CHURCH VANDAL CHARGED WITH FELONY ASSAULT
The suspect in the burglary and vandalism case against Emmanuel Baptist Church on Four Mile Drive in Loyalsock Township shouted at police that he was black baby Jesus and assaulted officers during his arrest along the roadway while he was naked; he was also found to be holding part of the sound system of the church when he was being evaluated at UPMC Susquehanna.  According to police, 32 year old Steven Leonard Smith-Williams was charged with 1^st degree felony assault for being combative to officers on Saturday and is expected to be charged for the burglary and destructive vandalism this week.  He is incarcerated under 100 thousand dollars  bail.

ELDERLY WOMAN ENTRAPPED IN ACCIDENT
An 80 year old woman was trapped in her vehicle after a crash last week on New Berlin Highway near Selinsgrove.  State Police report that 80-year-old Cathie Wilkinson was driving an SUV that collided with the vehicle of 63 year old Timothy Marker of McClure at the intersection of Smalsh Barrack Road and New Berlin Highway in Snyder County.  Volunteers from Middleburg Fire and Rescue freed Wilkinson from the car and she was taken to Geisinger medical Center in Danville with unknown injuries
COMMISSIONERS WILL LIVE STREAM PUBLIC MEETINGS
Lycoming County Commissioners live streamed their first official meeting last week and plan to continue the practice moving forward.  According to On the Pulse News, the idea to live stream had been suggested before, but now after a few experiments, the county’s Thursday public meeting will be streamed directly to YouTube.  A few other municipalities live stream their public meetings, including the City of Williamsport, which broadcasts on a local cable channel, and Jersey Shore School Board, which live streams to Facebook.

SERVICE DOG REUNITED WITH FAMILY AFTER ACCIDENT
There’s good news about the puppy that went missing after a soldier on leave to visit family in Lycoming County had a car accident on Rabbitown road.  Piper, the 5 month old chocolate lab who was in the wreck with her owner, Corey Miller, was located by a pet recovery service and reunited this past weekend.  Piper is a service dog in training for Miller’s wife whose life was saved earlier this year by the dog.

MAN FOUND PASSED OUT IN PARKING LOT
A man has been charged with inhaling toxic substances, possession of solvents and disorderly conduct after police found him passed out in an area Walmart Parking lot.  According to Montoursville Borough Police, 56 year old Charles J. Shaffer, of Lock Haven was found in a grassy area of the parking lot in the Montoursville Walmart after huffing cans of computer duster.  Police had to wake Shaffer and according to an affidavit, seemed confused but eventually admitted using the substance.  Shaffer will be formally arraignment in front of Lycoming County President Judge Nancy L. Butts on January 6

ELECTRIC BILLS MAY GO DOWN
Your electric bill with PPL may be going down.  According to PPL Electric Utilities federal tax reform has brought about more savings for customers.  PPL has already lowered rates after reduced federal taxes but have recently filed with the PA Public Utility Commission proposing a reduction in the distribution portion of the bill.  Customers may see about 6.50 in savings this year but then a new savings percentage will be calculated in January of 2021.  You can get information at pplelectric dot com.

FOOD BANK GETS TAX CREDITS TO SERVE TWO COUNTIES
Over 1.2 million dollars in tax credits have been given to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank through the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program or NAP.  The Food Pantry who serves Bradford and Lycoming counties will be able to use mobile food pantries to serve those with food insecurity.  The food bank says they serve 130 sites, distribute 8.6 million pounds of nutritious food, provide 3.7 million pounds of fresh produce, reaching nearly 35,000 people.  NAP encourages private sector investment in public projects by providing tax credits to businesses that donate to support projects that address community problems

BALD EAGLE CAM LAUNCHED THIS MONTH
The Pennsylvania Game Commission, is offering a new bald-eagle nest livestream for the 2019-20 nesting season. The PA Farm Country Eagle Nest livestream launched December 18^th and is offering 24-7 access to live video and audio captured at a bald-eagle nest in rural Pennsylvania. This livestream is in addition to the one in Hanover. The Farm Country eagle nest livestream, is available through the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov, and features two cameras, one that can be controlled remotely to capture different angles.
Sports
NFL – Monday night football – Packers beat the Vikings 23 to 10.
NBA
Wizards beat the Knicks 121 to 115, Cavaliers beat the Hawks 121 to 118, 70 Sixers beat the Pistons 125 109, Magic beat the Bulls 103 to 95, Pacers beat the Raptors 120 to 115, Heat beat Jazz 107 to 104, Spurs over the Grizzlies 145 to 115, Nuggets over the Suns 113 to 111, Rockets beat the Kings 113 to 104, Pelicans beat the Trailblazers 102 to 94, Warriors beat the Timberwolves 113 to 104.
NHL-
Maple leafs beat the Hurricanes 8 to 6, Wild beat the Flames 3 to nothing, Bruins over the Capitals 7-3, Lightning beat the Panthers 6-1, Blue Jackets over the Islanders 3-2, Flyers beat the Rangers 5-1, Senators over the Sabres 3-1, Predators over Coyotes 3-2, Canadians beat the Jets 6-2, Devils over the Blackhawks 7-1, Canucks over the Oilers 4-2, Avalanche beat Golden Knights 7-3, and Blues beat the Kings 4-one
HS Girls basketball
Wellsboro beat North-Penn Mansfield 65 to 52, Danville beat Hughesville 37 to 27, South Williamsport over  Line Mountain 51 to 31, Bucktail beat Galeton 44 to 29
HS Boys basketball
Loyalsock beat Central Mountain 64 to 51, West Scranton beat Williamsport 72 to 69, Wellsboro over Jersey Shore 65 to 63, Montoursville beat Lordes 70 to 45, Sullivan County beat Benton 51 to 33, and Warrior run over Line Mountain 70 to 49
Tonight Christmas Eve College Bowl Game – Hawaii Bowl BYU vs Hawaii 8pm on ESPN

MAN INJURED IN ATV ACCIDENT
A 61 year old Hepburn Township man was hospitalized after an ATV crash yesterday  around 11 am near the 400 block of Crescent Hill Road.  According to the Sun Gazette, the driver of the all-terrain vehicle called a relative after he overturned in the woods near his home, after which emergency workers hiked into the area where the crash was located and transported the man to an ambulance.  Volunteer firefighters from Hepburn Township, Old Lycoming Township, Trout Run and DuBoistown responded and the operator was taken to Williamsport Regional Medical Center.

TWO CONFIRMED DEAD IN MULTI-VEHICLE PILE-UP
There are more details emerging about the multi-vehicle crash that shut down I-80 East and Westbound in Union County near mile marker 204 on Wednesday.  According to Pennsylvania State Police in Milton, 2 operators of vehicles involved in the accidents sustained fatal injuries, one person from Sterling Heights, Michigan ( 58 year old Marek Szczepanczyk) and 53 year old Edward Posavec of Hatfield, Montgomery County.  54 vehicles in total were involved in the chain reaction crash that was triggered by sudden snow squalls along the interstate that severely limited visibility. More than 30 drivers were injured, some critically. I-80 West reopened just after 6pm last night after being closed for approximately 30 hours.

YEAR END REPORT FROM PENNDOT
PennDOT Engineering district 3-0 is closing out 2019 with a year-end report to wrap up their busy construction season. The nine-county district opened bids for 63 contracts totaling nearly $102 million in value. Roads in Lycoming County include Route 87, in Plunketts Creek Township,areas of i-180 in Montoursville and Muncy Creek and Routes 220 and 405, intersection reconstruction and traffic signal installation in Hughesville Borough and Wolf Township among other areas. The district has been able to stretch limited resources by using in-house capabilities such as paving and bridge crews to complete work on many smaller projects. According to PennDOT the district faces many challenges from flooding since 2016.

WILLIAMSPORT LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES BUDGET
The 2020 budget for James V Brown Library  has been approved by the Trustees at the board meeting Thursday for a proposed $2,219,275.  According to the Sun Gazette, salaries and wages were down as result of a contracted services for security and website development expenses going up.   In other news, board member Harold Hershberger will step down from his 43 year position there.  Current board president Tom Burkholder moved that Hershberger be given the status of Trustee Emeritus.The next board meeting is Jan. 16 in the Lowry Room.

TWO ASSAULT INCIDENT ON PARAMEDICS
There have been two recent incidents where paramedics have allegedly been assaulted by patients while trying to treat them.  According to the Sun Gazette, 36 year old Michael Sheilds of South Williamsport sucker punched a member of an ambulance crew who had arrived to treat him for a panic attack November 23^rd of this year.  Sheilds was arrested for aggravated assault and jailed but is free on bail.  And in another incident this week, Montoursville police report that a Muncy woman attempted to punch an EMT during treatment for a fall at her home on Braod Street around 7pm Monday.  56 year old Barbara Orwig was charged with aggravated and simple assault and public crunkeness and is in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of bail

APARTMENT FIRE WAS MEDICAL ISSUE
Firefighters in Williamsport responded to what they thought was a fire but was instead a medical episode.  A third floor fire was reported at Williamsport Manor along Center Street, but when first responders got the residence – it was discovered that the emergency was a medical episode that had occurred while the person was cooking.  The victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

THE FARM SHOW COMETH
We’re facing an early Pennsylvania State Farm Show this year with January 1^st on A Wednesday.  The 2020 show celebrating the state’s agricultural industry opens in 15 days –  Jan. 4 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg through Jan. 11th.  Favorite events like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, sheep to shawl contest and tractor square dancing draw guests to the largest indoor agricultural event and new this year will be samples of  award-winning Pa. craft beers and hard cider for those over 21, and an expanded Calving Corner with live births. Admission to the Farm Show is free and parking is $15 per car.

Sports
NBA
Jazz beat Hawks 111 to 106, Bucks beat the Lakers 111 to 104, Spurs over the Nets 118 to 105, Rockets beat the Clippers 122 to 117.
NHL
Islanders beat the Bruins 3 to 2, Stars over Lightning 4 to 3, Flyers beat the Sabres 6 to 1, Blue Jackets over Kings 3 to 2, Senators edged the Predators 5 to 4, Blackhawks beat the Jets 4 to 1, Hurricanes over Avalanche 3 to 1, Canadians over Flames 4 to 3, Wild o defeated the Coyotes 8 to 5, Canucks beat Golden Knights 5 to 4.
HS Wrestling
Hughesville beat South Williamsport 48 to 20, Southern Columbia over Warrior Run 50 to 22, Danville beat Loyalsock 66 to 16
HS Boys Basketball
Scranton prep at Williamsport 53 to 39, Jersey Shore over Hollidaysburg 65-58, Midd-West beat Muncy 63 to 47, Central Mountain over Mifflinburg 62 to 55.
HS Girls Basketball
Athens beat North Penn liberty 58 to 20, Millville over St. John Neumann 71 to 33, Northeast Bradford beat Wellsboro 58 to 34, Canton beat Williamson 61 to 11.
College Wrestling
Lock Haven beat Bloomsburg 26 to 12

WINTER WEATHER CAUSES CLOSURES AND DELAYS
The winter weather that moved into our area overnight started the day with rain and freezing drizzle, but with the low temperatures is continuing to cause slick roads today and some area schools closed.  Temperatures are expected to go up to about 37 today and may drop down into the low 20s for overnight tonight.  Winter weather updates are always available 24/7 on all backyard broadcasting websites.

MOTHER BACK IN JAIL AFTER A FAILED DRUG TEST
A Williamsport mother warned in November of this year by a Lycoming County Judge that failing any drug test would have prison consequences has been incarcerated for failing the strict drug use clause and allegedly suppressing evidence.  According to the Sun Gazette, 33 year old Maria Sweeting, was released earlier this year on supervised bail to live her co-defendant in the case, Grant Wright and with her parents, who have legal custody of her child at 2109 Central Ave in Williamsport.  She recently tested positive for illicit substances through an arm patch administered by the county’s adult probation office. At this time, Sweeting is in Lycoming County prison, and Wright is free on electronic monitoring, by making bail last October.  Sweeting will have a bail modification this Wednesday.

CITY PROPERTIES HAVE LIENS TOTALING OVER $90K
There are 70 properties on the City of Williamsport’s list that have property liens that is costing the city about 90 thousand dollars.  City Administrators say liens place a legal claim on a residence and the owner can’t legally sell, refinance or transfer a clear title of ownership.  According to the Sun Gazette, City administrators say the liens represent those families who left neglected property, are behind on taxes or just can’t maintain the properties.  Some are owned by landlords, but overall it’s a tax burden on the general budgets, which members of council say they want a strategy to tackle in 2020.

THE SUPERLOAD DRYER ARRIVED AT ITS DESTINATION
The super load dryer arrived at First Quality in Lock Haven yesterday after 12 days on the road from the Port of Erie traveling through  9 counties. The “super load” is a 217-foot long vehicle hauling an industrial dryer with a total weight 628,000 pounds and  20 feet wide.  According to the Sun Gazette, the driver, Don Bretthorst of Valparaiso, Indiana, drove the load the 319 miles while steering the front four axles from the cab, spreading the axles, and lifting and lowering the tower to avoid wires that weren’t all at the regulation 18 feet high, all without going above 15 miles per hour.

HIT AND RUN IN BEAVERTOWN
There was a hit and run incident Saturday night in Beavertown and police are investigating.  According to crash reports, a 27 year old woman was getting a child out of the vehicle Saturday night around 8:30pm and was hit by a pick-up truck traveling eastbound along the 100 block of Market Street or Route 522.  The white Ford F-150 fled the scene and has damage to the right front side and is missing the passenger’s side mirror.  Anyone with information should call Middleburg police at 570-837-0321.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE THE ROOT OF SUMMER ACCIDENT
Police say a woman under the influence of prescription drugs caused the crash on Route 87 in Plunkett’s Creek last summer.  According to North Central PA dot com, Tammy Yourish was traveling south on Route 87 east of Hidden Valley Road last June 5^th when she failed to negotiate a curve in the road and drove into the path of a Hyundai Santa Fe driven by 33 year old Kristen J. Confer.  Her passenger, 63 year old Jean L. Confer, who sustained serious injuries in the head on collision, was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and remained hospitalized from internal injuries.  According to court reports, Yourish, of South Williamsport was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault while driving under the influence of a controlled substance and related charges. She posted $25,000 bail  and now a formal arraignment is scheduled Dec. 30 in at the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas

DANVILLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CHOSEN
A ninth member of the Danville School Board has been chosen.  According to the Daily Item, the Danville Area School District school board chose Castan Kiersch of Danville, a physical therapist in Montour County who will take the place of Dawn Koons-Gill.  She recently decided to not run for re-election. Several  board members now on the panel were appointed this year following five resignations of Danville school board members.

Sports
NFL Monday night football Saints beat the Colts 34 to 7
NBA
Wizards beat the Pistons 133 to 119, Raptors over the Cavaliers 133 to 113, Mavericks beat the Bucks 120 to 116, Thunder over the Bulls 109 to 106, Rockets beat the Spurs 109 to 107, Grizzlies over Heat 118 to 111, and the Trailblazers beat the Suns 111 to 110.
NHL
Panthers beat the Senators 6 to 1, Predators over the Rangers 5 to 2, Blue Jackets beat the capitals 3 to nothing, Blues over Avalanche 5 to 2, and Oilers beat the Stars 2 to 1
HS Girls Basketball
Smethport beats Galeton 36-22, Hughesville over Sullivan County 50 to 45, South Williamsport beat Muncy 55-20, Montoursville over St. John Neumann 70 to 15.
HS Boys Basketball – Williamsport beat Abington Heights 48-46 in overtime

SUSPECTED FATAL ACCIDENT IN PORT TREVORTON
A multi vehicle accident in Snyder County closed Route 11/15 in Port Trevorton early this morning.  According to PennDOT, it took a few hours to reopen the northbound lanes of Route 11 between Peffer Road and Chapman Hollow Rd near Hilsher’s General Store in Port Trevorton.  The southbound lanes remained closed for two more hours as the police investigation occurred.  According to WNEP, the county coroner was called to the scene. There is no detour in place at this time.

CONVICTED ARSONIST SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON
A man who started fires in Lock Haven has been sentenced to state prison.   According to the Sun Gazette, 54 year old James Arnold Brown pled guilty earlier this year to two first degree felonies for starting fires in Lock Haven.  In May of 2018, Brown set 2 separate fires to debris and furniture near houses on East Water Street.  Firefighters were able to extinguish the fires.  This week, the Clinton County District Attorney asked the court to consider Brown’s mental health history as he had been convicted of arson previously.  Brown was sent to SCI Camp Hill to serve his 10-20 year sentence.

COUNCIL ADOPTS TAX-HIKE BUDGET
A new budget was adopted at the Williamsport City Council meeting last night with Mayor-elect Derek Slaughter voting against it.  According to the Sun Gazette, the 28.1 million tax-hike budget was adopted following council negotiations after Mayor Gabriel Campana proposed to them a zero-tax increase budget.  Campana has not decided whether to veto or not to sign the budget.  This now sets the tax rate at 15.72 mills which includes a 0.25-mill tax increase. Slaughter has the authority to re-open the budget after he is sworn in January 6^th.

3 COUNTY CHASE LEADS TO ARREST
A man who led police through a three county high-speed chase was sentenced to Lycoming County Prison last week.  According to North Central PA dot com, 26 year old Shawn Pysher of Allenwood fled from police August 18, 2018 while drunk, following an initial blow-through of a stop sign at the intersection of Second and Broad Streets in Montgomery.  That started a chase on Route 405 through Northumberland, Union and Lycoming Counties.  Pysher continued to attempt to flee after his tires were flattened by spike strips, but was pulled from his vehicle after hitting two police cruisers. Pysher was sentenced to three to 18 months in county jail for third degree felony fleeing or attempting to elude officer, concurrent probation, and community service.

ABUSE VICTIM’S MOTHER WAIVES PRELIMINARY HEARING
A preliminary hearing was this week for the mother of Arabella Parker Samantha Delcamp and her boyfriend, Jahrid Burgess, charged with criminal homicide for allegedly abusing 3 year old Arabella Parker who died from her injuries in November of this year. According to the Daily item, Shamokin District Judge John Gembic presided when Delcamp waived her preliminary hearing which sends her homicide charges case to court.   Burgess pleaded not guilty.  Witnesses who claimed there was abuse in the home addressed the court and Judge Gembic said the DA needs to continue a full investigation.

EATLY MORNING TRACTOR TRAILER FIRE
A tractor trailer caught fire early this morning on I-80 westbound in Union County.  Emergency crews are finishing up clearing the scene according to Central Susquehanna Regional 911.  The accident was first reported before 3:30 a.m. at mile marker 202 on I-80 west bound in western Union County, near the Mile Run exit.  No injuries were reported and all lanes have remained open at this time.

COMMISSIONERS PLAN ON PURCHASING SPACE FOR JUDGE
Lycoming County Commissioners are working on purchasing a new space for the office of Magisterial District Judge William C. Solomon. The Old Lycoming Township office space where a lease is currently held, is in need of upgrades.  According to the Sun Gazette, a building has been chosen where hearings, and administrative duties can be performed by Solomon and his staff.  Commissioners said it makes more sense to have in place a county-owned site than to rent out space for a district judge.

MANSFIELD HOCKEY COACH RECOGNIZED
The Mansfield University field hockey program has had a great year, with a postseason trip, the most regular-season wins in over a decade, securing five all-conference players and now their fifth-year coach Brittany Hansrote was named PSAC Coach of the Year.  Hansrote led the Mounties to a 12-7 record, notching the first postseason berth since the 2010 season and the most wins since 2001. The Mountaineers reached No. 10 in the national poll while ranking top-10 nationally in assists per game.

FARM DONATES EXTRA EGSS TO PA FOOD PANTRY
A farm that supplies eggs for vaccine manufacturers is donating a surplus of nearly 100 thousand eggs to the Central Pennsylvania  Food Bank in Columbia and Montour Counties.  According to the Bloomsburg Press, the eggs are the wrong size for the drug testing process and are going to be distributed to food pantires, fire halls and churches.  This is the third year the farm has been able to donate the eggs.

ICE ACCUMULATING ON AREA ROADS
Icy conditions in Limestone Township and on Rt 15 heading north from Montgomery are causing multiple accidents on area roads.  According to scanner reports, an accident has been reported on Rt. 44 west of Elimsport near Summit Trail in the downward curve there.  Travel is difficult on Route 15 north from Rt 54 in Montgomery over the mountain into Williamsport with two accidents, one near the scenic overlook and one near Skyline Drive.  Emergency Crews are on each scene assisting motorists.
Sports
NFL Thursday night football Ravens beat the Jets 42-21
NBA
76ers beat the Celtics 115 to 109 Cavaliers beat the Spurs 117 to 109, Mavericks beat the Pistons 122 to 111, Nuggets beat the Trailblazers 114 to 99..
NHL
Sabres beat the Predators 4 to 3, Lightning over the Bruins 3 to 2, Islanders over the Panthers 3 to 1, Penguins beat the Blue Jackets 1 – nothing,  Red Wings over the Jets 5-2, Blues beat the Golden Knights 4 to 2, Wild over Oilers 6-5, Flames beat the Mapleleafs 4-2, Coyotes over the Blackhawks 52, and Canucks over the Hurricanes 1-nothing, Kings beat the Ducks 2-1, Rangers over the Sharks 6-3
HS Wrestling
Montgomery defeated Sullivan County 42-23, Midwest beat Lewisburg 42 to 30, Muncy defeated CMVT 64 to 15, Montoursville over Central Columbia 56 to 15, South Williamsport over Loyalsock 54 to 18
HS Girls Basketball
Williamsport beat Crestwood 59-51, Northeast Bradford over Williamson 70 to 19, Athens beat North Penn Mansfield 46 to 40
HS Boys Basketball St. John Neumann beat Bucktail 66-27

TROOPER SHOT IN TIOGA COUNTY
A Pennsylvania State Trooper is in stable condition today after being shot during a welfare check at a home in Tioga County yesterday morning.  According to a press release, three State Troopers arrived at a house on Barney Hill road in Nelson Township, after a friend called in a concern about the welfare of the resident there.  When the officers announced themselves and entered through an unlocked door, gunfire allegedly came from the resident and one trooper was shot.  The troopers then retreated, requested back up, and a life flight helicopter called in to transport the wounded officer.  According to social media reports, the trooper who was shot did  require surgery but was alert and talking prior to the procedure and a second trooper may have sustained a broken leg while seeking cover from the shooting.  No names of the suspect or troopers have been released at this time.  A stand-off was ongoing as of last night at 8pm with few details coming in from police.

TROOPER SHOOTING UPDATE; SUSPECT KILLED
The gunman who barricaded himself inside a Tioga County residence after allegedly shooting a State Trooper performing a welfare check there yesterday, has been killed by authorities.  According to a press release from the PA State Police, the incident in Nelson Township, Tioga County was over around 2am this morning.  Following several shots from the individual inside the home, officers from the Pennsylvania Special Emergency Response team returned fire and killed the suspect.  The trooper who was shot and life flighted away from the scene that began the 14 hour standoff is in stable condition after  surgery following the shooting and another injured trooper was treated and released,

DA WILL NOT SEEK DEATH FOR DANVILLE SHOOTING SUSPECT
In the case where two Missouri residents were arrested on criminal homicide charges for the death of a man at the Super 8 motel in Danville on September 26^th, the DA in Montour County won’t be seeking the death penalty.  According to the Daily Item, there weren’t aggravating circumstances in the case to fit the criteria for a capital murder punishment in Pennsylvania. 33-year-old David Earle of St. Louis, Missouri was arraigned in court this week on criminal homicide charges for the death of 50 year-old Derrick Potts of New Jersey.  Earle’s girlfriend 25-year-old Miqueal Brown, also of St. Louis, was not in court Monday. She also faces charges in the case.

LOCAL LAWMAKER SUPPORTS PRESIDENT TRUMP
US Representative Fred Keller, of Kreamer, has made a statement against the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment Tuesday against Trump — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — pushing toward historic votes over the charges.  Keller, a first-term Congressman whose 12th District includes Lycoming County supported the President and was quoted as saying there is no direct evidence that the President did anything, and if the articles of impeachment come to the floor, he will vote no on it.

PENNDOT NAMES EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Alan Keller is PennDOT District 3 employee of the month for December.  Chosen for his tenure, interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain strong working relationships, Keller is the Traffic Engineer in the District office who oversees the Operations, Safety and Signal Units.  He has extensive experience in highway engineering and traffic operations.  Keller is a 32-year PennDOT employee, lives in Muncy with his wife Diane, and two children

ANOTHER NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY FIRE THIS WEEK
Another dwelling fire was reported.  This one in Mt. Carmel last night and firefighters were called in around 9:35 p.m. The fire escalated to a second alarm around 9:45 p.m. According to Northumberland County Communications, the fire was reported by a passerby at a home at 34 West Fifth Street and that visible smoke and flames were seen from the second floor. No injuries were reported there as well and a cause for the fire  is also unknown. Monday night, a fire damaged a home in Shamokin.

COMMISSIONERS SAY USE PRC TO RELIEVE PRISON OVERCROWDING
Lycoming County Commissioners have considered the possibility of using the Pre-Release Center for relieving some of the over-crowding of the county prison system. But according to the Sun Gazette, county officials stated that there are several things to consider before just re-locating inmates from the local prison.  County Sheriff Mark Lusk told the commissioners that the solution can be complicated considering the diversity of offenders and different types of crimes members of the prison population have committed.  Commissioner Tony Mussare recently noted that 55 of 137 beds in the PRC were empty.

HOLIDAY SCAM WARNINGS FROM STATE OFFICIALS
The PA State Police are reminding residents of Lycoming County to be aware to protect yourself from holiday scams.  Scammers exploit unsuspecting victims in several ways like, fake shipping notifications, money transfer, charity or travel scams, copycat websites and package theft.  Police say to be skeptical of cold charity calls, not to click links in unsolicited emails, and to type website addresses directly into a browser and not follow links to the site.  If you suspect you are being victimized, call your bank and local police, or make a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Sports
NBA
Hornets over the Wizards 114 to 107, 76’ers beat the Nuggets 97 to 92, Heat beat the Hawks 135 to 121, Trailblazers over the Knicks 115 to 87.
NHL
Lightning beat Panthers 2-1, Canadians of the Penguins 4-1, Sabres beat Blues 5-2, Predators over the Sharks 3-1, Ducks beat Wild 3-2, Jets over the Red Wings 5-1, Stars beat Devils 2-nothing, Hurricanes over Oilers 6-3, Flames over Coyotes 5-2, Maple Leafs beat the Canucks 4-1, and Golden Knights over Blackhawks 5-1, Kings beat the Rangers 3-1
HS Wrestling
Hughesville won over Bloomsburg 51-18, Warrior Run over South Williamsport 45-27, Williamsport over Milton 42-29, Troy beat Williamson 51-24
HS Boys Basketball
Muncy beat Benton 59-33 Jersey Shore defeated ShikellAmy 74-59, Sullivan County defeated CMVT 61-31, Bucktail over Montgomery 51-32, Saint John Neumann over Millville 67-62
HS Girls Basketball
Williamsport over Montoursville 53-41
HS Girls Swimming
Danville beat Jersey Shore 112 to 71, Williamsport over Lewisburg 110 to 76
HS Boys Swimming
Danville defeated Jersey Shore 79-46,  Williamsport over Lewisburg 92 to 78