RAISE THE REGION WRAPS UP

Another successful Raise the Region event wrapped up at midnight last night.  With a fundraising effort which began at 6pm on Wednesday evening, 273 non-profit agencies from across Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Union and Snyder Counties shared in just shy of $1.5 million dollars over the 30 hours of online fundraising.  The top agencies were the non profit Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat which received a little over $72,000 dollars, The Northumberland Christian School which picked up close to $69,000 dollars and the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble Inc which picked up $50,000 dollars.  There were more than 5,200 individual donors.

BARN DESTROYED BY FIRE

Fire yesterday afternoon destroyed a barn in the Montgomery area.  The fire broke out around 4:20pm in a barn owned by the Shrimp family on Cemetery Hill road in Clinton Township bringing in firefighters from companies across three counties.  It’s believed the barn was already collapsing when firefighters arrived and they were not able to save the structure or the equipment inside. Any cattle on the farm were all reported safe and sound.  One firefighter was taken to the hospital for an unspecified reason. A damage estimate has not been released and the a state police fire marshal has been called in to investigate the cause.

COUNCIL APPROVED PARK AVENUE PLAN

Another step forward for improvement in a section of the city of Williamsport.  City Council during their meeting last night, approved a plan for improvements to the Park Avenue neighborhood which spans several blocks in the city and includes businesses, homes and low income rentals.  A consulting firm, Ingalls Planning and Design will be paid a little over $89,000 dollars to develop the plan which will include residential and commercial lots, as well as opening up the area to parks and the downtown.  Officials say it could take anywhere from a year to 15 years ot institute the plan.

COMMISSIONERS EXTEND AGREEMENT

Lycoming County Commissioners yesterday extended an agreement with the city of Williamsport which will extend the use of a remaining $177,000 dollars in grant funding from the state which will be used for a rehabilitation program for rental properties in the city’s Brodart Neighborhood.  The extension will last into June of 2020.  Officials say work there is slow due to a number of reasons.  Commissioners also discussed the fight against opioids in the county, giving State Senator Gene Yaw kudos for his recent legislation limiting opioid prescriptions.  More legislation is expected to be introduced.

SHAMOKIN MAN ARRESTED FOR CITY ASSAULT

A Shamokin man was arrested in the city of Williamsport earlier this month for an assault on his girlfriend. City police say 26 year old Basir Loyal committed the assault in the 600 block of Market Street on March the 2^nd. He allegedly struck the woman in the face fracturing her eye socket and the biting her thumb during the assault.  She has not been named and was treated at a local hospital.  Loyal is charged with aggravated and simple assault and is free on $20,000 bail.

THREE CHARGED IN MUNCY TOWNSHIP

Charges of forgery, access device fraud, identity theft and conspiracy have been filed against three young men by Muncy Township Police.  Police say the three from the Bronx New York, forged a driver’s license and credit card that one of them used at the Target Store here to buy a cell phone worth $1300 dollars on another person’s account on March 8th.  One of them is also charged with resisting arrest.  The three were arraigned and jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail each.

FORMER PRIEST IN OUR AREA CHARGED

A 75 year old former priest who served a church in Snyder County in the 1980’s has been charged with molesting two altar boys at a church in Dauphin County in the 1990’s.  75 year old John G. Allen of York has been charged with four counts of indecent assault and two counts of corruption of minors for the assaults which happened at church in Harrisburg.  He was among the priests listed in a grand jury report documenting sexual abuse in the church in August.

MAN FOUND GUILTY OF SEX CHARGES

A Sunbury man has been found guilty of seven felony sex charges involving a young girl.  41 year old James Beidler has been convicted in Northumberland County Court of the charges including rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and other counts.  He was accused of molesting a young girl from the age of five over several years.  The county’s DA’s office has asked for the minimum ten year sentence.  Sentencing will set for a later date.

YAW TO CO-CHAIR PUBLIC TV CAUCUS

23^rd State Senator Gene Yaw has announced that he will serve as co-chair for the Pennsylvania Public Television Caucus during the 2019-2020 legislative session.  The Caucus is a bi-partisan bicameral legislative committee of Senate and House legislators working ot support the state’s seven public medial stations through the development of policies, legislation and state funding.  The caucus will serve as a forum through which legislators and industry representatives can collaborate on the needs of the industry.

FORMER NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY OFFICIAL CHARGED

A former elected official in Northumberland County now faces charges for stealing from the county while in office.  Former Prothonotary Justin Dunkleberger who already faced charges from stealing from a Memorial Fund that he was administrator of, now is accused of having his office issue checks totaling $30,000 dollars to a fake company that he created over a year’s time from September of 2015 to 2016. He has been charged with four felony counts of theft as well as other charges and is free on $30,000 bail.

CHARGE FILED IN JERSEY SHORE INCIDENT

Tiadaghton Valley Regional police have charged a Jersey Shore man with aggravated and simple assault as well as harassment following that incident in Jersey Shore on Sunday in which a man suffered stab wounds to the wrist.  Police say that Matthew Bathurst and his girlfriend got involved in an argument between Zenon Herritt and his girlfriend on Sunday afternoon at an apartment house they lived in on Allegheny Street with Bathurst pulling a knife, cutting Herritt’s wrist and causing a wound which had to be treated at the hospital.  Bathurst is jailed in lieu of $50,000 dollars bail.  Herritt’s condition was not reported.

GEISINGER AND HIGHMARK TEAM UP

Geisinger and Highmark Incorporated have announced that they are teaming up for a $100 million dollar non-profit health care organization they say will work with independent physicians and community based hospitals to maintain care for patients in our region.  Officials with both organizations say the organization will use existing Geisinger Locations in Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga Counties including new facilities planned for Muncy and Lock Haven.  It’s hoped that the venture can lower the cost of care and bring services together in the Northcentral PA Region.

RAISE THE REGION TO BEGIN

It’ s time for Raise the Region in Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. The 30 hour online fundraising effort through the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania will kick off tonight with an event at the Alexander Family Dealership in Selinsgrove and last 30 hours until midnight tomorrow night.  More than 280 non-profits have signed up, and will solicit donations from area residents which will be helped out with $150,000 in stretch funds from the Blaise Alexander Dealerships as well as other prizes and incentives from area businesses and organizations.  We will have plenty more on Raise the Region over the next two days.

POSSIBLE ASSAULT

A possible assault with a knife was reported in the borough of Montoursville last night.  Montoursville police along with state police officers responded late last night to the 1000 block of Chestnut Street for that reported assault.  No other details are available. It’s not known if anyone was hurt and there is no word on if any arrests were made.  The investigation continues.

TANKER TRUCK OVERTURNS

Two Route 147 ramps were closed in the Milton Area for the bulk of the day yesterday following a gasoline tanker crash there.  The accident happened on the On-Ramp to Route 147 from Broadway around 4:40am yesterday morning as the tanker overturned.  It’s believed the driver who was not named suffered a minor injury.  Emergency Crews were dispatched to the scene and officials shut down that ramp as well as the ramp from Route 147 South to Mahoning Street while crews removed the wreckage and cleaned up at the scene.  Those ramps were closed for several hours following that crash.

CONSTABLE TO RUN FOR COMMISSIONER

Another Lycoming County resident has thrown his hat into the ring for a chance at running for Lycoming County Commissioner.  26 year old Chad Riley, a constable from Cogan House Township has announced that he will run for the Republican nomination in the May 21^st primary for a chance at running for one of three commissioners spots in the fall.  Riley has expressed his dissatisfaction at the county’s deficit and says he wants to hold county departments accountable through decreased spending.  He has also expressed concerns over the ongoing taxpayer funding of the county owned White Deer Golf Course.

DRUGS FOUND, ONE ARRESTED, ANOTHER AT LARGE

Sunbury police have arrested a woman and are looking for her boyfriend after finding drugs in a home there.  Police were called by probation officers in Sunbury to the home on South 10^th Street after Methamphetamine and Fenantyl were found in the home as they were checking on parolee April Baker.  Baker’s boyfriend, Joshua Shlieg took off and is still at large.  Baker was charged with possession with intent to manufacture meth and other related charges and was jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail. Two children were also found inside the home.

MAN WANTED FOR STABBING IN BERWICK

A man continues to recover from his injuries stemming from a stabbing in Berwick in Columbia County on Friday night, and police continue to look for his assailant.  Xavier Class and Bryan Arriaga-Soto got into a fight outside J.J. Bar on West Second Street in Berwick late on Friday night, when Soto pulled a knife and allegedly stabbed Class 8 times.  Class was still in critical condition, but his condition has improved.  Soto ran to a friend’s house, and washed up before going on the run.  He faces counts of attempted homicide and other charges when found.

MILL HALL MAN DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY VEHICLE

No charges will be filed against a truck driver who struck a Mill Hall man on Route 220 in Clinton County on Sunday night.  State police say that 26 year old Dylan Hess was in the roadway near Mill Hall just before 11pm when he was struck by a Mack Truck driven by 45 year old Christopher Long of Chandlersville Ohio.  Long stopped immediately following the accident.  Long was first taken to UPMC Lock Haven Hospital then flown onto a hospital in Allentown where he later succumbed form his injuries.

IMPAIRED DRIVING CAMPAIGN EVENT

PennDOT officials and other safety partners, as well as local law enforcement met in Lewisburg yesterday to highlight the importance of designated driving as part of the statewide Saint Patrick’s Day Impaired-driving campaign.  As part of the event, participants will distribute safe driving reminders on take-out items through Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day. The educational outreach looks to reduce impaired-driving crashes and fatalities.  Drivers can also download he free SaferRide app on their Android and Apple Devices from the Google Play or ITunes store.

PERSON STRUCK BY VEHICLE IN CITY

Williamsport police are investigating a pedestrian accident which occurred yesterday morning.   An unidentified person was crossing at West Third and Pine Streets yesterday just before 11am when they were struck by a vehicle there.  Crews were on the scene for a little over a half and hour and it’s believed that person was taken to the hospital for treatment, though their condition was not released. The driver of the vehicle was not identified and it’s not known if any charges have been filed.

REINSTATEMENT UPHELD

The State Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal, upholding a Commonwealth Court decision, allowing a fired Lock Haven University Professor to be reinstated.  Professor Charles Morgan had been fired in 2016 after it was found that he had committed a sexual assault on two children in Kentucky in 1989 when he was 19.  Morgan did not have to reveal that conviction when he was hired at the school in 2004, and the court agreed with an arbitrator that his youthful criminal acts had not followed him into middle age.  A civil rights lawsuit against the school and the state department of education filed by Morgan remains active.

NO TAX INCREASE PRELMINARY BUDGET PASSED

As it stands right now, it looks like property owners in the Jersey Shore School District will not have to pay higher taxes next year.  The School board there last night said yes to a preliminary budget for the 2019-2020 school year of almost $43 million dollars which does not contain a tax increase.  The district had been facing budgetary problems the past few years but district officials say this budget is balanced, though final numbers such as state allocations will not be known for a few months and there may have to be some adjustment.

LEGISLATION TO HELP FUND NUCLEAR POWER

As the deadline for the eventual shutdown of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Middletown nears, one state legislator wants to help it and other financially struggling power plants in the state survive.  Representative Thomas Mahaffie of Dauphin County has introduced legislation which would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into nuclear power plants, giving those plants preferential treatment, akin to a law passed in 2004, providing money for solar power, wind power and a few other niche energy sources.

MIRABITO ANNOUNCES BID FOR ANOTHER TERM

Lycoming County Democratic Commissioner Rick Mirabito has decided to seek a second term. Saying he wants to focus on the structural deficit the county faces, by eliminating county positions as they come open either through retirement or attrition, Mirabito has announced that he will run for the democratic nomination in the May 21^st primary to run in the fall for his second term.  Before being elected in 2016, Mirabito was a two term State Representative.

PUTTING HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH IS

An NBA basketball player from Williamsport who has promise that his success will lead to philanthropy in his hometown has announced his next project.  Through a spokesperson yesterday, Indiana Pacers rookie Alize Johnson said he wants to seal a memorandum of understanding with the city of Williamsport to create two NBA quality courts, preferably at Memorial Park where he learned to play basketball.  Johnson to donate $150,000 dollars for the construction.

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER ON TROOPER

A 27 year old Hughesville man faces over 20 counts including attempted homicide following a struggle with a state trooper yesterday.  After investigating a burglary in which Brandon Confer was allegedly involved at his mother’s house, Trooper Johnathon Buynak was dispatched to McDonalds on Route 405 around 11am, in which he found Confer and got into a struggle with the man.  Confer got a hold of the trooper’s taser and used it on trooper Buynak then allegedly pulled a knife. He was taken into custody at a home across the street.  He has been arraigned and jailed without bail and the trooper was treated at the hospital for injuries suffered in the incident.

COMPANY MAY HAVE TO SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS

Due to a decision by Lycoming County Commissioners to allow it;’s contracted Prison re-entry company to accept prisoners from state prison, a local company which also deals with re-entry services has said they may have to close.  A letter from Firetree Ltd, says they would have ot close up their services on April 1^st, if the county does not rescind it’s decision to allow the state prisoners to use the GEO group.  Firetree Ltd., says the number of re-entry clients from state prison needs to be in the area of 20 to 25 to stay in business, but has averaged in the low teens since GEO’s contract with the county went into effect.

COLLEGE’S TO HELP WITH MARKETING

One thing to come out of a recent meeting with an ad-hoc committee looking into new employees to work and live in the city of Williamsport is a promise of help from the city’s two college’s.  A story in this morning’s Williamsport Sun Gazette says that the Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College have offered their assistance as partners in a marketing effort to retain and attract new employees.  The city is not only looking to attract more business and workers, but also would like to have it’s workers live within the city they work in.

BUDGET HEARINGS WRAP UP

The Pennsylvania State House Appropriations Committee wrapped up budget hearings this week, on the Governor’s proposed 2019-2020 spending plan and according to it’s chairman, many questions remain unanswered.  Chairman Stan Saylor of York County says that the governor’s proposal contains a lack of details and says those details are important for legislators to truly evaluate the governor’s proposals.  He said during the hearings that many questions that the committee had of various department heads went unanswered.  The legislature needs to pass a budget by June 30^th.

COMPANY PURCHASED

A local company which does a lot of bridge work for the state, has been purchased by a company out of Minersville Pennsylvania.  It’s been announced that Quandel Inc. has purchased Susquehanna Supply Company.  Officials with the company say their plan is to hire skilled workers to rehabilitate bridges and reconstruct highways.  Company officials say they plan on relocating operations outside of the current Wiliamsport facility but will stay within Lycoming County.  Officials say the purchase will allow for the completion of needed bridge projects which previously could not be done due to limited state funding.

EVERETT WANTS MORE ALLOCATION FOR LOCAL SCHOOL

A state representative from our area wants to see more funding come from the state for a local college.  A story in this morning’s Williamsport Sun Gazette says that Representative Garth Everett who is on the Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors would like to see the state’s appropriation for the school which shows a job placement of 95% for it’s graduates, rise from the current $4,635 dollars per student it currently receives.  Everett points to a much higher appropriation for schools such as Lock Haven and Mansfield Universities as well as the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster.

VEHICLE INTO STRUCTURE

Emergency Personnel were called out yesterday for reports of a Tractor Trailer into a building near the Lycoming Mall.  The call came in shortly past 5pm, for reports of a tractor trailer which was into the Best Buy Building along Lycoming Mall Circle with unknown injuries.  Crews were only on the scene for a few minutes.  No one was injured and very little service was required following that incident.

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER COCAINE FOUND IN CHILD’S SYSTEM

An arrest last month of a Williamsport woman on several charges has been revealed following an investigation in which high levels of cocaine were found in her infant daughter.  Police raided the home of 33 year old Maria Sweeting in the city a day after her 1 month old daughter was taken to the hospital with injuries, transferred to Geisinger Medical Center, and found with high levels of cocaine in her system.  Officers raided Sweeting’s Brandon Avenue Home and found a safe with 58 grams of drugs as well as a stolen handgun.  She faces a number of counts, was charged on Friday and was originally jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail, since released.

MAN STRUCK BY VEHICLE, IDENTIFIED

The identity of a man who was struck by a vehicle in the city of Williamsport on Saturday night has been revealed.  Officials say it was 61 year old Mark Carlisle who stepped out in front of a vehicle driven by Eugene Caudell of Williamsport  at East Seventh and penn Streets around 9pm on Sunday night.  The city man was taken to UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center where he is recovering from his injuries though his condition has not been released.  It’s not believed any charges have been filed.

RURAL HEALTH CARE PLAN

Residents in rural areas including those who seek help at the Geisinger Jersey Shore facility will see new ways in healthcare is administered thanks to a new state initiative. It’s been announced that the hospital in Jersey Shore will be one of five across the state to participate in the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model  The program will provide the hospital with stable funding while transitioning away from a traditional fee for service reimbursement model.  Officials say the program will allow the hospitals to focus more on the needs of their patients and communities.,  It also emphasizes closer relationships with community organizations to address social issues impacting patient care.

POSSIBLE SCHOOL CLOSING

Another area school district may be closing one of it’s elementary schools.  Officials in the Milton Area School District presented a plan for  the closing of the Montandon Elementary School to the board last night.  Declining enrollment there is being blamed on the possibility of the school’s closing.  The students would be transferred to another elementary school in the district which has close to four times the number of students.   School officials in Milton say the earliest they could make a decision on the school closing would be 90 days from now.

PRISON INMATE FACES CHARGES

A Northumberland County prison faces multiple charges following an attack on a prison staffer there.  The County DA’s office has announced the arrest of inmate David Klinger Jr. who they say attacked a prison records officer causing injuries to the man’s face, neck and leg.  It took other staffers to pull Klinger off of the man, and at least two other staff members suffered injuries in the attack.  Klinger faces three felony counts of aggravated assault as well as several other misdemeanor charges including simple assault and strangulation.

MAN JAILED AFTER MAKING THREATS

A Watsontown man was jailed last week after making threats there.  Police there say that on February 28^th, 54 year old Kevin Houser started making threats that he had to kill people, while labeling himself as a guardian angel and former military sniper.  Houser, also reportedly said he was going to avenge the action of others.  He was arrested and arraigned on charges of making terroristic threats as well as harassment and was jailed in Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

REAL ID AVAIALBLE

PennDOT has announced that Real ID compliant driver’s licences and photo ID cards are now available for  Pennsylvania residents who want one.  After October 1^st of next year, the federally-accepted form of identification will be required to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door.  State officials say that currently there is no requirement that any resident obtain a Real ID and that they will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo ID’s.  The Williamsport driver’s license center is currently equipped to allow for over-the-counter issuance of Real ID.

NCCS ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

North Central Sight Services in Williamsport has announced the appointment of their new president.  Current President Robert Garrett is retiring as of June 30^th of this year, and after an in-depth national search, the organization has chosen Brian Patchett as it’s new president.  Patchess was most recently CEO of Easter Seals Nevada for 15 years and will join NCCS in April. NCCS officials say Patchett is a proven leader with excellent leadership skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together.

MORE ROAD CLOSURES

The Duke Street Reconstruction project in the borough of Northumberland is back in full swing, and Penn DOT reports that several streets are closed at Front Street due to the work there.  Prince Street at Front Street was closed on Friday and yesterday, Hanover Street and North Avenue were closed.  Those closures are expected to remain in effect until the end of June and Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.  Excavation also continues on the northbound lane of Route 11 from the railroad underpass toward King Street and a detour is in effect there.