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.

BOY STRUCK AND KILLED AT BUS STOP

A five year old boy was struck and killed by a vehicle in Columbia County yesterday morning while crossing the roadway to his school bus.  The child, identified by the Columbia County Coroner’s office as Silas Hunsinger was crossing Rohrsburg Road in Greenwood Township just outside of Millville to get to his bus stop when he was struck by a pick up truck driven by 71 year old Gary Derrick of Orangeville.  .  The boy died at the scene. There was an adult with him.  The bus was not at the stop yet.  State Police in Bloomsburg say they are investigating and are not saying if any charges will be filed against Derrick.

BEAR ATTACK?

Emergency responders were dispatched out in Muncy Creek Township last evening for a reported Bear attack.  That incident happened in the 1000 block of Peach Orchard Road around 7pm and one person was said to have been taken to the hospital, their name and condition not released.  WNEP-TV 16 reports that the Pennsylvania Game Commission was called in and is investigating.  A bear trap was reportedly set up along Peach Orchard Road and not other details are currently available regarding that incident.

YAW HOSTS FLOOD TOUR

State Senator Gene Yaw took local, municipal and state official on a tour yesterday of flood affected areas in the Wallis Run area in Gamble Township in Lycoming County as well as along Route 87. During the tour, areas that have been struck by flood waters, ripping up roads and causing property damage were pointed out.  Yaw is calling for more regular maintenance and stream cleaning of waterways saying that trees and other debris are damming up the streams contributing to them spilling over the banks and onto roadways causing damage.  As the tour went on, Yaw did say he is not sure where to start with the stream cleaning and as to who should be in charge of it.

BUDGET APPROVAL EXPECTED

Williamsport City Council will meet tonight and is expected to pass a proposed $27.2 million dollar budget for 2019, but not before the possibility of readjusting the tax millage and making some more cuts.  Council members are concerned about a city reserve reported at only $12,000 dollars with officials saying that reserve should be around a have million dollars.  City taxpayers already face a .75 mills tax increase for next year, and 7 city jobs will be cut through attrition and retirements.  They are four on the police force, 2 in codes and an assistant general manager of streets and parks position.  Council is looking at a couple of places where they may cut into the budget.

PIPELINE MEETING

Residents along the Loyalsock Creek and in the Plunketts Creek Township vicinity turned out at the Plunketts Creek Township Fire Hall last night to hear from officials with Pennsylvania General Energy Company regarding a pipeline project in that area.  The pipeline would be a water pipeline which would provide water for gas well pads there and would include a pump station and natural gas gathering line.  Officials say the pipeline would reduce the traffic from trucks which now deliver the water to the gas pads there.  They say that plans are just in the initial stages and more meeting will be held in the future.

NO CELEBRATION IN SUNBURY

For the second year in a row, the city of Sunbury will not have a New Year’s Eve Celebration.  The annual Countdown in the Downtown put on by Sunbury Revitalization Incorporated began at Fourth and Market Streets in Sunbury and 2012 and ran up until last year when it was cancelled due to the lack of support and volunteers.  IN the past the event had music, a VIP tent and the lighting of a large light bulb at midnight, drawing hundreds of people to the downtown area.  Officials with Sunbury Revitalization say they would like to bring back the celebration in the future but need volunteers and business participation to make that happen.

PARKING RATES REMAIN THE SAME

Parking in Downtown Williamsport will not cost any more next year.  The Williamsport Parking Authority confirmed during their meeting yesterday that there will be no rate hike.  They do say that there will be new meters installed in the downtown area following an agreement with the company providing those meters which will take care of the software and hardware maintenance.  The agreement allows the authority to have direct contact with the seller in case of a failure of the system, which would not require payment until things are fixed.

DELAYS ON VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE

Delays are expected today on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, Route 61 into and out of Sunbury.  Crews are removing flood debris from several piers on the bridge today and will close the right driving lane of Route 61 northbound from approximately 9am to 2pm.  There will also be periodic stoppages in both lanes northbound during that work.  Motorists are asked to plan additional time for their travels, be alert and drive with caution through that workzone there today.

WATER BOIL ADVISORY LIFTED

A Water Boil advisory which was put into effect for some customers of the Crawford Township Authority has been lifted.  The advisory was instituted due to a water main leak and subsequent repairs and affected customers who lived north of 2999 Rauchtown Road into the Limestone Township, Middle Road area.  Officials say they had to wait until the water was tested and the results returned deeming the water safe for drinking, and have received the all clear.

A TAX INCREASE IN MONTGOMERY

Montgomery Borough Council last night said yes to a 2019 budget which will contain a tax increase for borough property owners. The spending plan is for a little more than $677,000 dollars and contains increases of about $40,000 for the upcoming year due to what borough officials are calling increases in the cost of doing business. The tax increase will be for .25 mills which will mean that owners of properties worth $100,000 dollars will see their tax bills rise by $25 next year.  The increase will bring in a little more than $695,000 dollars allowing Montgomery to end up the year with a little more than $13,000 dollars surplus.

A WILLIAMSPORT MAN DIES IN A CITY CRASH

That crash in the city of Williamsport involving a car and bus has resulted in the death of a city man.  Just before 6am, police say that 49 year old Ronald Levine of Williamsport was heading southbound on Maynard Street when he went into the West Third Street intersection colliding with an eastbound city bus operated by 63 year old Robert Kock of Williamsport.  Levine’s car then went up on a curb, struck a pedestrian signal pole and then crashed into the front of the former Jackie’s Kitchen building.  He was pronounced dead at the scene. Koch was treated for minor injuries. There was no one else on the bus and the crash investigation continues.

TRAFFIC DELAYS POSSIBLE ON ROUTE 147

There could be some possible delays on a section of Route 147 in Northumberland County today.  Flood debris removal continues today from bridge piers on Route 147 northbound between Packer Island and the borough of Northumberland.  There will be daylight lane restrictions with possible delays and motorists are advised to keep an eye out for the work and drive carefully through the work zone there.

PUMP STATION SALE HELD UP

The Williamsport City Council finance Committee found out yesterday that there is a hold up regarding the proposed sales of two pump stations from the city to the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority. The pump stations, which were thought to be city owned and are operated by the authority at a cost of $80,000 dollars a year are actually owned by the Army Corps of engineers. The city was hoping to get a million dollars for the sale, and city officials say they need to iron out the ownership details before the sale can take place.

COMMISSOINERS HEAR IT OVER APPOINTMENT

Several Lycoming County residents, most of them from Eastern Lycoming County gave Lycoming County Commissioners an earful during their meeting yesterday following a change in who commissioners appointed to the County Planning Authority last month.  Linda Sosniak who lost her bid to unseat Garth Everett as a state representative in November had been recommended for appointment to the authority, but instead, commissioners appointed Joseph Reighard, a Gamble Township Supervisor.  Those present called the appointment arbitrary.  Following the public comment, Commissioner Rick Mirabito motioned that Reighard be removed and Sosniak appointed, but that motion died for lack of a second.

SCAM INVESTIGATION

State police in Selinsgrove are investigating an incident of fraud of which a Freeburg man is out $3,700 dollars.  Police were called on December 4^th by the unidentified 54 year old man who was called and told that a refund needed to be made involving Google Play cards.  The person then spent the money in Google Play Cards to pay that unknown person back.  He then called police and reported the fraud.  The investigation continues.

NO TAX INCREASE IN SUNBURY

Taxpayers in the city of Sunbury will see their property tax rates remain the same for 2019.  Sunbury Council has approved the second draft of a spending plan for next year for $4.6 million dollars and say they will not have to institute a tax increase though they say money is once again tight this year.   The budget will provide enough money to hire five city police officers as well as for payment of a $250,000 dollars tax anticipation note which the city had taken out earlier this year to pay some expenses.

DONATION FOR RECREATION

A Lock Haven businessman and Philanthropist is another step closer to seeing his vision for recreation in the city of Williamsport come to fruition.  The city council finance committee yesterday gave a positive recommendation for the city to accept a legacy fund of $238,675 dollars from Steven Poorman for the city recreation dcpartment.  Some of the funds would be used immediately to construct pavilions at Splash Cove and Brandon Park especially designed to help keep children who are participating in summer camps cool.  Poorman is hoping his donation spurs others on to do the same thing.