BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 19, 2020
WILLIAMSPORT WOMAN DIES FROM GUNSHOT
The second shooting in ten days in the city has turned into the second homicide in Williamsport in the same two week period. The woman who was shot inside her home last Thursday night died while in surgery shortly after arriving at UPMC WIlliamsport. According to the Sun Gazette, the Lycoming County Coroner reported that 31 year old Jimia Alston passed just before 8pm while doctors were attempting to save her life after the shooting that occurred after 6:30 on Louisa Street. Alston had five children who were inside the home at the time of the shooting, but none were injured. Police have not released any details about the crime and don’t believe the homicide that occurred on Campbell street last week is related to this incident.
ACCIDENT INVOLVING TRUCK CARRYING BEES CLOSED INTERSTATE
An Accident along I-81 Friday night in Luzerne County involving a truck carrying nearly a million honeybees crashed and shut down the interstate for at least 5 hours. According to WNEP, the driver of the truck carrying the bees lost control of the truck around mile marker 149 on 81 around 5:30pm which spilled the bees which were rounded up by beekeepers who were called to the scene by Emergency crews from Valley Regional Fire and Rescue. They attempted to save as many as they could and continue to transport them to their destination. One firefighter was stung on the lip, but no other injuries were reported
LYCOMING COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE
Lycoming County has 8 new positive cases of COVID-19 at their last check from Saturday for a total of 866 cases since the pandemic began. As of October 9th the state reported that the weekly test positivity rate in Lycoming County was 4.1% and the weekly rate of new cases was 65.1 new cases per 100,000 people. The State Department of Health indicated Saturday that there were 1,857 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 180,943.
LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE
Today is the last day for Pennsylvanians to register to vote in the general election at close of business today. At votespa.com you can check your registration, apply for online voter registration or update voter information, such as change of name, address, or party affiliation. If you are a registered voter and want to vote by mail, the deadline to apply is October 27th at 5pm.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER HIGH SPEED CHASE
A man who allegedly claimed to be a corrections officer at the Lycoming County Prison, is facing felony charges after leading police on a high speed chase. Last week, Muncy police officer Raymond Kontz III was in Brady Township around 11 pm and witnessed Devin Baily speeding on a motorcycle going 75 in a 45n and eventually reached top speeds of 95 mph while attempting to elude police. Police cut Bailey off and detained him when they found him without the proper license. He was jailed under 50,000 dollars unsecured bail.
MAN ARRESTED FOR FELONY THEFT
Man with several active cases against him in Lycoming County has been arrested for felony burglary and theft by unlawful taking. Police say Samuel Joseph Agor broke into Acme BBQ and stole food on Sept. 26 and also into The Tiny Bakery Shop, 443 Market St., on Sept. 28 where he was found unconscious with drugs and paraphernalia as well as with food and items from the Acme BBQ. Agor, who was questioned in connection to a break-in in Old Lycoming on Sept. 23, is being held at the Lycoming County Prison on $100,000 monetary bail.
WOLF VETOED RESTAURANT BILL
Governor Wolf vetoed Bill 2513 last week which was legislation that could have allowed restaurant owners to open back up at 100% capacity. According to the Wolf administration, the decision to veto was made on the grounds of keeping the public safe and promoting mitigation efforts. He also sited that the bill contained “constitutional infirmities” stating in his veto message that it attempts to take away his executive authority during the existing COVID-19 disaster emergency.
EMERGENCY FIRE DRILL AT AIRPORT
A drill by the Federal Aviation Administration was conducted over the weekend at Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville. According to the Sun Gazette, five fire companies from the area participated with paramedics and EMTs from Williamsport UPMC in the simulation that is required by federal authorities every 3 years. Airport fire officials directed a pair of mock collisions in which 15 victims were injured. Fake smoke was used during the drill inside the planes provided by Penn College of Technology.
SPORTS
MLB
The Dodgers came back and beat the Braves 4-3 yesterday in the National League championship series – LA Advances to Game one of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays coming up this Tuesday.
NFL
Steelers beat the Browns 38-7, Giants over Washington 20-19, the Ravens beat the Eagles 30-28, Bears over the Panthers 23-16, the Buccaneers beat the Packers 38-10, 49ers over the Rams 24-16, Dolphins blanked the Jets 24-nothing, Lions over the Jaguars 34-16, and the Broncos beat the Patriots 18-12, Falcons over the Vikings 40-23, Colts beat the Bengals 31-27, and Titans over the Texans 42-36 in OT
Monday night football Chiefs and the bills, at 5 PM and the Cardinals play the Cowboys at 8:15
NASCAR
Joey Logano got his first win since COVID in Kansas yesterday holding off Kevin Harvick in the last laps, followed by Alex Bowman, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch finished fifth. Logano now advances to the Championship 4 in Phoenix, November 8th
WBZD Classic Hits
Classic Hits 93.3 WBZD… the Greatest Hits of the 70’s and 80’s!
WBZD
The Greatest Hits of the 70’s, 80’s!
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 18, 2020
Governor Wolf Veto’s Restaurant Bill
Bill 2513 was making its way through the legislation, with the hopes of allowing restaurant owners to open back up at 100% capacity, before governor wolf promptly vetoed it. His decision to veto was made on the grounds of keeping the public safe and promoting mitigation efforts. He also sited that the bill contained “constitutional infirmities” stating in his veto message that it attempts to take away executive authority during the existing covid-19 disaster emergency. Click here for Governor Wolf’s veto message.
Hasting Street Fire
The Williamsport fire department along with many others responded to a house fire at 520 hasting street around 5 o’clock Monday evening. Traffic was rerouted around the scene, as Nesbit, DuBoistown, Loyalsock and Montoursville fire Departments arrived. While it was a relatively quick job lasting only 30 minutes before being extinguished, one firefighter was transported to UPMC for evaluation. At this time his condition is unknown. The property owner is also currently unknown.
Domestic Violence Charges Filed
Stonington State Police did a welfare check on the 800 block of Adams Road. The Lower Mahanoy Township resident, sent a text message to a witness saying they were hiding under the bed, prompting the police to come knocking. When officers arrived, the victim alleged Tracy Adams and her had gotten into an argument, ending in him slapping her and holding a knife to her throat. Adams was arrested and charged with first degree felony aggravated assault, second degree felony aggravated assault, two counts of third degree felony terroristic threats, and third degree felony endangering the welfare of children. Adams is currently being held on $75,000 monetary bail.
Corrections Officer Flees Police
A man claiming to be a corrections officer at the Lycoming county prison, is facing a felony evading charge after leading police on a high speed chase. Last week, Muncy police officer Raymond Kontz III was patrolling for speeders in Brady township around 11 pm when he saw Devin Baily going 75 in a 45. When the lights went on, Baily showed no signs of stopping, reaching top speeds of 95 mph. eventually, the officer cut Baily off, successfully slowing him down, and detaining the suspect. Upon further investigation baily was found to not have a motorcycle license and was jailed with a 50,000 dollar unsecured bail.
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 17, 2020
Similar COVID-19 Guidelines In Place
Susquehanna University announced to media outlets that it will be following similar guidelines for covid for the start of the fall semester. As for the srping semester, it will be delayed by a week, with classes beginning on January 25th 2021. They will also be providing a variety of ways to attend class including in person hybrid and online. There is no midterm break with instruction ending Friday, April 30 and final exams May 3-6. Spring Commencement is currently scheduled for Saturday, May 15, pending federal and state health guidelines.
Judge McCoy to Revive Youth Program
A Lycoming County Youth program that was originally created to give youth criminal offenders the opportunity to be connected with positive role models in our community is set to begin again. According to North Central PA dot com, Youth Commissions were created throughout Lycoming County in the 1980s and the newly revived Commissions will be called “The Honorable Thomas C. Raup Memorial Youth Commission”. Judge Joy Reynolds McCoy, who currently presides over the Juvenile Court System in Lycoming County, will revive the program comprised of volunteer community members and mentors in November with Mayor Derek Slaughter serving as chairperson.
2 Charged For Slew of Burglaries
2 individuals are facing charges as a result of several crimes they are alleged to have committed. 31 year old Jordan Hess faces 6 counts of felony burglary, while 29 year old Taylor Enders faces a criminal trespassing charge. Both are alleged to have a hand in the burglary of a family physicians office and a nearby garage, along with an ice-cream shop in Jackson Township with another un named close by location. Over 3000 dollars in damage and theft was accounted for. Hess has failed to post his 100,000 dollar bail at this time while Enders is out, on a 10,000 dollar unsecured bail.
Voting Registration Due Date
With one of the most important elections in quite a while looming just weeks away and the deadline to register to vote coming up Monday, Lycoming County residents are being encouraged to make sure they are all set registered and ready for November 3rd. The Lycoming County Director of Voter Services, Forest Lehman, said there is an uptick in applications for mail in ballots for which the deadline to apply is October 27th, but those ballots can be mailed or hand delivered by 8pm on Election Day. Lehman says the ballots which started going out in early October, can take up to 7 days to get to their destination.
$300,000 Grant to Lycoming College
Lycoming college has been awarded a 300,000 dollar grant by the department of justice for the second time. The 300,000 dollars dispersed over 3 years is allocated to help continue the expansion of a program designed to prevent sexual assault and stalking on campus. According to the sun gazette the project coordinator of the college, says that this program was started in 2017, and that the grant will be a big help in continuing the work started. There are several things from classes to student outreach being funded by the grant, all in an effort to promote a culture that doesn’t tolerate sexual violence, regardless of gender, on campus.
Sports
High School Football
Week 6 Final Scores, Friday 10/16
Jersey Shore 16, Shikellamy 0
Towanda 45, Columbia Montour Vo Tech 8
Mifflinburg 49, Warrior Run 14
Danville 46, Bloomsburg 0
Selinsgrove 9, Central Mountain 7
Southern Columbia 42, Lewisburg 7
Midd-West 31, Hughesville 20
Montgomery 43, Wyalusing 19
Troy 41, Wellsboro 0
Pittston at Williamsport, cancelled
Sayre at North Penn-Mansfield, postponed
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 16, 2020
SECOND SHOOTING IN CITY IN LESS THAN TEN DAYS
A Williamsport woman was hospitalized after being shot last night while inside a home on the 500 block of Louisa Street . According to the Sun Gazette, Williamsport police report the shooting took place just after 6:30 last night and she was transported to UPMC Williamsport. Five young children, who were not injured, were seen being brought out of the house after the incident. Police say they had sought a search warrant for the home involved in the second shooting in the city in 10 days and are following leads in the case.
MUNCY DECIDES ON COVID-19 PROTOCOL IN CASE OF INFECTION
The Muncy School District met this week to discuss the matter of following a health and safety plan if a potential COVID-19 outbreak at their schools occurred and how that was defined. According to the Sun Gazette, the Muncy School board decided that if three students became infected at the school within a 14 day period, then the school buildings affected would close and distance learning would take place for 5 to 7 days – not the entire district. The board meets again this Monday to approve the new plan.
SECOND LADY NOT SEEKING TO FILE CHARGES
After authorities determined that the woman who verbally attacked the Second Lady of Pennsylvania, Giselle Fetterman, at grocery store last weekend was in violation of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, no charges will be filed. According to the Pennsylvania State Police the Fettermans want to avoid prosecuting the woman and instead wish her to take an opportunity to engage in what they said were appropriate social services and resources.
RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN TIME
With one of the most important elections in quite a while looming just weeks away and the deadline to register to vote coming up Monday, Lycoming County residents are being encouraged to make sure they are all set registered and ready for November 3rd. The Lycoming County Director of Voter Services, Forest Lehman, said there is an uptick in applications for mail in ballots for which the deadline to apply is October 27th, but those ballots can be mailed or hand delivered by 8pm on Election Day. Lehman says the ballots which started going out in early October, can take up to 7 days to get to their destination.
COVID-19 CLINIC IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
With Northumberland County at the top of the list of percent-positivity rate for the coronavirus, the PA Department of Health has begun an outdoor testing clinic in Elysburg. According to Dr Rachel Levine, today through next Tuesday there will see up to 440 patients each day in the lower parking lot at POLAR TECH, along Route 487 from 7am til 6pm. The clinic is on a first come first served basis and will be free.
STATE UNIVERSITIES MOVING AHEAD WITH INTEGRATION
The governing body of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-run schools this week approved the continuation of planning for integration of six of the state’s universities. According to a press release by the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, Bloomsburg-Lock Haven-Mansfield and California-Clarion-Edinboro will integrate and each of the groupings of the three schools would operate under a single annual budget – but not share a campus. A more expanded plan is expected to be decided by the board of Governors in April of 2021, and then be presented to the public for comment as required by Act 50 of 2020.. The combined universities are expected to operate and accept students in August of 2022.
YOUTH PROGRAMS TO BE REVIVED
A Lycoming County Youth program that was originally created to give youth criminal offenders the opportunity to be connected with positive role models in our community is set to begin again. According to North Central PA dot com, Youth Commissions were created throughout Lycoming County in the 1980s and the newly revived Commissions will be called “The Honorable Thomas C. Raup Memorial Youth Commission”. Judge Joy Reynolds McCoy, who currently
presides over the Juvenile Court System in Lycoming County, will revive the program comprised of volunteer community members and mentors in November with Mayor Derek Slaughter serving as chairperson.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION DELAYED
The Duboistown road construction project slated to begin this week along Euclid Avenue has been moved to next week. According to PennDOT, the lane closures along Euclid Avenue at the intersection with Arlington Street will begin Monday and go until Thursday October 22nd. The bottom of Arlington Road to be closed and flaggers will be in the work zone from 7am until 4:30 pm weather permitting.
SPORTS
MLB
In the National League championship series Game 4 – the Braves beat the Dodgers 10 to 2 and chalked up six runs in a decisive sixth inning and are now one win away from their first World Series since 1999. In the American League championship series Game 5, the Astros beat the Rays 4-3, Tampa Bay leads the series 3-2
HS Girls Soccer
Williamsport blanked Hughesville 1- nothing, Montoursville over Southern 4-2
HS Boys Soccer
Sullivan beat Millville 2-1 in double OT, Danville over Milton 1- nothing, Wellsboro beat Northeast Bradford 8-nothing, South over Benton 2-1, North Penn Liberty over Williamson 3-2,
Field Hockey
Lewisburg defeated Midwest 3-nothing
HS Girls Tennis
In the District 4 tournament in the Semis yesterday Central Columbia beat South 3-1 and Loyalsock over Montgomery 3-nothing. In the finals Central Columbia defeated Loyalsock 3-1
The Backyard Broadcasting High School Football Game of the Week will be tomorrow – The Battle for the Bridge between Montoursville and Loyalsock Saturday at 7 PM on our sister station the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network – other 7pm Saturday games; Athens at South Williamsport, Muncy in Canton and Shamokin plays Milton at 9 AM tomorrow morning.
My Three Songs
DON’T MISS KELLY E’S “MY 3 SONGS” WEEKDAYS AT AROUND 11:20… BE A WINNER AND YOU’LL WIN A WBZD FUN PACK THAT INCLUDES A 6 PACK OF PEPSI PRODUCT AND A BAG OF UTZ BRAND QUALITY SNACKS… PLUS YOU’LL BE ENTERED TO WIN A $25 GIFT CARD TO THE WATSON INN. KELLY GIVES AWAY THE $25 GIFT CARD FRIDAY’S AT 11:50.
THE WATSON INN, 100 MAIN STREET IN WATSONTOWN. STOP IN FOR DINNER MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY STARTING AT 4 OR LUNCH ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS STARTING AT 11.
Wake and Win!
Each weekday morning just after 6am, Jake gives you the chance to be the first winner in the Susquehanna Valley with “Wake and Win!” Jake will ask a multiple choice trivia question, be the first caller to answer correctly and you’ll win a “Morning Show Fun Pack” with Pepsi Product, Utz Brand Snacks and a $10 gift certificate to Tony’s Deli & Fresh Meats, 508 Washington Blvd. in Williamsport.
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2020
DR LEVINE: COVID SPIKE IS ON THE WAY, BUT THE STATE IS IN GOOD SHAPE
There is a resurgence of COVID-19 beginning in Pennsylvania for the fall season, but Dr. Rachel Levine said in a news conference yesterday that the state healthcare system is in good shape, and there are no plans to bring back business closures or stay-at-home orders at this time. With coronavirus case counts over 1000 for nine straight days Dr. Levine says there’s no way to know when a peak might be reached compared to how the virus peaked last spring. According to the Department, more testing on the way to the commonwealth, with 150 million antigen rapid tests on the way from the federal government.
FOUR COUNTIES TO GET HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS
High Speed internet service is coming to upwards of 1500 households and businesses in areas of in Lycoming, Clinton, Northumberland and Union Counties after a $2.5 million grant was recently awarded to SEDA-COG. According to the Sun Gazette, internet access will be expanded into underserved areas of the four counties including a seven mile area of Moreland Township in Lycoming County – part of the East Lycoming School District and in Northumberland County; comprising of the Route 147 area south of Sunbury to Fishers Ferry which is Upper and Lower Augusta and Rockefeller townships. The Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant funds will supplement $4 million in SEDA-COG’s revolving loan funds with an internet service provider matching $1.5 million of private investments.
OLD LYCO TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS AGAINST RETAIL CENTER
There is pushback from the residents in Old Lycoming Township over the plan for a Dewey Avenue retail center that could take up the block from Linwood to Roosevelt Avenues. According to the Sun Gazette, Tuesday night’s township meeting had close to 20 residents attend who made points against the proposed construction that could increase traffic and lower property value in the mainly residential area. Hutchinson Development sought out residents’ opinions on the proposed 10,000 square foot center which could host smaller businesses, before it is brought to the supervisors. The next Old Lycoming Township meeting will be November 10th.
POLICE CORRALLED A LOOSE CHICKEN IN WILLIAMSPORT
Williamsport Police chased a loose chicken yesterday along the 700 block of Arch Street. According to North Central PA dot com, there’s no word on how the chicken arrived in the Arch street neighborhood but it took several police officers about 30 minutes to round up the tan hen who didn’t have much to say while it eluded her potential captors. Police took the chicken to the SPCA to be cared for and they are asking the public to contact them about its owner.
FORMER CORRECTIONS OFFICER CONVICTED OF RAPE AND KIDNAPPING
A former corrections SCI Coal Township officer accused of a series of rapes and kidnappings around Northumberland County was found guilty on all 43 counts he faced from the incidents occurring between November 2012 and April 2017. According to media outlets . 46-year-old John Kurtz was found guilty by jury for the kidnapping and rape of two women and attempted kidnapping of a third. State police said Kurtz broke into homes to kidnap the women before the assault the jury heard testimony from more than 30 witnesses over five days before delivering the guilty verdict in about an hour.
A three year grant from the US Department of Justice has been awarded a second time to Lycoming College to expand programs designed to combat sexual assault and stalking on campus. According to the school’s project coordinator, the Violence Against Women Campus Grant Program funds the Coordinated Community Response team to provide central communication about victim services and prevention education. First awarded in 2017, programs that bring awareness to sexual assault on campus have developed thanks to the $300 thousand dollars provided, including a three-module program that helps students recognize harmful behaviors.
There are 9 new cases of the coronavirus in Lycoming County as of midnight last night, 6 new cases were reported in Northumberland County and 13 reported in Bradford County. The department has listed 1,276 additional positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 175,922 in the commonwealth . 27 new deaths were reported yesterday for a total of 8,411 fatalities.
A junior at Loyalsock High School has been chosen as a national delegate representing Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA at this month’s virtual National Girl Scout Convention originally to be held in Orlando Florida. According to the Sun Gazette, Girl Scout Ambassador Katy Schon, of Troop 61371will be the national representative. Schon was also recognized this year as a top seller of over 4,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
SPORTS
MLB
The Dodgers routed the Braves 15 -3 making history in an 11-run first inning in the National League Championship Series Game 3 – Atlanta leads 2-1. In the American League Championship Game 4, Astros beat the Rays 4-3 with Tampa Bay leading 3-1
HS Girls Tennis
Central Columbia over Montoursville 3-1
South Williamsport defeated Bucktail 3-1 in the Quarterfinals of the District 4 tournament yesterday – The District 4 Semis and the Finals continue at 1 PM today,
HS Girls Soccer
South Williamsport over Muncy 5-2, Sullivan County defeated Montgomery 2-1