SPECIAL ELECTION TODAY

It is primary election day.  The polls open up at 7am and they close at 8pm.  In addition to the primary election though, there is a special election which will send one of two candidates to Washington to represent the 12^th congressional district.  Republican State Representative from Snyder and Union Counties, Fred Keller will run against Democrat Marc Freidenberg.  Both candidates made appearances here yesterday.  Keller appearing with President Tump and Friedenberg canvassing door to door with supporters.

THE PRESIDENT COMES TO TOWN

Thousands waited in line for hours yesterday with more arriving all day to see President Trump speak in a rally at the Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville.  Air Force One flew in a few minutes past 7 with the President speaking before a cheering crowd. The president here to boost the chances of Fred Keller, also  touted his administration’s part in boosting the economy and spoke on such subjects as immigration, health care, second amendment rights and the military.  Despite some protestors and a few health issues with attendees, Officials reported a smooth day in Montoursville.

MEMORIAL DAY DUI ENFORCEMENT

With the Memorial Day Holiday on the way, the Lycoming County DUI Enforcment team has announced that they will be conducting DUI Checkpoints and Roving patrols through Monday May 27^th.  Team DUI is encouraging everyone to designate to celebrate the holiday safely saying that the .08% blood alcohol limit will be strictly enforced.

GUN LAW SEMINAR SCHEDULED

Area residents interested in in safe and responsible gun ownership will be able to hear from members of law enforcement regarding that subject next week in Lycoming County.  State Representatives Garth Everett and Jeff Wheeland will present a Gun law seminar at the Loyalsock Township Volunteer Fire Company, at 715 Northway Road in Williamsport on Wednesday May 29^th at 6pm.  Presentations will be presented by an officer of the Game commission, a county judge, Sheriff Mark Lusk and a State police officer.  Residents can RSVP by contacting Everett or Wheeland’s office.

SEVERAL CONTESTED COUNTY OFFICES TODAY

It’s off to the polls today for residents across Pennsylvania as the primary elections are here.  In Lycoming County there are a number of contested races including that for the Republican nomination to run for County Commissioner in the fall.    9 candidates are vying for two slots including the two incumbents.  Incumbent Rick Mirabito and Elliot Weiss are running on the Democratic side.  Three candidates are looking to be the next Lycoming County Judge. There are also contested races on the Republican side for District Attorney, as well as Prothonary and Treasurer.   Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.

MUNICIPAL OFFICES UP FOR GRABS

There are also a number contested municipal races during today’s election. Republicans in the City of Williamsport will choose amongst City Councilman Don Noviello and businessman Eric Beiter to run in the fall against Democrat Derek Slaughter for Mayor.  In addition, there are three Repoublcians and Three Democrats on the ballot for City Council. Four slots will be open in the fall.  There are also various school district races across the county s well as municipal offices.

POPULATION DOUBLES

The population of Montoursville at least doubled yesterday as thousands flocked to the Williamsport Regional Airport to hear from President Trump as he made a rally stop at the Energy Aviation Hanger.  Many stood in line for hours to hear from the President who spoke after Air Force One landed at the airport just past 7pm.  The president was hear to boost the prospects of Republican Fred Keller running in today’s special election in the 12^th congressional district against Marc Freidenberg. He also touched on several subjects including the economy, immigration and health care.

ROBBERY REPORTED

A strong armed robbery reported in the borough of Montoursville overnight.  Police and an ambulance were sent to the Turkey Hill Market in the 300 block of Broad Street for that reported robbery. No word on if anyone has been arrested, it’s not sure if anyone was injured, and police have not said what if anything has been taken.

PA NOW REAL ID COMPLIANT

Pennsylvania is now Real ID compliant.  PennDOT announced yesterday that the Federal Department of Homeland Security has proclaimed the state as compliant of the federal law to offer Real ID’s well ahead of the deadline for the state to do so.  They say that since Real ID’s have been avaialable since March, some 138,000 have bene issued with many more on the way.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH

A motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with what were believed to be serious leg injuries following a morning crash in Loyalsock Township yesterday.  Emergency responders were called out just before 7:30am to the 2800 block of Lycoming Creek Road for a motorcycle down.  The operator who was not identified was reported to have severe leg trauma and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.  That person’s condition has not been released.  Crews were on the scene for close to an hour and a half.  No one else was reported involved.

LOGISTICS STILL BEING WORKED OUT

Though complete logistics have not yet been announced yet for President Trump’s rally at the Williamsport, Regional Airport, Montoursville police on their Facebook page yesterday warned residents of heavy traffic and the difficulty of finding parking  in the borough on Monday.  Police say that accessibility to the airport will only be available from South Loyalsock Avenue and that protestors are expected with an area set up for them in the 200 block of Jordan Avenue at South Loyalsock Avenue. More details are expected to be released in the next day or two.

MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT

A Jersey Shore man was jailed earlier this week after attacking a woman in his home.  Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police have charged 40 year old Scott A. Marshall with strangulation, simple assaults and terroristic threats for the incident which occurred on Wednesday at his home along Route 44.  Police say that he jumped on Rebecca Peters while she was sleeping, proceeding to choke the woman. He was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.

MAN JAILED FOLLOWING DRUG SALE

The Lycoming County District Attorney’s office has filed several drug charges against a Williamsport man.  They say 25 year old Akeem Hall, tried to sell $100 of crack cocaine to a confidential informant at the Weis Markets on River Avenue on Wednesday.  He was charged with possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility and jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.

WANTED MAN IN CUSTODY

State police in Selinsgrove say a man wanted for assaulting two women on Sunday in Snyder County has been taken into custody.  On Sunday, 40 year old Christopher Hare of Sunbury allegedly assaulted the women, strangling one, and hitting another causing both to go to the hospital for treatment.  He then fled the scene.  Police reported yesterday that he was taken into custody but they had no other information as to where and exactly when. He assault charges as well as several other counts and is jailed.

GEISINGER TO MOVE LIFE FLIGHT 1

Geisinger is moving it’s base for Life Flight one.  The helicopter and it’s crew was based at the hospital in Danville, but officails say they are getting set to create more space at the Danville facility for the Life Flight maintenance team, and will move Life Flight One and it’s crew to be based out of the Penns Valley Airport near Selinsgrove early this summer.  They say the move will help the maintenance staff to better take care of the Lifeflight fleet which has nine medical helicopter with 6 operating around the clock from bases in Central and Northeaster Pennsylvania.

CAR INTO PORCH IN SUNBURY

A section of Reagen Street in Sunbury was shut down for several hours yesterday into last night when a vehicle went off the roadway, striking a house there.  Officials there say the car went off of the roadway into a the porch of a home and then slid into the basement.  The road has to be shut down to cars from Catawissa Avenue to 6^th Street and to trucks between 4^th and 11^th streets as crews worked to remove the car and shore up the home.  No one was reported injured. The driver was not named.

LAWSUITS FILED

As some 900 former employees of Wood-Mode in Snyder County continue to attend various meetings and try to decide their next moves after being abruptly let go this week, two separate class action lawsuits are being filed on their behalf.  The two petitions were filed Wednesday in Federal Court in Harrisburg alleging the company violated the WARN Act by failing to provide a 60 day notice to employees that the company would shut down.  Each action seeks a judgment equal to pay wages, vacation time, retirement, health benefits and more for a period of 60 days.

WORK TO BEGIN ON WEST END OF FOURTH STREET

While work continues on the East End of the West Fourth Street Reconstruction Project in Newberry, PennDOT has announced that beginning on Tuesday of next week, work will begin on the West End of the project between Mahaffey Street and Foresman Street.  The contractor will begin to install water lines and sanitary laterals on that section of Fourth Street and a barrier will be installed ot maintain a single lane of traffic in both directions with a 10 foot width restriction in place.

MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING DISTURBANCE

A disturbance in Montoursville on Monday evening resulted in the arrest of a man at his home there.  Police were called to the North Loyalsock Avenue home around 8:30pm finding that 23 year old Robert Oeler had allegedly thrown his girlfriend to the ground, smashed out a window on the back porch door, and then destroyed items in the woman’s bedroom.  Oeler was charges with simple assault, criminal mischief, public drunkenness and harassment and was jailed in lieu of $35,000 bail.

PRELMINARY BUDGETS PASSED IN TWO DISTRICTS

Two area school boards passed proposed budgets for the 2019-2020 school year during their meetings last night.  The East Lycoming School Board said yes to a balanced spending plan of a little more than $26.5 million dollars with a tax increase of .44 mills.  The Muncy School board meanwhile passed proposed expenditures of $18,9 million dollars with a tax increase set at 0.74 mills.  A budget shortfall of a little more than $352,000 dollars is expected.  Both budgets will be on display before final approval is given.

MEMORIAL WEEKEND ENFORCEMENT

The Memorial Holiday Weekend is still more than a week away, but State Police in Montoursville say they are ready and will be conducting roving DUI Patrols and DUI Checkpoints during the weekend.  Police say the checkpoint will be targeting high DUI related crash areas according to compiled statistical data.  They are also reminding motorists of their Duty of Driver in Emergency Response areas and to always buckle up.

HELP FOR DISPLACES WOOD-MODE EMPLOYEES

Following Monday’s announcement that Wood-Mode, the largest employer in Snyder County is closing, putting 900 people out of work, the community there is stepping up in a variety of ways.  Reports are that other companies in Snyder County have already put out the help wanted signs hoping to get some of those skilled workers on board.  Governor Wolf will send his rapid response team for a meeting at Susquehanna University next Tuesday for Wood-mode employees to give them help and options, and other efforts are underway to help the displaced workers.

MAN CHARGED FOR CITY ACCIDENT

Charges have been filed by city police against a man who crashed into an apartment complex in the city back on March 30^th.  Police say 30 year old Clifford Deljonavon was drunk that night when he slammed into the Memorial Homes complex along Memorial Avenue injuring himself and his passenger.  He has been charged with DUI, as well as careless driving and driving with a suspended license stemming from that incident.

CHARGES FILED FOLLOWING CRASH IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

State police have filed charges against a Williamsport man who they say was drunk the night he lost control of his vehicle in Loyalsock Township crashing head-on into a vehicle containing two teens.  The crash happened on Northway Road extension on March 15^th as 31 year old Andrew Watson lost control of his truck.  Watson was hurt as was the 17 year old driver and 17 year old passenger in the other vehicle. He now faces counts of DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property and other related offenses.

THREE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ON SUSPENSION

Three Shikellamy High School Administrators in Sunbury are on paid administrative leave following a reported senior prank that went wrong at the school last week.  The school’s principal, vice principal an senior class adviser are accuses of letting students in the school on Thursday night for a prank involving live chicken’s toilet paper and flipped desks. The three were suspended yesterday and according to the district superintendent will defend themselves in a hearing next week.

FIRE DESTROYS CLINTON COUNTY HOME

Fire struck in Clinton County yesterday morning leaving a family of four homeless. The fire broke out around 7:15am at the home owned by John and Jodi Eck along Aaron Drive in Wayne Township.  Firefighters from several companies in Clinton and Lycoming Counties responded to the scene but were not able to save the home.  Eck’s wife and two children were able to escape without injury.  A damage estimate has not been released and the cause of that fire is under investigation.

DRILL SCHEDULED TODAY

Emergency vehicles and personnel will be on the scene through the morning hours at the Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority facilities in Fairfield Township, but it will only be a drill. The Authority has announced that between 7:30am and noon today, that the emergency exercise will involve multiple systems and partners throughout Lycoming County and will take place at the Administrative offices and the Regional Sewage Treatment plant along Old Cement Road.  They say the objective is to test internal procedures and coordination with emergency services there.

2 DIE IN BRADFORD COUNTY CRASH

A Saturday afternoon crash in Bradford County has taken two lives. That crash happened around 4:30 on Saturday on Route 414 at the Burlington Pike in Monroeton.  State police say a vehicle driven by an as yet unidentified male, struck one driven by Florence Planishek whose address was not given.  Planishek and her husband, Albert Planishek were both pronounced dead at the scene of that crash.  The other driver flown to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre with unspecified injuries. His condition not released. The crash remains under investigation.

BODY FOUND ALONG RIVER

Tests will be done to try and determine the identity of human remains which were found along the Susquehanna River in Williamsport on Saturday.  Fishermen found the remains on the north side of the river between Maynard Street and the Hepburn Street Dam. A search was launched and no other remains were found in that area.  State police say they believe the person has been dead for several months.  It’s not known how those remains got there and the investigation continues.

BRIDGE WORK CONTINUES

Work continues on one of two bridges on Route 220 spanning the railroad tracks near Antlers Lane in Woodward Township.  Work on the southbound bridge is done, and both southbound lanes are open, but work on the northbound bridge will cause motorists to encounter single lane conditions and there could be delays of up to 30 minutes and traffic queues during peak hours in the morning.  Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the workzone.

FIGHT SHUTS DOWN TRAFFIC

State and South Williamsport police actually had to shut down Route 15 south of South Williamsport near the Moore Brothers business on Saturday due to a fight which broke out there between two Montgomery men.  The fight broke out as 46 year old Robert Woodring and 67 year old Nathan Ott pulled their vehicles into a parking lot and began shoving each other, knocking each other to the ground, causing minor injuries.  One of the men was taken to the hospital due to a heart condition. they are both being charged with harassment and disorderly counduct.

MAN DIES IN CLINTON COUNTY CRASH

A crash in Clinton County on Friday caused the death of a man.  The crash occurred on Interstate 80 in Green Township in the eastbound lanes.  State police say  56 year old Douglas Crossley, whose address wasn’t reported went off of the roadway, striking a reflector and a speed limit sign and then went down over an embankment striking several trees before overturning.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  No one else was involved in that crash.  It remains under investigation.

MILL HALL MAN WANTED FOR MURDER

Police are still looking for a Mill Hall man they say stabbed his sister-in-law at a home he shared with her and his brother.  That incident happened on Friday afternoon as 56 year old Timothy Neff and 62 year old Agnes Neff got into an argument which turned physical at their Long Run Road Home.  Neff then got a knife and stabbed Agnes in the back, causing her death. He took off in a Red 2018 Nissan Frontier four-door extended cab pick-up truck.   Police are asking anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to call state police at 570-726-6000.

BURGLARY INVESTIGATION

State police in Montoursville over the weekend reported that they are still investigating the burglary of a Loyalsock Township business which occurred last month.  Police say that overnight April 21^st into the the morning of the 22^nd, someone gained entry into the Pizza Hut on East Third Street and removed approximately $2,140 dollars from the safe.  Police have released no other information and are asking anyone who may know anything regarding the burglary to give them a call at 570-368-5700.

MAN INJURED IN ROUTE 14 CRASH

A crash on Route 14 in McIntyre Township, north of Ralston on Saturday night sent a man to the hospital with unspecified injuries.  Police say 37 year old Johnny Brock of Trout Run was driving on Route 14 at a high rate of speed when he struck deer in the roadway. His vehicle then went off of the road.  A motorcycle operated by James Meuse of Ralston was also involved, but he was not injured.  Brock was taken to UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center where his condition was not released.

LANE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE BEGINNING TODAY

The resurfacing project on I-180 ramps back up this week, as contractors close the passing lane in both directions.  The long-term lane resrictions will be in place from approximately a half mile west of the Lycoming Mall Interchange to the Pennsdale Interchange.  Motorists are asked to be alert and drive with caution.  The lane restrictions are part of an 8.6 mile resurfacing project between Cemetery Road in Fairfield Township and the Muncy Creek Bridge in Muncy Creek Township.  The project is expected to be completed in the fall of this year.

WILLIAMSPORT MAN DIES IN CRASH

A Williamsport man has been identified as the victim of a fatal crash in Upper Fairfield Township in Lycoming County early yesterday morning.  State police say 35 year old Bryan Waugh was driving on Kaiser Hollow Road around 3:45 when he overcompensated on a right hand curve with the vehicle going off the roadway in the other lane and down and embankment striking a tree.  Waugh was pronounced dead at the scene.  No one else was involved in that crash.

SHAMOKIN CRASH TAKES TWO LIVES

A man and his great-granddaughter are dead following a crash in Shamokin yesterday.  The crash occurred on West Montgomery Street around 8am as 68 year old Allen Travitz Sr. was driving down a hill, when his vehicle slammed into a concrete wall.  Travitz and his 3 year old great granddaughter Mackenzie Mae Garber were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.  Police are trying to figure out whether or not Travitz suffered a medical emergency causing him not to use his brakes or if the vehicle malfunctioned.

$40,000 IN DAMAGE IN MUNCY FIRE

Fire caused $40,000 dollars in damage to a Muncy home early yesterday morning. The fire broke out on the porch of the 418 S. Washington Street home of Rose Mary Rohrbach and her son Johnathon and extended into the kitchen, then into an upstairs bedroom.  The two were able to make it out of the home.  Firefighters were on the scene for a little over two hours there yesterday morning.  It’s believed a build up of lint in the dryer vent caused that Muncy fire.

BILLS PASSED TO HELP FARMERS

In an effort to help the agriculture industry in the state of Pennsylvania, the State Senate has passed a package of bills designed to help current and future generations of Pennsylvania Farmers.  In a news conference yesterday, Senate Republicans said the Farming First package is designed to support Pennsylvania’s farm families and maintain agriculture’s status as the state’s top industry.  Those bills include a tax credit program, the creation of a PA Dairy Future Commission, as well as other bills to help out the farming industry.

COUNCIL MEETS TONIGHT

Williamsport City Council will tackle items on their agenda during hteir meeting tonight.  Amongst those items is a plan to make several structural improvements to city fire headquarters on Walnut Street.  About $126,000 dollars in work is planned including adding garage and exterior doors and putting in a natural gas generator secondary unit ther.  In addition council will review a phase of the Pathway to Health work on Campbell Street and Little League Boulevard, and also could decie to allow for the city to receive legal help on a zoning ordinance change to allow 5G cellular technology.

THREE MILE ISLAND TO OFFICIALLY SHUT DOWN

It was announced yesterday that Three Mile Island, the nuclear power plant in Middletown Pennsylvania which was the site of the worst nuclear accident in the U.S. in 1979 will not see a financial bailout from the state.  A planned shutdown of the plant will now begin on June 1^st.  The plant will go offline on September 30^th about 15 years before it’s license to operate runs out. The power it supplies will be replaced by gas and coal fired power plants that run below capacity.

DRIVER IN MIFFLINBURG CRASH IDENTIFIED

The driver of a vehicle which slammed into a Mifflinburg business on Tuesday afternoon has been identified by police.  Grant Mercer of Northumberland struck a vehicle in the road at Route 104 and Chestnut Street in Mifflinburg on Tuesday afternoon and then went off the roadway, striking vehicles on the lot at Mifflinburg Auto sales, continuing into the building itself putting a large hole in the wall.  Mercer was treated for minor injuries.  The building suffered extensive damage and the other vehicles, moderate damage. The crash investigation continues.

1-180 LANE RESTRICTIONS TODAY AND TOMORROW

Watch for lane restrictions on I-180 between the Lycoming Mall and Pennsdale Interchanges today and tomorrow.  A contractor will be placing work zone signs on that stretch of roadway for work that will begin next week.  Lane restrictions today will be in the Westbound lane starting east of the Pennsdale Interchange, and tomorrow in the eastbound lanes starting west of the Lycoming Mall interchange. Motorists are reminded to be alert and drive with caution in the workzone.

MILLION DOLLAR TICKET IN OUR AREA

It looks like our area has another Millionaire.  The Pennsylvania Lottery announced yesterday that a twenty dollar Max-A-Million Scratch Off winning ticket with one of the five top prizes of a million dollars was recently purchased at Jiffy Market and Deli at 115 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Jersey Shore.  The store will receive a $5,000 bonus for purchasing the winning ticket.  No word on who may have bought that winning ticket.