GUNSHOT VICTIM RECOVERS

An unidentified city man was dropped off at the UPMC Susquehanna ER around 10 pm Wednesday night with injuries he allegedly received in a shooting, according to police.  Investigators have not released any details about the incident, but are checking a few blocks southwest of the hospital for ballistics evidence.  The victim, who is in his 20s, underwent emergency surgery and is recovering from gunshot wounds.  Police say they impounded a car that pulled up to the hospital after the victim arrived because it may be involved in the case.

BIG BROTHER VOLUNTEER CHARGED WITH SEX CRIMES

A Loyalsock Township man has been charged with repeatedly molesting a teenage boy he was matched with through the Big Brother/Big Sister program.  Thirty year-old Logan Lewis of Williamsport was charged with a total of 13 felony and misdemeanor sex abuse counts after police allege he showed pornography and committed inappropriate acts with the local teenager. Geisinger’s Child Advocacy Center in Sunbury was involved in the investigation.  Lewis was arraigned and taken to the Lycoming County Prison under $100 thousand dollars bail.

COMMISSIONERS CONSIDER LOAN FOR WATER LINE

Lycoming County commissioners may loan money to the West Branch Regional Authority to speed up completion of the water line infrastructure at the former West Pharmaceuticals plant in Montgomery.  There is a potential buyer for the property and the authority is waiting on grant funding to finish the water lines.  The commissioners are planning to talk more in-depth about the loan during next week’s meeting Tuesday April 30^th at 10am.

PUBLIC OPINION SOUGHT ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman is coming to Clinton County this weekend to gather input from Pennsylvanians about the possibility of legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.  Fetterman will hold the public event Saturday at 11am at the Sloan Theater, 401 North Fairview St. on the campus of Lock Haven University..  The Lt. Governor’s listening tour will take him to all 67 counties in PA as he invites residents to share their views and concerns about legalization.  The public is invited.  The listening tour will also stop Wednesday, May 1^st at Penn College’s Klump Academic Center at 6pm.

FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH

Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that happened on Green Ridge Road in West Buffalo Township around 9pm last night.  State troopers say 21 year-old Hunter Karchner from Mifflinburg was on a motorcycle and collided with a vehicle driven by 33 year-old Shane Murray.  No word if Murray sustained any injuries in the crash.  The accident is still under investigation.

GAS TAXES FOR POLICE SALARIES, NOT BRIDGE REPAIR

According to PA’s Auditor General, Eugene DePasquale, there have been over 4 billion dollars in transfers of gas tax money from the state’s road and bridge work fund to cover the cost of state police patrols since the 2012-13 fiscal year.  DePasquale says his new audit of PennDOT shows that the state could addressed a growing list of rough highways and almost 3 thousand structurally deficient bridges with those funds instead of paying state police.  Under the State Constitution, proceeds from the Motor License Fund are to be used solely for maintenance and repair of highways and bridges.  PennDOT has scheduled contracts through the end of 2019 to address over 15-hundred poor-condition bridges.

MULTIPLE VEHICLE CRASH IN RIVERSIDE

The intersection of Boyd Station Rd. and Route 54 in Riverside was closed for about an hour Tuesday afternoon after a 3 vehicle crash caused multiple injuries.  State police say 53 year old Linda Duell was driving toward Elysburg and attempted to turn when she was hit by 28 year-old Christina Rebuck.  Duell and Rebuck were treated and released from Geisinger, but two passengers, 34 year-old Arvin Shicora Jr and 21 year-old Nathan Duell are still hospitalized.  Passengers in the third  vehicle, including a 2 year old child were not injured.

DUI CONVICTION FOR MAN WHO HIT A BUILDING

A 53 year old Old Lycoming Township man was charged with DUI and other charges resulting from an October 2018 incident where he first rear-ended a van along the 3700 block of Lycoming Creek Road and then plowed into the front of the Allison Crane and Rigging building at 2817 Lycoming Creek Road.  Police say David Smith had a blood-alcohol content of 0.22 and was driving with a suspended license from a previous DUI conviction when he was injured in the crash.    Smith was released on 15-hundred dollars bail.

WOMAN INJURED IN CITY CRASH

A crash in the city of Williamsport yesterday resulted in an injury to an unidentified woman. The crash occurred at noon on Campbell Street near High Street as a vehicle driven by a male who has not been identified crashed into a utility pole.  His female passenger was transported to UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center for treatment of unspecified injuries.  Her condition was not released. The crash remains under investigation.

PROJECTS GET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Williamsport City Council’s Public Works Committee has sent recommendations on two projects onto city council for their consideration tomorrow night.  They recommended that council say yes to work at city hall on an amended basis which would repair the elevator there to bring it up to standards.  That would be followed by work on a  new handicapped accessible ramp and security upgrades.  They also recommended council approve work at BB&T Ballpark at Bowman Field which would include an expanded media box, and expanded umpire rooms and upgrades to the visitor’s locker room.

FUEL CLEAN UP TODAY

Work continues today on a diesel fuel spill clean up on Route 15 in Union County.  The clean up is occurring in the Northbound lanes at River Road and will take place from 7am through 7pm.  Route 15 northbound in that area will be down to a single lane during the work. There will also be intermittent full traffic stoppages.  Delays are expected and motorists should be alert and watch for stopped or slow-moving vehicles.

REASSESSMENT BROUGHT UP DURING MEETING

The subject of a property tax reassessment project came up again yesterday at the Lycoming County Commissioners Meeting.  In the wake of appeals by both Sam’s Club and Lowes, which if approved would mean a loss of almost $4 million dollars, Commsioners are in agreement that it’s time for a reassessment which hasn’t; happened in the county in years.  They say the county currently is assessing properties on the value of a dollar in 2004.

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT VICTIM IDENTIFIED

The Lycoming County Coroner’s office has identified the victim of that industrial accident in Eastern Lycoming County on Monday.  35 year old Jill Greninger of Williamsport was working at an Industrial Meat Grinder at the Economy Locker Storage Company in Pennsdale around 11:40 on Monday when for an unknown reason she either fell in or was pulled in.  She was discovered by another employee and pronounced dead at the scene. That accident in under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OLD CITY/GATEWAY PROJECT POISED TO MOVE AHEAD

If approved by Williamsport City Council tomorrow night the first phase of the Old City/Gateway Project will be getting underway soon.  Council’s finance committee recommended yesterday that council approve a $5.2 million dollar contract which will mean work on Franklin and Basin Street’s as well as streetscape within that area.  The committee also recommended that council take a look at a plan for a park at East Third and Mulberry Streets which will contain historical aspects of that area in the city.

JERSEY SHORE AREA MAN CHARGED

A Jersey Shore area man was arrested by State Police over the weekend after assaulting a woman at his home.  Police say that 31 year old Gerald Rennicks and an unnamed 34 year old female were engaged in a physical altercation at a home along Harer Park Road in Mifflin Township around 6am on Sunday.  During that altercation, Rennicks allegedly grabbed the woman from behind, took her to the ground and places her in a choke hold causing her to begin to lose consciousness.  She was able to escape.  Rennicks was charged with strangulation and other counts with bail set at $15,000 bail.

TWO JAILED FOLLOWING TRAFFIC STOP

Two men were jailed earlier this month after a state police stop in Interstate 80 in Clinton County turned up cocaine and marijuana. The stop occurred on April 15^th in Lamar Township as a vehicle driven by Taj Lasane of Boalsburg was pulled over for a violation.  Officers smelled raw marijuana and after a search of the vehicle not only turned up pot, but also more than 100 grams of cocaine.  Lasane, and Matthew Horner of Dubois were charged with possession with intent to deliver and related counts and jailed in Clinton County.

HELLBENDER, OFFICIAL STATE AMPHIBIAN

As students from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation looked on, Governor Tom Wolf yesterday signed into law a bill which makes the Eastern Hellbender the first official state amphibian.  23^rd district Senator Gene Yaw who crafted the bill with help from the student organization an the Lycoming College Clean Water Institute says that the bill is not just about naming a new symbol for the state but also about fostering youth involvement in the legislative process and advocating clean water in Pennsylvania and promoting conservation programs that improve water quality for all of our species.

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 21^st 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 12^th 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.

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 84^th 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.  23^rd 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.

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 6^th 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.