Backyard Broadcasting Local News

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 6th Street and to trucks between 4th and 11th 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.

 

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

1 DEAD IN CITY CRASH

A crash in the West End of Williamsport has resulted in a death.  The crash happened around 2:23 yesterday afternoon as a pick up truck and car collided at West Fourth Street Towncrest Avenue near High Steel Structures in the Newberry section of the city.  The car was struck on the driver’s side and that driver was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the pick up truck was uninjured.  Police have not released the names of the person’s involved and the crash investigation continues.

TWO MORE PROPOSED BUDGETS PASS

Two more Lycoming County School boards passed proposed budgets for the 2019-2020 school years during their meetings yesterday.  The Montoursville Area School Board passed a budget of $30 million dollars which will contain a .30 mill tax increase.  That is smaller than the .46 mill increase which was originally proposed.  The Loyalsock Area School Board meanwhile passed a budget of 23 million 775 thousand dollars.  Originally, a tax increase of .25 mills was proposed, but the district will be able to keep the property tax rate the same.  Both districts will use money from their fund balances to balance out the budget.

PUBLIC MEETING TO BE SCHEDULED SOON

With the 30 day period underway to accept public input, the State’s Department of Environmental protection is getting close to deciding whether or not to issue permits to a company looking at putting in a proposed chemical storage tank facility in Montgomery.  A story in this morning’s Williamsport Sun Gazette says that according to the borough solicitor, council there has no say in whether or not Coastal Chemical Company can locate six storage tanks along Miller Avenue in the borough.  A meeting for public comment is slated to be scheduled soon.

POLICE LOOKING FOR MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULT

State police in Snyder County are looking for a Sunbury man accused of the assault of two women at a Monroe Township home.  Police believe 40 year old Christopher Hare entered a Park Road home around 2:30am on Sunday morning and assaulted two women there, strangling one of them  The two were transported to a hospital for treatment.  Hare fled the scene before police arrived, and an arrest warrant has been issued.  Anyone with information into the man’s whereabouts is asked to contact State Police in Selinsgrove 570-374-8145.

SENTENCING HELD FOR SUBJECT OF POLICE STANDOFF

A Williamsport man was sentenced this week to four to 8 years in state prison for an incident which happened in December of 2017.  Police were called on the morning of December 16th to a home on Light Street for a domestic disturbance where Evan Chapman had assaulted a woman and then pointed a gun at police. A standoff ensued and he was finally taken into custody about 12 hours later.  He was found guilty on charges of strangulation and terroristic threats.

HELP FOR DISPLACED EMPLOYEES

Help continues to come forward for the more than 900 people who lost their jobs this week with the closing of the Wood-Mode Plant in Snyder County.  Tonight, Sunbury Attorney Joel Weist and Lewisburg investment advisor John Machak will meet with the former emoployees at the Shikellamy High School Gymnasium in Sunbury.  Weist is donating legal advice and Machak says he can provide financial counseling. Next week, members of the Governor’s rapid response team will meet with the former employees at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove.

FRACKING FORUM NEXT WEEK

A forum will take place next week at Lycoming College which will focus on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing happening across the state as part of the gas boom.  The forum sponsored by the Delaware Riverkeeper in conjunction with the college’s Clean Water Institute and the Responsible drilling alliance will be free and open to the public and focus on economic costs and health effects of gas drilling.  It will be held next Wednesday at 6:30 in Room G-11 at the Heim Science Building at the College.

 

 

Backyard Broadcasting Morning News

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 30th.  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 15th 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.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

WANTED MAN IN CUSTODY

A man wanted for a Clinton County murder turned himself into police overnight.  State police in Lamar say that 56 year old Timothy Neff called them from a home in Lock Haven to turn himself in. They have been looking for the man since Friday after he allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed his sister in law, 62 year old Agnes Neff, who died from her wound at their Lamar Township home..  Neff’s brother William was also hurt during the incident.  Neff was arraigned early this morning on charges of 1st degree murder as well as other counts and jailed without bail.

THE PRESIDENT COMES TO TOWN

President Trump will make an appearance in Lycoming County next week. It was announced yesterday that the president will speak during a rally at the Williamsport Regional Airport at 7pm next Monday May 20th, a day before the primary election as well as the special election to elect a U.S. Congressman for the 12th district.  Trump will speak in support of Republican Fred Keller who is running against democrat Marc Fridenberg.  Gates ae scheduled to open at 4pm. Tickets are needed and can be obtained by going to www.donaldjtrump.com  Final details of the president’s visit are still being worked out.

PRELMINARY APPROVAL GIVEN FOR FINAL BUDGET

As it stands now the Jersey Shore Area School District faces a $904,000 dollar deficit for the 2019-2020 school year. The School Board last night gave preliminary approval to a proposed final general fund budget which contains a little more than $43 million dollars in expenditures.  The budget must be on display for 30 days before final approval is given, and district officials say some changes will be made before the final vote.  The budget shows a slight decrease in real estate taxes.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN DISCOVERY OF HUMAN BONES

The investigation continues into the discovery of human bones found along the Susquehanna River in Williamsport over the weekend.  Fishermen found the human remains on the north banks between Maynard Street and the Hepburn Street Dam on Saturday morning.   The bones have been sent onto a forensic anthropologist and a forensic pathologist in Erie to try and determine the identity and possible cause of death. The Lycoming County Coroner’s office has termed the death as suspicious.

WOOD-MODE CLOSES, 900 OUT OF WORK

Some 900 people are suddenly out of work in Snyder County  Employees are the Wood-Mode plant in Kreamer were called into a meeting yesterday and informed that the plant was closing immediately and they were all losing their jobs.  In a letter given to the employees, the company cited a possible sale falling through and their loss of financing as reasons for the plant closing. Wood-Mode is one of the area largest employers.  State and local agencies are responding to help those employees who lost their jobs.

A Lycoming County visit for President Donald J. Trump is planned for next week, as he holds a rally at the Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville next Monday at 7pm.  The president will be here on behalf or Republican candidate for the 12th congressional district Fred Keller a day before the special election.  Gates will open at 4pm and tickets are needed and can be obtained by going to www.donaldjtrump.com.  Officials say they are still working out final details for the president’s visit.

ONE ARRESTED, POLICE LOOKING FOR A SECOND

An arrest has been made of one man and a warrant out for another who police in Shamokin say burglarized and vandalized a church there last week.  Police say William Bender and Robert Yost were involved in the break-in at closed Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church stealing several items including a cross, collection plates and paperwork.  They also desecrated an American Flag and one of them defecated in the kitchen area.  Yost has been arrested and is locked up.  Police are still looking for Bender.

MORE CHARGES FILED

The Lycoming County Narcotics enforcement unit has filed seven additional charges against a man charged earlier this month with drug sales in the city of Williamsport. Dewaud Rice who had been charged with drug sales on two occasions, now faces charges of resisting arrest and other counts after struggling with police and trying to escape following his May 3rd arrest at his home.  Officers also found large amounts of heroin and marijuana as well as three guns, at least one of which was stolen.

ANOTHER YMCA MERGED INTO RIVER VALLEY

The Lock Haven YMCA will become that much stronger of an organization as it merges with the River Valley YMCA organization effective on July 1st.  River Valley YMCA already consists of five branches in North Central Pennsylvania including the Williamsport Y.  The Lock Haven Y has been overseen and managed by the River Valley Regional for about two years.  According to officials the merger will help the Lock Haven branch to become more efficient from an administration standpoint while still serving the local community there.

 

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

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 21st into the the morning of the 22nd, 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.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

COUNCIL SAYS NO TO QUICK FIX

A handicapped accessible playground at Memorial Park in the city of Williamsport will not open for now.  During their meeting last night, Williamsport City Council said no to plans put forth by Mayor Campana for a quick fix for the playground in order to get it open by Memorial Day.  Council is looking for a grant to allow for a completely revised accessible playground.  The Mayor had put forth his own plan in order to get the playground open, but council turned it down citing a temporary fix as a waste of taxpayer dollars.

UPGRADES AT FIRE HEADQUARTERS APPROVED

Williamsport City Council met last night, taking care of some items on their agenda.  Included was the passing of a resolution allowing for the awarding of contracts worth $126,000 dollars to make upgrades at city fire headquarters on Walnut Street.  They also approved a resolution approving a transportation alternatives federal aid letter for more work on the Pathway to Health project.  That work would be on Campbell Street and Little League Boulevard to add decorative lighting, sidewalks and portals. It’s hoped another $100,000 available dollars can be received for the work.

EVACUATION AT BLOOMSBURG

A police incident in Bloomsburg this morning has resulted in the evacuation of an apartment complex there at Bloomsburg University.  The Evacuation is taking place at the Honeysuckle complex  It’s not known the exact reason for the evacuation. Police are on the scene.   Roads around the complex are shut down.  Bloomsburg University officails say the  Campus is open for those who have had to evacuate.

MAN DIES, MORE CHARGES COULD BE FILED

Murder charges could be filed in Northumberland County following the death of a man who was seriously injured following a fight in Sunbury late last month.  Brian Cox died at the hospital yesterday.  He was found bleeding from the head after being punched by Jay Boyer during a fight along South Third Street.  Boyer now faces further charges following Cox’ death.

SUPERVISORS DISCUSS LACK OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Muncy Township supervisors during the meeting this week discussed better ways of providing emotional support for emergency responders called to handle a tragedy. The talk at Wednesday’s meeting stemmed from the incident at the Economy Meat Locker Storage company last month where firefighters and other emergency responders had to recover the body of a woman that fell into an industrial machine.  The supervisors are concerned because there were no clergy or other emotional support professionals who were able to respond to the scene.

WOMAN JAILED AFTER DRUGS FOUND IN CAR

A Philadelphia woman was jailed earlier this week after a large stash of powder cocaine was found in her car during a traffic stop.  27 year old Linette Serrano was pulled over at the Hepburn Street Interchange of I-180 by city police on Tuesday night. A search of the car yielded 1.6 grams of the cocaine worth $12,000 dollars in the trunk of her car.  She was charges with possession with intent to deliver and related counts nad was jailed in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $90,000 bail.

MAN ARRESTED FOR LEAVING SMALL CHILD IN CAR

A South Williamsport man was arrested in Hughesville on Monday night after leaving a small child in a car while going into an establishment there to play pool.  Hughesville police say 23 year old Abishek Patel allegedly left the 10 month old infant unattended in an unsecured vehicle for 20 minutes.  He was charged with recklessly endangering and endangering the welfare of a child and was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $35,000 bail.

THE SEARCH IS ON

The city of Sunbury is looking for another police chief.  A job posting was listed under the employment tab of the city’s website and city officials say they are looking for a minimum of 10 consecutive years of sesponsible full-time law experience with a minimum of five consecutive years of full-time senior command management experience.  Former police chief Tim Miller’s left last year.  Officer Brad Hare has been in charge since Miller left.    Application deadline is June 14th.

COMMISSIONERS MOVE EMPLOYEES

As expected, during their meeting yesterday, Lycoming County Commissioners approved the move of four fiscal services employees to the controller’s office.  Commissioners say the employees will work under the guise of the controller in order to make sure that certain duties they perform would fall under checks and balances as set down by the county code as legislated by the state.  Before fiscal services had already logged in payments for various services, grants and other payments which weren’t first approved by the controller’s office.

CLICK IT OR TICKET

The Click It or Ticket campaign through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gets underway on Monday and runs through June 2nd.  Pennsylvania State police and local police agencies reminded that most fatalities in vehicle crashes are attributed to unbelted motorists.  Tickets will be written out for motorists who are pulled over and found not to have their seatbelts on or have children properly buckeled in.  Additionally, free child safety seat checks will take place throught the campaign.

 

 

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

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 1st.  The plant will go offline on September 30th 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.

 

Backyard Broadcasting Morning News

NEW DEVLEOPMENT IN THE CITY?

Williamsport’s Mayor has announced plans for a $39 million dollar building project which would take place in the area of East Third and Mulberry Streets.  According to the story in the Williamsport Sun Gazette this morning, Mayor Gabriel Campana says that he is working with a developer wanting to bring in a mixed use of retail, as well as condominiums.  In addition, Campana says plans are for a 300 space parking garage in the Market Street area.  Plans are very preliminary and would have to go through a number of approvals before construction could even take place.

CRASH THIS MORNING, POSSIBLY FATAL

One person was extricated from a vehicle which crashed overnight in Upper Fairfield Township.  Montoursville Emergency personnel were called out around 3:45 this morning for reports of a vehicle over an embankment along Kaiser Hollow Road.  When they arrived, they found one person inside the vehicle and took about a half an hour extricating that person.  It’s believed that person did not survive, though no other details have actually been released. The crash remains under investigation.

BACK TO JAIL

It’s back to jail for one of the young men charged and jailed several years ago for a rock throwing incident which severely injured an Ohio woman traveling on Interstate 80 with her family.  22 year old Tyler Porter who was convicted with three others of the incident that injured Sharon Budd, and who was out on probation had it revoked in March after guns, ammunition and a samurai sword were found at his residence. He was also found to be violating his curfew.  He is back in state prison in Coal Township with sentencing to take place in the next 15 days.

TAX INCREASE ON THE WAY

It looks like a tax increase is in the cards for Williamsport Area School District property owners next year. The Williamsport Area School Board gave preliminary approval to a budget for the 2019-2020 school year last night which would contain a .45 mills tax increase.  Expenditures are set at more than $92.7 million dollars and the tax increase would bring in more than $702,000 dollars extra.  School district officials say they have been busy trying to pare down an estimated $1.8 million dollar deficit. A final budget vote is set for June 18th.

CHANGE COMING FOR SOME COUNTY EMPLOYEES

Lycoming County Commissioners tomorrow could take action on the move of four fiscal service staff members to the controllers office.  The Commissioners discussed the plan yesterday which they say would change the way the employees perform their jobs which is more in line with the county code as set up by the state of Pennsylvania.  The fiscal staff members would keep their titles and their pay grades but would have to report to the controller instead of the way their jobs are done now.

FIRE IN MUNCY

Firefighters in Muncy were called out early this morning for a porch fire which spread inside the home.  The fire was reported in the 2am hour in the 400 block of South Washington Street, and when firefighters arrived, they found that the fire had spread inside the structure.  It’s possible there may have been one injury, though the extent of that injury is not known. Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours. A damage estimate is not released, and it’s not known if the occupants are displaced.  A cause has not been given as of yet.

ROCK SLIDE CLEAN UP CONTINUES

Work will continue this morning to clean up a rock slide on a busy Northumberland County roadway.  The slide occurred overnight Monday into Tuesday on Route 147 just south of the city of Sunbury and crews were on the scene for about 12 hours yesterday trying to clean things up.  The road was reopened last night, but will be closed again at 9am this morning so crews can continue to clean things up there.  A detour will be in effect using Brush Valley Road, Route 890 and Route 61.  It’s not known how long that road will be closed today.

MIFFLINBURG BUSINESS DAMAGED

A Mifflinburg car dealership suffered extensive damage to it’s building as  well as having several vehicles on the lot damaged when another vehicle plowed into it last evening.  The incident happened at Mifflinburg Auto Sales at Route 104 and Chestnut Street, when a jeep went out of control, onto the lot, struck several vehicles and then slammed into the business putting a large hole in the wall,  The driver suffered minor injuries. No one was injured inside and the crash remains under investigation.

FORMER CHURCH BURGLARIZED

Shamokin police are investigating the burglary and vandalism at a former church building there set to go up for auction soon.  The incident occurred at the Former Trinity Evangelical Congregational church over the weekend, as at least two people broke into the structure, stole items, defecated in the kitchen and threw an American Flag on the floor.  Taken were a cross, brass collection plates an copper pipes.  The church has been closed for four years and it’s the second case of vandalism there in the past couple of years.  No arrests have been made.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

AREA MALL UP FOR SHERIFF’S SALE?

The Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove has seen the closing of several stores and now is up for sheriff’s sale.  The mortgage holder has filed a writ with the sheriff’s office in Snyder County for a sale on August 9th to recover what is believed to be nearly $34 million dollars in mortgage payments.  The sale could be cancelled anytime between now and August is the Mall and mortgage holder come to a payment agreement or if the mall’s owners filed bankruptcy.

ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE CHARGES FILED

An Elkland man is in jail without bail, facing charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and other counts following a shooting in Tioga County yesterday morning..  State police were called to the Elkland residence on Proctor Avenue shortly past 3am for a shooting victim and found the unidentified 25 year old man from Wellsboro suffering from a wound to the chest. He was taken to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre where his condition was not released.  36 year old Terrance Hood was later found and arrested for that shooting. The investigation continues.

ROCK SLIDE CLOSES DOWN SECTION OF ROADWAY

A section of Route 147 south of Sunbury remains closed this morning due to a rock slide which occurred overnight.  The slide occurred between 2nd street in the city and Brush Valley Road in Upper Augusta Township and trees are blocking the road. A detour is in place using Brush Valley Road, Route 890 and route 61. It’s not known at this time when Route 147 will be reopened there.

TWO WOMEN INVOLVED ASSAULT AND HIGH SPEED CHASE

Two Northumberland County women face various charges after and assault and police pursuit there on Sunday.  Police say on Sunday afternoon, 32 year old Alicia Brocious of Coal Township assaulted a man in a residence on Market Street in Sunbury and then took off in a stolen vehicle with Stevie Cokosky of Northumberland behind the wheel.  The car was spotted in Northumberland but they were able to get away from police but found in Snydertown where they were taken into custody and jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail.

COUPLE CAUSES RUCKUS IN COURT

A disturbance in Northumberland County Court during jury selection for a couple charged with several counts including child endangerment.  The couple from New York who call themselves John and Jane Doe and consider themselves sovereign citizens not a part of U.S. laws were found squatting last year in a home in Mt. Carmel Township with no electricity and running water and with a two year old in the home.  Yesterday the two had repeated outbursts during their jury selection and had to be removed from the courtroom.  Their trial begins tomorrow.

CUTS DISCUSSED IN SOUTH SIDE

South Williamsport area school district teachers and students expressed their dissatisfaction over possible teacher furloughs and class cuts discussed during the board meeting last night.  The board last night, heard of the cuts which school district officials say would help cut into an possible $800,000 dollar budget deficit for the next school year.  That would include two teacher furloughs, as well as others being moved around and class cuts in the English and Technology curriculums which have few students in those classes.

RIDING LAWMOWER FIRE IN MONTOURSVILLE

Firefighters in Montoursville were called out early last evening when a riding lawnmower caught fire in the borough. Fire officails say the homeowner had just got done cutting grass at his North Loyalsock Avenue home around 6:20 when the riding mower caught fire.  He and a neighbor were able to pull it away from the garage and use a garden hose. Flames did damage the siding of the building. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire upon arrival

GUN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS DESCEND ON HARRISBURG

Gun rights activists descended on the state capitol in Harrisburg yesterday rallying for keeping their Second Amendment Rights.  The rally is organized for the group to push for their legislative priorities speaking against efforts to restrict gun ownership.  In addition, they heard form Republican Representative Daryl Metcalfe who said he would call on fellow lawmakers to support his proposal to have Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto impeached.  Peduto who recently enacted gun regulations in the city.

TWO MORE LISTENING SESSIONS IN OUR AREA

Two more stops in our area for Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman’s listening tour on the legalization of recreational marijuana.  Fetterman will be in Danville today at the Montour Preserve Environmental Education Center Auditorium from 6 to 7:30 tonight and then tomorrow will be in Northumberland County for a stop at the Northumberland Borough offices/Second Street Community Center also from 6 to 7:30.  The stops are free and open to the public and will provide opportunities for comment and concerns.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

DUI CHARGES FILED IN FATAL CRASH

Charges have been filed in District Court in Mifflinburg against a Mifflinburg man who police say was drunk behind the wheel when he slammed into a motorcycle late last month, killing the operator in Union County.  The crash occurred in the 1600 block of Green Ridge Road in West Buffalo Township around 9pm on April 24th as a vehicle driven by 33 year Shane Murray hit the cycle operated by 21 year old Hunter Karchner of Mifflinburg, killing Karchner.  Murray faces charges of DUI as well as related counts.

JEEP FLIPS, MAN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

A man was taken to UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center following a rollover crash on Route 220 in Woodward Township on Saturday evening.  That crash occurred in the northbound lanes in the vicinity of Henry’s BBQ around 6:50pm as the jeep the man was operating rolled and he was reportedly ejected from the vehicle.  He was transported by ambulance to the Medical Center. His name and condition were not released.  The northbound lane was down to one lane for about 90 minutes as crews cleaned up at the scene of the crash.  State police are investigating.

WORK CONTINUES ON I-180 PROJECT

More shoulder closures this week at the on and off-ramps of Interstate 180 at Route 405, the Muncy/Hughesville Interchange. Work continues there to construct a new highway lighting system at the interchange, and the closures will take place all week between the hours of 7am and 5pm. The work is part of the I-180 resurfacing project from Fairfield Township into Muncy Creek Township.  There will also be intermittent lane closures on that stretch of 180 for surveying activities. Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the workzone.

MAN INJURED IN UNION COUNTY CRASH

A Union County crash has resulted in a man being take to Gesiginer Medical Center with unspecified injuries.  The crash occurred on Friday around 11:30 as 84 year old David Chamberlin of Spring Mills lost control of his vehicle on New Berlin Mountain Road in Buffalo Township, Union County.  The car went off the roadway, struck a sign, went down over an embankment, striking a tree and rolling over.  Chamberlin’s condition has not been released.  NO one else was involved in that crash.

BUSINESS EVACUATED DUE TO SMOKE

A Loyalsock Township medical office has to be evacuated yesterday morning after it filled up with smoke due to a hearing and air conditioning unit malfunction.  Firefighters were called out around 11am to the Geisinger Careworks office on East Third Street.  No one was hurt and there was not structural damage, but they did have to use large exhaust fans to clear the smoke. The business was closed for the rest of the day yesterday, but expected to reopen today.

DELIVERY DRIVER ROBBED

A pizza delivery driver in Milton was attacked and robbed on Saturday night with his two assailants taken into custody a short time later.  Police say the unidentified driver was returning to the Original Italian Pizza in Milton Saturday night and when he got out of his car he was put into a chokehold allegedly by 22 year old Nicolas Trotter of Milton.  Trotter and 21 year old Eric Wilt than demanded that Trotter give them money which totaled to about $80.  The man was punched several times and the two rammed his car before leaving.  They were later taken into custody, charge with several counts and jailed in Northumberland County Prison.

DRUG BUST IN CITY

The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement unit arrested a Williamsport man for the sale of heroin on two separate occasions over the past month.  Dawud Rice is accused of selling 14 bags of heroin out of his High Street Apartment on April 17th and another 28 bags this past Thursday.  He was charged with possession with intent to deliver and other charges and was jailed in Lycoming County Prison after being denied bail.

MARSHALS NAB WANTED MAN

The US Marshals Fugitive Task force report that a man wanted in Bloomsburg on weapons charges as well as other counts was taken into custody on Friday morning in  York Pennsylvania.  A warrant was issued last month for the arrest of 24 year old Edwin Coston who was stopped in Bloomsburg with two other men during an investigation and then ran from police dropping a handgun which it was found had the serial numbers obliterated.  Coston was found in York around 6:30am on Friday and will be returned to Columbia County to face several charges.

BRIDGE WORK BEGINS TODAY

Work will begin today on Route 220 north and southbound bridges over the Railroad Tracks near Antlers Lane in Woodward Township.  A maintenance crew will begin repairs to the bridges and there will be alternating lane restrictions in place in each direction 24/7 for approximately two weeks. Motorists are reminded to be alert and drive with caution through that workzone.

Upcoming

Oct 6

Facebook

Powered By SoCast