BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 12, 2024
FATAL ATV ACCIDENT IN BRADFORD COUNTY
A man from Rome, PA was killed in an ATV accident Saturday, July 6th near Windham, PA. According to State police at Towanda, 30 year old Nicholas Byrne suffered a fatal head injury when he failed to negotiate a left turn while driving his 2010 Yamaha Raptor and hit a tree on Hickeys Rocks Road, just north of Greek Road in Bradford County. Police say the accident happened around 10:30pm and that Byrne wasn’t wearing a helmet or any other safety equipment at the time of the crash and died from his injuries at the scene. The Warren Township Fire Department and the Bradford County Coroner assisted with the accident.
CHILD REPORTS ABUSE TO TROOPERS IN MONTOURSVILLE
A child from Montgomery went to the State police barracks July 4th and reported that her family member threw her and physically abused her, leading to the man’s arrest. According to North Central PA dot com, the victim showed police bruising on her ribs and foot from the altercation that took place at a home on Cemetery Hill Road. Troopers took 60 year old Anthony Maurice Kovaleski into custody and charged him with endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, and harassment. He is free today on 10 thousand dollars bail.
FOREVER STAMP PRICES GOING UP
The USPS has announced a price increase – again for forever stamps and other post office services. According to the Postal Regulatory Commission, this is the 19th stamp rate change since 2000 and the fifth rate hike in two years. Stamp prices are set to increase by 5 cents this month with certified mail and money order fees also set to increase. The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase from 68 cents to 73 cents on July 14, and first class mail rates increasing by roughly 7.8%.
UPTOWN MUSIC COLLECTIVE TO PERFORM IN MUNCY
The Uptown Music Collective will be featured in Muncy at a mid-summer event called “Pops at Pepper Street” – a free-to-the-public concert coming up on August 3rd. According to the Muncy Historical Society, they’ll host the students from the UMC’s renowned performance program for a second year, and they will present music for all ages at the Schuyler Memorial Stadium on the Muncy Junior-Senior High School campus starting at 7pm. Free popcorn and other food will be available for purchase from the Muncy Music Association and Boy Scout Troop No. 25. In case of bad weather the concert will be held indoors. Get details at Muncy Historical Society’s Facebook page.
SUNBURY WOMAN WANTED FOR QUESTIONING IN NYC HOMICIDE
A woman from Pennsylvania is a person of interest in a homicide investigation in New York City, after the man she lives with in Sunbury was discovered stabbed to death in a Brooklyn apartment. According to the Daily Item, police say Maurice Freeman was seen arguing with the woman around 5:15 am Monday before she allegedly fled from the scene in a car registered to an address in Northumberland County. Police report a blood trail was found at 1491 Shore Parkway in the city, that went from the apartment where Freeman was discovered, across a street to a nearby park. Freeman was hospitalized but died from his injuries. The Sunbury Police Chief are diverting all questions about the case to the NYPD, and more information is expected to be released as the investigation continues.
TWO SHAMOKIN MEN ARRESTED FOR BREAKING IN, DRUG POSSESSION
Two men from Shamokin were arrested after witnesses called police as they were breaking into a property on North Shamokin Street. According to The news Item, 28 year old Logan C. Faust and 33 year old Zebulon J. Keefe were apprehended by police who were alerted to the break in at about 10 am Tuesday. K9 Pax from Coal Township was also called to the scene as well and officers discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on the two men. Faust and Keefer were charged with criminal trespass, drug possession, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct and are in Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash bail.
CHANGES FOR SOME LYCO POLLING SITES
Changes to some polling sites in Lycoming County were approved yesterday by Lycoming County Board of Elections as they work to bring all the sites into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to Forrest Lehman, director of Voter Services, one long term change is for Anthony Township to move their polling site to Anthony Baptist Church at 4750 Quenshukeny Road, and Wards 3 and 4 in the Jersey Shore Borough will now vote at the Mountain View Alliance Church at 1515 Cemetery Street. Get information about polling locations at lyco.org under voter services.
REPAVING PROJECT TO HAPPEN SUNDAY OVERNIGHT
There will be overnight resurfacing work starting Sunday on Route 87 in Montoursville Borough, Fairfield Township, Upper Fairfield Township, and Plunketts Creek Township. According to Penn DOT, there will be milling and paving along Route 87 between the 180 overpass in Montoursville Borough and Snyder’s Country Pet Food between the hours of 9pm and 6am. Watch for single lane conditions with flaggers on the scene overnight through the work zone.
SPORTS
MLB Draft League
Thunder 2 Crosscutters 1
The Cutters dropped Game 3 in the series with Thunder this week, but have a 20-8 record for the first half of the season and head out to West Virginia tonight for a two-game road trip.
MLB
Tigers 10 Guardians 1
Mets 7 Nationals 0
Pirates 1 Brewers 0
Phillies 5 Dodgers 1
Cubs 8 Orioles 0
Rays 5 Yankees 4
MLB Tonight
Oakland A’s vs Phillies 6:40pm
Guardians vs Rays AppleTv
Yankees vs Orioles 7:05 ESPN+
Pirates vs White Sox 8:10pm
Nationals vs Brewers 8:10pm
NASCAR Sunday
The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VisitPA.comPocono Raceway, Long Pond
1:30 PreRace Coverage/ 2:30 Green Flag racing
NBA News
* Kyle Lowry announced on Instagram on Thursday that he has agreed to remain with the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal is for one year, for Lowry to return to his hometown Sixers where he’ll shore up a veteran bench including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George.
* 38 year old Lowry joined Philadelphia in the spring after being bought out by the Charlotte Hornets, who had acquired him in a trade with the Miami Heat.
ESPY AWARDS
The 2024 ESPY Awards was hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles lastnight
* They recognized the athletes who have died this year, including Willie Mays, Bill Walton and Jerry West.
* Legendary college football coach Nick Saban was given the ESPY icon award for all his achievements during his Alabama coaching tenure, including six national championships at Alabama, and with the one title he won at LSU, he has the most for any coach in NCAA Division I history.
* Special award presentations included the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for Steve Gleason, the former NFL safety who had been diagnosed with ALS and gave an emotional acceptance speech. The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance was given toDawn Staley, South Carolina women’s basketball coach, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service was given to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex for his work on the Invictus Games that benefits wounded veterans.
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 11, 2024
SUNBURY TEEN ARRESTED FOR THREATENING CLERK WITH A KNIFE
A teenager from Sunbury was taken into custody Sunday after he was seen on video surveillance stealing tobacco products from a convenience store and threatening the employee with a knife. According to North Central PA dot com, police say 17 year old Jonathon E. Bishop-Heshmat was seen inside the Penn Jersey Mart on North Fourth Street at about 10pm and that the clerk there suspected he was stealing items, and confronted the teenager. Bishop-Heshmat then took tobacco items, struck the clerk in the chest, and flashed a knife before he left the store. The teen was charged with felony robbery and aggravated assault, along with several misdemeanors. Bail was set at 25 thousand dollars with a preliminary hearing July 16th.
MAN FLEES SCENE OF A FIERY CRASH IN SHAMOKIN
An investigation has begun after a man from Shamokin fled from a fiery vehicle accident July 3rd. According to State police, 40 year old Nathan Forker was traveling on Klein Road heading west at about 11:50pm, and lost control of his car, going down an embankment and hitting a tree. Police say the vehicle caught fire and became fully engulfed. Forker was found a short distance away after he left the accident behind. No word on any pending charges.
SQUATTERS RIGHTS CHALLENGED WITH NEW LEGISLATION
Legislation in Pennsylvania that could help landlords, and partially eliminate “squatters rights” is heading to the governor’s desk. According to the Center Square, the bill sponsored by Senator Dan Laughlin of Erie will allow squatters to be charged with defiant trespass if they didn’t vacate when told to by the property owner. The House passed the bill in June and this week it was passed in the House with advocates of the legislation saying it logically puts homeowner’s rights above a criminal’s rights.
CITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON POLICE PRESENCE AT CUTTERS GAMES
A vote is expected to take place at the Williamsport City Council meeting today about providing an extra-duty police officer at the home games of the Williamsport Crosscutters. According to the Sun Gazette, council will decide whether one or two officers are needed for the 40 games that take place at Journey Bank Ballpark and Historic Bowman field. Council members on the public safety committee said that no officers would be taken from the patrol force to cover the ballpark – it would be an extra duty assignment.
YOUNG MAN INJURED IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
A 20 year old from Lewisburg was injured July 4th in a motorcycle crash in Buffalo Township. According to the Daily Item, 20 year old Jace M Croutch was transported to Geisinger with suspected serious injuries when he was thrown from his motorcycle at the intersection of Buffalo Creek Road and Route 192 just after 11:15pm. He was released from the hospital Monday after being treated for minor injuries. State police say Croutch was not wearing a helmet or eye protection when he crested the hill, passing a horse & buggy at a high rate of speed before swerving and then sideswiping a vehicle stopped at Buffalo Creek Road before he was thrown from the bike. Croutch has been charged with three summary traffic violations.
VICTIM IN HAMMER STRIKE ASSAULT DIES FROM OTHER CAUSES
The woman who was hit in the head with a hammer by her husband in Lewisburg June 16th passed away Sunday, but not from the injuries she sustained during the attack. According to the Daily Item, the husband of 64 year old Cynthia Hope Kitchens, 66 year old Robert David Kitchens, of Buffalo Crossroads, is still in custody facing felony attempted homicide charges and other misdemeanors after he allegedly attacked his wife at home. She had sought treatment at Evangelical Community Hospital for her life-threatening injuries where the incident was reported to police after which they took Kitchens into custody. Officials say the woman’s death is the result of other health issues and will not elevate the charges to homicide when the husband faces a judge in Mifflinburg on August 13th.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY RIBBON CUTTING
The official ribbon cutting for the Central Susquehanna Opportunities Mobile Food Pantry happened this week in Danville, bringing awareness to a new program that also involves funding from GIANT, Geisinger and M&T Bank. According to Geisinger philanthropy officials, the goal of the Mobile Food Pantry is to address food insecurity and will make monthly stops to the Welsh Center in Coal Township, the Ber-Vaughn Park I Berwick and at the Danville Area Community Center. Get information at csocares.org.
BEER DELIVERY COMING TO PA THROUGH SHEETZ MOBILE APP
Through an expanded partnership with a door-to door delivery company, Sheetz in Pennsylvania will be able to deliver alcoholic beverages from 269 of their stores to customers in Pennsylvania through their mobile app and website. According to a statement by Sheetz, customers, who will be required to validate their age prior to purchase on the app, will be able to place beer orders online 7 days a week during certain hours. Go to orders.sheetz.com for information.
SPORTS
MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters is up one game in a 3 game series vs Trenton Thunder with last night’s match up cancelled due to rain. They’ll try again tonight @ Journey Bank Ballpark/Historic Bowman Field 6:35pm 1st pitch.
MLB
Tigers 5 Guardians 4
Cubs 4 Orioles 0
Yankees 2 Rays 1
Phillies 4 Dodgers 3
Mets 6 Nationals 2
Brewers 9 Pirates 0
MLB Tonight
Nationals vs Mets 1:10pm
Pirates vs Brewers 2:10PM
Dodgers vs Phillies 6:05pm
Cubs vs Orioles 6:35pm
Yankees vs Rays 6:50pm
Olympic Basketball
* Team USA completed a 86-72 victory over Team Canada in front of a record-setting crowd of 20,756 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for their 1st practice before Paris.
Anthony Edwards led Team USA with 13 points off the bench, and Anthony Davis had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks
* It also was the first time Steph Curry and LeBronJames played together on Team USA, after Curry was part of two world-championship-winning teams in 2010 and 2014 and James won gold in the Olympics in 2008 and 2012.
Tennis Wimbledon
Men’s
Novak Djokovic moved into a record-tying 13th semifinal yesterday because his quarterfinal opponent and 9th seed Australian, Alex de Minaur, withdrew with a hip injury hours before he and Djokovic were scheduled to play each other on Centre Court.
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 10, 2024
MONTOURSVILLE FIRE DISPLACES FAMILY
Montoursville, Loyalsock Township and Jersey Shore firefighters responded to a house fire Tuesday morning that has left a family and their pets displaced. According to the Sun Gazette, a fire in the basement of the home at 1200 Fairview Drive in Montoursville tripped an alarm that called 911 just after 7am, and brought first responders to the scene. Firefighters rescued two cats that had been caught in a second floor bedroom, and had the blaze which was confined to the basement under control in about 15 minutes. Officials say the home was insured and will require professional cleaning before the family can return. No one was injured, and state police are investigating the cause of the fire.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT IN MUNCY CREEK TOWNSHIP
Police are investigating a double motorcycle crash that happened in Muncy Creek Township Sunday at about 8:30pm. According to the Sun Gazette, two bikers riding together, 44 year old Nathan Beitz and 50 year old Keith Thomas, both crashed and their motorcycles and were thrown into a roadside ditch at East Lime Bluff and Chippewa roads. Both men were injured and transported to UPMC Williamsport by ambulance. Both bikes were towed from the scene.
880 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION COMING TO GEISINGER DANVILLE
A major expansion of Geisinger Medical Center’s Danville campus is on the way with an 880 million dollar investment to bring about modern spaces and tools to meet the region’s current and future healthcare needs. According to a press release there will be an expanded main entrance area and a new 11-story tower with a larger emergency room capable of serving up to 60 patients. The hospital plans to transition to a 100% private-room facility, as well, allowing a more comforting and modern healing environment. The project also proposes a multi-level parking garage near the front of the hospital that will connect to the facility with an enclosed sky bridge. The project is set to get underway in 2025.
NEW LICENSE PLATE DESIGN FOR PA
New designs for license plates and welcome signs have been created and were announced recently by PA Governor Josh Shapiro as we get ready to commemorate the commonwealth’s 250th birthday in 2026. According to the press release, the design of the license plate include a white background with a Liberty bell design and the words “Let Freedom Ring”. The Governor’s office said all existing standard issue license plate inventory will be used before transitioning to the new plate design. In addition, there are 8 new welcome signs installed already in PA with 1 placed at the state line in Tioga County at Route 1015, and 29 more to be erected in the next few months.
MUNCY CREEK TOWNSHIP MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON
A man from Muncy Creek Township is facing arson charges after police determined a fire in his basement bedroom was intentionally set Saturday. According to the Sun Gazette, 31 year old Tyler Newman who lived with mother at a home on Musser Lane, was away from the home about 3am Saturday when his mother discovered the fire and called 911. Police say following the determination that the fire was caused by suspicious circumstances, Newman returned home and was questioned about his whereabouts. After allegedly providing contradictory statements, he was taken into custody and charged with two felony counts each of aggravated arson and arson endangering the lives of others plus one felony count each of reckless burning, and causing or risking a catastrophe and more. He is in custody under 100 thousand dollars bail.
CAR SALESMAN CHARGED FOR NOT COMPLETING STATE PAPERWORK
A Bloomsburg Car salesman is being charged with theft after he sold over 100 thousand dollars worth of inventory but never turned in completed paperwork to PennDOT. According to North Central PA dot com, a customer said they contacted authorities after 62 year old Bradley A. Breisch didn’t turn over the titles for paid-in-full vehicles. Police audited the records at the Columbia Blvd business, and found 10 vehicle sales and no paper work completed. IN addition to a tampering with public records charge, Breisch is being charged with 10 counts of theft by deception and unprofessional conduct.
NEW LOCATION FOR LYCO COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Lycoming County Commissioners will hold their first public meeting this week in their new location on the third floor of the Third Street Plaza, located at 33 West Third Street. According to the commissioners there will be a ribbon cutting after the meeting at 11:30am Thursday to allow the public to get familiar with the new space. The sale of the former meeting location, offices at the Executive Plaza building on Pine Street was approved for sale in 2023 to Horizon Federal Credit Union. The Third Street location houses the commissioner’s public meeting room and offices, the treasurer’s office, Office of Voter Services, Veterans Affairs, and for now, the coroner’s office until renovations are complete at the new facility on Wahoo Drive.
VIGIL FOR TEEN PILOT WHO DIED JULY 4TH
There will be a vigil this week to honor and remember Maisie Bitler of Hughesville who died in a plane crash on July 4th. Maisie was a recent graduate of Hughesville Area Junior Senior High School and had been working on earning her private pilots license. Officials from the NTSB said Bitler had logged about 22 hours of flight time and was on her second solo flight when the Cessna 172N Skyhawk she was operating went down in the woods near Lock Haven. Friends and family will gather at the Hughesville Junior Senior High School, 349 Cemetery St, Hughesville at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 11. Organizers ask participants to bring a candle and photos to share.
SPORTS
MLB Draft League
The Williamsport Crosscutters defeated Trenton Thunder 6-3 last night at home in the 1st game of a 3-game series this week.
With last night’s win, the Cutters clinched the first half of the MLB Draft League and will host the MLB Draft League Championship on September 5th against the 2nd Half Champion.
MLB
Guardians 9 Tigers 8
Cubs 9 Orioles 2
Phillies 10 Dodgers 1
Rays 5 Yankees 3
Mets 7 Nationals 5
Pirates 12 Brewers 2
MLB Tonight
Cubs vs Orioles 6:35pm
Yankees vs Rays 6:50pm
Dodgers vs Phillies 7pm ESPN
Nationals vs Mets 7:10pm
Pirates vs Brewers 8:10pm
Tennis Wimbledon – Men’s
* After some medical treatment on and off the court yesterday by his trainers, top-seeded Jannik Sinner lost to Daniil Medvedev 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 , 2-6, 6-3 in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Tuesday.
* Medvedev will take on defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals for the second consecutive year.
Women’s
* Donna Vekic, a 28-year-old Croatian, reached her first Grand Slam semifinal in her 43rd appearance at a major tournament by beating qualifier Lulu Sun 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 Tuesday.
* She will face No. 7 Jasmine Paolini for a spot in the final.