BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 20, 2020

LYCOMING COUNTY COVID UPDATE
Lycoming County has 15 new cases of COVID-19 with 8 hospitalized patients, for a county wide total of 888. Northumberland County has reported two new deaths and 19 new positive tests – three of those in long-term care facilities. The countywide total of 1,346. Montour County has five new cases at 276 overall and seen seven deaths. Union County reports 10 new cases – at 646 overall and Tioga County reports 10 new cases for a total of 150. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health Statewide a two day total from Sunday and Monday reports a two day total of 2,372 cases and 34 fatalities from the same two-day period.

NEW CONTRACT FOR CITY FIREFIGHTERS
In an effort to reduce legacy costs in Williamsport City Firefighter pensions and post-retirement benefits fairly, a new contract was recently negotiated that will still ensure that those who work now for the city are also taken care of with a pay increase for four out of the next five years. According to the Sun Gazette, the department has been without a contract for the last 10 months, Fire Chief Mike Killian said the contract was a team effort that was brought together with help from Mayor Derek Slaughter, city finance administrators, and union representatives.

MAN FACES ARSON CHARGES AFTER BURNING CAMPAIGN FLAG
A 60 year old man who burned a Trump flag while delivering newspapers last summer was identified through a video on the Shamokin Crime watch Facebook page. According to North Central PA dot com, Harrison Bennett, of South Rock Street is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 10^th . Police say he is facing a felony count of arson for allegedly using a cigarette lighter to burn a flag attached to a home on South Shamokin Street just after 3am on August 27th while he was helping on the newspaper route. Bennett was also charged with a count of summary criminal mischief and risking catastrophe.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO MOVE TEMPORARILY
As renovations at the courthouse get underway, the administrative offices of the Lycoming County Sheriff will be moved this week temporarily to 33 W. Third St.. According to the Sun Gazette, the relocation will close the offices for routine services like license to carry firearms processing Thursday and Friday of this week but deputy sheriff services will still be in operation. and then they will reopen at the temporary location Monday at 8:30 am. The work at the courthouse may take until the spring.

PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES ON COVID WATCH
Two counties in our area are among the 21 counties being watched for spiking coronavirus numbers and rising positivity percentages. According to the PA Department of Health Montour and Union County are two of eleven counties that are now in the substantial level of community transmission with Montour County hitting five percent of those being tested are positive for the coronavirus. Districts with substantial transmission are recommended to consider remote learning. Northumberland and Snyder Counties are still at a moderate level of transmission.

UPDATE ABOUT BEE ACCIDENT ON I-81
Police have charged the man who was driving the truck hauling 500 thousand bees to Rome Pennsylvania with multiple charges after he tipped over on i-81, closing the interstate for hours Friday as they attempted to clear the bees from the roadway. According to PA homepage dot com, 44 year old Lamar Wenger of Bethlehem, PA, failed to negotiate a slight curve and with the load of bees not evenly distributed tipped the truck. A beekeeper called to the scene by emergency responders said 90 percent of the bees were recovered.

REPUBLICANS WANT TO OVER-RIDE GOVERNOR’S VETO
Pennsylvania House Republicans will attempt to over-ride Governor Wolf this week after he vetoed a bill that would allow restaurants to operate at full capacity. Last Friday, the governor vetoed the House-led bill, saying it would jeopardize public health and safety and that it could have taken authority away from the governor during the global health emergency. The Wolf administration now allows restaurants to run at 50 percent capacity if they have certified they meet certain state and federal standards.

MUNCY SCHOOL BOARD EXPECTING CARES ACT FUNDING
The Muncy School Board approved several distance learning days in the coming months, approved the district’s health and safety plan and announced CARES Act funding from the Lycoming County Commissioners. Accordiung to the Muncy School Superintendent, Dr. Craig Skaluba, based on the students in the district, almost 197 thousand dollars has been allotted to the school. New capacity guidelines for the outdoor stadium is at 25 percent or 500 people, and the first distance learning day will be October 26^th for the students.

SPORTS

NFL Monday Night Football
Chiefs beat the Bills 26-17, Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 38-10

MLB
Game one of the World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and LA Dodgers tonight from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas – first pitch at 8:09

NCAA Football
Penn State running back Journey Brown could potentially miss the season due to an undisclosed medical condition discovered in the offseason, the school said in a statement released on Monday night. Brown is one of the top returning running backs in the Big Ten this season. Penn State opens the season at Indiana this Saturday at 330.

HS Girls Soccer
South Williamsport over Sullivan 4-nothing, Williamsport beat Milton 2-1 in double OT, and Southern over Lewisburg 5-1,

HS Boys Soccer
Sullivan beat North Penn liberty 5-3,

HS Girls Volleyball
Galeton over Austin 3- nothing

HS Girls Tennis
Montoursville’s Lydia Barbour and Rei Saar defeated Central Columbia‘s Emma Kelchner and Isabell McHugh in the District 4 Doubles Final.

Lee Travis

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 25^th2021. 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 3^rd. 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 27^th, 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 22^nd. 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.