BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 11, 2020

WILLIAMSPORT MURDER TRIAL BEGINS FOR PHILLY NATIVE
The first day of testimony wrapped up yesterday in Lycoming County Court in the murder trial of Philadelphia native Joseph Sentore Coleman Jr., currently in jail with two consecutive life sentences for an October 2016 double homicide. According to the Sun Gazette, Court records say Coleman allegedly robbed and murdered Christopher Wilkins two months earlier in August of 2016 at 505 Park Avenue in Williamsport, but the defense says they have the wrong person in this murder.  Wilkins roommate, 27 year old Savoy Jennings testified in the case admitting he left town with money that belonged to Wilkins after he discovered him dead, and had a friend call police about the murder who then lied about the circumstances surround the incidents.  The trial continues today at 9am.

FIRE DESTROYS MOTORCYCLE CLUB HOUSE
A local motorcycle club lost their Hepburn Township building to fire Sunday night.  According to the Sun Gazette, the one story building on Heleeka Road that housed a bar and entertainment equipment, was maintained by the Road Knights Motorcycle Club.  Witnesses saw flames from the interstate, called in the incident around 11pm and according to fire officials, the 40 by 40 structure was completely engulfed in flames when volunteer firefighters arrived.  It was declared a total loss with no insurance on the building, but there were no injuries.

EDUCATORS TO SUPPORT WOLF’S CHARTER SCHOOL PROPOSAL
The Keystone Central School Board made a motion last week to weigh in on charter school reform and support proposed budget legislation by Governor Tom Wolf.  According to some board members as reported by the Sun Gazette, calculating the logics of funding for charter schools in some cases is hard to pin down.  The school board will meet this week to vote on approval for signatures of a supportive resolution.  The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Central Mountain Auditorium in Mill Hall.

TWO TOWNS APPLY FOR A TELEVISION MAKE-OVER
Two area towns have entered a television network contest which, if successful, the bid could bring a makeover for the entire town.  Both Sunbury and Shamokin have submitted an entry in HGTV’s ‘Hometown Takeovers which includes a video  which pitches the fix-up-needs of the town.  According to the Daily Item, that could include homes, businesses and public parks.  The winning town would be featured in a special six-episode series planned to premiere in 2021.

LOYALSOCK ACCIDENT CLOSES ROAD
An unidentified driver was hospitalized yesterday evening after an accident in Loyalsock Township closed the road for about an hour.  According to police reports
a local man was driving a Toyota 4Runner on Warrensville Road, north of Four Mile Drive around 7 p.m,  lost control of the vehicle and overturned.  According to the Sun Gazette, the man was briefly trapped in the wreckage, then transported to Williamsport Regional.  Once the car was uprighted and removed from the scene, township firefighters reopened the roadway.

GRANT BRINGS NEW SOUTHSIDE EQUIPMENT
South Williamsport Borough Council will expand its recycling services this spring after a grant with a borough match is presented in March of this year.  According to the Sun Gazette, a dump truck, a front-end loader, and wood chipper will be purchased for garden residue and yard waste, with the 300 thousand dollars from the state Department of Environmental Protection.  The local match is just over 31 thousand dollars required by the state. In other Southside news, any resident of the borough’s third ward who is interested in filling the seat of Councilman Henry Frey Jr’s who will be moving from the area can contact borough manager, Steven W. Cappelli.

MAYOR SEEKS NEW FIRE CHIEF
Some changes are on the way for the Williamsport Bureau of Fire.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter is searching for a new fire chief, and has offered current Fire Chief, Todd Heckman other opportunities.  Heckman was hired under former Mayor Gabriel Campana.  The job oversees the department which has 33 members and candidates will be considered from within and outside the department.

3 STUDENTS HONORED FOR HELPING FORMER TEACHER
Three area students were honored this week for helping a woman who was trapped in a SUNbury Car Wash facility.  According to the daily item, Macy Carper, Alyssa Keeley, and Brianna Hennett heard a former Shikellamy school district teacher of theirs, Anne Hollenbach yelling as she was pinned nearby.  She was in the car  with the door closing on her while reaching for a dropped debit card as the vehicle was still in drive.  The girls approached the scene and Carper got in the passenger side putting the car in park stopping Hollenbach from being more hurt.   The girls were presented with Sunbury’s “Caring Award.”
Sports
NBA
Hornets beat the Pistons 87 to 76, Nets beat the Pacers 106 to 105, Magic beat Hawks 135 to 126, Raptors over the Timberwolves 137 to 126, Bucks beat the Kings 123 to 111, Jazz over the Mavericks 123 to 119, Nuggets over the Spurs 127 to 120, Heat beat the Warriors 113 to 101, and Lakers over the Suns 125 to 100
NHL
Coyotes beat the Canadiens 3 to 2, Flyers over the Panthers 4-1, Islanders beat the Capitals 5 to 3, Lightning over Blue Jackets 2 to 1, Canucks over the Predators 6-2, Flames over the Sharks 6-2
HS Boys Basketball
Montoursville over Hughesville 60 to 33 Williamsport beat Susquehanna Township 73 to 70, Bellefonte over Jersey Shore 64 to 51, Bloomsburg beat Saint John Neumann 73 to 42, Loyalsock over Athens 79-51
HS Girls Basketball
Williamsport New Jersey Shore 60 to 46, Cowanesque Valley over North Penn Liberty 56 to 18, Wellsboro beat Port Allegheny 64-57 in OT, Millville beat Muncy 52-33, Montgomery over Midd-West 42-33
HS Wrestling
Selinsgrove beat Milton 58 to 12

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 10, 2020

BAD WEATHER AND ACCIDENTS DURING THE COMMUTE
An injury accident occurred this morning at East 3rd and Northway Rd in Loyalsock Township around 5:30 this morning after winter weather caused problems for today’s commute. A Hazardous Weather Outlook was issued for today and tonight in Northern Lycoming and Clinton, Tioga and Sullivan Counties.  According tot he National Weather Service, expect an additional coating to one inch across the higher elevations, with snow melting as it heads into the warmer valleys, where temperatures will be in the mid 30s.

PRELIMINARY HEARING WAIVED OVER RATTLESNAKE POACHING
A Trout Run man who is facing sentencing in a 2017 incident for shooting 12 bucks and leaving the carcasses in Cogan Station, has waived his preliminary hearing last week for illegally hunting rattlesnakes and also plead guilty in a separate rattlesnake incident from October of 2019.  According to North Central Pa dot com, Cody L. Short whose leg had been amputated from snake bites appeared in Lycoming County Court Wednesday.  Short’s unsecured bail was set at 1500 dollars.

SNOWBOARDS STOLEN
Police are seeking a suspect in a case where 18 snowboards were stolen from the back of a company truck from a parking area in Jackson Township.  According to police, 9000 dollars-worth of snowboards were taken from the back of a truck owned by Gilson Snow, Inc on New Berlin Highway in Winfield between January 26th and January 31st.  If you have any information on this Snyder County theft, please call police.

PENNDOT CALLED PUBLIC MEETING FOR 220 PROJECT
A Route 220 safety project will be taken on by PennDOT and an informational meeting has been scheduled for later this season.  Representatives from PennDOT District 3 will have an informational meeting in which the public is invited to attend.  An overview of the project will be presented which includes a widening of the roadway and utility relocation on March 9th at the project field office.   The project is said to begin in mid-March of 2020 and is expected to be completed in the fall.

ALLEGED RAPIST OF 7 YEAR OLD INCARCERATED
A man claiming that the mother of the 7 year old child he raped, threatened him to commit the act, police say Jersey Shore man has been charged with several felony counts of statutory rape.  According to North Central PA dot com, the child he was babysitting in his home told the parent, who was at work at the time, that 20 year old Tommy Hoffman allegedly committed the assault.  According to State police, Hoffman’s polygraph test showed signs of deception when asked about contact with minors.  Hoffman is incarcerated at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $90,000 straight bail.

POLICE SEARCH FOR GUNS INCARCERATE TWO SUSPECTS
Acting on a tip, Shamokin Police served a warrant last Friday to a man on state parole who allegedly had guns on the property.  According to police reports the suspect in the case and a female who was found on the property during the search and both were detained.  An investigation is ongoing after the woman told police about gun and drug activity in the home.  No charges have been filed as of the weekend.

BRASS KNUCKLES FOUND DURING UNRELATED INCIDENT
A person was caught last week with brass knuckles during an unrelated incident last week.  According to reports by State Police in Stonington, Andre White of Coal Township and Brandy Sturtz of Baltimore were charged with scattering trash, insulation and siding in East Cameron Township.  During the investigation one of the suspects had the brass knuckles which are illegal in Pennsylvania.  Charges are pending in Northumberland County Court.

Sports

NASCAR
Eric Jones wins the Bush Clash at Daytona International Speedway Sunday foillowed by Austin DIllon, Clint bowyer and Kyle Larson, with Ryan Newman topping out the Top 5 finishers.
NBA
Celtics beat Thunder 112 to 111, Grizzlies beat Wizards 106 to 99, Hawks beat the Knicks 140 to 135, 76ers beat the Bulls 118 to 111, Jazz beat the Rockets 114 to 113, Clippers beat the Cavaliers 133 to 92, Trailblazers beat Heat 115 to 109
NHL
Red Wings beat the Bruins 3 to 1, Ducks over the Sabres 3-2, Rangers beat the Kings 4 to 1, Jets over the Blackhawks 5-2, Avalanche beat Wild 3 to 2
College Wrestling
Rochester Institute of Technology Duels
RIT over Penn College  51- nothing  and Oneata defeated  Penn College 41-12

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 7, 2020

PENNDOT DISCOURAGES UNNECESSARY TRAVEL There are winter weather warnings in affect for area counties today which will impact travel and activities around the region.  Bradford County is operating under a winter storm warning until 4pm today with accumulations of 4-8 inches of snow, Northern Lycoming and Sullivan counties a warning in place until 2pm with snow accumulations of 4-8 inches and Tioga County also warned until 2pm with more snow expected there 5-9 inches accumulating there.  PennDOT is discouraging unnecessary travel.

POSITIVE REPORT ABOUT SHARED POLICE SERVICES
As the deal to share police services between South Williamsport and the Borough of Duboistown took affect last month, DuBoistown Borough council heard a positive report at last night’s meeting.  The South Williamsport borough manager reported a seamless transition with no serious calls for the region and noted that that former DuBoistown Chief Hagar officially joins South Williamsport.Previously the Duboistown police department had only two on-duty officers and Pennsylvania State Police assisted the department over 70 hours per week.  Duboistown will pay almost $120,000 a year for the service.

ASSAULT CHARGES AFTER PULLING GUN ON TROOPERS
A man was arrested after threatening State Troopers first with a knife and then pulling a gun.  According to State police reports, 23-year-old Lowell Hoover of Port Trevorton was holding a knife in the area of an investigation when state troopers asked him to drop it.  He did but pulled a gun on the officers who then took Hoover into custody. According to the Sun Gazette, Hoover was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and weapons possession and is in custody on 250 thousand dollars bail.

DRUG RING EXPOSED MORE CHARGES PENDING
The Williamsport Bureau of Police seized about $20,000 worth of narcotics from a Williamsport man after receiving a tip that he would be purchasing drugs in the poconos.  Police apprehended Christopher C. Raemsch last August, saying they exposed a drug ring that extends to the Philadelphia area, finding 8 pounds of marijuana in the man’s vehicle and upon searching his home with a warrant that same day, discovering THC vape cartridges, cocaine and methamphetamine.  According to North Central PA dot com, charges have yet to be filed against suspects in the Philly area as the investigation continues.

WOMAN IN FILTHY HOME CHARGED WITH CHILD ENDANGERMENT A woman from Washingtonville was charged for endangering a child after police did a welfare check at her home and uncovered a large amount of there.  According to Fox 56 police investigated the home of 56 year old Lucy Mowery last month while she was caring for a 1 year old and a disabled 17 year old whose wheelchair would not fit inside the home dues to the debris stacked inside the home the 400 block of Blue Springs Terrace.  According ot WNEP, Mowrey is allowed to stay in the home awaiting the court date, her 17 daughter is no longer living there.

POLING PRECINCT LOCATION CHANGE
Residents who use White Deer 4 voting precinct in Union County will have a new polling station due to the closure of the old location. According to the Daily Item, St. John’s United Church of Christ on Tabernacle Road, will close and Commissioners approved the relocation.  According to county officials,  the church and its buildings will be offered for sale.  The new polling location for residents of White Deer 4 voting precinct will be Bonanza Restaurant, 300 Commerce Park Drive.Sports
NBA
Knicks beat Magic 105 to 103, Pelicans over the Bulls 125 to 119, the Bucks beat the 76ers 112-101, Trailblazers over the Spurs 125-117, and Rockets beat the Lakers 121 to 111
NHL
Red Wings over the Sabers 4 to 3, Canadiens beat the Ducks 3 to 2, Lightning over Penguins 4 to 2, Golden Knights beat the Panthers 7-2, Islanders over the Kings 5 to 3, Devils beat the Flyers 5-nothing, Avalanche beat the Senators 4-1, Jets over Blues 4-2, Wild beat the Canucks 4-2, Predators over the Flames 3-2, Hurricanes beat the Coyotes 5-3, Sharks over the Oilers 6-3
HS Girls Basketball
Williamsport over Central Mountain 50 to 38, Warrior run over Mount Carmel 53 to 47, Lewisburg over Selinsgrove 55-44
HS Boys Basketball
Muncy beat Benton 66 to 25, Canton over Cowanesque Valley 64 to 39, North Penn Mansfield over Troy 50 to 49, North Penn Liberty North East Bradford 56-44
HS Wrestling
PIAA Team Wrestling Championships Class AAA- Bethlehem Catholic defeated Williamsport 62-6,  Class AAA Burrell over Montoursville 46 to 21
College Wrestling
Lock Haven beat Edinburgh 25-13 in the Mid American Conference

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 4, 2020

UNIVERSITY STUDENT FOUND DEAD IN APARTMENT
A student at Bloomsburg University was found dead in an off-campus apartment yesterday.  According to the Press Enterprise, 22 year old Sean Lenahan from Lititz, PA, was found by police at the Honeysuckle Student Apartments around 11 a.m. Monday.  The Columbia County Coroner’s Office processed the scene.  Lenahan  was a mass communications major and active member on campus.  Anyone with information is asked to call Bloomsburg Police/Detective Melanie Beck at 570-784-4155, ext. 163.

APARTMENT BUILDING FIRE IN SHAMOKIN
A three-story apartment building burned in Shamokin yesterday afternoon, and four adults and seven children were displaced from their homes.  According to the Daily Item, Crews from the Shamokin Fire Bureau, Coal Township Fire Department and others battled the fire that had smoke pouring off the rooftop on the structure at 707 West Chestnut Street.  Fire Crews on ladder trucks responded to the blaze and it was extinguished within an hour.  Fire officials say the building is not a complete loss and an investigation will continue today.  The residents were assisted by the American Red Cross and staying with relatives.

FLU MORE DANGEROUS IN PA THAN CORONAVIRUS
State health officials say the spread of the coronavirus may be attracting international attention,  conversely, the flu continues to have a much greater public health impact in Pennsylvania.   The flu has claimed 33 lives in Pennsylvania so far this winter.  According to  Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, that since October, there have been more than 45,000 diagnosed cases of flu.  Last season the flu shot was 47 percent effective

BLACK BEAR RECORD IN PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania hunters set a new record for killing black bears in 2019 at 4,653  –  way above the 2018 total of 3,153.  According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, officials had sought an increase for the commonwealth, after the given the statewide bear population was determined to be about  20,000.  Thirty days of bear hunting across all bear seasons last year, could contribute to the totals as well, the first time that has happened since 1931.

BAIL CONDITIONS REDUCED AFTER LOW THREAT DETERMINED
An Eldred township man was removed from intensive supervised bail late last week, after a judge said his threat to society is low. According to the Sun Gazette, the attorney for 60 year old Bruce D. Stuart who was charged with the alleged rape of a mentally disabled woman between 2009 and 2018, said there have been no issues or violations of his bail conditions, but that the checks required were excessive.  President Judge Nancy Butts will hear Sturat’s pre-trial motion on March 17th.

SPORTS COMPLEX COMING TO WILLIAMSPORT
A Sports Complex project is in the early stages for Williamsport after 18.3 acres of land near Rose Street was secured last December from Susquehanna Supply Company.  The Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce is working with City officials to determine what next steps are needed.  According to the Sun Gazette, Jason Fink, Chamber Executive Director said design, details and layout of a sports complex for baseball and softball and perhaps tournaments is in the works. Building could begin within months and is expected to produce positive revenue for area hotels, restaurants and other attractions.

ACT 13 GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will began accepting applications on February 1st for Act 13 grants available through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, according to state Sen. Gene Yaw.  Eligible entities are encouraged to apply for the funding, which is paid for by natural gas drillers and allotted to the state’s Marcellus Legacy Fund.  The Legacy Fund ensures a portion of the funds collected support local environmental enhancement and conservation programs.

MEMORIAL AVENUE BRIDGE INSPECTION WEDNESDAY
There will be a bridge inspection Wednesday morning along the Memorial Avenue Bridge beginning around 7am.  Penn DOT says a maintenance crew will be in place alont Route 3021, at the bridge over Lycoming Creek in Williamsport.  Flaggers will be in place and could slow traffic.  Work should be complete by noon Wednesday.

Sports
HS Boys Basketball
Montoursville beat Saint John Neumann 74 to 42, Loyalsock over Jersey Shore 80 to 49, Meadowbrook beat Bucktail 67-55, Williamson over Cowanesque Valley
68 to 55, North Penn Liberty beat South Williamsport 57-52
HS Girls Basketball
Cowanesque Valley over Troy 39 to 28, Hughesville over Penns Valley 39 to 37, North Penn Mansfield beat North Penn Liberty 56-30
HS Wrestling
Montoursville over Boiling Springs 45-25 in the preliminary round of the PIAA Team Wrestling Championships.
The Warriors advance to face the District 7 champion (Burrell) in the state tournament on Thursday at 4 PM at the Giant Center in Hershey
NBA
Warriors beat the Wizards 125 to 117, Magic beat the Hornets 112 to 100, Knicks beat the Cavaliers 139 to 134, Mavericks over the Pacers 112 to 103, Nets beat the Suns 119 to 97, Celtics beat the Hawks 123 to 115, Heat over the 76ers 137 to 106, Grizzlies over the Pistons  96 to 82, Kings beat the Timberwolves 113 to 109, Clippers over the Spurs 108 to 105
NHL
Panthers over the Maple Leafs 5 to 3, Stars beat the Rangers 5 to 3, and the Flyers beat the Red Wings 3-nothing

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 3, 2020

DRUG BUST IN CLINTON COUNTY
Various law enforcement agencies in Clinton County participated in a drug bust over the weekend that brought down 29 suspects who had been investigated during a year-long cooperative effort.  According to the Sun Gazette, during the investigation into the trafficking of drugs including meth, cocaine and prescription medications, undercover officers made over 40 purchases of controlled substances.  Friday, officers began serving felony arrest warrants to suspects in Lock Haven, Mill Hall, Woodward Township and Avis.  The U.S. Army National Guard’s 728th Main Support Battalion Armory in Lockport was used as a staging area for processing and those arrested will be arraigned this week in Clinton County Court.

SHERIFF WARNS OF PHONE SCAMMERS
A phone scam in Lycoming County about jury duty is prompting Sheriff Mark Lusk to warn the public.  According to the Sun Gazette, a caller has reportedly contacted residents claiming to be with the county sheriff’s office, requiring them to pay a fine and costs for missing jury duty, and asking for a credit card or personal and financial information.  Lusk said in a press release that residents should always check if an agency is who they say they are before giving out any information. If you suspect you are a victim of the scam, note the caller id and report the call to police.

JERSEY SHORE SEEKS NEW SUPERINTENDENT
A search is on for a new superintendent in Jersey Shore.  According to the Sun gazette, the school board voted to invest 5000 dollars in a comprehensive search to replace Dr. Jill Wenrich who announced her retirement as of June 1, 2020.  Wenrich has served as superintendent for 3 years.  The contract for the search is with the State School Board Association.

PHIL PREDICTS EARLY SPRING FOR SURE
The furry prognosticator in Punxsutawney said it’s an early Spring this year for sure!  At sunrise Sunday, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow and declared the forecast for the 134th time in PA history. The inner circle actually does the forecasting before Phil is pulled from his hole on Gobbler’s Knob, in Jefferson County, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

SHAMOKIN FIRE DAMAGES DOUBLE HOME
A fire spread between the walls of a double home in Shamokin, prompting an emergency for firefighters in the city’s 5th ward Saturday.  According to the Daily Item, Shamokin Fire Bureau Assistant Chief Steve Jeffery said the fire started inside the basement at 440 S. Pearl which spread up the inside of the home’s north wall after 8pm, displacing 3 people.  According to Northumberland County property records both halves of the double home are owned by Dehlilah Betz Lebleau. No injuries were reported.   Volunteers from Coal Township, Kulpmont and Mount Carmel fire departments assisted at the scene.

PACKING COMPANY WILL EXPAND IN PENNSYLVANIA
A global packaging company will expand its operations in four Pennsylvania counties including Northumberland and create over 1700 new jobs.  According to an announcement by Governor Tom Wolf, UPS will also retain over 64 hundred jobs in the commonwealth.  The investment comes  from the Department of Community and Economic Development and is  coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team also will go to Cumberland, Dauphin, and Philadelphia Counties for building renovations, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.

SMALL EARTHQUAKE STRIKES SOUTHEAST PA
Ask the people you know in the south eastern part of the state if they felt an earthquake Saturday or Sunday this past weekend.  According to the United States Geological Survey map, a 1.6 magnitude earthquake hit near Dover Delaware in York County about 2:55 pm and another at about 1.8 magnitude around 430am early Sunday.  Scientists from the National Earthquake Center say you have to be very close to the epicenter to feel that kind of quake – lasting only a second or two.

PA FISHING LICENSE CHANGES
Those who want to fish in Pennsylvania, don’t have to display their fishing licenses on an outer garment anymore after the Fish and Boat Commission Board of Commissioners approved a proposal about is last week. According to PennLive, the license can be in a pocket and anglers must present it when an officer asks to see it.  The adjustment changes a long standing rule on the display of licenses and will go into effect once it is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

 

Sports
NFL – Super Bowl 54 – Kansas City Chiefs beat San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in their first Super Bowl win since 1970.
NBA
Pistons beat the Nuggets 128 to 123,  Rockets beat the Pelicans 117 to 109, the Bucks over the Suns 129 to 108, and the Raptors beat the Bulls 129 to 102
NHL
Penguins beat the capitals 4 to 3, Blue Jackets over the Canadians 4 to 3, Hurricanes beat the Canucks 4 to 3

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JANUARY 31, 2020

FELONY STRANGULATION CHARGE FOR LEWISBURG MAN
A man from Lewisburg was charged yesterday with felony strangulation in Williamsport from an incident Thursday.  Williamsport Bureau of Police responded to a 911 call from a victim of Quodrice D. Hendrix who said he choked her till she could not breathe or speak around 3am. Police arrived at the Williamsport apartment about 4am, where Hendrix had returned after initially fleeing, and he was taken into custody.  Hendrix was unable to post bail and was placed into the Lycoming County Prison.

MAYOR MAKES MORE CHANGES TO THE TEAM
Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter Continues to make changes in his administration team, announcing changes to the City Recreation Director position, and removing Shawn Washington from the post.  According to the Sun Gazette, the city will soon advertise an updated position with a modified role, which oversees an annual budget for city recreational programs, facilities and special events.  In addition to the recreation job, two other personnel changes in the city include the finance director and general manager of River Valley Transit, as well as a city engineer job.

COCHRAN PRIMARY IS RECOGNIZED
A local elementary school has been awarded recognition of a Title I Distinguished School which honors schools who rank in the top 5 percent of federally funded supplemental education programs.  According to the State Department of Education, Cochran Primary School was one of 93 schools in the state to rank that high in the 2 most recently completed school years.   According to a press release from the schoolM Cochran’s principal, Cindy Schuyler, attributed the recognition to the high-quality instruction students receive, the support of the district administration and entire school community.

CITY LOSES TWO 1939 LITTLE LEAGUE PLAYERS THIS WEEK
In memoriam – Williamsport Little League lost two men who were historic ambassadors to the youth sports program this week.  Bill Bair passed away January 25th and we lost Al “Sonny” Yearick on Janaury 27th.  Both played on Lycoming Dairy team, one of the first three Little League clubs started by Carl Stotz in Williamsport in 1939. Yearick was the very first Little Leaguer to play professionally, spent four years in the minor leagues.  Bair graduated from Penn State University and was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War.  He also worked for Williamsport Wire Rope.

BERWICK MAN THREATENS TO DRIVE INTO HOSPITAL
Out of frustration from a scheduling problem, Danville police say a Berwick man threatened to drive his car through the Geisinger entrance last Sunday.  According to the Daily Item,  65-year-old William Somers was charged with felony counts of making terroristic threats.  After the man allegedly called the Mahoning Township facility, security was heightened near the front entrance. Somers, who is free on $10,000 unsecured bail will have a preliminary hearing on February 6th

COMISSIONERS APPROVE LEVEE SYSTEM CONTRACT
A contract for work related to the levee system in Lycoming County for about 274 thousand dollars was approved Thursday by the Lycoming County Commissioners for oversight and construction as well as the review and rescinding of a 20-municipality ordinance that would increase per capita rates.  According to the Sun Gazette, Muncy Township Supervisor Tom Schick asked for a delay on the per capita increase due to inconvenient timing for residents.  The commissioners discussed the possibility of restoring the ordinance in 2021 and voted 3-nothing to rescind it.  They will meet again next Tuesday at 10 at the Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St in Williamsport.

SUNBURY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY DOWN FOR 60 DAYS
Due to the lack of trained and certified volunteer firefighters in Sunbury, the fire company is out of service for 60 days.  According to local media, Sunbury Fire Chief Brad Wertz Jr. said the social and business side of the company will remain open and there is no immediate danger to the public during fire responses, since the city’s remaining fire companies are all in operation. When this 60-day period is over, they’ll re-evaluate the company –  expected to take place in mid-March.

MORE SOIL REMEDIATION IN UNION COUNTY
Clean-up work will continue next week on Interstate 80 westbound in White Deer Township, Union County.  According to PennDOT the contractor will be working in the area of mile marker 202.5 beginning next Tuesday through Thursday again from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Motorists should also anticipate lane restrictions and a brief delay when both lanes are closed as the contractor moves equipment across the roadway.
Sports
NBA
Raptors beat the Cavaliers 115 to 109, Wizards with the Hornets 121 to 107, Hawks beat the 76ers 127 to 117, the Celtics beat the Warriors 119 to 104, the Nuggets beat Jazz 106 to 100, Kings beat the Clippers 124 to 103
NHL
Canadians beat the Sabres 3 to 1, Predators beat the Devils 6-5, and Kings beat Coyotes 3 to 2
HS Boys Basketball
Danville over Jersey Shore 70 to 59, Millville beat Muncy 45 to 34, Sayre beat Canton 60 to 48, Troy over Wellsboro 63 to 58, and North East Bradford beat Cowanesque Valley 66-45, North Penn Liberty over Williamson 81-44, Hughesville beat Selinsgrove 65-55,
HS Girls Basketball
Southern Columbia over South Williamsport 41-34
HS Swimming
Girls – Central Columbia beat jersey Shore 89-79,
Boys – Central Columbia beat Jersey Shore 93 to 50

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON AFTER MURDER-FOR-HIRE
It’s life in prison for a Cambria County man who admitted to killing a Newberry man’s wife for money in August of 2018.  According to the Sun Gazette, Kenneth Wayne Smith said in court yesterday that Edward Heck promised 10 thousand dollars and a vehicle if he carried out the murder of his wife and 2 dogs.  Court records show Smith testified of the murder for hire in a cold way and other examinations show he was diagnosed with a medical issue that affects one’s ability to express emotion.    Judge Marc F. Lovecchio sentenced Smith  in Lycoming County Court and Heck was also in court Tuesday for a suppression hearing.

COUNCIL MOVES MEETINGS IN GOOD FAITH
In an effort to fully cooperate with the US Department of Justice, the City of Williamsport City Council who is engaged in litigation concerning Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, will move their meetings to the Trade and Transit Center II on February 20th.  According to the Sun Gazette, it’s a show of good faith by council to provide a safe and accessible venue for all public meetings.  The transit center has handicapped and public access to the Ross Meeting Room on the third floor, as well as technology to assist individuals with special needs.

WOLF TRIES TO RAISE MINIMUM WAGE AGAIN
Governor Tom Wolf wants to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $12 an hour and up to $15 by 2026.  According to a press release,  the governor’s plan will be considered by the state’s rule-making board later this week. The General Assembly has not passed a minimum wage increase in more than a decade, at $7.25 an hour since 2009, the ​minimum wage allowed by federal law. Twenty-nine states have a higher minimum wage and 21 states are increasing the wage floor this year.

TRANSPORTATION GROUP ADOPTS STATEWIDE PROGRAM
The Williamsport Area Transportation Study Coordinating Committee met Monday and due to community questions about the roadway, they discussed that there is no target date for re-opening Warrensville Road after it was closed due to earth and rock slides. Also on the table was the adoption of part of a statewide program to decrease the numbers of serious and fatal crashes and to meet performance measures set by the state Department of Transportation.

FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CHARGED WITH THEFT
A former Shamokin Area School District school board member, is facing two misdemeanor counts of theft by deception after allegedly taking donations meant for the school swim team.  According to the Daily item, Coal Township police say 42-year-old Richard Kashnoski took money from owner of Brent’s Trash Removal in Coal Township meant as a donation for the school. Officers say Kashnoski then wrote his own name on the checks and cashed them. Kashnoski served on the Shamokin school board between 2013 and 2017.

DUI BILL COULD INCREASE PENALTIES
A bill to end Pennsylvania’s so called revolving door system for those with multiple DUI convictions passed in the State Senate yesterday and will go to the House of Representatives.  According to the bill, penalties go up when people receive multiple driving-under-the-influence convictions and have higher blood alcohol content levels.  It would also impose court ordered sobriety monitoring for someone who is charged with their second DUI offense.

OWLETT WILL RUN AGAIN FOR HIS HOUSE SEAT
State Representative Clint Owlett a Republican from Wellsboro, has announced his intention to seek re-election to the 68th state House seat serving Tioga, Bradford, and Potter Counties.  According to a press release, Owlett has sponsored 19 pieces of legislation in the past year and established the Dairy Investment Fund designed to invest $5 million into the state’s dairy industry. The state primary election is April 28th.

HYDROPONIC COMPANY DONATES TO FOOD BANK
There was a ribbon cutting event and celebration Tuesday at a newly opened hydroponic greenhouse off or Route 522 near Selinsgrove and their first five thousand pound harvest of greens was donated to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.  Snyder county commissioners and the State agriculture secretary were on hand for the event at Bright Farms in Penn Township.  According to the Daily Item, the 263,000-square-foot facility will employ 50 and produce about 2 million pounds of arugula, spinach, butter lettuce, pak choi, romaine and kale salad greens annually which is sold at Giant Stores and other markets in the East Coast.

Sports
NBA
Hornets beat the Knicks 97 to 92, 76ers over the Warriors 115 to 104, Pelicans beat the Cavaliers 125 to 111, Raptors beat the Hawks 130 to 114, the Bucks over the Wizards 151 to 131, Grizzlies over the Nuggets 140 – 96, Celtics over Heat 109 to 101, and the Suns beat the Mavericks 133 to 104,
The Lakers held a tribute to Kobe Bryant and the Clippers game will be made up at a later date.
NHL  – Senators beat the Sabres 5 to 2, Blues over the Flames 5 to 4
HS Boys Basketball
Hughesville over South Williamsport 76 to 38, Loyalsock over Montoursville 77-63, North Penn Liberty over Canton 66 to 50, Wyalusing over North Penn Mansfield 62 to 51
HS Girls Basketball
Cowanesque Valley beat Bucktail 51-28, Montgomery over St. John Neumann 40 to 32, Sullivan County over CMVT 57 to 13, Warrior Run over South Williamsport 45 to 40, Williamsport beat Mifflin County 61 to 48, Loyalsock over Montoursville 48 to 27, Mifflinburg beat Jersey shore 57 to 50
HS Wrestling
Hughesvile over Central Columbia 42 to 35, Southern Columbia beat South Williamsport 63 to 12,
HS Swimming
Girls – Jersey Shore over Mount Carmel 120 to 41
Boys – Jersey shore beat Mount Carmel 69-17

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