FIRE SUNDAY AT ELDRED TOWNSHIP TRAILER PARK

An Eldred Township fire has spurred an investigation by State police.  According to the Sun Gazette, an early morning fire Sunday at the  Pinecrest Village on Pinecrest Drive damaged the water treatment facility at the trailer court property that is home to over 70 residents.  Volunteers from Loyalsock, Montoursville, DuBoistown, Trout Run, Nisbet and Hepburn Township assisted at the fire that was declared under control in about an hour.  The manager of the property, who lives on site, discovered the fire at about 6:20am Sunday and called 911.

LOCAL CONTRACTOR TAKES MONEY DOESN’T WORK

Another local contractor allegedly took the money for a job and did not complete the agreed upon work in September  According to police, 42 year old Nathan Charles Cogley, who is an HVAC technician, assessed leaking at the victim’s home and said the water heater would need replacing.  After the homeowner gave Cogley a 16 hundred dollar check for a new water heater, he got a second opinion from another contractor and was told the water heater was fine.   After the victim canceled the job and asked for a portion of his payment back, Cogley never connected with the victim and later blamed him for not being paid back.  Cogley  is being charged with deceptive business practices and more and is free on 15 thousand dollars unsecured bail.  Police discovered Cogley also has active warrants out on him for violation of orders in the city.

WORK APPROVED FOR FORMER SCHOOL BUILDING IN WILLIAMSPORT

Williamsport city Council has approved conditional-use to repurpose and recondition the former Thaddeus Stevens Primary School at 1150 Louisa St.  According to the Sun Gazette, the next steps include Moonrise Acquisitions LLC coordinating a design team and working on the plan that will convert the former school into multi-family dwellings with residual office space. The building closed to school operations in 2022, with a 2020 districtwide feasibility study determining that renovating the building is a more cost effective move than demolition.

SALVATION ARMY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS, DONATIONS

The Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division of The Salvation Army are heading to the southern US in response to the devastation from Hurricane Helene last week.  According to officials with the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services, they recently drove an EDS box truck filled with 11 pallets of clean-up kits.  You can donate to help the efforts of the nationwide non-profit as their volunteers are assisting with on-the-ground efforts and logistics for the hurricane relief.  Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go online to www.HelpSalvationArmy.org.  Designate checks to Disaster Relief – Hurricane Helene.

TIOGA COUNTY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR PUNCHING DRIVER

An unnamed 45 year old Tioga County woman was taken into custody recently after police say she punched her boyfriend while he was driving with an 11 year- old child in the car.  According to State police at Mansfield, they responded to a call where the woman in question had been locked out of a home in Westfield Township on September 15th.  Police say right before they arrived the woman broke a window to enter the home around 1:30am, and during an interview with two residents, they discovered news of the assault that happened between the couple while they were in the car earlier in the day on Route 49.  The woman was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and harassment.

MAN ARRESTED FOR DRUG POSSESSION AFTER TRAFFIC STOP

A man was arrested for having a large quantity of marijuana and paraphernalia in his vehicle during a traffic stop October 1^st.  According to North Central PA dot com, police were investigating a complaint that a grey BMW owned by 29 year old Dylan Michael Fisher smelled like marijuana from the outside.  When a traffic stop was initiated at the 300 block of Hepburn street, police said they could smell the drug and later discovered 541 grams of it, along with edibles, and other marijuana products. Fisher is being charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and is free on 25 thousand dollars bail.

SELINSGROVE POLICE CHIEF TO RESIGN

The police chief in Selinsgrove has submitted her resignation and her last day in the borough will be October 11^th.  According to a letter written by Chief Shanee Mitchell, she submitted 3 letters of resignation between September 30^th and October 1^st and had numerous conversations with her supervisors before they finalized her final date of employment.  She expressed gratitude toward all of Snyder County for allowing her to have the opportunity to serve the area and met many accomplishments despite what she called “moments of conflict and adversity.”  Sgt. Francis Petrovich will serve as the department’s acting chief during the transition.

MEETING TO DISCUSS COMBATING SPONGY MOTH IN BLOOMSBURG

There will be a public meeting to address strategies for future management of  spongy moth, a pest that defoliated many trees and forests last spring in the state.  According to the Daily Item, PennState Extension and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s Bureau of Forestry will host the event at the Columbia County Agricultural Center on Sawmill Road in Bloomsburg October 30^th at 6pm. Experts will present at the meeting and share management strategies for controlling spongy moth feeding, including discussion of biological control measures, aerial applications, soil injections, and the use of drones.

SPORTS

NFL Sunday
Vikings  23           Jets  17
Ravens  41                     Bengals  38
Dolphins  15        Patriots  10
Texans  23                     Bills  20
Giants  29            Seahawks  20
Cowboys  20        Steelers 17
NFL Monday Night Football
Saints vs Chiefs  8:15pm  ESPN

NASCAR
*Ricky Stenhouse Jr. snapped a 65-race losing streak by winning in overtime at Talladega on Sunday after a late crash involved eight of NASCAR’s 12 title contenders clearing half the field. 
*Stenhouse is not in the playoffs and his victory marked the second consecutive week a driver not competing for the Cup Series title has won.
*Brad Keselowski was 2^nd, William Byron 3^rd (#1 in the playoff lineup), Kyle Larson 4^th (3^rd in the playoff lineup), Erik Jones 5th

MLB National League Division Series
Phillies  7    Mets  6  1-1
Padres  10  Dodgers  2 1-1
MLB American League Division Series Game 2
Tigers vs Guardians  4:08pm TBS CLE up 1
Royals vs Yankees 7:38pm TBS  NY up 1

WNBA Semifinals Game 4
Liberty  76                     Aces  62 Liberty wins  series 3-1
CT Sun  92                    Minnesota Lynx  82 tied 2-2
WNBA Semifinals Game 5  Tuesday 
Sun vs Lynx  8pm ESPN2

NBA PreSeason
 LeBron James and Bronny James made history Sunday night as the first father and son to play together in an NBA game as the Los Angeles Lakers lost 118-114 in the preseason to the Phoenix Suns at Arcisure Arena.

18 YEAR OLD CHARGED WITH CAR THEFT, ATTEMPTED ROBBERY

A man from Williamsport already facing felony charges in Montoursville, was arraigned in district court Tuesday for allegedly stealing a car and attempting to break into a Muncy Creek Township gun shop on September 26^th.  According to the Sun Gazette, 18 year old Khanif Carter is accused of stealing a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander in Muncy and with an unidentified suspect, was seen on surveillance video attempting the break-in at R&J Welch Firearms on John Brady Drive with a baseball bat.  Police recovered the Outlander September 27^th on Sherman street and arrested Carter who was remanded to Lycoming Count Prison on 100 thousand dollars bail.  No word if this crime is related to the recent theft at the Blued Barrel gun Shop in Hughesville September 21^st.

JERSEY SHORE MAN SENTENCED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

A Williamsport judge sentenced a Jersey Shore man this week after he plead guilty to sexual assault against a minor in 2021, to 42 to 84 months in prison.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say 38 year old Brian Allen Smith was charged with having a non-consensual relationship with the underage girl in Porter Township.  According to court records, impact statements from the victim and her family led to Smith being required to register as a sex offender for life and he will remain under a period of supervised probation for three years after release.

COAL TOWNSHIP TO REPAY NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

Money owed to Northumberland County is coming their way after Coal Township commissioners last month voted to pay back $290,000 that Commissioner Sam Schiccatano said was illegally taken money, after third party inspection fees were paid around 2017 for the new county jail in Coal Township. According to court records, a lawsuit was filed by the county to recoup the fees they claimed were unreasonable, not enforceable by law, unconstitutional and invalid.   In 2022, a commonwealth court judge upheld the Lycoming County Senior Judge’s order to pay back the fees to Northumberland County with statutory interests and costs. The commissioners there recently accepted the 290 thousand dollar payback offer from Coal Township.

LYCOMING COLLEGE OFFERING ENROLLMENT TO AREA SENIORS

Qualified seniors from any Lycoming County high school can benefit from a direct admissions initiative being extended by Lycoming College for the Fall of 2025.  According to college administrators, students with a 3.0 GPA or higher will be accepted for the class of 2029, and will then be eligible for academic scholarships and merit scholarships based on test score, class ranking and GPA. Each high school around Lycoming County will be invited to the college for several upcoming Instant Decision Days.  For more information, email [email protected].

DANVILLE COUPLE IN JAIL OVER CORRUPTION OF MINOR

A Danville woman and her boyfriend are in jail after the woman set up a sexual encounter with an underage girl for her boyfriend.  According to the Press Enterprise, 38-year-old Bethany Landis has new felony charges added to her case including sexual exploitation of children and corruption of minors.  Court records say the victim who is now 14 reported being assaulted by 43-year-old Dennis Aikey of Danville who faces 4 felony offenses involving illegal contact with the minor.  Both Aikey and Landis are in the Montour County jail in lieu of bail.

SENTENCE HANDED OUT FOR PENN STATE HAZING CASE

The last two Penn State fraternity brothers involved in the 2017 hazing death of Timothy Piazza were sentenced in Centre County Court Tuesday morning.  According to North Central PA dot com, Brendan Young and Daniel Casey were each given two to four months in Centre County Prison with work release, along with court costs and fines, 3 years’ probation, community service and restitution to the family after they had plead guilty in July to the charges.  The victim, 19 year old Timothy Piazza, was a sophomore who died from injuries sustained at a fraternity ritual after being given 18 alcoholic drinks in under an hour and half.  Officials say his BAC was.36

CURVE WARNING SYSTEM INSTALLATION THIS WEEK ON ROUTE 15

Work will continue through the rest of this week as a contractor for PennDOT will keep working to place the sequential light up chevrons along the Route15 southbound ramp to 180 eastbound in Williamsport.  Watch for single lane conditions approaching the spur and to maintain a lower speed when heading through the work zone.  The advanced curve warning system project should be complete within the week.  Got to 511PA dot com for traffic and travel information.

NEW LICENSE PLATE TO HELP OUTDOORS PROGRAMS FOR PA YOUTH

A new license plate design will allow Pennsylvania drivers to support youth hunting and fishing in the Commonwealth.  According to the Center Square, the plate was created by Act 51 and approved in July and will cost will cost $40 plus fees with 14 dollars from each plate going toward youth activities.  The design features a woodland scene with a buck in the foreground and a ruffed grouse flying away in the background as two anglers in life jackets fish in a kayak.  Pennsylvania Fish and Boat officials say the plate helps fund the protection and conservation of the PA Wilds, playing an active role in helping youth become aware of conserving fish and wildlife, and their habitats.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports
Boys Soccer
Lewisburg  4        Danville  0
Warrior  Run 1     Hughesville  0
Selinsgrove  2       Jersey Shore  1
NP Liberty  3       Troy  1
Wellsboro  7         Galeton  1
Girls Soccer
Muncy  5              Montgomery  1
Hughesville  9      Mount Carmel  0
Athens  4              Wellsboro  1
Girls Tennis 
Montoursville 5    Shikellamy  0

MLB Wild Card Series
AL
Tigers 5      Astros  2  Detroit wins series 2-0
Royals  2    Orioles  1  Kansas City wins series 2-0
NL
Brewers  5  Mets  3  tied 1-1
Padres  5     Braves  4  San Diego wins series 2-0
MLB Wild Card NL Game 3
Mets vs Brewers 7pm ESPN

NFL Thursday night 10/3
Buccaneers  vs   Falcons 8:15 PrimeVid

WNBA Semi-finals Game 3 Friday
Lynx vs Sun 7:30pm ESPN2
Liberty  vs Aces  9:30pm  ESPN2

NCAA Football Saturday
UCLA vs Penn State Noon FOX

MAN STRANGLES WIFE, TELLS POLICE IT WAS ATTEMPTED SUICIDE

A man from Williamsport was arrested this week on charges that he attempted to kill his wife earlier this year by strangulation but tried to make it look like a suicide.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say during an argument in January, an enraged Dane Christopher Kay strangled his wife to unconsciousness as she was attempting to leave, and then staged a hanging in an upstairs bathroom at their duplex on Trenton Avenue, before he called 911 and lied about the circumstances.  Kay’s wife was hospitalized and after regaining consciousness a few days later, told police her account of what happened.  Following the investigation, Kay was taken into custody and charged with homicide, aggravated assault and strangulation plus other misdemeanors.  He has been denied bail and is in the Lycoming County Prison

SHIKELLAMY IN SESSION, STRIKE AVERTED

The strike was averted and school is in session at Shikellamy this week after the Shikellamy Education Association announced a tentative agreement between them and the Shikellamy school Board Monday afternoon.  According to the Daily Item, negotiations were held Monday but no word on the contents of the new 6-year deal for the teachers has been disclosed.  School board members say the new agreement will be reviewed and they will release details to the public before the October 10^th meeting where the new contract is expected to be ratified.

NO DECISION YET ON THE CITY & PAJAMA FACTORY SAGA

The hearing over an Order to Vacate based on a fire inspection report, between the City and the owner of the Pajama Factory, was held yesterday to a room at capacity.  City officials along with representatives for a third party fire inspection company were in attendance and testified on the issues of fire safety at the building and the process to be taken to bring the building up to code.  No ruling was made at the hearing which will now require more discussion during an executive session about the fate of the 300 thousand square foot building.

GOOD ATTENDANCE AT THE 169^TH BLOOMSBURG FAIR

The Bloomsburg fair has announced that the attendance of the 169^th Bloomsburg Fair was the highest it’s been since before the pandemic shuttered the annual event in 2020. According to the Bloomsburg Fair Association the total number for the fair attendance was 398,214 – the closest number of guests to the 411 thousand who attended in 2019.  The largest agricultural fair in the state hosted close to 1000 vendors and donated 7 thousand dollars to the Ronald McDonald House in Danville.  The 170^th edition of the Bloomsburg Fair is on tap for next September 2025.

CARJACKING LEADS TO JAIL TIME FOR ACQUANTENCE OF VICTIM

A Williamsport man  who was accused of carjacking and kidnapping a woman he knew in the Newberry neighborhood September 17^th has been denied bail in Lycoming County Court.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say Tyree Moy flagged down the victim in her car as she was driving at West Fourth Street and Funston Avenue about 1pm, showing a gun.  Moy refused to leave the car when repeatedly asked to, and forced the woman to pick up another man who then assaulted her and took the keys to the car, driving to Wildwood Cemetery.  Moy and the other suspect left the injured woman there and fled the scene before paramedics were called and treated the woman at the scene.  Moy was apprehended and charged with felony kidnapping, robbery and other misdemeanors.  He is Lycoming County Prison with a preliminary hearing next week.

POLICE INVESTIGATE SHOOTING ON SECOND AVENUE

Police have not made any arrests after witnesses say a person in a car and a pedestrian exchanged gunfire on Second Avenue in Williamsport Saturday around noon.  According to the Sun Gazette, a family having a yard sale ran for cover when shots rang out, but no one was injured.  Police say the video evidence collected from cameras near the scene suggests there was only one shooter, contradicting witness accounts. But that there were 4 to 6 gunshots heard by neighbors who also reported the gunman may have hid in the bushes nearby.  Police searched but found no suspects at the scene. 

MILK TRUCKS OK TO DRIVE, DELIVER DURING DECLARED DISASTERS

Senator Gene Yaw and Senator Judy Ward of Blair County announced that legislation exempting milk haulers from travel bans imposed during a declaration of disaster emergency has been passed in the PA Senate. According to a press release, the proposal allows milk haulers to be the exception to travel bans due to the perishable nature of the product they carry. The senator said that Senate Bill 153 is commonsense legislation that makes it easier for our dairy farmers to continue farming in spite of weather-related commercial vehicle travel bans. The bill heads to the House for approval.

LYCO ALZHEIMER’S WALK RAISED OVER 25 THOUSAND DOLLARS

The Lycoming County Walk to End Alzheimer’s was successful this past weekend in Montoursville’s Indian Park raising over 25 thousand dollars to support the care, support, and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association.  According to a press release, over 100 people participated in this year’s walk and the top fundraising team was from Home Instead of Lewisburg, raising over 10 thousand dollars. The fundraising campaign for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2024 continues through December 31^st of this year.  

The Lycoming County Walk to End Alzheimer’s was successful this past weekend in Montoursville’s Indian Park raising over 25 thousand dollars to support the care, support, and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association.  According to a press release, over 100 people participated in this year’s walk and the top fundraising team was from Home Instead of Lewisburg, raising over 10 thousand dollars. The fundraising campaign for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2024 continues through December 31^st of this year.  

PIAA HS Sports

Boys Soccer 
Montgomery  1    South Wmsprt  0
Muncy 0               Sullivan County 0 2OT
Lewisburg 4         Milton  3
Girls Soccer
Warrior  Run  2    Milton  2  2OT
Loyalsock 2          Lewisburg 2  2OT
Williamson  2       NP Mansfield 0
Bloomsburg  1     Hughesville  0
Williamsport  6    Shamokin  0

Girls Tennis 
Hughesville  4      Lewisburg  1
South Wmsprt 5  Wellsboro  0
Danville 4             Milton  1
Volleyball
Central Mntn  3    Williamsport  0
Troy  3                 NP Liberty  1

MLB
Wild Card Game 1
American League
Tigers 3      Astros 1
Royals  1    Orioles  0
National League
Mets  8       Brewers  4
Padres  4     Braves  0
MLB Today  Game 2
AL
Tigers vs Astros 2:30pm ABC
Royals vs Orioles 4:30pm ESPN
NL
Mets vs Brewers  7:30pm  ESPN
Braves vs Padres 8:30pm  ESPN2

WNBA Semi-finals
Liberty 88  Aces  84 NY up 2
Lynx 77      Sun  70  tied 1-1
Game 3 Friday 10/4
Lynx vs Sun 7:30pm ESPN2
Liberty  vs Aces  9:30pm  ESPN2

POSSIBLE VANDALISM IN EMPTY LOYALSOCK RESIDENCE

Authorities were called to a home in Loyalsock Township yesterday to investigate a potential fire, but instead found a destroyed home allegedly an intentional act of vandalism.  According to the Sun Gazette, Tenants at the home at 1544 Randall Circle were evicted by the Lycoming County Housing Authority about two weeks ago, but recently a hot water valve was left on.   When Loyalsock Township firefighters arrived they discovered that steam had likely tripped the alarm system to the home that was now flooded and covered in mold and mildew.  State Police are investigating the incident that caused extensive damage to the unit.

SCRAP METAL FIRE IN WILLIAMSPORT

Officials have not names a cause of the fire, but Williamsport firefighters were on the scene at Penn Recycling Sunday morning when fire and smoke was coming from  a large pile of shredded scrap metal.  According to the Sun Gazette, Old Lycoming Township firefighters also responded to the Trenton Avenue facility just after 10am and worked for two hours to extinguish the blaze under the fifteen foot high and fifty foot wide scrap pile.

APPRECIATION DINNER FOR PA VETERANS

Geisinger’s annual Veteran’s tribute and appreciation dinner is coming on November 7th and Veterans are encouraged to sign up for free.  According to the hospital, the dinners are available to U.S. military veterans and one guest at no cost in a contactless drive-thru setting from 3-5. Go online to register by Friday November 1^st – go.geisinger.org/vets dinner 2024  or call 570-293-7200. Participating locations for free veteran appreciation dinners include; Jersey Shore, Muncy, Shamokin, Danville, Bloomsburg Lewistown and Wilkes-Barre as well as more locations around the state. 

UPCOMING WALK IN PENN’S WOODS

There will be a Walk in Penn’s Woods this Sunday as part of a statewide initiative by the PA Forestry Association.  According to Rider park officials, their walk is just one of many in Pennsylvania , starting at 9am Sunday October 6^th in an area where Rider Park was given a grant from the Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology enhancing the American Woodcock habitat.  The 2.5 mile loop goes along the new green trail to a vista put in by Rider park with Penn College and Larson Design. There are other events happening at the park this week including a Star party October 4^th and a family nature adventure October 5^th with the James V Brown Library.  Register for the walk in Penn’s Woods by emailing [email protected] or by calling 570-321-1500.

ACCIDENT IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE SNARLS TRAFFIC

Traffic was backed up several miles on Route 220 South before noon yesterday after driver had an accident at the entrance way to the one-lane construction zone area in Woodward Township around 10:15am.  According to the Sun Gazette, the driver of a Toyota RAV4 suffered minor injuries after he hit the temporary barrier and overturned, landing upright.  The car was unable to be moved until a tow-truck arrived on the scene after 11am.  The injured driver was transported to UPMC Williamsport.

DRIVER ABANDONS TRUCK FLEES SOUTHSIDE POLICE ON FOOT

A 21 year old man from Williamsport, who ran a red light on the south side, was charged with fleeing from the law after he was spotted  by South Williamsport police at West Central and Hastings Street before he took off on foot.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say they saw Enzo Kerwood abandon his pickup truck and run through several yards while they began a pursuit that lasted over 2 hours, starting at around 2:45am September 22^nd.  Kerwood told police he was scared of capture since he had drank alcohol and smoked marijuana earlier in the night.  Kerwood was also charged with DUI and possession of drugs, but posted 15 thousand dollars bail and was released. 

PAJAMA FACTORY TENANT FILES INJUNCTION FOR FALSE NARRATIVE

A tenant at the Pajama Factory asked for an injunction order against the owners of the facility in county court Friday alleging Mark and Suzanne Winkleman created a false narrative that tenants were facing eviction after failing a codes inspection in July, when in fact, there is no imminent threat as they are paying for safety measures as required.  According to the Sun Gazette, court records state that attorneys for Susquehanna Legal Aid for Adults and Youth took the civil action last week, prior to the hearing with the Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals, over the city’s inspection results.  The is scheduled for today at 1pm at the Community Theater League. Other points of the injunction include the Winklemans not yet obtaining a cost estimate for the work needed to bring the building up to code as well as the plaintiff seeking proof in bank statements that the security deposits of the tenants are accounted for.

SOFT OPENING WITH DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY CENTER

Thanks to money raised through their capital campaign, the Danville Area Community Center (DACC) opened their newly renovated locker rooms with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting yesterday.  According to North Central PA dot com, $400,000 from its $1.5 million capital campaign was invested in the locker room project that started June 17^th, which will now be utilized for swim lessons, recreational swimming, and birthday parties.  The DACC campaign raised 1.3 million so far which is also set to be used for future projects like a preschool program for children ages 3-5, a group exercise studio, outdoor sports courts and more.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports

Boys Soccer
Montoursville 3    Bloomsburg 0
Cntrl Columbia  6  Hughesville  2
NP Liberty         5  Northern Potter 3
Warrior Run  3     South Wmspt  0
Girls Soccer 
South Wmspt  9  Montgomery  0

Girls Tennis 
Jersey Shore  4     Central Columbia  1
Hughesville  5      Loyalsock  0
Bloomsburg  3     Montoursville  2
South Wmspt  5  Bucktail 0

NFL Monday Night Football
Titans  31  Dolphins  12
Lions  42    Seahawks  29
NFL Thursday night 10/3
Buccaneers  vs   Falcons 8:15 PrimeVid
NCAA Football Saturday
UCLA vs Penn State Noon FOX

MLB
Game 1 –     Mets  8       Braves 7
Game 2 –     Braves 3     Mets  0
MLB Wild Card Series Today
American League
Tigers vs Astros  2:30 pm ABC
Royals vs Orioles  4pm  ESPN2
National League
Mets vs Brewers  5:30pm ESPN
Braves vs Padres  8:30pm ESPN

MLB News
*Pete Rose, one of baseball’s greatest players who earned glory as the game’s hit king and shame as a gambler died yesterday. He was 83.
*His death was confirmed by the Cincinnati Reds, the team with which he spent most of his career. No cause was given.
*On Sept. 11, 1985, playing for Cincinnati, Rose became the career hits leader, eclipsing the total of the great Ty Cobb with No. 4,192, a looping single to left-center field off Eric Show of the San Diego Padres. 

WNBA Semi-finals Game 2 Tonight
Las Vegas Aces vs NY Liberty 7:30pm ESPN2
Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx 9:30pm