A MASKING LOOPHOLE FOUND

An apparent loophole in Pennsylvania’s mask mandate for schools is making it easier for some students to go to class without having to cover their faces. The state health secretary’s order requiring masks includes an exemption for students who claim it would cause or worsen a medical condition. But there’s no obligation in the masking order for a student to produce a doctor’s note or other supporting medical documentation. Spot checks by The Associated Press of school districts yesterday revealed at least a dozen around the state using exemption forms which don’t require a medical professional’s signature.

PA DEPT OF HEALTH RELEASED UPDATED COVID-19 DASHBOARD

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported new COVID-19 cases in Clinton County nine new cases were reported on Thursday, Centre County saw an increase of 114, while Lycoming County increased by 42, 31 cases in Northumberland County and 28 in Union County. There were 13 new cases in Snyder County and four in Montour County, according to a media source.

TEXTING COST A JERSEY SHORE MAN MULTIPLE FELONIES

It was a text communication between a 52-year-old man and 14-year-old girl led to the arrest, according to police, yesterday. According to police, Dwayne Allen Koons, of Jersey Shore messaged the juvenile through multiple avenues and made sexually explicit suggestions. Koons, who is being held at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $35,000 monetary bail, was charged with multiple felonies is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 14 with Judge Christian Frey.

MASKING DEBATE HITS JERSEY SHORE

Upwards of 30 parents and concerned citizens from met at the Jersey Shore Area School District Services Center parking lot to expressing concerns related to the state mandate requiring schoolchildren to wear masks in classrooms. A petition to unmask the schoolchildren was available for parents and concerned community members to sign.  According to the SUN Gazette, the rally came at door of the upcoming school board meeting 7 p.m. Monday in which the board will discuss the topic of masks in schools. In an open letter posted on the Jersey Shore Area School District website, Dr. Brian Ulmer, Superintendent of the Jersey Shore Area School District announced the masking order and stated that the order is set to remain in effect but will be evaluated on Oct. 1.

LOYALSOCK TOWNHIP SCHOOL BOARD SAYS MASK OR GO VIRTUAL

Mask up or meetings will be going virtual was the message from Loyalsock Township School Board President Carolyn Strickland as she faced an audience of parents and community members Wednesday night, many without masks.  According to a media outlet,  Superintendent Gerald S. McLaughlin said the district will comply with the order from the state Department of Health related to students, staff and visitors wearing masks in district buildings. He went on to say districts are not required to update health and safety plans approved earlier in the summer to reflect the secretary’s order, but must comply and enforce the order, McLaughlin explained.

STAKEHOLDERS WILL BE DISCUSSED NEXT WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Who will be able to address the school board is at issue as the Williamsport Area School Board is set to review the policy governing it. Board member Adam Welteroth expressed all stakeholders in the district should be allowed to speak during the public comment section of board meetings. Defining who is a stakeholder was questioned by another board member. Welteroth made a motion that was passed to bring the policy to the first October board meeting for a review of the revision of adding stakeholders.  According to Sun Gazette, the school board also opened up the  agreement with the Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company to provide ambulance service for all home football games at a rate of $60 per hour for the current football season. They voted and it was approved. This is a $5 increase over last year. Prior to that, the rate had not changed since 2011. The next board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 21.

LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT TO RECEIVE GRANT MONEY

The Loyalsock Township School District has received a total of $1,363,292 from various grants over the past 18 months as part of COVID relief according to a presentation by Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin made to the school board at a recent meeting. The district is also set to receive $1,934,711 as part of the American Rescue Plan. Budgeted through the current school year, the second round of funding, $956,494, was used to maintain the existing staff, the Schick and Middle School summer program, after-school programs, custodial equipment and HVAC software system upgrade. As reported by a media outlet, funds from the American Rescue Plan, which is budgeted for 2022-23 and 2023-24 must include at least a minimum of 20 percent or $386,942, to address learning loss. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 6. The location for the meeting will be posted on the district website.

BLOOMSBURG MAN IMPATIENT FOR FAIR

A Bloomsburg man was not waiting another week to get into the Bloomsburg Fair. According to police, surveillance video from August 26^th showed a man breaking into a ticket booth and remained there for upwards of two hours.  According to northcentralpa.com, Justin Charles Bozarth, 33, of Bloomsburg was charged with one count of third-degree felony criminal trespassing and a summary charge of criminal mischief. Bozarth is being held at the Columbia County Prison in lieu of $50,000 monetary bail awaiting his Sept. 15 preliminary hearing.

MASKS ON THE FOREFRONT AT WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

The Williamsport Area School Board Tuesday held a crowd of upwards of 60 anxious parents and community members. Moments before the school board meeting, district officials were attempting to convince community members to wear their masks, as required by the mask order issued by the State Department of Health. According to SUN Gazette, when the meeting did begin, a generous majority of the guests spoke against the requirement of masks for the students in district buildings.  Two local physicians detailed medical reasons for the mitigation effort and spoke in favor of masks.

CHILDREN HIGHER RISK FOR COVID-19 VARIANT

“Young children are at a higher risk for becoming infected now than at any other time during the pandemic,” said Dr. John Williams, chief of pediatric infectious diseases, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. “Children do get sick with COVID, and they can transmit the virus to family, friends and other members of the community,” Williams said. Williams noted that UPMC Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh, is seeing an increase in children being treated for COVID-19 at clinics and emergency rooms, some leading to hospitalizations. As reported by SUN Gazette, citing  two key reasons for the increase in infections in children — a relaxation in mitigation efforts, and the delta variant, which is more contagious and more easily spread.

 US SENATOR ROBERT CASEY STOPPED BY PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, stopped at Pennsylvania College of Technology to push his Five Freedoms for America’s Children plan for improving the lives of kids. Unfortunately, he said, there is no strategic plan to address the issue as exists for many other of the nation’s priorities such as growing the economy. “If we invest in our kids all of these other priorities are successful,” he said.The lives of children were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting their education, creating stress levels, and pushing more kids into poverty. As reported by an online news agency, Casey, who took time to tour the college’s Dunham Learning Center, visited with pre-school children and staff before discussing his plan. He is calling for an additional investment of $7 billion for affordable child care and early learning programs, an $18 billion annual increase to cover Head Start, and a permanent expansion of the Child Dependent Care Tax Credit to help families cover child care costs.

COLLEGE NIGHT AT LYCOMING COLLEGE

The Lycoming County Counselors Association (LCCA) and Lycoming College invite local high school students to attend “College Night” an annual event for nearly 30 years Thursday, Sept. 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Keiper Recreation Center on the college’s campus.

According to a news outlet, this special night gives local students the chance to interact and network with representatives from more than 50 colleges and universities. The event is free and open to the public. Masks will be required for all in attendance. Representatives from schools in Pennsylvania and surrounding states, as well as branches of the military, will be available to discuss their programs, scholarship offerings, and internship and research opportunities.

A WILLIAMSPORT MAN FAILED TO NOTIFY STATE POLICE AS REQUIRED BY MEGAN’S LAW

A Williamsport man failed to notify authorities when he moved, as required by Megan’s Law. Gerald Edward Jordan, of Williamsport, was charged with first-degree felony failure to register with PSP and first-degree failure to verify address. According to northcentralpa.com,  2009, Jordan pled guilty to indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age and endangering the welfare of children.

DRUG BUY FROM UNWITTING INFORMANT

Police watched an unwitting informant going into a home on Washington Blvd. in Williamsport with prerecorded currency to make a purchase for crack. According to northcentralpa.com, an unwitting informant is a person who is unaware they are providing information to law enforcement. Devin Eugene Mims, 34, of Williamsport was charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and third-degree felony criminal use of a facility after the purchaser identified him for officers, according to the report. No bail was listed for Mims, who is scheduled to appear before Judge Aaron Biichle on Sept. 16 for a preliminary hearing.

STALKING CHARGE IN CLINTON COUNTY COURT

Last week in  Clinton County Court a jury returned a guilty verdict on one count of stalking, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The verdict came after a one day trial on Sept. 2. As reported by therecordonline.com, Anthony Martin, of Lock Haven, was convicted of stalking a young woman who was employed at the Dollar General store located on E. Main Street. Sentencing was scheduled by Judge Michael Salisbury to be held on Nov. 1, at 8:30 a.m.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD FOR YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases across the state. In Clinton County seven new cases, Centre County saw an increase of 16, while Lycoming County increased by 44. 35 in Union County, 29 in Northumberland, 16 in Snyder and three in Montour, according to a media source.

SECOND DAY IN FEDERAL TRIAL

Dr. Raymond Kraynak allegedly increased his criminal prescribing practices by more than 50 percent in the 11 months between two federal warrants on the doctor’s practice, according to a federal agent with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Federal agents arrested the now-suspended Mount Carmel doctor on Dec. 21, 2017. Kraynak, 64, was charged with 12 counts of illegal distribution or dispensing, five counts of illegal distribution or dispensing resulting in death and two counts of maintaining a drug-involved premises for his offices in Mount Carmel and Shamokin. As reported by the Daily Item, the prescription practices resulted in the death of five people, authorities said. The second day of the trial starts at 9:30 a.m. in federal court.

GUILTY PLEA FOR KILLING OF THREE WOMEN

A homeless man accused of killing two women from our region has pleaded guilty. The Daily Item reports 43-year-old Harold Haulman III, was sentenced to life in prison without parole as a result. He’s responsible for the killing of 25-year-old Tianna Phillips of McClure, who went missing in 2018, and 26-year-old Erica Shultz of Bloomsburg, who went missing late last year.  Michigan investigators say Haulman also committed the 2005 murder of 21-year-old Ashley Parlier. Haulman admitted to murdering all three woman after being interviewed by former Luzerne County Detective Shawn Williams, who’s the now the school police officer for the Shikellamy School District.

PRESCRIPTION PILLS SOLD TO POLICE C.I.

A Williamsport man allegedly sold prescription pills to a confidential informant. According to Pine Creek Township Police, Charles Woodrow James of Williamsport sold various pills to the CI on three separate occasions between May 26 and June 15.James was charged with multiple felonies and released on $30,000 unsecured bail. According to a media source, he is scheduled for a preliminary hearing with Judge Frank Mills on Nov. 2.

HORSE AND BUGGY DUI

A Montgomery man was allegedly driving a horse and buggy while intoxicated on May 30 in Watsontown, according to police, who say he also tried to bribe them to avoid charges. Police reported that he observed the black horse-drawn carriage traveling southbound at 1:46 a.m. May 30 in the 10 block of Main Street without any working front lights or rear flashing red lights commonly used on those vehicles. With alcohol on his breath, Zook was unable to pass field sobriety tests. Samuel Lapp Zook, 19, was charged with multiple misdemeanors. According to northcentralpa.com, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Oct. 6 in Milton office of District Judge Michael Diehl.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP POLICE

Police are requesting assistance in finding, Patrick Shady, 25, of Lock Haven, who is wanted by Pine Creek Township Police to answer for felony narcotics charges. Shady, charged with two counts of felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count each of felony criminal use of a communications facility and intentional possession of a controlled substance. According to a media outlet, anyone with information regarding Shady’s whereabouts is being asked to call the Pine Creek Township Police.

RESISTING ARREST IN MONTOUR COUNTY

A traffic stop in Montour County revealed a driver with multiple traffic violations, who was wanted by police.  State police say they noticed a the vehicle August 28 around 10pm. During the course of the traffic stop, they discovered, 33-year-old Nelea Musselman of Orangeville, was wanted by police. Musselman refused to comply with orders and was subsequently removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. According to northcentralpa.com, charges of resisting arrest and the traffic violations have been filed.

LAWSUIT INVOLVING MASKING GOING TO COURT

AP is reporting…The Republican leader of the state Senate and a group of parents filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to overturn the Wolf administration’s new mask mandate for Pennsylvania schools.  The suit, filed in Commonwealth Court, asserts that Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam failed to comply with state law when she ordered masks to be worn in all Pennsylvania public and private schools, as well as child care facilities. The masking order isn’t valid because it didn’t go through the state’s regulatory review process, the lawsuit said. It also accused the Wolf administration of trying to circumvent newly approved constitutional amendments limiting a governor’s emergency powers.

PA DEPT OF HEALTH RELEASED UPDATED COVID-19 DASHBOARD

The Pennsylvania Department of Health Saturday confirmed that Clinton County saw seven new cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours; Centre County went up 69; and Lycoming County increased by 59, 47 new cases in Northumberland County, 13 in Snyder, 21 in Union and 10 cases in Montour over the past 24 hours, according to a media source.

WILLIAMSPORT MUNICIPAL WATER AND SANITARY AUTHORITY LOOKING TO SELL WATER

With excess water in reservoirs and watersheds, the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority  is looking to sell it to industries who are in the area or are looking to relocate to the city or service area in Lycoming County. According to Michael Miller, authority executive director, there is 12.5 million gallons of “very good water” available from two reservoirs and well fields located in a 10,000-acre watershed in the nearby Mosquito Valley, as reported by SUN Gazette.  Mayor Derek Slaughter said such overabundance of the natural resource is a prime reason industries need to consider the city to be their home.

CHARGES DROPPED IN ALLEGED RAPE CASE

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania withdrew a case against a Trout Run man whom it once alleged raped a woman in her Jersey Shore home. He spent the last 14 months in SCI Muncy. As reported by SUN Gazette, now, all criminal charges have been dropped against Tanner Long, 29, by the Commonwealth’s prosecuting lawyer, Martin Wade, as he signaled the state would abandon its case.

VACCINATION CLINIC AT THE MONTGOMERY AREA HIGH SCHOOL 

The announcement came at a recent school board meeting, community members and students will be able to participate in an evening vaccination clinic at the Montgomery Area High School. “Under our health and safety plan, we have committed to providing opportunities for our community and our students to receive vaccinations at the school to make it easier for our community,” said Daphne Bowers, superintendent. Vaccines would be offered to members of the community 12 years of age and older. The Pfizer vaccine is available to ages 12 and up and the Moderna for anyone 18 and older. Students under the age of 18 would need to be accompanied by a parent in order to receive the vaccination. The clinic will be held Sept. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the high school.  According to SUN Gazette, the next meeting of the board will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the board room, 120 Penn St.

TEN COUNTS OF INDECENT ASSAULT  IN CLINTON COUNTY COURT

A Loganton man pled guilty to ten counts of indecent assault that included at least four felonies in Clinton County Court of Common Pleas this week. Gideon Miller, 31, admitted to having engaged in sexual contact with a female child under the age of 13 on at least ten occasions.  “Miller will be a lifetime registrant pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law,” Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse said through a press release. According to therecordonline.com, Miller was released on March 4 after he posted $50,000 monetary bail. Miller’s bail and conditions of release were protested by Plain community.

CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGES FOR LEWISBURG COUPLE

A Lewisburg couple faces child endangerment charges after two young children ages 6 and 3 were found wandering unattended along North Derr Drive, also known as Route 15. Nancy L. Schramm, 31, and David M. Leon, 26, were charged with misdemeanors of endangering the welfare of children for the incident that occurred the evening of Aug. 3. Buffalo Valley Regional Police arrived at the scene and noted the 3-year-old child was barefoot, wearing only a t-shirt and diaper. As reported by a media outlet, a caseworker from Union County Children and Youth also was called to the scene. Schramm and Leon will have a preliminary hearing on Sept. 23 at the office of District Judge Jeffrey A. Rowe in Lewisburg.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Wednesday Clinton County saw nine new cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, Centre County went up 47, Lycoming County increased by 26, Northumberland County another 47 cases, 16 new cases in Union County, a dozen in Snyder and five NEW CASES OF COVID-19 in Montour, according to a media source.

MASK REQUIREMENTS IN MONTOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

Visitors to Montour County government buildings will be required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, beginning Sept. 7.County Chief Clerk Holly Brandon said the protocol will be in effect for the courthouse, administration center, prison and the emergency management agency building. According to a media outlet, visitors who do not have a mask will be provided one. Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status. County employees will also be required to wear masks when meeting with the public.

FEDERAL BOOST TO UNEMPLOYMENT ENDING SOON

A federal boost in unemployment benefits ends this weekend, state officials warned. The end to the federal unemployment benefits — including $300 in additional unemployment benefits a week, plus the end of a program created to help self-employed  workers — comes just  after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Biden administration move that would have kept an eviction moratorium in place. “These programs have literally been a lifesaver to Pennsylvanians. They’ve helped Pennsylvanians buy food, pay bills, get medicine and pay for housing,” said Secretary of Labor and Industry Jennifer Berrier. According to SUN Gazette, only 9,335 people filed initial unemployment claims last week, down from 38,591 a month ago.