BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS MARCH 27, 2024
FATAL UNION COUNTY ACCIDENT
One man from Lewisburg was killed in a crash yesterday involving two vehicles. According to the Daily Item, the Union County Coroner said 37 year old Chad Terry was declared deceased at the scene after he was ejected from one of the cars that crashed before 5pm at the 1500 block of Col. John Kelly Road. Another individual was transported via Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, but Milton State Police did not release any more information about the individuals involved in the accident as they worked to reconstruct the scene which closed Col. John Kelly Road in both directions from Hospital Drive to the entrance to Stolzfus’ grain silos. Evangelical EMS, and William Cameron Fire Rescue 1 and 2 responded to the crash.
POLICE ARREST LOCK HAVEN MAN WITH WARRANT
A Lock Haven man has been charged after he ignored an attempted traffic stop by Williamsport City Police in February. According to the Lock Haven express, Vincent Anthony Mauck was followed by police since they were seeking him for a state police arrest warrant on drug charges. Police apprehended Mauck and took him into custody at the 300 block of Park Avenue after a struggle. Mauck was first taken to the state police barracks in Montoursville, then committed to Clinton County prison on 75 thousand dollars bail.
CLINTON COUNTY MANUFACTURER CONTINUES EXPANSION
Broadart in McElhattan will close up shop in the next few months to make way for First Quality Products to expand more of their facilities in Clinton County. According to the News Item, Broadart’s contents and equipment were sold to Toledo Furniture based in Stroudsburg, PA this year and about 40 people are affected by the closing with 10 employees being asked to stay on with the Stroudsburg company. First Quality purchased the buildings and acreage for $12.5 million on February 6th, and remain Clinton County’s largest employer with no public announcement yet on what they plan to do with the space.
APRIL BIDS COMING FOR MIDD-WEST ATHLETIC STADIUM
Midd-West School District will soon be soliciting bids for a multi-million dollar athletic field and stadium project at the Middleburg campus, the fourth phase of which had just been reviewed by the school board this week. According to the Daily Item, bids for the proposed field house will start in April and with an approved bid, construction could start in May . The new construction is expected to include restrooms, locker rooms, a weight room and concession area with five serving windows.
POLICE SEEK SUSPECT IN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN MUNCY
A suspect is being sought by police after police say they broke into two properties in Muncy on or around March 22nd. According to the Sun Gazette, there was an attempted burglary at JL Winters Jewelers on John Brady Drive in Muncy Creek Township early in the morning, when a person broke glass and tried to reach into the store to steal items between 6 and 6:30am. Shortly after, the suspect allegedly broke into a garage nearby by breaking a window, but no items were reported taken. Police say they fled toward Muncy Borough, and was wearing a dark colored jacket with a hood, blue jeans and black and tan boots. If you have any information call police.
INVESTIGATION INTO THEFT OF A SAFE IN LOYALSOCK
Police are investigating a theft that occurred at a property in Loyalsock Township in February. According to North Central PA dot com, State police at Montoursville say someone broke into a property along Freedom Road in Williamsport and stole a safe. The victim of the theft said there was more than 30 thousand dollars inside the safe along with 700 dollars-worth of coins. If you have any information about the theft of the safe, or the suspect, contact state police Montoursville at 570 368-5700.
MAN CHARGED AFTER FIGHT AT BASKETBALL GAME
Following an investigation by Lycoming Regional Police into a fight that broke out at a Jersey Shore vs Milton basketball game on January 11th, a west Milton man has been charged with assault on a sports official and disorderly conduct. According to the Sun Gazette, a police citation says 42 year old Brian Hunter ran from the stands with others during the final minutes of the game as two players started fighting and he allegedly grabbed a coach who was on the ground, pulling him and then lifting him by his neck. In a statement to the Milton school board, Hunter alleged instances of discrimination and racism toward his son, and questioned why he was the only parent charged. Both school districts denounced the violent behavior at the game.
PRICE FOR FISHING LICENSES GOING UP FOR 2024
The PA Fish and Boat Commission plan to raise fishing license prices again in 2024 after the State legislature did not increase the fee from for over 15 years until last year. According to the PFBC, they were granted the ability to set license fees starting in 2020, and waited through COVID to raise prices with more than 790,000 fishing licenses sold last year. The regular 2024 fishing season gets underway at 8 a.m. April 6, but PA’s annual Mentored Youth Trout Day is March 30 from 8am till 7:30pm. Children and their guardians should pick up a Voluntary Youth Fishing Licenses and free Mentored Youth Trout Permit – find out more at fish and boat dot com.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Sports
Baseball
So. Wmsport 15 Lewisburg 5 (5 innings)
Midd-West 9 Loyalsock 4
Montgomery 11 Sugar Val Rural Charter 1
St. John Neumann 6 Bucktail 5
NP-Mansfield 9 Wellsboro 6
Softball
Shikellamy 8 Shamokin 7
Warrior Run 11 Milton 0
Muncy 5 Southern Columbia 0
NP-Liberty 15 Wellsboro 0 (4 innings)
Jersey Shore 15 Montoursville 5
Sullivan Co. 21 Millville 0 (3 innings)
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness
Thursday, March 28 Sweet 16/ East & West
(6) Clemson vs (2) Arizona 7pm CBS
(5) San Diego State vs (1) UConn 7:30pm TBS/TruTv
(4) Alabama vs (1) UNC 9:30pm CBS
(3) Illinois vs (2) Iowa State 10pm TBS TruTv
NBA
Warriors 113 Heat 92
Lakers 128 Bucks 124
Thunder 119 Pelicans 112
Mavericks 132 Kings 96
NBA Tonight
Cavaliers vs Hornets 7pm
Nets vs Wizards 7pm
Clippers vs 76ers 7:30pm ESPN
NY Knicks vs Raptors 7:30pm
Suns vs Nuggets 10pm ESPN
NHL
Bruins 4 Panthers 3
Rangers 6 Flyers 5
Penguins 4 Hurricanes 1
Capitals 4 Red Wings 3
Devils 6 Maple Leafs 3
NHL Tonight
Ottawa vs Buffalo 7pm
Boston vs Tampa Bay 7:30pm TNT
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS MARCH 26, 2024
CRASH CAUSED BY MEDICAL EMERGENCY
A truck crash that blocked the northbound lane of Route 287 in Pine Township last Thursday morning was allegedly caused by a medical emergency. According to the Sun Gazette, 64 year old Richard L. Masorti of Flemington was traveling southbound on Route 287 around 11am when he failed to negotiate a curve and swerved between the north and southbound lanes before the truck turned on its passenger side, sliding south along the northbound guiderail. Police say Masorti was not wearing a seatbelt and sustained minor injuries from the crash, but that a medical issue may have been the catalyst in the accident. He was taken to Geisinger Jersey Shore for treatment and the truck had to be towed from the scene. Morris Volunteer Fire Department responded to the wreck.
SUSPECT IN 2021 SUNBURY MURDER WANTS CHANGE OF VENUE
The homeless man from Sunbury who is on trial for allegedly killing three people in 2021 from a dispute over a car deal, and who recently filed an unsuccessful motion that he hadn’t tried in a timely manner in Northumberland County court, wants a change of venue in a move to have the death penalty against him dropped. According to the Daily Item, a defense team for 26 year old Matthew Reed, who remains incarcerated, asked for the hearing to be moved to benefit Reed’s emotional health and well-being. A hearing will be scheduled on the venue change, with Reed’s trial tentatively scheduled for this fall.
PENNDOT PREPPING FOR BRIDGE PROJECT
This Thursday, a portion of the two-year roadway project will continue along Interstate 180 east and westbound in Montoursville Borough, and Loyalsock, Fairfield, and Muncy townships. According to PennDOT, a contractor will be performing repairs on a bridge joint on I-180 eastbound over the Muncy Creek in Muncy Township. Watch for the right lane to be restricted between 7am and 2pm weather permitting.
SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE IN LOCK HAVEN CLOSING
After years of operating losses the Salvation Army in Lock haven has made the decision to close the thrift store on East Main Street as of May 18th. According to the Lock Haven Express, the Salvation Army Lock Haven Corps says the location would need thousands of dollars in repair to continue to operate safely, and that they are seeking partnerships with other community organizations to continue to provide essential services to those who have come to rely on the Salvation Army there. Find the Lock Haven Corps online for information or questions easternus.salvationarmy.org /eastern-pennsylvania/lock-haven/.
MAN WHO THREATENED TENANT GIVEN JAIL TIME
The husband of the woman who was charged and sentenced last fall for terroristic threats, simple assault, and firearms charges for threatening a tenant while trying to evict them in Dunnstable township, was given 20-84 months in jail last week. According to North Central PA dot com , police say 54 year old William Laubscher and his wife Candy, who was sentenced to 144 months in prison on the same charges, had begun eviction proceedings against the tenant but allegedly chose to enter the residence and threaten the 19 year old woman who lived there. The Laubschers fled from Pennsylvania while released on bail and later were found in North Carolina last July before being brought back to Lycoming County to face trial.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED STRANGULATION
A Montgomery man was charged with strangulation, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, DUI and other charges after police say he assaulted a woman while drunk at a home along State Route 15 and left the property. According to North Central PA dot com, 33 year old Andrew Robert Buck, was arrested at the Sheetz in Montgomery about 11pm March 9th after the victim called the police about the physical altercation that happened earlier in the day. Buck admits to the DUI charges but denies that he assaulted the woman by strangulation, He is being held at the Lycoming County Prison on $50,000 monetary bail.
BRIDGE WORK ON ROUTE 220 THIS WEEK
The bridge replacement and rehabilitation project will continue this week along Route 220 in Woodward Township during off peak hours . This project replaced the northbound structure carrying Route 220 over the Fourth Street off ramp and rehabilitated northbound structures over Antlers Lane and the Lycoming Valley Railroad during the 2023 construction season, and next week, there will be sign work along both the Route 220 northbound and southbound lanes in preparation for upcoming construction. The southbound structures are scheduled to be completed by this fall.
DIGITAL SAFETY PROGRAM AT LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL
An agent from the Federal bureau of investigation will be the guest presenting a special program at Lewisburg Area High School on April 16 to learn more about digital safety for middle schoolers According to the Daily Item, parents and guardians who participate will learn valuable tips about online safety for youth, using social media and apps; recognizing dangerous situations and types of communication trends. The event hosted by Transitions of PA will be at 6 p.m. April 16 at the high school auditorium on Newman Road in Lewisburg.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Sports
Softball
Loyalsock Township 23 Lewisburg 1
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness
Thursday, March 28 Sweet 16/ East & West
(6) Clemson vs (2) Arizona 7pm CBS
(5) San Diego State vs (1) UConn 7:30pm TBS/TruTv
(4) Alabama vs (1) UNC 9:30pm CBS
(3) Illinois vs (2) Iowa State 10pm TBS TruTv
NBA
Cavaliers 115 Hornets 92
Hawks 120 Celtics 118
Knicks 124 Pistons 99
Nets 96 Raptors 88
Wizards 107 Bulls 105
Spurs 104 Suns 102
Kings 108 76ers 96
NBA Tonight
LA Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks 7:30pm TNT
Dallas vs Sacramento 10pm TNTNHL
Golden Knights 2 Blues 1
Kings 3 Canucks 2
NHL Tonight
Flyers vs NY Rangers 7pm
Hurricanes vs Penguins 7pm
Red Wings vs Capitals 7pm
Devils vs Maple Leafs 7:30pm ESPN+/Hulu
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS MARCH 25, 2024
UNDERCOVER POLICE CHARGE WILLIAMSPORT MAN
A Williamsport man was charged with possession with intent to deliver after he sold cocaine to undercover officers at the end of 2023. According to North Cetntral PA dot com, 32 year old Trevor Daniel Fraboni, 32, exchanged drugs with investigators from Lycoming County from November of last year to January totalling over 10 thousand dollars. Fraboni is also being charged with criminal use of a communication facility and is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
ACCIDENT CAUSED AFTER DRIVER SWERVES FOR CAT
A vehicle accident last Wednesday on Route 405 was allegedly caused when one driver tried to keep from hitting a cat. According to the Sun Gazette, police say tWo women from Muncy, 65 year old Elizabeth Johnson and 33 year old Tiffany Solomon collided just before 7am in the southbound lane near the 2500 block of Route 405 at about 45 miles per hour. Both cars needed to be towed from the scene, and Johnson required hospitalization for a foot injury and was charged with a traffic violation in the incident. Solomon declined treatment at the scene.
SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT IN CLEARFIELD COUNTY
Federal officials are injecting 90 million dollars into a solar energy project in Clearfield County, PA, one of five other solar projects across the country . According to the Sun Gazette, Mineral Basin Solar Power says Clearfield County’s former mines offer an unparalleled opportunity to repurpose reclaimed mine land for solar development. The project expects to create more than 750 construction and operations jobs. The funds from the Department of Energy will help Mineral Basin partner with Clearfield County Community Technical Center and Penn State University to add benefits and job training by engaging with local leaders, colleges, and apprentice programs.
ECLIPSE PRGRAMS AT UNION COUNTY STATE PARK
Raymond B Winter State park is planning two solar eclipse programs next week prior to the eclipse event April 8th. According to the Daily Item, one program will be March 30th called Exploring Eclipses, and the other a DIY Eclipse projector class will be April 3rd at the Environmental Learning Center. The classes are recommended for homeschool students children and teens. Register for the April 3rd event and get information at events.dcnr.pa.gov.
MAN ARRESTED FOR THREATENING TO BURN DOWN HOUSE
A domestic incident at a residence in Gregg Township, brought police to investigate after a victim alleged an Allenwood man threatened to burn down the house before 1am on March 20th. According to State police at Milton, 30 year old Zachary Delroy Reaser was taken into custody for terroristic threats, resisting arrest and more. A 16 year old minor was also present when the man threatened and one person in the home was injured according to police. Reaser was taken to Union County Prison on 25 thousand dollars bail.
MISSING TRAVEL TRAILER FROM RETAIL LOT
A 38 foot long Jayco travel trailer is missing from the storage parking lot of an RV retailer along Lycoming Creek Road. According to Lycoming Regional Police Department they were contacted by the owner of Rhones RV who said the theft occurred Sometime between February 6th and March 19th. The camper is grey over white with three slide-out sections and no windows on the driver’s side. Call 911 if you spot the 2022 Jayco 34RSBS RV; use the case number 24-1129.
BRIDGE INSPECTION FOR FUTURE PROJECT
A bridge inspection project will start next week on Lewisburg River Bridge between Lewisburg Borough, Union County and West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland Borough and the Route 642 bridges over the West Branch Susquehanna River between Northumberland County and Kelly Township. According to PennDOT, starting Monday, March 25th, a contractor will be performing bridge sounding work in preparation for an upcoming bridge preservation project during daylight hours, weather permitting, and will take about one week to complete.
DUMP OPEN FOR SPRING CLEANING
Sunbury has the Sunbury Clean Sweep this week for residents who want to take advantage of cleaning out attics or basements. According to the Daily Item, city officials say there will be a free drop off for unwanted items Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 1pm until 7pm at the Sunbury Municipal Authority proof of residency in Sunbury. Items not being accepted include household garbage, appliances with Freon, hazardous materials, brush, contractor waste, items containing asbestos, tires and liquids of any kind. Call with questions 570-286-7820.
SPORTS
NASCAR
William Byron took the checkered flag on Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Christopher Bell was 2nd, Ty Gibbs 3rd, Alex Bowman 4th and Tyler Reddick rounded out the Top 5.
NCAA Wrestling
Lock Haven’s Anthony Noto finished the 2024 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championship tournament in Missouri with a record of 5-1, placing 3rd at 125. He has a career record at Lock Haven 87-10.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness
2nd Round Sunday
(1) Purdue 106 (8) Utah St 67
(1) UConn 75 (9) Northwestern 58
(1) Houston 100 (9) Texas A&M 95
(2) Marquette 81 (10) Colorado 77
(6) Clemson 72 (3) Baylor 64
(4) Duke 93 (12) James Madison 55
(4) Alabama 72 (12) Grand Canyon 61
(5) San Diego St 85 (13) Yale 57
NBA
Pelicans 114 Pistons 101
76ers 121 Clippers 107
Heat 121 Cavaliers 84
Bucks 118 Thunder 93
Timberwolves 114 Warriors 110
Lakers 150 Pacers 145
NBA Tonight
Boston vs Atlanta 7:30pm NBAtv
Detroit vs NY Knicks 7:30pm
Washington vs Chicago 8pm
76ers vs Sacramento 10pm NBAtv
NHL
Capitals 3 Jets 0
Avalanche 5 Penguins 4
Devils 4 NY Islanders 0
Senators 5 Oilers 3
Panthers 4 Flyers 1
NHL Tonight
Vegas vs St Louis 8pm NHL Net
LA Kings vs Vancouver 9pm ESPN+
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS MARCH 20, 2024
MAN WHO VIOLATED PFA IN RENOVO THREATENS AGAIN
A Renovo man who was arrested in February and ordered to stay away from an Allison Township residence due to a previous PFA, was arrested again for threatening to kill a woman with her own gun March 6th. According to North Central PA dot com, 31 year old Adam Shaffer went to the vicitm’s home along the 900 block of Renovo Road just after he had been released from prison from his previous charge. Shaffer had her gun when the victim arrived, and fired it inside her home several times during an argument. The woman eventually escaped and was able to call 911. Police arrived and took Shaffer into custody.
JUDGE SAYS HOMICIDE SUSPECT IS DETAINED LEGALLY
A Mount Carmel man was recently denied a Rule 600 motion after being accused of attempted homicide in 2022. According to the Daily Item, lawyers for 38 year old Bruce Thompson argued that he was not brought to trial by the state Attorney General’s Office within 180 days, but the judge determined that the state was in the required timeline over the past two years because of filings by the defense. Thompson was arrested after he allegedly shot at a victim in May of 2022 along South Poplar Street in Sunbury and then fled causing a crash at Second and Plum streets. Police charged Thompson with felony attempted homicide, and other assault charges. He remains in Northumberland County Jail.
FIRE IN DUSHORE DISPLACES EIGHT
Eight tenants were displaced Tuesday after a fire broke out in a multi unit Victorian along Route 487 in Dushore. According to the Sun Gazette, a safety officer for the Mildred Volunteer Fire Company was nearby and noticed smoke coming from the structure around the same time the call was dispatched just after noon, and he assisted in getting the residents out of the home. Firefighters discovered flames in a second floor apartment bathroom and extinguished the fire within 15 minutes. There was water damage to the home at 201 Bernice Road, but officials say most tenants should be back in their apartment within a few weeks. The Red Cross is assisting the families who were displaced.
ROAD WORK IN COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHEDULED TODAY
There is a lane restriction this week on I-80 eastbound in Scott Township, Columbia County, for a soil remediation project due to a previous crash. A contractor will be working today eastbound at mile marker 237, just east of the Buckhorn interchange. Watch for the left lane and shoulder to be restricted between the hours of 8am and 5pm weather permitting.
SOUTHSIDE WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
A woman from South Williamsport was arrested by police after she originally called them to complain about her neighbors causing a disturbance, but after a confrontation with the officers she was arrested and taken into custody. According to the Sun Gazette, Megan Butler called police last Wednesday evening saying she feared for her life from her neighbor’s harassment, but when police questioned the neighbors, they showed a video of Butler yelling toward them from out of an open upstairs window. When police asked her to stop yelling, Butler raised he voice at officers and began acting aggressively, even striking an officer with a metal exterior door before she resisted arrest and had to be carried to the police cruiser. She was jailed at Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 50 thousand dollars bail.
INMATE FLUSHED BEDSHEETS
A Northumberland County Prison inmate is facing a felony count of institutional vandalism and misdemeanor criminal mischief after he flushed bedsheets down the toilet to force officers to move him from his cell. According to North Central PA dot com, 19 year old James Heller told officers he would find a way to make them move his location, and allegedly caused the sewer backup before he admitted to the incident. A plumber found the sheets in the sewer system which cost almost 5 hundred dollar to reapir. Heller awaits an arraignment in Northumberland County Court.
TARGET TO LIMIT SELF-CHECKOUT
Over 2000 Target locations nationwide are changing the way they offer check-out lanes in their stores. According to North Cetnral PA dot com, since their Express Self-Checkout came about during the COVID-19 pandemic, store executives said they expanded the service. They are now making a change back to more traditional check-out experiences according to corporate.target.com. One change includes limiting express self check-out to 10 items or less as well as expanding traditional lanes staffed by employees.
CONTRACT APPROVED TO FIND NEW POLICE CHIEF
A $6,000 contract to assist in finding a new police chief was approved by the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Commission last week. According to the Daily Item, the contract with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association was approved to find a successor to current police chief Paul Yost. Yost plans to retire this coming January after holding the position since 2012. The association has a 30-day period to accept applications for a hiring process that can take as long as four months to complete.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Sports
Softball
Mifflinburg 13 Selinsgrove 3
Baseball
So. Columbia 10 Lewisburg 1
Boys Lacrosse
Lewisburg 21 Mifflinburg 0
Selinsgrove 22 Lake-Lehman 3
NBA
Magic 112 Hornets 92
Rockets 137 Wizards 114
Pelicans 104 Nets 91
Mavericks 113 Spurs 107
Nuggets 115 Timberwolves 112
NBA Tonight
Milwaukee vs Boston 7:30pm ESPN
Phila 76ers vs Phoenix Suns 10pm
Memphis vs Golden Stater 10pm ESPN
NHL
Bruins 6 Senators 2
Red Wings 4 Blue Jackets 3
Devils 5 Penguins 2
Jets 4 Rangers 2
Flyers 4 Maple Leafs 3
Hurricanes 4 Islanders 1
Oilers 3 Canadiens 2 OT
NHL Tonight
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals 7:30pm TNT
Minnesota Wild vs LA Kings 10pm TNT
NHL News
Former NHL winger Chris Simon has died at 52. In a statement, his family revealed their belief that Simon suffered from CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) which contributed to his death by suicide Tuesday. Simon spent the bulk of his career with the Washington Capitals and scored a career-high 29 goals and 49 points during the 1999-2000 season. He would also play for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Islanders and Minnesota Wild over his career.