OFFICER INVOLVED FATAL SHOOTING 

A state trooper first responded to the home just after 3 p.m. following a 911 hangup call. Outside a residence, just south of Watsontown, a 70-year-old Northumberland County man shot at  police and was fatally wounded when state police returned gun fire, according to State Police in Stonington. William Michael Kradlak Jr. died on Friday at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, at 4:41 p.m., less than one hour after the shooting, as reported by a media source. Magisterial District Judge Michael Diehl, Milton, issued the warrant Friday night to state police. Investigators sought evidence inside the home owned by Kradlak’s half-brother, Dirk van Heiningen, 78. Items sought include firearms and ammunition, cellphones and electronic communication devices, documents including potentially a suicide note, recording devices and video surveillance footage, the warrant states. According to the State Police did not release the name of the officers  involved.

SHOTS FIRED SUSPECT FACES HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING

In a preliminary hearing before District Judge Christian Frey, Bryce Zimmerman — the man who fired shotgun at the feet of a landlord in Newberry on May 26 —  found out  all but one felony charge held over for court. The shooting occurred just before noon outside where Zimmerman lives, police said. The one hour standoff ended peaceful when he came out and surrendered.Frey ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold Zimmerman on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering, simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime. Zimmerman remains incarcerated in the Lycoming County Prison.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CLOSED FOR JUNETEENTH

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, June 18, 2021, in observance of Juneteenth.  According to a media outlet, 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.

HUNTING LICENSES GO ON SALE TODAY

Hunting and fur-taker licenses go on sale today and the new license year begins July 1,  with more Sunday hunting opportunities on the way, additional days available for hunters to fill their antler-less deer tags and the biggest allotment of elk licenses yet, the 2021-22 . You can purchase your license online or at any licensing issuing agents statewide. General hunting licenses and fur-taker licenses each cost $20.97 for Pennsylvania residents and $101.97 for nonresidents. A complete list of licensing requirements can be found on the Pennsylvania game commission website.

ARRESTED FOR STABBING A MAN WITH A KEY

Matthew Armani Lassus, 23, of Philadelphia was charged with a felony after he allegedly stabbed another man in the face with a key. Scott Township Police responded Geisinger Hospital in Bloomsburg to investigate the incident to discover the victim in the emergency room. The black plastic of the key fab was protruding from the left side of his upper jaw/cheek area. The victim reported an argument over dinner prior to his injury, according to northcentralpa.com. Lassus was charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors and was released from Columbia County Prison when he posted bail. His preliminary hearing is June 23.

COVID-19 DISASTER DECLARATION TERMINATED

Covid-19 disaster declaration terminated. According to State Rep Jeff Wheeland, he was proud to vote with the majority of his colleagues to fully terminate the governor’s COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration.  The measure was also approved by the senate Thursday and is effective immediately. It brings to a close the governor’s ability to tell private businesses if they can stay open or how many people they can have walk through their doors. It also ends his ability to command people to stay at home. Now we can focus on reviewing the hundreds of regulations that have been waived or suspended during the pandemic.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS CHARGES EARNED FOR FAILURE TO OBEY AUTHORITIES

After warnings from the Bloomsburg Police Department, a Bloomsburg was arrested, as he hid in a shed.  Chad Young, of Bloomsburg was warned on May 26 and  27 by officers, that he was not welcome on a property located on Wirt Street. On May 29, officers return to the property and find Young, inside a shed in the backyard. Young was charged with third-degree felony criminal trespassing after Bloomsburg Police responded to reports of him being on the property. According to northcentralpa.com, Young was also charged with third-degree misdemeanor defiant trespass law and legal definition and misdemeanor marijuana possession. Young was given $5,000 unsecured bail, which he posted on June 9.

VEHICLE THEFT AND DRUG USE

A 28-year –old homeless woman is scheduled to appear in Bradford County Court on April 23. Liza Johnson of Athens was initially charged with a second-degree felony of theft for an incident on March 4.  According to Towanda State Police, Johnson allegedly took a vehicle from a residence in Athens after she was denied a ride. Johnson allegedly was in possession of hypodermic needles, small plastic baggies, alcohol prep pads, and a modified spoon.  Troopers said they also discovered Johnson had an active warrant of arrest in Pennsylvania. Johnson was charged with unauthorized use of motor vehicles, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license. Johnson is being held at the State Correctional Institution in Muncy on $50.000 monetary bail.

LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS

New Jersey. New York. Virginia. One by one, Pennsylvania’s  neighbors are moving to legalize recreational cannabis for adults. And after years of saying he wouldn’t endorse such a move, Gov. Tom Wolf changed his position in 2019 and has committed to signing a bill, if it reaches his desk. But, in order for that to happen, the idea would need to gain backing among the Republican lawmakers who control both the state House and Senate. House Speaker Bryan Cutler opposed medial cannabis when it passed in 2016 and said in 2019 that legalization wasn’t the right move in helping the thousands of Pennsylvanians who are battling drug addiction.” Democrats in the chamber, as they have in past sessions, are still pushing for legalization, but with one major difference this spring – a Republican sponsor.

RIVER RESCUE IN LOCK HAVEN

Emergency officials responded to a call of an individual in the Susquehanna River on Thursday in Lock Haven. At approximately 4:40p.m. crews were alerted to a water rescue.  Upon assessing the situation, the call was upgraded to a technical rescue. “Typically a technical rescue is more complex or out of the                               ordinary,” said Tyler Wooding, Assistant Fire Chief of the Lock Haven Fire Department. In this case, additional resources, including rope rescue systems, were necessary to retrieve the person from the water. The effort took around one hour and 20 minutes, according to the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services. The cause of the incident is under investigation by law enforcement.

COMMUNITY THEATRE LEAGUE

For many students throughout Lycoming County and the surrounding area, theatre camps at the Community Theatre League in Williamsport are a highlight of the summer. CTL is excited to announce six weeks of theatrical education and fun for students entering Kindergarten through 12^th grade, beginning July 12. This year’s theme is “Dream. Bigger.” It encourages ‘campers’ to grow through the arts. Taught by local theatre artists  and creative professionals, the three-hour day camps, which range from one to three weeks , engage local students through hands-on, active learning opportunities, with each camp culminating in a performance or presentation for families and friends. Fifteen separate camps offer students learning opportunities to expand onstage and backstage creativity. The Community Theatre League has been operating on a limited basis since March 2020, but is working to reopen under CDC and Department of Health guidelines.

SEXUAL ASSAULT ON A MINOR

A Shamokin man pled guilty on Friday to inappropriately touching  a teenage girl while he was free on bail for a different sexual assault accusation. Hunter Dannheimer of Shamokin , pleaded guilty in front of Northumberland County Judge Paige Rosini to one misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person age 16 or under. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered before he is sentenced within 90 days .  Dannheimer faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine as well as being a lifetime Megan’s Law registrant.  A felony count of unlawful  contact with a minor and a felony count of corruption of minors were dropped as part of the plea deal.

TAX INCREASE LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

Residents of the Loyalsock Township School District could face just under a half mill increase in real estate taxes next year if the tentative budget introduced  this week is approved as the final budge by June 30. Dan Egly, district business manager, introduced the 2021-22 budgets reflecting a .43 mill increase in real estate taxes for residents of the district. If the millage increase is approved in the final budget, township residents would pay an extra $43 per $100,000 of the assessed value of their property.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD FOR TODAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed 5,048 additional positive cases of COVID-19. There were 77 new cases in Centre County, 35 in L ycoming County, 32 in Northumberland, 13 in Clinton, 12 in Snyder, 10 in Montour, 7 in Union, and 7 in Tioga.

STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE CITY

Williamsport Bureau of Fire responded to a fire Friday evening around 5 pm on Campbell Street. The fire was called in as a porch fire with two possible entrapment. Williamsport Bureau of Police units blocked traffic on Park Avenue from east of Campbell Street, including the Campbell and Park intersection. The fire damaged at least one house next door by melting the siding.

UPTOWN MUSIC COLLECTIVE LIVE

The Uptown Music Collective is bringing back live shows this month. The music school in downtown Williamsport is well known for its big performances at the Williamsport Community Arts Center. The upcoming show is called “Good Times, Bad Times” and it is a tribute to Led Zepplin. There will be three live performances. One of the shows will be streamed for folks who feel more comfortable staying at home. You can buy tickets to the live shows or buy access to the live stream on the Uptown Music Collective website.

SMUGGLING TOBACCO INTO ALLENWOOD LOW

A Northumberland County man has admitted he accepted bribes to smuggle tobacco products into inmates at the Allenwood low-security prison.  William Lokitis, of Marion Heights, on Thursday in the U.S. Middle District Court pleaded guilty to a charge of bribery of public officials. The prison is smoke-free so possession of tobacco is considered contraband. Inmates are known to sell tobacco using postage stamps as money. Lokitis was released on personal recognizance pending sentencing.

JERSEY SHORE OFFICER CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT ON MINOR

A Jersey Shore cop who once received a “key to Ocean City” is charged with sexually assaulting a minor. Tyrone Rolls turned himself in at the Cape May Prosecutor’s Office Wednesday. Rolls was charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault  of a domestic violence victim, official misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said. If convicted on all charges, Rolls could be sentenced to 65 years in prison.

APPLE TREES AND OTHER TREES TO BE PLANTED IN CENTRALIA

The mostly abandoned coal mining town of Centralia will soon see new life when an environmental group plants 250 apple trees during an event on April 17, hosted by the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. The planting is part of a plan to restore the ecosystem in the town and improve wildlife habitats. Executive director Bobby Hughes says the group will be planting 16 varieties of trees next weekend in an effort to beautify the properties there that are vacant.

MUNCY BOROUGH COUNCIL LOOKING FOR NEW SEAT

The Muncy Borough Council is in the early stages of finding a new borough hall to seat its operations. The current borough hall is a historic building and is not accessible to disabled residents. So, the borough council is working on finding the best location for a borough hall – either through construction , expansion or renovation.  An option standing at the forefront  of the borough’s conversation is purchasing the Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Company’s fire hall, which it intends to sell, then  renovating it. However, Borough Council President Ed Feigle said the cost may be too high. The fire department is asking for $275,000 but Feigle anticipates renovations to make the building functional as a borough hall might push the total cost up to half a million dollars.

SENATE BILL 465

Legislation creating a new agricultural conservation assistance program was unanimously approved yesterday by the senate agriculture and rural affairs committee according to sen gene yaw, who sponsored the bill. If funded, senate bill 465 would provide additional tech support to expand on farm conservation practices throughout pa including high priority areas such as the Chesapeake bay watershed.

VOTE FOR ADDITIONAL EMS STAFF

The Montoursville Fire Department voted to move forward with additional ambulance staffing provided by UPMC North Central/Susquehanna Regional EMS.  The additional coverage will be one EMT to assist with staffing the ambulance from 6 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. This move is proactive in nature and one of several steps until a full time paid service is feasible.  According to their facebook page, their mix of home responders, live ins and day time paid staff have not allowed a single failure to respond for 2021.

CONSUMER-GRADE FIREWORKS ILLEGAL IN WILLIAMSPORT

According to Sun Gazette, State law in 2017 made it legal for consumer-grade fireworks to be purchased. With that in mind, the Williamsport Bureau of Police Assistant Chief Jason Bolt reminds residents the Use of consumer-grade fireworks in the city of Williamsport is illegal. It is important to remember, that punishment includes A fine of not more than $600, 90 days in jail or both can be imposed and is upon discretion of the district magistrate judge.

LYCOMING COUNTY HEALTH CARE CENTER

On Tuesday, the Lycoming County commissioners approved an agreement with Palumbo Group Architects for engineering and design services for the county health care center, with a proposed price tag of   $89,400. The facility, in the county’s Third Street Plaza building, is set to serve as a preventative medicine site specifically for county employees. Commissioners believe the health center will help save money on health insurance costs as they keep employees more productive and healthy. According to a media outlet, the county now spends upwards of $14 million per year on health coverage.

DR GRACE SHU, LYCOMING COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

At the latest meeting, Lycoming County Commissioners appointed Dr. Grace Shu to serve as the county’s international affairs director. Shu’s position is to  help facilitate business connections and investments with overseas markets. It is thought, according to SUN Gazette, Shu will be able to bring more jobs to the area through her connections.

HILLMAN CANCER CENTER FOR UPMC

Yesterday, the ceremonial ribbon was cut on the newly renovated and expanded Hillman Cancer Center for UPMC, designed to improve the treatment and care process for patients in the battle against the disease. The $15 million project includes the creation of 22 physician examination room and 28 chemotherapy bays as well additional space for therapy programming and  and a new linear accelerator located on the ground floor can target small cancer areas for more effective treatments. Each year, the Cancer Center has more than 32,000 outpatient encounters and performs 45,000 procedures.

TABLED ELEVATOR RECOMMENDATION

On Tuesday, the City Council’s finance committee tabled a recommendation to have the City Hall elevator replaced in a $312,828 contract to Otis Elevator Co. until the recommendation can be reviewed by the city legal counsel. The issues surround the need for accessible upgrades to the exterior doors, according to Sun Gazette. Although a larger price tag, $552, 268, the Lundy Construction bid is all-inclusive to include the accessible upgrades. The discussion continues at the next meeting.

SERVICE BUILDING AND ADDITIONAL PARKING FOR LYCOMING COLLEGE

A service building and additional parking spaces at its Shangraw Athletic Complex has been approved by city planning commission for Lycoming College. The building is expected to house locker rooms and training rooms with a replacement of bleachers and additional parking at the existing parking area.The additional parking plan was based on includes 41 more spaces on the existing area for parking. According to a media outlet, the land development plan is expected to be voted on by City Council next, said Gary Knarr, city zoning officer.

BRIDGE NUMBER 1 OF 17 BRIDGES IN THE BUNDLING PROGRAM

It’s the first of 17 bridges to be part of the inaugural bridge bundling program sponsored by the Lycoming County Commissioners began construction yesterday at the small bridge located along Mill Road over a tributary of Antes Creek in Limestone Township near the Village of Collomsville. According to a media outlet, the new bridge will consist of installation of an aluminum box style bridge, which replaces the deteriorated steel plate pipe culvert. Mill Road will be closed by the Township and a one mile detour will be in effect for about five weeks.

PHASE 2 OPENS IN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL’S PRIME PROJECT

Evangelical Community Hospital is set to open Phase 2 of its now-completed PRIME project with spaces they say are new, ultra modern, designed with patient comfort, privacy, adequate space, and healing in mind. Hospital President and CEO Kendra Aucker says newly completed PRIME just adds to the extraordinary healthcare offered in the area: “Between us and our tertiary partner Geisinger, you can get incredible healthcare in this region. The community has supported this hospital for 100 years. It’s the support and the management of this facility over the years that has allowed the hospital to continue to reinvest.”

GEISINGER WALK-IN COVID-19 VACCINES OPEN THIS WEEK

Geisinger continuing walk-in COVID-19 vaccines this week for anyone ages 12 and over. In fact, the Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Vaccine Center is open Thursday, June 10^th from 9am to 330pm and Geisinger Hughes Center Vaccine Center in Danville on Friday June 11 from 9am to 1130am. Geisinger is offering the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at all locations, which is a two-dose vaccine administered 21 days apart.

WILLIAMSPORT SOAP BOX DERBY

Eight “celebrity” racers representing the events’ sponsors will take a downhill dive as they race their own scaled-up go-carts at the Williamsport Soap Box Derby Race on Saturday. According to the SUN Gazette, the celebrity participants include;  John Sanders, city engineer; Tanya Weber, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Williamsport; Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, and  Blaise Alexander Dealership Vice President Adam Alexander. Come cheer on your favorite racer on Saturday from 12:30 to 7pm.

LAWSUITS AGAINST CITY

Former police Lt Fred L Miller IV of Clinton County has joined a currently working city police lieutenant against Mayor Derek Slaughter, the city of Williamsport and former Mayor Gabriel J. Campana.   Miller and Lt Steven Helm have similar claims regarding claims of being overlooked for promotions, according to papers in U.S. Middle District Court. Miller, who was awarded $35,000 in the prior settlement, is seeking unspecified damages in excess of $50,000 contending violations of his free speech rights. According to SUN Gazette, the case is before U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann.

SEVEN-FIELD COMPLEX ONE STEP CLOSER

The city planning commission extended a positive recommendation yesterday, for the development plan involving a seven-field sports complex. A vote from City Council is needed before construction can officially begin by Williamsport Baseball Inc., a land-holding entity created by the Williamsport/Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce. According to a media outlet, Williamsport Baseball Inc. was recipient of a $2 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant and a Greenways Trails and Recreation grant to get the project funding rolling.

STARTUP CHALLENGE

Pennsylvania State System’s Startup Challenge, a competition where students present innovative business ideas for a prize of upwards of $10,000. Lock Haven University’s team claimed sixth place in the five-minute pitch presentation category for their Starlight Café project and received a prize of $500. According to northcentralpa.com, the Starlight Café would be the first café in Lock Haven to open exclusively at night.

CRACK SALES LANDS WILLIAMSPORT MAN IN JAIL

Timothy James Harman, 30, of Williamsport was charged with multiple felonies after police said he sold crack to an undercover agent. Officers said Harman sold crack to a detective three times in March of this year. According to northcentralpa.com, that included twice on the same day. Harman is being held at the Lycoming County Prison in Lieu of $75,000 monetary bail.

MULTIPLE METH SALES EQUAL MULTIPLE FELONIES

A Montoursville woman will face charges regarding the sale of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. State Police in Montoursville reported a CI bought 1.96 grams of methamphetamine from Heather Crispin, 46, in Loyalsock. According northcentralpa.com, a second buy for 2.96 grams of methamphetamine and a third sale of  3.65 grams of methamphetamine resulted in Crispin charged with multiple felonies. She was confined to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 monetary bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 14.

NO AGREEMENT REACHED IN THE SHIKELLAMY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Because the Shikellamy School Board and members of the educational support professionals association could not strike a deal last night,  63 employees could be furloughed before the end of the month. According to the Daily Item, Superintendent Jason Bendle said following the meeting that no deal was made and no upcoming dates are scheduled for another negotiating session. All parties refused to comment following the meeting, however it seems that financial issues are the core of the negotiation failure.

PROWLING AT NIGHT CHARGES IN LEWISBURG

A Milton man was charged for allegedly peeping into windows of female students at Bucknell University’s off campus housing on S. Seventh Street during the evening hours of May 16 and 17.  According to Buffalo Valley Regional Police, they found Brandon Miller, 35, lurking in the trees along the side of 30-32 S. Seventh Street, shortly before midnight on May 17.   Northcentralpa.com reports Miller faces several misdemeanor charges of loitering and prowling at night and his preliminary hearing is set for June 24 at the office of District Judge Jeffrey A. Rowe.

FIREARM VIOLATION

A Williamsport man was charged with a felony after authorities discovered he rented two firearms from the National Range and Armory on April 25. Montoursville State Police report, Akeem Montez Hall, 27, of Williamsport rented a functioning semi-automatic handgun and semi-automatic rifle. Due to a previous conviction, Hall is not permitted to possess a firearm, according to northcentralpa.com. His preliminary hearing is scheduled with  Judge Aaron BEAK LEE (Biichle) and Hall is being held at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $85,000 monetary bail.

JURY DECIDING THE FATE OF A CANTON MAN

A Lycoming County jury heard arguments from prosecutors as well as defense attorneys for a Canton man regarding his alleged sexual abuse of a minor before deliberating last evening. Harris’ case first came to the attention of the Pennsylvania State Police through a cyber tip from a Facebook moderation team in May of 2019, which informed them of the Messenger conversations Harris allegedly had with multiple minors. According to SUN Gazette, Michael Harris, 31, faces 16 counts related to alleged sexual abuse of a female minor.

GROWING GREENER GRANT

The Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority at its recent meeting approved an $80,000 Growing Greener Grant for stormwater infrastructure upgrades in South Williamsport.The grant is addressing the stormwater basin located behind the CVS store along West Southern Avenue, according to SUN Gazette. The project is part of meeting compliance under the Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction guidelines.Construction of the project is expected to begin next year.

LIMESTONE WATER SYSTEM 

The Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority at its recent meeting approved professional engineering services for the Limestone Water System which serves customers in the communities of Oval and Oriole. The state Department of Environmental Protection program will address capital improvements. According to Sun Gazette, the service comes at no cost to the Authority and will include preparation of construction bids.

CHILD ENDANGERMENT

A Mifflinburg man is facing assault charges after a child told police she was being abused.  According to the police affidavit, Brandon Wilson, 31, has choked her and dragged her up the stairs by her hair.  A witness said she has also observed Wilson striking the victim on several occasions, including with a belt. According to a media outlet, Wilson is being charged with harassment, strangulation, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

BILLTOWN BLUES FESTIVAL

The 31st annual Billtown Blues Festival will be coming next week with “world-class” blues music, musicians, food and all-around experience according to Bonnie Tallman, event producer. The stage will be set and ready for performers from Friday, June 11 through Sunday June 13 at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds. Tickets are only available for purchase through the Billtown Blues Association website. There are options for one day tickets as well as a bundle that allows you all three days.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE

Pennsylvania College of Technology has appointed the Presidential Search Committee charged with the selection of a successor to longtime President Davie Jane Gilmour, who announced recently she will retire next year. The 17-member Presidential Search Committee consists of four members of the Penn College Board of Directors, seven faculty members, five administrators and one student. Their job is to gather input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and local community leaders to make the process as transparent and inclusive as possible to attract the strongest pool of candidates.

200 ROBOTIC-ASSISTED PEDIATRIC SPINE SURGERIES IN A PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL

As of May 2021, Geisinger’s Dr Meagen Fernandez has performed more than 200 robotic-assisted pediatric spine surgeries at the Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute. It is the only pediatric hospital in Pennsylvania using robotic assisted technology for pediatric spine surgery. Dr. Fernandez specializes in treating pediatric sports injuries, ACL reconstruction, fractures and traumatic injuries, and scoliosis. For her pediatric spine surgeries, she uses the Medtronic Renaissance™ system, the first robotic spine assist technology used in Pennsylvania to treat pediatric patients with scoliosis that requires surgery. Renaissance™ is designed to improve the safety and accuracy of implant placement in spine surgery.

CUTTERS JOB FAIR

The Williamsport Crosscutters are looking for energetic, motivated individuals to fill part-time seasonal positions in the Food and Beverage Department at Historic Bowman Field for the 2021 Season. Interested individuals must apply in-person at the Cutters Job Fair to be held Wednesday, June 9 from 4-6pm at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, 1700 W. Fourth St, Williamsport.