POLICE ARREST TRESPASSER ON LOYALSOCK GROUNDS

As school officials and law enforcement is on alert after shootings in Loyalsock Township have rocked the community, a homeless man from Philadelphia was taken into custody Wednesday after he was seen trespassing that morning on Loyalsock Township school grounds.  According to the Sun Gazette, Sabree Simmons, who previously had an address in Williamsport, allegedly made gun gestures at school employees near Loyalsock Drive and fled the scene.  Police located Simmons later in the day and charged him with disorderly conduct, defiant trespassing and also for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  He was committed to Lycoming County Prison on 150 thousand dollars bail. 

SUSPECT IN DOUBLE HOMICIDE FACING DRUG CHARGES

The man who allegedly assisted Troy Bailey Sr in the kidnapping and fatal shooting of Alicia Sees and Ronald Dailey Jr, January 11^th, has now been charged with a felony  for delivery of a controlled substance after police say he sold hydrocodone pills to a confidential informant on February 6^th.  Muhammed Davis was arraigned on those charges, and jailed in lieu of 100 thousand dollars bail.  But Monday, charges related to the double homicide were added to Davis’ docket sheet.  He was then recommitted to prison on no bail.

WASTE MANAGEMENT STATION CLOSED NEXT WEEK

Williamsport’s W. Third Street recycling and waste management station, will close next Saturday, March 16 for mandatory repairs and maintenance through Monday March 18^th when the facility will open at 8:30am to haulers and the public.  According to North Central PA dot com, waste management officials say waste and recyclable are being accepted at the Montgomery landfill Saturday the 16^th from 7am til noon.  To get more information about eh closure and the fee schedule go to lcrms.com.

FEMALE WRESTLERS FROM PA MAKE HISTORY

There are several female wrestlers who are poised to make history this weekend at the inaugural PIAA girl’s state wrestling tournament at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA.  According to the Lock Haven Express, the three day event in its first year as a PIAA sanctioned sport for girls.  Local female students participating this weekend include Central Mountain’s Kendall Wagner, Isabella Gotschall of Jersey Shore, Eden Evelth, Angie Grieb and Grace Crestani from Bald Eagle Area Schools, Danica Bacorn and Marissa & Lillian Rumsey of Williamsport. 

SMOKING MATERIALS CAUSED FATAL FIRE

It was materials from smoking that caused the fire that killed two and injured another man in Point Township Monday.  According to the state police fire marshal, the fire at 120 Johns Way was accidental after the discarded ashes ignited nearby combustibles.  Emergency crews dispatched to the Northumberland County  blaze pulled three residents from the home.  Wendy Filbert, and her son, Michael John Filbert were pronounced dead, Michael Filbert was transported to Lehigh Valley Burn Unit and is in stable condition.

ONE INJURED, ONE ARRESTED AFTER CAR CRASH ON ROUTE 220

An accident Tuesday in the northbound lanes of Route 220 in Pine Creek Township injured a driver of a delivery van and also brought about an arrest for the other driver in a Ford stake body truck.  According to the Lock Haven Express neither driver was identified in the crash that happened yesterday at about 11:45am, and Township police did not release details about the circumstances surrounding the other driver’s arrest.  Citizens Hose Jersey Shore transported the injured Pespi truck driver to Geisinger Jersey Shore and Avis Volunteer firefighters assisted at the scene with traffic flow.

THEFTS AT NATURAL GAS SITE  IN BRADFORD COUNTY

There have been thefts reported at a natural gas site in Bradford County and police are investigating.  According to State police at Towanda, property that was listed as missing includes ground wire, four batteries and a solar panel.  Police say there were reports of a white Ford F-250 in the vicinity of a well pad property on Morris Run in Overton Township.  The items – worth about 75-hundred dollars, were allegedly taken between February 25^th and 26^th. Call State police if you have any knowledge of the thefts, 570-265-2186.

RAISE THE REGION IS ON THE WAY

Raise the Region is a week away.  On March 13^th and 14^th, First Community Foundation Partnership will hold their 30 hour community fundraiser that involves hundreds of non-profit 501C3 organizations across 7 counties in northeast Pennsylvania.  This is the 12^th year for the fundraiser that raised over 2.5 million dollars in funds in 2023 for participant’s’ favorite charities.  175 thousand dollars in stretch funds are offered by Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships each year that go to boost the bottom line for over 351 groups participating.   Go to Raise the Region dot org for details and a list of non-profit charities to support.

SPORTS

PSAC Quarterfinals

Women
Lock Haven 65  Millersville  51- 27th win most ever in a season- Lady Eagles advance to conference semifinals for 1st time in 33 years 
Men
Lock Haven 100  West Chester 76-Bald Eagles advance to conference semifinals for 1st time in 34 years 

NCAA Men’s Basketball
(1) Houston  67    UCF  59
(2) UConn  74      (8)Marquette  67
(4) Tennessee  66           (17) South Carolina   59
(6)  Iowa State 68          (20) BYU  63
(15) Kentucky  93  Vanderbilt  77

NBA
Magic  119                     Wizards  109
Hawks  112          Cavaliers 101
Grizzlies 115        76ers  109
Clippers  122       Rockets  116
Bulls 119              Jazz 117
Warriors  125       Bucks  90
Thunder  128       Trail Blazers  120
Kings  130                     Lakers  120
NBA Tonight
Brooklyn  vs Detroit  7pm
Miami  vs Dallas  7:30pm TNT
Boston vs Denver  10pm TNT
NHL
Maple Leafs  2     Sabres  1
Avalanche 7         Red Wings  2
Ducks  2               Senators  1

NHL Tonight
Flyers vs Florida  7pm
St Louis vs New Jersey  7pm ESPN
Washington vs Pittsburgh 7pm
Buffalo vs Nashville 8pm
NY Islanders vs San Jose 10:30pm

HS Wrestling Championships
The 87th Annual PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships are scheduled to be contested at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA starting today  through Saturday.  The Individual Wrestling Championships will have 728 student-athletes competing for a state title.

PIAA HS Basketball  CHAMPIONSHIPS
Boys Class A First Round Friday 
Lancaster County Christian vs Bucktail (7pm at Central Mountain) 
Freedom MMI at Galeton (7pm)
Northumberland Christian vs. Linville Hill (7pm at Lancaster County Christian)

Boys Quad A First Round Friday
Octorara at Danville (7:30pm)
Valley View at Shamokin (7pm)
Lewisburg at Greater Johnstown (7pm)

Boys Class 5A First Round Friday
Muhlenberg at Selinsgrove ( 7pm)

Boys 2A First Round Saturday
Claysburg Kimmel at Muncy (5pm)
Northwest at Mahanoy Area (3pm)
St John Neumann at Lanc. Menn (1pm) 

Boys 3A First Round Saturday
Troy at Trinity  (3pm at Trinity)
Mid Valley at Loyalsock (4pm) 
Southern Columbia at Forest Hills (3pm)

PIAA HS Basketball Girls
Girls 2A First Round Friday
Lancaster Mennonite at Muncy (7pm)
Wyalusing at Holy Cross ( 7pm)
Marian Catholic at Northeast Bradford (7pm)

Girls 3A First Round Friday
Bloomsburg at Holy Redeemer (7pm)
Loyalsock vs Columbia (7pm at Penn Manor HS)
Hughesville vs Dunmore  (6pm at Danville)

Girls Class A First Round Saturday
Lourdes Regional at Susquehanna  (3pm)
Meadowbrook Christian vs Nativity BVM (6pm at St John Neumann)
High Point Baptist at St John Neumann (7:30pm)

Girls Quad A First Round Saturday
Valley View at Jersey Shore (4pm) Trinity at Central Columbia (4pm)

LOYALSOCK SCHOOL CLOSED AFTER WEEKEND SHOOTINGS

Loyalsock Township School District has closed today out of an abundance of caution after a series of incidents over the weekend involving the fatal shooting of a 15 year old Williamsport Area School District student Saturday night and another shooting without injuries reported in Loyalsock Township Sunday night.  According to the Sun Gazette, it is not known whether the two shootings are related at this time.  In the second shooting that happened around 1500 Randall Circle in Loyalsock Township at about 10:30pm last night, no injuries were reported, and no one is in custody at this time.

WILLIAMSPORT TEEN DEAD FROM SATURDAY SHOOTING

The Williamsport School District has taken to social media to express their sadness and sympathy to the family and friends of the 15 year old Williamsport High School student who was killed Saturday evening in a parking lot along East Third Street in Loyalsock Township.  According to North Central PA dot com, according to State police at Montoursville who responded to the scene shortly after the shooting Saturday around 6:30pm, the suspects are still at large and they are actively investigating the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact PSP Montoursville at 570 368-5700.

HUGHESVILLE SETS DEADLINE FOR SIDEWALK REPAIR

Hughesville Borough Council last week set a deadline for property owners to comply with a recently implemented sidewalk improvement plan ordinance.  According to the Sun Gazette, as part of the first phase of the four-year plan homeowners are tasked with replacing or repairing their sidewalks and have until June 30^th to complete it.  Those who do not make the deadline with the improvement may face fins between 100 and one thousand dollars.  Hughesville Borough’s next meeting is March 11^th.

FORMER PITTSBURGH PIRATE, ED OTT, DEAD AT 72

A local sports icon has passed away, Muncy native and World Series champion Ed Ott died Sunday in Danville at the age of 72.   According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review  Ott grew up in Lycoming County, wrestled and played American Legion baseball before the Pirates drafted him in the 23rd round in 1970.  He was a key member of the Pittsburgh Pirates that won the World Series in 1979 and appeared at the annual Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet this past January. Ott is survived by his wife, Sue and daughter, Michelle.

DETAILS FROM SATURDAY’S LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SHOOTING

State police in Lycoming County are investigating a fatal shooting in Loyalsock Township near Williamsport around 6pm Saturday in the area of East 3rd Street in the parking lot of TGI Fridays restaurant and the Kentucky Fried Chicken.  According to WNEP, Lycoming County Coroner Chuck Kiessling Jr confirmed a 15 year old from Williamsport Area High School died later at the hospital as a result of injuries sustained. An autopsy has been scheduled.  Reports from State Police say this is an active shooting investigation and further information will be provided as it becomes available.

SHOTS ALSO FIRED IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SUNDAY

A second incident of shots fired brought State Police to Loyalsock Township last night as well.  According to the Sun Gazette, just over 24 hours after the teenager was killed along East Third Street, police were called to the 1500 block of Randall Circle, but no one was injured, and no suspects were taken into custody.  Police did not say if the incidents are related, but spent several hours collecting ballistics evidence at the scene with Loyalsock Township Fire Co Volunteers who assisted with lighting of the crime scene.  Loyalsock Twp. School District is closed today.

MUNCY MAN FACING MORE SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES

Another victim stepped forward on Friday, adding to the stack of charges mounting for a Muncy man.  According to the Sun Gazette, as Timothy Darren Stoud Sr. faces over one thousand criminal charges for allegedly molesting five victims, he now faces even more sexual assault charges. State police say, the additional victim reported Stroud sexually assaulted him over a five-year period which began December 2013, and 20 more counts of sexual offenses have been added to Stroud’s case. District Judge Denise Deiter originally held Stroud with no bail, but a common pleas judge amended the bail to 50 thousand dollars.  Stroud has not been able to post that amount. His preliminary hearing is scheduled April 9^th.

PENNDOT WILL WORK ON SOIL REMEDIATION TODAY

A soil remediation project is set to take place starting today  in White Deer Township after a recent vehicle crash along I-80.  According to PennDOT, a contractor will be working on Interstate 80 eastbound at mile marker 209.5, west of the Route 15 interchange.  The Union County work will be performed between the hours of 8:30am and 5pm, weather permitting and motorists should expect minor delays.  Go to 511PA dot com for road conditions 24/7.

ONLINE ASSESMENT FOR LOW INCOME NEEDS

An online assessment survey is available for people in low-income households and communities throughout Northumberland, Columbia, and Montour counties, and Central Susquehanna Opportunities is seeking their feedback.  According to the Daily Item, the results from the assessment will guide planning, decision-making, programs and services provided for people who live in households with income below 200% of the federal poverty level.  Go to csocares.org/cna by the end of April to participate.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Basketball Saturday (3/2)
Girls Class 3A Championship
 Hughesville 38 Loyalsock 34
    Consolation  Bloomsburg  30  Troy  24
Boys  Class 3A Championship
Loyalsock 67  Troy  57 
   Consolation  So. Columbia 64  Warrior  Run 51

PIAA HS Basketball Next Saturday
Boys 3A First Round
Troy at Trinity  (3pm at Trinity)
Mid Valley at Loyalsock (4pm) 
Southern Columbia at Forest Hills (3pm)

Boys 2A First Round

Claysburg Kimmel at Muncy (5pm)

Northwest at Mahanoy Area (3pm)

St John Neumann at Lanc. Menn (1pm) 


HS Girls Friday
Girls 2A First Round
Lancaster Mennonite at Muncy (7pm)
Wyalusing at Holy Cross ( 7pm)
Marian Catholic at Northeast Bradford (7pm)

Girls 3A First Round

Bloomsburg at Holy Redeemer (7pm)

Loyalsock vs Columbia (7pm at Penn Manor HS)

Hughesville vs Dunmore  (6pm at Danville)

NASCAR
Kyle Larson won his second consecutive race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday, giving Rick Hendrick his second victory in the first three NASCAR Cup Series races of the season.

Tyler Reddick was 2^nd, Ryan Blaney 3^rd, Ross Chastain  4^th and Ty Gibbs rounded out the Top 5.

NBA
76ers 120             Mavericks 116
Celtics  140          Warriors  88
Clippers  89                   Timberwolves 88
Magic  113                     Pistons  91
Raptors  111        Hornets 106
Knicks  107          Cavaliers  98
Spurs 117            Pacers  105
Thunder  118       Suns  110
NHL
Coyotes  5                      Capitals  2
Kings  5                Devils  1
Jets 5                    Sabres 2
Wild  4                 Sharks  3
Canucks  2                     Ducks  1
Oilers  6               Penguins  1
NHL Tonight
Boston vs Toronto  7pm
Florida vs NY Rangers  7pmSt Louis vs Phila 76ers 7pm
Vegas  vs Columbus 7pm

PERSON OF INTEREST IN CITY SHOOTING NOW CHARGED WITH FORGERY

More information has come to light about the man who was taken into custody as a person of interest after the fatal shooting of two contracted security personnel at Lycoming Engines near Terrace place in Williamsport January 12^th. According to the Sun Gazette, Troy Bailey, Sr. is now facing felony charges of forgery, identity theft and theft by deception plus one misdemeanor charge of false statements after it was discovered that he has been using his son’s social security number and other information to gain employment and receive payment at local businesses, including at Lycoming Engines.  His son, Troy Bailey Jr., is serving a life sentence for murder at this time. One of the victims of the shooting, Alisha Seese, had filed a PFA against Bailey Sr. before the shooting.  Bailey’s charges surrounding the shooting have been sealed by a judge from the media and the public.  No one has been charged in the January 12^th shooting.

TWO MEN CHARGED WITH SHOPLIFTING

Two Pennsdale residents have been charged with felony shoplifting after police say they conspired to steal from Wegmans at 201 William St in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, 48 year old Matthew J. Fry and 38 year old Chanel Nate Elliot, took over 12 hundred dollars in merchandise from the store on February 23rd.  They were arrested that Friday and arraigned Sunday before they were each released on 20 thousand dollars bail.

GROUP WHO OPPOSES PLASTICS PLANT HOLDS PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting was held last night by The Save our Susquehanna group who is fighting the proposed Encina plastics recycling plant planned for along Route 11 in Point Township.  According to the Daily item, the event hosted almost 100 people who came to ask questions about the impacts of the proposed plant on the Susquehanna, health effects, property values and other risks and issues.  There were no representatives from Encina at the event, and some said the meeting was political and not fair. Get information about the effort at Save Our Susquehanna.org.

WIND ADVISORY EXPIRES FOR NORTH CENTRAL PA

The wind advisory that has been in place overnight is set to expire at 7am this morning.  According to PPL they have been prepared for outages in anticipation of high winds compromising trees which can bring down utility lines.  At this time in the region, the PPL outage map is showing less than 100 customers dealing with power outages at this time, so the expected damage has not come to fruition overnight for areas of Lycoming and Northumberland Counties.  Officials from the electric company say they have hundreds of workers ready to respond in the event that there is a widespread outage from any wind damage that could happen through this evening before the storm moves out.

WOMAN CHARGED FOR UNDER-RINGING GROCERIES

A Williamsport woman was arrested after she continually stole groceries at an East Third Street grocery store over three months.  According to North Central PA dot com, 51 year old  Nataliya Goralnik was allegedly seen over 17 times on video surveillance under-ringing items at a self-checkout line and after one instance, was photographed leaving in her car by a grocery store employee.  Goralnik was identified by through vehicle sale records and denied involvement in the theft.  She is being charged with a first-degree misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property and two counts of retail theft.

MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD ENDANGERMENT

A man who lived in Old Lycoming Township is facing child endangerment charges after he allegedly left his 4 year old son alone at home July 23^rd .  According to the Sun Gazette, 29 year old Sean Edward Patillo drove away from his home and was stopped by police for an expired registration.  Through the conversation, Patillo told officers that his son was home alone, before they found that the man had a warrant for his arrest out of Philadelphia.  When officers searched Patillo’s home, they found the boy alone, and drugs and drug paraphernalia out within reach of the child.  The 4 year old was put in protective custody before his mother came to pick him up.  Patillo was recently arraigned and jailed in lieu if 25 thousand dollars bail.

HIKING BOOK TO FEATURE PA WILDS REGION

A hiking book that is expected to highlight key trails and vistas in the PA Wilds region is under development as the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship and the Keystone Trails Association have teamed up for the project.  According to the PA Wilds Center there are more than 2 million acres spanning more than 1,600 miles of trails in the region, and the publication they will provide will include trails across all 13 counties, meant to complement other hiking books that are focused on specific parts of the region or certain experiences.  The book is expected to be available for purchase in 2025 through 2026.

DANVILLE CEMETERY TO COLLECT WREATHS

National Wreaths Across America Day happened  Saturday, December 16 at over 4,225 participating locations across the country, including Arlington National Cemetery.  But locally we are now looking to collect the wreaths after the holiday period.  One place that will be collecting wreaths this Saturday is at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Danville. Go to wreaths across America dot org to find more volunteer opportunities for collecting wreaths this weekend.

SPORTS

PIAA District 4 Basketball
Boys
Class 1 A Championship
Bucktail 57  Galeton  49
            Consolation:  Northumberland Christian  75  NP Liberty  48
Class 2A Championship
Muncy  49  St John Neumann  48
            Consolation : Northwest Area 62  Line Mountain  49
Girls
Class 4A 
            Consolation:  Lewisburg  49  Shamokin  42
HS Basketball Tonight
Girls Class A Championship  Both@ Montoursville HS
Meadowbrook Christian vs St John Neumann 7:30pm
            Consolation:  Lourdes Regional vs Bucktail  6pm

NCAA Men’s Basketball
(4)Tennessee  92                     (11) Auburn  84
(5) Marquette  91                    Providence  69
(6) Arizona 85                         Arizona State  67
(10) Duke  84                          Louisville  59
(12) Creighton   85                  Seton Hall  64
(14) Alabama  103                  Ole Miss 88

NBA
Pacers 123                     Pelicans  114
Mavericks  136    Raptors  125
Timberwolves  110  Grizzlies   101
Bulls  132             Cavaliers 123
Nuggets  117        Kings  96
Lakers  116          Clippers  112
NBA Tonight
Golden State vs NY Knicks  7:30pm TNT

NHL
Rangers  4  Blue Jackets 1
Oilers  3      Blues 2
NHL Tonight
Islanders vs Red Wings 7pm
Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets  7pm ESPN /Hulu
Penguins vs Kraken  10pm