GUNFIRE FROM A VEHICLE AND NEARBY ACCIDENT ARE RELATED
Shots reportedly fired from a vehicle in Williamsport and an accident that occurred a block away Wednesday evening were related, according to police.  Witnesses told the Williamsport Sun Gazette that they heard shots fired from a van at West Fourth and Elmira Streets and then saw the van go out of control and crash at west Fourth and Center streets.  Emergency crews rescued the driver from the overturned van who was taken by ambulance to UPMC Susquehanna.  There are no reports of arrests so far and police are investigating the incident.

FORMER CHEF FILES DISCRIMINATION SUIT
A former executive chef in Tioga County is filing suit in US Middle District Court that he was discriminated against, subjected to a hostile work environment and denied overtime as a result of his gender at a reform facility in Westfield.  According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, David Dixon of Knoxville said in the court documents he was a dietary director but was not to make executive decisions and was mistreated by female employees, among other allegations.  Dixon was fired in October of 2018 and the case is going to a judge for further review.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SEEKS FUNDING FOR FOOD
The Jersey Shore area school district was recently awarded a grant for after-school programs at the Jersey Shore Elementary, but because those funds aren’t earmarked for food, the school board approved another grant source this week for funding student snacks during the program.  According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, the grant would come through the state Department of Education and would provide food for the students at no cost to families.

MULTI-COUNTY AGENCY DUES GOING UP
The dues for Lycoming County membership in SEDA – Council of Governments is going up, but the Lycoming county commissioners voted to continue paying the quarterly fees.  According to the sun gazette, SEDA-Cog’s fees will go up for the first time since 1991 – currently about 20 cents per person in Lycoming County, with a proposed increase of five cents a year for five years per person. The commissioners said that membership in the regional multi-county development agency, allows for generous services to each of the 11 counties they serve.

MOTORCYCLIST IN CRITICAL CONDITION

An accident along Route 522 in Selinsgrove sent a motorcyclist to the hospital in critical condition.  State Police told WKOK that 56 year-old Christopher Gardner of Burnham was riding east on 522  around 7am last Tuesday near 18^th street and a small pick-up truck turned left in front of the bike.  WKOK says Burnham went off the roadway to avoid collision and was thrown after hitting a mailbox.  Jeremy cooper of Shamokin Dam was driving the other vehicle and he’ll be cited for a left turn violation.  Burnham was listed in critical condition at Geisinger medical center.

POINT TOWNSHIP MAN DENIED APPEAL
A former Point township man who was convicted of an overdose death of a nine year old child in 2014 has been denied an appeal by the state supreme court.  62 year old Victor Hare and his attorney requested the case be brought in front of the state high court, claiming the Commonwealth did not present sufficient evidence for his conviction.  The Daily Item reports a panel of judges from the Superior Court of PA recently affirmed Hare’s 25-50 year state prison sentence.

NORTHUMBERLAND RAIL CROSSING WORK COMPLETE
Construction to upgrade the rail crossing that’s been shut down this week in Northumberland has been completed by North Shore Railroad, and the road is reopened.  PennDOT says a delay kept the crossing at Route 147 northbound – King Street near Priestly Avenue – closed through Wednesday due to the settling of the new base that was installed.  A detour remains in effect for southbound car traffic and all truck traffic.

POLICE: REMEMBER TO LOCK YOUR CAR
Police are still reminding residents to keep vehicles secure due to more thefts from unlocked cars have occurred recently.  Mahoning Township police told WKOK that money was stolen from residents’ cars this week, sometime during the night on Tuesday. Police say that especially those with carports or unsecure garages should keep their vehicles locked and residents should always report suspicious activity to local police.

Sports

Major League Baseball

Rays beat the Red Sox 3-2, Nationals over the Rockies 3-2 in game 1, and  2-nothing in game 2, Phillies blanked the Tigers 4-nothing, Brewers over the Reds 5-4, Diamondbacks beat the Orioles 5-2,
Astros over the A’s 4-2,  Mariners over the Rangers 5-3, Cubs over the Giants 4-1, Cardinals beat the Pirates 14-8,  Indians over the Blue Jays 4-nothing, Padres beat the Mets 7-2, Royals blanked the Braves 2-nothing, Yankees over the Twins 10-7, Marlins beat the White Sox 2-nothing, Angels over the Dodgers 3-2.

NY Penn League
The Williamsport Crosscutters split the doubleheader with the Auburn Doubledays dropping game one 3-1, but 7-1 in game 2.

Little League Baseball State Tournament
Warrior Run lost 10-4 to Newtown-Edgemont (WR is done)

Babe Ruth 13 year-old Mid-Atlantic Regional
West End defeated New York 11-4.  They take on Mifflin County tonight in Altoona  for the Semi-finals at 8pm

July 23, 2019

OVERSIZE TRUCK GETS STUCK AT 220 UNDERPASS
A truck that was oversized had trouble making it under an underpass this morning on Jersey Shore roadways. Route 220 northbound at the Main Street ramp was slowed for about an hour after the truck was disabled at the bridge at the Route 44 interchange.  Police were on the scene working to clear the oversized vehicle.  Rt 220 north and southbound between Rt 44 and Rt 287 is moving normally.  Watch for crews inspecting the bridge today.

POLICE SEEK BURGLARY SUSPECT
Police are seeking a suspect in a burglary that occurred in Loyalsock Township last month.  According to the Pennsylvania State Police in Montoursville someone who  may be driving a 2006 Ford F-150 with a third door stole items, including power tools from 362 Willow Brook Road between the hours of 11am and noon on June 27^th.  Anyone with information on this Lycoming county theft, should call PA State Police.

DOWNTOWN SCULPTURE VANDALIZED
A vandal has once again harmed the “Bases Loaded” sculpture in the center of Williamsport according to the local police.  The bat has been broken off completely after being bent recently.  Officials from the Lycoming Chamber of Commerce say they have the bat piece, but police would like your help identifying a person of interest in the vandalismon their Facebook page – Williamsport Bureau of Police.  Northcentral PA dot com says the series of sculptures commemorates the history of Little League with twelve individual statues, which are icons representing Williamsport’s proud Little League history.

JERSEY SHORE HOSPITAL NAMED A STROKE READY FACILITY
With the first few moments of a stroke so critical, Geisinger Jersey Shore will be able to adhere to the highest standard of stroke care after being designated an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital by The Joint Commission.  Telestroke technology at the Jersey Shore facility allows physicians to immediately connect with Geisinger in Danville via live stream cameras and provide more immediate treatment.  In the United States, on average, a stroke is suffered once every 40 seconds. According to the American Stroke Association, for every minute that a stroke is left untreated, up to 2 million brain cells die, so seeking immediate medical attention is critical to a successful recovery.

RAIL CROSSING STAYS CLOSED TWO MORE DAYS
The rail work in Montoursville will continue for a couple more days which will keep the current detour in place until Wednesday July 24^th.  The railroad crossing on King Street near Priestly Avenue in Northumberland was expected to be open yesterday but upgrades have yet to be completed by North Shore Railroad.  Once the detour is lifted, King Street will be open to northbound car traffic from the City of Sunbury. The detour will remain in effect for southbound car traffic and all truck traffic

REWARD FOR MISSING BALD EAGLE
Sammy the Bald eagle is missing from a New York refuge and animal welfare officials are desperate to find him.  According to PennLive dot com, the 35 year old federally protected raptor with a disabled wing was birdnapped last Tuesday from a wildlife refuge on Long Island New York between 2am and 4am.  Police say someone was caught on security camera carrying the bird in a blanket through a parking lot.  Animal welfare officials in Suffolk County, New York, have offered over 12 thousand dollars to anybody with information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

SOAP BOX DERBY RESULTS FROM OHIO
Our local Soap Box derby competitors didn’t make first place finishes in Akron Ohio last week, but our hometown champions still brought an All American distinction to Williamsport.  The Sun Gazette reports that Sara Stugart, of Williamsport in the Super Stock Division lost in the second round by a fraction of a second.  And Lucas McCacken of Muncy finishied seventh in the Stock  Division which was enough to achieve the All-American status.  According to Jim Campbell, the Williamsport Soap Box Derby race director, having  that distinction back in Williamsport after the races were brought back in 2010 is a moment of pride for the city.

NEW SUNBURY POLICE OFFICER
There was a swearing in of new police officer in Sunbury this week bringing to the total number officers to 7.  Trey Kurtz, originally of Lock Haven, was hired by City Council Monday night as a full-time officer with a salary of $49,230. Mayor Kurt Karlovich says he will stagger hires within the department to get to a staff of 12 full-time officers within the next two years.  Officer in Charge Brad Hare says those potential Sunbury police officers can take the prerequisite exam the first Saturday in August.

ALLENWOOD TORTOISE TURNS 60
WNEP reports that a tortoise at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland near Allenwood celebrated his 60^th birthday at the zoo in Union county.  According to Reptilland’s Facebook page Henry the tortoise – who is over 300 pounds – wore a party hat and had a special vegetable cake made by the staff there.  Henry is one of two tortoises at the Union County zoo, the species can live to over 150 years old.

Sports

Major League Baseball
Red Sox beat the Rays 9-4, Cardinals over the Pirates 6-5, Indians bumped the Blue Jays 7-3, Reds beat the Brewers 6-5, White Sox kicked the Marlins 9-1, Astros routed the A’s 11-1, Twins over the Yankees 8-6, Diamondbacks beat the Orioles 6-3, Giants over the Cubs 5-4, Mariners beat the Rangers 7-3, Rockies and Nationals were postponed ‘til today due to severe weather

NY Penn League
State College Spikes over the Williamsport Crosscutters 9-3

Major Softball Eastern Regional
South Williamsport defeated Massachusetts 5-1

Major Baseball State Tournament
Warrior Run defeated Harbor Creek 5-4

West End Babe Ruth 13 year-old All Stars won 13-5, 3&0 in pool play and meet NJ today at 11am

NEW COUNCIL LEADERS ELECTED
The Williamsport City Council elected a new president and vice president last night who will serve the city through the end of 2019.  Randall J. Allison was elected president and Liz Miele, vice president, until the upcoming election of a new mayor and council will reorganize things.    Citizens interested in being on city council should submit a resume and letter of interest soon, since the vacancy is scheduled to be filled August 1^st.

RESIDENT HOSPITALIZED AFTER FIRE
There was an injury reported after the fire Wednesday night that started in a 5^th floor apartment kitchen at the Williamsport Manor Apartments.  An unidentified man was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, according to the Sun Gazette he was the man who lived in the unit where the fire started.  Three other tenants were displaced after the fire due to water damage in their apartments.

WEEKEND RAIL CROSSING CONSTRUCTION
The King Street near Priestly Avenue in Northumberland Borough will be closed today at noon so crews can upgrade the rail crossing there.  The closure will be in place through noon on Monday July 22^nd.  Motorists between Sunbury, Shamokin Dam and Northumberland should follow posted detours along Route 147.

POLICE ASK RESIDENTS TO RESPECT THE HEAT
As we face a weekend expecting higher than average temperatures, the Williamsport Bureau of Police are encouraging residents to seek shelter in cooled areas, limit outdoor activity and to check on neighbors and family who may be affected by the high heat.  The Paddle Wheel Stop in the Downtown Trade and Transit Center Midtwon Landing will provide water to those in need and Williamsport Police officers will have bottled water in their patrol cars. Saturday temperatures are expected to reach 96 degrees with a heat index of 106.

DRUNK DRIVER ALMOST HITS OFFICER
A Watsontown man faces DUI and other charges after he almost hit a police officer on July 4^th.  Sixty-two year old Jerry Swank was almost three times over the legal limit when he was driving along Route 405.  Swank then failed to obey the police officer who was directing traffic.  The officer had to jump to safety to avoid being hit by Swank who’s blood alcohol content was .232 percent.  Point Oh eight is the legal limit for a driver.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR SELLING OXYCODONE
A South Williamsport woman has been charged with selling oxycodone pills out of her home after being contacted by a confidential informant in December of 2018.  Central PA dot com reports that 46 year old Terry Bronson was investigated by the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit and was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.  Bronson will be in Lycoming County Court on July 29^th.

PROTHONOTARY OFFICE UPGRADES PAY METHODS
In a technological move toward, the Lycoming County Prothonotary Office has begun accepting electronic payments over the counter and over the phone this week.  County Prothonotary Suzanne Fedele says the office partnered with an online company to provide the service and a five percent fee will be assessed with each transaction.  According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, electronic payments won’t be accepted for bail transactions, summary appeals, expungements or bail payments.

PA RESTAURANT LICENSE BILL TO BE IMPLEMENTED
Those individuals with permits of old hotel licenses in Pennsylvania prior to 1949 have an upcoming window to apply to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to convert them to restaurant licenses. State officials representing the PA Restaurant and Lodging Association and Licensed beverage and Tavern Association will testify regarding legislation about House Bill 1617 on Tuesday July 23^rd in Philadelphia.  There will be live webstreaming of the event at PA representative Craig Staats website RepStaats.com.

Sports

Major League Baseball
Marlins beat the Padres 4-3, Phillies over the Dodgers 7-6, Red Sox blanked the Blue Jays 5-nothing, Royals over the White Sox 6-5, Yankees beat the Rays 6-2 in game one, and 5-1 in game two of the doubleheader, Indians over the Tigers 6-3, Cardinals beat the Reds 7-4, Nationals thumped the Braves 13–4, Twins beat the A’s 6-3, Astros over the Angels 6-2, Brewers bumped the Diamondbacks 5-1, Giants over the Mets 3-2

NY Penn League

Williamsport split the doubleheader with Mahoning Valley last night, Crosscutters winning 8-1 in  game 1, Scrappers, 3-2 in game 2.

WOMAN TOOK MONEY FROM LOCAL VFW
A Jersey Shore woman has been charged with taking almost 8 thousand dollars from a local VFW.  Fifty nine year old Dianne McAlister, who was a former employee at the west third street VFW in Williamsport, had access to the all the accounts and according to police, wrote checks to herself and deposited money in her personal accounts 16 times from 2012 up until it was discovered in 2016.  McAlister is facing charges of felony theft by taking and will be arraigned at the Lycoming County Courthouse on July 29^th.

INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS APPROVED
There will be insurance settlements for three Williamsport city police officers after resolution of their claims against the city that their civil rights were violated.  According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, the city finance committee approved the settlements to promote workforce harmony and control costs.  In the resolution, Williamsport City Council consents to the insurance payments but says that is no admission of wrongdoing or other basis for claims.

NEW PRINCIPAL FOR EAST LYCOMING SCHOOLS
At the East Lycoming School Board meeting Tuesday night, a new high school principal was approved for the 2019-2020 school year.  Ronald Lorson, who has been with the district for 30 years, submitted his retirement – affective January first – which was also approved by the board last night.  Tom Coburn will replace Lorson and begin his acting principal duties this fall.

COMMUNITY STILL MOURNS TWA FLIGHT 800
Today is the day 23 years ago when this community lost 21 people from Montoursville Area High School when TWA flight 800 crashed in New York in.  Sixteen students in the school’s French club and their 5 chaperones were heading to Paris, France when the plane exploded and crashed just off the coast of Long Island.  USA Today reported that some who lost classmates in 1996, are now teachers at Montoursville High School, where students still tend a memorial garden.

OVERNIGHT SHOOTING IN WILIAMSPORT
Scanner reports and social media indicate that there’s been a shooting overnight in Williamsport.  Emergency crews responded to witnesses saying there were 5 or 6 shots heard in the area of the 600 block of Maple Street.  There are possibly two victims in the shooting, 1 male who is being treated for a head wound and another injured person with no further details disclosed.  We’ll continue to follow this story today.

CAR CHASE THROUGH SUNBURY
State police in Northumberland county arrested a Montandon man after he fled and led police in a chase through Sunbury after a traffic stop on June 22^nd.  24 year old Antonio Carpenter was stopped on Bridge avenue in Upper Augusta Township.  Police say that Carpenter tried to flee on foot, but was apprehended and taken into custody on DUI and drug possession.

TRANSPORTATION STUDY HIGHLIGHTS SPEEDING CONCERNS
In a transportation survey conducted by the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee, traffic congestion and safety were the issues that generated the most concern for Valley residents.  Chamber president Bob Garrett says there is also concern about speeding and safety on area roads around Shamokin Dam, but pending legislation about police radar would be a big help to alleviate a speeding problem – especially he says, if communities invest in local police services.

PA TURNPIKE TOLLS TO GO UP
If you plan to use the Pennsylvania Turnpike next year, prepare for a fare increase.  The Pennsylvania Turnpike commission will raise tolls by 6 percent, raising cash customer’s payment by about 20 cents and the EZ pass customers charge goes up about 10 cents.  WNEP says that the increase will be used for the increasing costs of mass transit and turnpike improvements.   The commission has raised tolls every year since 2007.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FUNDING ON THE WAY FOR LOCK HAVEN
Lock Haven University will benefit from recent budget approvals in Pennsylvania.  250 thousand dollars has been earmarked for a healthcare simulation lab that will be located at UPMC Susquehanna Lock  Haven.  The simulation lab will help expand the nursing school and other healthcare programs at the University.  Senator Joe Scarnati was instrumental in securing the funding for this collaborative effort between government, healthcare and education.

Sports

Major League Baseball
Yankees over the Rays 8-3, Phillies squeaked by the Dodgers 9-8, Nationals bumped the Orioles 8-1, Indians blanked the Tigers 8-nothing, Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 10-4, Marlins thumped the Padres 12-7, Diamondbacks stomped the Rangers 9-2, Cubs over the Reds 4-3, Brewers slammed the Braves 13-1, Mets over the Twins 3-2,  Royals blanked the White Sox 11-nothing, Pirates over the Cardinals 3-1, Giants beat the Rockies 8-4, Angels over the Astros 7-2, A’s routed the Mariners 9-2

Section 3 Major Baseball Final
Orwigsburg beat Warrior Run 6-5

I-80 TRAFFIC AFFECTED BY TWO PROBLEMS TUESDAY
There’s now an accident in the back-ups where Milton State Police were already working an overturned truck.  Emergency crews are working to clear a fuel spill that closed the ramp from Rt. 15 northbound from Lewisburg to the I-80 East Bound ramp in White Deer township at exit 210 this morning around 3:30am.  State Police in Milton say the ramp from Westbranch Hwy southbound from White deer to I-80 eastbound is not affected.

PER DAY RATE FOR OUT-OF-COUNTY INMATES INCREASE
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has approved a contract modification that will increase the daily rate for housing out of county prisoners at the Clinton County Correctional Facility in Lock Haven.  According to the Sun Gazette, prisoners from federal prisons and out of county inmates now get a per diem rate of 74 dollars and 25 cents – just shy of the requested 75 dollars per day.  Previously the facility had an average of 90 per diem prisoners per year, but with the new contract, they can have an unlimited number of DOC per diem detainees.

NEW TEACHER JOINS MUNCY FACULTY
The Ward L. Myers Elementary School will have a new teacher who will join the faculty this fall.  The Sun Gazette reports that the Muncy School Board met Monday and approved the hire of Katrina Fry as well as got information about construction upgrades at the high school. The next Muncy School Board meeting is August 19^th at 7pm in the elementary cafetorium.

YOUTH DAY AT LYCOMING COUNTY FAIR
Today is Youth Day at the Lycoming County Fair.  There will be children’s entertainment throughout the day along with 4-H exhibits and animal shows including the open mounted fun horse games this evening and a swine show.  The free entertainment tonight is the Lycoming County Best School Talent Challenge in the Grandstand at 7pm.

FATHER SON TEAM SOLD DRUGS TO UNDERCOVER OFFICERS
A father and son team who sold crack cocaine to an undercover informant between December of 2018 and May 2019 have been arrested.   Central PA dot com reports that 44 year old Darien C. Robinson and 20 year old Unique T Robinson worked together to deliver drugs to the officers at different locations in Williamsport.  Officers say that the Robinsons also distributed cocaine out of a resident along Park Avenue. A formal arraignment is slated for July 29^th, both are in Lycoming County Prison.

TRAILER FIRE AFTER TIRES IGNITE
A trailer caught fire after its’ tires ignited along the 1600 block of John Brady Drive in Muncy Creek Township and much of the contents inside were destroyed Sunday.  A man relocating from Texas was hauling the trailer with his pickup truck and once the fire started it only took a few minutes to spread through the trailer.  According to the Sun Gazette, Muncy area and volunteer firefighters from Pennsdale responded to the incident.

FISHING HOLE MAY CLOSE
A local fishing hole in Clinton County may have to close up.  According to WNEP, a manmade pond in Wayne Township’s nature park has been approved for trout fishing for the past two years by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission but this year, was denied.  The Department of Environmental protection reports that the fishing area is actually on a protected waterway that doesn’t allow for dams or stocking. State agencies and Wayne Township officials will meet this week to discuss the options for the fishing area designated for kids 12 and under and those with disabilities.

ONLINE GAMING ARRIVES IN PENNSYLVANIA
Online Gaming has come to Pennsylvania. According to online Poker report dot com, The Pennsylvania Gaming commission has approved online gaming and sportsbook and casino gambling for a three day trial through July 18^th.  State regulators on Monday allowed Parx Casino in suburban Philadelphia and Penn National’s Hollywood Casino near Hershey to launch online gambling portals to patrons statewide. Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware are the only other states where online casino gambling is legal.

Sports

Major League Baseball
Giants slammed the Rockies 19 – 2, Dodgers rout the Phillies 16-2, Rays beat the Yankees 5-4, Indians over the Tigers 8-6, Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 10-8, Reds thumped the Cubs 6-3, Braves beat the Brewers 4-2, Royals over White Sox 5-2, Cardinals blanked the Pirates 7-nothing, Giants beat the Rockies 2-1, Angels over the Astros 9-6.

NY Penn League

Aberdeen IronBirds over Williamsport Crosscutters 4-3

Section 3 Major Baseball Tournament
Orwigsburg defeated Keystone 13-9