BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS, JULY 21, 2020

The victims of Sunday’s two-story house fire in Woodward Township have been identified by the Lycoming County Coroner.  According to the Sun Gazette, 67 year old Carolyn Barner and 8 year old Riley Welch perished in the fire that state police say possibly started in the rear of the home at 225 Woodward Street, in the area of the deck, but the cause is under investigation.  A local volunteer firefighter noticed the blaze and called 911, alerting another resident in the home who knew Barner and Welch were on the second floor.  The fire marshal said that after being alerted to the fire, Barner either fell or jumped from the second story window and did not survive.  The 8 year old was later found by fire personnel on the second floor. Foul play is not suspected.

The Williamsport Bureau of Police has not yet released a statement about the shooting that occurred last Friday night along the 1000 block of Hepburn Street.  Accoridng to the Sun Gazette, Chief Damon Hagan said that an agent is conducting an investigation at this time.  No charges have been filed in the case, but a victim was reportedly transported to UPMC Williamsport after the incident.

The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania has worked to create a COVID-19 common application to enable a simplified process for nonprofits to apply for over 1.1 million dollars in grants.  According to the FCFP website the Degenstein Foundations and the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way have partnered together for assisting nonprofits and the people they serve with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable in communities.  Grant requests will be accepted through noon, July 29. The funding partners will have the opportunity to review all applications and grantee organizations may receive funding from multiple sources.   A link to the application and details are available here

The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau has made the  announcement that the 2020 Covered Bridge & Arts Festival, held annually at Knoebels Amusement Resort in October, must be canceled this year. The festival committee and management at Knoebel’s deemed the festival too high a risk for the 400 vendors and about 150,000 nationwide visitors.   The Covered Bridge & Arts Festival plans to return next year on October 7–10, 2021 for it’s 39th anniversary.

The owner of an award-winning organic dairy in Pennsylvania who pleaded guilty last year to running a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors of nearly $60 million, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. According to Lancaster Farming dot com, Philip Riehl, an accountant and the majority owner of Trickling Springs Creamery, ran a long-running fraud scheme that preyed on hundreds of Amish and Mennonite investors, according to federal prosecutors.  He pleaded guilty in federal court to securities and wire fraud and conspiracy.  A judge ordered Reihl to pay restitution to his victims.

A Montgomery man is out on bail after he was recently arraigned in District Court for charges of discharging a firearm into an occupied structure along the 900 block of McNett Road in Clinton Township on July 11th.  According to the Sun Gazette, State Troopers say 23 year old Brian Hamm while target shooting, fired a rifle and broke a window of a home on Snaurytown road, recklessly endangering another person – but no one was injured.  Hamm’s bail was set at 50 thousand dollars.

A Bloomsburg Fair social media post showing a female impersonator in a dunk tank to raise money for local fire departments with mocking comments about Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary for the PA Department of Health who is transgendered, received online criticism and pushback from social equity groups.   According to the Daily Item, the post, which has now been taken down, thanked a spoofed “Dr. Levine” for helping to raise money for the coalition of fire companies, but other social groups felt it was a bad choice for a family friendly event to ridicule another person for fun.   The state Department of Health (DOH) and the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs issued statements defending Levine.

Lewisburg Borough is preparing to renew a certification through the Community Rating System (CRS) that gives its residents a flood insurance discount. The Borough is currently a Class 8 community through the CRS providing a 10% premium discount for all properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and a 5% discount for all other properties. If your area is not mapped as an SFHA, you may qualify for a lower-cost Preferred Risk Policy.  SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting Lewisburg with its CRS recertification process. Flood information is available in the Lewisburg Borough Office and the Public Library for Union County.

SPORTS
NBA
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association said Monday that there are zero positive coronavirus tests out of the 346 players at the league’s bubble campus in Orlando, Florida, since July 13th.  The initial batch of tests in the bubble on July 13, it said that two of 322 players tested came back positive.  NBA games are set to resume July 30 after being halted in mid-March amid the coronavirus pandemic. Each of the teams participating in the restart will play three intersquad scrimmages from July 22 to July 28.

NFL
The NFL on Monday made an offer to the NFL Players Association to play no preseason games this summer, which is what the players had been pushing for when the league had been seeking to play two games instead of the usual four. The proposal to the players includes an offer for a longer training camp acclimation period, closer to what the union proposed. The Player’s Association  has not yet said whether it will accept the proposal.

MLB
Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday night before the reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals kick off the shortened 2020 season at home against the New York Yankees.  Dr. Fauci has been one of the faces of the United States’ fight against the pandemic and also a big fan of the Nationals — often wearing a face mask with team logos.

An overwhelming majority of sports fans polled by ESPN say they support the return of professional and collegiate sports even if fans will not be in attendance due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  A second wave of ESPN’s Coronavirus Lockdown Fan Study surveyed over one thousand sports fans age 18 and older and found 78% were in favor of sports resuming play despite restrictions on fan attendance, a double-digit increase from the previous poll, conducted in mid-April.  The survey found the prolonged suspension of live sporting events has left 84% of avid fans expressing a greater appreciation for them.

Bucknell softball coach Joey Lye will be leaving the university in order to continue pursuing her opportunity to compete with the Canadian Olympic softball team.  Lye joined Bucknell before the 2018 season and guided the Bison to winning records and second-place finishes in the Patriot League.  Bucknell went 27-23-1 overall and 13-5 in the conference in Lye’s debut season, and a year later the squad finished 28-24 overall and 14-3 in conference play. Lye was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2019.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 20, 2020

FATAL WOODWARD TOWNSHIP FIRE
Two people died in a fire early Sunday morning on Woodward Street in Woodward Township.  According to the Sun Gazette, the Woodward Township fire chief said they responded to the call and confirmed entrapment of the victims in the structure. The two-alarm fire got response from almost every local fire department with medics on the scene from UPMC Williamsport and Jersey Shore EMS.  The state fire marshal is investigating the fatal fire.  Residents near the scene donated water and Gatorade while crews battled the extra hot blaze for almost 5 hours.

VIGIL HELD TO “RECONSECRATE” BRANDON PARK IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE
After a protest rally ended up taking place in Williamsport’s Brandon Park last Saturday, more than 70 people gathered there Sunday for a prayer vigil in response to the National Socialist Movement’s impromptu event.  According to the Sun Gazette, members of grassroots activist groups and local churches gathered to sing and pray in order to reconsecrate the park with a kind loving, nonviolent yet righteously angry response.  The groups worked together after the rally to canvas the neighborhood about upcoming events and voting information for upcoming elections.

UPDATE ON INJURED MIFFLINBURG BICYCLIST
A bicyclist who was admitted to Geisinger medical center in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle last Friday morning while exiting the rails to trails path onto Buffalo Creek road, has been upgraded to fair condition. According to the Daily item, State police say 74 year old Margie Lohr of Mifflinburg hit  52 year old Joseph Shamburg from Mifflinburg with her 2009 Chevrolet impala at the Buffalo Township site and he was thrown from the bicycle. Shamburg was taken to Geisinger in Danville by Buffalo Township EMS.

RESURFACING ON GOLDEN STRIP THIS WEEK
A resurfacing project on Third Street on the golden strip will continue overnight this week in Loyalsock Township. According to PennDOT, there will be paving and milling, along with drainage and guardrail upgrades continuing through Friday, between the hours of 9pm and 6am.  Motorists can expect lane changes.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN TIOGA COUNTY
There was a fatal crash along Route 6 in Tioga County involving a van with 5 occupants and 2 people on a motorcycle Sunday around 1:30pm near Colton Point Hotel in Wellsboro.  According to First News Now, state police confirmed that the accident closed down Route 6 near Route 349 intersection at one end and the other end of Route 6 was closed near Route 287.  Police reports say an 18-year-old driver entered Route 6 from a parking lot on the north berm, while 53-year-old Joseph David Jones and a female passenger were traveling west on a 2006 Harley Davidson Motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the van with a hard impact. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, the female passenger was lifeflighted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre from the Burning Barrel Restaurant parking lot.  The motorcyclists did not have helmets on, and the crash is still under investigation, utilizing the services of State Police Collision analysis. No one in the van was seriously injured.

MAN ASSAULTS NURSE DURING BLOOD DRAW
A man was charged for assaulting an Evangelical Community Hospital nurse in June 28th of this year during a visit to the emergency room.  According to NorthcentralPA.com, 25 year old Anthony Melo of State College, allegedly was intoxicated and punched a nurse in the left eye while she was drawing blood from him.  Montoursville State Police say Melo was combative and was restrained by hospital staff.  He was charged with felony aggravated assault as well as misdemeanor assault and will have a preliminary hearing September 3rd.

RESTAURANT GRANTS BEING DISCUSSED
Governor Wolf has been meeting with Pennsylvania’s congress attempting to get aid for suffering restaurant owners across the state. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the bipartisan bill, called the Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive or “RESTAURANTS “ Act, if passed, would provide a 120 billion dollar grant to independently owned bars and restaurants based on 2019 and 2020 tax records. Owners could receive up to 10 million dollars to help with things like payroll, rent, food and any other overhead costs needed to the hard hit restaurant industry. Read a summary of the legislation here.

TWO OVERNIGHT PENN DOT PROJECTS THIS WEEK
Two PennDOT Projects are on tap for this week for Union and Snyder Counties.  In Winfield  today from 6am til 2pm  and possibly the same time tomorrow, expect delays along Route 11/15 in Union County.  In Snyder County, Franklin Township, for the week, pipes will be replaced along Route 522 between Paxton Street and the borough of Middleburg, also  from 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. and traffic will be down to an alternating single lane with flagging.  PennDOT says avoid expected delays by avoiding the area if possible.

SPORTS
NASCAR
Austin Dillon stayed in front after a restart with two laps to go and beat rookie Tyler Reddick to the checkered flag at Texas, giving Richard Childress Racing its first 1-2 NASCAR Cup finish in nine years.  Dillon raced to his third career win and first since Daytona at the start of the 2018 season. He stayed in front on three late restarts, the first after an incident with 29 laps left that shuffled the fast car of Ryan Blaney to a lap back.

NBA
A 2003-04 LeBron James Upper Deck rookie Patch Parallel card sold at auction for $1.845 million on Sunday.  The price tag on the rare card sets a record for modern-day cards (recognized as cards produced in 1980 or later) and is the most any basketball card has ever sold for.  The record sale surpassed a previous record set in May when a gem mint Bowman Draft Chrome Red Refractor Mike Trout signed rookie card went for $922,500. The Trout card was one of only five produced and the highest graded.

GOLF
Jon Rahm became the No. 1 player in the world Sunday with a victory in the Memorial, He watched an 8 shot lead go to three, with three holes to play, hitting what he called the greatest shot of his life, giving him a bogey because of a penalty.  Even with that 2-shot penalty because his ball moved the length of a dimple on his chip-in behind the 16th green, Rahm closed with 3-over 75 for a 3-shot victory over Ryan Palmer.

NFL

NFL players took to Twitter on Sunday in a coordinated effort to urge the NFL to listen to its experts’ guidelines on safely opening training camps amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many of the players used the hashtag #WeWantToPlay to accompany their tweets. The Twitter blitz sets the stage for the NFLPA to file a grievance over unsafe working conditions. The NFL will open training camps July 28th according to the League

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 19, 2020

National Socialist Movement Rally at Brandon Park

45 concrete barriers were surrounding 2 Jewish synagogues yesterday in a preemptive move by local government in case the National socialist Movement ended up having a rally, even though the leader of the movement didn’t officially state an assembly was happening. This didn’t keep 15 members from rallying at Brandon park. The local police were on scene immediately as a small group of members showed up where they constantly surveyed to group to make sure nothing got out of hand. The self proc;aimed neo-Nazi’s armed with AR-15’s, pistols and semi-automatic shotguns arrived in 3 vans. During their open carry, the members allegedly taunted onlookers and shouted racial slurs at passerby’s. A group of 6 gathered and tried to confront the Nazi group before being intercepted by police to keep things under control. No people were harmed, and the rally only lasted about 45 minutes before the ending peacefully.

Mifflinburg Cyclist In Critical Condition

A bicyclist has been admitted to Geisinger medical center in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle Monday morning. Media outlets say Joseph Shamburg, a 52 year old man from Mifflinburg was exiting the rails to trails path onto buffalo creek road before being hit by a 2009 Chevrolet impala, operated by 74 year old women named Margie Lohr. Shamburg is still in critical condition as of Friday.

1 Pet Dead 2 Missing in Home Burglary

A home burglary recently took place in North Umberland County leaving 1 pet dead and 2 missing. The house was located on North Mill Road in East Chillisquaque Township. State police investigated the scene and put out a statement saying that someone entered the home on June 17th killing a pet guinea pig. 2 cats were also there at the time of the break in, but are currently missing.

Governor Wolf Pushing For Federal Aid

Governor Wolf has been meeting with Pennsylvania’s congress attempting to get aid for suffering restaurant owners across the state. In a press reiaf Wolf  state “Our nation’s independent local restaurants have been especially harmed by this pandemic and they need federal help.” The Bi partisan bill, if passed, would provide a 120 million dollar grant to independently owned bars and restaurants. How much restaurants and bars will receive is based on 2019 and 2020 tax records. Owners could receive up to 10 million dollars to help with things like payroll, rent, food and any other overhead costs needed to the hard hit restaurant industry. For a Summary of the bill, you can click this link.

Sports

MLB

The major league umpire Rick Reed, who continued working as an umpire despite 2 strokes in 2008 and 2009, has passed away Thursday night, bring his 3 decade career to an end.

NFL

Electronic arts, the game publisher for the popular football game madden, will be following suit in changing the name of the Washington redskins in game for madden 21.

NBA

Exhibition games are being shortened from 12 minute quarters to 10 minute quarters to not overly tax teams with a shortened roster or the players that haven’t been active during the months of the pandemic.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 18, 2020

Governor Wolf announces DCED Grants

Governor Tom Wolf announced grant funding yesterday to help employers provide hazard pay to their employees in life-sustaining occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic intended to keep front-line employees working in vital industry sectors across Pennsylvania.  Created through the CARES Act, this reimbursement-based grant will be administered by the DCED.  Businesses may apply for grants up to a maximum of $3 million.  Grant funds may be used for hazard pay for direct, full-time and part-time employees earning less than $20/hour, excluding fringe benefits and overtime for the 10-week period from August 16, 2020, to October 24, 2020. Click the link for the list of eligible occupations for hazard pay as well as application and contact information. https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/wolf-administration-hazard-pay-grants-now-available-for-front-line-workers-in-life-sustaining-industries/

Jersey Shore Annual Town Hall Meeting Canceled

On Thursday the Jersey Shore Borough Council held an emergency meeting that evening to discuss the popular Town Meeting Celebration. Due to an order drafted the day before by governor Wolf prohibiting gatherings of 250 people and up, the council concluded that the annual event was not a possibility. According to the sun gazette Town meeting president Jeremy Frantz stated that it was not a decision they wanted to make. Frantz also stated that all donated funds not being used for this years event will go towards Christmas events and eventually next years Town Meeting.

Resurfacing Project On Golden Strip

A resurfacing project on Third Street on the golden strip will continue next week in loyal sock township. The 3 million dollar project will begin with paving and milling, along with drainage and guardrail upgrades on July 20th and continue to the 24th. Work will be done between the hours of 9pm and 6am, motorists can expect delays and lane changes. Motorists should slow down to stay alert for slow moving vehicles and workers on the job

New Health Center Milestone Completed

A new health center in lock haven has recently finished placing the final steele beam for the structure. The milestone for the 100 million dollar project was celebrated by a small group of employees who signed their names and posed for a photo as it was being placed. The building, located on west 4rth street in lockhaven is planned to be completed by 2021 and will offer a plethora of services to the public including an urgent and primary care facility as well as a pharmacy among many other things.

Reopening School Discussions Continue

State officials are discussing opening schools back up in the fall. According to the sun gazette the state secretary of education Pedro Rivera stressed that a plan to reopen schools is not a one size fits all sort of solution. Dr Rachel Lavione also commented on the reopening of schools, saying that she hears from many people that students are anxious to get back to school. As we push forward through the pandemic, personal efforts to limit the rate of infection will determine how school will go about re opening and when. Not that the reopening of schools is a given. If infections continue to rise, safely re opening may not be a possibility

Sports

MLB

Daniel Bard, former boston red sox pitcher has recently made a comeback making the roster with the Colorado Rockies after a 7 year absence.

NBA

Houston Rockets guard James Harden said a political statement wasn’t intended by wearing a “Thin Blue Line” mask Thursday and that he was unaware of what the mask represented.

NFL

As the NFL moves forward with plans to not delay training camps amongst the pandemic, team physicians with the NFL players association are trying to figure out the best way to practice safely before the camps start.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 17, 2020

HAZARD PAY AVAILABLE FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING WORKERS
Governor Tom Wolf announced grant funding yesterday to help employers provide hazard pay to their employees in life-sustaining occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic intended to keep front-line employees working in vital industry sectors across Pennsylvania.  Created through the CARES Act, this reimbursement-based grant will be administered by the DCED.  Businesses may apply for grants up to a maximum of $3 million.  Grant funds may be used for hazard pay for direct, full-time and part-time employees earning less than $20/hour, excluding fringe benefits and overtime for the 10-week period from August 16, 2020, to October 24, 2020. The list of eligible occupations for hazard pay as well as application and contact information is listed here.

MONTOURSVILLE SCHOOLS LOOKING FOR UPGRADE OPTIONS
Montoursville area School District continues to consider options in upgrading elementary schools there.  According to the Sun Gazette, at the School board meeting Wednesday, an appointed architect firm presented seven options costing between 14 and 31 million dollars which range from closing some schools to building a new K-4 elementary school.  Board members are taking more time to review the presented options as well as considering making improvements as the district can afford them.

UNION COUNTY CONSTRUCTION MONDAY
PennDOT has announced a core drilling project next week along Rt 11/15 in Union County.  Watch for lane restrictions in both lanes with flagging along the roadway starting Monday the 20th from 6am til 2pm.  According to the press release, work may continue into Tuesday, weather permitting.  You can check conditions on any roads in PA by visiting www.511PA.com

JERSEY SHORE TOWN MEETING CANCELLED
The Borough of Jersey Shore, in response to recent decisions by the Pennsylvania Governor and the Pennsylvania Department of Health to restrict gatherings of over 25 people and mitigations efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, has made the difficult decision to cancel Jersey Shore Town meeting days originally rescheduled to July 20th through 25th.  The Borough Council said they look forward to the event returning in 2021.

PENNSYLVANIA UNIVERSITIES MAY BLEND IN THE FUTURE
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will be studying the impact of blending state schools such as Mansfield and Lock Haven Universities.  The Board of Governors approved the review, and according to the Sun Gazette, said that integrating operations at selected schools could ensure students and the communities with an affordable, high quality education, as many of the state universities in the state system are facing financial hardship.  Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 20 of 2020 earlier this month which outlines a transparent review and implementation process that could take place over the next 2 years.

AIR TRAVEL TO THE CAROLINAS STARTS IN AUGUST
Williamsport Regional Airport has announced officially that their new service scheduled to take passengers directly to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina twice daily, will begin on August 18th according to a press release.   American Airlines has over 700 flights leaving Charlotte daily. The two hour flight to the Carolinas will give regional travelers a new gateway to the southern United States.  There will be a a Williamsport and Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce PM Exchange event August 13 to help usher in the new air service.  Maiden flight events will take place as well at the facility on August 18th.  CDC protocols are in place at the airport with plexiglass shielding at ticket counters and at the security area with the authorities there requiring 6 foot distancing in the terminal.

PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE AHEAD OF NEO-NAZI EVENT IN PENNSYLVANIA
Even though the commander of the National Socialist movement says there are not any events planned in the Williamsport area, city police have assisted local synagogues by placing concrete barriers nearby each of the Jewish worship centers in a preemptive move in case a march in the city does end up taking place.  According to the Sun Gazette, 45 barricades are standing by in alleyways and at intersections where they can be moved by machinery to block access points by vehicle to those houses of worship. The NSM will be holding their neo-Nazi National Conference in Ulysses PA this weekend, with a possible rally in Erie.

YARD SALES IN FLEMINGTON RESTRICTED
Flemington Borough may enact an ordinance to regulate and restrict sales in their community.  According to the Sun Gazette, if enacted the ordinance will limit the sale of 10 or more new, used or second hand items of personal property at any one residential premises at one time, including rummages and all yard or garage sales,  There will be an opportunity to participate in 2 sales during the year and the communtiy yard sale during the 1st week in may in May. Signs advertising the sales must be only put up 24 hours in advance and taken down after 24 hours, as well.  Council members said safety concerns played a role in their decision.

SPORTS
NFL
Fifteen women who previously worked for the Washington Redskins’ organization have alleged sexual harassment and verbal abuse by former scouts and others that owner Daniel Snyder knew, according to the Washington Post. The allegations are against Alex Santos, Richard Mann II, and radio announcer and senior vice president Larry Michael. All three resigned in the past week. There are no allegations against the team’s owner or former longtime general manager Bruce Allen, who was fired at the end of the 2019 season after 10 years with the franchise.

72 NFL players were known to have tested positive for the coronavirus as of July 10, while the NFL and the NFL Players Association continue to negotiate rules to get the regular season started in September.  Estimating 32 traditional 90-man training camp rosters means the 72 positives represent 2.5% of the league’s player population.  Several prominent members of the players’ union have said publicly that they won’t agree to return to play until they’re convinced everything has been done to keep them as safe as possible.

NBA
Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans left the NBA bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday morning because of an urgent family medical matter and said that he intends to rejoin the team at a later date. If his absence lasts seven days or fewer, Williamson will quarantine for four days upon his return to the NBA bubble if he has a negative test each day he’s outside the bubble. If he doesn’t have the required testing, he will quarantine for 10 days.

MLB
Major League Baseball will play crowd noises from its official video game through ballpark sound systems when the baseball season opens next week. Stadium sound engineers will have access to around 75 different effects and reactions.  San Diego Studios, a branch of Sony Interactive Entertainment, compiled the noise during games over several seasons.  The sounds were being used during summer camp games and will be tested more during exhibition games.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 16, 2020

RESTRICTIONS ARE COMING BACK AFTER UNSETTLING COVID-19 NUMBERS
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has announced new statewide restrictions on bars and restaurants and larger indoor gatherings. Wolf said Wednesday that the new orders for targeted mitigation efforts are in response to an “unsettling” climb in new COVID-19 cases.  The DOH  projecting that a new surge could soon eclipse what we saw in April peak. The new orders include reducing restaurants’ indoor dining capacity to 25%, limiting on-premises alcohol consumption to meals only, limiting indoor gatherings to 25 people and implementing telework whenever possible.  The restrictions take effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Read the entire mandate from Governor Tom Wolf, here

ADA SUIT FILED AGAINST WILLIAMSPORT
The Center for Independent Living and ADAPT, two regional advocacy organizations for differently-abled people, filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court against Williamsport for allegedly failing to provide disabled access to City Hall.  According to the Sun Gazette, The plaintiffs, who include residents from Williamsport, Lock Haven and Jersey Shore allege that the city intentionally discriminated against over 3 thousand disabled residents by not providing access to the inside of City Hall with the long-promised access ramp and other accessibility needs such as flashing fire alarms for deaf individuals. According to PennLive, the U.S. attorney’s office launched an investigation earlier this year into allegations Williamsport’s City Hall and other municipal facilities are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

CLINTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UNDER SCRUTINY
The Clinton County Commissioners are facing scrutiny after personnel changes in the Department of Emergency Services there prompted a local resident to question the qualifications and actions of local leaders within the department.  Kevin Ferrara, former fire fighter, Air Force veteran and emergency services consultant says there are recent questions about the use of Personal Protective Equipment such as N95 Masks used for First responders and emergency personnel, he says about 500 of which were instead distributed to county employees by Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding. Commissioner Jeff Snyder says the number of masks Harding secured for employees was not that exorbitant  and that she did not have access to 500 masks.  According to clintoncountypa.com, Clinton County commissioners meet every Thursday at 10:00 am and commissioner work sessions are held every Monday morning. All meetings are open to the public.

LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM SHUT DOWN BY CORONAVIRUS DIAGNOSIS
A T-ball player in the Montoursville Little League tested positive for COVID-19 and the team is now shut down to keep the virus from spreading.  According to North Central PA cot com, the leagues’ leaders notified parents that a 5 or 6 year old was affected by the virus and that his family had not let him participate in any activities after he became sick – but he is now fever-free  An older brother in the coach-pitch league is being held out of action in an abundance of caution, but no one else in the boy’s family had any COVID-19 symptoms.  League president Scott Metzger said the Montoursville team can resume play on July 23rd if no issues arise.

MORE LYCOMING RECYCLING FACILITIES TO CLOSE
Five more recycling sites in Lycoming County will be discontinued due to the cost of transportation to remote areas to collect low volumes of materials.  According to a press release by Lycoming County resource management, Franklin Township, Montgomery Borough, Nippenose Township, Pine Township and Plunketts Creek Township are slated to close down, joining Lewis Township and Porter Township already on the list of facilities to shut down in 2020.  LCRMS says there was a decrease in available state grants and the market value of materials is low which no longer helps offset the costs.  Get details about the sites at lcrms.com.  Hepburn Township, Cogan House Township, Watson Township, Limestone Township and Brady Township are still slated to reopen their facilities.

WILLIAMSPORT AD HOC COMMITTEE RESEARCHING UPGRADE COSTS FOR CITY HALL
Williamsport’s City Hall building Ad Hoc Committee has come up with an estimate to fully repair City Hall, saying 4.99 million dollars will be needed to upgrade HVAC, and elevator and roof replacement, plus bathroom upgrades and an accessibility wheelchair ramp.  According to the Sun Gazette, the 2017 report compilation from an architecture and construction management firm comes prior to decisions being made about costs of repairs vs. a move to a new building which could house police fire and emergency personell.  A meeting in August between UPMC Susquehanna, Williamsport City Police and the county to discuss a public safety facility location is pending.

LOCAL LEADERS SUPPORT LIMITING THE LENGTH OF DISASTER DECLARATION
A proposed constitutional amendment has support from State Sen. Gene Yaw Rep. Garth Everett and Rep. Jeff Wheeland that limits the length of future emergency disaster declarations made by the governor, unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly. Under current law, a governor’s emergency declaration can last up to 90 days and be renewed by the governor indefinitely. Under Senate Bill 1166, the emergency declaration would be limited to 21 days unless the General Assembly approved a longer duration. Senate vote followed Tuesday’s approval by the House of Representatives.  As a constitutional amendment, the legislation must be approved again in the next legislative session before being put on the ballot for voters to decide.

PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY BUYS GANDER OUTDOORS BUILDING
The former Gander Outdoors at the Lycoming Mall Complex has a new owner and they are hiring.  According to NorthCentral PA dot com, Williamsport based Miele Manufacturing, who handle Pennsylvania skill games, recently purchased the outparcel building at 66 Mall Parkway in Muncy Creek Township and plan to mive in officially soon.  The over 56 thousand square foot building was vacated in December of 2019 after Gander Outdoors had a brief liquidation sale.

LOCAL COLLEGE RECOGNIZED BY ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION
Penn College has been recognized by the  Arbor Day Foundation for the 5th consecutive year as Tree Campus USa for its commitment to urban forestry.  Penn College — honored annually since 2015 — met Tree Campus USA’s five standards inlcluding having a tree advisory committee,  a campus tree-care plan in place, dedicating annual expenditures for the program, holding an Arbor Day observance and with a student service-learning project,  The Arbor Day foundation’s Time for Trees initiative is an effort to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities by 2022.

SPORTS
NASCAR
Chase Elliot joined his father Bill Elliott as winner of NASCAR‘s annual All-Star race earning $1 million in front of limited spectators at Bristol motor Speedway.  Elliot beat Kyle Busch to the finish line –  Bubba Wallace wrecked out of the qualifier

NFL

A Bidet company who made a lot of money during the COVID-19 pandemic announced a bid yesterday for the naming rights to the Buffalo Bills stadium. A$12.5 million deal could rename the venue TUSHY stadium, and would likely bring a college football bowl game to Orchard Park called the Toilet Bowl. It’s unclear whether TUSHY’s offer will be taken seriously.

The Dallas Cowboys and pro bowl quarterback Dak Prescott were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal yesterday, so Prescott will play the upcoming season on a franchise tag worth 31.4 million.The team and Prescott are now not allowed to negotiate until after the upcoming season is over.

In the NFL, about half of the adults in the US support Washington DC NFL team to retire the Redskins name according to a poll of 6000 people. It states that 53% of America strongly or somewhat support the team’s decision to change its name.

NBA Players are using a snitch hotline to report other players who are violating COVID-19 protocols at the NBA bubble in Orlando.  Sources say the NBA has set up an anonymous hotline to report social distancing violations at Walt Disney World resort.  Players have received warnings from violations that have come through the snitch hotline as the league ensures social distancing and mask protocols on the campus.

 

The Clinton County Commissioners are facing scrutiny after personnel changes in the Department of Emergency Services there prompted a local resident to question the qualifications and actions of local leaders within the department.  Kevin Ferrara, former fire fighter, Air Force veteran and emergency services consultant says a recent job posting to replace the Emergency Management Coordinator, who recently retired within upheaval in the department which Ferrara says is due to a hostile work environment under Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding.    Commissioner Miles Kessinger says Harding cares about Clinton County and the changes being made are for the better.  Details about the requirements for the current job availability in Clinton County is available at clintoncountypa.com

 

The Clinton County Commissioners are facing scrutiny after personnel changes in the Department of Emergency Services there prompted a local resident to question the qualifications and actions of local leaders within the department.  Kevin Ferrara, former fire fighter, Air Force veteran and emergency services consultant says a recent job posting to replace the Emergency Management Coordinator, who recently retired in what Ferrara says was a hostile work environment under  Clinton County Commissioner Anglea Harding, states the directives listed for the hire does not follow Title 35/PEMA directives.  Ferrar says Andrew Kremser, the current Director of the Department of Emergency Services was not properly credentialed for the position.  Clinton County Commissioner Miles Kessinger says Kremser is currently obtaining the qualifications he needs.  Details about the requirements for the current Emergency Management Coordinator position in Clinton County is available at clintoncountypa.com.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 15, 2020

The man who stepped in and shot the suspect in a double murder in Hummels Wharf last week will not be charged after his shots hospitalized the accused.  According to media outlets, the Snyder County DA says Troy Sprenkle was legally armed and justified in shooting Christopher Fernanders Friday night who had allegedly just fatally shot and killed his former wife, Heather Sue Campbell and her friend Mathew Bowersox in a restaurant parking lot.  Fernanders will be arraigned Wednesday via a video feed from his hospital room at Geisinger Medical Center.

Since there was a delay with the reporting of private lab results of coronavirus tests, the PA Department of Health reports that the new confirmed numbers reflect numbers that did not occur within the last measured 24 hours.  929 positive cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania as of yesterday, but of those, 216 are the result of the delay.  The situation also applies in Allegheny County where 331 cases were reported, but 186 cases were delayed, meaning the increase there was145 cases in the past 24 hours.

Montoursville area School District outlined changes in the school year due to covid-19 response for students returning to the classroom.  According to the Sun Gazette, school officials said personal protective equipment like masks and face shields will be given to students at the beginning of the year to wear on the buses that will be subject to socal distancing.  There will be classroom changes, too, with plexiglass shields around desks and lots of hand sanitizing stations.  Students will have their temperatures checked upon arrival to school. The CDC has not issued steps for the district to follow, should a student or staff member test positive for COVID-19.

A Philadelphia tradition is being called off for this year.  There won’t be a Mummer’s Parade on New Year’s Day according to Penn Live, the city extended a moratorium on large events cancelling as well the Thanksgiving Day parade, and all the fall road races, including the Rock and Roll half marathon and the Broad Street Run, which had been postponed to October.  The infamous Mummers Parade, that has been called out over its long history of racist blackface displays, had been called off only twice before in its 119-year history, the last time in 1934 during the Great Depression

The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit dismantled an alleged heroin distribution operation July 10 in Williamsport.  According to North Central PA dot com, 5 individuals all from Philadelphia or Williamsport were taken into custody at 674 Grier Street after the LCNEU forcibly entered the home armed and with a warrant. Detectives said unattended children were nearby a drug packaging station that contained heroin/fentanyl, as well as approximately $1,500 worth of marijuana and $5,210 in cash. Of the suspects, all five are in custody charged with felony counts of drug manufacturing and child endangerment.

There will not be a neo-Nazi rally in Williamsport on Saturday, according to North Central PA .com. Representatives from the National Socialist Movement said the rally will be over the weekend on private property in Ulysses, Potter County.  Even though there is no rally, city police say they remain prepared, with the Lycoming County commissioners approving $122,000 in new equipment and riot gear for the county sheriff’s department at Tuesday’s meeting.

Governor Wolf signed two small bills yesterday in Harrisburg and said they were important steps in making society fair.  The legislation is in response to widespread protests over police brutality and designed to prevent problematic officers from continuing to find employment in police departments, provide officers with more cultural sensitivity training and provide officers with more mental health screening.  These are the first bills passed in the state to address any future police conduct.

More Universities in Pennsylvania are announcing their plans for reopening in the fall.  West Chester has just announced they will be going all virtual instruction for the fall sememster, but Bloomsburg will begin their year a week earlier than planned.  According to the university the fall semester will consist of two condensed sessions and one full semester. The university says a student will be placed in all three sessions. They say the winter semester dates are pending, and the spring semester is currently schedule to begin February 1, with more details to be announced tomorrow.

 

SPORTS

COLLEGE ATHLETICS
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is expected to suspend athletics through the end of 2020, according to multiple media outlets. An announcement from the conference is expected today.  With the announcement that means no athletic competition through December 31, 2020, impacting all fall sports and delaying the start of winter sports.  This will effect Lock Haven and Bloomsburg University who are in the PSAC.

PA SPORTS
City officials say that no fans will be in the stands for Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies games in 2020, citing safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. Philadelphia health commissioner Thomas Farley said he believes that baseball and football games can be played under the safety protocols suggested by both leagues, but having fans in the stands would be too big of a risk.

NASCAR

The NASCAR All Star Open is tonight at 7pm followed by the NASCAR Cup Series All Star Race at 8:30 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.

BASKETBALL
Former Marquette star Travis Diener made his teammates $1 million richer yesterday when he drilled a corner 3-pointer during the final quarter of the annual Basketball Tournament to secure a 78-73 win against Sideline Corner for the Golden Eagles, which is a a team made up of former Marquette basketball players. The team will split the $1 million prize evenly — with each player and coach pocketing about $90,000. General manager Daniel Fizgerald will bring home slightly less at $80,000.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 14, 2020

FOUR STATES ADDED TO PA QUARANTINE-FOLLOWING-RETURN LIST
Pennsylvania Health Department officials have added to the list of states that require commonwealth residents to self-quarantine if they return from traveling there.  Delaware, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma have been added to the list of 15 other states involved in the travel quarantine and people who go there are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return to Pennsylvania. Recently, more than 200 new reported cases in Allegheny County and more than 100 in Philadelphia were part of more than 800 additional positive cases announced over the weekend.  The statewide total today is 95,742 reported cases – in Lycoming County 247, 346 in Northumberland.

SMALL BARN FIRE IN WILLIASPORT
There was another 2 alarm fire in Williamsport Monday that brought down a small three-story barn in the 1400 block of Bloomingrove Road.  The fire was reported by the property owner after being discovered about 8:15.  City firefighters arrived and then called a second alarm which brought additional manpower and equipment from South Williamsport, Old Lycoming Township at Montoursville. There were no injuries and no homes were damaged.   Bloomingrove Road was closed north of Freedom Road for  a few hours and police are investigating the cause of the blaze.

OVERNIGHT ROAD WORK IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Overnight roadwork will continue this week on Interstate 80 eastbound in Turbot Township, Northumberland County between the hours of 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM each day.   Through this Thursday, July 16, a contractor will be paving approaches and applying epoxy overlays on the bridges at mile marker 215 over Route 254 and mile marker 213 over Muddy Run Road, weather permitting.  Expect the right (driving) lane to be restricted while work is being performed.

LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY HAS REOPENING PLAN
After gathering input from numerous individuals and groups on campus, Lock Haven University has announced the release of its Return to The Haven 2020 reopening plan for the fall semester.   Guidelines and requirements are in place for the campus community regarding social distancing and the use of facial coverings.  The university will limit the population density on campus including in classrooms and residence halls. The semester will begin on Aug. 24, but face-to-face instruction will end the week before Thanksgiving on Nov. 20.  Classes will be spread out more throughout the day and be a mix of face-to-face and remote learning  More details can be found at the Return to The Haven website, at www.lockhaven.edu/fallreturn.

MAN DIES AFTER SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE ATTEMPTING TO SERVE WARRANT
A man was killed in an “officer involved shooting” Friday as Pennsylvania State and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office were attempting to serve a warrant.  According to a press release, state and local police arrived at 60  year old Michael Norton’s home at 521 Cotts Rd in Forksville around 10:30am . There is no word on whether Norton was armed, but after a shooting Norton taken away by ambulance, but according to the Sullivan County Coroner Norton passed away due to the injuries he sustained enroute to the hospital. An autopsy is being performed at Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown.

Sunbury Mayor Kurt Karlovich made the announcement at Monday’s Sunbury City Council meeting that he will not seek reelection in 2021.  According to the Daily Item  Karlovich said that due to regulations of the Civil Service Act, if he sought seek reelection he would be terminated or forced to resign from his current employment.  He said will serve out his term for the next 18-months, but said made the announcement early because he wants people to get involved to run for the position.  In November 2017, Karlovich, a Democrat, defeated Republican Councilwoman Beth Kremer and independent Joseph Bartello to become the new mayor of Sunbury at the age of 31.

Motorists who travel Route 220 will have more lane restrictions this week in Woodward and Piatt Townships, Lycoming County.  There will be work during off-peak hours to minimize traffic impacts, inlcuding paving, shoulder widening, sewer relocation and overhead utility relocation. Miscellaneous construction activities will continue  with alternating lane closures .  The safety improvement project addressed conflicting traffic movements and provides more efficient and safer places for U-turns. The project will be completed in Fall of 2022.

A bill has passed in the state Senate that could help create thousands of family-sustaining jobs, and provide a boost to Pennsylvania’s energy economy.  According to a press release by Sen. Gene Yaw, the Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee,  the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit Program adds an incentive for manufacturers to invest in Pennsylvania communities, available to facilities that use dry natural gas to produce fertilizer and other petrochemical products. The House of Representatives will now consider  Bill 732.

SPORTS
NFL
The Washington Redskins announced Monday that they will be retiring their nickname and logo after completing a thorough review that began on July 3.  The announcement of a new name has been delayed because trademark issues are pending. Ity is reported that the franchise will not use any Native American imagery. Washington’s logo of an American Indian chief was designed by a Native American in 1971.

The NFL is going to distribute The Oakley Mouth Shield to all 32 teams over the next week, which is a product designed in collaboration with doctors and engineers from the NFL to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus on the field of play.  They consist of Plastic sheets that extend down and attach to the face guard. There are airways and openings on the mouth shield but none that allow the direct transmission of droplets.  Currently, there is no mandate to wear a face shield,

NASCAR
It was announced last week that NASCAR will move its August road course race from Watkins Glen in upstate New York  and shift instead to the road course at Daytona International Speedway. The move means the Cup Series will make its debut on Daytona’s road course, incorporating part of the famed 2.5-mile oval. The race on Aug. 16 was necessary to move from Watkins Glen because NASCAR cannot meet New York’s quarantine requirements for out-of-state visitors.

NBA
As NBA players arrive at games during resumed play in Orlando, they will have the freedom to wear clothing from their own wardrobes while walking from the team bus to the venue’s locker rooms.  According to a league spokesperson. players can wear items from their own wardrobes upon arrival that are neat in appearance.  However, players not in uniform at games must be wearing pants while seated on the bench. The league removed the requirement that players seated on the bench wear a sport coat.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

The Patriot League cancelled the fall sports season Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Bucknell Director of Athletics and Recreation, Jermaine Truax, said he supports the difficult decision. The Patriot League Council of Presidents has not made a decision on winter and spring sports.  The league said it recognizes that the cancellation is “deeply disappointing.”

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 13, 2020

TWO VICTIMS KILLED IN MONROE TOWNSHIP SHOOTING
The Monroe Marketplace was evacuated Friday night after a man shot and killed two victims in the parking lot of the Buffalo Wild Wings.  According to media outlets, 46-year-old Heather Campbell of Trevorton and 52-year-old Matthew Bowersox of Mifflinburg were shot by suspect Christopher Fernanders of Paxinos who according to court documents, plotted to kill Campbell who had obtained a PFA order July 1st.  Following the first shooting 49-year-old Troy Sprenkle of Sunbury came out of the restaurant and fired three or four shots at the suspect, putting him the hospital with serious injuries.  Ferndanders has not yet been arraigned on muder charges dues to his hospitalization according to the Snyder County DA.

COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS IN PA
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of midnight last night,  that there are 725 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 95,414. The number of new cases in Allegheny County concerns the department as the numbers increased by 200 cases overnight. Lycoming County confirmed 242 cases.

FORECLOSURE ORDER SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
Governor Tom Wolf has signed a new executive order last week that protects some homeowners and renters from eviction or foreclosure until August 31. Those who already received assistance from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency or already received relief through one of the federal foreclosure moratorium programs or judicial orders are ineligible.  Lenders and property owners that receive funds through the PHFA program agree not pursue foreclosure or eviction actions as a condition of participation in the program.

WILLIAMSPORT CITY  HIRES ANALYTICS CONSULTANT
City Council hired an economic analytic expert last week to assist the city administration as it prepares for possible arbitration with the Bureau of Fire union in August. According to the Sun Gazette, Vijay Kapoor, president of Kapoor Company will be paid no more than $16,500 to perform what he said is a granular, high-end analysis using compensation comparisons from cities across Pennsylvania. Mayor Derek Slaughter also said that Kapoor will also be used by the city in preparation for his proposed 2021 budget and negotiations with police and River Valley Transit unions.

MAN DIES IN ONE CAR CRASH
A Unityville man died of his injuries after a one-vehicle accident about 6pm Friday night in Moreland Township along Route 118.  According to the Sun Gazette, state police say 20 year old Gavin Steele lost control of his Subaru Outback while heading west on Route 118 near L Harman Rd. and overturned.  Steele was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle. A nurse from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville reported that Steele passed away from his injuries Saturday.

MAN FLEES FROM POLICE
A man from Ashland is facing charges for fleeing from police July 5th in Shamokin.  According to media outlets, 36 year old Harry Baney did not yield to police lights and sirens which started the police pursuit.  The chase went through several residential areas in Shamokin before Baney crashed the car and then fled on foot.  Police say the ehcile was towed from the scene and no injuries were reported.

STATE BUSINESS SHOULD TAKE PLACE REMOTELY
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to help reduce unnecessary in-person contact that can spread the virus, Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order Friday authorizing state agencies to conduct administrative proceedings remotely. Several state agencies conduct administrative proceedings including meetings and disciplinary hearings of the 29 occupational licensing boards and commissions under the Department of State. The executive order takes effect immediately and allows administrative proceedings to occur by phone, video or online. Independent agencies are strongly encouraged to implement this executive order.

LOCAL COIN SHORTAGE
Local retailers are saying they are feeling the national shortage of U.S. Coins, and are posting signs about the shortage in their stores. According to the Sun Gazette some may see posted signs stating that establishments can only accept credit, debit and electronic payments at this time due to the coin shortage. In June, the Federal Reserve began limiting allocation of coins to banks and financial institutions, citing a decrease in coin deposits from financial institutions in the past few months. The U.S. Mint continues to produce coins and hopes the shortage issue will resolve once the economy opens more broadly.

SPORTS
NASCAR

Cole Custer in the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford became the first rookie regular to win in the NASCAR Cup Series in nearly four years, surging to the lead in a four-wide, final-lap scramble Sunday at Kentucky Speedway.  Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. were dueling for the lead on the Lap 266 final restart when Custer got a push from Matt DiBenedetto and slid ahead of the bunched up leaders, outlasting Truex’s Toyota.

NFL
The Washington Redskins will officially announce this morning that they will be changing their nickname, though no new name will be revealed just yet because trademark issues are pending.

NBA
LA Lakers Anthony Davis says he will keep his last name stitched on the back of his jersey for the NBA restart in Orlando, Florida, rather than replace it with a social justice message.As of Wednesday afternoon, 285 of the expected 350 eligible NBA players had picked a social justice message to put on their jerseys, while 17 had opted to continue to use their names.

NCAA
The PAC-12 will follow the Big Ten and go for a conference-only schedule this fall for sports – delaying the start of all the fall seasons.  UCLA and USC of the PAC-12 are affected by the large amount of cases in the LA area

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Oct 6

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