SOUTHSIDE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

A collision between a motorcycle and a car happened Sunday morning in South Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, the operator of the bike was hospitalized after he was traveling south on route 554 and attempted to accelerate and pass the driver of a Cheverolet Trax that was turning left into the American Legion Post 617 parking area.  They collided and the unnamed motorcyclist was thrown from the bike as it continued to travel further into the parking lot. South Williamsport and Loyalsock Township police and firefighters responded to the crash and transported the injured man to UPMC Williamsport.

TWO TEENS ATTACKED IN BENTON JOB CORE FACILITY

Police say a 20 year old man attacked two teens, causing injury, at Red Rock Job Corps in Benton last Wednesday.  According to North Central PA dot com, Dakota Harrison allegedly concealed a metal fork in his pocket and used it during a fight with two teens, aged 16 and 17, at the center.  Staff at the facility broke up the fight and took the teenagers to a nearby hospital.  Harrison is facing simple assault and harassment charges.

LANE RESTRICTIONS IN MUNCY CREEK TOWNSHIP

There will be lane restrictions today on I-180 in both the east and westbound lanes in Muncy Creek Township, for a bridge deck patching project.  According to PennDOT, a maintenance crew will perform bridge deck patching on the structures that carry Interstate 180 over Route 405. Watch for activity near mile marker 13, the Muncy / Route 405 interchange between the hours of 8am and 3pm, weather permitting. You can use 511PA dot com, to check road conditions throughout the Commonwealth 24/7.

FLY-IN BREAKFAST SCHEDULED IN WELLSBORO

The all-you-can-eat fly-in breakfast hosted by the Canyon Pilots Association in Wellsboro is set for next Sunday May 26^th.  According to North Central PA dot com, the annual event is open to the public who can park for free at the Grand Canyon Regional Airport, 112 Runway Road and for a requested 10 dollar donation for adults, enjoy the traditional buckwheat pancakes.  Weather permitting, there will be full-size aircraft landing with airplane rides available for a fee.  The Mountain Modelaires also attend and display radio-controlled model aircraft at the event for public viewing.  The breakfast on May 26^th starts at 8am.  Email [email protected] for information.

HIGH SPEED CHASE ENDS UP WITH AN ARREST

A motorcyclist was taken into custody on East Third street in Williamsport May 12^th  after leading police on a high speed chase that started in Montoursville.  According to North Central PA dot com, police spotted the driver, later identified as 24 year old  Phoenix N. Dodds, speeding on  Loyalsock Avenue, and attempted the traffic stop.  Police say Dodds fled to the exit of I-180 west and allegedly accelerated up to 110mph until he exited at Exit 23, cutting through traffic and doing wheelies.  The traffic on East Third blocked Dodds in at a red light and police arrested him.  He is being charged with charged with felony fleeing, careless and reckless driving, failing to obey traffic control signs, making improper turns, and failing to have a registration plate on his vehicle.

UNION COUNTY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR STRANGULATION

A woman from Middleburg was arrested May 12^th after she allegedly strangled another woman at a home on Orchard Road in Lewis Township in Union County.  According to Milton State Police, 25-year-old Brianna Lynn Fowler and the victim argued about a dog until police say witnesses report Fowler lunged at the victim, pushing her to a couch with her hands around her neck.  The witness broke up the altercation which the victim says lasted about 90 seconds.  Fowler was charged with a felony count of strangulation, and other misdemeanors for assault and harassment.  She was arraigned and bail was set at 5 thousand dollars.

XYLAZINE CLASSIFIED AS A SCHEDULE III DRUG IN PA

An animal tranquilizer used as a cutting agent in heroin and fentanyl has now been classified a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act after overwhelming support in the PA General Assembly earlier this month brought about the Governor’s signature last week.  According to Governor Shapiro’s office, the classification of xylazine, sometimes called “tranq”, criminalizes illicit possession of the drug while still allowing veterinarians to access it for use on large animals. The drug was declared unsafe for human use by the FDA in 2022.

SUMMER HOURS AT LITTLE LEAGUE MUSEUM

Spring and summer hours have been announced for the World of Little League Museum and the Little League Main Gift Shop that will begin after closures over the Memorial Day weekend.  According to Little League International, starting May 30^th, the museum will be open 7 days a week 9am til 4pm until the conclusion of the Little League Baseball World Series in August.  The new merchandise with the theme “Live Your Series” will be available in the shop and online at shop little league dot org, with 2024 season patches available for sale.  Any little leaguer who wears their local league jersey with the official Little League patch will be admitted to the museum for free. 

SPORTS

NASCAR
*  Joey Logano dominated the track on Sunday, leading for 199 laps out of 200, and taking the checkered flag in the 2024 NASCAR All-Star race Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway He pocketed $1 million for the victory for Ford and Team Penske in the 40th annual race.
*  Denny Hamlin was 2^nd, Chris Buescher 3^rd, Kyle Larson 4^th and Ryan Blaney Rounded out the top 5.
*  Ty Gibbs in his #54 Toyota led all 100 laps in the All-Star Open Race Sunday

NBA East/West Semifinals
Pacers  130                            Knicks  109  IND wins series  4-3
Timberwolves  98                  Nuggets  90 MIN wins series 4-3
NBA Tuesday 
East Finals – Pacers vs Celtics  8pm ESPN/ESPN2
NBA Wednesday
West Finals – Mavericks vs Timberwolves  8:30pm TNT

MLB
Guardians 5        Twins  2
Red Sox  11        Cardinals 3
Yankees  7          White Sox  2
Orioles  6            Mariners  3
Phillies  11          Nationals  5
Mets  7                Marlins  3
Pirates  3             Cubs  2
MLB Today
White Sox vs Blue Jays  3:07pm ESPN+
Mets vs Cleveland  6:10pm
Twins vs Nationals  6:45pm
Mariners vs Yankees  7:05pm

NHL Today West 2^nd Round Game 7
Oilers  vs Canucks  9pm ESPN
NHL Wednesday East Finals Game 1
Panthers vs NY Rangers  8pm  ESPN/ESPN+

POLICE SEEK SHAMOKIN SHOOTING SUSPECT

After a shooting of a teenager in Shamokin earlier this week, Coal Township police have issued an arrest warrant for a 15 year old who may have fled to the Philadelphia area.  According to the News Item, police say 15-year-old Aiden J. Scott shot another a 15 year old boy in the chest in a wooded area on South Vine Street near the Shamokin-Coal Township border around 2pm Tuesday.  The victim was taken to the Shamokin police department where he was stabilized and transported by ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, before being flown by helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville where he is in serious condition. Scott has been charged as an adult and is facing charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a minor and recklessly endangering another person.  If you have information about the shooting or Scott’s whereabouts call Coal Township Police Department at 570-644-0333.

MAN CHARGED FOR SHARING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

A man from Snyder County has been arrested after police discovered he was sharing child pornography through social media, following an investigation.  According to North Central PA dot com, 23 year old Robert William Bowen III of Selinsgrove was arrested May 10^th, after the parent company of Facebook, Meta, provided a CyberTip to local police when the pornographic images were shared last year.  Once police got a search warrant for Bowen’s phone and other files, he was charged with two felony counts of child pornography, and two other related felonies. His preliminary hearing is May 20^th and his bail was set at 50 thousand dollars.

LANE RESTRICTION TODAY ON THE CSVT RIVER BRIDGE

There will be a lane restriction today on Route 147 northbound in Union Township, Union County, for pavement testing.  According to PennDOT, a crew will work on the northbound  approach to the CSVT River Bridge from the Snyder-Union side of the river. Watch for the right lane to be restricted where work is being performed between noon and 5pm  weather permitting.

WILLIAMSPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION GROUP WILL START AGAIN IN FALL

Williamsport area High and Middle Schools are just a couple of the schools in the United States that started a suicide prevention program, calling the 16 students who were nominated by their fellow students as the “Hope Squad”.  The current Hope Squad began at the beginning of this school year, and is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that encourages students and helps them know they are not alone.  Now that the school year is ending, a new group of students for the Hope Squad program will be nominated in the fall.  If you are struggling with mental health issues call or text 988, or use the chat at 988lifeline.org.

CONVICTED MURDERER SAY SENTENCE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A Selinsgrove man sentenced to life without the possibility for parole for killing his estranged wife in 2022, went back to court this week to try and overturn the decision of his bench trial in March.  According to the Daily Item, attorneys for Brad A. Bailor,  who was found guilty of first-degree murder and was at the hearing via video from SCI Smithfield, filed a post-sentence motion saying the life without parole sentence is unconstitutional in Pennsylvania. Senior Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr. denied the request, saying the case was for a higher court to rule on.

MONTGOMERY MAN ARRESTED FOR SELLING BODY PARTS

A Montgomery man is facing charges of transporting stolen body parts between Kansas and Pennsylvania from 2018 through 2022.  According to WNEP, 38 year old Andrew Ensanian is a co-defendant with a Wichita man who was also charged this week by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for allegedly trafficking human remains. Federal investigators say six co-conspirators were accused of selling human body parts to a Cumberland County man and were charged in June of 2023. Ensanian and the other defendant from Kansas do not yet have a trial date set.

RIDER PARK TO GET RENOVATED

Thanks to a Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant from DCNR,  the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania was able to announce yesterday a 500 thousand dollar investment in Rider Park and broke ground for the work that will include a number of upgrades.  According to the Sun Gazette, improvements should take about 6 weeks and will feature a new pavilion, information kiosk, rain gardens, expanded parking and a new entrance gateway to the park.  Additional funding will come from private donations and Lycoming County Act 13 Legacy Funds from state impact fees.  Follow the progress for the renovation at 330 Pine Street in Williamsport, at Rider Park on Facebook.

RUTTER’S TO EMPLOY 50 IN MILTON

A tri-state area convenience store, based in York, PA, has announced they have started construction  at a new location just off the Industrial Park Road exit of Route 147 near Milton.  According to the News Item, Rutter’s plans to employ 50 people at the new location,  which will feature 12 auto-fueling positions and five commercial fueling lanes, 24 hours a day.  The chain will feature 13 thousand 500 square feet inside the store with a new design that is different from most of the other 87 stores locations around PA, Maryland and West Virginia. The Milton store is expected to open by the end of 2024.

SPORTS

PIAA D4 Baseball
Jersey Shore  7     Midd-West  5 
NP Mansfield 5    NE Bradford  3
Elk Lake  10         Wyalusing 5
Softball
NP Liberty  7       NE Bradford  2
Williamson  9       Montgomery  2
Bloomsburg  4     Milton  3

NBA
Celtics  113          Cavaliers  98  BOS wins series 4-1
Mavericks  104    Thunder  92  DAL leads 3-2
NBA Tonight
Nuggets  vs Timberwolves  8:30pm ESPN  DEN leads  3-2

MLB

Rangers  4            Guardians  0
Orioles  3             Blue Jays  2
Brewers  10          Pirates  2
White Sox 2         Nationals 0
Phillies  10                     Mets  5
Rays  4                 Red Sox  3
Yankees 4            Twins  0

MLB Today
Yankees vs Twins  1:10pm
Mets vs Phillies  6:40pm
Pirates vs Cubs  7:40pm
Cincinnati  vs LA Dodgers 10:10pm

NHL
Avalanche  5        Stars  3 DAL leads  3-2
NHL Tonight
Rangers vs Hurricanes 7pm TNT NY leads 3-2
Oilers  vs Canucks  10pm TNT  tied 2-2

NFL News
* Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will start working on their third straight Super Bowl title as they host the Baltimore Ravens  September 5^th  in the kickoff game, while the Los Angeles Rams are at the Detroit Lions in the Sunday night game on Sept. 8^th in another playoff rematch.
* The Atlanta Falcons will host Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers September 8th, as he debuts with Pittsburgh after being released by Denver.
* Arthur Smith is the Steelers’ offensive coordinator after being fired as Falcons coach.

PHILLY MAN FILES SUIT AGAINST WILLIAMSPORT POLICE

A Philadelphia man is suing the Williamsport Bureau of Police, claiming they used extreme use of force during a raid at a hotel room on East Third Street IN Williamsport in the spring of 2021.  According to the Sun Gazette, Antwan Hairston says he woke to Williamsport police banging on the door and alleges that when he opened the door, officers who didn’t have a warrant at first, injured him by hitting him on the head with a gun during the apprehension. Police say Hairston and another person who were staying in the room faced felony drug charges and Hairston was initially jailed but later released.  The man’s federal lawsuit, asks for compensatory damages of $475,000, punitive damages of $250,000 and costs, states his Constitutional rights were violated, and wants the police to publicly apologize and be held accountable.

JERSEY MAN TO BE EXTRADICTED

A New Jersey man and accused murderer was arrested in Northumberland County this past Friday.  Forty three year-old Aswad Spruiel, originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, had been in the sights of the US Marshals Service since last July and was arrested on South Coal Street in Shamokin.  Spruiel’s extensive history of crime prompted the Marshals to deploy a ‘Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force’, composed of 22 state, county and local officials including some in the Williamsport City police. Spruiel is currently being held in Northumberland County prison awaiting transport back to New Jersey.

BRIDGE WORK TO CLOSE ROAD IN WATSONTOWN

The Watsontown River Bridge will close today through Sunday, June 16 for a bridge preservation project. According to PennDOT, Brimmer Avenue will be closed between Route 15 in White Deer Township in Union County and Elm Street and Canal Street in Watsontown while they patch the bridge and also do epoxy overlay and milling of the bridge approaches. A detour using Main Street, Route 44, and Route 15, which will be in place for the 35 days.

COMPOST SITE CHANGES HOURS

Selinsgrove borough officials say non-resident dumping at the compost site is happening more frequently, and they’ve changed operating hours of the site to  combat the problem. According to the borough website, Selinsgrove.org, extra costs are incurred and must be covered by local residents when extra debris is left to be ground up.  Compost hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays of the month, excluding holidays.

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER THEFT ATTEMPT

A woman who stole her mother’s identification, allegedly tried to steal 10 thousand dollars from her bank account, but was stopped by the teller who reported the attempted theft to the mother who called police.  According to North Central PA dot com, bank officials say 42 year old Suann Nicole Dyar attempted to withdraw the funds through the drive-through, but when requested to come inside for the transaction, she was unable to verify any information on her mother’s account, who later confirmed Dyer did not have permission to withdraw funds.  Police found the mother’s ID at Dyer’s home.  She is being charged with theft by deception and identity theft.

OFFICER IN CLINTON COUNTY CAUGHT SMUGGLING CONTRABAND

A corrections officer at Clinton County Correctional facility was charged with conspiracy after it discovered he was the source of contraband making it’s way to the inmates.  According to North Central dot com, routine testing of inmates that turned up drug detection led to an investigation in which an inmate disclosed that officer 27 year old Adryan Lynn Selleck of Lock Haven was smuggling bundled items into the prison, including marijuana, methamphetamine , and bath salts.  Selleck told officers April 28^th, that he never inspected the contents he carried in and only thought cigarettes were inside. Along with felony contraband and controlled substance conspiracy, Selleck faces two felonies of conspiracy possession with intent to deliver.  He posted 75 thousand dollars monetary bail and has a preliminary hearing June 25^th.

BRIDGE WORK FOR A MONTH IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

There will be a bridge flushing project going on this week in Northumberland County, mostly on I-80, I-180 and Route 147. According to PennDOT, the project is part of a moving operation that will cause some lanes to be restricted with flaggers between the hours of 8am and 2pm on days when crews are on the scene working.  Use 511PA dot com to check road conditions 24/7 across the Commonwealth.

FORTNITE CLUB AT JV BROWN LIBRARY

A club for teens who play the video game Fortnite has started at the James V. Brown Library in Williamsport and will meet monthly to use the library’s computers and meet with others to discuss the rated “T for Teen” game’s characters, strategies, and more.  The club will get together on the 1^st Friday of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 through December of 2024.  The club meets in the teen area on the 2^nd floor of the Welch Children’s Wing of the library on West 4^th Street.

SPORTS

PIAA D4 Baseball
Montoursville  9            Canton 0
Williamsport 16  Midd-West  2  /5
Montgomery  7    Millville 0
Warrior Run  14  Muncy  1
South Wmsprt 4  Benton 2
Cntrl Columbia  9  Hughesville 8/8
NP Mansfield  10  Williamson 0  /5
Neumann  11        Sugar Valley  2
Cntrl Mntain  12    Lewisburg  3
Softball 
Muncy  7              Mifflinburg  2
Williamsport  11   Lewisburg 1
Warrior Run  13  Montgomery  2
Danville 8             Hughesville 5

NBA Semifinals
Celtics  109          Cavaliers 102 BOS leads 3-1
Thunder  100       Mavericks  96  tied 2-2
NBA Semifinals Tonight
Pacers  vs Knicks 8pm TNT tied 2-2
Timberwolves vs Nuggets  tied 2-2

MLB
Guardians  7       Rangers  0
Blue Jays  3        Orioles  2
Phillies  5            Mets 4/10
Rays  5                Red Sox  3
Pirates  8             Brewers  6
D’Backs 6           Reds  5
Nationals  vs White Sox postponed/Rain

MLB Today
Phillies vs Mets  1:10pm
Nationals vs White Sox 4:40pm
Pirates vs Brewers  7:40pm
Yankees vs Twins  7:40pm TBS
NHL 2^nd Round
Hurricanes 4         Rangers  1 NY Leads 3-2
Stars 5                  Avalanche 1  DAL leads 3-1
NHL Tonight
Bruins vs Panthers  7pm ESPN FLA leads 3-1
Canucks vs Oilers  9:30pm ESPN  VAN leads 2-1

HEAD-ON COLLISION IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

A head-on collision between a city bus and a car on the Golden Strip in Loyalsock Township shut down a lane of traffic yesterday afternoon and caused several injuries.  According to the Sun Gazette, 4 passengers of a River Valley Transit bus and the driver of a Nissan Altima were treated for injuries with two vicitims involved transported to UPMC Williamsport.  Police say the driver of the Altima turned in front of the bus to enter a parking lot near Westminster Drive just before 4:30pm.  The accident caused authorities from Loyalsock Township and South Williamsport to divert traffic from the eastbound lanes while they cleaned up.  One westbound lane of East Third Street remained open.

MILLVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, DRUG POSSESSION

A 43 year old Millville man had an arraignment last Thursday in Lycoming County Court answering to two counts of felony charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine from two incidents last year, as well as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for illegally operating a golf cart on Gardner Road in Franklin Township back in November 2021.  According to North Central PA dot com, for the burglary charge, Richard Dale Hunley, along with two others, allegedly broke into the state police impound lot in Montoursville and removed items from a car that had been seized.  Hunley is free on 125 thousand dollars bail.

PERMANENT TRAFFIC LIGHT INSTALLED IN FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP

Motorists are advised that the reconstruction and bridge replacement project continues this week at Lycoming Mall Drive Fairfield Road in Fairfield Township. According to PennDOT, yesterday the temporary traffic signals were installed at the intersection of Fairfield Road and Lycoming Mall Drive. At this time, the temporary traffic signals at that intersection are in full activation mode. Check 511PA dot com to check road conditions 24/7 across PA.

MOVIE PROCEEDS BENEFIT MUNCY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Muncy Township Volunteer Fire Company will benefit from the proceeds today through Sunday when District Cinema at the former Lycoming Mall will show screenings of new and retro movies as a fundraiser.  According to Sun Gazette, in a recent news release, cinema operator Dipson Theaters who partnered with District Cinema LLC, says the soft opening of the theater this weekend, will include canned beer and mixed beverages for sale from Bald Birds Brewery Company that can be enjoyed during the show.  Theater executives say they are grateful for the dedication of the Muncy Volunteer firefighters and hope the donation this weekend will help continue their “noble work”.  Get details about the show times and listings online at thedistrict.dipsontheatres.com.

FATHER JAILED FOR NEGLECT OF MEDICAL ISSUES

A man from Mill Hall has been charged with felony endangerment of children after a Clinton County Children and Youth Services referral uncovered that three children in the home had serious medical needs that were neglected.  According to North Central PA dot com, 39 year old Robert Edward Winslow allegedly refused dental care for a teenage child who had been having serious pain since early 2023, as well as refusal to refill medication prescriptions for another child who suffered from mental health issues.  Winslow also refused to comply with caseworkers who visited the home dozens of times in 2023.  Winslow must answer to 5 felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child.  He remains incarcerated at Clinton County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.

JUVENILES PLEAD GUILTY TO POACHING DEER

A group of juveniles in Cambria County pleaded guilty to poaching deer in the fall of 2023.  According to State Police, the Game Warden received reports of what they called a “poaching spree” before they found 10 deer were killed at night and left to rot.  On the fourth night of the thrill killings, Troopers and Cresson Township police located and apprehended the suspects while they were actively engaged in the illegal activity.  They each were arraigned with the Cambria County juvenile probation office, and with their plea deal, were convicted of felony unlawful killing or taking of big game, $5,000 in fines, probation, 50 hours of community service, and multiple years of hunting license revocation.  If you know of  wildlife crimes, contact the toll-free hotline of Operation Game Thief at 1-888-PGC-8001.

BUMP STOCK BILL FAILS IN HARRISBURG

Proposed bills in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to ban bump stocks and formulate an electronic gun sale registry narrowly failed Tuesday, after lawmakers said the bills violate the second amendment, and the one about bump stocks duplicates federal laws.  According to the Center Square, House Bill 335 and 2206, both failed with a Democrat from Johnstown issuing the tie-breaking no-vote.

LYCOMING COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT SATURDAY

Lycoming College’s 176th Commencement ceremony is tomorrow and will feature the commencement address by Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter.  According to North Central PA dot com, Mayor Slaughter will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Lycoming College during the ceremony. Cathryn Brought, a graduating senior from Wellsboro, will also speak at the commencent ceremony which will be held outdoors Saturday at 2pm on the Fultz Quad unless it rains. A decision about moving commencement indoors will be made by 9am at Lycoming.edu in the case of inclement weather.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Softball
Hughesville 20             Wellsboro  4
NP Liberty  14             Troy 1
Montgomery  21          St John Neumann  2  /5

NBA East/West Semifinals
Cavaliers  118              Celtics  94 tied 1-1
Mavericks  119            Thunder  110 tied 1-1
NBA Semifinals Tonight
Knicks vs Pacers  7pm ESPN  NY leads 2-0
Nuggets  vs Timberwolves  9:30pm ESPN MIN leads 2-0

MLB
White Sox  3                Guardians  2
Diamondbacks  5         Reds 4
Astros  4                       Yankees  3
Brewers  7                    Cardinals 1
MLB Tonight
Cubs vs Pirates 6:40pm
Yankees vs Rays  6:50pm
Dbacks vs Orioles 7:05 AppleTv
Phillies vs Marlins  7:10pm
Nationals  vs Red Sox  7:10pm

NHL
Rangers  3           Hurricanes 2 NY leads 3-0
Stars  5                Avalanche 3  tied 1-1
NHL Tonight
Panthers  vs Bruins  7pm TNT tied 1-1
Oilers vs Canucks 10pm TNT VAN leads  1-0NASCAR Sunday
Goodyear 400  Darlington Raceway – Darlington SC
Pre-Race  2pm/ Green Flag 3pm
Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network/ WILQ’s HD3

ACCIDENT SLOWED TRAFFIC ON I-180 EAST TUESDAY

There were big backups yesterday afternoon when a vehicle crash occurred on I-180 east in Loyalsock Township.  According to PennDOT, there was crawling  traffic in the area past the crash site at the Faxon exit, mile marker 26 at about 3:30pm which backed things up for about one and a half miles.  Drivers saw the lane restriction starting at the Market Street, Route 15 and Lewisburg interchange.  The traffic flow improved within the hour after clean up of the accident.

2013 SEX OFFENDER OUT ON SUPERVISED BAIL

A Williamsport man who is accused of two hundred felony sexual assault charges after a year-long relationship with a minor eleven years ago was in court Tuesday.  According to the Sun Gazette, 50 year old Joshua Carter Turner is facing the rape charges for actions that began at a business in Newberry where he worked when he was 35 years old which progressed between him and the 14 year old from 2012 to 2013.  Turner was initially denied bail for 30 felony charges each of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and more, after waiving his preliminary hearing this week he was given 150 thousand dollars supervised release.

CONTRACTOR ARRESTED FOR FRAUD

A contractor from Williamsport, who police say has a history of similar conduct, has been arrested for fraud after he took money for home repair last month and never did the work.  According to the Sun Gazette, the owner of PhaseUp Contracting, Jason Robert Yahn of Linden took 300 dollars from an elderly woman in April to repair a kitchen ceiling and never came back.  He was recently incarcerated for a felony charge of contractor fraud and also faces additional misdemeanor charges, including theft by deception, deceptive business practice and more.  He was jailed under five thousand dollars bail.

FREE BUS RIDES TODAY

There will be free rides on River Valley Transit buses today as a thank you to all passengers who use the bus system for transportation to work, school,  healthcare appointments, or recreation.  According to RVTA Executive Director Todd Wright says “Rider Appreciation Day” is a statewide initiative developed in coordination with the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Agency and the administrative staff are planning to make surprise appearances on undisclosed buses to hand out thank you gifts to riders.  River Valley Transit will not charge fares today in Williamsport and the surrounding areas including Muncy, Hughesville, Montoursville, Loyalsock, Montgomery and Jersey Shore.

VICTIM IN GAMBLE TOWNSHIP CRASH IDENTIFIED

The woman from Trout Run who was killed in a one car accident this week after the SUV she was driving went off the road in Gamble Township, has been identified.  According to the Sun Gazette, 40 year old Meralea Cook was traveling northbound on Sugar Camp Road and went off the roadway and down an embankment at about 3:15pm Monday.  There were no witnesses of the crash.  The Lycoming County coroner pronounced Cook dead at the scene after she suffered blunt force trauma injuries.  State police at Montoursville say Cook lived only a few miles from the crash site.

INMATE ARRESTED AFTER ESCAPING DURING WORK RELEASE

An inmate at Union County Prison has been charged with escape after he skipped his work release job in Lewsiburg and went to his girlfriend’s house instead for several hours.  According to North Central PA dot com, 50 year old Jamie Lee Heaney was on work release April 15^th when he went missing.  Police say a few hours later, Heaney reported back to the jail, was drug tested, and came up positive.  He admitted smoking pot with his girlfriend while he was with her.  The escape charge against Heaney is a felony.  He has a preliminary hearing in Union County Court on May 23^rd. 

BRIDGE WORK IN FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP

The reconstruction and bridge replacement project continues today at Lycoming Mall Drive and Fairfield Road in Fairfield Township.  According to PennDOT, the work yesterday, which included work on the bridge at Lycoming Mall Drive over Bennetts Run, continues today with the installation and activation of temporary traffic signals  which will be in  flashing mode at the intersection of Fairfield Road and Lycoming Mall Drive.  You may see lane shifts and single lane conditions with flagging during off-peak and overnight hours where work is being performed.

PENN COLLEGE EMPLOYEE CHOSEN AS WORLD SERIES UMPIRE

A man from Enola, PA who is an employee of Penn College of Technology as a senior program manager of commercial buildings for the college’s Clean Energy Center, has been chosen as one of 16 people chosen to be an umpire at the 77^th edition of the Little League Baseball World Series.  According to Penn College, Zachary Gump was chosen in February after many years of umpiring beginning when he was a teenager though  earning his NCAA credentials to ump at the collegiate level.  Gump also participated in a weeklong umpire clinic at the Little League International Complex in 2015. IN this eleit position, he is guaranteed at least one game behind the plate and at each of the three bases. After four games, assignments will be based on performance.

SPORTS

PIAA HS
Baseball
Montoursville  2  Central Columbia 1
Canton  5             Wellsboro  3
Milton  7              Mount Carmel  6
Softball  
Bucktail  4                     Montgomery  2
Warrior  Run  17           Lewisburg 0  /3

MLB
Tigers  11             Guardians 7
Diamondbacks  6           Reds  2
Phillies  10           Blue Jays  1
Nationals  3          Orioles  0
Angels  9              Pirates  0
Yankees 10          Astros 3
Braves  4              Red Sox  2
Mets  7                 Cardinals  5
MLB Today
LA Angels  vs Pittsburgh  12:35pm
Toronto Blue Jays  vs Phillies 1:05pm
Detroit vs Cleveland  1:10pm
Mets vs St Louis  1:15pm ESPN+
Baltimore vs Washington  6:45pm
Houston vs Yankees 7:05pm
Boston Red Sox vs Atlanta Braves  7:20pm

NBA East/West Semifinals
Celtics 120                     Cavaliers 95  BOS leads 1-0
Thunder 117        Mavericks  95 OKC leads 1-0
NBA Tonight
Pacers vs Knicks 8pm TNT NY Leads 1-0NHL Playoffs 2^nd Round
Rangers 4             Hurricanes  4 NYR lead 2-0
Avalanche  4        Stars  3 COL leads 1-0
NHL Tonight
Bruins vs Panthers  7:30pm ESPN Game 3
Oilers  vs  Canucks  10pm ESPN Game 2