NEW LEAGUE FOR CROSSCUTTERS
There will be a Major League Baseball Draft League created for 2021 in Williamsport and the Crosscutters will be a part of it.  After a reorganization of Minor League Baseball this year, the Williamsport Crosscutters parted ways as an affiliate with the Philadelphia Phillies, but will now join the State College Spikes, Mahoning Scrappers, West Virginia Black Bears,Trenton Thunder and a sixth team to be named in a league that will provide exposure to draft eligible college players.  According to Crosscutters owner Peter Freund in a virtual press conference yesterday, the pipeline of players could be better than before.  Fans won’t likely notice a difference in play on the field – the difference is only how players are assigned to each team.

DRIVE-THRU FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS THIS YEAR
Mayor Derek Slaughter has canceled the public gathering celebration of the annual Festival of Lights in Brandon Park in Williamsport this year due to COVID-19 concerns.  But, city crews will install the holiday lights this week and the lights in the park  will be lit at dusk this Friday night for pedestrians and those who want to drive by and see them.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Slaughter made the decision based on CDC guidelines and the fact that coronavirus  case numbers are surging in the region.

ELSD GOES BACK TO IN-PERSON INSTURCTION
East Lycoming School District is back in school today after a special virtual school board meeting and a vote of 6-3 to return to in-person instruction yesterday afternoon.  According to the Sun Gazette, the board met to discuss the in person option after new guidance from the state came down for school districts.  It requires mask-wearing mandates that Superintendent Michael Pawlik said they have been mostly following since school began anyway, which can be achieved by implementing a few new mask-rules.  Pawlik said that if there is a shortage of teachers or there is a need to go remote they have the option to do that.

CAREER OFFICES CLOSED DUE TO COVID
COVID-19 has closed down the PA CareerLink offices in our area until further notice.  According to media outlets, the career offices located in Williamsport, Sunbury, Lock Haven, Bloomsburg , Bellefonte and Lewistown are closed to in-person appointments but job seekers can still use the online portal at www.pacareerlink.pa.gov.  PA Career Link employees are working remotely and assist job seekers and employers with their needs virtually.

LOCAL COVID UPDATE
There are 40 new cases of the coronavirus reported in Pennsylvania today and 89 reported  in Northumberland County.  Union County has 36 new cases, Snyder has 26 new cases, Montour has 18.  Lycoming County has 61 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 16 in the ICU, with 8 on ventilators and 6 available Adult ICU beds Tioga County reports 5 new cases, but according to the PA Department of Health, 18 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized there, 6 in the adult ICU and 6 on ventilators – with no beds available.  As of y esterday at midnight, there were 4,268 total statewide cases reported and 75 new fatalities.

ROLL-OVER ACCIDENT CLOSED I-80 RAMP
Lanes of the interstate opened up several hours after a tractor trailer turned on its side Monday near Milton and closed the on-ramp from I-180 east to I-80 west in Northumberland County.  According to PennDOT the accident caused the right lane of I-80 west to be closed at mile-marker 212, but the left lane remained open as crews worked to clear the crash.  There were no injuries reported and delays remained for several hours yesterday before the ramp reopened at 12:10 pm.

COVDI APP AVAILABLE FOR TEENS WITH CONSENT
Anyone over the age of 13 can now use the PA COVID Alert App on their phone, with parental consent.  According to a press conference yesterday by the Secretary of the PA Department of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, the app’s age range has been expanded to middle and high school students to include them in the process if a positive case is identified within their peer groups. The contact tracing app has been updated with more county-level data and adds where to find testing locations near you.  The original App was launched September 22^nd of this year and 622 thousand people have downloaded it.

PA BEAR HARVEST TOTALS
Lycoming County has tied in second place with Tioga County in as a top bear harvest county– at 169 – as the season ends, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.  Potter County claimed the first place with a total of 177 bear.  Pennsylvania Bear Harvest totals in 2020 came to 3,155.   The largest bear taken was from Fulton County at an estimated 719 pounds, the largest bears closest to Lycoming County were taken from Potter County at 630 and 607 pounds respectively.  Antlered Deer season is open now in WMU 4D which includes part of Lycoming County and will remain open through December 12^th.

SPORTS
NFL
Monday Night Football
Seahawks beat the Eagles 23-17
Wednesday Night Football?
Ravens and Steelers are scheduled @ Heinz Field at 340 pm

Crash Leaves Man in ICU

Robert Walbridge, a 51 year old Cogan station resident was driving along Lycoming creek road when at 6:20 pm he crashed, seriously injuring himself. According to the sun gazette Old Lycoming township police reported that they are still trying to figure out what caused Walbridge to crash, as evidence suggests that he first struck a parked car, then a garage off the 6600 block of Lycoming creek road. Currently he is still in the intensive care unit at UPMC in Williamsport.

14 Year Old Shot

A teenage boy was the victim in a shooting that occurred in Williamsport’s East End Monday night.  State police say the 14 y ear-old was struck by the gunshot while at the 900 block of Penn Street about 6pm.  Police say a verbal argument occurred prior to the shooting between the group on the street and those on the porch, and the injured boy was treated for the wound at a local hospital.  Police are now investigating the third neighborhood shooting since October 23rd, anyone with information is asked to call Williamsport Bureau of Police.

Assault Charges Filed

Officer Brady Miller, a buffalo valley regional police officer was in Lewisburg investigating a disorderly gathering when he attempted to stop and question a 19 year old male named jonathan Anderson who was seen exiting the scene. The officer says that he was given a fake name from Anderson before attempting to flee. Officer Miller grabbed him, where a struggle then ensued between the 2 ending in Anderson striking Miller several times in the face. He was later found out due to witnesses who saw the assault happen, formal arraignment for his crimes have been set for January 25^th.

PennDOT Lane Restrictions (Northumberland)

Route 44 is going to have some lane restrictions on Monday between the McEwensville Borough and dewart in Northumberland County for crack sealing. Work will take place throughout the week until December 4^th during daylight hours, and motorists can expect alternating lane closures with flagging, so you can expect delays. Due to many an increase in work zone accidentsd PennDot is urging motorists to slow down to keep workers and yourself safe.

Pfizer Vaccine in Final Stages Before Distribution

The PA department of health’s secretary Dr. Rachel Lavine says the Pfizer vaccination for the virus is on track for distribution. Currently the Pfizer vaccine is going to be the first distributed. 4 others in development currently, some are in its test trial currently while others have yet to start. For the Pfizer vaccine federal approval is needed to continue the process to get it out into circulation, but Lavine says that even when it makes its way through the country no one knows how quickly demand will exceed supply. Lavine also says that it will not be an immediate cure or end to the pandemic and that PA residents could be wearing masks deep in 2021 and maybe until the end of the year.

Thanksgiving Shooting

Selinsgrove borough police are investigating a west spruce street shooting that occurred thanksgiving night. Around 10pm a 29 year old man was shot in the leg before the unidentified suspect fled the scene. The victim made his way to his neighbors house and was transported by him to the evangelical community hospital. Eventually he was transported to Geisinger medical center where he was treated for his wounds and released on yesterday. Currently the police have no suspect for the shooting and are asking anyone who knows anything to call the sellinsgrove police.

SPORTS

NFL

Team facilities will be closed to all in-person activities Monday and Tuesday, the NFL said Friday in a leaguewide memo. The ban does not apply to teams scheduled to play on Monday or Tuesday. The NFL cited the spike in coronavirus cases around the country as well as the “understanding that a number of players and staff celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday with out-of-town guests” as reasons for closing facilities.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Friday that backup center A.Q. Shipley, who started the past two games, is done for the year and has been advised not to continue playing football. Shipley, 34, suffered a neck injury late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams Monday night.”Once we did the MRI and X-rays, it was determined that he really shouldn’t play anymore.”Shipley finishes his career with 110 games played and 72 starts.

NBA

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, the team said. Dr. Richard Ferkel, a noted specialist on ankle injuries, performed the surgery in Los Angeles and it was considered a success. Thompson is expected to make a full recovery.

MLB

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena was released by Mexican authorities Thursday after his former partner told a judge in Yucatan state that she did not want to press charges. Arozarena had been detained Tuesday for a situation involving custody of his daughter, just weeks after he was named MVP of the American League Championship Series. The Yucatan state prosecutors’ office confirmed Thursday that Arozarena was released because the former partner said any damages had been settled. Arozarena has made no public comment, and it was not clear whether he had a lawyer.It was not clear whether he was formally charged with any crime. Mexican law allows a two-day period for prosecutors to decide whether to bring charges.

STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS PREPARE TO CERTIFY RESULTS
County election boards across Pennsylvania were well on their way to certifying election results in Pennsylvania as they tabulated votes up against a Monday deadline to report to the Department of State.  According to the Associated Press, Allegheny County, gave a majority to Democrat Joe Biden – Luzerne County, where Republican Donald Trump won, approved its results, and there were no reports of counties voting against certification.  Secretary of State, Kathy Boockvar will now tabulate, compute and canvass votes for all races, then report to the governor.  Gov. Tom Wolf will then engage the state’s electors for the Dec. 14 Electoral College meeting. Monday was the deadline under state law for legal challenges to contest any election to be filed.

SHOOTING IN WILLIAMSPORT
A person was injured by a gunshot yesterday after 6pm in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, police responded to the incident in the city’s East end about 6pm Monday night along the 900 block of Penn Street and blocked the roadway for an investigation just south of St. John Neumann High School.  The victim in the shooting has not been named, but they were reportedly hospitalized.  A witness at the scene said they heard four gunshots fired when they were about a block away.

SERVING ALCOHOL IN PA BARS AND RESTAURANTS LIMITED FOR HOLIDAY
In a news conference Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary announced a suspension of all alcohol sales at bars and restaurants beginning at 5pm on Wednesday November 25^th until 8am on Thanksgiving day.  The new mitigation efforts, announced by Dr. Rachel Levine, will keep the public out of crowded spaces in which the virus thrives, on a typically very big night of the year.  Governor Wolf also announced there will be a new enforcement effort where business owners who are non-compliant with mask regulations could see fines and potential shut-down after multiple offenses.  An advisory – not an order – has been issued for all Pennsylvanians to stay at home as much as possible, effective today.

ROAD EFFECTED BY ROCK SLIDE REOPENED
Following last week’s rock slide along Route 11 between Northumberland and Danville, . PennDOT says the roadway is reopen between Ridge Road in Point Township, Northumberland County and Continental Boulevard in Danville.  Approximately 7,000 cubic yards of rock were hauled off the road and the damaged portions were milled, paved and painted. The estimated cost of the removal is about $310,000.

LOCAL CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The coronavirus case count in Pennsylvania for the past two days is at 11,837.  According to the PA Department of Health, there are 104 new Union County cases,  91 new Northumberland County cases Lycoming County reports 32  new today. Snyder County has 28 new cases. Clinton County reports 15 new today, Montour has nine new cases . 69 new deaths were reported over the same two days. In order to slow the spread of the virus, consistent mask-wearing is recommended and masks are required in all PA businesses and whenever leaving home.

FEDERAL COURT REJECTS CASE OVER SIGNATURES
The state Supreme Court on Monday said that more than 8,300 mail-in ballots in Philadelphia that had been challenged by the Trump campaign because of minor technical errors, should be counted. According to media outlets, the decision went against a Republican state Senate challenger in Allegheny County who wanted to keep votes without a handwritten date from counting.  The court ruled that a voter’s failure to include a handwritten name, address or date by their declaration on the outer envelope does not “warrant the wholesale disenfranchisement of thousands of Pennsylvania voters.”  Joe Biden won PA’s  20 electoral votes with a margin in the state currently more than 81,000 out of nearly 7 million cast. County election boards are expected to certify the state results today.

FEDERAL INMATE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT SENTENCED
An inmate at Allenwood who caused severe injuries to another prisoner was sentenced last week in federal court to 120 months by US District Court Judge Matthew Brann.  According to media outlets, 53 year old Wesley Mark Smith was convicted  of assault following a five-day trial in March 2020 where he was found guilty of punching his cellmate and continuing to bludgeon his unconscious victim – who suffered severe injuries according to reports by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

WILLIAMSPORT BUDGET PROPOSED WITH A TAX HIKE
A 2.5 mill tax hike in Williamsport, as proposed by Mayor Derek Slaughter, will likely get some revisions.  The 2021 budget will get a look by City Council who say they will work to make budget cuts before the first reading of the proposal is to take place December 3^rd.  According to the Sun Gazette, the mayor’s proposed budget shows a year-ending balance of over $179 thousand, if the tax hike is applied, with a proposed reduction of mercantile and business tax by 25 percent.  The largest city costs are related to public safety departments for the salaries and benefits of the police and firefighters.  City Council will hold virtual budget work sessions November 30 and December 2^nd.

SPORTS

NFL Monday Night Football
LA Rams beat the Buccaneers 27-24

Upcoming Weekend HS Football
PIAA Class AAAA Championship game
Jersey Shore against Thomas Jefferson
Saturday 3:30pm at Hershey Park Stadium.

Trump Campaign Loss in Federal Court

Many PA officials are beginning to certify election results in the states, dealing another blow to the trump campaign. Currently the results as of now show Joe Biden winning by more than 80,000 votes. This comes after a ruling by federal judge. U.S. district judge Matthew Brann in Williamsport turned down the request for an injunction by Trumps lawyers, cutting down expectations of smoothly overturning the election results, citing that Trumps campaign presented a strained legal argument with speculative accusations.

Reading Women Assault Charges

Lisa R. Llewellyn, a 55 year old Reading woman is being charged with aggravated assault and public drunkenness after causing an incident at a holiday inn in Williamsport. Officer Brett Garbrick responded to a call of an intoxicated women with possible mental health issues at the hotel on 100 pine street. When trying to get her to speak with EMS she began getting confrontational leading to her arrest, where she kicked one of the police in the genitals and soiled her pants on the way to the car. She was put briefly in county prison, but was later released after posting her $25,000 bail later in the day.

Overdose Leads to Endangerment Charges

Wellsboro Police were called to the Nichols street home of 35 year old Jenna L. Kriner for a possible overdose. First responders arrived on scene shortly after the call was made, where officers Phillip Deveney wrote in an affidavit found 2 children appearing very distressed and worried at the back door.  EMS found Kriner on the floor and administered 2 does of NARCAN to revive her. When stabilized she was taken to soldier and sailors memorial hospital, and the children were taken by a family member . A preliminary hearing for Kriner is set for December 15^th where she will be facing felony endangerment charges at district judge Robert L. Repards Office.

PennDOT Funding Falls Short

PennDOT is facing a money issue in regards to their annual highway and bridge funding. A failure to keep up with rising costs of maintenance from federal funding along with an increase in fuel economy across the board from newer models of cars, cutting into the large portion of tax revenue made through gasoline sales in the state, have contributed to an 8.1 billion dollar gap that is crucial to maintain PA roads. PennDOT secretary Yassman Gramian is calling PA residents for public comment about their plan to explore sustainable transportation options intended to bridge the gap, and they are accepting feedback until Dec. 17^th. You can visit our website fo the link to the PennDOT pathways prgram, and give your opinion. Click here, for the page.

Baltimore Resident Charged in Williamsport

State police in Montoursville recently charged a Baltimore native at a fine wines and good spirits store on Wednesday. 18 year old Joseph Buttarazzi had the police called on him by a clerk working the counter at the store, when he realized the identification was fake. After a brief investigation, Buttarazzi was cited for carrying a false identification card and misrepresentation of age to secure a liquor, malt or brewed beverage. All the trouble was brought on by a mere $55.08 cents worth of alcohol.

Large PVA Donation From Weis

Weis markets has recently made a large donation of $800,00 dollars to the paralyzed veterans of America on Tuesday. The money was reaised in partly by corporate donations and an in store fundraising campaign in which shoppers were asked to donate while purchasing their groceries. This is the fourth year that wies has partnered with the PVA, and since the first year they have generated more than $1.5 million dollars in revenue for the program. For over 70 years the PVA has been working has been supporting the most injured veterans exclusively, and the PVA national president David Zurfluh has said that he looks forward to the next year with weis, as it has been a big help.

Sports

PIAA Girls 2A Soccer Championship:

Bloomsburg 1 North Catholic 0

Panthers win 1st girls state soccer title

PIAA Boys Triple A Soccer Championship:

Lewisburg 6, Deer Lakes 0

Green Dragons win their third

soccer title in the last six years.

Football – Double A Semifinal

Southern Columbia 42

Bishop McDevitt 14

Head Coach Jim Roth tied George Curry for most coaching wins in Pennsylvania high school football history with 455 victories.

The Tigers advance to their 6th straight state title game and will take on Wilmington next Saturday morning at 11 in Hersheypark Stadium.

Football – Triple A Semifinal

Wyomissing 44, Danville 14

MORE MOTIONS EXPECTED IN THE ELECTION 2020 CASE BEING HEARD IN WILLIAMSPORT
In the Election 2020 case that has landed in US Middle District Court in Williamsport, the case brought before the court by attorneys for President Donald J Trump, including Rudy Giuliani,  states that some voters in different Democrat heavy counties were treated differently when it came to curing ballots in Pennsylvania.  According to the Sun Gazette, defendant, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and attorneys with the ACLU, DNC and NAACP say it’s a lawsuit in search of a legal theory.  Judge Matthew W. Brann has given President Trump’s team through Saturday at noon to respond.  Giuliani maintains without a filing in court to support it that Democrats have created a scheme that favored president-elect Joe Biden in the most recent Election process that has been touted by experts at the highest levels to be the most secure in history.  Pennsylvania is set to certify state ballots this coming Tuesday.

LOCAL COVID-19 UPDATE
There’s a new record in the state for coronavirus cases, today at over 7,100 according to the Department of health.  Lycoming County has reported 68 new cases, Union County reports 43, Northumberland has 23, Snyder has 18 new cases ,Tioga County – 15.  Over 2,900 patients are hospitalized statewide, with over 600 in the ICU and over 300 on ventilators and 116 new deaths have also been confirmed

LEGISLATORS WORK ON NO-NEW TAX STATE BUDGET
Even as the Democrats in the state legislature voted in a way that showed they were not satisfied with  how federal coronavirus funds are being spent in the state, the House Appropriations Committee passed a main spending bill this week, and began voting yesterday on a no-new taxes budget.  According to the administration, the package authorizes nearly $11 billion in new spending, bringing the current year’s operating budget to $36.5 billion, about 4% above last year’s approved spending.  There is a projected $6 billion deficit, but lawmakers are using more than $3.3 billion in federal pandemic aid approved by Congress and transferring more than $500 million from off-budget state accounts.  Using the federal aid lowers the reliance on state tax dollars from $36.5 billion to $33.1 billion.

FLU SHOT CLINIC AT FAIRGROUNDS
Bloomsburg Fairgrounds will be the scene of their last community drive-thru and walk-up Geisinger Medical Center flu Shot clinic for the season this Saturday from 9am til 2pm.  Anyone age three and older can get an inoculation for free.  A limited supply of high-dose vaccine is available for those 65 years of age and older.  The address for the fairgrounds is 620 West Third Street in Bloomsburg.

EPISCOPAL CHURCHES SHUTTING DOWN THRU 2021
The Central Pennsylvania Diocese of the Episcopal Church, has announced that all in-person worship in the churches under the authority of Rev. Audrey C. Scanlon will be suspended until 2021. According to the Sun Gazette, the number of coronavirus cases in two counties where large congregations are has caused the bishop of the diocese to make the call.  All in-person worship and parish meetings will be suspended beginning Saturday.  Local pastors such as Bishop Jeremiah J. Park, of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, and the Rev. James Wooster, pastor at Pine Street United Methodist told the paper, they are remaining open for now but are also encouraging rigorous safety practices to mitigate the spread of the virus.  St. Joseph the Worker  will be broadcasting masses on Facebook and YouTube

SCHOOLS GO FULL REMOTE LEARNING
The East Lycoming School District is the latest school to decide to go to full remote instruction beginning today.  Officials from the district said that due to an increase in cases of COVID-19 in the Jr./Sr. High School, they will make the move albeit temporary at this time with a return to in-person instruction planned for December 1. There were two additional cases of COVID-19 reported in the District yesterday.  Students can access class information through their district email, or on the Sapphire Student/Parent Portal. Other schools reportedly moving to virtual; The Shamokin Area School District  will be full remote through Friday, December 4.  The Shikellamy School District reported four  coronavirus cases yesterday and will go online for the week reopening December 1.

ROAD TO OPEN NEXT WEEK AFTER ROCK SLIDE
After a rock slide closed the road, Route 11 between Danville and Northumberland is expected to be open next week. According to PennDOT, New Enterprise Stone and Lime, will be remove debris from the site through the weekend and should  beopen Tuesday. About 7,500 tons of rock was estimated to have blocked the highway last Monday and they say heavy rains contributed to the rockslide. A detour is posted in the area at this time.

SPORTS

NFL
Thursday Night Football
Seahawks 28 – Cardinals 21

NCAA football
Penn State vs. Iowa Saturday @ 3:30 in Beaver Stadium
Maryland vs Michigan St. Cancelled (COVID)

HS Football
PIAA Class AAA semifinals
Jersey Shore plays District 3 Champ Lampeter-Strasburg tonight 7pm
Winner plays in the State Championship Saturday, November 28th

HS Soccer State Championships
Boys Soccer

Undefeated Lewisburg (21-0) vs. Deer Lakes
Saturday 130pm, Hersheypark Stadium

Girls Soccer

Southern Columbia vs.

Greensburg Central Catholic

Today 11am, Hersheypark Stadium

Bloomsburg vs North Catholic

Saturday 11am, Hersheypark Stadium