HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Few other details have been released into the homicide of a city man found dead behind the Williamsport Fire Department Headquarters on Walnut Street around 6:30 on New Year’s morning.  An autopsy on 28 year old Ryan Jones was performed on Wednesday with the cause of death being ruled as a homicide.  Other media outlets are reporting Jones was stabbed though that hasn’t been confirmed, and it’s believed that the murder did not take place at the site where he was found.

COUNCIL VOTES TO EXPAND BUSINESS DISTRICT

Williamsport City Council held it’s first meeting of the New Year last night voting to accept a zoning map amendment which will expand the city’s Central Business District.  The expansion will take the district which had ended at Hepburn Street, up to Center Street and it’s hoped the decision will help a local developer to restart construction on a restaurant at Third and Hepburn Streets thanks to relaxed parking regulations.  The decision is expected to help other business owers as well in that area.

5 TO 10 YEAR SENTENCE IMPOSED

A 19 year old Selinsgrove man will spend the next 5 to 10 years in state prison for his part in two drug related armed robberies in the state as well as his role in a drug ring in and around Snyder County.  Noah Hendricks was sentenced in Snyder County Court yesterday.  He had been charged for his part in an armed robbery at Susquehanna University and the attempted armed robbery at Clarion University, pleading guilty to several charges. His arrest touched off an investigation which resulted in the arrests of 15 people as part of the drug ring there.

MILLIONS IN IMPACT FEES UPHELD

A ruling by the state Supreme Court may put Natural Gas companies across Pennsylvania on the hook for millions more dollars in impact fees.  Some 17 gas companies had challenged fees charged on stripper wells, or a well that is nearing the end of it’s life.  Drillers had wanted the court to expand on the definition of those wells which would mean more wells would be exempt from the fees, but the court has ruled against them.

MAN FOUND WITH DRUGS AND A WEAPON

A Lumberton North Carolina man was pulled over for speeding last month in Loyalsock Township and found with drugs, as well as a firearm he did not have a license for. The traffic stop occurred on December 12^th on Interstate 180 in the Township as 22 year old Tristen Welch was found in possession of Suboxone without a prescription, marijuana and the firearm.  He was also charged with resisting arrest and was originally jailed, but since released on $15,000 bail.

LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOUND

A Maine man faces a count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity for possessing bulk U.S. currency as well as possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop in Union County on Wednesday morning.  State police stopped a pickup truck driven by 27 year old Sean Bastian of Portland Maine on Interstate 80 around 10:30am finding a large undisclosed amount of cash as well as several jars containing a wax like marijuana substance and some meth pills.  He was released after posting $25,000 bail.

SALVATION ARMY IN LOCK HAVEN RIPPED OFF

Police in Lock Haven are looking for the person or persons who stole from the Salvation Army there over the New Year’s Holiday.  It’s believed someone broke a latch on a window at the building on East Church Street, then climbed through the window, then forced doors open to offices there taking about $400 in cash and another $300 in gift cards intended to help the community with meals and other services.  Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Lock Haven.

FARM SHOW BEGINS

It’s Farm Show time in Harrisburg.  The Pennsylvania Farm Show opens up tomorrow at the complex and will run through January 12^th. This year’s theme is Inspiring Pennsylvania’s Story.  New to the show this year is a craft beer competition and a market inside the main hall with cheese, honey, maple products and vegetables for sale by the state farmer’s market association.  Of course there will be over 12,000 agricultural exhibits.  Admission is free.  Parking on the complex’s lots will cost $15.

FIRE STRIKES IN PENN TOWNSHIP

Firefighters continue to mop up at the scene this morning of a fire which struck a home in the Beaver Lake Area of Penn Township in Lycoming County.  Fire was reported in a house in the 100 block of Maple Lane just before 2am and when firefighters arrived, they found the house fully involved in flames.  At one point it was reported that ammunition was heard exploding inside the house and firefighters had to fight flames from the outside when a partial collapse occurred. That fire was not brought under control for more than an hour and not reported completely out until around 4:40 this morning.  Two persons are reportedly displaced.  A damage estimate has not been released and the cause of that Penn Township Fire is under investigation.

MAN DIES WHEN BUGGY STRUCK FROM BEHIND

A Snyder County man died on Friday when his horse and buggy were hit from behind by a vehicle near Middleburg. The accident happened just after noon on Friday along Route 522 near Pinecrest Drive in McClure as a buggy operated by 62 year old Rufus Yoder of McClure was hit from behind by a vehicle driven by 84 year old Randall Bonnie of Middleburg.  Yoder was thrown from buggy, taken to the hospital and pronounced dead there.  Route 522 was closed for five hours and the accident continues to be under investigation.

CRASH NEAR HUGHESVILLE

A crash last night outside of Hughesville sent at least one person to the hospital.  The crash occurred just before 9pm in the 200 block of Wolf Run Road.  One vehicle was reported into a pole with the driver reported as unresponsive.  It’s not known if anyone else was involved or as to what hospital that person was taken to. Crews were on the scene for about 2 hours.   No other details are available regarding that Hughesville Area crash.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR NEGLECT AND ABUSE OF CHILDREN

A Montgomery area woman was arrested over the weekend for neglect and abuse of her three children.   Following an investigation in which one infant child was taken to the hospital for severe malnutrition and signs of abuse, Police went to the Clinton Township home of 36 year old Sheketh Dyer and found both a 4 and 6 year old in a filthy home suffering from signs of abuse themselves.  An arrest warrant was issued for Dyer and U.S. Marshals were called in to help, finding Dyer concealed in the home in the 200 block of West Houston Avenue around 5pm on Saturday.  She has been charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children and was jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail.

MAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE

A Williamsport man who had been found guilty in September of sexually abusing two 12 year olds as well as a 5 year old girl and videotaping some of the activity was sentenced late last week in Lycoming County Court.  37 year old Carlos Castro had been found guilty of some 40 counts and was sentenced on Thursday to 67 to 189 years in state prison. If he ever gets out, he will also have to register as a sex offender with the state for the rest of his life.

FORMER COACH SENTENCED

A former basketball teacher and basketball coach was sentenced last week to 1 to 2 years in county prison as well as 10 years of probation for the sexual assault of two minors.  38 year old Kelly Vasallo has pleaded guilty to two counts of institutional sexual assault as well as three counts of corruption of a minor.  She was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 13 year old girl who was on her basketball team that she coached back in 2013 and 2014 and then with another girl who was 17 at the time of that sexual relationship.  She had already been suspended from her job as a teacher in the Williamsport School District.

BEAR ATTACK VICTIM IMPROVING

It was reported over the weekend, that the victim of a bear attack which occurred December 12^th at her Muncy Creek Township home continues to improve.  Melinda Lebarron who originally was reported in critical condition following the attack which injured her ribs, collar bone and head has been upgraded to fair condition following multiple surgeries at Geisinger Medical Center.  The bear who attacked her has not been found.

FRIDAY FIRE DISPLACES FIVE

Fire on Friday in the city of Williamsport damaged a home to the tune of $20,000 dollars and displaced five persons. That fire broke out late Friday morning in a six unit apartment building at 332 Campbell Street and was reportedly caused  by dog which jumped up on the stove, turning on one of the burners.  The flame then ignited items on the stove catching the kitchen in a unit occupied by Ronnie Schley and Betty Watson on fire.  Firefighters were able to bring that fire under control within minutes of arrival.  It’s not known how long the tenants will be displaced.

NEW YEARS ENFORCEMENT

The New Year is almost here.  State and local police say will continue aggressive enforcement on roadways through the holiday looking for motorists who are driving aggressively and who may be drinking and driving.  Extra DUI patrols will be out during the overnight hours watching for New Year’s Eve revelers who may be behind the wheel after drinking and driving.  You are reminded to get a sober ride home if you are planning on celebrating.  There will also be patrols looking for drivers who may be speeding or committing other aggressive driving practices and as always, make sure you buckle up.

HEAD OF DRUG RING CHARGED

Finishing up an investigation that began with a drug raid in the city of Williamsport back in August, charges were pressed against a Philadelphia man on Monday, said to be the head of a large local drug ring, dealing in both heroin and cocaine.  It’s believed that Azmed Greene had at least ten runners working underneath him from Mid July through Mid December of this year.  The investigation was done through the County’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit and involved buys of drugs at several different locations.  Originally jailed on a probation violation in Mid-December, Greene was arraigned on Monday on 78 charges and recommitted in lieu of $150,000 bail.  Ten others face charges as well.

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE RAISES

At their meeting yesterday, Lycoming County Commissioners handed out raises for elected county row officers as well as for commissioners over the next few years, no matter who may be elected to the posts.  Row officers such as treasurer, controller, register and recorder, prothonotary and the coroner as well as the commissioners will receive pay raises of 1.86% bringing their salaries in line with that of the county sheriff over a four year period.  By 2020 the row officers will make close to $72,000 dollars while commissioners will be up to over $79,000 dollars.   The sheriff who was on a different pay cycle will see a slower pay cycle in order for the other elected officials to catch up.

NO TAX INCREASE IN MUNCY

Taxpayers in the borough of Muncy will not see their taxes go up for 2019.   Borough Council last night unanimously passed a no tax increase budget for next year.  Real Estate taxes will stay at 5.3 mills.  With real estate taxes as well as income taxes contributing, the borough expects to see a little more than a million dollars in revenues.  The Police Department will take up nearly a third of the revenue in expenses followed by the public works department.

MAN ARRESTED FOR INDECENT ASSAULT

A Hughesville man faces counts of indecent assault, and corruption of minors following an incident with a 12 year old girl.  42 year old Kevin Pletz allegedly engaged in a game of Cops and Robbers with  the girl over a time period ranging from November 1^st through the 28^th, allegedly touching the girls underneath her sports bra during a search for contraband.  The incidents happened at least twice and Pletz has been arraigned on the charges with bail set at $15,000 dollars.

SENTENCED TO LIFE

Sentencing was held yesterday in Columbia County Court for 77 year old Anthony “Rocco” Franklin who was found guilty for killing his former son in law outside his home near Millville back in July of 2012.    Spencer who fought extradition, living in Venezuela until he was brought back to face the charges last year was convicted by a jury in October in the killing of Frank Spencer.  He also was convicted on a count of arson which will bring an additional 11 to 45 years.  His daughter, Maria Sanutti-Spencer was convicted back in 2015 and is currently serving a life sentence.

NO TAX INCREASE IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

Northumberland County Commissioners voted 2-1 yesterday to pass a nearly $76 million dollar county budget which will not contain a tax increase.  The budget includes about $6 million dollars which commissioners say will be needed to operate the new county prison in Coal Township, about $2 million dollars more than it cost the county in 2014.  Commissioners say it is increasingly tough to keep up with higher expenses for medical Coverage for inmates and staff along with higher wages.    They say they worked hard, trying to keep other expenses down in order to avoid a tax increase.

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ARSON

A dispute at his family home on Christmas Night landed a New Columbia Man in jail after he tried to set fire to the house. The incident happened around 8pm on Tuesday at the Elm Street home of 39 year old William Roup.  Police say Roup ignited a stack of papers and books inside the living room of the home.  A family member was able to run the burning materials outside before the house caught on fire.  Roup reportedly also loaded a rifle, asking one of the family members to join him.  No one was hurt.  Roup faces two separate charges of arson as well as reckless endangerment counts, disorderly conduct and harassment and was jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.

EXPANSION RECOMMENDED

A decision which could make it easier for businesses to open up in a section of the city of Williamsport will now make it to city council.  The City’s Economic Revitalization Committee yesterday recommended that the city approve an amended original ordinance to expand the Central Business District to include both sides of West Third Street running from Hepburn, west to Center Street.  Originally the expansion was to only include the south side of Third Street, but after hearing from business and property owners on the north side, a recommendation was given to include the north side as well.

SUSPECTED DRUG DEALER JAILED LAST WEEK

A man tried to run from County Narcotics Enforcement officers last week after officers armed with an arrest warrant set up a drug deal in the city.  Jamil Hines, who had sold heroin for $100 dollars to an undercover officer back in November in the city was just about to be arrested when he took off from them on foot, but was apprehended after a short chase.  Hines was not found with any heroin in him despite setting up the buy admitting to planning on robbing the undercover officer of the $100 dollars. He was arraigned on a number of counts and was jailed in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $95,000 bail.

LIFE IN PRISON

Sentencing was held yesterday for a Williamsport man who was found guilty of first degree murder in the stabbing of Scotty Cole in the city.  28 year old Rashawn Williams will spend the rest of his life in prison for Cole’s killing and also had another 7 to 14 years tacked onto the sentence for aggravated assault.  Williams tried to use the defense at his trial that Cole was trying to have sex with him which he says set him off, causing him to get a knife and stab Cole multiple times inside and outside of his Locust Street home in June of 2017.  In addition to the sentence, Williams has been ordered to pay over $6,000 in funeral costs in restitution.

GRANT FOR GIRL SCOUTS

Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania which serves 30 counties across northeastern and central Pennsylvania including in our area has announced that they have received a $30,000 dollar grant from the PPL Foundation.  The money will be used to educate and encourage girls int the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics through the Girl Scouts Girls Go STEAM Program. Officials say PPL’s support will give thousands of girls the opportunity to participate in multiple events where the girls can learn from female STEAM leaders throughout Pennsylvania.

CONTRACT EXTENSION ON AGENDA

Lycoming County Commissioners this week are expected to take up the subject of a contract extension with a lobbying company that has been hired to try and secure federal and state grants for the rehabilitation of the levee which protects Williamsport, South Williamsport, Loyalsock and Old Lycoming Townships.  A current contract for $72,000 dollars of which the county and municipalities share in payment runs through the end of the year.  Commissioners will consider extending that contract through the end of next year, though it hasn’t been released as to who will be responsible for payment.

VEHICLE REPORTED INTO STRUCTURE, TAKES OFF

Emergency personnel were called out in the city of Williamsport last night for reports of a vehicle into a structure.  That occurred late in the evening in the 1000 block of High Street with that vehicle reportedly then taking off and leaving the scene.  State police reportedly had the vehicle pulled over in the vicinity of West Fourth and Susquehanna Streets shortly before midnight.  No word on if there were any injuries or on the extent of damage.  The investigation continues.

MAYOR WANT TO SELL OFF ASSETS

The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports that Williamsport’s Mayor Gabriel Campana has asked for appraisals on two city owned properties with the intent to sell them off.  The properties are the former fire station on Almond Street as well as the Civil Defense Building on Reighard Avenue.  The mayor would also like to sell the city’s two pump stations to the Municipal Water and Sewer Authority, but first, ownership issues must be cleared up with the Army Corps of Engineers. Mayor Campana says that any proceeds from the sales would be added into the city’s general fund reserve which currently stands at only $101,000 dollars.

SCAM IN BRADFORD COUNTY

State police in Bradford County are investigating a scam which they say was by both mail and phone that has bilked a county resident out of a large amount of money.  Police say the scam took place last month and involved a resident in Albany Township.  Troppers were advised that the victims who have not been named were defrauded out of $30,000 dollars.  Police have not said whether there are any suspects and they say their investigation continues.

DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

Loyalsock Township Supervisors yesterday said yes to a land development plan which would allow for another bank in the township.  George Hutchinson Development Group is looking at developing the land at 2409 East Third Street in order to place a bank there.  IN other business yesterday, township supervisors voted 5-0 to pass the 2019 budget of $7.56 million dollars. The spending plan will not contain a tax increase, keeping taxes at .5 mills for township property owners.

TAX INCREASE IN MONTOUR COUNTY

Property owners in Montour County will see their County tax bill rise for the first time in seven years.  County Commissioners there yesterday voted unanimously for a final budget of $8.1 million dollars which will contain a tax increase of a little more than .25 mills. That will mean an increase of 25 dollars for owners of properties worth $100,000 dollars next year.  County Commissioners say that the increase is due in part to state mandates which are not funded.

POLICE LOOKING FOR MISSING MAN

A South Williamsport man is missing and State Police are looking for information regarding that man’s whereabouts. 66 year old Michael Miller was reported missing from his Sylvan Dell Road home early on Saturday evening. Miller, a white male was wearing glasses, a red checkered flannel shirt, black sweat pants and black moccasins and was last seen driving a blue 2005 Dodge Caravan with a PA registration JNR2562. Anyone with information regarding the man’s whereabouts is asked to contact state police in Montoursville at 570-368-5700.

CITY MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG COUNTS

A drug bust at a city residence in Williamsport has resulted in the seizure of drugs and the jailing of a city man. Police were called to a residence at 702 Penn Street on Friday night for reports of drug activity there. When they arrived they detected the smell of marijuana and spotted a large amount of cocaine sitting out on a table. They entered the home and found 20 grams of cocaine as well as 2 oz of suspected heroin. They also found drug packaging materials, $2,000 in cash and a loaded handgun. JuMichael Drummond was arrested and charged with several counts. He was jailed on a parole detainer and will face arraignment.

NEW SUPERINTENDENT IN KEYSTONE CENTRAL DISTRICT

Following a nearly year-long search, the Keystone Central School District in Clinton County has settled on a new superintendent. District officials announced late last week that they have settled on Jacquelyn Martin to assume the post. Martin has been the director of curriculum a the State College Area School District for 6 years. Kelly Hastings retired in March of this year and the district has been working with an interim Superintendent since then. Contract details and a start date for Martin have not yet been decided on.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER ROBBERY

A robbery in the city of Williamsport on Monday evening resulted in the arrest of a city man. Police were called to the 600 block of Vallmamont Drive for reports of a man punching another man and then taking his wallet with $150 dollars in it. The assailant, identified as 28 year old Phillip Hall was found at the UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center with the money and a stun gun and was taken in to custody. He was charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property and was jailed in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.

SEARCH FOR BEAR CONTINUES

A Muncy Creek Township woman remained in the hospital over the weekend, following that bear attack outside her home last week. Authorities believe that Melinda LeBarron was attacked when her dog went after some bear cubs. She was dragged, 80 feet and was only able to get away after continually punching the bear and then crawling away when it was distracted by the dog which was also injured in the attack. Game Commission officials continued their search for the bear and it’s cubs over the weekend without luck. Lebarron was in critical but stable condition at Geisinger Medical Center.

TWO ARRESTED FOLLOWING DISTURBANCE

A disturbance at a Lycoming County residence over the weekend resulted in both a man and woman being jailed. The argument started in a residence along Keherer Hill Road in Upper Fairfield Township on Friday evening as the unnamed man and woman got into a verbal argument which turned physical when the woman allegedly threw a candle at the man. He then went after her and she pulled a knife. Both then ran out of the house causing a disturbance in the neighborhood. They are both charged with simple assault as well as other counts and were jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.

GRADUATION CEREMONIES DISRUPTED BY BOMB THREAT

Morning Fall Graduation ceremonies at Bloomsburg University were disrupted due to a bomb threat there on Saturday. The graduation ceremony was supposed to take place on Saturday morning at the Haas Center for the Arts on Campus, but due to the threat was moved to later in the morning to Carver Hall’s Gross Auditorium, shutting some parents and family out of the ceremonies due to the overflow there. No bomb was found and the afternoon graduation ceremony went off without a hitch at the Haas Center. The investigation continues.

TEACHER TRYING TO GET HER JOB BACK

A teacher in the Lourdes Regional School in Northumberland County is appealing to get her job back. Naiad Reich who is pregnant but not married was fired earlier this month by the school after being in violation of the catholic school’s morality clause. A report on PennLive.com says Reich has submitted a formal letter to the Diocese of Harrisburg looking to get her job back. A school board member has also written a letter to the Bishop threatening legal action is Reich is not reinstated immediately.