central High School.”  The post read, “Local police and Keystone Central School District Police have been made aware of a Snapchat post that included threats to students and administrators at “Central High School” by “Alex Anderson.”  Students and parents can expect an “increased police presence” on Monday at district schools. Dr. Martin reported, however, that the investigation, conducted by local police, advised her that the reported post describing a threat to a “Central High School” was not credible to this location. According to therecordonline.com, in fact, it was determined the origin appeared to be Colorado.

SATURDAY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION

A motor vehicle accident on Saturday, on Route 15, just north of Allenwood is under an extensive investigation, as a trooper was exposed to Fentanyl. According to an online media outlet, the accident was in Gregg Township, Union County sometime around 4:30 pm. Sources reported a trooper and another individual were exposed to the drug Fentanyl and taken to the hospital. Hazmat personnel responded to help with the investigation.

A TRUSTED COUNSELOR HELPS AREA YOUTH

It was the trust of an 11-year-old with her counselor, which led to the arrest of a Jersey Shore man for indecent assault.  According to northcentralpa.com, Christopher Lawrence Nelson is being charged with multiple felony and misdemeanors. He appeared in front of Judge Jerry Lepley for his preliminary arraignment, but was released after he successfully posted $50,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is Nov. 11.

GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES BOOSTER

Following recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Geisinger is offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines for eligible individuals.Those eligible for a booster dose include people who have received their two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and:Are 65 years and older, Are age 18 and older who live in long-term care settings or have underlying medical conditions or who work or live in high-risk settings.

You can make an appointment for a first, second, third or booster dose of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. Appointments are available at the vaccine centers at the Geisinger Health Plan Building near Danville. Appointments are also available at Geisinger Pharmacy locations in Danville and Lock Haven.

BICYCLE ACCIDENT FROM FRIDAY TAKES A LIFE 

A bicycle accident on Friday night in Union County claimed the life of a 77-year-old Lewisburg man.  According to state police at Milton, the accident happened on Colonel John Kelly Road when, around 7pm, Samuel F. Sauder was struck. He was transported to the Evangelical Community Hospital by EMS. According to the daily item, Sauder died at the hospital. State Police from Milton report the accident is under investigation.

FAILED JAIL ESCAPE

In a letter to his father, a convicted killed was preparing to escape the Northumberland County Jail. The letter, from Matthew Reed, asked his father to “ram a sheriff’s vehicle when he would leave a court appearance,” and then he would “take out the guard and two cops.” The investigation, with assistance from a search warrant, allowed troopers to intercept the letter at the local Post Office. Reed, with new charges of felony escape and aggravated assault for his threats to law enforcement,  will appear before Shamokin District Judge John Gembic. As reported by the Daily Item, Reed was convicted in June for the murders of Susan Williams, 58, James Dicken, 59, and 17-year-old John Paul Dicken, all of Snydertown.

PLANS TO HELP HARDWORKING PENNSYLVANIANS

Governor Tom Wolf believes that hardworking Pennsylvanians deserve fair wages, paid sick leave, safe workplaces and quality jobs. Recently, the governor visited Delaware County to outline his workforce plan to benefit workers across the state, including an executive order issued and a call on the legislature to finally pass several bills that help working families. Governor Wolf is also urging legislative action to help out-of-work Pennsylvanians. The governor supports Rep. Gerald Mullery’s HB 549, which streamlines the process for eligible Pennsylvanians to receive unemployment benefits.

CDC APPROVES MIX AND MATCH

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Millions of people are newly eligible to receive a booster shot and will benefit from additional protection. More than 65 million Americans remain unvaccinated, leaving themselves – and their children, families, loved ones, and communities– vulnerable.

WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCL MEETING AND RVT AUDIT

At the most recent Williamsport City Council meeting, audits from the books of River Valley Transit were reviewed. The financial issues with RVT stem beyond 2020. This causes a question from Councilwoman Bonnie Katz, asking for clarification. According to Mark Zettlemoyer, of RKL, PennDot  does a review every 3-5 years, but that only deals primarily with policy and procedures, basically, Penn Dot does not conduct the financial statement audit that was just completed by RKL. This is an independent financial audit. This explains why it is all just coming to light.

WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCIL AND RVT HARD QUESTIONS

Williamsport City Councilwoman Bonnie Katz asked the hard questions on Thursday at the Williamsport City Council meeting. She asked, “Who is responsible for this in the end? Does the city have to fund back to RVT?”In the end, according to Mark Zettlemoyer of the accounting firm RKL, anything done with the city, transportation funds is going to be the responsibility of the city to fund back to RVT.

A VACANCY ORDINANCE IN WILLIAMSPORT CITY

It’s a vacancy ordinance designed with owners of commercial buildings or land with little to no intention of developing them in the City of Williamsport. It was called a city It was called a Williamsport City Blighted Property Review Board Committee meeting and although no action was taken at this time, the conversation was moving towards a resolution. The process begins in the first year of vacancy when the property owner is given notice, advising them the property with a business or development plan.  In the second year, if they need to  have an actual plan and request a waiver on the first year of permitting. The first year permit fee is around $500, but it rises as the years pass by. Those at the committee meeting indicated the issue is likely to be discussed in future meetings.

GRANT MONEY FOR LYCOMING COUNTY UNITED WAY

It’s grant money that Lycoming County United Way plans to use in order to address the issue of vaccine-hesitancy in the community. According to Ron Frick, CEO of Lycoming County United Way, “It’s trauma-informed. We’re not going to go out and be judgmental. We’re going to provide facts. We’re going to provide statistics. We’re going to provide testimonials.”  It was $3.5 million in grant funding, authorized by the Health Resources and Services Administration.  Temple received the grant and then went on to select sub-recipients. United Way was chosen with goals being to prevent transmission of COVID-19, increase vaccine access and decrease vaccine hesitancy, and provide the resources communities need to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic in medically underserved urban, suburban and rural communities.

A NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

There is a  new associate director of admissions at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Previously, Jen M. Cullin-Hetrick was the coordinator of admissions events and communications and also an admissions counselor. Now, Cullin-Hetrick has the title of associate director of admissions Penn College. According to SUN Gazette, in her position, she handles the developing and executing of communications and recruitment plans.

COVID NUMBERS DROPPING IN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

COVID-19 numbers have dropped in the school district, this according to District Superintendent Daphne Bowers, who released the news at the most recent meeting of the Montgomery Area School District. According to SUN Gazette, in total, 42 students and five staff members have been reportedly quarantined. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in the district board room.

COVID-19 CASES LOCALLY WEDNESDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 25 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 25, while Lycoming County increased by 69, 40 in Northumberland County, 24 in Union, 13 in Snyder and eight in Montour.

AWAITING SENTENCING IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

According to PennLive and another online media source, the drowning death of a 3-year-old boy last year in Northumberland County went to court. There, a  Northumberland County mother has been found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child. Free, pending sentencing, Britney Dawn Bridges of Turbotville, was charged in direct connection to the August 11, 2020, death of her son, Clayton-Lucas Eugene Hamilton, who was found floating face down in a neighbor’s above-ground swimming pool.

CHILDREN’S VACCINE (AGES 5-11)

Governor Tom Wolf today issued a statement on the Biden Administration’s preparations for the COVID-19 vaccine authorization for children ages 5-11. “In Pennsylvania, the vaccine is our strategy out of the pandemic, and Pennsylvanians are doing a tremendous job of protecting ourselves and our loved ones by getting the COVID-19 vaccine. We should all be proud of how far we have come since the beginning of the pandemic as another milestone is upon us – the vaccine authorization for children ages 5-11.

THEFT OF TREE CUTTING EQUIPMENT FROM CLINTON COUNTY

On Oct 7 at approx. 7:58 am, State Police were contacted to report a theft of chainsaws, other tree trimming equip and climbing equip. The theft occurred from the parking lot of 2109 Nittany Valley Dr (penndot parking lot), Bald Eagle Twp, Clinton County.  The thefts occurred over a two day period. Video surveillance was requested from the surrounding area. Anyone with any information is asked to contact State Police in Lamar.

ROLLING ROADBLOCKS

Motorists who travel Interstate 180 eastbound and westbound in Loyalsock, Fairfield, and Muncy Townships, and the City of Williamsport, Lycoming County, are advised of rolling roadblocks  Monday, October 25 through Thursday, October 28, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) contractor will place traffic counters along Interstate 180 at multiple locations between the Interstate 180 and Route 15 southbound interchange in the City of Williamsport and the Route 220 interchange in Muncy Township.

Motorists can expect multiple 15-minute rolling roadblocks in the City of Williamsport, Loyalsock, Fairfield, and Muncy Townships where work is being performed. Work will be performed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., weather permitting

APPEALS ARGUMENT HEARD BY PA APPEALS COURT YESTERDAY

AP is reporting… A Pennsylvania appeals court yesterday heard arguments Wednesday on if the Wolf administration had the legal right to impose a mask mandate on K-12 schools and child care facilities.  The state’s acting health secretary ordered students, teachers and staff to wear face coverings when inside, which has reversed an earlier pledge from  Gov. Tom Wolf saying masking in schools would remain a local decision.  Commonwealth Court is set to decide on a pair of lawsuits filed by parents who have contended the  masks interfere with their children’s breathing and actually cause other problems. The plaintiffs include the GOP leader of the state Senate, Jake Corman, State Representative from Centre County.

PRESS CONFERENCE INVOLVING NATURAL GAS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-46), Gene Yaw (R-23) and John Yudichak (I-14) joined Jim Gallagher with Steamfitters Local 420 and Matt Toomey with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 to discuss the need for responsible natural gas infrastructure. Senator Gene Yaw speaks to what he learned from Dr. Scott Tinker of the University of Texas …With United States households already projected to see heating bills jump as much as 54 percent compared to last winter, speakers warned how the ill-conceived call for a moratorium on natural gas development will not only increase energy costs on consumers but be detrimental for the environment and good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth.

CLEAN WATER ACTION PLAN

Lycoming County’s Clean Water Action Plan offers a way to proactively address flooding and pollution that affects county farms and homes with increasing occurrences. The price tag, however, is $36.7 million. According to Eve Adrian, the county’s natural resources planner and the plan’s coordinator, the cost of resources needed to implement the plan will be grant-funded who presented the plan to the Lycoming County Commissioners at their Tuesday meeting. Adrian stressed Lycoming County has endured severe rainfalls over several decades, “the unfortunate reality is that without mitigation, farmers pay the cost of these intense rain events because soil has value.” According to SUN Gazette, the plan is being implemented, set to start this month and run through 2025.

UPMC HOSPITALS AFFECTED BY COVID

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the country, hospitals are seeing spikes in cases of patients being admitted because of pre-existing conditions, many of which have gone without medical care over the course of the pandemic. According to SUN Gazette, Dr. Michael C. Gerst, chief medical officer of emergency services for the North Central Region, UPMC says,“We have a population that was concerned and frightened to come to the hospital, to perhaps go see their doctor, or come to the E.R. when they were experiencing certain symptoms, so they put it off,” he said. “Putting it off has allowed that disease process to progress and become more significant and by the time they must come to the E.R., they are very, very sick.”

UPMC HOSPITALS REPORTING EMERGENCY ROOMS BUSY

According to Sun Gazette,  Dr. Michael C. Gerst, chief medical officer of emergency services for the North Central Region, UPMC, stresses the emergency room is not a “convenience.” “One of the things we would really appreciate in the emergency department… (is) responsibility in seeking out these services. They are time consuming, they are expensive and we are currently managing a lot of sick people,” Gerst said. “So if you can get the same at your private care physician or an urgent care, that would be optimal versus going to the E.R. where we are taking care of the sickest of the sick in the community currently.”

RETAINING WALL DELAY

The state Department of Transportation says a retaining wall project along Little Pine Creek Road in Cummings Township has delays. The project began April of 2021 and is located along Pine Creek Road. As reported by SUN Gazette, less than a mile north of the intersection of Route 44 and Little Pine Creek Road, are unforeseeable delays. These delays are due to subsurface rock quality conditions, a news release from PennDOT said, and will delay the completion until September of 2022.

MURDER DENIED MOTIONS

I-Keem Fogan, convicted murderer, was denied multiple motions by  Judge Marc Lovecchio which could have granted him a new trial in Lycoming County Court. Fogan’s public defender, Nicole Spring, reported an appeal is set to be filed on Fogan’s behalf within the 30-day time frame. Fogan,  convicted of the 2019 killing of a woman during an attempted robbery of a Newberry convenience store, had a trial, which started in late September and concluded in early October and ended with a life sentence and no possibility of parole.

DERR RETURNS FOR COURT

Ex-Williamsport City police officer Eric Derr was back in court yesterday, arguing  an omnibus motion before a Sr. Judge. Derr, charged with 28 felonies in connection to his alleged use of the police’s JNET system, and running 93 illegitimate searches of 28 different women from the dates of June of 2015 through December of 2019. Today’s motion centered around whether or not Derr “exceeded his authority” in terms of his use of the JNET system and whether or not a police officer was deemed a “public employee.” According to northcentralpa.com, Derr is due to return to court December 14, for a criminal pre-trial hearing.

COVID-19 NUMBERS IN OUR AREA FROM TUESDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 11 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 22, while Lycoming County increased by 39, 17 new cases in Northumberland County, six in Union, and five in Snyder and Montour counties.

POSTING CURRICULUM ONLINE IS SET FOR A VOTE

The Center Square is reporting….. A bill that would require school districts to post curriculum online received approval from a key Senate panel on Monday. The Senate Education Committee voted along party lines to advance House Bill 1332 to the chamber floor for consideration. According to a representative from Gettysburg, “[The bill] allows parents to play a greater and more active role in the oversight of what their children are being taught and  that giving online access to the course information will help “restore trust.” But Democrats on the committee warned that unfunded mandate will further burden school staff and invite unwarranted criticism. “The curriculum plan, including textbooks, needs to be online for parents to review at any time, and those websites need to be updated each time the curriculum is revised,” he said. “Too many parents have no idea what is being taught until they see their children’s homework.

RIVER VALLEY TRANSIT BOOKEEPING ISSUES

A “shell game” may have been played by prior management of River Valley Transit located in Williamsport and the use of state and federal grants for non-transportation purchases may have occurred, based on what auditors discovered in the fiscal books maintained by prior bus service management. According to SUN Gazette, a draft audit by RKL, the firm which was hired by Mayor Derek Slaughter, and shared yesterday at the Williamsport City Council’s finance committee. It spanned the dates of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and included the notation of an “adverse opinion.”

LAWSUIT THROWN OUT REGARDING PRISON GUARDS AND VACCINE-OR-TEST

Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports…. A state appeals court has thrown out a lawsuit challenging Gov. Tom Wolf’s vaccine-or-test requirement for prison guards, among thousands of other state employees in congregate settings.  In a Sept. 28 decision, a three-judge panel of the Commonwealth Court dismissed the challenge, brought by the Pennsylvania State Correctional Officers Association, which represents 11,000 prison workers, on technical grounds. The union had requested an injunction to block the policy. According to PSCOA President John Eckenrode, “We’re disappointed and disagree with the court’s decision.”  It applies to 25,000 state employees who work in state prisons, hospitals, centers for people with disabilities, and other similar facilities.

STATE GRANTS REPORTED TO RVT

PA state grants received between 2009 and 2019, showing River Valley Transit, received $64,735,716 in department grants. According to SUN Gazette, for example, when the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) would provide a grant, those funds are recorded as a liability until they are used for specific grant purposes and they require a local match. This is where problems were found throughout the books. Williamsport City wrote RVT a check, they then needed to get localities to pay them. The whole idea was to for RVT to provide the state with a match for the grant. RVT either went to localities and they didn’t bill them or they didn’t follow up to collect funds, which went against the state requirements for the grant.

HEARING AIDS TO MORE THAN JUST THE ELDERLY

Hearing problems are not just an elderly issue; in fact, upwards of 37 million Americans experience symptoms of hearing loss. New technologies are available to help those who want to get a hearing aid without official physician approval. According to SUN Gazette, this builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to expand access to high-quality health care and lower medical care costs for the American public.