Backyard Broadcasting Local News

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 12th.  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 7th.

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 9th 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 31st. 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 15th 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 3rd.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

LOOKING TO HELP OUT STATE RESIDENTS WITH RETIREMENT

Wanting to help out some 2.1 million Pennsylvanian’s who do not have a retirement plan, State Treasurer Joe Torsella  has organized a task force looking into the creation of a state run savings program administered by the treasury department.  Torsella says that six other states have authored similar programs with success. He sayst that key legislations are working on writing legislation which would help with the creation of that program in a state where the population is getting older with many approaching retirement age.

VICTIM OF DITCH ACCIDENT IDENTIFIED

A 65 year old Bastress Township man has been identified as the man who died Friday when a ditch he was digging on his property collapsed with him inside.  State police say David Baier was working in a six foot deep trench trying to find a water problem at his Mountain Springs Lane home around 10:30am when a good portion of the wall collapsed in on him, covering the man.  It took several emergency personnel about three hours to recover the man who showed no signs of life and he was pronounced dead of asphyxiation.

1-180 PROJECT CONTINUES

Shoulder closures continue this week on the I-180 westbound off and on ramps at the Muncy/Hughesville Route 405 Interchange as the resurfacing project continues on 180 between Cemetery Road in Fairfield Township and the Muncy Creek Bridge in Muncy Creek Township.  The closures will be implemented between 7am and 5pm daily as a subcontractor constructs a new highway lighting system. Motorists are reminded to be alert and drive with caution through the workzone.

FINAL DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE

It’s the final day to get registered to vote for the May 21st primary. If you are looking at changing affiliations, or have moved and have not registered in your new place of residence yet, you can go online at VotesPA.com or stop by your county voter registration office by five today to register to vote.  In Lycoming County there are several candidates running for nomination for various county and municipal offices, as well as the special election that day for the 12th congressional district between Republican Fred Keller and Democrat Mark Friedenberg.

SELINSGROVE MAN CHARGED WITH RAPE

Selinsgrove police have charged a man there with rape and sexual assault stemming from an incident at a borough hotel there last week.  Police were asked to look for a woman last Wednesday, last ween at the Freeburg Hotel there and later found the woman in a parking lot along Spruce Street.  She reported that she had been raped by a man at the hotel and police later arrested 50 year old Rickey Lee Spriggle.  He was charged with multiple counts and jailed in Snyder County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.

MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CRASH DURING POLICE PURSUIT

A police pursuit in Lock Haven yesterday morning resulted in a South Carolina man being flown to Geisinger Medical Center with serious injuries.  Around 2am police observed a vehicle driven by 22 year old Jacob Boyles of Estill South Carolina committing traffic violations and began pursuing the man who took off on North Fourth Street, running several stop signs and eventually crashing into a metal park Bench at Water Street.  He was lifeflighted to Geisinger where his condition was not released.  The investigation continues.

WORK ON 1-180 AND ROUTE 15

Traffic on Routes 180 and 15 in Lycoming County will see some alternating lane restrictions this week , as PennDOT crews install ground mounted and guide rail deliniators along both the east and westbound lanes of 180 and the north and southbound lanes of Route 15.  PennDOT says the project is a moving operation with alternating lane restrictions and motorists should be alert and drive with caution in the workzone there.

MUNCY BOROUGH TO CRACK DOWN

With 40% of the borough of Muncy in the so called floodplain, Borough Council last week voted to tighten up on it’s codes enforcement.  Officials say that residents there have to keep their properties in compliance with national standards or face the possibility of the borough losing it’s national flood insurance which could put those properties in default of their mortgages.  Included in the enforcement will be inspections to make sure that residents are not doing any work on their homes without getting permits first, one of the stipulations in the National Flood Insurance program.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

CRASH INJURES TWO

Two were injured in a violent crash in Old Lycoming Township yesterday afternoon. The crash occurred around 3:15pm as a vehicle driven by 34 year old Tyler Hanley of Linden went out of control in the 2600 block of Bottle Run Road colliding with a truck driven by 47 year old Cliff Bower of Williamsport with Hanley’s car flipping over.  Hanley was trapped for about 20 minutes before being freed and taken to Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center for serious injuries. His condition not released. Bower was treated and released.  The road was closed for about three hours during the crash investigation.

COMMISSIONERS HIRE PART-TIME PLANNER

Saying it will facilitate a smooth transition in the Lycoming County Planning Department, County Commissioners yesterday approved the hiring on a part-time basis of current planning commission director Kurt Hausammann who is retiring effective on May 3rd.  Commissioners say he will be paid $50 an hour not to exceed 1,000 hours of work. They say his expertise will be used to continue working in special projects and to help train a new director who has not been chosen as of yet.

ZONING HEARING BOARD GIVES APPROVAL

The Williamsport City Zoning Hearing Board yesterday gave unanimous approval for a parking plan which will help create retail shops in the former Weldon’s Factory and Trebecca buildings at 600 Cemetery Street adjacent to the Pajama Factory in the city.  Don and Carol Slout have purchased the building and are said to want to create the retail shops, a plan which is similar to the Street of Shops in Lewisburg.  The approval was given based on the number of parking spaces at the adjoining Pajama Factory

THREE VEHICLE CRASH IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

A crash involving three vehicles occurred on Lycoming Creek Road in Loyalsock Township yesterday morning.  That crash occurred in the 2400 block of Lycoming Creek Road just before 7:15 and involved two vehicles and a school bus.  The two vehicles were heavily damaged with one running into the back of the school bus.  There were no serious injuries, and no students on the bus were injured.  Emergency crews were on the scene there for about an hour before things were cleared up and the roadway cleared.

ROBBER SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON

Sentencing was held this week for a man who walked into the Nittany Minit Mart on East Third Street in Loyalsock Township and robbed the place back in 2017.  38 year old Jeffery Wiestling whose address is listed as the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon was sentenced to 7 ½ to 15 years in State Prison.  He walked into the Minit Mart around 11pm on March 3rd of 2017, jumped over the counter, threatened the clerk and took money.  DNA evidence helped lead police to the man.

SELINSGROVE ASSAULT UPDATE

An update on the woman who was assaulted in Selinsgrove last week.  The 46 year old woman from New Jersey who was found with serious injuries after begin assaulted near the Susquehanna University Campus on April 8th has been released from Geisinger Medical Center and has returned to New Jersey.  Police say she is still suffering from trauma induced memory loss and cannot recall what happened after she arrived in Selinsgrove the day before, got a flat tire and began walking.  They say their investigation continues and are asking anyone with information to give them a call.

DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE NAMES SPEAKER

The Lycoming County Democratic Committee has announced attendees and speakers for their annual Spring Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Williamsport on Saturday April 27th.  State Senator Sharif Street of Philadelphia who is the vice chair of the State Democratic Committee will be the keynote speaker.  Democratic Candidate for the 12th congressional district in the May 21st special election, Marc Friedenberg will also be on hand to give an update on his campaign. In addition, several democratic candidates running for local offices will also be on hand.

FLOOD WALL BEING REPLACED

Work will begin Monday to repair and replace the stone wall along the River in the city of Sunbury.  Sunbury Municipal Authority officials say a recent inspection of the wall built in 1936 and last repaired in 2008 is deteriorating and is no longer able to help protect the community.  The project is expected to cost in the $625-$650,000 range.  A $500,000 dollar grant has been secured and the rest of the money will come from the authority.  The project is expected to last at least a month.

 

 

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

FATAL NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CRASH

A crash in Northumberland County yesterday morning cost a man his life. The crash occurred just before 9am on State Route 225 in Little Mahonoy Township as the as yet unidentified 20 year old driver went off the roadway and struck a utility pole with the car then rolling across the other lane and coming to rest on the southbound side of the road. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the crash investigation continues.

TORNADO CONFIRMED IN SULLIVAN COUNTY

Clean-up continues across our area following storms which struck across our region early on Monday morning.  Another tornado has been confirmed, this one in Sullivan County which the National Weather Service says touched down with winds of up to 110mph in Worlds End State Park in Sullivan County and continued into Dushore where it damaged 7 or 8 homes as well as a church.  In all, three tornadoes have been now confirmed in our region.  Crews continue to try and restore power in Millville where that school district has once again cancelled classes today.

EVERETT HOLDS TELE-TOWN HALL MEETING

Constituents of 84th district State Representative Garth Everett who represents sections of Lycoming and Union County can participate in a Telephone Town Hall meeting with the legislator later today.  The discussion will begin at 5:30 and Everett will give updaes on state legislative issues including the state budget,.  Residents can submit questions while on the line.  If no initial call is received at 5:30, you can dial 1-877-229-8493 and when prompted, use code 13279.

FORMER YMCA BUILDING SPARED

The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports in their morning edition that the former Williamsport YMCA building at West Fourth and Elmira Streets as been bought.  The report says a Scranton developer is buying the building and will turn it into market-rate apartments.  The building had been in danger of the wrecking ball after it was found that millions of dollars of work would have to be done just to bring it up to codes.  Next stop for the current developer is to meet with city codes and to begin the process of getting city permission and permits to renovate the building which was built in the 1920’s.

FIRE UPDATE

Six are displaced following that Monday fire at a three story apartment building the city of Williamsport. The fire which broke out arounde 5:30 at 672 Sixth Avenue caused about $20,000 dollars in damage to the three unit building owned by David Sweely of Williamsport.  No one was injured and it’s not known how long the tenants will be out of the three unit building.  It’s believed the fire started accidentally in a utility room on the third floor of the building, though fire officials have not said what the exact cause was.

BRIDGE MAINTENANCE IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

More bridge maintenance in Northumberland County today could impact traffic there.  PennDOT reports that crews will be on the Route 643 bridges between Milton and West Milton today between the hours of 8am and 2pm.  Traffic will be restricted to a single lane with flaggers controlling traffic there and motorists are reminded to be be alert and drive with caution in the workzone.

CONTRACT AWARDED FOR LANDFILL FIELD

Lycoming County Commissioners yesterday approved a contract for a company to develop a new field at the Lycoming County Landfill.  R&L Development Company was awarded the contract for a little over $5.3 million dollars which is about $4 million dollars below the other bid that the county received.  It’s estimated that construction on the new field at the landfill at the southern end of the county will begin in June.

MAN WHO SHOT AT FIREFLIED SENTENCED

A Clinton County man who caused a disturbance in a neighborhood near Mill Hall last June while high in batch salts has been sentenced to prison.  Jesse Shields of Mill Hall, fired shots at what the thought were alien lasers but turned out to be fireflies ran into a nearby home and allegedly asked the owner to take a shower so he could get the goo off of him that was burning his skin. He was sentenced on Monday to 3 to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal trespass and firearms without a license.

YAW LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE WINE AND SPIRITS FRANCHISE SYSTEM

Legislation which would create a franchise store system for the sale of wine and spirits in the State of Pennsylvania has been introduced in the State Senate.  23rd District State Senator Gene Yaw of Loyalsock is the sponsor and says the goal of the bill is to expand consumer convenience, improve the long-term financial position of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and generate significant new revenues for the Commonwealth. Yaw says the legislation will maintain the over 600 PLCB retail outlets, retain existing jobs and allow the PLCB to continue to control the wholesale distribution of spirits and wine.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

FIRE STRIKES IN CITY

A two alarm fire damaged an apartment house in the city of Williamsport yesterday afternoon.   Fire broke out around 5:45pm at the three story house at 672 Sixth Avenue.  Firefighters found flames and smoke coming from the third floor when they arrived, and called in a second alarm bringing in extra manpower. They were able to bring it under control by 6:10pm.  No one was reported injured, it’s not known at this time, how many people have been displaced. A damage estimate was not released and the cause is under investigation.

TWO TORNADOES IN OUR AREA

The wild weather in our area Sunday night into Monday morning spawned two confirmed tornadoes.  An EF-1 tornado with wind speeds of 86-110 miles per hour was confirmed for Columbia County in the Benton area which damaged several homes and businesses there, twisting up trees, but resulting in no injuries.  Another EF-1 tornado touched down in the Buffalo Valley of Union County.  That one also damaged, homes barns and outbuildings and also damaged the Buffalo Valley United Methodist Church.  Power was knocked out in both areas as well and the clean up continues.

BRIDGE MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES TODAY

Bridge maintenance today in Northumberland County.  PennDOT reports that crews will be on the Route 61 Veterans Memorial Bridge between Sunbury and Shamokin Dam this morning between 8am and 1pm with a lane of the bridge shut down during that time.  Then a lane restriction will be in place on the Route 147 Packer Island and Thomas A Edison bridges between Sunbury and Northumberland this afternoon from noon to 3pm.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT

State police have arrested a Montgomery man following an assault in Fairfield Township.  Police were called out on April 1t0h to a residence along Reuben Kehrer Road for a disturbance and found that Jeremy Winder had struck his wife with steel toed boots, hit her in the face multiple times and dragged her by her hair.  He was charged with strangulation, simple assault, recklessly endangering and harassment and was jailed in lieu of $35,000 bail.

NEW LIFE FOR ELM PARK?

According to this morning’s Williamsport Sun Gazette, the City of Williamsport has a draft sales agreement with the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce to sell the long time city owned Elm Park Complex. Chamber officials say plans are to create a $6 million dollar sports complex consisting of five artificial fields for college, high school and tournament softball and baseball games.  It’s hoped that the complex can be opened by next year.  The sale still has to be finalized.

STORM DAMAGE IN OUR REGION

Storm damage in Lycoming County yesterday morning was not as widespread as in other counties but there were still trees knocked down, properties damaged and power knocked out by the high winds.  Old Lycoming Township was hard hit, especially in the Bottle Run area where one farm house and barn were damaged with outbuildings blown down and destroyed.  There was also damage reported to at least one home in Loyalsock Township.  Damage in Sullivan County was more extensive, especially in Dushore where homes and businesses were damaged and at least one church also suffered damage there.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO BEATING

The mystery continues in Selinsgrove into how and why a woman from New Jersey was severely beaten, suffering serious injuries after getting a flat tire near the Susquehanna University campus.  Investigators say the 46 year old woman is physically and mentally unable to help in the investigation. She was found along Industrial Park Road around 7am on April 8th this severe injuries to her face and torso.  It’s still not known she was there.  She remains at Geisinger recovering from her injuries.

DRUG CHARGES FILED

Drug charges have been filed against a Williamsport man after he was arrested for attempting to sell crack cocaine earlier this month.  City police say 25 year old Rasheed Brown attempted to sell 11.2 grams of the drug in the 500 block of West Edwin Street on April 5th.  He was charged with possession with intent to deliver and related counts, originally jailed on a probation violation and then recommitted in lieu of $75,000 bail.

MAN LOOKING TO BE RESENTENCED AFTER 24 YEARS

A 42 year old man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his friend in Milton in 1993 when he was 15 is set to undergo resentencing.  Norman Gundrum Jr. is taking advantage of the Post-Conviction relief act law and is seeking parole. He was found guilty and sentenced as an adult in 1995 and has been incarcerated ever since.  He appeared in Northumberland County Court for a status conference on Monday and is scheduled for a two day resentencing hearing in October.

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

TRANSIT FUNDING IN HOLD

The Williamsport Sun Gazette reported yesterday that things could get a little tight for River Valley Transit and bus service in our area over the next year or so.  The story reports that the transit company as well as transit companies across the state face possible budget shortages due to frozen funds that come from the state due to pending litigation by associations and organizations affiliated with truck drivers and driver. River Valley Transit could be out $300,000 dollars which will affect is Capital programs budget.

WILD WEATHER DOWNS TREES AND CAUSES PROBLEMS

Wild weather overnight caused downed trees and power lines, with scattered power outages and other issues.  Storms moved through the region in the early morning, hours.  Lycoming County was spared from major damage, but in Sullivan County, WNEP-TV 16 is reporting plenty of downed trees, damage to homes and other issues which may have been due to a possible tornado.  There are some school delays due to the weather issues. Millville schools are close.  Milton, Benton, and Midd-West Schools are on two hour delays.

BRIDGE MAINTENANCE THIS WEEK IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

Bridge maintenance activities will take place in Northumberland County this week over the next couple of days.  Today, crews will work ont eh Route 147 packer Island and Thomas Edison bridges between the city of Sunbury and the borough of Northumberland. There will be a shoulder closure from approximately 8am to 2pm.  Work tomorrow will take place on the Veterans Memorial Bridge between Sunbury and Shamokin Dam and on Wednesday on the Route 642 bridges connecting Milton and West Milton.  Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the workzone.

BOMB THREAT AT AREA SCHOOL

Students at the Ashkar Elementary School in Hughesville had their day altered on Friday due to a written bomb threat found at the school.  Students were moved to the Hughesville High School and parent informed after the threat was found and police were called in with bomb sniffing dogs to search the premises. Nothing was found and District officials say they are investigating to see who issued that threat.  School will be back in session as normal today.

ONE COUNT THROWN OUT

A felony count of attempted rape was dropped against a former Montgomery Police officer accused of sexual assault.  On Friday after reviewing testimony by the victim as well as case law following the Tuesday preliminary hearing of officer Larry Wilcox, District Judge Christian Frey dropped the charge, but still left a charge of felony attempted sexual assault and indecent assault stick.  Wilcox is accused of driving the victim home from a bar in his police cruiser on July 6th of last year, going inside with her and allegedly sexually assaulting her.

FIRE DESTROYS A MOTOR HOME, HOUSE SPARED

Fire struck near Mifflinburg in Union County yesterday morning destroying a motor home in a driveway there and threatning the home next to it. Firefighters from several companies were called out around 7:30 yesterday morning to the fir along Red Ridge Road in White Springs.  When they arrived, they found the motorhome totally involved in flames, but were able to keep it from spreading.  The owner was not identified, no damage estimate was released and the cause is under investigation.

MILL HALL WOMAN INJURED IN CRASH

A Mill Hall woman was taken to UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries suffered in a Friday morning crash in Woodward Township. The crash occurred around 7:39amas 36 year old Kathryn Kleckner was driving northbound on Route 220 just west of South Glosser Road.  Her vehicle drifted off the roadway striking a large plastic container and then across the road striking an embankment, it then went airborne, coming to rest in a cornfield. Her condition was not reported and no one else was involved.

ROAD RAGE ARREST

State police arrested a Milton man last week following a reported road rage incident in Union :County.  Police say 34 year old Brett Seibert allegedly pointed a gun at three persons in a car, including a child on Route 15 in the Winfield Area on Wednesday of last week around 7:30pm.  He was later found and will face charges in district court. No one was hurt in the incident.

RESURFACING WORK CONTINUES

Work continues this week on the I-180 resurfacing project between Cemetery Road in Fairfield Township to the Muncy Creek Bridge in Muncy Creek Township.  Shoulder closures will take place today on the I-180 westbound off and on ramps at the Route 405 interchange.  The shoulder closures will be implemented from approximately 7am to 5pm daily so a subcontractor can construct a new highway lighting system at the interchange.  Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the workzone there.

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COMMISSIONERS REVIEW GATEWAY PROJECT

The East Third Street Old City Gateway Revitalization plan is a step closer to commencing after Williamsport City Council plans to take two weeks to review a $5.3 million dollar bid proposal submitted by Glenn O. Hawbecker.  According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, the proposed contract would realign area roads and add new land to some spots near Third, Mulberry, Basin and Franklin streets.  Delta Development Group has secured grants to partially pay for the project and reported those details to City Council in front of packed chambers last night.

POLICE CONTINUE INVESTIGATING ASSAULT

Police are still trying to piece together the story of a 46 year-old New Jersey woman who was found assaulted last Monday morning near Industrial Park drive in Selinsgrove.  Police say the assault occurred sometime between Sunday night and early Monday, but can’t establish a connection between the victim to Selinsgrove or Susquehanna University.  The woman, who’s name has not been disclosed, is hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center and recovering.

DRUG BUST IN WATSONTOWN

A traffic stop resulted in several arrests in Watsontown this week.  Police report that they stopped 45 year-old Robert Reynolds of Milton for a traffic violation on Ash Street in Watsontown and took him into custody for DUI and drug possession. Twenty nine year-old Justin Young of Montandon was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from Northumberland County Court.  A K-9 unit was deployed and led police to find drugs including marijuana, heroin, opiates amphetamines and paraphernalia in the vehicle owned by 52 year-old Candace Young who was also in the car at the time.

 

LANDFILL CONTRACT DELAYED

Action on a $5.4 million dollar landfill contract has been put off so that the Lycoming County Commissioners can review it next week.  The contract bid from R and L Development Company to develop Field 12 at the landfill was reviewed recently and commissioners believe the decision is a time sensitive one since they are up against weather concerns during the potential construction.  The Field 12 landfill project has been under consideration with bond money set aside in 2017. The next Council meeting is set for 10am next Tuesday in Executive Plaza.

 

FILTHY HOME LEADS TO CHILD ENDANGERMENT ARREST

A Buffalo Township woman has been arrested for child endangerment and other charges after the Union County District Attorney’s Office declared the home where Forty-seven year old Lori Ann Grochala resides with three juveniles unfit for human habitation in March of this year.  Police say the extreme amounts of animal feces, filth-damaged floors and animal waste-covered walls required the involvement of law enforcement at Grochala’s home.  At least four dogs and eight cats were removed from the property.  Grochala was released from Union County Prison yesterday after posting $15,000 bail.

DISTRACTED DRIVING INITIATIVE

Pennsylvania State Police have begun a distracted driving driver enforcement initiative and will implement a zero-tolerance policy toward violations they observe next week.  From Sunday, April 14th through Saturday, April 20th, expect police to be cracking down on texting and driving as well as other typical driving distractions they describe as Casual factors in the crashes they investigate such as talking on the phone, adjusting the radio and putting on makeup.

REPUBLICAN DEBATE COMING

The Lycoming County Republican Committee and Lycoming College will host a debate for the Republican candidates running for Lycoming County Commissioner on April 30th at Clarke Chapel beginning at 7pm.  The candidates will be asked about various topics that our county faces.  The public is invited.

CITY INTERSECTION TO CLOSE SUNDAY

A Mock-Crash scene will temporarily close the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Millionare Lane starting at 6pm this Sunday April 14th.  Williamsport students and emergency services will be filming the scene preparing for an upcoming program at Williamsport Area High School on impaired driving on April 26th.  The intersection will reopen when filming wraps Sunday evening. The public is being asked to use and alternate route.

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MONTGOMERY COUNCIL CAUTIONED

Talk during last night’s Montgomery Borough Council meeting centered on a proposed chemical storage facility that a California Company wants to put within the borough limits.  Coastal Chemicals of Los Angeles would like to put in a facility on Miller Avenue which would house ten tanks of chemicals. Emergency officials in Montgomery warned council of potential issues which could put the town in danger in case of a leak or explosion.  Council voted to have their solicitor send a letter to the state DEP which under regulation would hold a public hearing in which both remedial and mitigation plans could be requested.

MAN CHARGED WITH MORE THAN 100 COUNTS

A Muncy Valley man faces charges stemming from an investigation in which he was found to allegedly have been engaging in sexual relations with two girls under the age of 12 over a four year period.  69 year old John Irwin Sr. is believed to have engaged in the  sexual acts with the victims at multiple locations in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties between January of 2014 and September of 2017.  Irwin faces more than 100 counts, and was arraigned on Monday and released after posting $100,000 bail.

WOMAN FOUND BEHIND WHEEL OF STOLEN VEHICLE

A Muncy area woman faces charges after being found behind the wheel of a stolen truck on Tuesday morning.  Police believe 29 year old Tiffany Fox, also known as Tiffany Holencik was under the influence of meth when she took a truck from the grounds of Muncy Homes along Route 442 late on Monday night. She was found behind the wheel of that vehicle not far from the business on Tuesday morning around 7:30 and taken into custody. She was jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.

COUNCIL MEETS TONIGHT

Williamsport City Council has a number of items on their agenda tonight as they meet at City Hall.  Amongst those items is a review of the $5.2 million dollar construction project on the East Third Street/Old City Gateway project. It’s hope improvements there can spur further  development in that part of the city.  Council will also review results of a citywide cleanup project, discuss applying for a grant of $250,00 for a children’s playground at Memorial Park, as well as other business.

POSSIBLE TAX INCREASE IN LOYALSOCK DISTRICT

There is a possibility that Loyalsock Township School District property owners could see an increase on their tax bills next year. The school board yesterday voted to approve a tentative budget of close to $23.7 million dollars which would contain a .25 mills tax increase, which would mean an extra $25 dollars on a tax bill of property worth $100,000 dollars.  Officials point to increases for the 2019-2020 school year in several categories.  The district has until June 30th to pass a final budget and say adjustments could still be made.

STATE SENATE TAKES UP LEGISLATION

As expected the State House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation which would give now-adult victims of child sexual abuse another chance to sue their perpetrators or institutions that may have covered it up. The legislation relaxes criminal and civil limitations and would amend the state constitution to create a two-year window for victims to file civil lawsuits.  The State Senate yesterday took up their own version of the legislation which was voted down there last year.

MAN FACES CHARGES AFTER FALSELY REPORTING BURGLARY

Charges of theft by deception and false reports have been filed against a man for falsely reporting a burglary in Northumberland County last month.; On March 20th, 60 year old David Reynolds called police and told them that money had been stolen from Buzz’s Pizza and Subs on East 8th Street in Watsontown.  Following an investigation it was found that Reynolds instead had used the money and wanted to cover up the missing cash and no burglary had occurred.

SPANIER TO BEGIN SERVING SENTENCE

It looks like the fight by the former Penn State University President to stay out of jail is over.  Graham Spanier who in 2017 was convicted of child endangerment for his handling about a complaint about former Penn State Assistant Football Coach Jerry Sandusky over sexual abuse of children has been ordered to begin serving his two month Prison sentence on May 1st.  He will serve that sentence in Central PA.  Sandusky meanwhile is awaiting re-sentencing.  He is currently serving a 30 to 60 year sentence in state prison

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Tomorrow morning, the two candidates in the special election for the 12th congressional district seat vacated by Tom Marino will be on hand in Lewisburg for a meet the candidates forum put on by Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.  The session will take place at the Country Cupboard Restaurant at 101 Hafer Road in Lewisburg from 7:30 to 9am.  Republican Fred Keller, and Democrat Marc Friedenberg will participate in a moderated discussion.  To register for the event go online at www.gsvcc.org.

 

Backyard Broadcasting Local News

LYCOMING COUNTY FOREST FIRE

A forest fire burned about 15 acres in Northern Lycoming County yesterday.  Firefighters from several companies as well as from the Bureau of Forestry were called out around 2pm to the fire along Route 414 in Brown Township and found the fire burning up some acreage there. It took about five hours to bring that fire under control and extinguish it by about 90%.  No buildings were impacted.  No one was injured and a cause was not reported.

AN EXTRA DAY FOR THE DEER SEASON

The Pennsylvania rifle deer season will begin earlier this year.  Yesterday, the PA game commission voted to begin the deer season on the Saturday following Thanksgiving instead of the following Monday which it has been that way for years.  One of the motivating factors, according to game officials is that hunters who have to work or have to attend school or college will be able to go out on the first day.  The decision will allow hunters to use three Saturday’s in order to go deer hunting.  There is no Sunday hunting.  The decision is getting a mixed reaction from hunters.

ROUTE 44 PROJECT HAS BEGUN

An embankment repair project has started back up on Route 44 about a mile south of Waterville in Cummings Township, Lycoming County.  A contractor is performing drainage work and paving during the daylight hours and flagpersons will be controlling the flow of traffic there.  Penn DOT reports that the $1.5 million dollar project should be completed by late May and motorists should be alert and dive with caution through the work zone.

SNYDER COUNTY MAN HELD FOR RAPE

A Mt. Pleasant Mills man is jailed in lieu of $100,00 bail, after being charged with the rape of a 17 year old girl in Snyder County.  49 year old Duane Inch faces charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault and several other counts stemming from the incidents which took place at an undisclosed place between January and March of this year.  The girl reported Inch on March 29th.  He is in Snyder County jail and faces a preliminary hearing.

WOMAN FOUND BEATEN IN SELINSGROVE

A New Jersey woman was found severely beaten in Selinsgrove on Monday morning and police there are investigating.  The woman reportedly arrived in Selinsgrove around 1:30 on Sunday afternoon and after getting a flat tire, walked across the Susquehanna University campus.  She was found around 7:15 on Monday morning with severe injuries to her face and torso and was taken to Geisinger Medical Center.  It’s believed she may have suffered the injuries in the area of Industrial Park Road and police are asking anyone with information to give them a call.

PRELIMINARY HEARING HELD

An area police officer, accused of sexual assault had his preliminary hearing in Lycoming County yesterday in front of District Judge Christian Frey.  The victim in the case testified yesterday in the hearing for 69 year old Larry Wilcox, who it’s alleged took the woman home from a bar in Montgomery while on duty as a Montgomery cop last July and then allegedly sexually assaulted her.  Frey who was stepping in for district judge Jon Kemp who recused himself dropped one charge of aggravated indecent assault and has reserved his decision on three other criminal counts.

FUEL SPILL CLEAN UP POSTPONED

That fuel spill clean up which was to get underway and last through tomorrow on Route 15 Northbound at River road in East Buffalo Township has been postponed. The work will now take place next week on Tuesday and Wednesday between the hours of 7am and 7pkm.  Traffic will be reduced to a single lane during work hours and there will be full intermittent traffic stoppages.

NO BAIL FOR SUSPECTED DRUG DEALER

During a preliminary hearing on Monday for a suspected city drug, dealer, District Judge Gary Whiteman decided to hold the man on all charges, and also to  hold the man without bail, even after his defense attorney asked that the $100,000 bail be lowered.  26 year old Savoy Jennings is accused of selling heroin to an undercover officer or confidential informant on two separate occasions this year.  After reading notes written by another district judge who was on duty during Jennings arraignment, Whiteman made his decision to hold the man with no bail.

PLAYGROUND PLANS REVIEWED

Officials in the city of Williamsport are trying to move forward with the construction of an accessible playground at Memorial Park in the City of Williamsport.  The City Council finance and public works committees reviewed plans for the estimated $360,000 dollar playground and was asked to consider submission of a $250,000 state grant to help pay for it. Recreation officials believe the grant along with possible Community Development Block Grant funding and a private donation could pay for the playground.  The committees stopped short of recommending the project to the full council.

“CI” HONORED

A local educator and coach was honored for his achievements on the floor of the State Senate in Harrisburg yesterday.  Ron “CI” Insinger who has taught and coached at Loyalsock High School since 1974 was honored yesterday.  Insinger became the first coach in Pennsylvania history to amass 1,000 career high school victories in a win over Hughesville earlier this year.  Insinger is a member of the Lycomign County Sports Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Basketball Hall of Fame.

Backyard Broadcasting Morning News

NEW PLACE CHOSEN FOR BASKETBALL COURTS

It looks like a city man who plays for the NBA now has a new location to place his basketball courts.  Alize Johnson who is with the NBA Indiana Pacers and who has created his own charitable organization, had expressed interest in a building NBA style basketball courts at Memorial Park in the City but decided against that.  A report in this morning’s Williamsport Sun Gazette now says he has decided to spend up to $150,000 dollars of his own money to build the courts outside of Firetree Place along Memorial Avenue in the city.

WILLIAMSPORT MAN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE

A 30 year old Williamsport man was arrested yesterday and charged with a traffic death in Union County which occurred in 2018.  30 year old Aaron Morrison was behind the wheel of a vehicle in January of last year on Route 15 in White Deer Township which slammed into the rear of another vehicle driven by Stephen Kent of Coal Township.  The car burst into flames, killing Kent’s wife, Diane and seriously injuring Kent.  Morrison faces charges of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault and several other counts.  He was jailed in lieu of $15,000 bail.

SLOW GOING ON ROUTE 15 TOMORROW AND THURSDAY

Traffic on Route 15 northbound in Union County will see a slowdown tomorrow and Thursday weather permitting.  A diesel fuel spill clean up will take place on 15 northbound at River Road in East Buffalo Township. The work will be performed from 7am to 7pm both days with the roadway reduced to a single lane and intermittent traffic stoppages.  Delays are expected and motorists should be alert and wach for stopped or slow-moving vehicles.

WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN TRAFFIC DEATH

A guilty plea in Union County Court yesterday for a Bloomsburg woman who was behind the wheel of a vehicle which slammed into a tree in Union County in October of last year, killing her passenger.  Police say 38 year old Sabrina Gearhart was under the influence of alcohol and also had marijuana and cocaine in her system when her vehicle went off of W.H. Troup Road in Buffalo Township, slamming into the tree and killing Blake Baver of Sunbury.  Gearhart entered a guilty plea to homicide by vehicle and DUI with other charges dropped. She faces up to 27 months in prison.

MUNCY MAN ARRESTED IN HUGHESVILLE

Hughesville police have arrested a man they say resisted arrested and tried to run from them following an incident over the weekend.  Police were called out when 27 year old Matt Bixler of Muncy got into a conflict with someone on Saturday, and kicked out the window of a vehicle. When they tried to take him into custody, he ran from them.  He was taken into custody, charges with resisting arrest, flight to avoid apprehension, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. He was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail.

WOMAN CHARGED IN MILTON

Police in Milton have now charged the mother of two teen girls who were used to see drugs there.  Paggie Neiman faces charges of child endangerment, corruption of minors, possession with intent to deliver and related counts.  It’s believed she allowed her daughters, 13 and 15 to help her boyfriend, Craig Lytle sell marijuana in the Milton area.  Lytle was arrested over the weekend.  Neimann will be in Northumberland County Court this week to answer to the charges.

SNYDER COUNTY FIRE

Two are homeless following a Sunday night fire in Snyder County. The fire struck in a trailer home along White Block Studio Road in Penn Township.. It’s believed the fire started in a furnace and spread underneath the trailer.  It was contained to the rear of the trailer, but not before it caused $30,000 dollars in damage.  Firefighters from several companies were called to the scene.  No one was injured and firefighters were on the scene for approximately two hours.

WOMAN TRIED RUNNING OVER EX-FIANCE’

An incident in Berwick over the weekend resulted in a woman there being jailed in Columbia County Prison.  Police there say 40 year old Sharon Blaylock tried to run her vehicle into her on-again, off-again boyfriend and ex-fiance’ outside Bob’s Sub Shop in Hazleton around 6:45 on Sunday evening.  She missed him but crashed into the sub shot itself.  She is charges with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related counts.

MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULT IN CLINTON COUNTY

A Lock Haven area man was jailed this week following an incident in which he allegedly assaulted his wife at their Woodward Township home in Clinton County. The incident happened as 47 year old Rodney Swope of Mackey Avenue got into an altercation with the woman at a residence on Queen’s Run Road.  Swope allegedly threatened to kill the woman and then struck her in the head and face, knocking out teeth. He has been charged with simple assult and terroristic threats and is incarcerated in the Clinton County Correctional facility.

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