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 250^th 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 4^TH

There will be a vigil this week to honor and remember Maisie Bitler of Hughesville who died in a plane crash on July 4^th.  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 1^st 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 5^th against the 2^nd 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. 

MEMORIAL HELD FOR CENTRAL MOUNTAIN TEEN

A candlelight memorial occurred last night near Lock Haven City Beach to memorialize the Central Mountain teen who drowned Saturday at in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.  Administrators at Central MNoutnain High School say that 18 year old Gavin Frey, of Howard was a hardworking leader among his friends.  A 22 year old man who was with Frey on Saturday was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville after the accident and remains hospitalized in unknown condition.  Monday, support services were announced to be available at Central Mountain High School, according to the school district Facebook page.  . Frey is the second Centre County teenager to die this year of drowning. 16 year old Nathan Dan, of Bellefonte, died in May while swimming at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.

MILL HALL CNA CHARGED WITH ABUSE

A former Mill Hall CNA is facing charges after she allegedly abused a patient in her care while she was employed at a skilled nursing facility in Jersey Shore in May.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say in an affidavit that 41 year old Sara Marie Watkins intentionally and repeatedly moved a patient in a lift, intentionally causing pain and mocking the patient when they cried out.  Watkins case has been held for court on the charges of abuse of a care-dependent person and harassment And she is free n 45 thousand dollars bail. The woman is no longer employed by the Jersey Shore Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

DATA BREACH AT GEISINGER

Geisinger has announced that up to a million files of patient information may have been involved in a data breach that occurred in November of 2023.  According to a press release, the outside vendor, Nuance Communications Incorporated, had terminated an employee who, upon the firing, accessed data to some of Geisinger’s patient records before Nuance could disconnect their access.  That former employee is now facing federal charges.  Geisinger reports the information breached varied by patient, but included more personal data than financial data or social security number data. 

PROGRAM HELPS OFFICERS UNDERSTAND RESIDENTS WITH AUTISM

PA state police have created a resource to help community members who are diagnosed with Autism communicate effectively when they have an encounter with a police officer.  According to State police officials, a card has been created that can be shared that helps reduce barriers between officers who may not be familiar with the needs of the Autistic person.  The card alerts law enforcement that the person may be uncomfortable with loud noises or with being touched or other barriers to communication, and police can then respond appropriately.  The cards are available online at psp.pa.gov under “public safety documents”.

HOMELESS MAN ATTACKS EMPLOYEES WHERE HE WASN’T HIRED

A homeless man who was overlooked as a new hire at the Sheetz store on West Fourth Street in Williamsport, went inside the store last May, threatening employees and causing a disturbance.  According to the Sun Gazette, Rhamir Hatcher went to the store on May 13^th at about 5pm and told employees he would kill them by stabbing, before he scattered over 800 dollars-worth of items around the store and pushed a cash register off the counter.  Court records say Hatcher was charged with terroristic threats, felony criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, shoplifting and criminal trespassing.  After the incident at the Sheetz, the man had been taken into custody for a probation violation.  He remains in jail in lieu of bail.

REPAVING OF SIX STREETS IN THE CITY TO START THIS SUMMER

Williamsport city council has approved a bid for re-paving of six streets in Williamsport and work is expected to be complete by September with considerations to avoid congestion during Little League World Series in August.  According to the Sun Gazette, Glenn O. Hawbaker was approved with a bid of just over 170 thousand dollars to pave the six streets, including Hollywood Circle, Taylor Place, Vallamont Drive, First Avenue, Wayne Avenue and East Third Street.  There is a reconstruction project also scheduled for Little League Boulevard  from Mulberry to Walnut Streets as well.  The public works committee will be discussing the detours around construction for a few weeks. 

TRIANGLE TECH TO CLOSE

The Pittsburgh based Triangle Tech, including the location in Sunbury, will be closing after this current semester is complete.  According to school officials the tech school that has operated for 80 years teaching various trades and assisting with job placement was struck hard by the COVID pandemic, changes in the industry landscape and strenuous government regulations along with a decline in enrollment, leading to the closure.  Other campuses effected include Greensburg, DuBois, Bethlehem, and Chambersburg are also.

GAME COMMISSION DOING THIRD BIRD ATLAS

The PA Game Commission is looking for the public’s help counting birds in Pennsylvania.  According to a press release, the Game Commission and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary are conducting the third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas between now and February of 2029.  Volunteers are asked to observe birds in Pennsylvania and report the findings online at ebird.org/atlaspa.  Instructions and tools to participate are also noted on that site under the explore tab. Coordinators of the program say, whether a volunteer observes one bird or 100, all the reporting is important.

SPORTS

NHL Stanley Cup Final
Game 7 in Edmonton
Panthers 2    Oilers 1  Florida wins 4-3
*  It’s been 25 years since the Panthers had a playoff victory
*   Oiler, Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2024 postseason.

 *   McDavid is the sixth player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe from team that lost in the Stanley Cup Final. He’s only the second skater after Reggie Leach of the Philadelphia Flyers, who was named MVP in 1976.

MLB
Guardians 3        Orioles  2
Phillies  8            Tigers  1
Reds  11              Pirates  5
Padres  7             Nationals 6
MLB Today
Guardians vs Orioles  6:35
Phillies vs Tigers  6:40pm
Yankees vs Mets  7:10pm TBS
Pirates vs Reds  7:10pm
Nationals vs Padres  9:40pm ESPN+

MLB Draft League
The Crosscutters are in West Virginia today for the 1^st of three games on the road. 
Friday Williamsport Cutters vs Frederick Keys – Friday night at home @6:35pm first pitch.

MAN SENTENCED AFTER ARREST FOR SELLING BATH SALTS

A Lock Haven man who pleaded guilty to two counts of delivering bath salts and one count of possession of a controlled substance, was sentenced this week to up to 10 years in state prison.  According to North Central PA dot com, the Clinton County District Attorney says 43-year-old Justin Eugene Dauberman has a 25 year criminal history, and the DA argued for the lengthy sentence in the case.  Dauberman will be eligible for parole in just under 3 years.

ANSONIA RESTAURANT DESTROYED BY FIRE

An historical building that was being used as a restaurant in Ansonia, Tioga County was lost in a fire on Tuesday.  According to the Wellsboro Gazette, a call came at 12:20am Tuesday morning for a fire at the Coach Stop Inn & Restaurant in Shippen Township on Route 6.  A second alarm went out before 1am with 5 more companies joining firefighters from Goodyear Hose from Galeton and Mansfield, who worked to establish two water supplies for the quickly moving fire.  After the fire was controlled crews stayed on the scene for a few hours.  Route 6 reopened after 4:30am .  Fire officials say the building that had last been open on June 15^th was a total loss. The state fire marshal is investigating. 

COOLING CENTERS AVAILABLE DURING HEAT ADVISORY

A few cooling centers are still available today as the heat advisory remains in place for our area through tomorrow evening.  All five Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging community centers report that they extended their hours for centers that are still operating in Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Herndon, Sunbury and Milton, and they will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Offering seating, air conditioning and beverages. In Lycoming County, The Williamsport Branch of the YMCA is also a cooling center open for city residents to cool down in the late afternoon through to 8pm.

DUI PATROLS IN TWO COUNTIES THIS WEEK

Roving DUI patrols are scheduled in Montour and Northumberland counties today through the next week.  According to the Daily Item, Highway Safety Network’s Regional DUI Enforcement Group and the Mahoning Township Police Department will begin the daily sobriety checkpoints until next Sunday June 30^th.  According to a press release, funding for the roving patrol program comes from PennDOT and the National Highway Safety Administration.  Motorists can report drunk drivers be calling 911.  Call 1-888-under21to report underage drinking.

PHILLY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR UNION COUNTY SCAM

Pennsylvania State police have arrested a Philadelphia woman who scammed a Union County man out of 400 thousand dollars over a 4 year period.  According to North Central PA dot com, 32 year old Krystal McKenzie-Carter originally contacted the victim claiming he won Publisher’s clearing House sweepstakes, and after time and numerous scam payments to the suspect, the victim finally contacted state police last August to report the theft.  Troopers and the U.S. Secret Service investigated bank records of McKenzie-Carter and traced deposits and withdrawals that coordinated with the scam.  The woman is charged with felony conspiracy theft by deception, receiving stolen property and more and is free on 2,000 dollars unsecured bail. Her preliminary hearing is July 11. 

MOUNT CARMEL WOMAN FACES FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES

A woman from Mount Carmel will spend 5 years in prison after a trial in in federal court in Northumberland County found her guilty of trafficking methamphetamine.  According to North Central PA dot com, 45 year old Micia Best was identified by the FBI as a suspect in a drug trafficking operation in which she moved a significant amount of methamphetamine throughout the Commonwealth.  In addition to jail time, Best must also undergo four years of supervised release.

WEEKEND WORK TO CLOSE ROUTE 45

Watch for weekend detours on Westbound Route 45 in Union and Northumberland Counties for a bridge preservation project.  According to PennDOT, starting at 8pm tonight through Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6am, Route 45 westbound will be closed between Water Street in Lewisburg Borough and Route 405 in West Chillisquaqu. Those using Route 45 westbound from Montandon to Lewisburg will be detoured using Route 45, Route 405 north, Route 642 west, and Route 15 south.  Route 45 eastbound will be maintained through the work zone.  Watch conditions of all the PA roadways 24/7 at the newly upgraded 511PA dot com.

DANVILLE TEACHER, TREE CLIMBER HOSTS GUEST ON CLIMB #46

The Danville Area High School agriculture teacher who has set the goal of climbing 67 trees in 67 counties in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about Pennsylvania’s hardwood forests, was recently joined by the PA Agriculture Secretary, Russell Redding on his 46^th climb.  Teacher and forester Van Wagner, met up with Redding at Blue Knob State Park in Bedford County and posted video of the climb on his YouTube channel @vanwags along with all his previous climbs.  The PA Office of Outdoor Recreation says that investments in our forests are investments in the quality of our Commonwealth communities.

SPORTS

MLB Draft League 
Williamsport Crosscutters 8          Mahoning Valley Scrappers  3
Game 2 at home again tonight in a 4-Game series with Mahoning Valley – 6:35pm first pitch

MLB
Guardians 6        Mariners  3
D’backs  5           Nationals  2
Orioles  17          Yankees  5
Cardinals 6         Giants  5 / Rickwood Field in Birmingham AL
MLB Tonight
Mets vs Cubs  2:20pm
D’Backs vs Phillies  6:40pm  AppleTv
Rays vs Pirates 6:40pm
Braves  vs Yankees  7:05pm AppleTv
Orioles vs Astros  8:10pm

NHL Stanley Cup Final Tonight
Panthers vs Oilers Game 6 –  8pm ABC/ESPN+ FLA leads 3-2

NBA News
There will be no public memorial for Hall of Fame player and executive Jerry West.  In a statement released Thursday by the LA Clippers, West’s family stated they would honor Jerry’s wishes and mourn his passing privately.  West died June 12 at age 86.  He  can be honored through donations to four funds at West Virginia, including academic and basketball scholarships named after him and his wife.

BOXING
Boxing star Ryan Garcia has been suspended one year after he reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission following positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs.  The suspension is retroactive to Garcia’s April 20^th  decision victory over Devin Haney, which has been overturned to a no-contest.  Garcia also forfeited his $1.2 million purse.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER ATTACKING SOUTHSIDE WOMAN

43 year old Monroe County man is in custody after he allegedly attacked a woman in South Williamsport June 13^th, allegedly telling police as they apprehended him, that he should have killed the woman.  According to the Sun Gazette  Justin Fendelander of Cresco strangled and bit his victim at a Phillips Park Drive apartment, before she  was able to call police, saying she was in fear for her life.  Fendelander said his victim caused him to have facial injuries, but the woman said were self-inflicted.  Fendelander is in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

FORMER EMPLOYEES ALLEGEDLY STOLE FOOD FROM RESTAURANT

Two Williamsport women were arrested for stealing food from a fast food restaurant where they worked.  According to the Sun Gazette, 21 year old Shaniyah West and 63 year old Stephanie A. Davis are accused of taking over 34 hundred dollars worth of roast beef and other foods from the East Third Street Arby’s between May and June of 2023.  State police say the two face felony charges of theft and criminal conspiracy and are free on bail.

HEAT ADVISORY CONTINUES

A heat advisory is in place all week as temperatures rise and humidity sets in according to the National Weather Service in State College.  The high heat is expected to remain through Friday at 8pm for most central PA counties with temperatures potentially reaching 100 degrees.  Get details about the signs and symptoms of heat stroke at wather.gov. In addition to a heat advisory, there is more potential for severe thunderstorms with brief heavy rain and gusty winds all this week in the afternoon and evening hours.

JUNETEENTH EVENTS THIS WEEK

Today is Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865, when Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas with news of the end of the Civil War, in which slaves were made aware they had been freed two years earlier following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.  As a federal holiday, most banks, post offices and state agencies will be closed today, with Juneteenth programs taking place in some areas. The public is invited to Lewisburg today from 4 to 8 p.m. for a celebration in Hufnagle Park and on Saturday in Williamsport gather noon til 4 in Shaw Place park for a festival including food, games art and music.

BELLFONTE MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE

Charges were held over for court in July for attempted homicide charges against a Bellefonte man this week in Centre County Court.  According to North Central PA dot com, police were called to a Beaver Farm Lane apartment where 20-year-old D’Andre James McCaslin had allegedly attacked his victim causing multiple injuries.  Police say when they discovered the woman’s injuries, they took McCaslin into custody.  He is being charged with criminal attempt at murder, aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault,  and more, and is being held at the Centre County Prison in lieu of $115,000 monetary bail. There will be a formal arraignment in July.

SHAMOKIN MAN SENTENCED

A man from Shamokin was sentenced to up to 12 years in Northumberland County Court last week after being convicted of felony strangulation and assault.  According to the Daily Item, a victim told police that 30 year old Thomas Ahmad choked and punched her several times during a domestic disturbance in June of 2023.  Ahmad said an argument escalated and that the woman was the aggressor.  He reported to authorities that he asked her to stop hitting him during an argument as she refused to let him leave the home in the Raspberry Hill section of Shamokin.  A jury sided with the victim  in the case prosecuted by the Assistant District Attorney Mike Seward.

SELINSGROVE ROAD WORK

A Selinsgrove roadway will be closed next week for a scheduled pipe replacement project.  According to the Daily Item, part of University Avenue between 18th Street and Fairview Drive is expected to be closed Monday June 24^th for at least one day for the construction.  PennDOT says there will be a detour in place while crews are working using 18th Street and Route 522.  Work will happen weather permitting between 6am and 2pm.

BEER TO BE SERVED AT BLOOMSBURG FAIR

When the Bloomsburg Fair comes around this fall, they’ll be making history over beverage sales – specifically, the beer.  According to WNEP, the Grandstand Superintendent of the Bloomsburg Fair says they will allow beer sales this year inside the Grandstand during concerts to ticket holders, except on Sundays when a Christian band plays.  The vote to partner with Yuengling was up to the fair board’s 13 members, only one of whom voted no on the alcohol sales for 2024 – which will still allow the beer sales to occur.  The Bloomsburg fair is September 20^th through the 28^th .

SPORTS

MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters  13          State College Spikes  2
Cutters stay in State College tonight for the 2^nd in a 2-game series.  They come home tomorrow and host Mahoning Valley Scrappers for “Milton Watsontown night” 6:35pm first pitch.

MLB
Mariners  8         Guardians 5
Reds  2                Pirates 1
Phillies  4            Padres  3
D’Backs  5          Nationals  0
Yankees  4          Orioles  2
Mets  7                Rangers  6
MLB Tonight
Reds vs Pirates  12:35 ESPN+
Padres  vs Phillies  1:05pm
Orioles  vs Yankees  7:05pm
Mets  vs Rangers  8:05pm 

MLB News
* Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid” of 50s and 60s Giants fame, a home run slugger and center field star for most of his 23-year Major League Baseball career, died Tuesday at 93 after a short illness.
*  Mays was to be honored Thursday evening at Birmingham’s Rickwood Field , Mays’ hometown and site of his Negro League career before 1948 – for a Giants-St. Louis Cardinals game.
*  Mays got 95% of the vote when he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1979, after a career with 660 home runs, 3,283 hits, two National League MVP awards and a record-tying 24 All-Star Game.  Mays’ All-Star Game records include most at-bats (75), most hits (23), most runs (20) and most stolen bases (six).

NHL Stanley Cup Game 5
Oilers  5  Panthers 3  FLA leads 3-2
NHL Stanley Cup Final Friday
Panthers vs Oilers  Game 6  8pm ABC/ESPN+

Olympic Swimming
22-year-old former Stanford swimmer, Regan Smith  is locked in for the 2024 Paris Olympics after she smashed and reclaimed the women’s 100-meter backstroke world record Tuesday night at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium, lowering the mark to 57.13.  The previous record was 57.33, which Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown set in 2023.