BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

DRIVER DETERMINED IMPAIRED IN BARBOURS CRASH
State police say a woman who was involved in an accident last June along Route 87 in Barbours, that sent all three people involved to the hospital, was impaired.  The Sun Gazette reports that blood tests showed that Tammy Yourish of Williamsport had alcohol, oxycodone and fentanyl in her system that impaired her ability to safely drive.  Yourish’s car was southbound on Route 87 in Plunkett’s Creek Township June 5th , crossed the center line and hit  Kristin Confer of Williamsport who was driving northbound.  Both drivers were injured and later discharged.  Confer’s passenger, 63 year old Jean Confer remains hospitalized from injuries related to the crash.  Yourish was charged Monday with aggravated assault by vehicle, DUI and other charges in Lycoming District Court and has since been released on bail.

GOVERNOR SUPPORTS LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS
Governor Tom Wolf has joined the Lt Governor of Pennsylvania and are calling for the full legalization of marijuana and the decriminalization of the drug, leading to pardons for non-violent cannabis related offenders.  Penn Live reports that in a news conference Wedensday, Governor Wolf said it’s time for Pennsylvania to join other states, after he said his tour of the state revealed the majority of state residents don’t consider marijuana use a crime.  The governor’s call for legalizing pot drew opposition from majority Republican leaders in both chambers.

SALE PROPOSED OF CITY FIRE STATION
As Mayor Campana prepares to leave office, the Sun Gazette reports he is working toward a goal of divesting city properties.  One option is a sale of the City Fire Station on Almond Street, a move recommended this week by the City Council public works committee.  Other recommendations by the committee include excavation of sites for gas main replacement on Campbell and Almond Streets.  City officials also say that along with the Department of Environmental protection, they are waiting for flood and stormwater damage estimates to see if a feasibility study will take place in the city.

NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE FOR LOVED ONES LOST TO CRIME
It was a night of remembering loved ones lost to violence in Williamsport last night when a small crowd of people gathered in Brandon Park for the National Day of Remembrance.  The event was hosted by Angel Families Unite, a team of counselors who support families who have lost a loved one.  Members of Angel Families Unite told the Sun Gazette that the help they offer is available to anyone.  Find a hotline number on their Facebook page where there’s someone to talk to
24-7.

JUDGE ORDERS ALL NOTES SAVED IN ROBBERY CASE
In the case involving the alleged accomplice of the Williamsport Uni-Mart shooter that killed a customer and wounded a clerk in August, a judge has ruled that all law enforcement officials involved must save their notes related to Noah Stroup.  Police told the Sun Gazette that Stroup, who was originally arrested July 28th on a bench warrant for an East Third Street convenience store robbery, may have made incriminating statements about murder during interviews with police. The District Attorney’s office is looking to apply the death penalty to I-Keem Fogan, Stroup’s alleged accomplice, on murder charges of Ronda McPeak who was killed in the Uni-mart the night of the shooting when Stroup was the alleged lookout during the crime.

FACILITY CAREGIVER CHARGED WITH ABUSE
Police have charged a Danville woman who worked as a nurse at the Emmanuel Nursing Rehabilitation Center with neglect and abuse of care of a dependent person.  Another nurse at the center reported 35 year old Mariela Galindo was being aggressive and yelling at 97 yr old Ruth Campbell who suffers from dementia and restrained Campbell enough to make her arm bleed.  Police told the Daily Item that Galindo wrote a statement admitting to restraining Cambell.  No word on her employment staus today.

INJURY CRASH IN CENTRE TOWNSHIP
Four people were injured after a crash in Centre Township, Snyder County. Selinsgrove state police say the crash happened last Sunday just after midnight when 18-year-old Caleb Stroup of Kreamer was traveling east on Middle Road and crossed into oncoming traffic.  WKOK reports that 42 year old Tara Baird, along with 16-year-old and 2-year-old female passengers suffered injuries in a wreck when Stroup’s car impacted Baird’s, all three were taken to Geisinger. Stroup was also injured but was not taken to the hospital. He was cited with a traffic violation.

AUTHORITY DIRECTOR GETS PAY RAISE
During the executive session Wednesday of the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority  a pay increase was awarded for the executive director. The authority told the sun gazette that following the executive director’s performance review a 2.2 percent annual increase was approved for the position with a new salary to 132 thousand,860 dollars.

MORE BLOOMSBURG FAIR TODAY
The 164th Bloomsburg Fair continues today as it’s Pioneer Pole Buildings Day.  Old Dominion takes the Grandstand stage tonight.  The Lucky afternoon band plays today on the free stage. South Williamsport and Line Mountain High School bands will play on the free stage this morning after 10.  Get updates online and use a chat feature with fair officials who will questions online at Bloomsburg fair dot com

Sports
Major League Baseball
Diamondbacks beat the Cardinals 7-9, Twins over the Tigers 5-1, Brewers bumped the Reds 9-2, Rays blanked the Yankees 4-nothing, Nationals over the Phillies 5-2, Pirates beat the Cubs 4-2, Blue Jays edged the Orioles 3-2, Mets thumped the Marlins 10-3, Red Sox defeated the Rangers 10-3, White Sox over the Indians 8-3 Braves slammed the Royals 10-2, Giants edged the Rockies 2-1, A’s over the Angels 3-2, Dodgers beat the Padres 6-4, and Astros blanked the Mariners 3-nothing
HS Boys Soccer
Wellsboro beat Sayre 12 -nothing
HS Girls Soccer
Williamsport over Holy Redeemer 2-1, S. Williamsport beat Mount Carmel 6-2, Lewisburg beat Warrior Run 2-zip, Hughesville over Loyalsock 3-2 in overtime Montoursville tied Milton 1-1 in double overtime.
HS Girls Tennis
Williamsport over Shikellamy 5-love, Hughesville beat Lewisburg 4-1, Central Columbia over Loyalsock 3-2, Montgomery defeated Jersey shore 3-2, Bloomsburg beat Montoursville 3-2 and Cowanesque valley defeated North Penn Liberty 5-2
Men’s College Soccer
Slippery Rock defeated Lock Haven 1-nothing, Penn College tied PSU Berks 2-2 in double overtime, Swarthmore over Lycoming 4-nothing
Women’s College Soccer
PSU Berks blanked Penn College 5- zip

Today sports
NFL football tonight Philadelphia plays at Green Bay with an 820 kick off
HS Football tonight Pottsville Nativity vs Montgomery at seven

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

EX-BOYFRIEND ADMITS TO MURDER
The man police suspected of murdering Brenda Jacobs in 2003 has confessed to the crime according to Montoursville State Police.  Authorities say that Jade Babcock admitted to killing Jacobs during a physical altercation in their home around Christmas of 2003 and then concealed her body inside a coal bin at 322 Jordan Avenue.  He also admitted to removing Jacobs legs and disposing them off the Maynard Street Bridge in Williamsport.  Family members reported Jacobs missing in 2013 until the case went cold.  A tip to police this month led police to find the remains of Brenda Jacobs in a storage facility in Philadelphia, allegedly stored there by Babcock.  He has been charged with Criminal Homicide.

SHAMOKIN HOUSE FIRE A TOTAL LOSS
A fire that happened on Tuesday at a home on South Gold Street in Shamokin has been declared a total loss by fire officials.  The house went up in flames yesterday morning around 8am when neighbors alerted the residents in the home to the emergency.  Shamokin fire officials say three people were home at the time, 2 dogs died and one person suffered burns.  Fire crews told WNEP that there were no working smoke detectors in the home.  No word on the condition of the victims of the fire at this time.

BIDS FOR CITY HALL ARE TABLED
Bids for improvements at City Hall have been tabled after the Williamsport City Council’s finance committee recommended a study be done to see which facilities actually need to be upgraded to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Campana engaged with the committee in an impassioned discussion to use part of the 930 thousand dollars to finally complete upgrades.  Reports are that members of the committee want to analyze their needs so no costly mistakes happen while completing the repair of the building’s infrastructure.

THE BLOOMSBURG FAIR CONTINUES TODAY
The 164th Bloomsburg Fair continues today and it’s Kohr’s Orange Ade Day.  The Modified Truck and SUV Figure 8 Race is tonight in the Grandstand.  There’s  karaoke every day at the fair with Millenium.   There’s a Barbershop quartet contest on the free stage, along with the Make Mine Country band at 5 & 8:30.  And don’t forget the grape stomping event every day at 3pm in front of the technology building.  Get the details and the whole schedule at bloomsburg fair dot com

BODY OF LOCAL REALTOR FOUND AFTER SEARCH
The body of a Mifflinburg man was recovered by search teams Tuesday at a swimming hold in Luzerne County.  Officials say 22 year old Brenden Snyder, a Lewisburg realtor died after jumping into the Powder Hole Swimming hole near Wapwallopen and never resurfacing. According to WNEP, Snyder graduated in 2015 from Miffilinburg area high school and was a varsity wrestler.  A Go Fund me account has been set up for the family’s funeral expenses.

COMMUNITY MEETING EXPLORES BROADBAND STRATEGIES
Strategies to connect rural areas across Lycoming County and beyond with broadband internet services were discussed last night in a meeting at the Trade and Transit Center in Williamsport .  According to the Sun Gazette, Three sites that could include the 10 new towers in Lycoming County that were suggested were in the city’s industrial park, Wolf Township and Pine Township.  Officials who drafted the plan say the locations and costs, coming in at an estimated 2.3 million dollars, are still under discussion.

ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRICT AGREE ON TERMS
Former High School Principal Michelle Shearer and the Mifflinburg Area School district have agreed that Shearer will be paid through the end of the year but her accrued time off will not be paid.  According to the Daily Item, Shearer submitted a letter of resignation August 27th to the board of Directors, and under the terms of the agreement, the school won’t contest Shearer’s unemployment compensation claim and an employment reference letter will be written on Shearer’s behalf. No reason for the administrators exit was disclosed.

INSURANCE PREMIUM COULD CHANGE IN MOUNT CARMEL
Mount Carmel Borough residents can learn about the savings in flood insurance that’s possible after applying the smaller floodplain figures to their insurance policies in October.  The Borough along with SEDA-Council of Governments will have a public meeting to discuss the potential savings for homeowners October 15th at Mount Carmel Area high school at 600 West 5th street.  Please RSVP to SEDA-COG by October 1st at 570-524-4491.

Sports
Major League Baseball
Nationals over the Phillies in both games of the double header 4-1  in game 1 and 6-5 in Game 2, Twins hit the Tigers 4-2, Brewers over the Reds 4-2,  Pirates beat the Cubs 9-2, Orioles thumped the Blue Jays 11-4, Mets beat the Marlins 5-4,  Rays over the Yankees 2-1, Indians blanked the White Sox 11- nothing, Red Sox over the Rangers 12-10, Royals beat the Braves 9-6, Rockies over the Giants 8-5, Angels edged the A’s 3-2, Dodgers over the Padres 6-3, Astros blanked the Mariners 3-nothing, Cardinals over the Diamondbacks 3-2 in 19 innings
HS Boys Soccer
Williamsport beat Jersey shore 4-nothing, Lewisburg beat Central Columbia 6-nothing Loyalsock over Benton 4-2, Millville beat Muncy 5-nothing, Milton over Warrior Run 3-2, Montoursville beat Shamokin 5-nothing.
HS Girls Soccer
Millville over Muncy 3-2,  Muncy beat Northumberland Christian 3-2 on Monday
HS Girls Tennis
Loyalsock over Bloomsburg 3-2, South Williamsport beat Montoursville 3-2,
Cowanesque Valley beat Wellsboro 4-3

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

DA SEEKS THE DEATH PENALTY IN FATAL ROBBERY
Documents have been filed in Lycoming County Court seeking the death penalty in the I-Keem Fogan case in which he allegedly shot and killed a clerk at a Uni-Mart gas station August 4th of this year.  In order to move forward with the death penalty in the Commonwealth, aggravating circumstances must be proven in court and those proceedings will take place in October.  According to the Sun Gazette a plea deal could be arranged at that time.  Fogan’s alleged accomplice during the fatal robbery in Williamsport, 23 year old Noah Stroup is scheduled to be in court today.

NARCAN KITS TO BE DISTRIBUTED
The state Department of Health will hand out Narcan kits Wednesday from 9-3 at 1000 Commerce Drive in Williamsport.  Narcan is a drug that’s meant to reverse the effects of opioids on a person who is overdosing in order to save their life.  The Sun Gazette reports that Governor Tom Wolf’s administration is providing this free Narcan kit program to try and reduce the number of opioid overdoses in the state as well as to get people into treatment.

ROADWORK TO SLOW I-180 WEDNESDAY
There will be epoxy surface treatment work taking place tomorrow on I-180.  The westbound right lane will be restricted Wednesday as crews work on the structure over Loyalsock Creek in Loyalsock Township from 9am til 3pm.  Contractors will also work westbound Wednesday from 7am til 5pm on the structure over Route 220 at the Halls/Pennsdale interchange in Muncy Township. This work is part of an 8.6-mile resurfacing project on I-180 from Cemetery Road in Fairfield Township to the Muncy Creek bridge.

CONSERVATION GRANTS AWARDED TO LOCAL GROUPS
In order to bring attention to environmental education and offer conservation,  the Lycoming County Conservation District Mini Grants will distribute about 2 thousand dollars each to 6 groups this year.  Local groups, including Montoursville Area School District and the Montgomery High School Environmental Science Club will used the grant for a watershed association, upgrading nature trails, creating composting programs and more.  Officials from Lycoming County told the Sun Gazette that they hope they can continue the conservation projects for the future.

SHOOTING SUSPECT AND TWO OTHERS ARRESTED
Police have apprehended the man who allegedly fired 3 shots Friday at people playing basketball in the 600 block of Wildwood Blvd in Williamsport.  Kavaughn Williams was arrested on charges of attempted homicide Monday after an investigation identified him as a suspect.  According to the Sun Gazette, police report two other men, one of whom was a victim of Williams drive-by shooting Friday, were taken into custody on felony firearms charges after during their investigation, police witnessed them leaving from 804 Hepburn Street carrying guns.  A Special Response team obtained a warrant for that address and arrested 18 year old Tahjair Dorsey of Williamsport and 18 year old Rocellus Carter of Harrisburg on illegal gun possession charges.  All three suspects are in the Lycoming County Prison.

MANS THREATENS TO SHOOT, PROMPTS A CALL TO POLICE
A disgruntled delivery driver who made statements at a local business about threatening to shoot a lot of people was arrested after employees at the business called police.  According to North Central PA dot com, 35 year old Bradley D. Rinker entered a business on Choate Circle in Montoursville August 29th and made statements to workers that tomorrow would be better if he would have a loaded gun.  State police say Rinker is due in court for a formal arraignment in front of District Magistrate Gary A. Whiteman in Montoursville. Rinker posted $100,000 bail.

EXPECT SLOW INTERSTATE TRAFFIC FROM FUEL CLEAN UP
There will be a diesel Fuel Cleanup this week on Route 15 SB in Union County Motorists should be advised that work will be performed from 7am to 5pm on Route 15 southbound at Beagle Road in East Buffalo Township, today and tomorrow this week. Traffic on Route 15 southbound will be reduced to the left lane during work hours. The right lane and shoulder will also be restricted.

BLOOMSBURG FAIR IS THIS WEEK
The 164th Annual Bloomsburg Fair continues today celebrating the community and agriculture of Pennsylvania. Tonight’s grandstand entertainment is the band Cheap Trick.  And there’s a fiddle contest on the free stage.  Demolition Derby and Figure 8 Racing comes your way tomorrow at the fair. Sheep and goat judging is today inside the Geisinger Large and Small Arenas.  You can Meet Nicolette Cusate of Danville, she’s the first 2019 Bloomsburg Fair Queen.  Details about the fair can be found at bloomsburg fair dot com.
Sports
Major-League Baseball
Nationals beat the Phillies 7-2, Blue Jays edged the Orioles 11-10, Rays over the Red Sox 7-4, Marlins beat the Mets 8-4, Cardinals over the Diamondbacks 9-7.
NFL Monday night football   Bears over the Redskins 31-15

HS Girls soccer
Warrior Run over Jersey shore 3-0, Williamsport beat Central Mountain seven zip,  Lewisburg over Central Columbia 2-zip, Mifflinburg beat Milton 3-2, Shikellemy over Montoursville 1-nothing, Southern Columbia over Sullivan County 3-1 and Muncy beat Shamokin 2-1

HS Girls Tennis
Jersey Shore over Shikellamy 5- love, Central Columbia beat Montoursville 4-1, Wellsboro over St. John Neumann 4-3, Selinsgrove beat Williamsport 3-2.

POLICE TESTIMONY TO BE USED IN CRIMINAL TRIAL
Testimony from a city police officer in a Lycoming County Court this week about a Williamsport robbery in January 2018, will be used in the criminal trial against the suspects.  The Sun Gazette reports that Sgt. Zach Schon testified against 19 year-old Rashawn L. Logan, II and 20 year old Marcquel J. Olsen, who allegedly hit and robbed Lloyd Seagraves in his Wyoming Street residence and fled the scene.  Officers followed shoe prints in freshly plowed snow to a Penn Street residence where the two had allegedly gone.  The criminal trial against Logan and Olsen is next Thursday at 9am.
SETBACK ALTERATION VARIANCE GRANTED
A variance was granted by the City zoning board in Williamsport this week after there was a request to add to an existing facility at UPMC Susquehanna on Rural Avenue.  The zoning ordinance requires the approval of the extra 560 square feet of space for part of an extension of a doctors-use pharmacy in the hospital.  Several drawings were show of the proposed extension that would run along Campbell Street.  The board voted 5-0 to grant the variance for the setback alteration.

THREE MILE ISLAND TO CLOSE
The infamous Three Mile Island will shut down today.  WGAL-TV reports there will be a press conference today at noon involving state and county leaders at the TMI training center.  In 1979, 3-Mile Island experienced the partial meltdown of one of its two reactors.  Reports are that it will be completely cleaned up and the radioactive material will removed from the plant by 2078.

MUSEUM DAY AT LYCOMING COUNTY LOCATIONS
Today is National Museum day and there are a couple places in Lycoming County  you can go for free today with a special online coupon from the Smithsonian.  The Samuel Moss House in Jersey Shore and the World Of Little League Museum will offer entrance for two for free if you download the ticket at Smithsonian mag dot comMAN CHARGED WITH DRUG OFFENSES AFTER STING OPERATION
Charges were handed down to a Williamsport man for drug related offenses after officers conducted three controlled buys involving a confidential informant.  The Sun Gazette reports that Judge Nancy Butts said she found the informant credible even though defense for Calvin T Charles of Locust St in Williamsport questioned and whether the informant was lucid enough since admitting to using drugs during the sting.  Police officers testified that the suspect matched Charles’ description even though the camera never caught his image. Charles will be sentenced for  12 counts of drug possession with intent to deliver on December 17th.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITY OPEN HOUSE TODAY
There will be an opportunity for residents in Monroe Township to tour a new Hummel’s Wharf medical marijuana facility that will open next Thursday.  According to the Daily Item, Nature’s Medicine near Shamokin Dam, is hosting an open house today from 2 to 7pm at 140 North Susquehanna Trail.  The public will have the chance to meet 20 members of the staff, including two full-time pharmacists, plus learn about the products that will be sold. There will be no product in the facility during the open house today,

LEWISBURG RESIDENTS GOING ON CLIMATE CHANGE STRIKE
The North American Climate Strike is taking place today worldwide and some Valley residents are taking part.   WKOK reports that a rally will begin at 11:30 at at the campus library at Bucknell University and also at the Post Office on Third Street in Lewisburg. Then all participants will march to Hufnagle Park to continue the rally. According to USA Today, they youth are driving the Global Climate Strike, calling for immediate change from global leaders.  Students in more than 800 locations plan to strike from school today to attend protests. The UN Climate Action Summit starts today with another strike planned next week.

BLOOMSBURG FAIR PREVIEW DAY TODAY
The 164th Bloomsburg Fair Preview day is today and the fair runs through September 28th.  The fair is located at 620 West Third Street in Bloomsburg.  There will be music from the Coal Town boys at 2 and 3:30, a Vespers service starting at 7pm plus tractor and truck pulling tonight.  There’s free entertainment all week at the Bandshell and throughout the fairgrounds.  Meet the first ever 2019 Bloomsburg Fair Queen at the fair this year.  Join officials at the fair today for the first annual Grape stomp between Paul Reichert and Fred Trump in front of the Martz Technology Building.  Get the details online at bloomsburg fair.com

Sports
Major League Baseball
Braves beat the Phillies 5-4, Mariners over the Pirates 6-5, Red Sox beat the Giants 5-4,  Brewers over the Padres 5-1, Yankees beat the Angels 9-1, Blue Jays over the Orioles 8-4, Indians blanked the Tigers 7-nothing, Cardinals over the Cubs 5-4, Twins beat the Royals 8-5
NFL Thursday Night Football Jaguars beat the Titans 20-7
HS Girls Tennis
Bloomsburg beat Milton 3-2, Hughesville over Muncy 5-love, Central Mountain the Jersey Shore 4-1, Hollidaysburg over Williamsport 3-2,  South beat Montgomery 4-1,  Loyalsock defeated Shikellemy 5-love
HS Boys Soccer
Lewisburg defeated Montoursville 5-0, Southern Columbia over Muncy 2-1, Williamson over North Penn Liberty 4-1, Hughesville beat Shamokin 9-zip Midd-West defeated Warrior Run 2-1, Williamsport over Central Mountain 1-nothing
HS Girls Soccer
South Williamsport over Sullivan County 6-1, North-Penn Mansfield beat Sayre 4-1

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

FORMER LOCAL MAN CONFESSES TO COLD CASE MURDER
Authorities in Philadelphia have said in a statement that they expect Lycoming County to file charges against former Montoursville resident Jade Babcock for the 2003 murder of Brenda Jacobs in Williamsport.  Working from a tip, Pennsylvania State police discovered skeletal remains in a storage locker in a Philadelphia neighborhood this week.  Police arrested Babcock, who reportedly offered a confession to the murder of Jacobs.  According to the Sun Gazette, Jacobs was only reported missing in 2013.  Babcock has been charged by the Philadelphia District Attorney with abusing a corpse, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.  He is incarcerated there without bail.

CITY SETTLES WITH FORMER ASSISTANT CHIEF
The City of Williamsport has reached a settlement with Former Assistant Chief Timothy Miller who will receive 115 thousand dollars for being forced to resign after facing a pattern of harassment by the previous administration, a current member of council and a local police lodge.  The Sun Gazette reports the payment will be paid to Miller by a combination of insurance payouts and 30 thousand in payments from the city and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29.  Miller agreed under terms of the settlement that he will not appeal a pension board disability decision, and will never return to the bureau.

CHIROPRACTOR OFFERS SERVICES FOR MUNCY FOOTBALL PLAYERS
The Muncy School Board heard from a local Chiropractor Monday who has offered to provide chiropractic maintenance to the high school football players for free. Dr. Brandon Cotner proposed that he would volunteer to provide weekly sessions with football team members over 18, or with younger students’ parents’ permission.  According to the Sun Gazette, Cotner told the board he was a player and had a passion for the sport, they did not vote on the subject.

AIRPORT PLANS OPEN HOUSE EVENT IN OCTOBER
There will be an open house at the Williamsport Municipal Airport in conjunction with the 90th Anniversary of the facility and to celebrate the new passenger terminal building October 6th.  The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at noon during  the event from 10am until 4pm where the public will be able to take tours and see locally owned aircraft, including Geisinger’s Life Flight Helicopter.

HEROIN DEALER SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS
In a case where a Bellefonte man died of a tainted heroin overdose, the dealer who carelessly sold the drug laced with fentanyl has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.  Tarron Dennis was sentenced yesterday by US Middle District Judge Matthew Brann for selling the drugs to 24 year old Joshua Robert Breon, who died at UPMC Susquehanna in December of 2016. The Sun Gazette reports that Dennis formerly of Philadelphia was driven by his own opioid addiction and sold the drug in Lycoming County even when he knew it was deadly.  Dennis must also pay 17 thousand dollars in restitution while he’s serving his sentence in federal prison.

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES REPAIRS FOR ATHLETIC CENTER
The Montgomery Area school board unanimously approved the financing of repairs that will bring the Montgomery Athletic center up to code with handicapped accessibility requirements, and repairs to the heating system.  The Sun Gazette reports that board members say L&K concrete will add to previous work done there for 78-hundred dollars including steps off the back entrance of the MACC and a sidewalk from the tennis courts to the baseball fields.

FLOOD MITIGATION GRANTS ANNOUNCED
Pennsylvania legislators have announced about a million dollars in grants for 2 flood mitigation projects.  One along Little Shamokin Creek in Northumberland County for  $469,000 which will involve removal of debris from the flood plain, deflectors, and stream bank stabilization.  In Middleburg Borough, repairs will be made to the Stumps Run flood protection system.  The grant for that project is just over $348,000.  The grants are through SEDA Council of Governments.

MISCOMMUNICATION CAUSES GRANT TO BE REVOKED
The NFL Vice President of Youth and High School Football Roman Oben, had to tell the Midd-West football program officials that a grant they were expecting was no longer available to them.  According to the Daily item, a staffer at the NFL wrongly told the Midd-West School District Superintendent that they were receiving a three year grant worth about 100 thousand dollars for support and equipment.  It turns out there was a miscommunication at the NFL and the terms changed as a result, the NFL has told Midd-West they will still help the program with about 35 thousand dollars for this season and next for support and transportation costs.
Sports

Major-league baseball
Cardinals beat the Nationals 5-1, Mets over the Rockies 7-4, A’s blanked the Royals 1-nothing, Diamondbacks over the Marlins 5-4, Angels bumped the Yankees 3-2, Mariners over the Pirates 4-1, Blue Jays edged the Orioles 11-10, Indians over the Tigers 2-1, Giants bumped the Red Sox 11-3, Phillies over the Braves 4-1, Padres beat the Brewers 2-1, White Sox beat the Twins 3-1, Reds over the Cubs 3-2, Rays beat the Dodgers 8-7, and Astros over the Rangers 3-2
HS Girls Soccer
Muncy beat Montgomery 4-1, Hughesville over Bloomsburg 3-2 in OT,  Loyalsock beat Mount Carmel 4-2, Wellsboro blanked Williamson 3-0, Montoursville over Central Mountain 3-0,  and Southern Columbia beat South Williamsport 3-2, Milton beat Selinsgrove 3-2, Williamsport over Mifflinburg 5-3
Women’s Soccer
Millersville beat Lock Haven 5-nothing
Men’s Soccer
Lycoming over Dickinson 2-nothing, Millersville beat Lock Haven 3-0
HS Girls Tennis
South Williamsport beat Central Columbia 4-1, Williamsport over Jersey Shore 3-2, Montoursville beat Lewisburg 3-2 , Loyalsock over Bloomsburg3-2, and Hughesville also beating Danville 3-2.
NFL football tonight Tennessee and Jacksonville with an 820 kick off

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

LOCAL MAN ARRESTED AFTER BODY FOUND WITHOUT LEGS
A former Montoursville man has been arrested in Philadelphia after police connected him to human remains discovered in a storage unit there Monday.  Jade Gillette Babcock formerly of Jordan Avenue in Montoursville was a suspect in a missing person’s case after the Sun gazette reports a woman told police she knew the location of the remains of a mother of two.  State troopers discovered the body of who they believe is Brenda Jacobs who was reported missing from Williamsport in 2003.  Jacobs was a former girlfriend of Babcock’s and according to police, her body was found missing the legs – leading authorities to speculate that this crime is is connected to the women’s leg remains found in the Susquehanna river off off Hepburn Street on May 11th of this year.

BLOOMSBURG FRESHMAN SUFFERS FATAL FALL
A Bloomsburg University freshman from Gilbertsville PA died in a fall off of a cliff in Columbia County early Saturday.  19 year old Justin P. King was on the Bloomsburg Walking Trail and went over a rocky ledge.  According to the Columbia County Coroner King accidentally died of head injuries consistent with a fall.  Penn Live reports that officials are still investigating the scene.  King was a graduate of  Boyerstown High School and was a talented baseball player.

BRIDGE REPAIRS AND INSPECTION NEAR LEWISBURG TODAY
PennDOT say they will be working on the bridge on Route 15 north of Lewisburg today.  Crews are scheduled to also be inspecting the bridge and motorists could see delays on the roadway.  Watch for the workers on the bridges over Route 15 at the I-80 Interchange in White Deer Township with alternating left lane closures between 9 and 3 today.

FULL HOUSE FOR MAYORAL DEBATE
It was a packed house for the Mayoral debate last night on the campus of Penn College where candidates Derek Slaughter and Eric Beiter compared their opinions on local issues.  According to the Sun gazette, the two had differences of opinions on how to achieve economic growth, but agreed that no more money should be invested into City Hall to burden the taxpayer.  During the forum the two candidates answered audience derived questions .  The Municipal election in Lycoming County takes place Tuesday November 5th , the last day to register to vote before the November election is October 7th 2019.

DOG OWNER FACES CHARGES IN ATTACK A ON CHILD
A child was bitten by a dog last May in Williamsport and the dog’s owner was charged with misdemeanor negligence involving a dangerous dog attack.  Ashley K. Pinkney, 32, Scott Street was at work on May 9th 2019 when her pitbull got out of the residence through a back door and attacked a young girl on the 1100 block of Freed Place.  According to Central PA dot com, several witnesses tried to free the girl from the attack – she required surgery at UPMC Susquehanna. Pinkney will have her preliminary hearing at the office of District Magistrate Christian D. Frey at 2pm on September 24th .

LOCAL RESTAURANT SUSTAINS FIRE DAMAGE
The Denny’s in Loyalsock Township sustained fire damage last weekend after fire officials say there was a fire in the wall behind the stove or vent system there.  The restaurant on East Third Street called firefighters and evacuated the building before they arrived at about 9:40pm Sunday night.    Loyalsock Township Assistant fire chief Richard Cashera told the Sun Gazette that no damage estimate is available at this time and there were no injuries in the fire.

NEW PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR LYCOMING COUNTY
The Lycoming County Commissioners are expected to approve the hiring of a new director of planning and community development at their next meeting this Thursday.  Prospect Shannon L. Rossman is has previous experience as executive director of the Berks County Planning Commission.  Rossman is set to replace Kurt Hausamann who is planning to retire this year.

JOB FAIR IN MILTON TODAY
There will be a PA CareerLink Fall Job Fair today from 3:30 til 5:30 at the Milton High School.  According a news release, over 40 employers from around the region will be in attendance, representing industries in healthcare, manufacturing service careers and more.  Anyone seeking a job should dress appropriately for the position they want and bring multiple copies of their resume.

Sports
Major League Baseball
The Yankees blanked the Angels 8- nothing, Mariners over the Pirates 6-nothing, Blue Jays bumped  the Orioles 8-5, Indians defeated the Tigers 7-2, Giants edged the Red Sox 7-6, Phillies over the Braves 5-4, Brewers beat the Padres 3-1, Twins over the White Sox 9-8 Nationals beat the Cardinals 6-2, Reds over the Cubs 4-2, Astros beat the Rangers 4-1, Met beat the Rockies 6-1, Marlins thumped the D-backs 12-6, A’s beat the Royals 2-1, and the Dodgers over the Rays 7-5
HS Boys soccer
Lewisburg beat Midwest 3-2 in overtime, Wellsboro over Liberty 6- nothing, Hughesville beat South 6-1, Williamsport over Shikellemy eight-zip,  Selinsgrove be Montoursville 5-1, Benton and Muncy tied 1-1 in double overtime, Loyalsock beat Southern Columbia 2-1, Milton over Shamokin in double overtime 3-2
HS Tennis
Muncy over Saint John Neumann 5- love, Wellsboro beat North Penn Liberty 4-3, Montoursville defeated Danville on Monday 3-2
Women’s soccer yesterday
Lycoming beat Marywood 1- zip in OT

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

MAN GOES TO PRISON TWICE IN A WEEK
A man who was released last Thursday from a Philadelphia prison, came straight to Williamsport, assaulted his ex-girlfriend and is now in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 50 thousand dollars bail. According to the Sun Gazette, 55 year old Harry J. Burley who is indigent, allegedly struck Jaimee Fiegles and stole her phone while parked at a Williamsport medical facility around 9am Saturday. Police responded to a call from Fiegles and arrested Burley a short time later. He was found with the woman’s phone and a small amount of marijuana. Police arrested Burley and his preliminary hearing is Wednesday at 3pm.

SANDUSKY WILL NOT HAVE A RE-SENTENCING HEARING
The resentencing trial planned for Jerry Sandusky’s 45-count child sexual abuse conviction has been put on hold by Judge John Foradora of the Court of Common pleas of Jefferson County . The Centre County Times reports that the trial requested by Sandusky’s lawyers, because mandatory minimums were not applied properly, has been indefinitely postponed with no reason given. The former Penn State assistant football coach was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in 2012 for abusing 10 boys, some on campus.

VALLEY MAN ARRESTED FOR WIRE FRAUD
A Selinsgrove man was charged last week by the US Attorney’s Office in Scranton for felony information with wire fraud. WKOK reports that US Attorney David Freed told Central PA dot com that 49 year old Tony Liesenfeld who is a former corrections officer, allegedly embezzled over 77 thousand dollars from the American Federation of Government Employees Local 148 by using an unauthorized credit card and forging checks between 2001 and 2015. The highest maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR PENN STATE OLYMPIC WRESTLING EVENT
The Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University has been selected as the host of the US Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling in April of 2020 and tickets go on sale this Friday through Ticketmaster. Officials from USA Wrestling announced that the champions of the upcoming trials will compete at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan in August. University Park becomes only the 10th U.S. city to host a U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling since USA Wrestling began in the United States in 1983. The team trial event in April is expected to be sold out.

UNI MART SHOOTING SUSPECTS MOVE FORWARD WITH TRIAL
The 2 men allegedly involved in the armed robbery that went awry at the Unimart in West 4th Street on August 4th have waived their preliminary hearing, meaning that the case will move forward now. Police reported to the Sun Gazette that 21 year-old I-Keem Fogan and 23 year old Noah Stroup worked together in an armed robbery at the Williamsport convenience store which left a customer dead and a clerk wounded from gun shots. Fogan and Stroup will both be represented by Attorney Edward J. Rymsza.

PRISON POPULATION IS GOING DOWN
The overall numbers in the Lycoming County Prison is going down. According to the Sun Gazette, the overall numbers of male and female prisoners went down from 344 to 340. The figures were released during the Lycoming County Prison board meeting Friday where it was also revealed that 18 percent of the inmates are on mental health medication. Deputy Warden Christopher Ebner told the board he is looking to hire a mental health forensic specialist to help inmates with treatment. The next prison board meeting is October 11th.

MAYORAL DEBATE TONIGHT IN WILLIAMSPORT
A Mayoral debate takes place tonight at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in the Klump Auditorium, at 1034 West Third St. 7 to 8:30pm. Republican Mayoral candidate Eric Beiter and Democratic Mayoral candidate Councilman Derek Slaughter will cover their positions on public safety and economic development and will respond to audience-submitted questions. The debate is free, open to the public and will be moderated by Dr. Craig Miller of Penn College SGA.

ANNUAL SENIOR EXPO HAS NEW LOCATION
Pennsylvania Senator Gene Yaw and State Representative Garth Everett will be hosting their annual Senior Expo this Thursday, September 19th from 9:30am to 1pm. Seniors, caregivers and all interested are invited to attend the Expo in its new location, Community Baptist Church on Route 87 Highway in Montoursville. There will be opportunities for document shredding, disposal of unused medication, preventive health screenings and a senior crime prevention seminar from 10:30 to 11:30 that will cover information on spoofed caller ID phone calls and FFC rulings about blocking spam calls. RSVP for the seminar by calling 327-2084.

Sports
Major League Baseball
Tigers beat the Orioles 5-2, Brewers over the Padres 5-1, Twins beat the White Sox 5-3, Cardinals over the Nationals 4-2, Cubs beat the Reds 8-2, Rockies over the Mets 9-4, D-backs beat the Marlins 7-5, and Royals over the A’s 6-5
NFL Monday Night Football
Browns beat the Jets 23-3 at home
Girls HS Soccer
Muncie over CMVT six nothing, Towanda beat North Penn Mansfield 4-nil, Lewisburg over Jersey shore 4-1, Shikellamy over Milton 3-2 in double overtime, and Warrior Run over Danville 10 -1
Girls HS Tennis
Loyalsock over Lewisburg 4-1, Williamsport beat Milton 4-1, South Williamsport over Hughesville 4-1, Jersey Shore beat Mifflinburg 4-1

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 16, 2019

DRIVER HITS DUNKIN DONUTS BUILDING IN LINDEN
Police are searching for a driver who hit the Dunkin Donuts in Linden Friday and fled the scene.  Montoursville State Police say that they responded to a call that a vehicle drove through the restaurant parking lot and up on the sidewalk striking a fence and metal tables at the Dunkin Donuts on Route 220 in Woodward Township Friday morning around 8:56 am.  Central PA dot com reports that video cameras reveal the suspect was driving a silver Subaru Forester with a model year between 2009 and 2013 which likely has front end and tire damage.  If you have information, please call state police.

LWEISBURG MAN WANTED IN NJ CAUGHT IN WATSONTOWN
A man wanted in New Jersey was stopped for a traffic violation in Watsontown last week and police took him into custody.  Francis Harmer of Lewisburg was stopped Friday morning by Watsontown police.  Police discovered drug paraphernalia in Harmer’s car and then found there was an active out of state arrest warrant for the man.  Police say that he faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and authorities in New Jersey were notified of his capture.

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT WILLIAMSPORT REGIONAL AIRPORT
There’s a new executive director at the Williamsport Regional Airport. Richard Howell, an Air Force veteran and California native will replace retiring Thomas Hart who has been with the authority for 33 years.  Howell who is a licensed pilot has management experience at several airports including Columbus, Georgia, San Luis Obispo County, California and Waco, Texas. The Sun Gazette reports Howell’s annual salary will be 100 thousand dollars per year.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED AT OLDEST HOMESTEAD IN MUNCY
There will be an opportunity for the community to tour the oldest standing homestead in Lycoming County next weekend as the Muncy Historical Society will present an open house of Muncy Farms.  The Sun Gazette reports that the 250 year old property is home to the oldest all-iron railroad bridge still in service for vehicles.   The event at 246 Longreach Road in Pennsdale with an admission fee, will include a re-dedication of a 1920’s monument, reenactments, picnic food and free trolley rides from the Lycoming Mall from noon to 6pm on September 21st.

MAN ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
Police say they have arrested a Coal Township man after an investigation revealed he sexually assaulted 3 girls over the summer.  A parent of one of the victims gave police details of inappropriate behavior that allegedly happened between their daughter and a friend and 72 year old Anthony Zarski last July.  WKOK reports that Zarski will be charged with felony aggravated indecent assault, and corruption of minors.  He is in Northumberland County Jail on 85 thousand dollars bail.

UPDATE ON HEAD-ON SCHOOL BUS CRASH IN SUNBURY
An investigation continues in Sunbury after a van and school bus collision sent three people to the hospital last week.  Stonington State Police say 35 year old Nicholas Kahley of Northumberland was driving the van which crossed the double yellow line for unknown reasons last Tuesday and struck, head-on, Shikellemy School bus number 11 carrying 29 kids.  Kahley and his two passengers, 38 year-old Andrew Clements of Northumberland and 28 year old Steven Wambold of Minersville were transported to Geisinger medical center.  There are reports that Kahley is in fair condition today, Clements is still in critical condition and Wambold was released from the hospital Friday.  State police are still investigating the crash.

CENTRE COUNT COMMISSIONERS APPROVE PAVING PROJECT
The Centre County commissioners approved a plan to pave the three gravel parking lots used by the employees at the Centre County Courthouse.  The lots which contain about 40 spaces are across from the fourth floor entrance to the courthouse and will be graded and then paved before winter, according to the Sun Gazette.  Centre County Deputy Administrator Bob Jacobs said paving will improve the safety of the lot for employees and curbing will be added to the project to avoid any storm water runoff.

FINAL LEG OF LYCOMING CREEK ROAD PAVING STARTS
Weather permitting, a resurfacing project will start its final phase this week along Lycoming Creek Road.  The contractor, HRI Incorporated, will continue resurfacing on Route 1017 and Route 973 from Old Lycoming to Hepburn Townships.  Flaggers are scheduled to be in place 7 til 7 this Tuesday through the weekend.  After paving is complete, final line painting, guiderail and shoulder work will commence.
Sports
Major league baseball
Red Sox beat the Phillies 6-3, Blue Jays over the Yankees 6-4, Orioles beat the Tigers 8-2, Indians over the Twins 7-5, Nationals blanked the Braves 7-nothing, Astros routed the Royals 12-3, Brewers over the Cardinals 7-6, Cubs thumped the Pirates 16-6, A’s over the Rangers 6-1, Rockies beat the Padres 10-5, Giants edged the Marlins 2-1, Angels over the Rays 6-4, Reds beat the D-backs 3-1, Mariners over the White Sox 11-10, and the LA Dodgers beat the Mets 3-2
College Football
Penn State beat Pitt 17-10, Notre Dame beat New Mexico 66-14, Temple beat Maryland 20-17, Lycoming edged Widener 43-42, C;arion over Lock Haven 48-20
NFL Football
Bills beat the Giants 28-14, Seahawks edged the Steelers 28-26, the Falcons beat the Eagles 24-20.  Jets play the Browns tonight for Monday night Football.
NASCAR
Martin Truex, Jr earned the checkered flag in Las Vegas Sunday in the opening round of the postseason
HS Boys Soccer from Saturday
Loyalsock beat Shikellamy eight -zip

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING INFANT
A man has been charged with assault after police say he abused his 5 week old daughter.  According to the Sun Gazette, 44 year old Grant Wright of Williamsport  allegedly caused a spiral fracture to the infant’s leg between January and February of this year.  Tests at the hospital also found cocaine in the baby’s system which led to more charges for Wright once a police search warrant turned up drug evidence at the residence.  After the baby was treated at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, she was released to the care of other relatives.  Wright is in jail in lieu of 25 thousand dollars bail.

HEAD ON COLLISION INVOLVING A SCHOOL BUS
There was a head on collision between a school bus and a van near Oaklyn Elementary school Thursday morning around 8am in Subury.  WKOK reports that the bus Number 11 was hit head on by the van at the intersection of Route 61 and Oak Street when the van veered over the double yellow line.  No one on the bus was injured, but there are reports of three injuries to passengers inside the van who were transported to Geisinger medical center.  Route 61 was closed for some time yesterday morning while emergency crews cleared the wreck.

CITY HALL PROJECT BIDS TO BE REVIEWED

The bids have been opened for the Williamsport City Hall project and City Council told the Sun Gazette that they will consider all the options surrounding staying or leaving the aging building.  6 contractors bid on the improvements which were broken down into three sections: General construction concerning elevator upgrades; elevator construction and electrical. There will be a review of the bids by council September 26th.

FOOD BANK PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS FOR FUNDRAISER
A community wide “Casual Friday” program to help children at Williamsport area School District  beat food insecurities will be taking place October  18th.  The Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank are joining forces in the area’s first Dress Down for Williamsport Schools Day to provide  free meals to food-insecure students.  Individuals and businesses can buy a special T-shirt to wear on Oct. 18, which can be ordered til Oct. 3, online at Dress Down 4 WASD dot com. There are hopes to raise $60,000 or sell about 2,400 shirts.

LOCK HAVEN MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
A Lock Haven man was arrested this week for possession of child pornography by the Office of Attorney General Child Predator Section who had a search warrant for the residence.  The Sun Gazette reports that the complaint against David Lee Nestlerode of Water Street was for illegal internet activity.  In addition to the computer devices, police also seized marijuana plants, parphranalia and growing equipment at the home. Nestlerode was taken to the Clinton County Courthouse  and arraigned in front of District Judge John Maggs.

MONEY MISSING FROM BEAVER SPRINGS STORE
Police are nvestigating reports of money missing from a mini mart in Snyder County.  According to state police over 16 thousand dollars was stolen betweenJanuary and November of 2018 at the Harvey’s Store on Route 235 in Beaver Springs.  The investigation continues – if you have any information please call Stae police

LYCOMING COUNT COMMISSIONERS APPROVES VOTERThe Lycoming County Commissioners met Thursday and approved a contract in preparation for election season as well as approvals of recent appointments in the county.  In order to help the county comply with new voting regulations, Northern Machine Works was approved under an over 18 thousand dollar contract.  In addition, the Sun Gazette reports that John G. Himes and Christopher H Kenyon were appointed as assistant solicitors for Lycoming County.  The next Commissioners meeting is at 10 next Tuesday in Executive plaza on Pine Street in Williamsport.

RAIL CORRIDOR TO BE STUDIED FOR FLOOD WATER MANAGEMENT
Two grants have been awarded to the SEDA-Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority to study how to mitigate stormwater runoff and flooding along the Bloomsburg-Lime Ridge corridor from the Town of Bloomsburg through Scott Township and ending in South Centre Township. According to a press release the study, possible through 50 thousand dollars in state grants will help identify stormwater management improvements for 1,700 houses and 239 businesses and rail infrastructure in the Kinney’s Run area.
Sports
Major League Baseball
Mets beat the Diamondbacks 11-1, Yankees beat the Tigers the doubleheader, 10-4 in Game 1 and 6-4 in Game 2, Brewers beat the Marlins 3-2, Royals over the White Sox 6-3, Cardinals beat the Rockies 10-3, Cubs over the Padres 4-1, Pirates beat the Giants 4-2, Red Sox over the Blue Jays 7-4, Phillies beat the Braves 9-5, Dodgers over the Orioles 4-2, Nationals beat the Twins 12-6, Rangers over the Rays 6-4, A’s beat the Astros 3-2, Reds beat the Mariners 11-5
NFL Football
Buccaneers over the Panthers 20-14
HS Girls Tennis
Hughesville over Loyalsock 3-2, Montgomery over Bucktail 5-love, Wmsport beat Mifflinburg 4-one
HS Boys Soccer
Warrior Run over Montoursville 10-zip, S. Wmsport beat Bloomsburg 4-1, Muncy over
N. Schuylkill one-nil in OT, Wmsport beat Danville 3-zip, Hughesville over S. Columbia 2-1
HS Girls Soccer
Mifflinburg over Jersey Shore 3-zip, North East Bradford tied north Penn Mansfield 1-1 in double overtime, Meadowbrook Christian beat Montgomery 5-1, Southern over Loyalsock 5-1, Athens beat Wellsboro 7-zip, Mount Carmel- over Hughesville 2-1 in overtime.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

INJURED PEDESTRIAN NEAR BUCKNELL IDENTIFIED
There are more details coming forth about the pedestrian accident that shut down Route 15 near Bucknell University early Monday.  30 year old Audie Shiffer was struck when he was walking from his broken down car east to west along Route 15.  According to WKOK, Shiffer was struck by 30 year old Ricardo Acosta of Manheim when he crested the top of the hill in a 40 mile per hour zone, which is a bit of a blind spot according to police.  Shiffer was Lifeflighted to Geisinger from Evangelical Community Hospital and is in critical condition with fractured bones and internal injuries.  He was the only pedestrian involved in the accident.

NATURAL GAS LINES TO BE INSTALLED
There will be natural gas lines installed in the city on Campbell Street to Vallamont Drive starting around September 23rd.  According to the Sun Gazette, UGI representatives informed the public works committee of the proposed installation  which will involve the replacement of the existing gas lines and then minor repaving.  The public can anticipate other work around the East Third St. Gateway Project near Lycoming College as the city prepares to realign Franklin Street in the near future.

K-9 UNITS ARE COMING BACK TO THE CITY
Williamsport City Council Finance Committee has approved a proposal to bring a K-9 force back to the city police department.  According to the Sun Gazette, the finance committee recommended the proposal and funding is expected to come from solicited fund, not from the general fund with a total cost estimated for equipment and training at about 37 thousand dollars.  Many police personnel are in favor of using K-9 units for crime-suppression.  Police say they will originally need a dog for narcotics detection and then one to be trained to detect bombs.

INMATE CHARGED FOR INTIMIDATING VICTIM
A prison inmate was instructed to not contact his victim by a Lycoming County judge, but did it anyway.  The Sun Gazette reports that 45 year old Stephen Redden of Cogan Station was jailed for assault after allegedly punching his girlfriend, Stacey Eckard, and striking her with a bottle August 23rd .  During Redden’s arraignment, a judge prohibited him to contact Eckard, but he attempted several times to persuade her by phone to drop the charges and not testify against him.  The preliminary hearing was August 28th, Eckard told police about Reddens phone calls and he’s now facing 2 more charges of with intimidation of a victim.

SCHOOL THREAT DETERMINED INVALID
A threat at the Selinsgrove area school District was determined to be invalid after police investigated yesterday.  School officials said the threat was allegedly made at a Selinsgrove middle school but authorities said the student who made the threat poses no risk to students or staff.  The Selinsgrove area School District will be in session today.  No word on if the student faces any charges.

BOARD ACCEPTS LATEST TAX ASSESSMENT
The Montoursville Area School Board has accepted the fair market value of Lowe’s Home Improvement store on Loyalsock Avenue at 4.8 million dollars, stating at their meeting Tuesday that it was lower than they wanted according to the Sun Gazette.  In order to avoid more legal costs from tax assessment appeals like this latest one, the board opted to agree on the assessment which under the agreement, cannot be appealed by either party again until 2026.

A LITTLE RAIN, LOTS OF PATRIOTISM
Despite a brief  but heavy shower during the 9-11 Memorial Ride yesterday, thousands of bikers moved their rolling memorial on a route through Montgomery, Williamsport, Pennsdale, Hughesville and Muncy for hours.  According to the Sun Gazette, the annual ride, had an air of patriotism and excitement with camaraderie, music and vendors around the Clinton Township Fire Company building for the memorial event.

MEMORIAL RIDE DEDICATED TO FATHER JOHN MANNO
Many remembered one of the original ride organizers, Father John Manno, at the 9-11 Memorial Ride yesterday evening in Williamsport.  The memorial service that preceded the ride, was a dedication in Manno’s honor and the Sun Gazette reported that there were several who expressed their memories of  Father Manno and his mission in life.  Members of the 9-11 Memorial Coalition spoke of the gratitude many felt of the opportunity to be able to also participate with so many community members and veterans.

Sports
Major League Baseball
Braves beat the Phillies 3-1, Orioles bumped the Dodgers 7-3, Blue Jays blanked the Red Sox 8- nothing, Mets blanked the Diamondbacks 9-nothing, Brewers over the Marlins 7-5, Nationals beat the Twins 6-2, Rangers over the Rays 10-9, Indians edged the Angels 4-3, Royals over the White Sox 8-6, A’s beat the Astros 5-3, Rockies over the Cardinals 2-1, Pirates beat the Giants 6-3, Padres blanked the Cubs 4-nothing, Mariners over the Reds 5-3, Yankees and Tigers were postponed, there’s a doubleheader set for today.
Boys HS Soccer
Loyalsock beat Bloomsburg 9-1, N.Penn-Liberty over Galeton 3-1
HS Girls Soccer
Muncy beat Sullivan County 3-1Williamsport and Shikellemy Tied at one – game called in the second half
Millville beat Montgomery 5- zip and East Juniata over Lewisburg 3-1
HS Girls Volleyball
In an historic-first varsity game between the two county schools, Williamsport over South Williamsport 3-nothing
Men’s Soccer yesterday
Lockhaven beat District of Columbia 5-1

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