NEW COUNCIL MEMBER SELECTED
In a 5-1 vote last night, Gerry Fausnaught was selected over James Gardner to fill a vacant seat on the Williamsport City Council.  Fausnaught was a former city council woman and impressed current members on the council according to the Williamsport Sun Gazette.  For the next few months, she will sit in on the council meetings addressing final year projects and budget plans.  City Council members asked Gardner to serve in other capacities while he finishes a masters degree.

MUNCY MAN ARRESTED FOR CHOKING WOMAN, THREATENING KIDS
A Muncy man was charged with felony strangulation corruption of minors, assault and other charges after state police say he attempted to choke a woman and threaten the children with a gun.  NorthCentral PA dot com reports that 32 year old Wesley Brown initiated a domestic dispute around 3am July 26^th in Montoursville.   After the alleged assault, the woman was able to get out of the home with 5 children, left the area and called police.  Brown was arrested at the home on Odell Road.

The Mifflin County man who was thrown from a motorcycle last week west of 18^th Street in Selinsgrove has been upgraded to fair condition according to Geisinger medical center officials.  WKOK reports that 56-year-old Christopher Gardner of Burnham went off of Route 522 last week to avoid a collsion with Jeremy Cooper of Shamokin Dam who turned left in front of him in a Toyota truck.  Cooper was cited for a left turn violation.

TUBING GROUP LOST LEAVING PINE CREEK
A group of people who were tubing along Penn’s Creek got lost and had to be rescued while walking back in the dark.  WKOK reports that volunteer fire crews were called out last night to locate the group in Centre township, Snyder county.  Volunteers from Mifflinburg, West End and Beaver Springs fire companies were called out about 10pm and all involved were located by 2am this morning.

PENN COLLEGE CYBER SECURITY PROGRAM EXTENDED
The National Science Foundation recently extended a grant to support the cybersecurity program at Pennsylvania College of Technology for an additional year. Officials from Penn College say the grant helps information technology faculty and high school students interact together to build a high tech workforce in the future.  The grant’s extension opens the program to any high school junior or senior in Lycoming County. High school teachers are also eligible to take the class and become qualified to teach it as part of the college’s nationally accredited dual-enrollment program.

NEWBERRY COMMUNITY WANTS THE TREES BACK
Members of the Newberry Community spoke to city council last night requesting that trees be replanted before the milling and repaving takes place along West Fourth Street.  Citing an area of the community where 51 trees were removed prepping for the upgrades, the Newberry Community Partnership collected hundreds of signatures on a petition supporting that trees be re-incorporated into the design before reconstruction.  The Council backed the partnership’s bid to convince the state Department of Transportation to not leave that section of Newberry treeless.

REGIONAL AGENCY NEEDS NEW DIRECTOR
An 11-county central Pennsylvania community and economic development agency is looking for a new executive director.  Bill Seigel, who has held the position since September 2017, has announced he will retire next March from the SEDA-Council of Governments which includes Lycoming County. A replacement for Seigel is hoped be in place by January. Those interested in applying for the position must submit a formal letter of interest to the SEDA Council of Governments Human Resources department.  One of SEDA’s current efforts is the development of high-speed Internet in rural areas of the Susquehanna Valley.

DECENT NASCAR SHOWING FOR SUNBURY DIRT TRACK STAR
Sunbury Dirt track champ Mark Smith finished in 15th place in his NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series debut at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio Thursday night. Smith drove the No. 38 Chevy Silverado for Jordan Anderson Racing and Niece Motorsports. Smith has over 200 career open wheel wins and is a two-time 360 sprint car champion at Selinsgrove Speedway.  Stewart Friesend was the race winner at Eldora.

FUNDING REQUEST FOR NORTHUMBERLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE A new community college in Northumberland County, opening in September, offered Lycoming county residents in-county tuition costs and other fees waived if Lycoming County Commissioners agree to support the college with a 100 thousand dollar contribution.  The Sun Gazette reports that Bob Garret, President of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce said Luzerne County Community College in Watsontown can offer a cheaper alternative than some surrounding schools for non-traditional students to earn a post-secondary education. LCCC will also offer local high school students a way to earn college credit – that is ultimately transferable.

Sports

Major League Baseball
Twins beat the Marlins 5-4, Phillies over the Giants 10-2, Met blanked the White Sox 4-nothing, A’s over the Brewers 5-3, Blue Jays stomped the Orioles 11-2, Astros over the Indians 7-1, Rays bumped the Red Sox 9-4, Cardinals blanked the Cubs 8-nothing, Braves over the Reds 4-1, Dodgers beat the Padres 8-2

NY Penn League
Crosscutters finished their 3-day roadtrip beating the Tigers 2-1 in Connecticut.

SHAMOKIN FIRE REKINDLES THIS MORNING
A fire that broke out in Shamokin’s 5^th ward has rekindled this morning.  WKOK reports that Northumberland County Communications first reported the fire around 1:30 this morning in the attic at 14 North Franklin Street in Shamokin.  About a dozen volunteer fire crews are reportedly fighting that blaze again today.  The fire originally began Tuesday before 5:30am along row homes on North Franklin Street.  The Meadeville Tribune says there was one fatality and one man was taken by ambulance to the hospital with no word on his condition.  Brea Scandle was pronounced dead on the scene by Northumberland County Chief Deputy Coroner James Gotlob, who reported say smoke inhalation was the cause of death.

FATAL FIRE IN SHAMOKIN’S FIFTH WARD
A fire that broke out in Shamokin’s 5^th Ward took the life of a 23 year old woman yesterday.  Brea Scandle was pronounced dead on the scene by Northumberland County Chief Deputy Coroner James Gotlob, who reported say smoke inhalation was the cause of death.   The early morning fire began before 5:30am Tuesday along 10 row homes on North Franklin Street.  The Meadeville Tribune says there were initial reports that two people were trapped in the unit and one man was taken by ambulance to the hospital with no word on his condition.  WNEP says 9 row homes were damaged in the fire.

POLICE INVESTIGATE FOUR SHOOTINGS IN TWO WEEKS
The Williamsport Police Department is faced with solving 4 shootings in 2 weeks, 2 of which were homicides in the city.  Police report that a 16 year old male was pronounced dead at the 900 block of Market Street after a shooting early Tuesday morning, then, a 17 year-old boy was shot on Almond Street last Sunday night and is recovering from his injuries.  July 17^th a 19 year old was shot on the 600 block of Maple street and is recovering also from his injuries.   The second homicide was the incident in which 37 year-old Kerry Young of Williamsport was shot July 24^th while driving a car on West Fourth Street.  Young died later at the hospital from his injuries.  Chief of Police Damon Hagen says all available resources are being used to solve these crimes.

TRACTOR TRAILER FIRE CLOSES LANES ON I-80
A lane was closed on I-80 westbound early Wednesday morning after a tractor trailer fire caused problems near mile marker 207.  WKOK reported that an incident was reported to police about  3 miles after the Lewisburg exit.  Crews blocked lanes and backed up traffic for a few minutes while extinguished the fire and cleared the scene there.  No injuries were reported and the lanes opened up just after 6am this morning.

LOCAL ATTORNEY TAPPED AS COMMON PLEAS JUDGE
After being confirmed in June by the State Senate Williamsport attorney Ryan Tira will wrap up his work in private practice and take office as Lycoming County Common Pleas Judge September 3^rd.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports that Tira won the Republican and Democratic nominations for county judge in the spring primary and will be the only candidate on the ballot in November.  Tira was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to take the bench seat left vacant after Judge Richard Gray retired last summer.

GRANT FOR NEW TREES MOVES FORWARD
There might be some new trees coming to Williamsport.  The City Council recommended a TreeVitalize grant with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources move forward and that could mean almost 10 thousand dollars would be tagged for about 80 trees to be planted here.  The Sun Gazette reports that trees could be planted along Campbell Street to Memorial Avenue, Brandon Park, Little League Boulevard  and other areas.  If the grant comes through, 48 of 80 trees will be planted in the fall.

FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL RELEASED TODAY
The former Pennsylvania Attorney-General who was tried in Montgomery County court for leaking confidential information and lying about it in 2016 will be released from Montgomery County Correctional Facility today. Penn Live reports that Kathleen Kane was sentenced 10- to 23 months but has been released after 8 months for good behavior.  Kane was disbarred by an order from US Middle District Chief Judge Christopher Conner this year after the state Supreme Court refused an appeal of her case.

TWO CANDIDATES INTERESTED IN COUNCIL SEAT
There were two candidates interviewed during the Williamsport City Council meeting last night who are interested in filling the seat left vacant by Jonathan Williamson’s resignation.  Former Councilwoman Gerry Fausnaught and graduate student candidate and former intern with Mayor Campana, James Gardner, applied for the post.  Officials on the council told the Williamsport Sun Gazette that they will deliberate and announce a decision at Thursday’s meeting this week.

PA TEEN WINS FORTNIGHT COMPETITION
If you know anyone who plays the video game Fortnight – here’s an argument that playing videogames DOES pay off in the long run, a 16 year old from Pottsgrove Pennsylvania has earned his way to claiming the 1^st Fortnight World Cup solo champion at Arthur Ashe stadium in New York.  40 million players competed last weekend for the chance to compete for the 3 million dollars in championship prize money and Kyle Giersdorf – who goes by the name Bugha online –won the chance to compete in the finals. In second place, 24-year-old Harrison Chang, of the United States, won $1.8 million.

Sports
Major League Baseball
Orioles beat the Padres 8-5, Braves hit the Nationals 11-8, Diamondbacks over the Yankees 4-2, Phillies beat the Giants 4-2, Astros blanked the Indians 2-nothing, Rays over the Red Sox 6-5, Twins beat the Marlins 2-1, Pirates bumped the Reds 11-4, Mariners over the Rangers 8-5, Mets beat the White Sox 5-2, Cardinals over the Cubs 2-1, Blue Jays over the Royals 9-2, Dodgers beat the Rockies 9-4, Angels thumped the Tigers 6-1, A’s over the Brewers 3-2.

NY Penn League
Connecticut Tigers beat the Williamsport Crosscutters on the road 3-2

TRACTOR TRAILER OVERTURNS ON INTERSTATE
Route 15 north and southbound in Union County were closed this morning after an overnight tractor trailer crash between Supplee Mill Rd and Beagle Club Road.  A tractor trailer overturned around midnight on Rt 15 Southbound and crews were on the scene taking care of the fuel spill there. PennDOT reports that the interstate through East Buffalo Township is reopened now.

MISSING BLOOMSBURG MAN’S BODY IDENTIFIED
The coroner in Northumberland County has identified a body found in the Susquehanna River a year ago as a missing man from Bloomsburg.  According to WKOK Coroner James Kelly said the deceased male found on Zeigler Island near Dalmatia in June of 2018 is 78 year-old Wayne Leonard Mowery  who had been missing since 2017.  The cause of death was drowning and no suspicious activity was suspected.

WOMAN JAILED AFTER ALLEGED THEFT
A former township secretary and treasurer in Columbia County has been discovered to have stolen money while she had access to Conyngham Township accounts.  Linda Tarlecki, who was an elected township official, was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, tampering with public records and other charges after she allegedly stole 181 thousand dollars from the township.  State police say she is in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

HUMIDITY WILL GO AND BRING IN COOLER TEMPS
The National Weather Service in State College says heat and humidity are going to stay in our area this week – but then we might see a cooler than usual August with temperatures heading to the low to mid 80s after Wednesday with scattered thunderstorms possible each day this week after 2pm. The Sun Gazette reports that the average high for this time of year here in Lycoming County is 86 degrees.

TRUCK HITS HOUSE DRIVER FLEES SCENE
A hit and run accident in Selinsgrove Saturday has police looking for a suspect this morning. Police told WKOK, that just after midnight Saturday, a Dodge Ram was traveling east on Troxelville Rd near Decker road, lost control and went off the road.  The truck hit the porch of a home at 5151 Troxelville and went into a dirt embankment in Adams Township.  The driver fled the scene of the accident.  If you have information about the hit & run, contact state police.

SINK HOLES AN ISSUE FOR THE CITY
More sink holes are causing problems along city streets for work crews.  After the collapse of the brick infrastructure of the water and sewer lines along Campbell Street, public works and sanitary authority officials are starting to address about 8 more around Williamsport that concern them.  The sinkholes and depressions caused by collapsing water and sewer lines are not in one particular area.  Emergency repairs of the previous sinkhole on Campbell cost about 600 thousand dollars and was not included in the authority budget.

LAWRENCEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT CATCHES FIRE
Ironically, a firehouse caught fire in Tioga County.    The roof of the Lawrenceville Fire Department and Ambulance building on Mechanic Street along Route 15 in Tioga County had flames and smoke coming from it Saturday evening about 6pm.  A patrol truck and two ambulances were saved from the fire, but an engine did sustain some fire damage.  There is no cause of the fire at this time – but an investigation is underway.

GRANT EXPECTED TO  BE APPROVED FOR RAIL TRAIL
Clinton County will be asking for a grant from state authorities to develop the Bald Eagle Valley Trail which will be used for phases 4 and 5 of the Rail Trail.  The the County has not received approval for the grant from the Commonwealth of PA Department of Community and economic development as of yet – but when approved should be in excess of 1.75 million dollars.  According to the Sun Gazette When completed the Bald Eagle Valley Trail Will span 11.5 miles to the Lycoming county border and the Jersey Shore Trailhead of the Pine Creek Rail Trail

Sports

Major League Baseball
Phillies bumped the Braves 9-4, Rays over the Blue Jays 10-9, Mets nicked the Pirates 8-7, Marlins beat the Diamondbacks 5-1, Reds over the Rockies 3-2, Nationals bumped the Dodgers 11-4, Cubs beat the Brewers 11-4, Twins thumped the White Sox 11-1, Royals over the Indians 9-6 Astros beat the Cardinals 6-2, Angels over the Orioles 5-4, A’s beat the Rangers 6-5, Giants over the Padres 7-6, Mariners beat the Tigers 3-2, Yankees over the Red Sox 9-6

NASCAR
Denny Hamlin picked up the win at the Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway Sunday.

NY Penn League
Muck Dogs held the Cutters winning streak at 4 – beating them last night 5-4 in Batavia, NY.

SHOOTING IN CITY LEADS TO STANDOFF IN LOCK HAVEN
In an incident yesterday that involved a shooting and related accident in downtown Williamsport, a standoff involving the shooting suspect ended in alleged suicide.  Police report that following the shooting of  37 year old Kerry Young, he was injured after rolling his van along Center Street at W. Fourth Streets, and later succumbed to his injuries at UPMC Susquehanna.  The shooting suspect, 32 year old Thomas Matthews III, fled the scene for Lock Haven.  Police say they obtained a special warrant for Matthews Wednesday and located him at his residence above 14 Bellefont Avenue. A standoff occurred until 8am Thursday morning when a SWAT team attempted to apprehend Matthews who allegedly shot himself during the altercation.

INMATE FOUND WITH STUN GUN
A man who was jailed at the Northumberland County Prison was found with a stun gun after a search was performed by the jail staff there. WKOK reports that 31 year old Prenden Heintzleman who had a previous conviction for a drug related felony, faces one count of unlawful possession of an electronic incapacitation device. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled within the next few weeks.

EXECUTIVE PLAZA COULD BE SOLD
County Commissioners announced Thursday that they are in the appraisal phase and preparing to consider the sale of the Executive Plaza building at 330 Pine St. in the city.  A move could allow county services to be consolidated to Third St. Plaza and use up the three unused floors in the 140 thousand square foot building.  Appraisal bids are expected to be submitted in late August.

EXPLOSIONS HEARD DURING HOUSE FIRE
A fire displaced 2 tenants in the city of Williamsport around noon Thursday and the American Red Cross is assisting them.  Police told the Sun Gazette that neighbors reported hearing loud explosions from the back porch area of the two-story house along the 1600 block of Taylor Place during the blaze which left about 50 thousand dollars-worth of damage.  Firefighters from Old Lycoming, South Williamsport and Montoursville responded to a second alarm according to city fire chief Todd Heckman.  Only one neighborhood deputy sheriff sustained a minor injury while attempting to make sure the 1^st floor tenant was not at home.  The fire is under investigation.

GAS LINE CUT, NEIGHBORHOOD EVACUATED
Part of the city’s Newberry neighborhood was evacuated Wednesday after a gas line that was accidentally struck by construction workers at West Fourth and Clark Streets.  The Sun Gazette reports that UGI took about an hour to shut off the gas from the damaged line.  About 50 people were evacuated but most stayed around the evacuation perimeter.  Some  evacuees took refuge in a park and nearby school that was opened for them during the incident.

BRACELET FOUND IN WALES THAT BELONGED TO WWII VETERAN
A man using a metal detector in a field in Wales near a home that US Troops used for recreation while staging during the war, found a silver bracelet engraved with the name and service number of a Sunbury High School graduate.  The Daily Item reports that the bracelet was lost by Albert E.Coleman who lived in Beavertown and Middleburg, and went to Sunbury High School in the late 30s.  Coleman died during the Battle of the Bulge during WWII in 1945.  After tracing the bracelet to Snyder County, the Welsh man returned it to the historical society there who will present it to Coleman’s daughter, Nancy Shilling of Biglerville, at a ceremony in Middleburg 2pm this Sunday.

JASON ALDEAN CONCERT ANNOUNCED IN STATE COLLEGE
And it’s a major concert announcement!  Live Nation Entertainment has announced that Jason Aldean will be in concert at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College Saturday, September 21^st and will be joined on his Ride All Night Tour with special guest Cole Swindell, Carley Pierce and DeeJay Silver.  Stay tuned for more information.

HALL OF FAMER SIGNS AUTOGRAPHS FOR CHARITY
Montoursville native Mike Mussina raised about 2000 dollars signing autographs for a charity of his choosing at historic Bowman field last night.  According to WNEP, the line to get into BBT ballpark in Williamsport stretched across the parking lot at historic Bowman Field.  Moose Mussina was inducted into the National Baseball  Hall of Fame this past weekend in Cooperstown NY.

MUSICIAN STEVE MITCHELL DIES IN MILTON
A Valley area musician who performed with Van Morrison, The Coasters, Lou Rawls and the Smothers Brothers among others has passed at the age of 73.  The Daily Item reports that Steve Mitchell who hailed from Troy, Pennsylvania died in his sleep at the Milton Nursing Home and Rehab Center yesterday.  He was sick for several years, but had once been one of the most popular studio musicians in San Francisco, touring during 1967’s Summer of Love with a group, the Skyliners. No funeral arrangements have been announced.

Sports

Major League Baseball
Orioles beat the Angels 10-8 in 16 innings, Mets blanked the Padres 4-nothing,  Cardinals bumped the Pirates 6-3, Rockies beat the Nationals 8-7, Red Sox routed the Yankees 19-3,  Twins thumped the White Sox 10-3, Indians beat the Royals 5-4, Rangers stomped the A’s 11-3, Mariners beat the Tigers 10-2.

New York Penn League
Crosscutters beat the Auburn Doubledays  6-2

Major Softball Eastern Regionals
South Williamsport defeated Connecticut 3-2
They now advance to the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon – Wednesday, August 7^th

Babe Ruth Mid-Atlantic Regionals
West End 13s beat Mifflin County in Altoona yesterday 5-2
 – Championship game against Centre County in Altoona today.

LINDEN WOMAN WHO FAKED HER DEATH EXTRADITED
A former Linden woman who faked her death and tried to flee to Canada has been caught and will be extradited to Williamsport to face 2016 charges of forgery, and criminal trespass.  Thirty year-old Harley McKeag failed to appear in Lycoming County court in May of 2017 and a bench warrant was issued.  Then an obituary stating McKeag died in California was published here in July which authorities said seemed suspicious. The Sun Gazette reports the woman faced the Canadian court system first telling a judge she was in the witness protection program, but then agreed to the extradition.

MILTON MAN ACCUSES CLERGY, DIOCESE OF ABUSE
A former Milton man has decided to move forward with a lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg after a court ruling allows child sex abuse survivors to file claims after the staute of limitations has run out.  According to WKOK, 67-year-old Donald Asbee is filing the lawsuit against the Diocese, current Bishop Ronald Gainer, and former Bishop Kevin Rhoades.  Asbee lived in Milton for about six years and was an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Church in Milton when he was allegedly assaulted in the early 1960s by Fr. Raymond Dougherty and Fr. Walter Sempko.  Reports say Asbee turned down an offer from the Diocese’s victim’s compensation fund for over $176,000.  The diocese’s attorney did not comment on the case.

COURTHOUSE FLOODING PROMPTS STATE OF EMERGENCY

After struggling with flooding in certain areas of the Lycoming county courthouse during the last storm, Lycoming County Commissioners declared an emergency yesterday in order to expedite repairs.  According to the Sun Gazette, this process allows the commissioners to hire a contractor without a lengthy bidding process.  A valve needs to be repaired to avoid the flooding in the basement of the courthouse.  Work should begin this weekend.

CRACK SEALING PROJECT STARTS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
I-180 will be taken up with construction this week as a regional crack sealing project has begun in Northumberland County. Watch for crews on I-180 east and westbound between the Turbotville interchange in Northumberland County to the Lycoming County line. Work will be performed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.  Motorists should be alert and watch for changing traffic patterns.

SCHOOL DISTRICT SEEKING NEW YOUTH COUNSELOR
Line Mountain School District is now seeking applicants for a mental health/youth counselor as they plan to address mental health among their secondary school students. District Superintendent David Campbell tells us the district hopes to make a hire for that position by its August 27 board meeting. Campbell says addressing mental health has been a goal of the district for a while, even before recently losing two students to suicide.

LAWMAKER WANTS TO CHANGE FIREWORKS LAW BACK
A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to limit the use of fireworks again after hearing from police and firefighters that this 4^th of July was out of control and caused fires and damage in her home of Berks County.  Representative Judy Schwank is seeking support from members of the senate to address the numerous complaints about the 2017 enactment of the state Fireworks law that allowed easier access to larger fireworks and increased taxes. Schwank says the new law caused ememrgency crews to respond to dozens of calls, caused 50 thousand dollars worth of damamge to a school and displaced a family after a house fire.

RURAL AREAS TO BE SERVED BY MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT
River Valley Health and Dental has unveiled a new Mobile Care Unit yesterday that will allow it to bring services to rural areas and some Williamsport Schools.  The new bus has typical medical consultation and dental office facilities including x-ray and handicapped accessibility and will be staffed four days a week as needed.  A 400 thousand dollar grant from the Wiliamsport Lycoming Community Fund at First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania made the mobile unit possible.

HIGHWAY SAFETY SURVEY AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST
PennDOT is seeking motorists’ input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its annual online Highway Safety Survey. The feedback they get will help officials better understand the attitude and actions of the public concerning a variety of driving behaviors.The survey is available on PennDOT’s website through August 12 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses, including the “comments” fields, are anonymous. Go to  PennDOT.gov slash Safety.

Sports

Major League Baseball

Nationals beat the Rockies 11-1,  Cardinals over the Pirates 4-3, Blue Jays beat the Indians 2-1, Red Sox over the Rays 5-4, Phillies beat the Tigers 3-2, Mets over the Padres 5-2, Royals beat the Braves 5-4, Reds thumped the Brewers 14-6, Marlins over the White Sox 5-1, A’s beat the Astros 4-3, Yankees over the Twins 14-12, Orioles beat the Diamondbacks 7-2, Giants bumped the Cubs 5-4, Angels beat the Dodgers 5-4, Rangers over the Mariners 7-2

NY Penn League
Crosscutters and Doubledays game was postponed yesterday due to rain

Major Softball Eastern Regional
South Williamsport defeated Connecticut  10-nothing in 5 innings – New Jersey plays Rhode Island today who goes against Connecticut (Conn.’s elimination game) and they face South Thursday at noon in the Eastern Regional Championship Game.

West End Babe Ruth 13 year-old All Stars lost to New Jersey 4-2 but still 3 to 1 in pool play