EARLY MORNING WEATHER, TRAFFIC WARNINGS

With the winter weather from overnight, I-80 between mile marker 194, the Clinton/Union County line, and mile marker 247, the Columbia/Luzerne County line is temporarily down to 45 mph.  According to PennDOT, trucks are also being asked to avoid Route 54 between Route 487 in Ralpho Township and Route 61 in Mount Carmel Township in Northumberland County.  Penn DOT features color-coded winter conditions online at 511PA dot com.

UNSUCCESSFUL CARJACKER ARRESTED

Police say a Williamsport man was arrested after he attempted to car-jack a woman in the UPMC parking lot in Williamsport, but was unsuccessful.  According to Williamsport Bureau of Police, 42 year old Tyler Scott Pophal approached a woman in her car and grabbed her arm December 9^th telling her to leave the vehicle.  Polcie say she did not leave her car and Pophal fled the scene on foot toward Park Avenue.  Shortly after police were called about the incident, they spotted Pophal walking on Banister place and took him into custody.  He is charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, simple assault and more and is being held in liue of 25 thousand dollar bail.

DRIVER WHO CAUSED  FATAL ACCIDENT WILL FACE TRIAL

The man accused of homicide by vehicle for being DUI while driving a ride-share passenger on I-80 in Liberty Township, and crashing, killing them last New Year’s Day, will face trial in Montour County.  According to the Sun Gazette, 45 year old Anthony J. Machi of Muncy, waived his right to a preliminary hearing this week.  Police say Machi was smoking marijuana the day of the accident and was DUI which caused him to lose control of the car while driving, and Yainyles Gomez-Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene.  Machi is currently free on bail.

NEW AIRPORT SCHEDULE

A new two year agreement is in place between Williamsport  Municipal Airport Authority and Southern Airways will continue local commercial flight service in our region.  According to the Sun Gazette, new, earlier departure times will be available from Williamsport Regional Airport to Dulles in Washington DC, including two departures daily Monday through Friday.  Weekend service is set to begin in March with one flight each on Saturday and Sunday.

KANSAS MAN ARRESTED FOR HAVING GUN AT HS GAME

Mount Carmel Township police arrested a man from Kansas Thursday afternoon after he tried to enter the Shikellamy,  Mount Carmel high school girls basketball game with a loaded weapon in his coat.  According to the News Item, 42 year old Brett Harris Fatool, told police he realized he mistakenly had the weapon with him after twice setting off a metal detector at the entrance to the gym.  Fatool was charged with felony of firearms not be carried without a license and possession of a weapon on school property. He was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge William Cole and is in jail in lieu of 25 thousand dollars cash bail.

ADULT TEACHER IN CUSTODY FOR CONTACT WITH 13 YEAR-OLD

A 44 year old High School teacher from Georgia is in custody after he fostered an online sexual relationship for 6 months with a 13 year old girl from Lycoming County.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say the girl, who sent a hundred naked pictures to 44 year old Eric Stephen Burton, while he claimed he was 17 years old, discovered he was older than he said after seeing an accidental digital shot of the man’s face.  After learning of the online relationship which had been terminated by then, the girl’s mother filed charges with police in August and Burton was arrested last week in Woodstock, Georgia. He was brought to Williamsport on Wednesday night, arraigned in District court and denied bail.  Burton is incarcerated at Lycoming County Prison.

CHRISTMAS TREE PICK UP SOON IN MAHONING TOWNSHIP

Mahoning Township will start Christmas tree pick up December 30^th .  According to the Daily Item, starting the Monday after Christmas, township officials will pick up the curbside trees every Monday and Friday through January 31^st.  In order to have the tree taken, it should be on the curb by 7am on the morning of pick up.  Trees will not be picked up if there are stands attached, lights remaining or if it’s wrapped in plastic.

SPORTS

NFL
Cowboys 30       Panthers  14
Chiefs  21           Browns  7
Ravens  35          Giants  14
Jets  32                Jaguars  25
Bills  48              Lions  42
Eagles  27           Steelers  13
NFL Monday Night Football
Bears  vs Vikings  8pm  ABC
Falcons  vs Raiders  8:30pm ESPN

NBA
Celtics  112         Wizards  98
Knicks  100        Magic  91
Timberwolves  106  Spurs  92
Mavericks  143  Warriors  133
Lakers  116         Grizzlies 110
NBA Tonight
76ers  vs Hornets  7pm
Cavaliers vs Nets  7:30pm
Bulls  vs Raptors  7:30pm
Jazz vs Clippers  10:30pm

NHL
Blackhawks  5    Islanders  3
Maple Leafs  5    Sabres  3
Hurricanes  4      Blue Jackets 1
Blues  3               Rangers  2
Gldn Knights  3  Wild  2
NHL Tonight
Capitals  vs Stars  8pm
Panthers  vs Oilers  8:30pm
Avalanche  vs Canucks 10:30pm

TEEN CHARGED AS AN ADULT IN FATAL ACCIDENT CASE

A 17 year old from Reading, PA will be tried as an adult for the accident in Upper Fairfield Township that killed a 65-year old woman and injured her husband a few miles from their Montoursville home last July.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say Stephen Andrew Yuhasz was driving a 2011 Jeep Grand-Cherokee with a passenger, southbound along Route 87 and attempted to pass another southbound vehicle. He entered the northbound lane, causing the collision with Mark and Kathleen McFadden in a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze.  Police say Kathleen was killed instantly; Mark was transported to UPMC Williamsport with serious injuries. Yuhasz faces a host of charges including 3^rd degree murder, aggravated assault by vehicle, speeding and more.  He is free on a 25 thousand dollar bond and has a preliminary hearing January 13^th.

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO METH ARREST

Two people were found to have a large amount of methamphetamine after police searched their vehicle following a traffic stop in Shamokin.  According to North Central PA dot com, 54 year old Ricardo Pasarell of Mount Carmel was pulled over November 3^rd for an expired temporary registration with passenger, 24 year old Gabrielle Eby of Coal Township, and police noticed the smell of marijuana.  Officers towed the car after questioning both occupants and discovered Pasarell and Eby to both have drugs on their person and after a search warrant was issued, found 53 grams of meth under the seat.  Both face drug charges in Northumberland county court and have separate preliminary hearings.

FCFP GIVES GRANT TO UNION COUNTY NON-PROFIT

The Giving Closet in Union County received a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania’s Greater Susquehanna Valley Competitive Grant Program that will be used to purchase clothing for children in need.  According to the Daily Item, the non-profit is located at 18 Market St., Lewisburg and will utilize the 5 thousand dollar gift to ensure that the children they serve have access to warm, comfortable, and properly fitting clothing, shoes, and boots.  Recipients of the clothing are families who are enrolled in the Union County Supplemental Food Program.

CHORAL CONCERT IN SUNBURY

The annual Candlelight Concert by the Susquehanna Valley Chorale is Saturday and Sunday at the Zion Lutheran Church on South 5th Street in Sunbury, with a program to focus on love and the idea of human connection.  According to the Daily Item, the presentation will feature the world premiere of a new composition, “So Many Hopes,” by the group’s conductor and music director William Payn. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students and children 12 and younger are free. Go to svcmusic.org for tickets and information.

INFANT INJURED IN DOMESTIC FIGHT

A nine month old child sustained minor injuries during a fight between her parents in Williamsport, and they are both now facing child endangerment charges.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say 22 year old Joyce Ganaway and 24 year old Iyonna Eddins, got into a fight over a phone call while Ganaway held the baby in her left arm.  Eddins fled the scene before the injury was discovered on the child.  Police were then called to the 600 block of Third Avenue by a neighbor who heard the disturbance. The couple is free after both posting 25 thousand dollar bail with a preliminary hearing December 12th. 

THIRD SHOPLIFTING CHARGE FOR MONTOURSVILLE WOMAN

It’s a three-peat for a Montoursville woman who was caught shoplifting from the self-checkout line October 9^th from the Walmart in Montoursville.  According to Montoursville Borough Police, Phyllis Marie Wettlaufer of Muncy Valley already has a second case for retail theft open in Lycoming County, but was arrested a third time at Wal-mart after store officials discovered the theft of items worth about 9 dollars.  Wettlaufer is free on $5,000 unsecured bail and has a preliminary hearing December 23^rd.

EITC GRANT FOR THE CAC

The community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport, an historic venue and the largest cultural facility in northcentral Pennsylvania, has announced a donation from Journey Bank, through the Education Improvement Tax Credit program or EITC.  According to a press release, funding for the educational programs is derived from various sources, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.  Jeff Arnold, Senior Executive Vice President of Journey Bank said the Community Arts Center aligns with their mission to support youth development, and advocate for the importance of music and the arts in our schools and communities. The Community Arts Center is owned and operated by Pennsylvania College of Technology.

PSU FOOTBALL ON THE BIG SCREEN AT THE DISTRICT

The District Cinema in Muncy will show the college football playoff between Penn State and SMU on the movie theater screen Saturday afternoon, December 21^st.  According to North Central pa dot com, in a partnership with TNT Sports and Theater Sports Network the game will be shown locally as an immersive experience for 15 dollars per ticket.  Reserve your spot and purchase tickets online at thedistrict.dipsontheatres.com.  ESPN extended its theatrical distribution agreement with Theater Sports Network to televise some college football playoff games in certain venues, including the College Football Playoff National Championship.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports

Boys Basketball
Central Columbia  54          Hughesville  33
Lewisburg  65                       Selinsgrove  39
Wellsboro  45                       Sayre  36
Girls Basketball
Loyalsock  45                       Cntrl Columbia 27
Muncy  51                             Millersburg  23
Milton 63                               Warrior Run   11

Boys Wrestling
Montoursville  36                Sthrn Columbia  19
Jersey Shore  48                   Williamsport  26
Bloomsburg 46                     Danville  12
Benton  46                             Cntrl Columbia 15
Girls Wrestling
Jersey Shore  30                   Sugar Valley  12
Central Columbia  24          Benton  16
Shikellamy  39                      Central Mtn  18

NFL Thursday Night Football
Rams  12              49ers 6
NCAA Football Saturday
Army vs Navy  3pm CBS

NFL Sunday
Chiefs  vs Browns  1pm
Ravens vs Giants  1pm CBS
Jets vs Jaguars  1pm
Bills vs Lions  4:25pm CBS
Steelers  vs Eagles  4:25pm FOX
Packers vs Seahawks  8:20pm  NBC

NBA
Celtics  123          Pistons  99
Heat  114             Raptors  104
Kings  111                     Pelicans  109
NBA Tonight
Wizards vs Cavaliers  7pm
Pacers vs 76ers  7pm
Nets vs Grizzlies  8pm
Suns vs Jazz  9:30pm

NHL
Penguins  9           Canadiens  2
Devils  3               Kings 1
Flyers  4               Red Wings  1
Islanders  5                    Blackhawks 4
Gldn Knights  3    Jets  2  /OT
NHL Tonight
Senators  vs Hurricanes  7pm NHLNet