LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST PA FRATERNITY CHAPTER
A lawsuit has been filed against Bucknell University and a fraternity after a student suffered a brutal hazing incident earlier in September. According to North Central PA dot com, 20 year old John Jean said members of the local chapter of Kappa Delta Rho, also the subject of civil complaints over years past from hazing incidents at Bucknell and Penn State , forced him to drink alcohol until he was dangerously inebriated and then was allegedly assaulted along with 6 other pledges from the fraternity.  Jean says he suffers from multiple issues stemming from an assault there.  Jean is seeking damages from the university and KDR members for several counts of hazing, negligence, false imprisonment, and assault and battery.  Jean is finishing the semester remotely.

GOVERNOR WOLF CONDEMNS REPUBLICAN ELECTION PUSHBACK
Governor Tom Wolf yesterday released a statement condemning House Resolution 1032 saying it undermines the authority of county-level elections officials and the Department of State to administer safe, secure and non-partisan elections.  He said in a statement, that the state legislature came together last year on a bipartisan basis to pass landmark legislation to modernize Pennsylvania’s election system.  He says republicans are bowing to political pressure to undermine the mail voting that has proven to be a tremendous benefit to Pennsylvanians during the coronavirus  pandemic.

DROUGHT WATCH GROWS WITH LOCAL COUNTIES
Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour Counties were added to the Drought Watch list in Pennsylvania – along with 13 other counties for a total of 29 across the state, according to a press release by the DEP.  Residents are asked to reduce their individual water use to three to six gallons of water per day – a 5-10% decrease for the average  homeowner.  Tthree counties are on a drought warning, including Clinton, McKean and Potter.

METEOR FLASHES OVER OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA
Witnesses and social media reports say a flash in the night sky late Tuesday over parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio remained in view for a short time, but according to members of the American Meteor Society, it was a random incident.  The National Weather says the meteor – that may only be the size of a softball  -was seen before 4:30am. There was no comment from the University of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Observatory.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD ENDANGERMENT
Pennsylvania State Police have charged a New Columbia woman with child endangerment after she passed out behind the wheel of a car after allegedly using heroin.  According to North Central Pa dot com, 26 year old Kaley Lynn Griffin was heading north on Westbranch Highway around  5 p.m. Sept. 15 and stopped at the intersection with Hospital Drive and was witnessed nodding off at the wheel and drifting into the intersection by a state trooper who drove up beside her car and noticed a baby in the vehicle. After a probable cause search , police found what was suspected ot be the drug in baggies.  Griffin, who admitted to using the drug before driving from a doctor appointment was taken into custody.

UPDATE ONVICTIM IN ALLENWOOD CRASH
The Allenwood woman who sustained major injuries in a one-car crash on Route 554, 2 weeks ago, is still hospitalized.  According to the Sun Gazette, a Geisinger Medical Center nursing supervisor in Danville said 60 year old Tammy Hyde remains in critical condition after her September 16^th crash that trapped her in the wreck for 20 minutes.  Police reports say Hyde lost control and hit a pine tree, overturning in her vehicle around 10:30 am.

LYCOMING COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE
Lycoming County reports 10 new cases of the coronavirus  adding to the total here of 709 positive cases to date.  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health there were 1,153 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing Pennsylvania’s total to 158,967. 19 deaths were reported as of yesterday at midnight, for a total of 8,142 fatalities from COVID-19.

ROUTE 15 CONTRUCTION
There will be construction on Route 15 in Lewisburg Borough and Kelly Township, Union County beginning next Monday weather permitting.  According to PennDOT, there will be lane restrictions next week in the southbound lanes for roadway maintenance between the hours of 9:00 AM and
2:00pm.  Crews will be completing patch work on the roadway and will be using flaggers with alternating lane restrictions.

SPORTS

NBA
Lakers over heat 116 to 98 in the NBA finals game 1

MLB
In the first National League Wildcard Games – Braves blanked the Reds 1-nothing in 13 innings.  Marlins beat the Cubs 5-1, Cardinals over the Padre 7-4, and Dodgers beat the Brewers 4-2.   In the American League Wildcard Series 2^nd games –  Astros beat the twins 3-1 and Houston wins the series, A’s beat the White Sox 5-3 with a series tied up one and one, the Rays beat the Blue Jays 8 to 10 in their Game 2 –  Tampa Bay winning, Yankees aged the Indians 10-9, New York wins the series.
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NFL
The Steelers-Titans game, originally scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, will be rescheduled to allow additional time for further daily COVID-19 testing and to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel. Details on the new game date and time on either Monday or Tuesday will be announced as soon as possible.

HS Girls Tennis
South Williamsport over Muncie 5-0h, Williamsport over Milton 5-0h,
HS Girls Soccer
Benton beat South Williamsport – 2 to nothing, Lewisburg beat Montoursville- 1-0

The Lycoming County commissioners yesterday, renewed the county’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency in the face of COVID-19 potentially resurging in the state.  The declaration states that due to the pandemic there is a significant negative impact on the county and allows them to apply for emergency funding connected to the coronavirus for another 90 days. It was mentioned as a reminder during the meeting for the public that COVID-19 is a serious issue and there are rises in local cases, as well as 2 deaths reported at a local nursing care and rehabilitation facility.

A Williamsport man has been jailed after leading a PA State trooper on a chase in Lycoming County last weekend with speeds reaching 110 miles per hour.  According to the Sun Gazette, Joshua Craver of High Street had been charged earlier in the day for suspected DUI and was recognized by the officer along I-180 westbound in Loyalsock township at about 3am in the early morning.  Police say Craver, with a passenger in the car, accelerated in his 1996 Acura Integra when the trooper started the pursuit and continued for about 20 miles, finally coming to a stop at Salladasburg Elementary School along Route 287.  31 year old Craver was arraigned for DUI, felony fleeing police, endangering another and speeding, he is Lycoming COUnty Prison in lieu of 100 thousand dollars bail.

An inmate at the Union County Prison and his brother have both been charged with felony contraband and conspiracy charges after the sibling allegedly threw drugs over the prison yard wall last August.  According to North Central PA dot com, 25 year old Kyle T. Kranz,  was found by the Union County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit to have drugs in his cell, after a tip came in about potential drugs and weapons.  Police say there is video of Krantz picking up contraband that had been allegedly thrown in by his brother Tyler.

The Borough manager in Northumberland has announced that there will be trick or treating for families who want to participate  on Halloween night from 6-8 but there will be no Halloween parade.  According to media outlets, Jan Bowman said the council was disappointed to cancel but had lots of questions regarding the safety of the event.  She said those who don’t want to participate safely can leave their porch lights off.

The preliminary hearing for the man accused of the double murder at a local Buffalo Wild Wings and while fleeing, shot and incapacitated by a licensed to carry bystander last July, occurred yesterday in Snyder County Court.  According to media outlets, the District Attorney says 55-year-old Christopher Fernanders of Paxinos will remain incarcerated without bail since all the charges, including first degree murder will be held for county court in 2021.  Fernanders will has a tentative arraignment  date sceheduled for January with a pre-trial conference to follow later in the spring.

5 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Lycoming County for a pandemic wide total now of 699.  There are two hospitalized coronavirus patients.  According to the PA Department of Health, there were 988 new cases reported across the state contributing to the total of 157, 814 cases.  16 new deaths were reported as of yesterday at midnight and total fatalities in Pennsylvania are at 8, 123.

There was an annual rally in the state capitol yesterday about gun rights, drawing a smaller than normal crowd amid rainy conditions.  According to the Associated Press, The Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms constituted of a pep rally as well as an update on gun legislation.  Several dozen lawmakers were at the event including some Democrats.  In 2018 Wolf approved a law that was  the first anti-violence legislation in the state to deal directly with guns in more than a decade.   It requires those convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence or following other protective orders to give up their guns within 24 hours.

Penn DOT says motorists are advised that the I- 80 westbound on-ramp Exit 224 in Danville from Route 54 which will now remain closed for repair work. The overpass bridge beams were damaged by an over-height vehicle in August and the ramp was closed to traffic for inspection.  It will now remain closed until the repair takes place. Crews will begin working in October and complete the project by late November weather permitting.

SPORTS
MLB
In the American League Wildcard series the Astros beat the Twins in Game 1, White Sox over the A’s 4-1 in their Game 1,  Rays beat the Blue Jays 3-1, and Yankees stomped the Indians 12-3
In the NBA Heat play the Lakers tonight at 9 PM for the NBA Finals Game 1

NFL
Broncos and the Jets set for an 8:20 Thursday night matchup at MetLife Stadium in NJ.

POLICE INVESTIGATE WEEKEND SHOOTING
Police are investigating a weekend shooting that originally resulted in an inaccurate report that someone had been injured.  On Saturday, Williamsport police responded at Park Ave and Wildwood Blvd around 7:30pm, and according to the Sun Gazette an unidentified witness said they heard an argument and then shots were fired. Police called the hospital looking for a victim who may have gone to UPMC in a private vehicle, but no one was reported. This is currently an open case, if you have any information for police you can the watch commanders desk at 570-327-7560.

DEMONSTRATORS ON MARKET STREET BRIDGE FOR TRUMP
There was a demonstration in support of President Donald Trump on Friday along the Market Street Bridge in Williamsport, organized by Lycoming County for Trump 2020.  According to the Sun Gazette, the supporters of the president participated in the flash rally held signs and yelled at passing motorists.  According to organizers, a pro-Trump event is held weekly and listed on their Facebook Page.  Donald Trump took advantage of late afternoon rush hour traffic to urge people to vote for the incumbent President.

HABITAT LOOKING TOWARD 3 NEW PROPERTIES
Habitat for humanity got a positive recommendation last week for the purchase of 3 lots of land from the city redevelopment authority. According to the Sun Gazette they still have to get through the city planning commission with final council approval for construction, but there’s a solid chance for some new housing being built over the next 3 years. If their plans come to fruition the project will begin between Scott St., Oliver st. and Memorial Avenue. The two story homes will be privately owned.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM WILL RESUME
PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program will start in person instruction again after being shut down because of COVID-19.   Pennsylvania residents can take advantage of the  statewide pilot program for the rest of the calendar year. The classes are free to Pennsylvania motorcycle permit and license holders and are coordinated through the 3^rd party vendors at various training sites which can be found online at  www.penndot.gov/PAMSP.  PennDOT will still offer  a virtual motorcycle training course for individuals under 18 who are required by law to complete a department-approved motorcycle safety course before they can take the skills test and obtain their motorcycle license.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT DURING MASK-WEARING INCIDENT
A confrontation between 2 men took place at Mall Drive in Muncy Township last Thursday over a dispute regarding masks. 42 year old Richard King is alleged to have shoved a 72 year old man after telling him to get away from him for not wearing one. According to Northcentral PA.com, the man was hard of hearing, so he got closer to hear him, reportedly King shoved the man to the ground, and then exited Halls Sub Shop. King was later arrested and charged with a summary count of harassment and physical contact.

LYCOMING COUNTY COVID-19 NUMBERS
There are no reports of COVID-19 numbers reported on Sundays according to the PA Department of Health but, Friday, Lycoming County reported 13 new cases of COVID-19.  Statewide, there were 806 new cases reported for a total since the pandemic began to 154,203.  Lycoming County reports there are  2 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but none are on a ventilator. Two new deaths were reported from Friday for a total in the state of 8,081.

COUNTY WILL FUND FINGERPRINTING AGREEMENT AT CITY HALL
To address a backlog in processing fingerprints in Williamsport, City Council has approved an agreement at with Lycoming County to purchase a fingerprint machine for part-time use at City Hall. According to the Sun Gazette, the county commissioners agreed earlier this month to provide the machine and financially support its operation and maintenance. The center will be manned by a county employee from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.  The center will be used for processing fingerprints of alleged criminal suspects as well as by those needing fingerprints processed for employment clearances.

PENNDOT TO DO SHOULDER WORK ON ROUTE 220 SOUTH
There will be lane restrictions along Route 220 in Woodward and Piatt Townships in Lycoming Count this week.  According to PennDOT, work will include removal of signs within right of way, shoulder paving, sewer relocation and overhead utility relocation as well as shoulder widening through driveways and on side roads.  Watch for the lane restrictions this week on Fourth Street, as it connects into Route 220 southbound but should be removed by Friday, October 2, weather permitting.  This safety improvement project addresses conflicting traffic movements and provides more efficient places for U-turns

SPORTS
NASCAR
Kurt Busch won at his  hometown track – Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday, Matt DiBenedetto, who was eliminated from the playoffs last weekend, finished second, and Denny Hamlin was 3^rd, Martin Truex Jr., was fourth, followed by Alex Bowman

NFL
Bills beat the Rams 35-32, Browns over Washington 34-20, Patriots beat the Raiders 36-20, 49ers beat the Giants 36 -9,  Eagles and Bengals were tied up in overtime 23-23, Steelers beat the Texans 28-21,Seahawks beat the Cowboys 38-31 Packers over the Saints 37-30
Monday night football tonight
Chiefs and the Ravens in Maryland for an 8:15  kick off
NBA
Lakers won the West Finals Series 4-1 over the Nuggets Saturday 117-107, and Heat beat the Celtics yesterday in the East Finals Game 6,  125-113 Miami winning the series 4-2
NBA LA Lakers take on the Miami Heat in the Finals Game1 on Wednesday at 9PM
MLB
Royals beat the Tigers 3-1, Marlins opver the Yankees five nothing, padres beat the Giants 54, Rangers are the Astros 84, Nationals routed the Met 15-5, Orioles over the Bluejays 7-5, Diamondbacks thumped the Rockies 11-3, Red Sox over  the Braves 9-1, Cubs beat the White Sox 10-8, Indians beat the Pirates 8-6, Dodgers blanked the Angels 5- nothing, Reds beat the Twins 5-3, A’s beat the Mariners 6-2, Rays beat the Phillies 5-nothing and Cardinals over the Brewers 5-2

A federal judge declined to stay the ruling that Gov. Tom Wolf’s size limits on gatherings at are unconstitutional yesterday. According to media outlets, U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV said the administration had failed to show that “imminent and irreparable harm will occur” if limits at events are over 25 inside and 250 people outside.  Rejecting the state’s request for a stay, the judge said Tuesday that state officials failed to explain why they have allowed commercial businesses to operate at a small percentage while capping attendance at other gatherings. Wolf said his administration appealed the ruling.

A former Keystone Central teacher and coach was sentenced this week in Clinton County court for sexually assaulting a 17 year old student.  According to Penn Live, 28 year old Cole Gregory Black’s behavior was called outrageous by the judge who sentenced him to serve seven months to 24 months less one day in the Clinton County Correctional Facility.   Black had some courtroom support with his attorney submitting letters on his behalf.  The prosecuting attorney said Black gained the girl’s trust and took advantage of the situation.  Black is required to register as a tier two sex offender and required to register every six months for the next 25 years.

Police apprehended a homeless man last Thursday who drove a stolen truck from Tioga County to Lycoming County, only to steal another truck from the parking lot of  Plunkett’s Creek restaurant.  According to the Sun Gazette,  police reports say a Dean Noble – who is homeless – fled from Pier 87 in a stolen Ford Truck about 8:45 am after the keys were left in the ignition.  The truck was later spotted in Clearfield County and police said Noble was apprehended from nearby woods.  He was charged with a felony count of theft, arraigned in Lycoming County Court and is being held at Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 25 thousand dollars bail.  Charges from Noble’s original vehicle theft are pending.

The announcement about Trick or Treating in Williamsport has been decided.  Mayor Derek Slaughter announced yesterday that at the risk of those who want to participate, door to door Halloween festivities will take place October 31^st from 6-8 in the city.  He indicated that  people who celebrate, wear masks, and consider all the safety protocols, such as social distancing as much as possible.

An app is now available for Pennsylvanians to track coronavirus exposure (called “COVID 19 Alert PA” and it was announced yesterday by Governor Tom wolf at a press conference in Philadelphia)  At a press conference in Philadelphia yesterday, Governor Wolf announced the program to fight COVID-19 through contact tracing <<WOLF APP>> The use will be limited to those 18 and older and is designed to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus without having to know the individual.  If a person testes positive – through the department of health those who are willing to use the app are then notified that they may have been exposed and through the app – given instruction on how to protect themselves and others. It can be found wherever apps are downloaded.

A Phildelphia man was charged with indecent exposure during questioning by police in Williamsport August 25^th.  According to court records 32 year old Shaheed Gindraw refused to identify himself when police were called to investigates the mans’ car blocking along Washington Boulevard at about 5:30 pm.  Upon becoming agitated and in front of several police officers, Gindraw laid on the ground without being asked, then got up and exposed himself saying he was showing that he didn’t have a gun.  Gindraw was taken into custody but later was released $3,500 bail.

After the Muncy Education Association asked for a remote learning day to prepare for the rest of the week of class lessons, the Muncy School board has agreed to one distance learning day for teachers on October 2nd as they consider the request at a meeting on Oct. 12.  IN addition, a motion was approved at Muncy that will allow a 50 percent capacity during football games if the veto made by Governor wolf on authority to decide on game capacity is over ridden when the legislature convenes on Sept. 29. Half the amount of people at the Muncy stadium1,250 people

Penn College is offering their beer making degree in a shorter period of time.  Starting in Fall 2021, the college’s brewing and fermentation science major is evolving from a two-year associate degree into a one-year certificate, while maintaining the rigor and quality of the training. The certificate is designed for adults 21 and older who wish to work in the commercial brewing industry and accoprding to a press release is ideal for either returning-to-education or recently graduated individuals.

SPORTS
HS Football
Tuesday night at the Silver bowl  – Mount Carmel area beat Williams Valley 43-28
HS Girls Soccer
South beat Muncy 5-2, Sullivan blanked Montgomery 8-nothing
HS Boys Soccer
North Penn Liberty over Sayre 6-4
HS Girls Tennis
Montgomery defeated Muncy 5-0h,
HS Girls X-country
Williamsport defeated Hughesville 15-50, Montoursville came in under Central Columbia 15-47
Boys X-country
Williamsport beat  Hughesville 24-33, Lewisburg 19 Warrior run 42

NBA
Nuggets beat the Lakers 114 to 106 in the West Finals Game 3, LA leading the series 2-1, Celtics play the Heat tonight at 8:30 East Finals Game 4 with Miami leading 2-1
NHL
Stanley Cup finals Lightning and Stars play tonight at 8 PM, The series is tied One and One
MLB
Nationals beat the Phillies 5-1 in Game 1, and 8-7 in  Game 2, Indians over the White Sox 5-3, Yankees thumped the Blue Jays 12-1, Brewers beat the Reds 3-2, Pirates edged the Cubs 3-2, Braves stopped the Marlins 11-1, Met over the Rays 5-2, Red Sox be the Orioles 8-3, Twins beat the Tigers 5-4, Cardinals blanked the Royals 5-nothing, Diamondbacks blanked the Rangers 7- nothing, Angels over the Padres 4-2, Astros beat the Mariners 6-1, Dodgers over the A’s 7 -2, and Giants beat the Rockies 5-2