BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS AUGUST 4, 2020

A young boy died Saturday night after a tragic accident involving a forklift in the 1000 block of Elimsport Road.  According to the Sun Gazette, the Lycoming County coroner said a 12 year old  Samuel Beiler of Lancaster County, another passenger and an operator of the forklift accidentally went off the berm and down an embankment overturning.  The two others jumped free of the vehicle when it toppled.  Clinton Township volunteers worked to free Beiler from under the forklift.  He was pronounced dead after 10pm Saturday.

There are Staff members at White Deer Run who have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus.  According to the Sun Gazette, an administrative assistant there confirmed the positive results, but administrators could not release any more information due to privacy concerns.  They did say there are no cases amongst the patients at White Deer.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed that there were 565 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 114,155.  Lycoming County reports 339 positive cases to date – with 2 new cases reported as of yesterday, Northumberland reports a total of 407. In Union County, there are 172 positive COVID-19 test results with the most recent positive numbers at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary where 35 inmates have the disease. There are 7,209 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, but no new deaths were reported.

Evictions can take place again at the end of this month.  According to Governor Tom Wolf’s order from May 7th, there was a moratorium on evictions, which was amended later to apply to tenants who have not paid rent and other amounts owed, or who have stayed beyond the lease end date. The ban on foreclosures and evictions does not cover a tenant who damages property, breaks the law or breaches the lease in some other way aside from nonpayment of rent or overstaying a lease.  Accoridng to the Sun Gazette, Social service agencies who help to the homeless like American Rescue Workers and STEP Inc., say they anticipate more use of their agency resources after the eviction moratorium ends.

State and federal funds were allocated in Montoursville yesterday after the borough council there moved to use almost $145k of the 2020 Community Development Block Grant out of the CARES Act for curb cuts, and rent or mortgage relief organizations.  According to the Sun Gazette, a SEDA-COG spokesperson said using some of the grant specifically for the curbs saves other, more flexible grants for a wider variety of projects in low-income communities.  STEP, Inc and American Rescue Workers’ also will utilize some of the funds for homeowners on a first come first served basis.

backyard broad
A Williamsport woman was taken into custody after punching a police officer and resisting arrest following an incident where she refused to leave the property outside the Hampton Inn along Via Bella.  According to the Sun Gazette, Rashay Morton of West Edwin Street, became combative after police arrived following her  refusal to leave the premises of the hotel by the staff there.  Morton reportedly sang and chanted during her arraignment, not listejning to the judge.  She was committed to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

A new Columbia Woman allegedly blew in the face of a nurse at Evangelical Community Hospital on July 2nd after threatening staff and refusing to wear a mask and was later charged by police.  Accoring to North Central PA.com, 41 year old Glenda Richards became uncooperative during the COVID-19 screening process.  Staff there said the woman refused to comply with the policy. She was charged with terroristic threats,  reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct. She has a preliminary hearing August 20th.

PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports and Waterways has opened the application period for eligible businesses to take advantage of the 2020 Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program. According to officials from PennDOT, their grant programs focus on safety and allow $40 million for 26 rail freight projects. Eligible organizations can apply for funding through either program, starting today until Friday, August 28, 2020.  A link to the application is available here.

https://www.penndot.gov/Doing-Business/RailFreightAndPorts/Pages/default.aspx

The Avis Borough Council unanimously voted yesterday to allow local businesses to play music and have bands play for their customers up until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends as customers stay socially distanced. Clinton County reports only 115 total cases of the coronavirus as of yesterday with Lycoming  County adding two new cases.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed that there were 565 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 114,155.  There are no new deaths reported in Pennsylvania as of August 3rd.

SPORTS

MLB
The Reds beat the Indians 3 to 2, Yankees beat the Phillies 6 to 3, Mets over the Braves 7-2, White Sox beat the Brewers 6-4, Twins over the Pirates 5 to 4, Cubs beat the Royals 2-nothing, Rockies over the Giants 7-6, Padres beat the Dodgers 5-4, A’s over the Mariners 11-1, Tigers and Cardinals were postponed.

NBA
Raptors beat heat 107 to 103, Nuggets over Thunder 121 to 113, Pacers beat the Wizards 111 to 100, Pelicans over the Grizzlies 109 to 99, 76’ers beat the Spurs 132 to 130, and Lakers over Jazz 116 to 108

NHL
Hurricanes beat the Rangers 4-1, Jets over Flames 3-2, Lightning the Capitals 3-2, Golden Knights over stars 5-3, pPenguins beat Canadians 3-1, Oilers over the Blackhawks 6-3

MLB
The Atlanta Braves took a huge blow when young pitching star Mike Soroka tore his right Achilles tendon while playing against the New York Mets last night.  Soroka was hurt in the third inning after delivering a pitch to J.D. Davis, who grounded the ball toward first baseman Freddie Freeman.  When Soroka went toward first to cover the bag he let out a scream – seeming to know right away it was a devastating injury.

MLB Games tonight
Pittsburgh goes to Minnesota, Cleveland heads to Cincinnati, Boston is in Tampa Bay, New York is in Washington, Toronto goes to Atlanta, Miami is in Baltimore, Chicago heads to Milwaukee, Kansas City is in Chicago, San Francisco and Colorado, Houston in Arizona, Texas goes to Oakland, Los Angeles is in San Diego, and the Angels play Seattle.  Philadelphia at New York, St. Louis and Detroit, Phillies don’t play Miami either – those games postponed.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 30, 2020

MONTGOMERY OFFICER FILES SUIT
A former Montgomery police officer filed suit Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court against the Lycoming County borough and the seven council members over his June 29 termination.  According to Penn Live,  Eric Winters says in the suit, his suspension May 4 and subsequent firing were retaliation for investigations the mayor asked him to do as the result of complaints from the public.  The suspention occurring the evening before Winters said he was planning to make an arrest in a drug investigation that involved two council members.  Drugs and evidence were seized in the investigation, according to the court document, but no charges have been filed.  Members of the Borough council who were asked for comment, did not due to not seeing the suit.  The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, reinstatement and back pay contending the defendants retaliated against Winters, violated the state’s Whistle Blower Law related to the drug investigation and wrongly discharged him.

PIAA GUIDELINES
The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has recommended that fall sports may begin on time according to  the PIAA Board of Directors who approved the recommendation.  In a press release, officials from the PIAA stated the need for school districts to be flexible while addressing the changing conditions of the covid-19 pandemic, and realize certain sports may have modifications and post-season may be modified.  The first date teams can gather for heat acclimatization is Monday, August 10 with a first practice date August 17.  A link to the full press release listing general considerations for all fall sports is available HERE.

FIRE AT LOCYALSOCK SENIOR LIVING FACILITY
Williamsport and volunteer firefighters responded yesterday to reports of smoke inside the Hillside Senior Living Center on Four Mile Drive.  According to the Sun Gazette, the call came after 6pm and officials said an air conditioning unit on the second floor of a building was the suspected cause of the incident.  No word on the amount of damage, if any occurred.  NO injuries were reported.

The Pennsylvania department of health is considering  to soon use a contact-tracing app popular in Ireland as part of an effort to more quickly contain coronavirus outbreaks by notifying people who may have been exposed, a state Health Department official said Wednesday.Accoridng ot the Associate press, the Department of Health is seeking to introduce a mobile app and a $1.9 million contract with software developer NearForm Ltd of Ireland to deploy and maintain it.Pennsylvania officials are working with researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard and MIT to figure out how to use the app  based on smartphone technology developed by Apple and Google.  There will be protection for App users by encryption and frequently changing anonymous identifier beacons

Loyalsock Township School District has approved  health and safety plans for the fall, expecting  a full opening, five days a week, with classes beginning Aug. 31.  Students will take classes coinciding with the county’s phase; red, yellow or green, with the option of online learning at any time.  According to Gerald McLaughlin, district superintendent who shared the plan during a virtual school board meeting yesterday, the basics of the plan will be expanded on over the course of the next month like checklists for teachers and employees as well as protocols and procedures.  A complete copy of the district’s health and safety plan is on the district website

 

The statewide total of Coronavirus cases has increased by 834 for a statewide total of 110,218 according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health yesterday.  Lycoming County reported 5 new cases bringing the county wide total to 306 positive cases, Northumberland with 398 cases, Clinton County reports 112 cases, Union County with 129. IN the hot spots of the state; Allegheny County is reporting an increase of 125 cases and Philadelphia County is reporting an increase of 111 cases. The statewide death toll is 7,162 total deaths adding 16 new fatalities yesterday.

Students in the Jersey Shore Area School District, who were scheduled to retake the Keystone Exam this spring will not have to take it.  According to the Sun Gazette, Dr Brian Ulmer told the school board that he would enact the waiver of the Keystone exams since the students would have to take an exam for a class they only had part of in the spring.  The board also approved an online learning program through IU 17 and IU15 for full-time district students who want to participate in school virtually.

PennDOT is working on traffic signal upgrades in East Buffalo Township and Union Township, Union County.  The traffic signal upgrades are part of a Green Light Go project, which is sponsored by East Buffalo Township and Union Township and is Pennsylvania’s Municipal Signal Partnership Program. Watch for installation of new vehicular detection equipment at Route 15 and Route 304 intersection, new lights atRoute 15 at Moore Avenue and Smoketown Road intersection at Bucknell University and Route 45 and Fairground Road a will have new pedestrian signal equipment and emergency vehicle pre-emption equipment installed.

According to a Penn State athletic department statement released yesterday, eight student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19. There were 466 tests conducted, with 66 pending.  Athletes from seven teams are currently on campus, including men and women’s basketball, field hockey, football, men and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball, there’s no information about which students within which sports are affected.  Penn State football’s training camp is scheduled to begin August 7, even though their season does not have an official start date. The Big Ten Conference is expected to announce a modified schedule soon.

 

SPORTS

MLB Scores
The Rockies beat the A’s 5 – 1, Rangers over the Diamondbacks 7-4, Nationals beat the Blue Jays 4-nothing, White Sox over the Indians 4-nothing, Reds beat the Cubs 12-7, LA Dodgers beat the Astros 4-2, Brewers over the Pirates 3-nothing, Braves beat the Rays 7-4, Tigers over the Royals 5-4, Red Sox beat the Mets 6-5, Yankees over the Orioles 9-3, Twins beat the Cardinals 3-nothing, Giants over the Padres 7-6, Mariners beat the Angels 10-7, Phillies and Yankees & Marlins and Orioles game was postponed with a make-up date to be announced

Tonight‘s MLB games
Washington is at Toronto, Chicago goes to Cincinnati, New York is in Baltimore, Cleveland goes to Minnesota, Boston is in New York to play the Mets, Tampa Bay is in Atlanta, Kansas City goes to Detroit, Los Angeles is in Arizona, Seattle is in Los Angeles to play the Angels, and San Diego plays at San Francisco

MLB
Now that the coronavirus outbreak has infected nearly half of the Miami Marlins’ roster, Major League Baseball outlined in a memo Tuesday that players are not to leave hotels in road cities except for games, mandating the use of surgical masks during travel and now requiring a compliance officer to travel with them to ensure players and staff properly follow the league’s protocol. The MLB is investigating the cause of the Marlins’ outbreak that has seen 16 players and two staff members test positive  causing the Marlins’ games through Sunday to be postponed, and the prospect of their season restarting Tuesday at home questionable.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly was handed an eight-game suspension by Major League Baseball for his role in the benches-clearing incident that happened at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Tuesday night. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was issued a one-game suspension and Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker was fined an undisclosed amount.  Kelly was said to have taunted an Astros player on the way back to the dugout, but will appeal his suspension, making him available for the series finale.

College Football
The ACC board of directors voted Wednesday to proceed with an 11-game football season that begins the weekend of Sept. 12 — and includes Notre Dame playing a full league schedule if public health guidance allows.  The schools will play 10 conference games plus one nonconference game of their choosing, and the Fighting Irish will be eligible for the ACC championship game. There will be no divisions for this season only.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 29, 2020

BLOOMSBURG FAIR CANCELLED
The Bloomsburg Fair Association made the difficult decision yesterday to cancel this year’s Bloomsburg Fair after reviewing all the factors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  According to a press release, they considered local community and government concerns in the process and ultimately do not want to jeopardize the the health of thousands of people in the region.  Many previously scheduled musical artists have already agreed to come back to the Grandstand in 2021 in which the Bloomsburg Fair association says there will be many new surprises as well as the traditional opportunities.  Next year’s Bloomsburg Fair will be September 24th through October 2nd.

MAN HELD FOR COURT IN FATAL ARCH STREET BRIDGE ACCIDENT
The judge in the preliminary hearing for the man who is accused of killing two riders of a motorcycle and injuring two others on July 18th on the Arch Street Bridge decided that the man will be held to all charges including two counts of vehicular homicide, aggravated assault and driving under the influence.  According to  the Sun Gazette, court record say 5 people testified  for about 90 minutes about 34 year old Matthew Bower, of  Linden, who they say struck and killed of James “Jimmy” Neufer, a resident of Armstrong Township, and a passenger, his girlfriend, Amanda Bergstrom, of Nisbet , after 10 pm.  After the accident, Bower,was injured and taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. He is free on $500,0000 bail.

GRANTS FOR BROADBAND APPROVED
A $2.5 million grant for extending broadband networking in the region was approved by the Lycoming County commissioners yesterday, as  part of the cooperative agreement through the Appalachian Regional Commission in Tioga, Potter and Clinton counties. The commissioners also considered using some of  the county’s $10.5 million share of federal stimulus funds, but are now seeking to extend a federal end of year deadline to use the funds.  According to the Sun Gazette, the coronavirus relief bill funding, if approved, would be restricted to COVID-19 related issues or problems.  There will e no meeting this Thursday, the next will be The commissioners will not meet Thursday, the next meeting will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St., Williamsport.

ROXY THEATER CLOSING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The Roxy Theater in Lock Haven announced on yesterday they will be closing for an “undetermined amount of time, blaming  the lack of new movies and seating restrictions for the closure. Accoriding to the theater’s Facebook page, the 31st of July will be their last day, and thanked their loyal patrons for their support, hoping they will be able to serve them again soon.

MUNCY MAN ACCUSED OF CORRUPTING MINORS
A Muncy man is free on $22 thousand bail after he allegedly touched a 10-year-old girl inappropriately and showed other minors pornographic videos in his Fairfield Township home, between Jan. 2019 and May 2020.  According to state police in Montoursville the three separate statements by the minors support that 34 year old Patrick S. Morrill attempted to show the children pornography and then keep it a secret.  Morrill is charged with three counts of first degree misdemeanor corruption of minors – one for each child involved

DRUG CHARGES IN SHAMOKIN DAM
Two people were taken into custody at a hotel in Shamokin Dam after police found them with suspected methamphetamine with a street value of $3,000.  According to the Daily item, 34 year old Jeremy Orwin, and 32 year old Lindsi Shenck,  both of Millerstown were found with found numerous packaging materials and scales. Orwin had a probation warrant from Dauphin County and Shenck had a warrant from State Police in Newport for DUI.  Both will be charged with numerous drug related charges and endangering the welfare of children.

MAN CHARGED WITH STEALING FROM EMPLOYER
A Lycoming County man is facing theft charges after he allegedly stole from his employer. According to WNEP, Michael Fischer is accused of taking $15 thousand worth of merchandise and another  $4 thousand cash from the Weis Store on River Avenue in Williamsport.  Police say a fellow employee caught Fischer stealing and reported the theft to police.  The man had worked at the store since 2013 until this year.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN FOR SOUTHSIDE
The South Williamsport School District has proposed their health and safety plan for the fall and it includes face masks and shields, sanitizing stations and iPads for all students. According to the Sun Gazette, district students will rotate between reporting to school buildings two days a week and staying home the other three days. Superintendent Dr. Mark Stamm told the school board the plan was developed this month in consultation with a team of parents, students, staff, employee association representatives and administrators noting that there could still be adjustments to the plan.

SPORTS
MLB
The Indians beat the White Sox 4-3, Blue Jays over the nationals 5-1, Cubs beat the Reds 8-5, Rays over the Braves 5-2, Pirates beat the Brewers 8-6, Tigers beat the Royals 4-3, Mets over the Red Sox 8-3, Indians over the White Sox 5-3, Twins beat the Cardinals 6-3, Diamondbacks over the Rangers 4-1, Dodgers beat the Astros 5-2, Angels over the Mariners 10-2, Rockies beat the A’s 8-3, Padres over the Giants 5-3, Yankees and Phillies as well as Orioles and Marlins postponed due to illness.

The coronavirus outbreak among the Miami Marlins had a domino effect throughout Major League Baseball, with MLB postponing the New York Yankees’ Wednesday home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.The Yankees will now play in Baltimore against the Orioles on Wednesday and Thursday before heading to Yankee Stadium to play their first home game of the season against the Boston Red Sox. The Orioles had an opening in their schedule because they were supposed to host the Marlins in a two-game series starting Wednesday.

Tempers flared during the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers game Tuesday night, the first time the teams have met since the Astros were handed a punishment by the league in January.  At the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs, Joe Kelly stuck out his tongue at the Astros’ shortstop Carlos Correa. The two sides exchanged verbal jabs, and the benches cleared. More words were exchanged, the television broadcast shows, but it appears that no punches were thrown. The Dodgers won the game, 5-2. The teams will play each other again tonight at 7

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 28, 2020

Families in the Jersey Shore Area School District can expect a chance to see the school’s health and safety plan on the district website now after the school board there approved the proposed plan 9-0 last night during their virtual meeting. According to the Sun Gazette, district superintendent, Dr. Brian Ulmer said the type of reopening based on Lycoming and Clinton counties’ green designation, is for the total reopening of the schools but with the option for distance learning for some students and families with schools to open August 27th. Procedures for monitoring student and staff health are also a part of the plan.  Parents are being asked to choose which option – in-person, totally remote or a hybrid model – they desire for their child.

Police have identified the man who lost control of his Ford Ranger truck and landed in Lycoming Creek last Thursday.  According to the Sun Gazette, 58 year old Ronald Winkleman of Mill Hall was pulled from his truck by first responders after going into about 5 feet of water at the 3900 block of Lycoming Creek Road. Winkleman was transported to UPMC Williamsport in stable condition.

One city employee in Sunbury tested positive for COVID-19 and now Sunbury’s
M & T building is closed to the public for sanitizing.  According to the Daily Item, Sunbury Police Chief Brad Hare said the police are working from their cruisers and 911 is still available to residents who need police response. The shut down effects  the police department building, City Hall, the community pool, the streets department and also cancelled Monday night’s council meeting.

The Williamsport city police pension board has approved by an 8 to 0 vote, a drop-pension program for police chief Damon Hagan and two officers, Officer Debra Wasilauski and Capt. Donald Mayes  who is no longer with the city, during their virtual meeting this week.  A drop pension program allows for employees eligible to retire, to earn some benefits while continuing to work.  According to the Sun Gazette, the current pension calculations have yet to be obtained by a state-right to know request.

Police are continuing an investigation into a July 17th shooting on Hepburn Street in Williamsport.  According to the SUN Gazette, police say a 25 year old Philadelphia man was allegedly shot by his girlfriend after he refused to leave her apartment about 10pm.  The victim in the shooting was taken to UPMC Williamsport and the woman was questioned by police.  Officers said they questioned the woman and later released her with no charges filed in the case, also no word on the condition of the shooting victim as of today.

The City of Williamsport has settled a dispute with Lundy Construction after final payment for work done was delayed.  According to the Sun Gazette, Lundy completed a game-viewing deck project worth over $900 thousand along the first-base line at Bowman Field in 2017 and in accordance with the contract documents and specifications completed the work and requested a final payment from the previous city administration.     Former city finance director and ex-general manager of River Valley Transit, William E. Nichols Jr, previously told the Sun Gazette that he offered execs at Lundy membership and rides for the employees on the Hiawatha. According to Mayor Derek Slaughter, the parties resolved the dispute by working out a donation to the Hiawatha in return for the remaining $6 thousand payment amount.

Those motorists who travel north central Pennsylvania are reminded that the restrooms at the Interstate 80 westbound and eastbound rest areas in Montour County will be closed on Wednesday, July 29 for tank flushing and related water testing. According to a press release from PennDOT, The restrooms will be closed from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., but the parking areas will remain open.

Lock Haven University announced the decision to move to a mostly remote learning environment for the fall 2020 semester with limited exceptions and limited on-campus residency. This is a revision of earlier announced plans, which planned more face-to-face instruction and a semi-traditional on campus experience.  In a press release, Dr. Robert Pignatello, LHU president, said that bringing the entire campus community back – approximately 3,500 students, faculty and staff is too risky.  More information will be provided to students through their campus email. A hotline has been established for questions at 570-484-3700 available from 8am-6pm beginning today. The university’s COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions have been updated and can be viewed at www.lockhaven.edu.

.SPORTS
MLB
Commissioner Rob Manfred said he believes that MLB’s health protocols are working, despite an outbreak of COVID-19 among the Miami Marlins.  The Marlins had at least 11 players and two coaches test positive over the past few days, forcing the postponement of both Monday’s and Tuesday’s home games against the Baltimore Orioles. The team remained in Philadelphia, where testing results should be in today.  Pending the results, the Marlins are scheduled to resume play Wednesday in Baltimore.

Last night scores – The A’s beat the Angels three nothing, Padres over the Diamondbacks 6-2, Blue Jays over the Washington Nationals 4-1, Cubs beat the Reds 8-7, Rays beat the Braves 14-5, Brewers over the Pirates 6-5, KC Royals over the Tigers 14-6, Astros beat the Mariners 8-5, Mets beat the Red Sox 7-4, Yankees and Phillies, and the Orioles and Marlins games were postponed due to illness, White Sox & Indians game postponed due to rain.

NFL
The Philadelphia Eagles have paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant with a memorial wall at their practice facility. The mural has three images of Bryant: one from his playing days at Lower Merion High School, one as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and one in an Eagles uniform featured with “Kobe’s 10 Rules”.  Bryant was born in Philadelphia and returned to the area during his middle school years after some time overseas and was a big Eagles fan.

NFL
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to fans outlining the league’s plans to play during the coronavirus pandemic.  As veterans begin reporting to training camps this week, Goodell wrote that the league’s planning has followed the lead of medical experts and public health officials, including the CDC, the White House Task Force, governors and state health officials, and that safety remains paramount as players return to the field. The league and the players’ union reached agreement on a plan last Friday, after all preseason games were canceled.

Chicago plays at Cleveland, New York goes to Philadelphia, Toronto is in Washington, Chicago at Cincinnati, Atlanta goes to Tampa Bay, Milwaukee is in Pittsburgh, Chicago goes to Cleveland, Kansas City in Detroit, New York in Boston, St. Louis at Minnesota, Arizona plays Texas, LA plays Houston, Seattle is in Los Angeles to play the Angels, Colorado Rockies play the A’s, San Diego at San Francisco , and Baltimore at Miami is postponed

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 27, 2020

MAN THREATENS SELF-HARM AND OTHERS
Police responded to an incident Sunday afternoon in which a man was threatening self harm and also threatening to shoot anyone who came in to the home.  According to The Daily Item, the unidentified man told officers from Coal, Rapho, and Zerbe Townships, Shamokin, Mount Carmel as well as Stonington State police that he had a gun and that he would shoot all who were outside the West Walnut street home.  Police eventually entered the home without incident and the man was arrested with charges pending.  Police continue an investigation.

DEMONSTRATIONS OVER LGBTQ, BLM AND CONFEDERATE FLAG THIS WEEKEND
Demonstrations continued throughout the weekend in the Susquehanna valley with several groups of dozens of ‘mostly’ peaceful demonstrators coming together on corners of streets of Mifflinburg.  According to North Central PA dot com, an anti- LGBTQ sign in a storefront began a demonstration Sunday in which local community members supported both sides.  Black Lives Matter groups as well as residents with Confederate flags were involved in the day.  There are reports that Mifflinburg police had one incident where they broke up a fight between protesters.  The union County Sheriff was also on the scene.

WILLIAMPSORT LIBRARY GETS DIGITAL NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE
Thanks to a grant in funding from the First Community Foundation Partnership the James V Brown Library in Williamsport has made a complete digital version of local newspaper archives available online According to the Sun Gazette, administrators from the library say the $169 thousand grant and local gifts plus support from the Lycoming County Genealogical Society provides the microfilm of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette and its predecessors, the Grit, and other local publications, which cover from 1807 to the present.  An internal database, allows access to content including copyrighted content, but can be accessed over the library’s IP address.  https://jvbrowninternal.advantage-preservation.com

DANVILLE HALLOWEEN EVENT CANCELLED
The Danville Halloween Parade Committee has recently announced the cancellation of the event due to Covid-19. They stated o their Facebook page that everyone in the committee is saddened by the choice they had to make, but said due to the ever changing circumstances it was the best choice. They also stated that they look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER BEING STOPPED IN STOLEN TRUCK
Selinsgrove state police say they pulled a Beavertown man over while he was driving a vehicle which was reported stolen from the Middleburg area earlier in the day.  According to North Central PA dot com, the investigating officer located the trick, a 2003 Ford F250 Supercab along State Route 104 on June 26th , and stopped 55 year old Douglas Klugh, who was allegedly under the influence with methamphetamine in his possession. Police say there is an ongoing investigation.

UPDATE ON MAN WHO SHOT FORMER WIFE, FRIEND, IN PARKING LOT
The man who is accused of shooting and killing his former wife and her friend earlier this month at a restaurant parking lot near Selinsgrove has requested a change of attorney  which will delay his preliminary hearing scheduled for today.  According to media outlets Christopher Fernanders of Paxinos, is accused of killing 46-year-old Heather Campbell of Trevorton and 52-year-old Matthew Bowersox of Mifflinburg July 10 and was shot by a bystander who retaliated after Fernanders was fleeing the scene. Fernsanders has recently been upgraded to critical condition from serious condition upon his arrival after the incident.

MONEY TAKEN FROM BANK ACCOUNT, UNDER INVESTIGATION
There is an investigation underway in Snyder County in which police say an unnamed person took money from the joint bank account of a man and woman from Monroe Township.  State police say a total of $17 thousand was taken from the account between July 14 and July 21st.  If anyone happens to have information about the case, please contact someone in the Snyder county case.

PIG ROAST TO HELP MUNCY MAN INJURED BY COW
There will be a pig roast will be taking place this Saturday, August 1st in honor of a man named Harley “Chubby” Fry who was injured by a cow and is currently being treated for a spinal cord injury.  He was treated by doctors at Geisinger medical center in Danville and is currently doing therapy at a rehab center. The Pig roast will be raising money for chubby to equip him with the necessary tools his rehabilitation requires of him at home. The event will be held in Muncy. For additional information on how to purchase tickets visit Facebook under Harley “Chubby” Fry Pig Roast Benefit.

 

SPORTS
MLB
Marlins beat the Phillies 11 to 6, Yankees over Nationals 3-2, Tigers beat the Reds 3-2, Indians over the Kansas City Royals 9-2, Tampa Bay Rays beat the Blue Jays 6-5, Orioles over the Red Sox 7-4, Twins beat the White Sox 14-2, Mariners over the Astros 7-6, Pirates beat the Cardinals 5-1, Cubs beat the Brewers 9-1, Rockies over the Rangers 5-2, A’s win over the Angels 6-4, Diamondbacks beat the Padres 4-3, Braves beat the Mets 14 -1, Giants over the Dodgers 3-1

Four Miami Marlins players have tested positive for the coronavirus leading the team to delay its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible outbreak. Sources say it’s possible that the infections occurred Wednesday on the team’s trip to and from Atlanta, where the Marlins played the Braves in an exhibition game. The Marlin’s manager Don Mattingly said the Marlins will leave Philadelphia today hours before their home opener against Baltimore in Miami. He says  multiple players may remain in Philadelphia.

NFL
NFL players who contract the coronavirus through “high-risk” activity away from team facilities can face team discipline and might be at risk of not being paid, according to the league’s new protocol. The final section of a memo sent by the NFLPA to agents is devoted to the fact that players will be held responsible for the way they circulate in public while the coronavirus remains present, facing discipline, including fines, for conduct detrimental to the team if they are found to have contracted COVID-19 through reckless activity away from the facility.

GOLF
Michael Thompson had a subdued victory celebration at the 3M Open, with a FaceTime call home to his wife and children in Georgia, after he birdied two of the last three holes Sunday for a 4-under 67 and a two-stroke victory, finishing his second PGA Tour win seven years after his first. Adam Long took second with a 64.

Baseball tonight – Angels play the A’s, Diamondbacks play the Padres, Blue Jays play the Nationals, Cubs play the Reds in Cincinnati, Braves play the Tampa Bay Rays, Yankees and Phillies, Brewers with the Pirates, White Socks play Indians, Royals and Tigers, Mariners and the Astros, Orioles play the Marlins in Blatitmore, Mets play the Red Sox

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 26, 2020

PIG ROAST FUNDRAISING EVENT

On August 1st a pig roast will be taking place in honor of a man named Harley “chubby.” Chubby’s spinal cord was recently injured by a cow where before being treated by doctors at Geisinger medical center in Danville was causing paralysis. After a stint in the hospital he was moved to a rehab center where he is currently doing therapy. The Pig Roast will be raising money for chubby to equip him with the necessary tools his rehabilitation requires of him at home. The event will be on August 1st at 4pm, at 1657 Chippewa Road, in Muncy. For additional information on how to purchase tickets and what will be available you can visit the Facebook fundraising page by clicking here.

NEW LAB ON WHEELS FOR DIABETICS

A “Medical Bus” From Geisinger has been treating patients across 19 health centers to help keep up new diabetic diagnosis’s. The bus, Dubbed the Geisinger Care Gaps Bus, serves about 50 people a day and is a new resource of the hospitals aimed to more conveniently serve diabetics. According to the Sun gazette, Ann Mooney, the optimization consultant for the medicine institute said that The goal for the bus is prevention and detection. The rolling lab screens everyone entering for covid, checks for vitals and records height and weight before blood is drawn for a checkup. As diabetes continues to grow at an overwhelming rate amongst the population, the Care gaps bus is proving to be a vital resource for the hospital and community.

PA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY TO REOPEN AUGUST

The Pennsylvania college of technology will be reopening for the fall semester on august 17th. While the college has always taken pride in their strives for excellence in providing hands on instruction for students, the call for social distancing has not fallen upon deaf ears within the administration. The president and other college administrators held a series of virtual “town hall” meetings on July 20-21 addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, and what their plan was for a safe reopening. While there is risk in any re-opening for something as public as a school, they stand ready with UPMC by there side with resources for contact tracing and preventative measures if anything happens. You can click here to see what courses they offer this year, and a more robust layout of their preventative measures.

DANVILLE HALLOWEEN PARADE CANCELLED

The Danville Halloween Parade committee has recently announced the cancellation of the event due to Covid-19. They stated on their Facebook page that everyone in the committee is saddened by the choice they had to make, but due to the ever changing circumstances it was the best choice. They also stated that they look forward to seeing everyone in 2020.

Sports

NFL

The New York Jets agreed to trade All-Pro safety Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks for first-round draft picks in each of the next two years.

NBA

Zion Williamson has re entered the NBA bubble after dealing with a family matter and has begun his 14 day quarantine.

MLB

The restart of the Season is finally here for baseball fans. The winners for the weekend were the Brewers, Giants, Nationals, Astros, Braves and Padres.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 24, 2020

MAN DRIVES VEHICLE INTO LYCOMING CREEK
A dive team was called in to help rescue a 58 year old Mill Hall man who drove his Black Ford Ranger into Lycoming Creek yesterday afternoon.  According to the Sun Gazette, officials from the Old Lycoming Township police department said the unidentified man was seen driving erratically northbound at the bridge near Route 973 and Lycoming Creek Road, missing guardrails and going off the road into more than 5 feet of water. The first responders took about 35 minutes to remove the man from his car, who was then transported to UPMC Williamsport.  A fuel spill into the water was reported before the car was towed from the creek.

RAPE CHARGES FOR JERSEY SHORE MAN
A 21-year-old Jersey Shore man is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in his Smith Street apartment after arranging a meeting online.  According to North Central PA.com Officers from the Tiadaughton Valley Regional Police Department said on March 30th Michael W. Fulger Jr. met the victim and gave her a potent drug and the forced her to go along with the rape.  He’s being held on felony counts of rape, assuault and corruption of a minor among other charges.  Fulger was committed to the Lycoming County Prison on July 13 in lieu of $90,000 monetary bail and is  scheduled for a formal arraignment Aug. 3.

NO ARMORED VEHICLE IN WILLIAMSPORT FOR NOW
The City Council will not be approving the request of close to 380 thousand dollars for an armored tactical vehicle, the purchase of which earlier this week was reviewed by the city finance committee, citing a need to reduce costs  as the city faces possible budget overages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday the car purchase was removed from the six-year capital projects budget, but the budget was adopted.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter said council could have the option to amend the request and wait on the purchase until there was a way to fund it through partnerships in the city and surrounding counties.

THIRD OPTION NOW FOR GENDER IDENTITY AT DMV
PennDOT will allow Pennsylvanians to identify as non-binary on driver’s licenses and photo ID cards, a move hailed by the LGBTQ community. In a press conference yesterday,  PennDOT officials announced that Pennsylvania residents can designate their gender as M (male), F (female) or X (non-binary). Those who want their license to better reflect their gender identity will need to visit a PennDOT license center to update their forms. Pennsylvania is the 17th state in the country to offer a non-binary option on its driver’s licenses.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) clarified more guidance for alcohol sales at bars and restaurants under Gov. Wolf’s order yesterday. All sales hinging on the definition of what food at the establishment constitutes a meal.  According to the order the term “meal” is defined as “food prepared on the premises, sufficient for breakfast, lunch or dinner -expressly stating that a snack, such as pretzels, popcorn, chips, or similar food, does not meet the definition of a meal.   Enforcement of the order is occurring through the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement, the Liquor Control Board, and the Department of Agriculture.

A 32 year old Laurelton man has been arraigned on 36 felony charges for the rape of a young girl over several years while babysitting her between 2005 and 2009.  According to the Daily item, William Aikey was between 17 and 21 years old when he stayed at the victim’s home ‘a couple weeks at a time’ while her father worked as a trucker.  Aikey also allegedly showed the victim child pornography.  Milton state troopers say the investigation first began last December, after interviewing the adult victim.  Aikey was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Federal Community Development Block grants were approved by the Lycoming County commissioners yesterday from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.   Four local agencies who they say  are integral in providing services to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will receive  nearly $150,000.  The grants will go to the following agencies: STEP Supportive Housing Program, American Rescue Workers, North Central Sight Services, and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.  SEDA-Council of Governments made the recommendation of the awards, with the commissioners discussing the grant awards at their work session earlier this week and gave final approval Thursday.

PennDOT issued an update on the bridge replacement work continuing on route 150 in Beech Creek Township Clinton County. According to a press release work will start Monday, July 27 at bald Eagle Creek bridge with a temporary traffic signal at this location deactivated.  flaggers will be on the roadway. Watch for delays, and motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes.  The traffic pattern at Peters Hollow bridge will not change. PennDOT says the project consists of placing the existing bridges with precast reinforced concrete box culverts guide rail installation and miscellaneous construction


SPORTS
MLB
Yankees over the Nationals 4-1 in 6 innings – game called due to rain.
Dodgers Beat the Giants 8-1

NASCAR
Denny Hamlin scored his series-high fifth Cup win of the season Thursday night at Kansas Speedway, ending a three-race stretch where Hamlin had finished outside the top 10. Brad Keselowski finished second and was followed by Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Erik Jones. This is the second straight season for Hamlin with at least five wins. He has won three of the last eight races.
NFL
Effective immediately, Washington will call itself the “Washington Football Team” pending the adoption of a new name. The team will continue the process of retiring the former name and hopes to be entirely rid of it on physical and digital spaces in the next 50 days, by the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

NCAA
The faculty of the University of Kentucky’s African American and Africana Studies program has asked UK president  to change the name of Rupp Arena because they said the legendary basketball coach’s name has come to stand for racism and exclusion of black students and fans. In addition to removing Adolph Rupp’s name from the UK basketball arena in downtown Lexington, the faculty requested that names of other enslavers, Confederate sympathizers, and other white supremacists be removed from campus buildings as well.

NHL
Seattle’s new NHL team with the new name, The Kraken will make its debut in the 2021-22 season. The league announced its 32nd team in 2018 for a $650 million expansion fee. The team looked at more than 1,200 names but decided on The Kraken a mystical creature with a name that represents folklore in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The franchise had settled on five finalists, which were sealed into an envelope and put in a time capsule in Seattle’s Space Needle — along with Nirvana records, a Twinkie and one share of Amazon — that will be revealed in 2062, on the Needle’s 100th anniversary.

MLB tonight
Braves at the Mets, Detroit Tigers go to Cincinnati, the Toronto Blue Jays play the Tampa Bay Rays, the Brewers head to Chicago to play the Cubs, Marlins play the Phillies, Kansas City Royals go to Cleveland with the Indians, Orioles are in Boston with the Red Sox, Rockies head to Texas to play the Rangers, Twins play the White Sox, Pittsburgh is in St. Louis with the Cardinals, Mariners play the Astros in Houston, Diamondbacks and the Padres, the Giants and the Dodgers are in LA, and the Angels head to Oakland against the A’s.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 23, 2020

FLORIDA WOMAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF ELDERLY MAN
A Florida woman has been arrested after police say she murdered an elderly man from Danville.  According to WNEP, Kathleen Reed of Pembroke Pines, Florida was arraigned yesterday for the crime.  Court record say Reed fought with family in Florida, leaving home and heading north.  When she got to Pennsylvania last Tuesday, she stopped at 83 year old Walter Ditzler’s home Tuesday along Bloom Road in Montour County to ask for money and use the restroom.  Once Ditzler asked her to leave the home, police say she slashed the homeowner’s throat with a knife from his kitchen and stole his car.  State troopers investigated Reed after finding her with Ditzler’s car at a state college gas station following an erratic driver complaint. When police checked on the man they found him dead in his home.  Reed is in Columbia County Prison without bail with a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 31 in Montour County.

NEW RVT GENERAL MANAGER NAMED
Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter has named Adam Winder as the full-time general manager of Williamsport Bureau of Transportation and River Valley Transit. According to the Sun Gazette, the mayor promoted Winder this week after he had served as interim general manager for the company since January.  He also serves as the general manager of the city-public works department.

LYCOMING COUNTY LEADERSHIP EVENT CANCELLED
The Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Leadership Lycoming Operating committee and Events committee are cancelling the  Final 3 fundraising event originally scheduled for July 31st.  The decision made due to the pandemic and restrictions on indoor gatherings across the state.  .  Anyone with tickets for the 2020 event will be contacted in the near future.  The highly anticipated event will be reschedueled for 2021.

ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CANCELLED
Keystone Central School District Superintendent Jackie Martin announced yesterday that 2020 graduation ceremonies have been canceled that were scheduled for August 7th at Bucktail High School and August 8th at Central Mountain High School. Officlas there say they share in the families disappointment.

RECYCLING FACILITY TO REOPEN
Lycoming County Resource Management Services has reopened one additional recycling site at Hepburn Township, located at Bair Park on West Creek Road.  According to the lyco.org website, the recycling site no longer has steps to use the plastics/metals container . To better accommodate the inbound recyclables and help with its transportation, more materials will be combined fiber and papers, plastics and metal and third brown clean and green glass. If you or anyone in your household has COVID19, please throw away your recyclables.

PA COUNTY SUES GOVERNOR WOLF
Lebanon County in Pennsylvania is suing Gov. Tom Wolf for nearly $13 million saying he overstepped authority and withheld money after local commissioners defied his state shutdown.  Last May, the commissioners in Lebanon County s voted to lift state-mandated restrictions without the governor’s permission, after being warned that it  could jeopardize a county’s share of federal discretionary dollars for relief efforts.  According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, a spokesperson for the Wolf administration said Lebanon County’s  decision to violate the law deemed the county ineligible for CARES funding.

ATTENTION OVER WILLIAMSPORT POLICE OVERTIME
Williamsport’s interim finance committee is taking a look at police overtime costs as they see over-budget projections looming for the year.  According to the Sun Gazette, city officials say that a quarterly report shows that overtime has already increased by 40 thousand dollars over 2019 numbers, and that projected upcoming quarter expenses with vacation time in the fall and winter, could produce more overtime that could overstep the budget. According to Police Chief Damon Hagan overtime is less expensive than hiring new officers but would prefer to hire. Mayor Slaughter said the budget and overtime expenses in all departments city-wide are regularly monitored.

GOVERNOR SUPPORTS LEVINE IN VIRAL PHOTO BACKLASH
Governor Tom Wolf made a statement supporting Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, saying that Dr. Levine is transgendered and a highly skilled, valued, and capable member of his administration.  Wolf made the statement in response to the recent viral social media post from a local fire company dunk tank fundraising event that they say inadvertently mocked Levine.  Wolf encouraged Pennsylvanians to speak out against any hateful comments or acts toward Dr. Levine and any member of the transgendered community.

TRAFFIC DELAYS ON INTERSTATE 80 IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Motorists saw backed up traffic yesterday afternoon along Interstate 80 eastbound near the I-180 interchange to Williamsport yesterday as work continues in Turbot Township, Northumberland County due to a highway bridge project.  According to PennDOT the left lane and shoulder on Interstate 80 eastbound is closed at mile marker 215 over Route 254 and the bridge at mile marker 213 over Muddy Run Road. The work is continuing 24 hours with peak traffic hours from 4 PM to 6 PM. There may be residual delays this week into the evening hours.

SPORTS
MLB
Star outfielder Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed on a 12-year, $365 million extension that keeps the former American League MVP from reaching free agency this winter.  Combined with the one-year, $27 million contract he’s currently playing out, Betts’ total comes to 13 years and $392 million. The deal tops the previous extension record of $360 million signed by Mike Trout and includes a record $65 million signing bonus.

Major League Baseball and their  Players Association are discussing expanding the 2020 playoffs from 10 teams to 16, according to multiple reports.  The news  comes as the league is set to start its abbreviated 60-game regular season tomorrow.

Pennsylvania has rejected the Toronto Blue Jays team to play at PNC Park during the new mandates of the coronavirus outbreak.  Canada has denied the team the ability to play there because it would require travel between the two countries, they may consider just traveling for each match-up and playing at the opponent’s stadiums as the home team.

NBA
In the first NBA game played in more than four months, the Clippers beat the Magic 99-90 but the game was more about the restart of the season than the score.  Players told ESPN that having no fans forced them to bring their own energy.  It was the first of four scrimmages in the 2019-20 season on the NBA campus at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

NFL
NFL officials probably won’t be on the field until Week 1 of the regular season, which is one of several new coronavirus protocols under discussion between the league and the NFL Referees Association. During training camp officiating crews usually visit to explain new rules to players and coaches and also work on their own crew communication during practices.  Due to the risk of spreading the virus, those trips have been canceled. The league is hoping to have virtual presentations instead.

The NFL confirmed Wednesday that if fans are allowed at NFL games this season, they will have to wear masks. The NFL has not announced an official league-wide policy on allowing fans at games, leaving it up to teams to make the decision based on local mandates. The Jets and Giants announced on Monday that there would be no fans at their home games at MetLife Stadium “until further notice.” New Jersey Gov. has limited outdoor gatherings in the state to 500.

NASCAR
Super Start Batteries 400 Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at Kansas Motor Speedway 267 laps / 400 miles.  (3)Aric Amirola,(2) Joey Logano and (1)Kevin Harvick round out the top three qualifiers to start tonight’s race.

 

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 22, 2020

A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash that happened last Saturday night along the Arch Street Bridge in Williamsport.  According to the Lycoming County Coroner, 38 year old James Neufer was pronounced dead on the scene and 38 year old Amanda Bergstrom died from injuries she sustained when the two were traveling south at the intersection of Arch Street and Hiawatha Blvd and were struck by a driver crossing into the wrong lane of traffic.  Police say in an affidavit 34 year old Matthew Allen Bower allegedly caused the crash and had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol.  A driver traveling behind the motorcycle also was involved in the crash, a female victim and her passenger suffering non-life threatening injuries after striking Bowers car and going down over the embankment. Bower was charged Tuesday with vehicular homicide while intoxicated, among other charges.

Bloomsburg fair officials took to social media yesterday in response to viral reactions to a Facebook post thanking a spoofed Dr Rachel Levine Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health featured in a dunk tank to raise money for local fire companies.  Randy Karchner, President of the Bloomsburg Fair association made a public apology. Karschner said that a man from an area fire company dressed as a woman in the tank had no intention of looking like Dr. Levine, but people at the carnival began making a connection.  According to fair officials, they are open to working with LGBTQ organizations in the future to help better understand why posts like this one can be considered offensive.

Permission to apply for a grant of $379,985 with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the county intermediate punishment program has been approved by the Lycoming County commissioners Tuesday.  According got the Sun Gazette, the inmate-reduction plan in place has saved about $2 million by preventing people from being incarcerated.  The grant now spares county taxpayers money otherwise spent to have individuals incarcerated for two-to-five year terms. The program, which is in lieu of incarceration, was created in the mid-1990s,helping individuals go through a program of intense supervision while on probation and some receive treatment for addictions.

Mahoning Township has had to cancel their Dumpster Day scheduled for this Saturday according to their website.  Township supervisors say due to Governor Tom Wolf’s restrictions they cannot have the event.  Dumpster day is for residents to bring all unwanted items from home and place them in the city dumpsters at no charge.  Officials apologized for the short notice.

The Jersey Shore Borough Council had public hearing Tuesday, filling the venue to capacity with residents making arguments for and against a helicopter pad addition to Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital.  According to the Sun Gazette, Community concerns included disruptive noise and debris issues, but a lawyer for Geisinger assured the public that the pad will not create any safety issued for neighbors.  The final project will have new lighting fixtures having the lighting fixed specifically to the parking lot and hospital grounds – not shining into residential spaces.  Council voted 4-1 in favor of the heliport.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed that there are 1,027 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 102,765. There are 7,038 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 20 new deaths reported statewide.  Lycoming County added two new positive cases for a total here of 276 to date, Clinton has 104 cases, Northumberland has 365 cases.  Allegheny is reporting an increase of 139 cases and Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 168 new cases. The Department of Health says  Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home and that consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Williamsport Area School District assistant superintendent , Dr. Susan Bigger, presented the health and safety plan required by the state at their meeting held via ZOOM Monday night.  According to the SShe outlined the educational phases for reopening, based on state, county and local health conditions, outlined in the plan were: in-person instruction, moderate transmission risk; hybrid alternate schedule, high transmission risk; and remote learning, critical transmission risk. The district will provide one face covering per week per student. The types of face coverings approved are outlined in the health and safety plan.  Parents will be asked to take their child’s temperature with a packet provided to families with a thermometer and instructions for the protocols to be followed. The board passed the plan by a 9-0 vote.

Bucknell has announced their health and safety plan for students this fall comprehensive coronavirus testing, no visitors permitted in residence halls and professors offering  a mix of in-person and remote classes as part of the university’s plan to resume classes next month amid the ongoing pandemic. There will be takeout meals, limited classroom sizes and routine cleanings across campus. The protocols also include screening by student health personnel and contact tracing processes and procedures. Bucknell partnered with TCA/Genetworx to deliver two free COVID test kits to each student  they will be required to show the medical staff their two negative tests through their Bucknell app.

SPORTS
NFL
At NFL training camps  next week, teams’ rosters will include a maximum of 80 players, as opposed to the usual 90, in an effort to help enforce social distancing measures in team facilities. One of the details of the league’s latest proposal where the NFL and the union officially agreed to drop all preseason games for the 2020 season. The NFL and the Players Assoc. also announced COVID-19 testing protocols. Players and team personnel will be tested regularly to keep their team’s positive test rate under 5%.

The Wilf family that owns the Minnesota Vikings has emerged as a serious candidate to buy the Minnesota Timberwolves. There are several bidders to buy the NBA team from billionaire Glen Taylor, including metropolitan New York real estate developer Meyer Orbach, who bought a minority stake in the Timberwolves in 2016. Former Timberwolves standout Kevin Garnett also said he is forming a group to try to purchase the team. Taylor has owned the team since 1994, when he bought it for about $88 million. He is seeking at least $1.2 billion.  A decision on the sale might not be made until September.

NBA
The painted “Black Lives Matter” on the game court for the league’s restart in Orlando.  The league unveiled the new court Tuesday. Changes for the games include broadcasters on the sideline at center court, but enclosed in Plexiglas panels creating separation between them and the players. The players’ and coaches’ bench comprises dozens of spaced-out folding chairs — each measured to be 6 feet away from the next chair. The court is surrounded by large video screens, where virtual fans and other messages will pop up.

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.

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