BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS AUGUST 8, 2024

ONE CLINTON TOWNSHIP CRASH VICTIM DIES FROM INJURIES

The Lycoming County Coroner has released new details about the crash in Clinton Township  Monday night that took the life of one victim after he died from his injuries while at the ICU.  According to the Pennsylvania State Police 57 year old James Engel and his wife, 55 year old Jennifer  of Old Lycoming Township were riding a motorcycle on Route 15 Monday night at about 9:15 when 61 year old Glenn Wirth of Montgomery pulled out from Pinchtown Road and collided with them. Both Engle’s, who were wearing helmets, were transported to UPMC Williamsport.  According to the Coroner, Engle passed away 1:30 am Tuesday from blunt force trauma and his wife remains in critical condition.  Wirth was treated for minor injuries at Evangelical.

ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON THE ROUTE 15 SPUR

Another tractor trailer accident took out the Route 15 spur and closed the highway for several hours yesterday.  According to PennDOT, the accident that closed the Route 15 southbound ramp to Interstate 180 road around 7am, reopened just before 2pm yesterday.  According ot the Sun Gazette, the driver 56 year old Scott Case of Troy, PA was discovered to have only minor injuries after he was helped from the wreckage by police and witnesses and transported to UPMC Williamsport.  Case was hauling milk in the tanker,  and took  out another 150 feet of guardrail in the crash.

JUVENILES WARNED FOR RIDING BIKES INSIDE STORES

Several juveniles were detained by police after they were caught riding their bicycles in two Old Lycoming Township grocery stores August 6th.  According to the Sun Gazette, police were alerted to 5 juvenile males in Weis and Aldi’s on Lycoming Creek Road  who were causing a disturbance by being loud and riding inside the stores, and were told this wasn’t the first time they had done this, and had been banned from the location.  When police talked with the boys at the store, they were each identified and their parents were called to pick them up. They warned the group with a trespassing charge if they were caught doing it again.

NATIONAL GUARD OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY

An open house by the National Guard will be held outside of the Williamsport Armed Forces Reserve Center at 1307 Grove Street in Williamsport this Saturday, August 10th, from 11am to 3pm , featuring  over 40 vendors in support of the Guard as well as opportunities to meet and take photos with those in new military uniforms. There will also be tours of a UH 60 Blackhawk helicopter, a rock climbing tower and Rescue Pets Serving Vets will be there with dogs to adopt. The event will allow the community to build ties with soldiers, local authorities, and the businesses that support our military.

HOMELESS WOMAN ASSAULT FORMER BOYFRIEND

A woman who police say is homeless is in custody today after she broke into her former boyfriend’s home Monday in Williamsport and assaulted him.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say 29 year old Ashayla Minus entered the home at 700 Penn Street and began assaulting the victim while another adult who was present removed two children from the scene to protect them.  Minus has been charged with felony burglary, trespassing, simple assault and two counts of reckless endangerment.  She’s being held in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.

WOMAN FOUND WITH DRUGS DURING STRIP SEARCH

A Williamsport woman was found to have drugs in her hair scrunchie during a strip search at the Lycoming County Prison.  According to the Sun Gazette, 38 year old Roseanna Crystal Girardi was found to have fentanyl and cocaine hidden in her hair tie after her arrest for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine. Girardi is now being charged with second-degree felony contraband and controlled substance. She remains incarcerated at the Lycoming County Prison after her most recent arraignment.

JERSEY SHORE TO DECIDE ABOUT CLOSURES AT SALLADASBURG

A public hearing Monday at Jersey Shore High School Monday about whether to close Salladasburg Elementary School, had a majority of those at the meeting against the closure. According to North Central PA dot com, the concern from the public comment was about larger class sizes, longer commutes, and learning loss for the students.  Superintendent Dr. Brian Ulmer presented facts about the proposed closure and background of the district’s finances.  The board President Michelle Stemler said there will be six more board meetings open for additional public comments regarding the school closure, and that the hearing from August 5th is available online.

HYGEINE PRODUCTS FOR STUDENTS AT NORRY THIS YEAR

Northumberland County school students are the recipients of over 12,000 hygiene products that have been packed up by the non-profit Central Susquehanna Opportunities.  According to the Daily Item, CSO received a 200 thousand dollar grant from Community Care for Behavioral Health through a partnership with the county and spearheaded this inaugural project.  Each bag, sorted for male and female students contains 20 dollars worth of items that include toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, soap and deodorant as well as laundry products. Giant Supermarkets helped CSO buy the products in bulk.  The bags will be given to the students when they return to school.

SPORTS

MLB Draft League
WV Black Bears 8         Williamsport Crosscutters  1
Cutters will try and tie it up during Game 2 tonight at Journey Bank Ballpark @ Historic Bowman Field 6:35pm first pitch.

MLB
Game1 D’Backs  7        Guardians 3
Game2 D’Backs  5        Guardians  3
Game 1 Yankees 5         Angels  2
Game2  Angels  8          Yankees  2

Padres  9     Pirates  8
Giants  7     Nationals  4
Mets  5       Rockies  3
Phillies  9    Dodgers  4


OLYMPICS

Women’s Basketball
The United States women’s basketball team extended their Olympic winning streak to 59 games with a quarterfinal win over Nigeria yesterday.
Men’s Track
* Quincy Hall sprinted from far behind in the 400 meters to beat Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith by 4 tenths of a second — to capture the gold medal.
* Hall dropped to the track to do snow angels to celebrate.
Women’s Wrestling
*American Sarah Hildebrandt  won the 50-kilogram women’s category Wednesday, defeating Cuba’s opponent 3-0 in the championship match to become the fourth U.S. woman to win a gold medal.
Men’s Weightlifting
*20 year old American Hampton Morris won the Olympic bronze medal -the first U.S. men’s weightlifter to take home a medal of any color at the Games in four decades.
*Morris follows Mario Martinez and Guy Carlton from Los Angeles in 1984 as the most recent American men to medal at the Olympics.
Olympic Schedule Today
American sprinter Noah Lyles, after winning gold in the 100-meter dash in a dramatic photo finish,  is set to compete in the 200-meter final today
5 p.m. ET  Water Polo – Women’s Semifinal: Australia vs. USA
6 p.m. ET Volleyball – Women’s Semifinal: Brazil vs. USA
11 p.m. ET Water Polo – Women’s Semifinal: Australia vs. USA

Olympic Medal Count
The U.S. leads the overall medal count with 94 — 27 gold, 35 silver and 32 bronze.
Team USA also leads the gold medal count, with two more than China.
1. USA — 94 (27 gold, 35 silver, 32 bronze)
2. China — 65 (25 gold, 23 silver, 17 bronze)
3. France — 51 (13 gold, 17 silver, 21 bronze)

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS AUGUST 7, 2024

MONDAY NIGHT ACCIDENT IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP INJURES THREE

The accident that closed down Route 15 in Clinton Township Monday night injured three people, two of them seriously.  According to the Sun Gazette, two people on a motorcycle were heading north on Route 15 at about 9:15pm when a truck pulled out from Pinchtown Road to go south and the two vehicles collided.  The cyclists – who were wearing helmets – were thrown from the bike and were seriously injured and township first responders took them to UPMC Williamsport.  The truck driver suffered minor injuries, and was treated at Evangelical Community Hospital.  A state police investigation into the accident continues and the identities of the injured have not yet been released.  Route 15 from Route 54 to Route 44 reopened after about 3 hours, early Tuesday.

LAIRDSVILLE MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING

PA State Troopers arrested a Lairdsville man with a PFA against him after he attempted to kidnap the children of the woman who lived at a home on Greg Run Road in Wolf Township July 15th.  According to the Sun Gazette, 22 year old Austin Wayne White broke into the home and allegedly tried to lure her children from the property.  Upon discovery, he assaulted the woman’s boyfriend and fled before police located him later and took him into custody.  White waived his preliminary hearing but has been charged with felony attempted kidnapping, burglary, trespassing and other misdemeanors. He is in Lycoming County Prison on no bail.

LANE SHIFTS FOR BRIDGE PROJECT ON I-80

Expect lane shifts starting today on Interstate 80 eastbound between the Route 15 interchange in Union County and the Interstate 180 interchange in Northumberland County. Accordin got PennDOT, a contractor will work today and tomorrow between 4am and 6pm to complete the lane shifts for a bridge preservation project over the West Branch Susquehanna River in Union and Northumberland counties.  Check 511pa dot com for road conditions  24/7.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INVITED TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT

Lycoming College invites 11th and 12th grade students from our area public high schools to be a part of their Early Warrior Dual Enrollment program, allowing them to earn college credits while they are stiil enrolled in High School.  The program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn college credits and get a jumpstart on their college careers, and save money on the total cost of a college degree.  Email [email protected] for more information.  The enrollment deadline is August 15th.

TWO ARRESTED FOR FIREARMS AFTER BURGLARY INVESTIGATION

Two people who allegedly stole a bicycle in Williamsport Sunday, were later both arrested for illegal firearm possession after police investigated.  According to the Sun Gazette, court records say 18 year old Jamir Lewis from Montgomery was seen on surveillance footage taking the bike at about 1pm from the 1500 block of Scott Street.  Officers later saw Lewis walking with friends along Memorial Avenue and as they questioned him about the theft, he passed two sweatshirts to 21 year old Nyreese Turner in a suspicious manner.  When officers checked the sweatshirts there was a gun with an obliterated serial number in the pocket.  Lewis and Turner were both arrested on felony charges of possession of a firearm with an altered serial number and carrying a firearm without a license.  Turner also was charged with an additional felony of a convicted felon not to possess a firearm.  They were both taken to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 50 thousand dollars bail.

SUNBURY CONVENIENCE STORE SHOOTER WANTS A NEW TRIAL

Ajani Munsch-Ousha Uhuru, the man sentenced to 15 years in prison for shooting 30 year old Kareem Jakes in a Sunbury convenience store in May of 2022, has asked for a new trial.  According to North Central PA dot com, Uhuru, who is serving his sentence at SCI Smithfield, was acquitted of first-degree murder and felony aggravated assault, but was convicted of guilty of misdemeanor simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, and recklessly endangering another person.  He argues that his conviction is against the weight of the evidence, or that the verdict wasn’t supported by the evidence presented at trial.  The court has not ruled on his motion.

POLICE SEEK INFORMATION ABOUT HIT AND RUN CRASH

There are few details released about the circumstances surrounding a hit and run crash that happened early Tuesday, but police are seeking the driver who fled on foot from the accident.  According to the Sun Gazette, there was an accident near the first block of Grimesville Road in Old Lycoming Township around 12:10am Tuesday morning in which a 2017 Hyundai Sonata hit a utility pole.  Lycoming Regional police are asking for help, if you have information call 570-433-4360.

PENN STATE PIG ROAST AT NEW BERLIN LEGION

The New Berlin American Legion will host the Greater Susquehanna Valley Penn State Chapter’s 44th annual pig roast on August 25th.  During the annual event that is open to the public, the chapter awards three one thousand dollar scholarships to students who are planning on attending Penn State.  There is also a raffle for chances to win PSU football season tickets.  Expect to see the Nittany Lion and the Penn State cheerleaders.  The event begins at noon Sunday, August 25th, and participants can make a reservation at gsvpsc.com or pay at the door.

SPORTS

Little League Pre-World Series
There have been two dominant wins so far for Pennsylvania as they took care of business again in the Little League Mid-Atlantic tournament Tuesday, beating Maryland, 11-1 in four innings. The team from Council Rock Newtown, play again Friday in Connecticut for the regional title and a spot in the Little League World Series.
MLB Draft League
Tuesday night’s Williamsport Crosscutters game against the West Virginia Black Bears has been canceled due to rain
Williamsport will open their now two-game series against the West Virginia Black Bears tonight at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. (WILQ – Don’t miss Boomer’s Birthday Celebration tonight with the Q Rooster) 635pm first pitch.

MLB
Padres 6  Pirates  0
Nationals 11  Giants  5
Blue Jays  5  Orioles 2
Rockies  6  Mets  3
Phillies  6  Dodgers  2
Yankees vs Angels cancelled due to rain
MLB Today
Angels vs Yankees  4:05pm/7:05pm
Padres vs Pirates  6:40pm
Giants vs Nationals 6:45pm
Orioles vs Blue Jays 7:07pm
Mets vs Rockies  8:40pm
Phillies vs Dodgers 10:10pm

Olympics News
Men’s Basketball
Team USA men’s basketball advanced from the quarterfinals Tuesday at the 2024 Paris Games with a 122-87 drubbing of Brazil. The Americans will face Serbia in the semifinal round to continue their quest for a fifth straight gold medal.
Women’s Basketball
The United States women’s basketball team can extend their Olympic winning streak to 59 games with a quarterfinal win against Nigeria Wednesday.
Team USA Track
Two Americans — Gabby Thomas and Brittany Brown — finished first and third, respectively, in the women’s 200-meter final.
US Women’s Volleyball
The reigning Olympic champion U.S. women’s volleyball team posted a straight-set victory against Poland . The semifinals are Thursday with powerhouse Brazil, 
Women’s Wrestling
20 year old American wrestler Amit Elor  defeated her opponent from Kyrgyzstan 3-0 yesterday  in the 68-kilogram final. She is the youngest Olympic wrestling gold medalist in U.S. history.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS AUGUST 6, 2024

ALLENWOOD INMATE CAUGHT WITH CONTRABAND, WEAPON

An Allenwood inmate who was found with a weapon and controlled substances while incarcerated, was indicted by a federal grand jury July 30th.  According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said 48 year old Thomas Burton of New York City was found by Officers to have a homemade shank and synthetic marijuana on June 19 – both felony carry more years in prison, probationary periods and fines.  The matter was investigated by the FBI.

MAN CHARGED WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS FOR NEGLECTING DOG

A man from Shamokin has been charged with two felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals after a humane officer investigated a complaint about a dog had been left outside of a home on East Commerce Street earlier this year.  According to North Central PA dot com, officials say 58 year old John Joseph Jurevicz failed to provide care for one of three dogs in the home and the Chow Chow named “Timber”  required euthanization after the man surrendered the dog was examined by a veterinarian who said “Timber” severely emaciated and had a large infected mass on him – he was put down May 24th.  Jurevicz has a preliminary hearing August 13th.

FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCHES AT MIFFLINBURG SCHOOLS

There will be free breakfast and lunch again this year for the Mifflinburg Area School District when the 2024-25 school year starts August 21st. According to the Daily Item, last year the school served the district served 33,669 breakfast meals and 98,814 lunch meals by participating in the Community Eligibility Provision program.   The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is a reimbursement option for eligible schools that wish to offer free meals to all children.. The first day of school for Mifflinburg Area is August 21st.

ADAPTIVE KAYAK LAUNCH IN FLEETWOOD

An adaptive kayak launch has been installed at Lake Chillisquaque in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania thanks to the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association and Montour Area Recreation Commission who collaborated in the project.  According to the Sun Gazette, the BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch will allow people who may have physical limitations or emotional fears to access the lake by using a special chute and bench system that cradle a kayak or canoe allowing people to engage with our resources in ways they couldn’t before.  Specific programs will be offered in the near future involving the kayak launch, watch vernalschool.org for information.

SUNBURY SHOOTER IN FATAL CASE, WILL FACE TRIAL NEXT WEEK

The man accused of the death of 33-year-old Joseph Rice, of Sunbury will be on trial next week.  According to the Daily Item, Easton was in court Monday vie video conference for his criminal motion hearing, as the court is requesting information about a few issues with the case.  Northumberland County Judge Michael Toomey says the defense has until the end of the week to submit briefs about lingering issues and to decide whether the jury should be instructed about a self-defense claim in the shooting that happened in September 2022 on Third Street and Raspberry Avenue in Sunbury. Easton has been incarcerated without bail at Centre County Correctional Facility in Bellefonte.

MILTON MAN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY

A man from Milton is being charged with felony burglary and criminal trespassing as well as six misdemeanors in connection with the alleged burglary. According to the Daily Item, police say 26 year old Tyler James Bean was seen on security cameras in the vicinity of the apartment that had been burglarized July 7th.  Police were called to the Mahoning Street residence where residents found 18 karat gold necklace and 14 karat gold earrings missing after the suspect broke in the back door to the home.

GRANT FOR FUTURE MUNCY PICKLEBALL COURT

A grant has been approved by the Muncy Creek Township Supervisors from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania for use as part of their Keiss (keese) Memorial Park Pickleball Court Project.  According to a news release, over 40 thousand dollars from the Waldron Memorial Fund will be used to keep up with outdoor recreation trends by adding a pickleball court to the grounds.  The park already features baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a sand volleyball court and more.  Keiss Park located at 575 PA-442 just outside of Muncy and directly across from the Muncy Creek Township Municipal Building.

PA GUARD TO DEPLOY SOON TO KUWAIT AND JORDAN

The Pennsylvania National Guard’s 213th Personnel Company are preparing for deployment.  According to PennLive, 50 soldiers will head to Kuwait and Jordan over the next few months, where they’ll focus on assisting with postal operations and personnel accountability. There was a send-off ceremony Sunday morning at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. This unit is a subordinate of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 213th Regional Support Group.

SPORTS

MLB Draft League
Williamsport returns home comes home tonight for Game 1 of 3 vs the West Virginia Black Bears 6:35 pm first pitch. 
MLB
D’backs  7            Guardians 6
Mets  6       Cardinals  0
Giants  4     Nationals  1
Dodgers  5            Phillies 3
MLB Tonight
Padres vs Pirates  6:40pm
Giants  vs Nationals  6:45pm
Angels  vs NY Yankees  7:05pm
Orioles  vs Blue Jays  7:07pm
Mets vs Rockies 8:40pm
Phillies vs Dodgers  10:10pm

OLYMPICS Today
2:35 p.m. ET Water Polo – Women’s Quarterfinal: Hungary vs USA
3:15 p.m. ET Basketball – Men’s Quarterfinal: Brazil vs USA
4 p.m. ET Beach Volleyball – Women’s Quarterfinal: USA vs Switzerland

Olympics News

US Women’s Gymnastics
* American gymnast Simone Biles earned silver in the floor exercise finals yesterday — her fourth medal in Paris and 11th Olympic medal overall — after a routine that included a couple of costly steps out of bounds.
*Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade became the first gymnast to beat Biles in a floor final in a major international competition, with a score of 14.166 just ahead of Biles at 14.133.
*Biles’ overall medal total (including seven gold, two silver, two bronze) ties Czechoslovakia’s Vera Caslavska for the second most by a female gymnast in Olympic history.
Men’s Track
American Noah Lyles won the 200- meter final in the final heat of the night in 20.19 seconds. He now advances to Wednesday night’s semifinals.
Surfing
French Polynesian Kauli Vaast won the gold medal in men’s surfing for France while Caroline Marks from the United States won the women’s surfing gold medal on Monday at the Paris Olympics in Tahiti.

Central PA Wreaths Across America

THE CENTRAL PA WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA, PA 0586 LAID OVER SEVENTY FIVE HUNDRED WREATHS OVER THE GRAVES OF OUR LOCAL VETERAN MEN AND WOMEN LAST YEAR AND SAID THEIR NAME ALOUD! THIS YEAR THEY ARE LOOKING FOR CORPORATE SPONSORS TO AID IN THEIR MISSION SO THAT EVERY VETERAN’S GRAVE IN OUR AREA GETS A WREATH AND THEIR NAME IS SAID ALOUD! TO BECOME A SPONSOR, VISIT THE CENTRAL PA WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA’S FACEBOOK PAGE AND MESSAGE COORDINATOR DORI RANKINEN.

Central PA Wreaths Across America

THE CENTRAL PA WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA, PA 0586 LAID OVER SEVENTY FIVE HUNDRED WREATHS OVER THE GRAVES OF OUR LOCAL VETERAN MEN AND WOMEN LAST YEAR AND SAID THEIR NAME ALOUD! THIS YEAR THEY ARE LOOKING FOR CORPORATE SPONSORS TO AID IN THEIR MISSION SO THAT EVERY VETERAN’S GRAVE IN OUR AREA GETS A WREATH AND THEIR NAME IS SAID ALOUD! TO BECOME A SPONSOR, VISIT THE CENTRAL PA WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA’S FACEBOOK PAGE AND MESSAGE COORDINATOR DORI RANKINEN.

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