An alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County is causing the county health department there to halt on-site consumption of alcohol in bars and restaurants starting at 5pm Tuesday.  Bars and restaurants can remain open but won’t be allowed to serve alcohol other than takeout options.  According to officials at Pittsburgh’s county health department, the majority of new cases in Allegheny County are in people within the age bracket of 19-49 with an average age of 27 – many of whom spend more time in a social bar scene.

A fatal accident involving 3 vehicles occurred Friday on Route 45 in Danville.  According to the Standard-Journal,  62 year old Donald L. Stephens of Danville, was traveling west on Route 45 near Hobbes Road in West Chillisquaque Township after noon Friday. When Police say, 25 year old Robert S. Delbo of  Lewisburg, was in the eastbound lane and swerved around the vehicle in front of him hitting Stephens’s 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis head on. Stephens was pronounced dead at the scene by the Northumberland County Coroner.  Delbo was taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville with unknown injuries. Those in the 3^rd car were not injured.  Route 45 was closed in both directions for several hours.

A petition begun by an anonymous person on the website Change.org is calling for the firing of two Williamsport Police officers citing alleged misconduct, has gained over 1200 signatures or 4.5 percent of the city’s population in two weeks.  According to North Central PA dot com, court documents show that Officers Joshua Bell and Clinton Gardner’s actions while on-duty have been legally questioned at least four times.  Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter said the petition has not been submitted and that it’s necessary for the accuser to bring forth evidence of the acts before he can investigate the issue.  There is no legal obligation for the city to respond to the petition.

It has been announced that the 75th Annual Mummers’ Parade in South Williamsport will be held on October 17th at 2pm. According to a social media post, organizers of the parade are asking for participation from volunteers and are planning a small carnival afterward at the Southside Park with circus acts, some concessions, and a few children’s rides with fireworks afterwards for the community. In the event of heavy rain, the rain date will be October 18, at the same time.  Those who want to enter the parade can fill out an entry form.

Twelve more counties moved from the yellow to green phase of COVID-19 reopening: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Susquehanna.  However, health department officials in Allegheny county are experiencing a spike in COVID 19 cases and have reinstated some mitigation efforts by halting all on-site consumption of alcohol in bars and restaurants starting at 5pm Tuesday.  They remain in the green phase under caution.  Lebanon county who saw higher case numbers after attempting an early opening and the final remaining yellow county, will go green on July 3.

A group of people gathered in Montoursville to march and protest systemic racism in our society.  According to the Sun Gazette, the social justice group began  at the Rite-Aid in Montoursville and headed down Broad Street to the corner of Loyalsock Avenue.  In addition, Williamsport Area School  Board has responded to the community focus on repairing racial inequalities,   by passing a resolution last week to support the development of an anti-racist school climate.  Superintendent, Dr. Timothy Bowers said the board is working on professional development in relation to this issue and is included as a topeic for goals in the 2020-21 school year.

The City Zoning Hearing Board has recently approved a no kill cat shelter operated by the Lycoming County Animal Protection society to open at 610 Washington Blvd.  According to the Sun Gazette, city zoning officer, Gary Knarr said that the three to nothing vote in favor of the shelter was recently made by Marylou Baldys, Janett McDermott and Michele Frey. The project must still be approved by city council before beginning operations but further zoning approval is no longer necessary.

The Pennsylvania Department of health has issued the green phase guidelines for Pre-k to 12 sports as well as collegiate and professional sports in the state for players coaches and spectators.  In all sports, in addition to following CDC guidelines, athletes will be screened, there will be sanitizing of shared equipment and no sharing of water coolers or fountains.  Coaches and other adults will wear face coverings.  In pro sports in PA, gatherings and practices are limited to 250 people and no spectators will be allowed.  In collegiate sports spectators will be allowed while practicing social distancing.  The full health and safety guide for sports is available HERE.

SPORTS
NASCAR
Kevin Harvick won the first of two NASCAR Cup races in front of no fans this weekend at Pocono and then started 20th on Sunday when Denny Hamlin’s crew pulled off a masterful final pit stop putting Harvick in second at Sunday’s Pocono 350.  Rain and lightning forced several delays early but there were no accidents or delays –  Erik Jones, Chase Elliott and Aric Almirola completed the top 5.

NFL
The NFL fined the New England Patriots $1.1 million and took away a third-round pick in the 2021 draft among punishments for their television crew’s filming the field and sideline during a Dec. 8 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.  In addition, the Patriots’ television production crews will not be allowed to shoot any games during the 2020 season.

Former NFL MVP and previous Carolina Panther Cam Newton has  reached an agreement with the New England Patriots to join the team after quarterback Tom Brady left to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  According to patriots sources, Newton was a low-risk, high reward player factoring in recovering from his recent foot surgery and a modest contract.

MLB
The reigning World Series Champs, theWashington Nationals are set to host the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Nationals Park in washington DC.  The 60 game season should start July 23^rd or 34^th and go through September 27th

NBA
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul, president of the National Basketball Players Association, said the players’ union and the league are collaborating to allow players to wear jerseys with personalized social justice, social cause or charity messages on their backs instead of last names during the upcoming restart of the NBA season.  The personalized statements on jerseys are part of a long list of social justice messages the players plan to make through the remainder of the season, which restarts July 30 in Orlando, Florida.

FATAL ACCIDENT IN ANTES FORT
Police have released more details about a crash that happened Thursday on Route 44 in Antes Fort.  According to the Sun Gazette, medical officials from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville said 78 year old William Moore of Limestone Township died Friday afternoon – a day after the accident but there were no details on Moore’s exact cause of death.  Police say Moore was driving northbound on Rt. 44 then struck the rear end of a stopped pickup truck and went off the roadway hitting vinyl siding on property nearby. Three people in the second vehicle were unhurt.

PETITION STARTED TO REMOVE TWO WILLIAMSPORT POLICE OFFICERS FOR MISCONDUCT
A petition begun by an anonymous person on the website Change.org is calling for the firing of two Williamsport Police officers citing alleged misconduct, has gained over 1200 signatures or 4.5 percent of the city’s population in two weeks.  According to North Central PA dot com, court documents show that Officers Joshua Bell and Clinton Gardner’s actions while on-duty have been legally questioned at least four times.  Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter said the petition has not been submitted and that it’s necessary for the accuser to bring forth evidence of the acts before he can investigate the issue.  There is no legal obligation for the city to respond to the petition.

FELONY ARSON CHARGES FILED ON SOUTHSIDE MAN
A South Williamsport man has been arrested for felony arson after starting a fire in his apartment at 443 South Market Street  in an alleged suicide attempt.  According to the Sun Gazette, 31 year old Dakota Fisher was found outside his home with minor self-inflicted injuries on May 27^th by police who investigated the scene and found Fisher’s apartment to not be in a consistent condition with an accidental fire.  Neighbors’ actions after discovering smoke coming from Fisher’s apartment helped put the fire out before the firefighters arrived, who then assisted in clearing the smoke from the structure.  Fisher is in Lycoming County Prison on $75k bail.

MORE VISITORS ALLOWED AT GEISINGER
Visitation policies at Geisinger have been updated, allowing two visitors to come in with patients in some cases, including allowing a doula and a support person to accompany a delivering mother as part of her care team, as long as they pass the screenings the hospital will administer.  Both parents of minor patients will be able to accompany their child, and one visitor will now be allowed in the facility for patients post-surgery.  According to a press release by the hospital

MONTOUR COUNTY CONSTRUCTION THIS WEEK
There will be more construction on I-80 east and westbound in Liberty Township, Montour County starting Sunday through the week.  According to PennDOT, work will start tomorrow and continue through Thursday, between the evening hours of 7pm and 10am each day.  Watch for crews east and westbound on I-80 between mile markers 217 and 223 with short term lane restrictions during the patching sealing and grinding that will take place along the roadway.

75TH ANNUAL SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT MUMMERS PARADE IS A GO
It has been announced that the 75th Annual Mummers’ Parade in South Williamsport will be held on October 17th at 2pm. According to a social media post, organizers of the parade are asking for participation from volunteers and are planning a small carnival afterward at the Southside Park with circus acts, some concessions, and a few children’s rides with fireworks afterwards for the community. In the event of heavy rain, the rain date will be October 18, at the same time.  Those who want to enter the parade can fill out an entry form at sw mummers parade dot com

KNOEBELS TO OPEN THIS WEEK
Knoebels Amusement Resort has announced they will attempt to preserve as much summer as possible and reopen to guests on Wednesday, July 1^st.  Owner Brian Knoebel said the hours for the first few weeks will be from noon til 8pm with individual pay-per-ride tickets for just over 30 rides and the majority of shops and food stands open.  There will be new rigorous cleaning routines, hand sanitizer stations, sneeze guards in shops, and parking lot management if necessary.   Additional rides could open and additional hiring could take place as the weeks progress.  Details at Knoebles dot com

SPORTS
NBA
The NBA season will resume with Jazz-Pelicans, Lakers-Clippers to tip off NBA restart on July 30 in a doubleheader in Orlando, Florida.  The NBA released its schedule for games in Orlando on Friday. Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans will tip off against the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert, whose positive test for the coronavirus helped lead to the suspension of the season on March 11.

NASCAR
New Hampshire Motor Speedway will allow fans in the grandstands and suites for the Aug. 2 NASCAR Cup Series race. New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s modified protocols will include social distancing in the grandstands and concession lines, limited guests in suites and infield admission for race team and operational personnel only.  The race originally was scheduled for July 19

MLB
The Baseball Hall of Fame museum has reopened after being closed since March 15^th  because of the coronavirus pandemic.  The Hall welcomed visitors on Friday in Cooperstown with face masks required for all staff and guests. Visitors can reserve a specific date and time to enter, with some bigger gathering spots remaining closed, but the plaque gallery is open.  Earlier this year, the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were also cancelled. But Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker will be enshrined next year, on July 25, 2021.

Lycoming County Commissioners announced this week that the decision to wear masks inside county buildings will now be up to the individual and not required as a policy going forward.  The commissioners cited the lower case numbers in Lycoming County, 175 as of yesterday, is positively significant, but according to the Sun Gazette, if the numbers of covid-19 cases begin to rise, Commissioner Rick Mirabito said there will be talk of wearing masks again.

In an attempt to eliminate favoritism and level the field concerning police officer promotions in the city, Williamsport City Council’s finance committee recommended a police consulting agreement with the PA Chiefs Association to proctor the tests providing a fair promotion opportunity for all officers.  According to the Sun Gazette, promotional decisions are made within the department , but Police Chief Damon Hagan said the process lets the best officers receive recognition.  The agreement now goes to City Council for review.

Parking will be enforced again in Williamsport on Monday according to Williamsport Parking Authority officials.  All parking meters and permits on streets and in parking lots will be active again except for select meters in the Central Business District that will be designated for limited parking for curbside pickups of  food and other items.  Parking was not enforced during the red, yellow and some of the green phases of the state’s plan to safely reopen after COVID-19.  The parking authority will meet in July to discuss an economic recovery plan following the crisis.

Navigating the Williamsport Fourth of July fireworks plan that saw a couple location changes in recent weeks after wildlife concerns and local ordinances caused a scramble for organizers, but Backyard Broadcasting was authorized this week to hold the 25^th Annual Set the Night To Music 4^th of July Fireworks Extravaganza at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds, in Hughesville. The public is invited to attend a park and watch event while being parked in a socially distanced manner near the fairgrounds by the members of the Lycoming County Fire Police Association.  Gates will open at 7pm Saturday night July 4^th with the show and the radio soundtrack to begin at 9:40pm.

Some of the Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter’s cabinet positions and full-time city jobs are slated to be filled within the next few weeks.  According to the Sun Gazette, the mayor announced Wednesday that they are seeking candidates for director of the Community and Economic Development department, River Valley Transit and city finance director.  Council will be reposting the position of director of the Community and Economic Development department after some previously interested candidates did not fulfill residency requirements.  The current director, Stephanie Young is expected to retire this year.

A Virginia man was killed Tuesday  in a fatal accident in the Beaver Springs area of Snyder County. According to State police 31-year-old Jerel Harris of Madison Heights, Va. died in the 6:30am crash.b Troopers say the wreck on Route 235 just south of Beaver Springs happened when Harris’ truck was driving north, descending a hill, and lost control. The truck overturned, hit a guardrail and came to rest on its side. The Snyder County coroner says Harris died at the scene of that crash.Volunteers from the Beaver Springs, Beavertown, and Middleburg assisted troopers at the scene. Harris was not wearing a seatbelt according to troopers.

The PA state House and Senate started passing legislation yesterday that was begun over recent police brutality cases, including legislation designed to prevent “bad apples” from continuing to find employment in police departments. The bills involve  use of force reports, a written use-of-force policy with a ban on the use of choke holds, applicant background checks and disclosure of job history, as well as biannual training on de-escalation and racial sensitivity.  According to a press release, Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission is to maintain an electronic database containing that information.  All four of the bills passed Wednesday still require approval from the other chamber before going to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf.
The district superintendent of the Loyalsock Township School District will serve as the district’s new pandemic coordinator. According to the Sun Gazette, the school has also approved their required health and safety plan that will provide guidelines for students and families during the reopening of schools this fall as well as guidelines for athletics and music practices starting over the summer.  All schools in Pennsylvania must provide a plan for each individual board to approve which is then posted on the school’s website for public viewing and then submitted to the PA Department of Education.

SPORTS
NHL
The Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced a six-member class for 2020, including Canadian goaltender Kim St-Pierre in the women’s category; and Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland in the builder category. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 16 in Toronto, but it’s unclear whether it will happen. The NHL is working on resuming its season after suspending play in March, with the playoffs potentially extending into October and delaying the start of next season until December or January.

MLS
Major League Soccer is soon to restart, the “MLS is Back” Tournament kicks off July 8 in Florida. The regular season will resume in a tournament format at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort, just outside Orlando.  All 26 clubs will take part, as the league breaks them up into five groups of four and one group of six.

The New York City Marathon was canceled yesterday, with organizers and city officials deciding that holding the race on Nov. 1 would be too risky. Organizers announced the cancellation of the 50th anniversary edition of the world’s largest marathon after coordinating with local government and deciding that the race posed too many health and safety concerns for all involved.

This year’s Berlin Marathon in Germany, also cancelled, with authorities in Germany blocking the hosting of all major events through October. That marathon was scheduled for Sept. 27.

GUIDELINES APPROVED BY JERSEY SHORE SCHOOL BOARD
The Jersey Shore Area School board met Monday night and approved a list of guidelines for middle and high school sports that will be posted on the district’s website for public viewing, as well as a copy will be sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.   According to the Sun Gazette, Jersey Shore Athletic Director, Serena Henry, said the guidelines were compiled from ideas from PHAC athletic directors,  the Jersey Shore Music Department, as well as CDC and PA Department of Health recommendations, which include pre-meeting screenings for students, healthy hygiene practices, mask wearing and food concessions must adhere to restaurant industry standards and a potential waiver.

BRIDGE INSPECTIONS WILL CLOSE LANES ON ROUTE 15 TODAY
Route 15 north and southbound are going to be restricting lanes near the i180 interchange today in Williamsport between 8a and 2:30pm.  According to PennDOT a maintenance crew will be inspecting the bridge structures that span Lycoming Creek.  Expect the left lane of Route 15 north to be closed after exiting from 180 westbound, and Route 15 south traffic will have a left lane blocked when exiting to the 180 eastbound ramp.

LANCASTER REPUBLICAN NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
Pennsylvania lawmakers elevated Lancaster County Republican Bryan Cutler to the chamber’s top spot as speaker and choose a new slate of GOP leaders who will set the tone for policy priorities.  According to a press release from the state legislature, the General Assembly is now tasked with responding to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis, which could lead to austerity measures and conflict with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.  Cutler’s move from majority leader comes after the early retirement of former Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), who resigned June 15 to take a high-ranking position at a utility company House Republicans elected Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre county to serve as majority leader, and Rep. Donna Oberlander  of Clarion county to be majority whip.

HUNTING LICENSES WENT ON SALE MONDAY
The Pennsylvania Game Commission began their sale of licenses of the 2020-21 hunting and furtaking seasons Monday, costing cost just over $20 for Pennsylvania residents and just over 100 dollars for nonresidents. According to the Sun Gazette, the expanded Sunday hunting for big game and an archery deer season that reaches deeper than ever into the whitetail rut, 2020  could be an historic year for hunting in Pennsylvania. Those dates are Sunday, Nov. 15 for archery deer hunting; Sunday, Nov. 22 for bear hunting; and Sunday Nov. 29 A complete list of licensing requirements for Bear, Elk and more big and small game can be found at www.pgc.pa.gov.

A 28 year old man from Hughesville is in jail and facing multiple felony charges for sexual acts involving a female minor between mid-March and June of this year.  According to the Sun Gazette, Hughesville police said Benjamin Stewart of South Main Street, engaged in sexual acts and sent and received photos of the girl.  Stewart faces 14 felony charges including three counts of statutory sexual assault, indecent assault and illegal obtaining inappropriate photos, and is incarcerated under $50k bail.

There will be a change in the traffic pattern coming up Wednesday at the Intersection Improvement Project on Routes 220/405 in the Hughesville borough and Wolfe Township.   On Wednesday work will begin work at the intersection of Routes 220 and 405 on the southbound lanes of Route 220 with Single lane conditions and flaggers with a truck detour limiting vehicle length to 30-feet.  The truck detour will use Route 405 and Route 180.  Race Street will also remain closed. Work will continue through the Fall of 2020.

A viral video showing a person painting racial graffiti saying white lives matter and misspelling white WIGHT allegedly happened on Reagan Street near Catawissa Avenue in Sunbury has been shared on the national media outlet TMZ.  Details and the identity of the painter are not available, but the video is receiving heavy criticism on social media.  According to city administrators, the message was painted over within 24 hours with neighbors saying this is not a reflection of Sunbury’s desire to promote diversity.

Penn College has officially kicked off their virtual career fair this week after shifting focus away from their traditional in person bi-annual career day events for high school and middle school students.  According to the Sun Gazette, Dr. Randy Zangara dean of College Transitions said that after March and COVID-19, an alternative for students to explore careers virtually was started.  The website which features materials in the 13 career clusters of the state’s department of education, and provides students with information about the school, high demand careers, with access to workshops and tours.  Find out more at https://www.pct.edu/events/virtual/virtual-exploration-week

SPORTS
NASCAR
Ryan Blaney held on to the lead after a restart with two laps to go Monday and earned his second straight win at Talladega Superspeedway since October on a day that began with NASCAR drivers throwing their support behind Bubba Wallace.  Thirty nine drivers pushed Wallace’s #43 car to the front of the pre-race grid in a show of solidarity of Black Lives matter and against the anonymous person who put a noose in Wallace’s garage stall this week.  Team owner Richard Petty hadn’t attended a race since NASCAR started back up in May, but he went to Talladega to show his support for Wallace.

MLB
Major League Baseball plans to unilaterally issue a 60-game schedule for its shortest season since 1878 after the players’ association rejected a negotiated deal of the same length. Commissioner Rob Manfred and union head Tony Clark met last week and outlined plans that included expanding the playoffs widening use of the designated hitter and an experiment to start extra innings with a runner on second base. Unofficially, MLB asked the union to respond by 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday as to whether players can report to training by July 1 and whether the players’ association will agree on the operating manual of health and safety protocols.

U.S. Representative Fred Keller continued his listening tour at the Tioga County Courthouse. According to the Sun-Gazette, Standardized testing and community policing are needed to change police culture and end unnecessary violence, said law enforcement specialists at a roundtable discussion, which included state Rep. Clint Owlett, as well as Mansfield University administrators, community leaders and Commissioner Erick Coolidge. Keller stated, “Those officers and law enforcement advocates with integrity are working to make sure that others are held accountable for their terrible actions.”

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously, saying that individuals holding a valid medical marijuana card are immune from “arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner” under state law, even if the individual is under a court’s supervision. According to the AP, Counties may not ban people on probation or parole from using prescription cannabis if they are registered in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The ruling also stated that Congress prohibits the Justice Department from using federal dollars to prevent each state from implementing any laws regarding medical marijuana.

Pennsylvania State Police Drug Law Central Section reported A convicted drug dealer in three states allegedly was caught with a revolver in Williamsport. According to NorthCentralPa.com, Terrance M. Ceasear, 38, of Meade St., Williamsport, has been in and out of court for felony drug dealing since 2003, Trooper Jason Miller said. Police said they found the revolver inside the box for Ceasear’s air mattress in a hallway closet. Ceasear was charged with one count of first degree felony possession of firearm prohibited on June 10. Ceasear was committed to the Lycoming County Prison on June 12 in lieu of $85,000 monetary bail.

PennDOT is alerting motorists that a bridge replacement project on Route 477 is set to begin Monday, June 22^nd. The bridge spans Long Run in the Rote/Salona area of Lamar Township and replacing it will remove the structure from Clinton County’s list of bridges in poor condition. A detour using Auction Road and 220 will be implemented and will remain in effect until the project is complete.

Police are looking for two men who attempted to burglarize a home on State Route 405 in Wolf Township. According to NorthCentralPa.com, Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to the home at 1:30 am on June 7^th, for a report of a burglary in progress. Two white males, approximately 20 to 30 years old, arrived on the scene in a white colored four-door sedan. They exited the vehicle and began banging on the victim’s front door, police said. The suspects then fled the scene in an unknown direction. Anyone with information is asked contact PSP Montoursville.

A mother in Fairfield Township has been charged with one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child. According to state trooper Matthew Trick, Kassidy Phillips, 30, of 91 Odell Road, Muncy  overdosed on heroin in her home while taking care of her 3-year-old daughter, according to state Trooper Matthew Trick. During the morning of January 30^th , Phillips, passed out from taking the drug while alone at home with her daughter, Trick said. According to the Sun Gazette, at the hospital, Phillips admitted to “snorting” one bag of heroin and overdosing. She has been sent a summons to appear before District Judge Gary Whiteman.

On Wednesday, PennDOT announced that it will begin applying high friction surface treatments at four sites in Clinton, Juniata and Mifflin counties on Monday, June 22^nd. This project will improve skid resistance and enhance safety for motorists on the impacted routes. Interstate 80 westbound approximately a quarter mile before the Clinton County rest area at mile marker 194 is one of the four areas included in the project.

Penn College of Technology students can expect to pay higher tuition costs as well as housing and dining services after the college’s board of directors approved a $156.6 million budget Thursday, according to the Sun Gazette. The budget reflects a $3.9 million decrease in spending from the current year’s budget and a 3.5 percent decrease in credit-hour production or enrollment in 2020-21.  President of Penn College, Dr. Davie Jane Gilmore stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented complexities and uncertainties in our 2020-21 budget projections”

SPORTS

NFL

Dr. Anthony Fauci believes it may be impossible for the NFL to hold their 2020 season amidst the coronavirus pandemic. According to Sports Illustrated, Dr. Fauci says that players would have to be “essentially in a bubble” in order to avoid a league-wide outbreak. The statement comes days after Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot tested positive for the virus.

MLB

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred immediately rejected the MLB Players Union’s proposal for a 70-game regular season schedule on Thursday. The proposal also included full pro-rated pay and expanded playoffs for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. This came a day after MLB’s latest proposal which included a 60-game schedule and full prorated salaries.

NCAA

In a statement yesterday, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey threatened to not host any future conference championship events in Mississippi until the state changes its flag. According to ESPN, the NCAA already banned any of its predetermined postseason events from being held in Mississippi because of the flag.