WILLIAMSPORT STUDENT FOUND WITH GUN IN BACKPACK

A student at Williamsport area high school was taken into custody Wednesday by state police after school officials conducted a drug search based on reasonable suspicion and discovered a handgun in the student’s backpack.  According to an email from superintendent, Dr. Timothy S. Bowers, there were never any threats made to students or staff, and the student did not display the weapon.  Bowers said there will be increased police presence at the school for the next several days, and that the student will face the most aggressive disciplinary actions allowed by the Pennsylvania School Code and applicable laws. 

POLICE SEEK HUGHESVILLE GUN THIEF

State police are seeking information about a burglary at a Hughesville gun shop last weekend.  According to the Sun Gazette, a theft occurred early Saturday September 21^st at the Blued Barrel Gun Shop on Railroad Street.  Police say person of interest may have inquired about several of the guns that were taken in the incident a few days before the burglary.  Call Montoursville state police if you have information 570-368-5700 or the toll-free tips line 1-800-4PA TIPS.

PAJAMA FACTORY FACING CODES VIOLATIONS

Tenants at the Pajama Factory 1307 Park Avenue in Williamsport could face an order to vacate after a July report from the City of Williamsport Bureau of Codes that assessed violations at the building that constitute an unsafe space.  According to North Central PA dot com, Williamsport Bureau of Fire Chief Sam Aungst said they have met with the owner of the Pajama Factory Mark Winkelman addressing concerns about the building in the past, but recent concerns are at the forefront now.  Winkleman says the buildings are safer now than they have been in the past with automatic fire protection in the building.   The matter will go before the city Board of Appeals at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, October 1.

SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS VIGIL RESCHEDULED

September isNational Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and UPMC announced that their candlelight vigil this week will now be tonight after inclement weather yesterday. The group will gather on UPMC Williamsport’s front lawn at 700 High St. Williamsport at 6pm.  If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

SEWER REPAIRS IN SNYDER COUNTY COMPLETE

Repairs were completed on the broken sewer line at the Eastern Snyder County Authority treatment plant in Penn Township yesterday afternoon.  According to the Daily Item, a break in a 20 inch pipe at the treatment facility near Selinsgrove Sunday caused a spill of raw sewage into the Susquehanna River, which authorities quickly attempted to contain but still advised residents to avoid contact with the water 20 miles down stream from Middle Creek.  The drinking water supply was not affected.  The new pipe replaced a 50 year old one that had sustained a 2-inch break at about 6am Sunday morning when the alarm sounded at the Isle of Que alerting officials to the emergency.

MAN JAILED FOR FIGHTING WITH MINOR

A 39 year old man from Williamsport who tried to get a juvenile to fight him at the 800 block of Wilson Street on September 17^th was jailed on assault charges and more.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say Jonathan Pace threatened the juvenile and family members, and was seen throwing rocks at their home.  Pace was charged with simple assault, loitering, corrupting the morals of a minor and more.  He was arraigned and released on 20 thousand dollars bail.

MAN FOUND GUILTY OF TWO ARMED ROBBERIES

After a two day trial in Williamsport this week, a Lycoming County man was found guilty for two armed robberies committed in November of 2020.  According to the Sun Gazette, court records say 36 year old Jesse Derick Giddings robbed the Boost Mobile at 620 Hepburn St with a black and silver handgun threatening the female manager and taking money from the register along with 14 new iPhones worth over 7 thousand dollars.  Giddings was also charged for thefts of cash and merchandise at the West Fourth Street Family Dollar in the city.  The man also allegedly threatened that female clerk with the same gun.  He was implicated as a suspect in the robberies after family and friends of his sold the stolen iPhones with serial numbers matching the stolen phones at kiosks at Wal-Mart and the former Lycoming Mall as well as the proximity to the thefts as reported by his ankle monitor from being on parole at the time of the thefts.  

ANTI CAMPUS HAZING ACT PASSES IN SENATE

Federal legislation has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this week as a result of the work done by a family who lost their son in an on-campus hazing incident at Penn State University in February of 2017.  According to North Central PA dot com, the parents of the victim, Timothy Piazza, inspired the bipartisan legislation – the “Stop Campus Hazing Act” – and began the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform at Penn State.  The Stop Campus Hazing Act now heads to the US Senate.  Tim Piazza would have turned 27 on September 25. 

SPORTS

PIAA District 4 HS Sports

Boys Soccer
Warrior Run 2      Montoursville 1
Wellsboro 6          NP Liberty  2
Lewisburg  4        Central Mountain  0
Girls Soccer  
Williamsport 3     Shamokin  0
Loyalsock  3         Danville  0

MLB
Guardians 5         Reds  2
Phillies  9             Cubs  6
Pirates  2              Brewers  1
Royals  3              Nationals 0
Orioles  9             Yankees  7
Mets vs Braves postponed /rain


MLB Today
Brewers vs Pirates  12:35pm
Royals vs Nationals  1:05pm
Orioles  vs Yankees  7:05pm
Mets vs Braves postponed

WNBA
*Connecticut Sun defeated Caitlin Clark & the Indiana Fever 87-81 in the First Round of the finals
*Minnesota Lynx won their first round against Phoenix Mercury  101-88
WNBA Semi-finals Game 1 starts Sunday September 29
Aces vs Liberty 3pm ABC
Sun vs Lynx  8:30pm ESPN

NFL Thursday Night Football tonight
Cowboys vs NY Giants  8:15pm Prime Vid

NFL News
* Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback and College Football Hall of Famer Tommy Kramer announced he was diagnosed over a year ago with dementia.

*Kramer revealed his diagnosis in a social media post on Wednesday soon after Brett Favre announced he has Parkinson’s disease

*A standout at Rice University, Kramer was drafted in the first round of the 1977 NFL draft by the Vikings, set to be the heir to Fran Tarkenton. His best season came in 1986 when he threw for 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns.
*Kramer retired  in 1990, finishing his career with 24,777 passing yards with 159 touchdowns and 158 interceptions in 14 NFL seasons.
*He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

NCAA Football tonight
Thursday – Army vs Temple  7:30pm ESPN
Friday –    Washington vs Rutgers  8pm FOX
Saturday – Ohio State @ Michigan State 7pm Peacock
                  Illinois @ Penn State  7:30pm NBC

WORK ON SNYDER COUNTY SEWER LINE TODAY

Work for the replacement of the broken sewer pipe that broke Sunday near Selinsgrove, spilling raw sewage into Penns Creek, which flows on to the Susquehanna River will begin today.   According to the Daily Item, authorities from DEP and Snyder County recommend avoiding direct contact with the Susquehanna River for 20 miles downstream to the Liverpool area in Perry County after the large spill occurred, but a wraparound sleeve at the break was installed Sunday evening which stopped the discharge of sewage.  Authorities also report that no drinking water was  affected in the break. The Route 11 southbound exit ramp to Route 35 will be closed today with work being performed between 7:30am and 3pm today. Watch for a detour using Route 11 southbound to Aqueduct Road, Route 11 northbound, back to Route 35.

WILLIAMSPORT MAN ACCUSED OF THEFT FROM 9/11 NON-PROFIT

The man from Williamsport who took funds to make T-shirts and decals for the Lycoming County 9/11 Memorial Coalition has been charged with theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking and other charges after he didn’t fulfill the contract.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say 36 year old Michael Ritter of Mike’s Custom Apparel took over 75 hundred dollars in funds and when he didn’t deliver the goods, never returned the money or make contact with the 9/11 Coalition motorcycle ride organizers when they attempted to contact him.  A warrant was issued for Ritter this week with an arraignment pending in Muncy Creek Township.

STRIKE LOOMS AT SHIKELLAMY

There is still potential for a teachers strike at Shikellamy this Friday if contract negotiations between Shikellamy School Board and the teacher’s union doesn’t go favorably.  According to the Daily Item, a proposal is under consideration that could increase total wage costs over the next four years by $1.3-million, boosting  starting salaries by 15 percent.  Superintendent Jason Bendle was this week given authority by the school board to make schedule decisions about classes, activities and other district related activities if a strike does start Friday. 

VACCINE CLINIC FOR PETS IN TIOGA COUNTY

A low-cost vaccine and mico-chip clinic for pets is coming up in Tioga County Sunday, October 6^th.  According to Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, their annual event at the Tioga County Fairgrounds is in conjunction with Dr. Kristine Shaw of Grand Canyon Veterinary Hospital and offers 12 dollar rabies vaccines and boosters, a 15 dollar distemper combination vaccines, along with a 25 dollar microchip with registration.  No appointment is necessary for the event that is from 1-3pm in Whitneyville. All dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers.  Email secondchance as @ yahoo dot com for information.

PROSECUTOR SEEK JAIL TIME FOR ACCUSED TROOPER

Michael J. Brown from Tioga County, found responsible for the death of 47 year old Troy area school teacher Christine E. Woodward in a vehicle crash in 2023, is facing a county prison sentence after a prosecutor with the state Attorney General’s office asked a judge for 6 to 23 months for the former state trooper.  According to PennLive, Brown was found guilty of vehicular homicide after he passed in a no-passing zone and caused a fatal fiery accident on Route 6 east of Mansfield last February.  Sentencing is set for October 4^th in Tioga County Court. Brown remains free on $50,000 unsecured bail.

ALTERNATE PHONE NUMBER FOR LYCO PUBLIC SAFETY

As the Lycoming County Department of Public Safety is working with residents who have questions about FEMA benefits after flooding from Tropical Storm Debby  hit the area, they have reported a phone outage and are working to correct the problem.  In the meantime, residents needing to contact the public safety office for any reason, FEMA questions or otherwise, are being asked to use an alternate phone number to reach the main office.  Until further notice, please use 570-329-4061 to contact the Lycoming County Department of Public Safety.

GRANTS FOR EMS EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS

Following an EMS summer camp this year for high school students to explore potential career opportunities where they learned about emergency medical services in three different emergency medical programs, grants have been provided to continue training students and help build out Pennsylvania’s future emergency medical services workforce.  According to the Daily Item, a combined 150 thousand dollars in grants is now available to accredited EMS schools and higher education institutions for students who are at least in the ninth grade, but volunteers wanting to apply for EMS certification must be must be at least 16 years old and complete required courses and pass a certification examination.  The application deadline for the grant program is October 16.  Go to state.pa.us for application information.

LOCK HAVEN HALLOWEEN PARADE

The annual Lock Haven Halloween parade is on tap for later in October and the free event is on for all to participate.  According to the Lock Haven Fire Department, the parade event will kick off Saturday October 26^th at 10am at North Henderson Street and continue to Triangle Park where there will be free games, refreshments, activities for kids plus an award presentation.  Those who want to have a vehicle or float in the parade should line up Saturday morning at 9:30 on East Water Street.  In case of rain, the after parade party will be indoors at Eastside Fire Rescue on East Church Street.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports
Boys Soccer
Milton 3                     Danville 1
Girls Soccer
Milton 3                     Hughesville 0
Towanda  3                NP Mansfield  0
Wellsboro 0              NE Bradford 0
Girls Tennis 
South Wmspt  5        Muncy 0

MLB
Guardians  6        Reds  1
Cubs  10               Phillies  4
Brewers  7                     Pirates  2
Royals 1               Nationals 0
Orioles  5             Yankees  3
Braves  5              Mets  1

• Los Angeles clinched a playoff spot on Friday winning their 11^th  NL West division title in 12 seasons.
• The Houston Astros clinched their fourth straight American League West title with a 4-3 win over the Mariners yesterday

MLB Today
Cubs vs Phillies  6:05pm
Brewers  vs Pirates  6:40pm
Royals vs Nationals 6:45pm
Orioles vs Yankees 7:05pm ESPN
Mets vs Braves  7:20pm

NFL Thursday Night Football
Cowboys vs NY Giants  8:15pm Prime Vid

NCAA Football This week
Thursday – Army vs Temple  7:30pm ESPN
Friday –    Washington vs Rutgers  8pm FOX
Saturday – Ohio State @ Michigan State 7pm Peacock
                  Illinois @ Penn State  7:30pm NBC

SEWAGE LINE RUPTURES NEAR SELINSGROVE SUNDAY

A local emergency has been announced after a 20-inch sewage line ruptured near the East Snyder County Sewage Treatment Facility on the south end of Selinsgrove in Snyder County Sunday afternoon.  According to the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, the rupture is causing raw sewage to spill into Penns Creek, lower Middle Creek, and is flowing into the Susquehanna River just above the Hoover Island boat launch area.  The Pennsylvania DEP and officials from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission are on the scene evaluating next steps.  According to a press release from the Snyder County Emergency Management Authority, residents of Shamokin Dam Borough, Monroe Township, Penn Township, and Selinsgrove Borough are requested to reasonably limit water use until repairs can be made.  The break is located across Market Street from the Selinsgrove Speedway.

TWO PA STUDENTS DETAINED FOR THREATS LAST WEEK

North Schuylkill School District authorities say two students there were identified as responsible for making non-credible threats on social media last week and were removed from the school on Wednesday.  Police and school administrators report that two students, a male and female are a subject of the investigation and will be facing additional charges up to and including expulsion after they allegedly made the threats online Monday and Tuesday evening.  Administrators say they received up to 100 calls about the threats through their Safe2Say platform, a program that allows individuals to inform police of dangers anonymously.  The district attorney’s office has not yet decided whther to charge the middle school student suspects as adults or juveniles.

FLOATING DAM TO BE DEFLATED IN OCTOBER

Deflating of the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam will take place in the second week of October this year.  According to the Daily Item, boating season at Shikellamy State Park ends with the traditional end-of-season process and all marina slip holders are required to remove their boats from the Shikellamy State Park marina by sunset on Monday, October 7^th. The complete deflation process takes 2 weeks during which time, the park’s docks will be removed.  The dam is in  Upper Augusta Township, between Shamokin Dam and Sunbury.

SELF-GUIDED TOURS IN COMMONWEALTH STATE PARKS

The PA Game Commission has scheduled nine self-guided driving tours of state game lands starting in October.  According to North Central PA dot com, the tour Sunday, October 6^th will focus on state Game Lands 12 in Bradford County south of Canton starting at 9am and will also provide a tour through Elk County at the same time.  There will also be tours October 13^th and 20^th.  These driving tours provide an inside look at habitat projects as well as hunting and trapping opportunities on public lands across the state.   All tours are free, held rain or shine, and are self-guided, open only to vehicles licensed for travel on public roads.

ARREST FOR MAN WITH GROW OPERATION IN HOME

A man from Susquehanna Township was arrested for growing marijuana plants on his property while his child was staying at the home.  According to PA State Police, they received a tip from the child’s mother that 31 year old Andrew Day had a grow operation in the home that she said made the child feel ill and unsafe.  After executing a search warrant, troopers arrested Day and charged him with felony manufacture, delivery, or possession of drugs with intent to deliver and misdemeanors including endangering the welfare of children.  His bail was set at 50 thousand dollars.

WOMAN’S DEATH IN BOAT MISHAP DEEMED AN ACCIDENT

After a woman died when a boat capsized on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Winfield last April, the operator of the boat is not being held responsible.  Police now say the incident was officially ruled accidental after an investigation.  According to the Daily Item, a Waterways Conservation Officer said that 38 year old Kyle Roy Jocken of Minersville was operating a boat during hazardous conditions, in a craft that had been modified, and that the three passengers on the boat overloaded it.  Police say when water came over the bow of the boat, the victim, Melissa Commings, went into the strong river current without a lifejacket and perished.  Jocken was charged with misdemeanor reckless operation of a watercraft.

DEAD INFANT CASE STILL OPEN IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

The homicide investigation of a deceased newborn found in Northumberland County in the 80s is still open and state police are asking for information either by calling the anonymous tip line, 1-800-4PATIPS or by going online to p3tips.com.  According to the Sun Gazette, Pennsylvania State police were alerted to a full-term newborn who had been asphyxiated, found in a shopping bag along rural highway Route 4005 at the time, by two Snydertown residents who were walking in the area.  Police continue to seek new information and leads in the case with DNA analysis.  A two thousand dollar cash reward is possible for information in the case.

LITTLE PINE CREEK ROAD TO OPEN THIS WEEK

After emergency flood repairs have been in place last week, Little Pine Creek Road is set to tentatively reopen this week.  According to PennDOT, the contractor continued pavement repairs, paving, debris removal, guide rail replacement, and shoulder backup last week as part of repairing the substructure of the three-span Carsontown Bridge.  The road has been closed between Carsontown Road south of the bridge and Big Buck Lodge Lane north of the bridge in Pine Township since flooding occurred in August.  Park officials say all facilities at Little Pine State Park are now open.

SPORTS

NFL
Giants 21              Browns 15
Eagles  15            Saints  12
Steelers  20           Chargers  10
Seahawks  24       Dolphins  3
Ravens  28           Cowboys  25
Chiefs  22             Falcons  17
NFL Monday Night Football
Jaguars vs Bills  7:30pm ESPN
Commanders  vs Bengals  8:15pm ABC

MLB
Cardinals  2          Guardians  1
Pirates  2              Reds  0
Tigers 4                Orioles  3
Cubs  5                 Nationals  0
Yankees 7            A’s  4
Mets  2                 Phillies 1
MLB Tonight
Cubs vs Phillies  6:40pm
Red Sox vs Blue Jays  7:07pm
Mariners vs Astros  8:10pm
Giants vs Diamondbacks  9:40pm

NASCAR Playoffs Saturday Bass Pro Shops Night Race – Bristol, TN
* Team Hendrick’s Kyle Larson dominated the first elimination race of NASCAR’s 10-race playoff portion of the season Saturday night by leading all but 38 of the 500 laps at the track in Bristol, Tennessee
* Former NASCAR champions Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr., as well as Ty Gibbs and Harrison Burton, were eliminated from the 16-driver field.
*Daniel Suarez  finished four laps down in 31st, squeezed into the second round of the playoffs by 11 points over Ty Gibbs.

* Also advancing were Chase Elliott, who finished second, Christopher Bell, who finished fifth, regular-season champion Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Austin Cindric and Alex Bowman.