ARREST AND CONVICTION IN GAMBLE TOWNSHIP

After he spit on and threatened a Pennsylvania State Trooper in Gamble Township last April, when he was running nude on Lake Road, a Williamsport man  was sentenced in Lycoming County Court. Dillon Calvin, 28, sentenced on April 7 by Lycoming County Common Pleas Judge Marc Lovecchio to 90 days to 18 months in county jail to include 78 days of credit for inpatient time served at White Deer Run. Calvin must  also provide a DNA sample and serve 45 days of electronic monitoring, perform 50 hours of community service and undergo a mental health assessment.

HIT AND RUN CHARGES

A Milton man rolled his vehicle on Front and John Streets in Sunbury and then fled the scene. Karl Parker, 46,  faces misdemeanor charges and was taken into custody on Sunday after striking another vehicle, shoving it 20 feet in a yard, as his vehicle rolled onto it’s side. Police searched the area and found him near the high school. According to the Daily Item, Parker is now incarcerated at SCI-Coal Township, waiting for a bail revocation hearing and set to appear in front of Sunbury District Judge Mike Toomey on the misdemeanor charges.

MILTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX INCREASE

If the final budget in the Milton Area School District is approved next month, taxpayers may end up paying approximately 2 percent more in real estate taxes in the 2021-2022 school year. According to a new source, it was a 7-2 vote, to approve the proposed final general fund budget of $37,038,654 and a 1.54 millage increase for Northumberland County taxpayers and .1 millage increase for taxpayers in Union County, at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. The proposed final general fund budget is scheduled for enactment at the next public meeting on May18  at 6pm..

WARRANT ARREST IN SELINSGROVE

In downtown Selinsgrove last Friday Pennsylvania State Troopers and U.S. Marshals apprehended a Schuylkill County man with an active warrant. According to a media outlet, 36-year-old Aaron Gray of Ashland was taken into custody Friday and arraigned at Magistrate John Reed’s office Monday morning on felony drug and gun charges. Court papers say Gray was wanted for failure to appear for a gun offense.

EVACUATION IN FLEMINGTON

About 90 minutes after an evacuation order was issued for Flemington residents in the vicinity of Frederick and Huston Streets, adjacent to Clinton County’s Emergency Services Building, an all-clear was issued.  According to therecordonline.com, the initial report was a contractor ruptured a natural gas line at the intersection of Frederick and Huston Streets. Nearby residents were told to evacuate to the Goodwill Hose Company fire hall on High Street in Flemington. In addition, the evacuation caused the closing of the Lock Haven District Justice office in the Emergency Services Building; that office will reopen this morning at 8 a..m.

SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTION

A Lock Haven man, charged with a July 2020 sexual assault of a 14-year-old female, was sentenced on Monday. Justin Michael Litz, 32, of S. Highland Street, Lock Haven, will spend 23 and 1/2 years in a state correctional institution. Litz is eligible for parole on state supervision after he serves the initial 75 months of his sentence. Clinton County Judge Michael Salisbury imposed the sentence and as a result of his convictions, Litz is also classified as a Tier III Megan’s Law Offender, and required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

STIMULUS HELP FOR WILLIAMSPORT

The American Rescue Plan is part of the $1.9 trillion stimulus signed by President Joe Biden for COVID-19 recovery. According to Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, the city can expect to receive upwards of $25.8 million in stimulus funds that could arrive as early as May. Councilwoman Bonnie Katz noted the help could not arrived at a more beneficial time for the city. According to the SUN Gazette, the city suffered through taxes, layoffs and closures with the second quarter of 2020 showing the greatest impact. Council’s finance committee can get a glimpse of the first-quarter financials during its meeting on Tuesday at 1pm.

LAWSUIT BY LYCOMING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 

It was a claim of a failure to properly carry out duties, put forth by the Lycoming County Commissioners, as their filed a lawsuit against  Controller Krista Rodgers in Lycoming County Court yesterday.  According to an online media source, in a long standing feud, Commissioners Tuesday voiced their reasoning for the transfer of four personnel from the office of the County Controller to the budget and finance department. Citing financial errors, resulting in losses in the thousands of dollars, Commissioner Scott Metzger noted in the end, it is the commissioners are responsible for Lycoming County finances and it needed fixed.

ACCIDENT CAUSED FUEL SPILL 

Traffic met a two hour standstill yesterday, when during the late afternoon rush hour, upwards of 150 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the eastbound lanes of Interstate 180 in Loyalsock Township.  The fuel, according to SUN Gazette, flowed from a rig after it was involved in a crash with a car near the Faxon Interchange on-ramp. The truck’s diesel tank was ruptured, but it continued driving almost a quarter mile, as fuel spilled onto 180. The scene was cleaned up by a hazardous materials team and the driver of the car was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

LAB RESULTS CAUSING HOLD UP

Lab results are holding a case from moving forward in Northumberland County Court. According to the Daily Item, Assistant District Attorney Robyn Zenzinger advised Judge Hugh Jones the results could take several months to return. Denarii Springs, 22, Northumberland, is accused of firing a gun at a home near North Seventh Street in Sunbury, June 16. He continues to remain a county inmate in lieu of $500,000 bail facing attempted homicide.

SHOTS FIRED IN WILLIAMSPORT

Officers and agents from the Williamsport Bureau of Police responded to Flanigan Park for a report of shots fired. While on the scene, Officers were able to locate evidence of a shooting and canvassed the area for witnesses. A short time later, Williamsport PD received a call from UPMC Police, advising that a young adult male arrived in the UPMC emergency room with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his leg. The victim was treated and later released. This incident does NOT appear to be random. Any information can be directed to the follow up investigation, in this case, which  is currently being conducted by the Williamsport Bureau of Police Criminal Investigation Unit.

Sports:

High School Softball

Central Mountain shut out Midd-West 10-0

Williamsport topped St. Mary’s  8-7

Montoursville over Warrior Run  8-1

Athens over North Penn Liberty  5-3

Loyalsock topped Lewisburg       19-14

Shikellamy defeated Jersey Shore 14-3

High School Baseball

Loyalsock shut out Mount Carmel 10-0

St John Neuman defeated Millville 11-1

Muncy shut out CMVT                   5-0

Sayre defeated Cowanesque Valley  16-1

Hughesville over Bloomsburg        3-2

South Williamsport over Danville  2-1

Montgomery topped Benton        16-6

St. Mary’s over Williamsport       4-3

Boys Track and Field

Williamsport over Shamokin       95-55

Wellsboro over Sayre          91-56

Girls Track and Field

Williamsport over Shamokin 121-29

Wellsboro over Sayre 133-13

STAND–OFF IN WILLIAMSPORT CITY

On April 16 at approximately 5:13 pm, a female reported her boyfriend assaulted her, threatened her life and that of her unborn child. She called 911 from  2500 Federal Avenue,  when her boyfriend, an agitated Shaheed Gindraw was alone home with her five-year-old son and  multiple firearms. Williamsport Police, in conjunction with Columbia/Montour SWAT and Lycoming County Hostage Negations Gindraw peacefully surrendered and  was arrested under multiple charges, arraigned before Magistrate District Justice Lepley and committed  to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.

CHARGES FOR THEFT IN PIATT TOWNSHIP

Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police reported Brian James Murray and Jennnifer Dawes were charged with the break-in of the Piatt Township Municipal Building on Route 220. According to Northcentralpa.com, Murray, 43, and Dawes, 46, face multiple felonies with thefts and damage equaling over $10,000. Murray and Dawes were committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $125,000 bail each.

CASE NUMBER THREE IN ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE CASES

It was case number three, filed Friday, alleging child abuse against Jonathan Kula of Pennsdale. However, he is free without need to post bail, as his bail remains unsecured over the three felony cases against him. According to an online news outlet, the most recent criminal case filed against Kula is by the Muncy Borough Police. Kula, charged with multiple felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor, Magistrate District Justice Kemp set Kula’s bail at $25,000 unsecured on March 19.

DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

Saturday morning, around 1:30, Northumberland County Communication, reported the Sunbury Police are looking for a suspect of  a drive-by shooting on the 500 block on Reagan Street. Reports from Daily Item, allege the suspect discharged approximately five rounds into a home from a vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sunbury City Police.

STATE FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Warrior Run School District and Northumberland County can expect state funding for safety projects according to Governor Tom Wolf. Warrior Run is receiving over $344,000 for projects to increase sight distance and improve safety at an expanding campus in the district and Northumberland County is receiving over $149,000 for the repair of Bridge 142, jointly owned by Northumberland and Columbia counties. According to an online media outlet, the two projects are part of 43 total projects in 21 counties receiving funding, totaling $45.9 million through the Multimodal Transportation Fund.

FELONY CHARGES FOR WATSONTOWN MAN

A Watsontown man faces felony charges when he allegedly drove impaired, with two young children, ages 5 & 6, in Union County. Doug Eugene Sam Guthrie, 33, pulled over March 31 on Route 15 in Gregg Township by Trooper Logan Spiece of Pennsylvania State Police at Milton. Charges were filed at the office of District Judge Jeffrey C. Mensch. Bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.

HOME INVASION IN TOWANDA

The plea hearing for a Towanda man accused of entering a home and assaulting a person inside their residence is scheduled for May 24. James Steven Kithcart, 33, of Towanda accused by state police at Towanda of causing a person to suffer broken ribs and a collapsed lung from the alleged assault. Court records, per a media outlet, report Kithcart  is  held on $5,000 monetary bail at the Bradford County Prison since Jan. 20.

CONVICTION IN 2019 CASE

A central Pennsylvania jury has convicted a woman of lying to investigators in the 2019 beating death of a 3-year-old girl in which her son faces charges. The AP reports that 51-year-old Christy Willis of Sunbury was convicted on obstruction in child abuse case amongst other charges in conjunction with the October 2019 beating death of Arabella Parker. Willis also proclaimed the innocence of her son, 20-year-old Jahrid Burgess of Port Trevorton, who is charged with homicide. Both are awaiting trial.

CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES

After a search warrant seized a desktop computer, iPad tablet and cellphone, Timothy Wayne Chrisenberry, 53, of 427 Cemetery St., is charged by the PA State Attorney General’s Office with 49 felony counts stemming from child pornography. Following his arraignment, Chrisenberry was jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail. District Judge Christian Frey ordered Chrisenberry to have no access to the internet and no unsupervised contact with minors.

Sports:

Penn State’s annual Blue-White spring practice was Saturday at Beaver Stadium with no tailgating and general fans couldn’t attend. However, Penn State limited attendance this year to first-year students and families and guests of players, coaches and staff which equaled 7, 521 screaming Penn State fans. Although a far cry from 10,000 regular fans who stream into Beaver Stadium, the turnout gave the coaches, staff and players a hope for a little bit of normalcy.

Loyalsock Little League season began on Saturday afternoon at Bruce Henry Park.

ACCUSED GUNMAN WAIVED PRELIMINARY HEARING

Accused gunman, Nakoma Ross, waived his preliminary hearing yesterday,  with District Judge William Solomon who then set the Ross’s bail at $500,000. This changed  from a previous no bail as a result of an incident on April 1, at approximately 11:15 am. From his residence in Cogan House Township, Ross fired multiple shots into a neighbor’s occupied residence and then allegedly fired at investigating troopers around 12:45pm, as reported by SUN Gazette. Ross is to face further court action on four counts of assault on law enforcement, nine counts of aggravated assault and related offenses.

NEW BUSINESS OPENING IN AREA

Verilife, a medical marijuana dispensary, is opening up its fourth location in Pennylvania. Loyalsock Township is the new home to a Verilife business at 2300 East Third Street. SUN Gazette reports there will be more than two dozen jobs created with this business. The store officially opened yesterday. To legally purchase medical marijuana, a person must be signed up with the state’s Medical Marijuana Program Registry and be certified by a Pennsylvania physician with having a serious medical condition

NAMING RIGHTS TO BOWMAN FIELD

City Council’s finance committee put forth a positive recommendation to accept a naming rights agreement for Bowman Field. The proposed contract calls for an initial six-year term, first year with no fee and the final five years $32,500 per year, according the SUN Gazette. Muncy Bank and Trust responded. Once approved by council, the bank will put signs in the same location and have potential use of the scoreboard throughout the agreement term. The goal is to keep the signage and not recreate the wheel and rebuild infrastructure, a spokeswoman for Muncy Bank and Trust said.

JOINT CHESAPEAKE BAY POLLUTION REDUCTION PLAN

Loyalsock Township Supervisors this week approved a memorandum of understanding with Williamsport Municipal Sanitary Authority for a Joint Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction plan, according to the SUN Gazette. With the stormwater management systems transferred from the city to the authority and based on the agreement between the city and the township, a memorandum was necessary.The vote was unanimous among supervisors.

JERSEY SHORE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

The Jersey Shore Area School District taking advantage of current low interest rates and is set to save $185,468, by refinancing bonds from 2012 and 2015 . In other news, the board voted on the following winter sport head coaches for the 2021-22 school year individually: David Herman, wrestling,; Scott Munro, boys’ basketball, and Darrin Bischof, girls’ basketball; Jonathan Palumbo, swimming; and Bernice Hale, cheerleading. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 26.

UPDATED COVID-19 NUMBERS FOR TODAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today provided updated COVID-19 numbers for our area. Locally, Lycoming 30; Clinton 7; Tioga 8; Sullivan 3 and Northumberland 33.

FELONY CHARGES IN DOMESTIC ALTERCATION

A Union County  hotel is where PSP allege a Williamsport man attempted to strangle a woman.  Tone A. Williams, 24, faces multiple felonies stemming from an incident after 4 a.m. on March 31, Pennsylvania State Police at Milton responded to the Holiday Inn Express in White Deer Township for a domestic disturbance. According to Northcentralpa.com the physical altercation caused injuries ad Williams was arrested and arraigned by District Judge Jeffrey C. Mensch where bail was set at $50,000 monetary, which he posted.

STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO GET VACCINATED

The Departments of Health and Education today encouraged students at Pennsylvania colleges and universities to receive their COVID-19 vaccination before the end of the Spring semester. According to Northcentralpa.com, the DOH vaccine jurisdiction includes 66 counties across Pennsylvania, and everyone over 16 is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine – regardless of occupation, health conditions, residency, or citizenship. Students do not have to be a resident of Pennsylvania to receive the vaccine here.  As of today, reports state more than 6.6 million doses have been administered to more than 4.3 million people.

SEAM TO THE LEWISBURG DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

State funding has been awarded to the Lewisburg because of the pandemic. Governor Tom Wolf announced yesterday the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership is receiving $50,000 from the state’s COVID-19 Relief-Supporting Elm and Main (SEAM) program. According to Northcentralpa.com it’s one of 43 projects receiving funding, totaling nearly $2 million.

CONSTRUCTION ON SR 11/15 SHAMOKIN DAM

Major Delays Expected on a clean-up project at the Routes 11 and 15 in Shamokin Dam intersection is expected to cause major delays today. PennDOT reported a right lane closure on Routes 11 and 15 south for a soil remediation project from a previous crash.Work will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. near the old K-Mart and now the W&L Nissan dealership.

BUSINESS CLOSING DOORS IN MCELHATTAN

First Quality Enterprises, Inc. is closing its Hygenic division at the McElhattan facility this summer. That report on yesterday was confirmed by Mike Flanagan, Clinton County Economic Partnership President. According to therecordonline.com, approximately 150 employees will be affected, although it is understood all will be offered a position elsewhere on the McElhattan campus or First Quality’s Lock Haven/Castanea operation. Employees were informed of the division shutdown yesterday morning . There is no word on what First Quality may do with the building; late summer was reported the anticipated shutdown date.

STRONG ARMED ROBBERY BOUND OVER FOR COURT

A former Lock Haven man had his case bound over for trial after his preliminary hearing on Tuesday by District Judge Keith Kibler.  Torr T. Gray, 29 accused of strong-armed robbery at a Lock Haven Laundromat, remains incarcerated at the Clinton County Correctional Facility on $75,000 bail while he awaits trial.

OUTSTANDING CRIMINAL WARRANT CLOSED WITH ARREST

The Woodward Township Police reported, with the assistance from Lock Haven Police, they they took Jolene Renee Fisher into custody and arrested her on the outstanding criminal warrant stemming from an incident on March 19, where Fisher caused a disturbance on a school bus. According to therecordonline.com, Fisher was arraigned before District Judge Keith Kibler and  incarcerated in the Clinton County Correctional Facility to await further court proceedings after she was unable to post $15,000 bail.

FELONY CHARGES FOLLOWING FATAL ACCIDENT

On August 11, 2020, Pine Creek Township Police investigated a fatal accident on Route 220 South just after entering into Wayne Township, a warrant was issued for the arrest of 19 year old Dasia Woolf of Lock Haven. She was arrested on Tuesday and charged with multiple felonies and a preliminary hearing will be scheduled.

ARMED ROBBERY WEDNESDAY

An armed robbery last evening at Jersey Mike’s Subs 7431 Westbranch Highway, Kelly Township, Union County at approximately 5:46 pm  had Kenneth Robert Gough Jr, 40, Williamsport entering the business and threatening employees before they put money in a Jersey Mike’s brown bag and he left the store and traveling  north. He was stopped by PSP and transported back to Milton, where he was  charged with multiple felonies, arraigned in front of Magistrate Jeffrey Rowe and  confined to the Union County Jail in lieu of $200,000 straight bail.

BOIL ADVISORY LIFTED

The Williamsport Municipal Water Authority has lifted the boil water advisory that was put in effect for customers located in the following area of the City of Williamsport:

West Fourth Street between Rose Street and Fifth Avenue

Grier Street between West Third Street and West Fourth Street

Fifth Avenue between West Fourth Street and Memorial Avenue

SPORTS:

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL:

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN SHUT OUT LEWISBURG 1-0, SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT TOPPED CANTON 3-1, ST JOHN NEUMANN OVER MONTGOMERY 10-6, MUNCY SHUT OUT BUCKTAIL 15-0, COWANESQUE VALLEY OVER WILLIAMSON 7-6, CENTRAL COLUMBIA OVER HUGHESVILLE 13-2, MIFFLINBURG OVER JERSEY SHORE 11-2, MONTOURSVILLE OVER ST JOSEPH’S 13-3

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL:

MONTGOMERY SHUT OU ST JOHN NEUMANN 15-0, MUNCY SHUT OUT SULLIVAN 17-0, COWANESQUE VALLEY SHUT OUT GALETON 21-0

BOYS TENNIS:

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN OVER JERSEY SHORE  4-1, JUNIATA SHUT OUT MUNCY 5-0,WELLSBORO SHUT OUT TOWANDA 5-0

S.A.F.E.

Mark Killian, chief of the Williamsport Bureau of Fire and the City Fire Department are giving away smoke detectors, free of charge as a donation of the Montoursville Lowe’s .. who donated more than 1,000 detectors,  to city residents. The program is called the  S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms for Everyone) and it began on Saturday , the objective, to install smoke alarms in every home in the city by simply knocking door-to-door. According to the SUN Gazette, residents can set up appointments to have the department come install detectors in their homes by calling. the Williamsport Bureau of Fire.

ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

A 27-year-old mother, while allegedly under the influence of methamphetamines and fentanyl as she remained the only caretaker of her young infant daughter, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. According to the SUN Gazette, Cayleigh Jean called police to her home at 1512 Light St. on the afternoon of Jan. 10 to report that “an electric device was sewn in her daughter’s cheek,” according to the police affidavit. Recently arraigned before District Judge Christian Frey, Jean was released on $10,000 bail. She waived her preliminary hearing.

VACCINATION RATES IN CLINTON COUNTY

Clinton County is ranked as one of the lowest counties in total vaccinated thus far with only 14.92% of the county residents vaccinated. In comparison, Cameron and Clearfield counties are at the top of the vaccination list with approximately 20% of the populations vaccinated.  When questioned, according to the SUN Gazette, Clinton County Commissioner Miles Kessinger commented Clinton County doesn’t have a go-to vaccine destination for the mass public, beyond UPMC’s efforts.

ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY

A 32 year old Montoursville man handed a teller a note and demanded $500,000. Although he left the M&T Bank, Montoursville driver through without money on August 15^th , he was later apprehended. Following a preliminary hearing before District Judge Gary Whiteman, Timothy Maddox was held for court on most Montoursville police charges. He remains jailed at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of bail.

LOCAL FIRES

Monday morning marked the third time in a span of eight days, that a fire has left people homeless. A mother and her two children safely escaped the fire in their home at 1605 Scott St., around 2:50 am yesterday, according to fire officials. According to Sun Gazette, there were no injuries and the American Red Cross was assisting the family. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.Also under investigation are Friday’s late-afternoon blaze at a two-unit apartment building at 645 Campbell St. with five people homeless and two porch fires that occurred a little more than two hours apart on Thursday night, the first fire 2500 W. Fourth St.  and the second at 2116 Newberry St.

PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION MODIFICATIONS FOR 2021-2022 LICENSE YEAR

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for the 2021-22 license year. Modifications adopted include a statewide, 14-day concurrent antlered and antlerless firearms season, expanded Sunday hunting opportunity,  and the moving up the start of the extended bear season to begin on the firearms deer opener and include Sunday, Nov. 28. The board voted to allocate 925,000 antlerless deer licenses statewide, which is down from the 932,000 licenses allocated for 2020-21. For more details and to see WMU map for your specific region, you can visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website.

TAP WATER BOIL ADVISORY

The tap water boil advisory remains for a portions of the city through at least Wednesday, Williamsport Municipal Water Authority officials have reported. According to the Sun Gazette, approximately 112 households are affected from West Fourth Street between Rose Street and Fifth Avenue; Grier Street between West Third Street and West Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue between West Fourth Street and Memorial Avenue. Do not drink the water without boiling it first

UPDATED COVID-19 NUMBERS 
The Pennsylvania Department of Health released updated COVID-19 results for our area Locally, Lycoming 10; Clinton 7; Tioga 4; Sullivan 0, Union 16, Snyder 4 and Northumberland 8.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SENTENCING

A 36 year old Centre County man was sentenced in Federal Court to 240 months or 20 years imprisonment for receiving and possessing child pornography. In November 2020, Michael Dashem, 36, of Port Matilda, pleaded guilty to receiving and possessing child pornography, according to acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Bandler. Dashem will be serving consecutive to a state prison sentence he is currently serving, according to a press release on therecordonline.com.

THE SOLAR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACT

State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) introduced legislation prohibiting tax dollars or tax credits from being used to purchase solar panels and related equipment that were manufactured or assembled outside of the U.S. According to northcentralpa.com, the Solar Environmental Justice Act will require that any solar panels or components purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must be manufactured and assembled in the United States.

CHILD ENDANGERMENT

State Police at Milton discovered 29-year-old Zeb Butler of Bradford County unresponsive, with a three-year-old child seat belted in a car seat,  in the parking lot Route 54 in Lewis Township. Police retrieved the child and Butler submitted to a field sobriety test, showing he was impaired. According to a media outlet,  police filed charges in district court in this case of child endangerment in Northumberland County.

SPORTS:

BOYS TENNIS:

MONTOURSVILLE SHUT OUT SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT 5-0, CENTRAL COLUMBIA OVER HUGHESVILLE 4-1, HOLIDAYSBURG OVER CENTRAL MOUNTAIN 4-1, WILLIAMSPORT SHUT OUT DANVILLE 5-0

BRUSH FIRES LEAD TO OLD LYCOMING TOWNSHIP BURNING BAN

Firefighters in Piatt Township, amongst other locations throughout Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, have been battling multiple brush fires. Dry conditions, have prompted Old Lycoming Township to issue a burning ban Campfires, burner barrels, brush piles are on hold in the township. According to the Pa DCNR website The greatest danger of wildfires in Pennsylvania occurs during the spring months of March, April, and May. and 99 percent of all wildfires are caused by people.

PP&L FUNDS TO MECHATRONICS STUDENTS

Pennsylvania Power and Light, in giving back to the community, has provided $13,000 to the mechatronics students of the Pennsylvania College of Technology for the purchase of training gear. According to northcentralpa.com, the resources were utilized to mechanical and hydraulic components as well as a flammable liquid cabinet to fulfill safety requirements.

STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS 

Pa Attorney General Shapiro’s office on Apr. 6 adopted an agreement that will cancel private student loans held by 1,300 Pennsylvania students. The agreement alleges that the student debts were the result of misrepresentations of schools’ educational quality, accreditation status, career services, and overall financial condition. Due to these allegations, collecting the debts violates Pennsylvania’s debt collection law.

US REP FRED KELLER MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS

Federal legislation, which may help UPMC Susquehanna, has been re-introduced by U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, who recently sat down with UPMC administrators to discuss health systems based in rural communities. To assist with vital Medicare issues, Keller’s Rural Help Act, attempts to bring parity to inpatient Medicare reimbursement payments.  According to northcentralpa.com, operational costs may be causing some rural hospitals to close. Sunbury has recently suffered such a loss and it is something that is felt close to home, and as Keller noted,  he was returning to his team to draft legislation to continue the fight.

BRUSH FIRES LEAD TO OLD LYCOMING TOWNSHIP BURNING BAN

At least three separate fires kept volunteer firefighters and state forestry crews busy throughout yesterday afternoon along the mountain range of Cement Hollow Rd in Piatt Township. Around 2pm, two small brush fires began a series of events, which eventually made its way up and over the mountain. In a related matter, due to the dry and windy conditions, Old Lycoming Township issued a burning ban late yesterday afternoon and will remain in effect until further notice.

MUNCY BOROUGH COUNCIL LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME

The Muncy Borough Council is looking for  a new borough hall to seat its operations. Their current location, a historic building, sits inside a floodplain and is not accessible to disabled residents. According to the SUN Gazette, the borough is open relocation through construction, expansion or renovation.  At present, an option could be the Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Company, which is available.  The price tag is the issue. The Muncy Borough Council will next meet May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Muncy Volunteer Fire Co. fire hall.

LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT SUMMER PLANS AND MEETING SCHEDULED

Students in the Loyalsock Township School District have been given the opportunity to continue their education for approx five weeks this summer for remediation summer school. In addition, the summer vacation months, the board approved the 2021 summer school breakfast and lunch program. The next meeting of the board,  6 p.m., April 21, in the auditorium to discuss the proposed changes to transportation and school start times in the fall. Around 130 people are permitted to attend in person. The meeting will also be held virtually.

PROBATION ON MOLESTATION ALLEGATIONS

A Mifflinburg man received a sentence of 60 months probation stemming from his April 2020 arrest on molestation allegations. Union County President Judge Michael Hudock ordered Brian K. Gemberling, 57, to maintain lifetime registration with the state’s Megan’s Law list.

FATAL STABBING

Rockview state police report a Spring Mills man died in an overnight stabbing incident in Haines Township, Centre County. According to therecord-online.com, the victim was identified as Robert William Farwell, 26. PSP responded at 4:30 a.m. yesterday to the 200 block of Mountain Avenue for an assist to an EMS call. Farwell had sustained a stab wound and EMS treated and transported Farwell to the Mount Nittany Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The police release said, “This investigation is a homicide in relation to a domestic incident. There is no immediate threat to the public.”

GLENN O HAWBAKER ALLEGATIONS

Attorney General Josh Shapiro reported Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., of State College, was charged with four counts of theft relating to violations of the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act and the federal Davis-Bacon Act. According to northcentralpa.com. Hawbaker, one of the largest contractors to complete projects on behalf of the Commonwealth, received an estimated $1.7 billion in funding as of 2021. AG Shapiro reported, “This is the largest prevailing wage criminal case on record — under Pennsylvania prevailing wage law and across the United States under federal law.” Hawbaker is accused of stealing its workers retirement, health and welfare money adding up to tens of thousands of dollars.

MULTIPLE MISDEMEANORS  INVOLVING CHILDREN

A man in Union County was charged with misdemeanors for allegedly touching himself in front of two minor children. PSP Milton filed charges against  Steven A. Mowery Jr., 31, of West Buffalo Township, The incidents involved two children, with one as young as 11 years old. Mowery was charged with multiple misdemeanors. A preliminary hearing is set for May 18 with District Judge Jeffrey C. Mensch.

COVID-19 NUMBERS REPORTED FOR APRIL 8

The Pennsylvania Dept of Health released updated COVID-19 numbers and locally, Lycoming 41, Montour 3, Northumberland 29, Clinton 11, Union 18, Snyder 5 and Centre County has 56 new COVID-19 cases reported.