BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
COUPLE ARRESTED FOR CHILD ENDANGERMENT
Police responded to a 911 call from neighbors who said two people were drunk and arguing outside their home August 25th before they fled with a child in their vehicle. According to the Sun Gazette, police say they stopped 33 year old Janelle Renzo and boyfriend 38 year old Kenneth Frey III after a short pursuit from Broad Street to the Jersey Shore High School parking lot. Renzo was arrested after failing field sobriety tests and Frey resisted arrest, attempting to assault the officers on the scene – and was ultimately subdued with pepper spray. Both were charged with multiple charges, including DUI, felony fleeing and child endangerment for Renzo, and Frey was charged with felony aggravated assault, resisting arrest and more. Both are free on bail.
PROVISIONAL BALLOTS IN BUTLER COUNTY ARE VALID
In a lawsuit from Butler County over the rejection of two mail-in voters ballots for not using the secrecy envelope and then rejecting their provisional ballots on Elections Day, the Commonwealth court decided yesterday that provisional ballots in the case are valid. According to the Sun Gazette, this means that when a voter’s ballot is rejected for mistakes like an incorrect date, or forgetting the date on the outside of the envelope, they can cast a provisional ballot – which are separated from regular ballots and used when election workers need more time to determine the voter’s eligibility to vote. About 21,800 mail ballots were rejected in the general election of 2020, out of about 2.7 million mail ballots cast in Pennsylvania.
CITY MAYOR CHOSEN FOR FEDERAL LEADERSHIP GROUP
Williamsport’s Mayor Derek Slaughter has been chosen to be part of a 15-member class of inductees as part of a national network of Democratic state and local elected officials called NewDEAL, which stands for Developing Exceptional American Leaders. According to new deal leaders dot org, mayor Slaughter was chosen with one other Pennsylvanian, Rachael Heisler, a City Controller from Pittsburgh. New DEAL leaders have found broad bipartisan support since its inception, while working to build a more prosperous and equitable future. Find out more at The New DEAL on Facebook.
“FARM SHOW MILKSHAKE” IS TRADEMARKED NOW
Pennsylvanians know Farm Show milkshakes are a thing, but now it’s official with the state Department of Agriculture who won a recent lawsuit to legally use a trademark for the popular dairy treat. According to WHP, with the trademark “Farm Show Milk Shake”, the Dept. of Agriculture and PA Dairymen’s Association agreed to an exclusive 10-year license to use the trademark with the possibility of renewal, the state will also receive 2% of gross milkshake sales made outside of the PA Farm Show.
MAN ON SKATEBOARD KILLED IN ELYSBURG ACCIDENT
A man skateboarding at 10pm in Elysburg was struck and killed by a tanker truck near the intersection of West Valley Avenue, Route 487, and Spruce Street. According to the News Item, authorities from the Northumberland County Coroner’s office pronounced the victim dead at the scene but have not yet released his name or his age. Ralpho Township police say the victim exited Spruce Street and rode into the path of a 2012 Peterbilt tanker truck on West Valley Avenue driven by 54 year old Ramon DeJesus of Shamokin. Police impounded the tanker to allow the state police forensics unit to complete the investigation.
LABOR DAY CRASH RESULTS
The PA State Police have released the statistics of the Labor Day weekend enforcement results. According to PA State Police, total vehicle crashes from 2023 to 2024 decreased from the same time last year, but DUI arrests were equal from the year before, at 514 for the weekend period between August 30th to September 2nd. The incidents investigated by Pennsylvania State police for Labor Day 2024 include 580 crashes, five of them fatal with 6 people being killed and 170 injuries. Three of the fatal crashes were DUI related. Get more statistical information online at pa.gov.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION EVENT IN DANVILLE
Geisinger Danville will hold a child safety seat inspection and used seat collection event. According to the Daily Item, PennDOT, Safe Kids PA Susquehanna Valley Partner, State Farm and the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital welcomes the public next Thursday September 12th on the second floor of the Geisinger Woodbine parking garage.. The collection of child seats is for those that are unsafe with expired, broken, or rusted parts, are on a recall list, or have been involved in a serious crash. Those interested in a safety inspection can come September 12th from 5 to 7pm.
YAW, HAMM, HOST A SENIOR EXPO COMING TO MONTOURSVILLE
The annual Senior Expo hosted by State Senator Gene Yaw and State Representative Joe Hamm will scheduled for Thursday September 19th at the Community Baptist Church, on Route 87 in Montoursville. More than 75 exhibitors will be there from 9:30am til 1pm to provide the most current information on state programs and federal services available to Pennsylvania’s older residents. Senator Yaw says the event will provide seniors with a “one-stop resource” for information for services that may be free of charge or available at a reduced cost. The public is encouraged to also bring unused and expired prescription medications to deposit in a Prescription Drug Take-Back Box, provided by the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office. Get information about the senior expo at senator gene yaw.com.
SPORTS
PIAA D4 Soccer
Girls
Milton 4 Williamsport 0
Central Columbia 1 Hughesville 0
Line Mountain 4 Midd-West 0
Muncy 2 Millville 1
Loyalsock 4 Jersey Shore 0
East Juniata 2 Mifflinburg 0
South Wmspt 9 Sullivan County 1
Bloomsburg 4 Dallas 1
Boys
Williamson 1 Athens 0 (2OT)
Norry Christian 2 Selinsgrove 1
Central Columbia 2 Warrior Run 1
Wellsboro 4 North Penn-Liberty 1
Danville 2 Bloomsburg 2 (2OT)
NE Bradford 3 Troy 0
Midd-West 7 East Juniata 0
Towanda 6 Galeton 0
Juniata 2 Shikellamy 1
HS Football Thursday
Wyalusing 13 Wellsboro 0
HS Football Friday night BYB Game O’ Week Hughesville @ Loyalsock 6:30 pre-game/7pm Kick
MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters 5 Trenton Thunder 4
Cutters capture their first MLB Draft League Championship and 1st League Title since 2003
MLB
Reds 1 Astros 0
Phillies 5 Marlins 2
Pirates 9 Nationals 4
Rockies 3 Braves 1
MLB Today
Yankees vs Cubs 2:20pm
Nationals vs Pirates 6:40pm
Rays vs Orioles 7:05pm
Reds vs Mets 7:10pm
Phillies vs Marlins 7:10pm
Guardians vs Dodgers 10:10pm
NFL
Chiefs 27 Ravens 20
NFL Tonight
Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles 8:15pm Peacock
NFL Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons 1pm FOX
Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills 1pm CBS
Minnesota Vikings vs NY Giants1pm
Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns 4:25pm FOX
NASCAR Sunday
Quaker State 400 available at Walmart Atlanta Motor Speedway
2pm Pre-race/3pm Green flag Racing
Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network WILQ HD3
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
POLICE SEEK WANTED MAN WHO GAVE FALSE ID TO POLICE
Witnesses reported to police four individuals walking along Bloomingrove Road Wednesday morning around 5am wearing all black clothes. Lycoming Regional Police investigated but did not locate any suspects, However, officers did later locate and question the four people who admitted to be the ones walking along Bloomingrove road that morning when they were later seen in the 3300 block of Lycoming Creek Road in Old Lycoming Township. Police later learned that one of the four was a man who was wanted on warrants in two states and had falsely identified himself to police. His name is Matthew A Ringheiser. If you have information about this suspect, call Lycoming Regional Police Department at 570-323-4987 or submit a tip on Lycoming.Crimewatchpa.com.
PEDESTRIAN STUCK NEAR ELYSBURG
A pedestrian was struck yesterday in Elysburg and emergency personnel responded to the wreck. According to the Daily Item, the unidentified person was hit around 10 pm at West Valley Avenue, which is Route 487, near the intersection with Spruce Road. Route 487 was shut down from Bottle Drive to Route 54, or S. Market Street. No word on the condition of the pedestrian victim.
WRITE-IN NAMES MUST BE SPELLED CORRECTLY TO COUNT
A Union County commissioner made a motion this week at a public meeting to return to a pre-2023 practice that would allow election officials to interpret misspellings on write-in candidate’s names, however it was not seconded or carried. According to the Daily Item, moving forward in elections in Union County, the only way to accumulate votes as a write-in candidate now, is to have the candidate’s name spelled 100 percent correctly on the ballot. According to the Election code, a person who believes a vote was written for them can petition the court within five days after the certification of the county board. The general election is coming up November 5th.
WASD RECOGNIZING WAHS ALUMNI THIS MONTH
Three Alumni from Williamsport Area High School have been selected to receive the 2024 Distinguished Alumni awards. According to the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation the second Cherry & White Appreciation Night will be held September 19th in downtown Williamsport with former Millionaires to be recognized including; Frances Tipton Hunter, from the Class of 1914 who will receive the award posthumously, John Maietta ’67 with the Distinguished Alumni Humanitarian Award for his military service and more and Joe Person of the class of ’88, will be given the award for his career as a collegiate football player and professional sports writer. For more information go to www.wasdeducationfoundation.org.
STATE POLICE IN MANSFIELD INVESTIGATING GUN THEFT
Several guns and pieces of jewelry were stolen from the home of an elderly woman in Tioga County and State police are investigating. According to North Central PA dot com, Troopers from Mansfield responded to the report of a theft of items from the home at the 1000 block of Mulberry Hill Road, Richmond Township. The guns in question include a Springfield Arms Company .22 caliber bolt action rifle with blonde stock and a Henry Gun Company lever action rifle with walnut-colored stock. The two rings are from Williamson High School in 1959 and 1964. Call Mansfield State police if you have information 570-662-2151.
CITY MAN TURNS HIMSELF IN FOR DEFRAUDING NEIGHBOR
A man from Williamsport turned himself in after he says he defrauded an elderly neighbor of several thousand dollars so he could gamble. According to North Central PA dot com, 61 year old Lorenza Petrella told the Lycoming Regional Police that he intentionally lied to his 96 year old neighbor to obtain money. Saying that he needed cash to pay bills or repair lawn equipment, but he used it for skills games and other gambling between August of 2022 and July of 2024. Petrella was charged with financial exploitation of an older adult and theft by deception. He was released on 15 thousand dollars bail.
PUBLIC ASKED TO TAKE PENNDOT SURVEY ON EV CHARGING
PennDOT and the Shapiro Administration as they work on deployment of federal electric vehicle charging investments, the public is invited to submit feedback on the agency’s proposal to invest in a charging infrastructure in communities statewide. The survey can be found at penndot.pa.gov and will remain available until October 11th. The 2024 NEVI State Plan Update to the Federal Highway Administration outlines progress on the EV program and how the remaining $102 million in funding will be used.
PUBLIC TROUT UNLIMITED MEETING AND PICNIC NEXT WEEK
The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited invites the public to a picnic and outdoor meeting at the Trout Run Park Pavilion next Wednesday. According to the Sun Gazette, Susquehanna TU will hold the meet and greet and will present a demo on fishing from a kayak, providing some equipment to try. Food will be provided, but you can bring a dish to share Wednesday at 5:30pm. Get details and a map to Trout Run Park which is south of Trout Run and accessed from the old Route 15, at susquehannatu.com.
SPORTS
PIAA District 4 Soccer
Boy’s
Jersey Shore 2 Loyalsock 0
Montoursville 3 Danville 2
Muncy 3 Montgomery 0
Benton 4 South Williamsport 0
Selinsgrove 2 Hughesville 1
Girl’s
Montoursville 4 Danville 0
NE Bradford 5 NP Mansfield 2
Troy 4 Wellsboro 0
Girls Tennis
South Wmspt 3 Central Columbia 2
Loyalsock 5 Wellsboro 0
MLB Draft League
State College Spikes 16 Williamsport Crosscutters 3
MLB Draft League Championship Game
Williamsport vs Trenton @ Journey Bank Ballpark and Historic Bowman Field 6:35pm 1st pitch
MLB
Royals 4 Guardians 1
Phillies 4 Blue Jays 2
White Sox 8 Orioles 1
Marlins 4 Nationals 3
Mets 8 Red Sox 3
Cubs 12 Pirates 0
Rangers 10 Yankees 6
MLB Tonight
Astros vs Reds 1:10pm ESPN+
Phillies vs Marlins 6:40pm
Nationals vs Pirates 6:40pm
Rockies vs Braves 7:20pm
US Open
Women’s Tennis
*Jessica Pegula (puh GOOL a) pulled off a major upset of 1st seed Iga Swiatek (schvee AH tek) at the US Open 6-2, 6-4 on Wednesday night to win a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time in 7 tries.
Her win guarantees the US Open will feature multiple American men and women in the semifinal round, the first time that has happened since 2003 (Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick; Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati).
Men’s Tennis
* Top-ranked Jannik Sinner playing for Italy got to the US Open semifinals for the first time by getting past 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev of Russia 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 and will go up against No. 25 Jack Draper of Britain on Friday for a berth in the title match
* The other semifinal Friday will be No. 12 Taylor Fritz vs. No. 20 Frances Tiafoe in the first all-American men’s matchup at this stage at a major in 19 years.
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
MAN ARRESTED FOR EXTORTING DUBOISTOWN COUPLE
A former Montgomery man was arrested for attempting to extort a Duboistown couple who tried to help him. According to the Sun Gazette, police say 66 year old Glenn Stephens III, who was given help along with a place to stay after he had lost a job, continued to stay at the couple’s property for several months without paying until he was asked to leave. Police say he then sent numerous emails in August threatening to call the police on the people who helped him unless they gave him 25 hundred dollars in cash. South Williamsport Police apprehended Stephens and he was arraigned, then committed to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 15 thousand dollars bail.
MISSING MONTGOMERY MAN FOUND
Police found the man from Montoursville who was reported missing Saturday. According to police, the public were asked to be on the lookout for 76 year old Robert E. Laudig who went missing after he was seen driving a Dodge Charger Hellcat near the 900 block of Broad Street in Montoursville. Police responded to several leads and reported Laudig safe and back home on Monday.
ROUTE 14 HAS TEMPORARY ROADWAY AROUND FLOOD DAMAGE
Route 14 in Trout Run, Lewis Township has reopened to traffic utilizing a temporary roadway that bypasses the damaged bridge that has been out of operation since severe flood waters came through August 9th. According to PennDOT, state leaders and industry partner were on hand this week to reopen the road that connects Route 14 to Lycoming Creek Road. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said that replacingthe bridge is a top priority in the region and anticipates the bridge to be completed by next fall.
MILTON STATE TROOPER HONORED WITH PURPLE HEART
A Pennsylvania State Trooper in Milton and Benton native, Tpr. Logan C. Spiece was awarded the Pennsylvania State Police Purple Heart during an awards ceremony last week in Lancaster County. According to a news release, Trooper Spiece was shot while assisting Watsontown Police in a foot pursuit of 23-year-old Hunter Shaheen who was later prosecuted on attempted homicide charges in Northumberland County court. At the same ceremony, Lt. James Wagner of the Bedford State Police barracks, was named Trooper of the Year and also received the Purple Heart honors for bravery in the line of duty when he was shot outside the Lewistown barracks on June 17, 2023.
SUNBURY MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
A man from Sunbury fled from police after they attempted a traffic stop on August 22nd, and was later arrested on drug charges. According to North Central PA dot com, Police say they spotted Jack Boyle driving with expired registration and as they attempted to stop him, he fled at a high rate of speed through Reagan Street, Eleventh Street, and Snydertown Road, at times topping 100 miles per hour. Police say Boyle stopped after he turned onto Black Mill Road. He was found with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and was charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, misdemeanor DUI, and drug use/possession. He is jailed in lieu of 10 thousand dollars bail.
POLICE SEEKING SUSPECT IN RESTAURANT BURGLARY
Lycoming Regional Police are seeking a burglar who broke into a Cummings Township restaurant on Little Pine Creek Road over the Labor Day weekend. According to North Central PA dot com, police were called to Happy Acres Restaurant and Gift Shop about 8:30 September 2nd and saw that the business had a forced entry, but did not indicate whether anything was taken from the property. If you have any information about the early morning break-in, call Lycoming Regional Police Department at 570-323-4987 or online at Lycoming.crimewatchpa.com.
PPL GRANTS DISTRIBUTED TO NORTH CENTRAL PA COUNTIES
The second round of grants has been awarded by the PPL Foundation to several non-profits in our region. According to PPL Electric Utilities the grant program focuses on environmental stewardship, education, economic, and workforce development. Ten non-profits in Clinton, Lycoming, Union, Snyder, Columbia, and Montour counties will share over 90 thousand dollars. Recipients include Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity, Susquehanna Health Foundation, Clinton County Economic Partnership Foundation and American Red Cross and others. To apply for the 3rd round of grants supporting STEM Education go to www.pplcares.com by September 15th.
PICKLEBALL FUNDRAISER IN LOCK HAVEN
A pickleball tournament is to be held in Lock Haven Saturday September 8th at Hanna Park, in an effort to gather the community and start a conversation about future improvements to the facility. According to the City of Lock Haven, they are partnering with Lock Haven Area Pickleball for the event that will also serve as a fundraiser for the athletic group. 16 teams will play in a double elimination tournament until one winner stands. Hanna park is the next site in Lock haven slated for improvements, and feedback is needed to support grant applications in 2025
SPORTS
PIAA District 4 Soccer
Boys
Warrior Run 2 Williamsport 1
NP Liberty 2 Galeton 0
Southern Columbia 2 Milton 1
Central Columbia 1 Lewisburg 0
Girls
Williamsport 2 Danville 1
Mifflinburg 2 Loyalsock 1
South Wmspt 4 Williams Valley 0
Lewisburg 4 Selinsgrove 3
MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters 14 State College Spikes 4
MLB Draft League Tonight
Williamsport Crosscutters hosts State College Spikes at Journey Bank Ballpark & Historic Bowman field 6:35pm 1st pitch
MLB
Guardians 7 Royals 1
Orioles 9 White Sox 0
Nationals 6 Marlins 2
Phillies 10 Blue Jays 9
Mets 7 Red Sox 2
Pirates 5 Cubs 0
Rangers 7 Yankees 4
MLB Today
Phillies vs BlueJays 3:07pm
White Sox vs Orioles 6:35pm
Nationals vs Marlins 6:40pm
Red Sox vs Mets 7:10pm
Pirates vs Cubs 7:40pm
Yankees vs Rangers 8:05pm PrimeVideo
US Open Men’s Tennis
* Frances Tiafoe made it to the final four at Flushing Meadows when his quarterfinal opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, had an injury in the fourth set. Tiafoe was leading 6-3, 6-7 , 6-3, 4-1 when Dimitrov retired from the match.
* Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz are set up for an all-American semifinal at the US Open .
* This guarantees a US win for the men’s Grand Slam tournament for the first time in 18 years.
Women
* No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, from Belarus – last year’s US Open runner-up, defeated Qinwen Zheng 6-1, 6-2 and set up a semifinals clash with American Emma Navarro on Thursday.
NCAA Football Saturday 9/7
Bowling Green comes to (8) Penn State – noon /BTN
Tennessee tech vs (1) Georgia 2pm ESPN+
Northern Illinois vs (5) Notre Dame 3:30pm NBC/Peacock
Western Michigan vs (2) Ohio State 7:30pm/BTN