WILLIAMSPORT FIRE DISPLACES FIVE

A two-alarm fire Sunday in Williamsport displaced five people from a four-unit apartment building on West Fourth Street.  According to the Sun Gazette, just after 7pm,  neighbors and witnesses along the street alerted tenants to the fire they saw coming from an air conditioning unit on the second floor.  City firemen rescued a woman from a second floor apartment where there was smoke coming from the window.  Two tenants were taken to UPMC Williamsport for tr5eament of smoke inhalation, and the fire was under control in about 15 minutes.  Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Company, along with South Williamsport and Montoursville responded to the second alarm and assisted Williamsport.  The Red Cross is assisting the families and the fire is under investigation.

BODY OF FISHERMAN FOUND UNRESPONSIVE

There is a report that law enforcement officials are conducting a death investigation of an unidentified person who was found dead while fishing Saturday.  According to State Troopers the 31 year old fisherman was found unresponsive in the “Young Woman’s Creek”  in Chapman Township Saturday afternoon at about 2pm.  No other information has yet been released, and an investigation is ongoing.

MANY MAIL IN BALLOT REQUESTS FROM BOTH PARTIES

Close to a million people in Pennsylvania have requested mail-in or absentee ballot for Pennsylvania’s April 23 primary.  According to WHTM, As of April 3^rd, 74% of requested mail ballots have been from registered Democrats, but more than 200,000 have been requested by Republicans. The deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on April 16 and all ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on April 23.  The deadline to register to vote is April 8.

ECLIPSE TRAVLERS REMINDED OF TRAFFIC ISSUES

Travelers heading out to see the solar eclipse today in Western Pennsylvania are reminded of available resources from PennDOT and VisitErie dot com.  The path of the eclipse starts in Pennsylvania at approximately 2pm with totality expected at 3:16pm and will conclude at approximately 4:30pm Nearly 435,000 Pennsylvanians live in the path of this eclipse. State Police will be posted at each exit to keep traffic moving and people gathered at rest stops will be directed to view the eclipse elsewhere.  Find an updated webpage at 511pa.com/eclipse24.

FAST FOOD EMPLOYEE THREATENED POLICE WITH KNIFE

A fast food employee in Lewisburg pulled a knife March 22^nd and threatened patrons and police.  According to North Central PA dot com, 68 year old Ronald Shumate was working when a manager discovered him threatening to harm himself and called police.  Milton State Police asked Shumate to step outside for questioning, he pulled out the knife and began yelling, and scaring customers, some who had children with them, causing them to evacuate the store.  Shumate was charged with terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct, his preliminary hearing is May 2^nd.

MAN CHARGED A SIXTH TIME FOR FELONY THEFT AT GROCERY STORE

A man from Sunbury is in custody after he allegedly stole items from Weis Markets and gave police a fictitious name when they were questioning him March 23^rd.  According to North Central PA dot com, 32 year old Nicholas Hurd was identified as a trespasser in the store after witnesses say they previously saw him with drug paraphernalia in the restroom and had been kicked out.  Police arrived at the scene and discovered Hurd with about 63 dollars worth of items in his pockets as well as bags and suspected methamphetamine as he left the store.  Hurd admitted to police he took drugs and then required hospitalization.  He was charged with felony retail theft and possession with intent to deliver.  Hurd has been charged and convicted 5 previous times for retail theft. He is incarcerated in liue of 150 thousand dollars bail.

A man from Sunbury is in custody after he allegedly stole items from Weis Markets and gave police a fictitious name when they were questioning him March 23^rd.  According to North Central PA dot com, 32 year old Nicholas Hurd was identified as a trespasser in the store after witnesses say they previously saw him with drug paraphernalia in the restroom and had been kicked out.  Police arrived at the scene and discovered Hurd with about 63 dollars worth of items in his pockets as well as bags and suspected methamphetamine as he left the store.  Hurd admitted to police he took drugs and then required hospitalization.  He was charged with felony retail theft and possession with intent to deliver.  Hurd has been charged and convicted 5 previous times for retail theft. He is incarcerated in liue of 150 thousand dollars bail.

As Pennsylvania remains a battleground state in the upcoming presidential election, we will have visits from the current Vice President of the United states and  former President Donald Trump prior to the Presidential primary April 23^rd.  According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Kamala Harris will be in Philadelphia today to discuss how to continue to lower inflation in the Commonwealth, and next Saturday, Former President Donald Trump will visit Schnecksville Fire Hall on Old Packhouse Road in North Whitehall Township at 7pm. 

RESPASZ BAND OFFERING FREE CONCERT THIS MONTH

The Williamsport Community Arts Center is hosting the Respasz Band this month and they’ll be sharing a celebration of springtime and Broadway musicals for free.  According to the band, “Musical Memories”  will feature songs from 16 different musicals from composers including Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Philip Sousa, and Leonard Bernstein.  Repasz conductor Jeff Dent says many of the numbers are award-winners, from Tonys , Grammys, Golden Globes and the Oscars.  The show at 7:30 on Tuesday April 16^th will also include the presentation of the Repasz Band Senior Awards, given annually to one senior from each high school in Lycoming County.

SPORTS

NASCAR
William Byron took the lead with 73 laps to go and held on to win at Martinsville Motor Speedway Sunday, giving Hendrick a 1-2-3 finish.  Kyle Larson rallied to finish second, Chase Elliott third, Bubba Wallace fourth and Ryan Blaney, last fall’s winner here, fifth. The fourth Hendrick driver, Alex Bowman, finished eighth.

March Madness
NCAA Women’s National Championship
South Carolina 87         Iowa 75
South Carolina, led by Dawn Staley, entered the women’s NCAA Tournament as the overall No. 1 seed, and won their third national championship Sunday.
NCAA Men’s National Championship Tonight
Purdue vs UConn 9:20pm TBS

MLB
Braves  5              Diamondbacks  2
Pirates  3              Orioles 2
Nationals  3          Phillies  2
Yankees 8            Blue Jays  3
Mets  3                 Reds  1
Cubs  8                 LA Dodgers  1
Red Sox  12         Angels  2
Astros  3              Rangers 1

MLB Tonight
Miami vs NY Yankees  6:05pm
Detroit vs Pittsburgh  6:40pm
Mets  vs Atlanta  7:20pm
Phillies vs St Louis  7:45pm
Washington vs San Francisco  9:45pm

NHL
Red Wings 3         Sabres  1
Senators  3           Capitals  2
Predators  3          Devils  2
Rangers  5            Canadiens  2

NHL Tonight  
Pittsburgh vs Toronto  7pm

NBA
Clippers  120       Cavaliers  118
Celtics  124          Trail Blazers  107
Knicks  122          Bucks  109
76ers  133            Spurs  126
Kings  107              Nets  77
Warriors 118        Jazz 110

FLOOD WATCH THROUGH TOMORROW FOR NEPA

There’s a flood watch in effect through tomorrow morning for Lycoming County and other northeastern Pennsylvania counties according to the National Weather Service.  PennDOT is reporting some flooding this morning in Union County on 8^th Street between Valley Road and Route 45 in Mifflinburg Borough.  Beaver Run Road is also reported to be flooding between Route 192 and Johnson Mill Road in Buffalo Township.  In addition, Bald Eagle Creek is approaching flood stage and residents are advised of a warning for minor flooding through Saturday morning.  As of this morning, Bald Eagle Creek near Beech Creek Station was at 9.8 feet with flood stage at 11 feet.  The river is expected to crest by midnight tonight at 12.9 feet.

ELDERLY COUPLE DIES IN UNION COUNTY ACCIDENT

The Union County coroner reports that two elderly residents were killed Monday after a traffic accident in Union Township.  According to State police, 72-year-old Jerry Bower and 60-year-old Etta Mendler-Bower who was his passenger were driving a small SUV when they allegedly pulled out in front of a pick-up truck driven by 19-year-old Remington Lenig at about 2:45pm at the intersection of Route 304 and Stein Lane.  Lenig and his passenger sustained minor injuries.  The Bowers died at the scene of the crash. 

MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST MINOR PLEADS GUILTY

A Lamar Township man has pleaded guilty to second degree aggravated assault against a 9 year old girl, and will avoid the jury trial that was scheduled for him in Clinton County Court this upcoming May. According to the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office, 25 year old Emanuel King will face sentencing after the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment board determines whether he is considered a violent sexual predator.  King was arrested in August of 2023 for aggravated assault charges and unlawful contact with a minor, against multiple victims under the age of 13.

SHAW PLACE PARK LOOKING FOR DESIGN PARTNERS

The City of Williamsport , as they make plans to upgrade and improve Shaw Place Park, are seeking  to partner with architectural consultants and design-build firms to create a space for a mountain bike skills park, which will  include an integrated  network of trails of various skill levels, and will complement the walking paths, and the recently completed Splash pad within the park.  According to the Sun Gazette, DCNR awarded the city over 220 thousand dollars for the park along Sheridan Street, and those who could provide professional design services have until April 22^nd at 3pm to submit their proposals.

MAN WHO THREW CARSEAT INTO STREET GET PROBATION

A man from Williamsport has been given probation for throwing a car seat holding his 3-month old child in it into the street last April during an argument with the baby’s mother as part of a plea agreement in Lycoming County Court. The baby was unhurt.  According to the Sun Gazette, 30 year old Kadeem Middleton pleaded guilty to a count of disorderly conduct after originally being charged with felony child endangerment assault charges and resisting arrest.  Middleton will serve the 12 months and also be required to perform community service.

THEFT SUPECT FOUND ALSO TO BE SUSPECT IN A VEHICLE THEFT

A 34 year old former Scranton man who was apprehended and jailed for stealing items from a police cruiser parked at a car dealership near Muncy on February 25th, has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle from earlier that same day. According to the Sun Gazette, Jesse Greiner had stolen two ATV’s, taking one from a dealer along Legion Road first around 10:30 am and driving it from the store, then returning it, and taking another ATV for a ride before noon.  Police say Griner overturned the 2^nd ATV near the location where police arrested him for the theft from the cruiser.  He is in Lycoming County Prison on 25 thousand dollars bail.

WATSONTOWN MUSEUM REOPENS

The Watsontown Historical Museum is reopened after they shut down for five months after part of the ceiling fell down in November, not causing  any injury, just a mess.  According to the Daily Item, volunteers worked to restore the museum that opened on Monday that features five connecting rooms that feature artifacts reflecting Watsontown’s history.  The Watsontown Historical Association used funds from a $150,000 Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant to pay for the renovations. Get details at mywatsontown.com.

KULPMONT CLEAN UP DAY APRIL 20

A former Kulpmont Borough Councilman is spearheading an Earth Day clean-up of Veteran’s Memorial Field and other high-traffic areas on April 20^th.  According to the Daily Item, Joseph Dowkus and interested volunteers are meeting Saturday the 20^th at 8am for a clean up that Dowkus says is more than borough workers can keep up with.  Bags will be provided but participants are encouraged to wear gloves or bring tools like a trash grabber. Questions can be directed to Dowkus on Facebook at Sons of the American Legion page.  The Kulpmont clean-up is expected to last until noon.

SPORTS

NCAA Women’s Final 4 Friday, April 5
(3) NC State  vs (1) South Carolina  7pm
(3) UConn  vs (1) Iowa 9pm
NCAA Women’s Championship  Sunday April 3pm

NCAA Men’s Basketball Saturday 4/6
Final Four
(11) NC State  vs (1) Purdue  6:09pm TBS
(4) Alabama vs (1) UConn  8:49pm TBS
NCAA Men’s Championship Monday April 8 9:20pm

MLB
Guardians 5         Mariners 2
Brewers  3                     Twins 2
Royals  4              Orioles  1
Phillies  9             Reds  4
Red Sox  5                     A’s 4  /11
Diamondbacks  7           Yankees 0
Tigers vs Mets  postponed til Thursday

NBA
Lakers 128                     Raptors  111
Wizards  117        Bucks  113
76ers  109            Thunder  105
Heat  109             Knicks  99
Cavaliers  129      Jazz  113
Warriors  104       Mavericks  100
NBA Tonight
Oklahoma City vs Boston  7:30pm ESPN
Pacers vs Nets  7:30pm
Cleveland vs Phoenix 10pm ESPN

INVESTIGATION STARTS AFTER BUCKNELL STUDENT DEATH

A Bucknell University student was found deceased on campus Saturday but authorities say the death is not being considered suspicious.  According to Bucknell Public safety officers, they were called to conduct a death investigation at 78 University Avenue in Lewisburg.  Later, Bucknell University President John Bravman said in a statement that Bucknell senior, Christian Samay, was the individual they found.   This news comes after a campus lockdown resulted from reports of an active shooter on campus Friday afternoon that turned out to be a hoax.  If any student needs support, on-call counselors are available at 570-577-1604.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF DUI IN JERSEY SHORE

A woman who was driving under the influence and allegedly rear-ended a vehicle that had exited before her at the Thomas Street off-ramp of Interstate 220 in Jersey Shore was taken into custody last Wednesday.  According to North Central PA dot com, Lycoming Regional police say 60 year old Linda McCormick hit the vehicle in front of her and when the police arrived to the scene she had become combative with the driver of the other vehicle, blaming them for the accident, and then fought with officers who stated she smelled of alcohol.  Officials say after a blood draw at Jersey Shore Hospital, McCormick’s blood alcohol level was .212%  She is charged with aggravated assault and other assault charges, disorderly conduct, DUI and more with bail set at 45 thousand dollars monetary.

SINK HOLE IN SNYDER COUNTY

A sink hole in Snyder County has brought about a detour for traffic there this morning.  According to PennDOT, the sink hole was discovered three miles west of the Mifflin/Snyder County line and Specht Street is closed is both directions between West Street in McClure Borough, and Summit Road in Mifflin County.  Traffic is being detoured via Helfrick Road or West Street, Stuck Street and Route 522 South.

ARW OFFERING PICK-UP EASTER MONDAY DINNERS

The American Rescue workers in Williamsport are providing a walk-up or drive-up Easter meal for the community today from 4 to 6pm.  According to the Sun Gazette, the rescue worker volunteers will provide around 500 meals  that will be distributed this afternoon from the Furniture Loading dock at 643 Elmira St.  Everyone is welcome and no sign-up is required.

SERIOUS ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN TIOGA COUNTY INJURES THREE

Two people were ejected from a vehicle and 1 was trapped during a roll-over  accident in Tioga County Saturday afternoon in the area of Route 6 near Westgate Road in Richmond Township.  According to First News Now, PA State police report that a black pickup truck rolled over multiple times and two people were ejected from the windshield and another tapped inside after the vehicle came to rest on its wheels in a nearby yard.  Route 6 was closed and traffic detoured as Mansfield Hose Company and EMS crews from Mansfield, Wellsboro and Blossburg responded.  Two Life Flight helicopters transported the two ejected victims to a Williamsport hospital and the third patient was transported by ambulance to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.  No word on the conditions of the accident victims today.

MAN HITS WIFE WITH CAR, RUNS HER OVER TWICE

A man from Renovo is free on bail after being charged for hitting his wife with his vehicle then running her over twice.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say 66 year old James Leroy Butler’s believes he ran her over on purpose the night of March 17^th while they were leaving a local bar on Gratzmer Avenue.  State police report that Butler reversed his vehicle and struck his wife and she fell to the ground when he ran over her arm and then backed over her a second time, leading the victim to seek treatment the next morning with Butler allegedly refusing to help.  Butler was charged March 18^th with aggravated assault by vehicle, simple assault, recklessly endangerment, and more.

CAR INTO BUILDING IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

CAR INTO BUILDING IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP
A car smashed the side of a building near the Golden strip in Williamsport Saturday morning.  According to the Sun Gazette, an employee at Future Nails near East Third Street on Eck Circle, was injured after the car came through the wall of the business just before 10am, and she was transported to UPMC Williamsport for treatment.  The driver of the car and her passenger were uninjured in the accident.  The nail business will remain closed until Loyalsock Townhsip codes officials can inspect the building for safety.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SET FOR SUSQUEHANNA SPRING COMMENCEMENT

A graduate of Susquehanna University and the deputy archivist of the United States will speak at the 166^th commencement as the keynote speaker this May.  According to eh Daily Item, William “Jay” Bosanko  who graduated from SU in 1992 will deliver the address on May 18 in front of 475 prospective graduates  in the Robert I. Estill Field House.  Bosanko will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremony, he had already been recognized with the Alumni of Distinction Achievement Award in 2021.

SPORTS

NASCAR  Sunday – Toyota Owners 400
Denny Hamlin won the race after a caution with two laps to go and won in overtime at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, VA.
Joey Logano was 2^nd, Kyle Larson – 3^rd, Martin Truex, Jr. 4^th, and Chase Elliot  5^th.

NCAA Men’s Basketball
Elite 8 Midwest/ South
(1) Purdue  72  (2) Tennessee  66
(11) NC State 76  (4) Duke  64
NCAA Men’s Basketball Saturday 4/6
Final Four
(11) NC State  vs (1) Purdue  6:09pm TBS
(4) Alabama vs (1) UConn  8:49pm TBS
NCAA Men’s Championship Monday 9:20pm 4/8

MLB
A’s  4                   Guardians  3
Angels  4            Orioles  1
Phillies  5            Braves  4
Brewers  4           Mets  1
Pirates  9             Marlins  7
Reds 6                 Nationals  5
Yankees 4           Astros  3
Red Sox 5           Mariners  1
MLB Today
Pittsburgh vs Washington  4:05pm
Cincinnati  vs Philly  6:40pm
Detroit  vs Mets  7:10 pm
Yankees  vs Arizona  9:40pmNHL
Canucks  3  Ducks  2
NHL Today
Penguins vs Rangers  7pm in Madison Square Garden, NY
Islanders vs Flyers 7pm