CITY FIRE RULED AN ARSON

Williamsport police say a fire in a city apartment early yesterday morning is a case of arson. Firefighters were called to 661 Rose Street in the city around 4am yesterday morning, finding fire in a first floor apartment. They were able to bring it under control within ten minutes.  Upwards of a dozen people lived in the 3 story, six unit apartment house and most are expected to be able to move back in within a day or two, except the unidentified female occupant in that unit.  Heavy fire damage was contained to that apartment with smoke and heat damage to the rest of the building.  Anyone with information is asked to contact city police agent Trent Peacock.

12^TH DISTRICT CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF

The two candidates running for the 12^th congressional district seat vacated by Tom Marino squared off in a televised debate onWVIA TV last night.  Republican Fred Keller an Democrat Marc Friedenberg battled over health care, 2^nd amendment rights and other issues that were put to them during the session.  Health care was a big sticking point with the two as Freidenberg continues to be in favor of the affordable care act, while his opponent is in favor of other health care options.  The two will square off in a special election on primary day, May 21^st with the winner headed to Washington right away to represent the district.

SIGNS REMOVED

With the primary elections in less than three weeks, political signs are popping up all over the place.  Some of those signs in the city of Williamsport have been removed this week due to them being oversized and illegally placed on city property.  By order of the codes department, streets and parks department employees have been removing the illegal signs and placing them in the city hall basement.  Private property owners are allowed to have the signs placed in their yards as long as they are not over the size limit and don’t block the line of sight for motorists.

WARRANTS SERVED IN SHAMOKIN

Police in the city of Shamokin were extremely busy yesterday.  Six officers fanned out across the city and served close to 400 warrants for various violations and crimes.  District Judge John Gembic launched the idea with police in order to clean up the outstanding citations.  In addition, Gembic says his office will launch a social media page that will list the names of those who have outstanding warrants a suggestion by the chief’s of police in Shamokin and Coal township.

DUI TASK FORCE ANNOUNCED PROM-TIME ENFORCEMENT

With Prom time here, the Lycoming County DUI Task Force will be ramping up enforcement, with targeted enforcement on underage drinking and driving.  Task Force officials remind that no one under 21 shall have any alcohol in their system.  If they are caught drinking and driving, the .02% blood alcohol limit as well as other related offenses will be enforced.  Adults are also reminded that furnishing alcohol to minors is a misdemeanor offense and that they can be charged for each person they provide alcohol to.

PUBLISHERS CLEARNINGHOUSE PHONE SCAM

Another phone scam is making its way around Northumberland County.  The DA’s office says that callers are falsely identifying themselves as a representative with publisher’s clearing house telling the person on the phone that they have won a large amount of money and other prizes with the prize patrol delivering the winnings to their home, but that they would have to pay a registration fee, and go to the bank and get the funds without telling anyone what it is for.  Publisher’s Clearing House does not charge anything to enter the sweepstakes and the DA’s office is warning residents about that and other similar types of phone scams.

DUI CHECKPOINT

State police in Milton say they will be conducting a DUI Checkpoint at a specific location at some point this month.  The checkpoint could be set up somewhere in Union, Montour or Northumberland Counties and motorists over the .08% blood alcohol limit will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  In addition, the checkpoint will be looking for those who are driving under the influence of drugs

RAILROAD CROSSING REPLACEMENT

As if the traffic problems in the area of Sunbury and Northumberland are not enough with the Duke Street Reconstruction project, PennDOT now reports that beginning on Monday, contractors will begin work on replacing a Railroad Crossing along Shikellamy Avenue in Upper Augusta Township just north of Sunbury.  Detours will be set up using Fourth Street, Market Street and Front Street while the work takes place.  Work is expected to be finished up by Friday of next week.

TALKING SECURITY UPGRADES

At their meeting tomorrow, Lycoming County Commissioners are scheduled to consider whether or not to award a contract of more than $43,000 dollars for security upgrades at the County Courthouse. The upgrades would cover all exterior doors and security entrances as well as front and rear elevators, some courtroom doors and secretaries offices. It would also include some offices on the fourth floor.  The system would also allow specific county employees to view security cameras and institute a lock down in certain areas of the building in case of emergency.

MAN FACES 155 SEPARATE COUNTS, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force took a Canton man into custody yesterday at his residence.  State police in Bradford County have filed 155 separate charges against 34 year old Jonathon Wright who is accused of illicit sexual relations with female juveniles he met through running his horse farm as well as through extended family.  It’s believed other young females may also have been involved and have not come forward yet.  Wright was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $500,000 bail and the investigation continues.

MARIJUANA LISTENING TOUR IN WILLIAMSPORT

Residents in Lycoming County will get a chance to get their say over the possible legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of Pennsylvania this evening as Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman’s listening tour comes to Williamsport.  Fetterman will appear at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium beginning from 6 to 7:30 tonight.  The listening tourn will allow for attendees to voice their support or concerns on the issue.  Area lawmakers have been invited and the session is open to the public.

MAN MAKES THREATS

A man was jailed last week in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail after threatening residents in a home in the city of Williamsport.  City police say that on April 24^th, 29 year old Kenneth Outlaw went to the residence in the 300 block of Locust Street and made threats to occupants there, telling one he was going to shoot them.  He was not found with a weapon but was charged with felony trespassing, making terroristic threats and simple assault.

WOMAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AT HOSPITAL

A psychiatric aide at the UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical  Center was punched in the face last week during a disturbance there.  Williamsport police say that 36 year old Melissa Stoner of Williamsport was at the hospital for treatment on April 25^th, when she threw the punch.  She was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment and jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail.

FIRE AT AREA BUSINESS

Fire sparked at an Old Lycoming Township business late yesterday morning.  Firefighters from several companies were called to M&M Sheet Metal at 2104 Marydale Avenue around 11:30 when fire started in the dust collection bin at the business.  The fire was brought under control in about ten minutes, though not put completely out for another 20 as the bin was disassembled.  No one was hurt and a damage estimate was not released. It’s not known what sparked that Old Lycoming Township fire.

FORMER PSU PRESIDENT SEES CONVICTION OVERTURNED

A former Penn State President who was to head to jail today to serve his sentence on a child endangerment conviction stemming from the Jerry Sandusky scandal at the school will stay out of jail for now.  A federal judge yesterday overturned his conviction for failing to report shicl sex abuse by Sandusky which was handed down in 2017. He was expected to report today for a two month jail sentence.  The judge ruled that he was improperly charged under a 2007 law.  Prosecutors have 90 days to retry Spanier.

SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS

Grants which range from almost $391,000 dollars for Loyalsock School District down to $40,638 dollars for the Lewisburg School District have been approved in the latest round of School Safety grants from the state.  State Senator Gene Yaw says the grants which were created through legislation approved last year are used for a variety of school safety initiatives.  Ten school districts in Yaw’s district will be receiving grants including East Lycoming, Montoursville, Muncy, and Willliamsport Area School Districts in Lycoming County.

SOMEONE IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY IS $2 MILLION RICHER

It’s big money for someone in Northumberland County.  The Pennsylvania Lottery reported yesterday that someone bought a Cash 5 PA Lottery ticket at Puff Express on Race Street in Shamokin for the Monday April 29^th drawing and matched all five balls drawn, winning $2 million dollars.  The winner has not come forth yet as far as anyone knows  The store will earn a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

MAN VIOLATES PFA

An arrest in the city of Williamsport on Monday as a man allegedly violated his protection from abuse order, showing up at a city home and terrorizing a woman there.  Police say that 43 year old Samuel Treese Jr, went to the Almond Street home of Jamie Lucasi in an intoxicated state and pulled her hair, pushed up against the wall and briefly prevented her from leaving the residence. He then allegedly verbally threatened her. He faces several counts and was jailed in lieu of $60,000 bail.

DEMOCRATS IN LYCOMING COUNTY CALL FOR CHANGE

Calling for change, several Democrats took to the stage during this weekend’s Lycoming County Democratic Committee Spring Banquet.  U.S. Congressional 12^th district candidate Marc Friedenberg set the tone by calling out his Republican opponent Fred Keller as doing nothing in Harrisburg as a state representative and being in favor of getting rid of social security and medicare. Other speakers included the two democratic candidates for County Commissioner, as well as for a number of local offices including mayor and city council in the city of Williamsport.

I-180 WORK CONTINUES

Once again this week, the I-180 westbound off and on ramps at the Route 405, the Muncy/Hughesville Interchange will see should closures as part of an 8.6 mile resurfacing project between Fairfield Township and Muncy Creek Township.  A subcontractor continues to construct a new highway lighting system for the interchange which the work taking place daily between 7am and 5pm.  Motorists should be alert and dive with caution through the workzone.  Work is expected to be finished in the fall of this year.

ANOTHER SCAM WARNING

Pennsylvania State police over the weekend once again put out the warning about a particular phone scam which has been making it’s rounds.  In the scam, elderly residents are contacted saying that a grand child is in trouble with the law and they are needed to pay for legal expenses.  The most recent example given was a couple which was defrauded out of $48,000 dollars in a week’s time.  Police say anyone receiving calls similar to the scam are o try and verify the origin prior to taking any action and to report it to police if they believe they are being scammed.

MARIJUANA LISTENING TOUR MAKES AREA STOPS

Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman made stops in Clinton and Union Counties over the weekend as part of his listening tour centering on the legalization of recreation marijuana.  Some 100 persons showed up at Lock Haven University on Saturday afternoon, many in favor of legalizing the drug. Concerns brought up included state taxation, as well as the idea that marijuana serves as a gateway drug to other stronger drugs.  Fetterman’s tour will be in Williamsport on Wednesday at the Klump Academic Center at Penn College in Williamsport at 6pm.  The session is open to the public.

10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Sentencing in Federal Court was held on Friday for a man who is a convicted felon and who sold a gun to someone else in the city back in 2014.  Joseph Colman Jr. was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. He had pleaded guilty back in December of last year to illegally possessing a firearm.  Coleman awaits sentencing in a double murder at a Newberry home, and also was found guilty in the robbery and murder of another man in the city of Williamsport as well.

CLEAN ENERGY GRANT

$300,000 dollars will be coming from the state in order to support a Clean Energy vehicle project in Lycoming County.  The money comes from DEP and will go to the Williamsport Bureau of Transportation for 10 compressed natural gas powered buses that combined with 13 of the same busses will mean that they have not converted over 80% of their fleet to clean energy.  .

FIELD SPRUCED UP THANKS TO CROSSCUTTERS

Thanks to Minor League Baseball and the Williamsport Crosscutters, the Carl E. Stotz Original Little League Field in the city of Williamsport is receiving a facelift.  Over the weekend, about 25 tons of dirt were delivered for the project which will edge the field, put in a new home plate and pitching rubber, as well as other work there. The field is where the Little League World Series was played for the first 12 years of it’s existence and now houses the Original League.  The work is being funded by Minor League Baseball’s Project Refresh program.

LANE RESTRICTIONS ON ROUTES 180AND 15

Motorists are once again reminded to watch out this week for a moving PennDOT project on Interstate 180 westbound and eastbound and on Route 15 north and southbound in Lycoming County.  Crews are installing guide rail mou8nted delineators through the week and there will be alternating lane restrictions.  Motorists are asked to be alert, drive with caution and watch for slow moving vehicles during the daytime hours.

AUTHORITY TURNS DOWN REQUEST

The Williamsport Water and Sanitary Authority has turned down a request from Lycoming County for a million dollars to go towards the levee recertification project.  The ten person board voted unanimously yesterday against that request.  County officials say it’s possible that the authority may be working on a long term strategy to take over storm water management in the city of Williamsport which would incorporate part of the levee operation into that responsibility.

TRUCK OVERTURNS, IMPACTS TRAFFIC

Traffic was slow going heading south on Route 15 in South Williamsport yesterday after a tractor trailer could not make the turn from Market Street onto 15 south yesterday morning.  The crash happened around 9:15am as the truck carrying over 50,000 pounds of lumber and being driven by a New Jersey may overturned.  The driver was able to climb out of the vehicle without injury.  The road was down to one lane, with traffic actually detoured for awhile as crews worked on putting the vehicle back on it’s wheels. Traffic returned to normal around noon.

MAN IN CRITICAL CONDITON

A Columbia County man was listed in critical condition yesterday at Geisinger Medical Center following a crash in Northumberland County which occurred on Tuesday afternoon. The crash occurred at Route 54 and Boyd Station Road in Rush Township as a vehicle driven by 53 year old Linda Duell of Catawissa turned in front of another driven by 29 year old Christina Rebuck of Shamokin.  It then struck a truck driven by Eugene Hoover of Danville.  21 year old Nathan Deull was taken to Geisigner.  One other person is in fair condition and one treated and released.

MAN ARRESTED FOR FEBRUARY CRASH

An Old Lycoming Township man faces charges of DUI and other counts stemming from a crash which occurred in the Township.  On February 23^rd Thomas Anderson was involved in an accident in the 2500 block of Bottle Run Road in which two other vehicles were involved, with one of the drivers trapped for a short time.  Anderson then crashed into the side of his residence just down the road. He was found to have a blood alcohol level four times over the legal limit and has a prior DUI conviction out of Ohio while being wanted in Florida for a DUI offense. He was arraigned yesterday and jailed in lieu of $7500 bail.

COUNCIL BUSY TONIGHT

Williamsport City Council will be busy at their meeting tonight.  They are expected to review a $5.2 million dollar contract for the East Third Street/Old City Gateway Project, take a look at spending borrowed bond money on an elevator upgrade at city hall, not expected to pass inspection, review an application for a $250,000 grant which would be used to replace and repair handicapped accessible equipment at the playground at Memorial Park, review upgrades at Bowman Field and discuss a request to apply for a grant for the Russell Inn Heritage Park at East Third and Mulberry Streets.

CYCLE CRASH IN MIFFLINBURG

A motorcycle operator was flown to Geisinger Medical Center following a crash in Mifflinburg yesterday.  That crash occurred on Green Ridge Road.  A Life Flight helicopter was requested which landed at the Mifflinburg High School.  No word on the identity of the injured person and their condition has not been released.  It’s not known if anyone else was involved and no other information was available.

SCAM IN UNION COUNTY

State police in Milton report that a Union County woman has been scammed out of $8500 dollars.  They say the incident happened late last month when the 76 year old New Columbia Woman was persuaded to send $3500 dollars in Amazon Gift Cards and transfer $5,000 dollars in cash convincing her she would receive $75,000 dollars through a FedEx delivery.  State police say they continue their investigation and are warning other residents to be vigilant of such scams.

DRUG TAKE BACK DAY SATURDAY

This Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day.  23^rd District State Senator Gene Yaw reports that Take Back sites will be set up throughout communities across his district allowing residents to return their unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.  Drop off locations can be found by going to www.SenatorGeneYaw.com.  In 2018 alone, Pennsylvnaia law enforcement collected 36,000 pounds of unsued or expired medication at 306 collection sites.

ROAD IMPACTS TODAY

It’s construction season and there will be lane restrictions and traffic tie-ups on some roads in our area today.  The left passing lane of the Route 15 Southbound ramp to Interstate 180 will be closed today from 9am to 2pm with guide rail repair and centerline pavement patching happening there.  Work is taking place on the Lycoming Mall Road Bridge over I-180 today from 9am through 5pm with intermittent lane closures under flagging there and a diesel fuel spill cleanup continues on Route 15 northbound in at River Road in East Buffalo Township in Union County from 7am to 7pm with traffic reduced to a single lane and intermittent traffic stoppages there.

MAN WAIVES HEARING

After waiving his preliminary hearing on attempted homicide, as well as other counts stemming from an incident last month at his home, a Montoursville man was returned to Lycoming County Prison without bail yesterday.  41 year old David Hill is accused of pulling a knife on his mother and threatning to kill her at their Chestnut Street home on March 12^th.  He then chased her to the neighbors where she ran to seek help following the incident.  He will face all charges in a future court appearance.

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT RESULTS IN WOMAN’S DEATH

An industrial accident in the Pennsdale area yesterday resulted in a woman’s death.  The as yet unidentified woman in her 30’s was working at Economy Locker Storage Company along Worthington Lane around 11:40 when she either fell or was pulled into a meat grinder there.  Emergency crews responded but the woman had already died before they were able to get to her.  It’s not known who she ended up in the machine and it took crews about 35 minutes to dissemble it and recover her body.  A team from OSHA was on the scene are are investigating the accident.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Area graduating seniors will once again have a chance at a piece of over $10,000 dollars in scholarships made available by the New York Penn League, which includes the Williamsport Crosscutters.  The annual 2019 scholarship contest is open to graduating seniors planning on furthering their education.  Applications will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had in their lives.  Applications are available by visiting crosscutters.com. or at the Crosscutters office at BB&T Ballpark.  Deadline to submit is June 7^th.

WOMAN ATTACKED BY DOG WHICH WAS SHOT BY POLICE

A Shamokin woman was seriously injured in a dog attack yesterday in which police had to shoot the dog in order to stop it from attacking her.  The incident happened at a Sunbury Street home as the dog owend by Gidget Demas boyfriend attacked her and began to bite the woman, dragging her out of the house onto a porch.  Police arrived, and tried to separate the dog from the woman, but ended up t having to shoot it.  She was taken to the hospital, her condition not released. The dog will he tested for rabies. It’s not known if charges will be filed against her boyfriend.

COUPLE FOUND WITH DRUGS IN HOME

Muncy police have arrested a couple after drugs were found in their home.  On April 9^th police went to the Mechanic Street home of 36 year old Max Newman Jr., and 38 year old Arlene Knowlton finding 424 LSD laced tabs as well as marijuana. The two were charged with possession with intent to deliver the drugs as well as related counts. They were arraigned and jailed in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $250,000 dollars bail.

MAN HELD ON ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE CHARGE

Following a preliminary hearing yesterday, a Drexel Hill man was ordered held over on charges which include attempted homicide stemming from an incident in Loyalsock Township which occurred late last month.  The hearing was held for Norman Dennis who it’s believed was driving a car which struck Chaz Turner as he was walking along Robbins Road in Loyalsock Township on March 31^st. A second man in the car, Robert Vettese then allegedly fired a shot at Turner, missing him.  Dennis was returned to Lycoming County Prison where he is being held without bail. Vettese is awaiting his preliminary hearing scheduled for early next month.

UNEMPLOYEMENT RATE AT LOWEST

Though officials say Pennsylvania’s economy still lags behind that of many others, the unemployment rate in the Commonwealth has hit an all time low.  The latest unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a percentage point to 3.9% for the month of March. Department of Labor and Industry officials say that payrolls hit a new record high and the unemployment shrank to it’s lowest level since 2000.  The national unemployment rate sits at 3.8%.

MAN ATTACKS OFFICER

A Bradford County man faces charges of aggravated assault as well as other counts after allegedly attacking a police officer earlier this month.  State police in Bradford County say two officers were dispatched to Thompson Hill Road in South Creek Township on the evening of April 15^th for a crash and found 37 year old Daryl Barnes of Gillette allegedly under the influence.  Barnes resisted arrest at one point biting one of the officers.  He is jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail.

BRUSH PICK UP BEGINS IN CITY TODAY

Williamsport City workers begin their sweep today of city streets to pick up brush and yard debris which are said to be littering city streets.  City officials estimate that several hundred piles need to be piekcd up and chopped up into mulch.  In addition officials say the city mulch pile which is under lock and key and is usually open from 7:15am to 3:15pm weekdays will see extended hours on Saturday from 9am to 1pm every other Saturday beginning on May 3^rd.