BARN DESTROYED BY FIRE IN UNION COUNTY

Fire struck a barn in Union County early yesterday morning destroying it. The fire broke out around 12:30am at the barn along Polly Pine Road in Hartley Township at Millmont.  Several fire companies from Union County were called to the scene to fight the blaze which took several hours to put out.  It’s not believed anyone was injured, and the owner of the barn was not named. A damage estimate has not been released the cause of that Union County fire is under investigation.

MORE CHARGES FILED AGAINST COUPLE

Already accused of breaking into two businesses back in Mid-January, a man from Milwaukee Wisconsin and a woman from Jersey Shore have now been charged with breaking into a home in Linden as well.  43 year old Charles Buday and 30 year old Rachel Hamilton had already been accused of stealing items from Lewis Veterinary Clinic in Linden and the Gamble Farm Inn in Jersey Shore, and now face charges for breaking into a home along Antlers Lane owned by Deborah Steppe and taking several pieces of jewelry then trying to get money for them at a local pawn shop. They face charges of burglary as well as other counts.

TRAFFIC SWITCH AT UNDERPASS PROJECT

Traffic heading southbound on Route 11 at the railroad underpass in Northumberland will encounter a change at the construction site there. On Saturday, the contractor for the work there switched traffic from the left lane to the right lane.  The work continues to reconstruct the road under the bridge as part of the Duke Street Reconstruction Project.  The Route 11 northbound detour remains in effect.  Duke Street will remain open to car traffic.  Duke Street will remain open to car traffic until the multi-year reconstruction project resumes this spring.

FOUR HOMELESS

A couple along with their two grandsons are homeless following that Friday morning fire near Exchange in Montour County.  That fire broke out in the farmhouse owned by Michael and Patricia Hans along Foggy Mountain Road quickly spreading through the home.  Everyone was able to make it out okay, though a friend staying there had to jump from a porch roof.  One firefighter suffered a broken leg after falling on the ice while fighting that blaze. A damage estimate has not been released and the cause of that Montour County Fire is under investigation.

THIRD DEGREE MURDER CHARGES FILED

Charges of third degree homicide as well as other related counts have been filed against a Shenandoah man after a several month investigation into a crash which killed a woman, also from Shenandoah in Northumberland County.  Kaylee Pukiewicz was found dead inside a car along Snydertown Road near Sunbury on April 11^th after it had crashed.  A search of the area turned up 37 year old Christopher Weston who had been driving.  It’s believed that he was driving under the influence of drugs.  And he is jailed awaiting arraignment on several counts.

THOUSANDS TAKEN IN THEFT

An investigation is underway into the theft of thousands of dollars from a local business.   State police in Montoursville say that between October 10^th of last year, and January 31^st of this year, that someone somehow got the account information for the corporate Payroll office for the local McDonalds and used that information to make online transactions.  Total of loss is estimated at more than $48,000 dollars.  State police are looking for anyone with information into the thefts to give them a call at 570-368-5700.

MAN JAILED

An Old Lycoming Township man was jailed last week, accused of trying to make arrangements ot have sexual relations with a ten year old child.  61 year old Anthony Agnone reportedly made the arrangement with an uncover officer to commit the acts on Academy Street in the city last Tuesday.  He was charged by city police with criminal solicitation, sexual exploitation of children and related offenses. He was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $75,000 dollars bail.

WORKERS WANT TO LIVE OUTSIDE CITY

As the city of Williamsport looks into what is best to do in order to attract workers, a  city council ad hoc residency committee has released results of an online survey filled out by more than 100 city workers, showing that the majority of those workers don’t want to be required to live within the city.  About 42% of city workers responded to the survey with a majority of those workers feeling they didn’t want residency requirements.  Recently the residency ordinance was revoked in order for the city to hire the former police chief.  Council has been exploring that issue.

VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE SLOWDOWN

A traffic slowdown is set to go into effect on Route 61, the Veterans Memorial Bridge between Sunbury and Shamokin Dam. Tomorrow between the hours of 8am and 2pm, the right lane on Route 61 Northbound on the bridge will be closed as a crew does survey work there.   The left lane will remain open and motorists are urged to be alert and drive with caution through that workzone.

A COLD MORNING

The cold snap is here.  Temperatures are below zero across our area this morning, with wind chills even lower.  Area residents are having a tough time starting vehicles and area garages expect to be busy this morning.  In addition, you are reminded that if your pipes freeze, to not try and thaw them out with a blow torch or flame, instead with hot water and a blow dryer.  Make a check on elderly neighbors and make sure they have adequate heat sources and keep those pets inside.  All area schools are closed including Penn College, Lock Haven University and Mansfield University with the exception of Sullivan County schools still on a two hour delay this morning.

POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED RAPE

A Montgomery man, formerly with the Montgomery police department and now working part-time in Muncy and Duboistown has been charged with the attempted sexual assault of a woman.  69 year old Larry Wilcox was arrested yesterday and charged with the attempted rape of a 39 year old woman in July of 2018 at a private residence in Clinton Township.  He is charged with attempted rape, attempted sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault and was jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail.

MIDDLEBURG WOMAN DIES IN CRASH

A crash on Tuesday afternoon in Snyder County took the life of a Middleburg woman and has critically injured a Selinsgrove man.  That crash occurred just before 12:30pm on Route 522 in Middlecreek Township.  A vehicle driven by 21 year old Laurie Stoltzfus went out of control on a snow covered roadway, going into the northbound lane, striking another vehicle then sliding sideways into one driven by 25 year old Tyson Mowrey of Selinsgrove.  Stoltzfus was pronounced dead from her injures at Geisinger Medical Center.  Mowrey is in critical condition.

TWO POSSIBLE NEW HIRES IN COUNTY

Lycoming County Commissioners during their meeting today are poised to decide whether or not to hire on a new public defender.  The current public defender who has been working on an independent contractor basis is set to retire next month. The prospective new hire, who is capable of handling murder cases does is currently an assistant in the officer and does not want to work independently.  County Commissioners also are looking at hiring a new bail release officer for the county prison.

MAN IN CRITICAL CONDITION

A Coal Township man is in critical condition after striking a truck with a snowplow on the front head on on Tuesday evening.  The crash occurred around 6:30pm as 55 year old James Wehr lost control of his vehicle on State Route 61 in Shamokin Township, going over the center line and striking that pick up truck with a plow on the front driven by Donald Wolfgang of Kulpmont.  Wehr was trapped and had to be extricated taken onto Geisinger Medical Center.  Wolfgang was not injured.

GOVERNOR WOLF PROPOSES MINIMUM WAGE HIKE

Pennsylvania’s Governor wants to give a million or so workers in the state of Pennsylvania a raise.  Wolf yesterday proposed the increase in the state’s minimum wage to $12 dollars this year which would put it in line with the highest state minimum wages.  He also would like to eliminate the tipped wages minimum which is now set at $2.83.  Wolf says the move would provide more than $100 milllion dollars in sannual savings in state programs for the poor.  He would need approval from the Republican controlled legislature.

BONE FRAGMENTS DISCOVERED

A possible break in a Northumberland County murder case which was reopened in 2017.  It’s been revealed that bone fragments were found in the wall of a home in Milton searched back in 2017 and could be that of Barbara Miller of Sunbury who went missing back in 1989.  The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System is checking DNA and say it could be months to determine if the fragments belong to Miller.  Sunbury police say the case remains open.

COUNCIL TO DISCUSS GRANTS

Williamsport City Council meets tonight and is expected to vote on a grant agreement between the city and First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania for $150,000 which would go towards restoration of the Brandon Park Bandshell.  The full cost would be about $280,000 with other funds coming from Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $100,000 an $20,000 from the county.  They also will hold a first reading on a proposed zoning map amendment to extend the Central Business District west of Hepburn Street.

THE DEEP FREEZE IS ON THE WAY

It is going to get cold out.  Our snow will give way to a polar plunge with frigid temperatures coming from the north over the next few days.  Daytime highs could be in the single digits with overnight lows below zero. That coupled with winds of up to 25 mph will drop windchills to dangerously low levels. You are reminded if you have to go up to layer up and to cover up exposed skin.  Check on elderly neighbors to make sure they have adequate heat sources and to make sure your pets are kept inside to keep them from freezing.

WHEELAND WANTS TO GO TO WASHINGTON

A current Republican state representative has his eyes on Washington.  83^rd District State Representative Jeff Wheeland of Williamsport has announced that he intends to participate in the Republican conferee process to run in the special election in May for 12^th district congressman Tom Marino’s seat.  Wheeland noted his experience in county and state government as some of his qualifications for the job.  It is up to the State Republican committee to choose a candidate to run against one chosen by the Democratic State Committee.

STABBING IN CITY

A stabbing reported in the city of Williamsport on Sunday Night.  Police and emergency personnel were called to an apartment at 705 Hepburn Street around 8pm on Sunday and there found a man bleeding from a stab wound.  It’s not known if the man was treated at the hospital, but police say they believed he was stabbed by his girlfriend.  No charges were filed though as the victim became uncooperative with officers at the scene.  He was not identified.

TWO INJURED IN SEPARATE CRASHES

Two separate crashes in Loyalsock Township, sent a pair of people to the hospital yesterday. The first crash occurred around 11:45 and Sheridan Street and Lafayette Parkway as a car and pick up truck collided. The woman in the car was taken ot the hospital for treatment. Her name and condition not released.  It’s not known if the pick up truck driver suffered any injures.  The other crash happened later in the day along Four Mile Drive, as the driver of an SUV suffered what appeared to be a medical issued and sideswiped a vehicle then went off the roadway. That person was treated.  Their name and condition not released.

ANOTHER COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE

A Loyalsock Township resident has announced his intention to run for the Republican nomination for Lycoming County Commissioner.  30 year old Christopher Benson who works overseeing with Whole Foods Market, an Amazon-owned company says he wants to expand county revenue not through taxes but to explore tested alternative ways.  He says he would like to. improve roads and bridges and create programs to train the workforce amongst his vision for the county.

FUGITIVE FOUND IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT

A wanted man out of Centre County was taken into custody in South Williamsport yesterday morning.  The USMS Task Fugitive Task Force, Lycoming County Sheriff’s Department South Williamsport police and other law enforcement took Justin Jonson into custody in South Side.  Johnson was wanted in Centre County for a state parole violation and has other charged pending including burglary, a felon not to possess a firearm and receiving stolen property.  He will be recommitted to state prison.

OPENING DAY ON SATURDAY?

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is exploring a change in the way rifle deer season would be run.  The Commission will take a preliminary vote at their meeting today to change the opening of the season from the Monday after Thanksgiving to the Saturday after Thanksgiving instead.  It’s believe the change would help more hunters get out into the woods, as they would not have to take off work on the first day and increase interest.  If a yes vote is given today, a final vote would have to be taken in April.

WOMAN BILKED OUT OF A LOT OF MONEY

State police in Milton are investigating a dating site scam of which an Allenwood woman was bilked out of a large amount of money.  Police say between November 1^st of last year and January 17^th of this year, the 70 year old woman was speaking with an individual on a dating website and sent a large amount of money to that person.  She is believed to have been scammed out of some $163,000 dollars according to police. They say their investigation continues.

UGI WANTS TO RAISE RATES

Saying that they need the money for systems improvement, UGI Utilities has filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to increase it’s rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers effective March 29^th.  If approved, residential rates would go up 8.5% which would mean an average of about $7 more a month.  Commercial customers would see an increase of 17.4%  and industrial rates would go up by 18%.

STATE COLLEGE SHOOTINGS

Three are dead following a Central PA Shooting incident overnight.  The shootings happened in State College The incident started at the bar at P.J. Harrington’s Bar at the Ramada Inn Hotel in State College, when the as yet unidentified gunman walked in and shot three people, killing a woman and causing severe injuries to a female and male.  The man then drove away in his car crashing it and entering a home on Tussey Drive, shooting and killing the male resident there.  He then turned the gun on himself.  An investigation is underway.

FLOODED ROADWAYS

Yesterday’s rain flooded some roadways in our area causing closings.  Route 220 between Wolf Township in Lycoming County and Davidson Township in Sullivan County was shut down for a few hours yesterday.  In Northumberland County, Route 61 remains closed at the Hamilton Underpass.  Route 35 between Housels Run Road and Route 405 in West Chillisquaque Township is closed and Shakespeare Road between Route 45 and Hobbes Road in East Chillisquaque Township is also closed. It’s hoped the roads will be reopened this morning.

SPECIAL ELECTION SET

With candidates beginning to announce their intentions to run in the May 21^st primary election in order to gain nomination for many county and local offices, Voters in the U.S. 12^th congressional district which includes most of our area will have an extra incentive to go.  Governor Wolf yesterday announced that the special election to replace Congressman Tom Marino whose resignation was effective on Wednesday will take place to coincide with the May 21^st primary election.  It will be up to the Democratic and Republican committees to choose the candidates.

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE GRANTS

Despite some questions over whether or not it’s feasible to provide participants in drug treatment court as well as an upcoming veterans court program with bicycles for transportation, Lycoming County Commissioners yesterday voted yes on two grant applications totaling about $30,000 dollars to help run those two courts.  Some of the money will go towards the bikes as well as bus passes which will provide the transportation to and from the programs as well as for other necessities.  It was explained to commissioners that that was the way the grants were set up.

MARIJUANA LISTENING SESSIONS

A step in what could be the eventual legalization of marijuana in the state of Pennsylvania has been taken by the Wolf Administration.  It was announced yesterday that Lt. Governor John Fetterman will holde a series of town hall-style sessions which will be for the purpose of discussing the subject.  The Lt. Governor will hold listening sessions in each of PA’s 67 counties over the next several months and otherwide accept comments submitting online or through other means.

ACCUSED BANK ROBBER ARRESTED

A man arrested in Berwick is believed to be the person who robbed a bank there last week.  Dennis Maisey faces charges of robbery, theft, terroristic threats and other related counts and is jailed in Columbia County Prison.  He is accused of robbing a KB Dollar Store in Berwick last month and last week is suspected of walking into the Fulton Bank along South Poplar Street, saying he had a bomb and then getting away with an unreported amount of cash.

STILL LOOKING FOR FULL ROYALTIES

Landowners in the Northern Tier who have been fighting to get what they say they have been promised for leasing their land to natural gas companies got a little piece of mind last night as they vented to State Attorney General Josh Shapiro during a listening session in Towanda.  Shapiro asked the landowners for their patience and says he is hopeful they will get their money back from the companies involved.  The major problem is deductions that the companies took out of their checks.  Legislators are fighting to make sure that money is returned.

CANDIDATE ANNOUNCED FOR COUNTY D.A.

An assistant district attorney in Lycoming County now wants to head up that department.  Nicole Ippolito has announced that she will run for the District Attorney’s post in the county in the upcoming May primary.  Ippolito has worked as an assistant district attorney since 2013 and before that was in the courts in both Lycoming County and in New Jersey in various capacities.  She points to her record as being tough on crime especially to drug dealers.

WOMAN DIES FROM INJURIES IN CLINTON COUNTY CRASH

A crash in Clinton County yesterday resulted in the death of a Sunbury woman.  That crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-80 in Porter Township shortly before 11am when 49 year old Melanie Haloub lost control of her vehicle which rolled, went airborne and then came to rest at the bottom the median.  She was flown onto Geisinger Medical Center and pronounced dead from her injuries around 5:15 yesterday afternoon.  No one else was involved in that Clinton County crash.

The Lycoming County Board of elections has set dates pertaining the the circulation of petitions and casting of lots for the May 21^st primary this year.  Candidates for public office can obtain the petitions at the Office of Voter Services starting on Monday February 11^th. The firs tday to circulate petitions is Tuesday February 19^th.  The last day is Tuesday March 12^th and everything must be filed in the office by 5pm of that day.  The casting of lots will occur on Wednesday March 20^th.  For more information go online to www.lyco.org/Departments/Voter-Services.

FIVE JAILED FOLLOWING MUNCY INCIDENT

Five persons were jailed on Thursday following an incident in Muncy.  Police there say Johnathon Taylor, Joseph Bower, Schuyler Sites, Justin Kowalchin and Sabrina Hively held Carla Ferrieria against her will in a West Water Street Apartment for more than an hour with weapons present trying to convince her to break off a relationship with one man to stay in one with Taylor.  She eventually got away.  The five face five counts each and were jailed in lieu of $35,000 bail.

DISTRICT TO HOLD SCHOOL CLOSING HEARINGS

The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports that the Jersey Shore Area School District is currently advertising hearings for next month which will center on the closing of either or both the Salladsburg and Avis Elementary Schools. The District tried to the schools last year to save money, but that was shot down.  The hearings would just be the first step, and if the district decided to close the schools, they would have to wait until the 2020-2021 school year due to the time frame needed to get everything done.

EVERETT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS

84^th district State Representative Garth Everett announced yesterday that he has been assigned to serve on two committee in Harrisburg for the current legislative session.  Everett, from Muncy will chair the State Government Committee, saying he is committed to doing all he can to make state government as transparent and efficient as possible.  He also will continue to serve on the Game and Fisheries Committee saying he is proud to be a consistent advocate for the many conservationists, fishing and boating enthusiasts, and land owners in his district.

PHILADELPHIA MAN JAILED

A Philadelphia man who tried to hide 1.3 grams of cocaine under his tongue while being taken into custody for possessing drug paraphernalia was jailed on more serious charges.  City police arrested 40 year old Damien Washington last Wednesday at Cherry Street and Park Avenue.  He was found concealing the drugs and has been charged with possession with intent to deliver and tampering with evidence and was jailed in lieu of $175,000 bail.

CHILD ABUSE DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY

One of two defendants in a child abuse case in Bradford County has entered a guilty plea.  23 year old Jakayo Frye pleaded gujilty last week to unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of children. And recklessly endangering another person.  Frye and Shayann Hills were watching a 7 and 9 year old in Rome Pennsylvania last year and allegedly beat the children, tied them up and wouldn’t let them eat sleep or use the bathroom over a period of six days.  Frye will be sentenced in March. Hills awaits trial.

WATER ISSUES IN RALSTON

Water problems in Northern Lycoming County.  Residents in the village of Ralston are finding low water pressure following the malfunction of a water pump owned by the Ralston Area Joint Authority causing them to boil their water for usage.  The pump was fixed, but it’s also believed that there is a water main break which has not yet been found.  A water tank was dropped off at the fire hall by the Lycoming County Emergency Management Agency.  It’s not known when the water will be back on to the 113 customers affected there.