BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 20, 2024
STANDOFF IN WILLIAMSPORT ENDS PEACEFULLY
City police arrested a man allegedly responsible for a stand-off with law enforcement yesterday after he threatened his pregnant girlfriend who then locked herself in a bathroom for safety at Timberland Apartments in Williamsport beginning at about 10 am. According to the Sun Gazette, originally police went to the apartment where 20 year old Rynell Brooks-Brown was with the victim who police say had a friend call 911 for a disturbance involving a firearm. When there was no response at the residence, the incident escalated to the standoff involving the city’s Special Response Team and a tactical police team from Columbia County. The woman was released from the home around 2pm and Brooks-Brown walked out about 10 minutes later. He was arraigned Monday evening and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $300,000 bail.
ARREST AFTER MAN ASSAULTS A JUVENILE
State police responded to an assault February 7th at the Sheetz in Woodward Township. According to North Central PA dot com, 31 year old Noah Evan Regan arrived at the convenience store with a woman and a juvenile in the car and allegedly punched and later grabbed the juvenile by the throat while they were at the convenience store at about 3pm. Both the victim and the woman exited the car before Regan drove from the scene. Police arrested the man and charged him with simple assault and harassment. Regan is at the Lycoming County Prison on $10,000 monetary bail.
PENNSYLVANIA BEAR HARVEST NUMBERS
The Game Commission has released the numbers for Pennsylvania’s black bear harvest for 2023. According to the report, the number of hunters reached a record-breaking 206,124, making it the fourth-highest total ever recorded, but there was a slight decrease in the bear harvest compared to 2022. Pennsylvania hunters still managed to take 2,920 bears in 2023. Tioga County had the highest bear harvest among counties with 176. Lycoming County had 170 bears, Potter -155 bears, Pike County – 142 bears, and Bradford County had 138 bears.
SUNBURY WILL PROCESS RECYCLABLES IN MARCH
Sunbury will collect curbside recyclables this spring. According to the Daily Item, the Sunbury Municipal Authority will process the aluminum cans, newspapers, sorted glass bottles and jars on March 22nd 2024. The transfer station on South Fourth Street is open for drop-offs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30am to 3:30pm. and Saturdays from 7am to 3pm. In order to meet state recycling requirements as stated in Act 101, Pennsylvania’s Recycling Law, commercial, municipal and institutional establishments may use the Sunbury facility.
NORRY MAN FOUND DECEASED NEAR STATE PARK
The body of a man who lived in Northumberland County was found near Bald Eagle State Forest this weekend. According to North Central PA dot com, DCNR released information that they were searching for 62 year old Michael W. Benner who officials say had been missing since February 10th. The efforts of the Union County West End Volunteer Fire Company, the Mifflinburg Hose Volunteer Fire Company, and the New Berlin Volunteer Fire Company resulted in locating the deceased man about 4pm Saturday afternoon. There was no information released about the cause of death for Benner, who was found on private owned land adjacent to the National State forest.
INFO STILL BEING SOUGHT IN COLD CASE
A $5,000 reward is now being offered for information about the disappearance of former Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar in Lewisburg in 2005. According to the Daily Item, State police at Hollidaysburg Station are still investigating the disappearance of Gricar on April 15, 2005, from Bellefonte after police say he took a half-day off to go antiquing and wasn’t seen again. His car was found at the Street of Shops in Lewisburg and his computer found months later in the Susquehanna. If you have any information that could help the investigation, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477).
NEW HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR INMATES
The Northumberland County Jail will be able to participate in a new health care system. According to the Daily Item, all three Northumberland County Commissioners voted to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement, which allows the jail to participate in a Prison Inmate Medical Cost Containment Program run through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. The new system set to begin in March, is designed to provide a quality managed care program, including a primary care physician who provides regular care.
UPCOMING ONLINE FLY-TYING CLASS
There will be a four week virtual online instructional fly-tying program hosted by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission starting Tuesday, March 5th at 7pm. According to Fish and boat dot com, The program is conducted on-line by PFBC staff and trained Fishing Skills Instructors who will introduce the aquatic macroinvertebrates and the flies that imitate them; basic fly tying equipment and materials; and will feature live tying demonstrations. Participants will not need to purchase any materials for the class. Find out details at fish and boat dot com, those who register will receive materials via email for the program.
SPORTS
NASCAR
#24 William Byron drove for his first career Daytona 500 win and snapped Hendrick Motorsports’ nine-race Daytona 500 losing streak Monday in the rain-delayed “Great American Race.” The last Hendrick driver to win the Daytona 500 was Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2014.
- Alex Bowman was 2nd; followed by Christopher Bell, Corey LaJoie, and Bubba Wallace rounded out the top 5.
NHL
Ducks 4 Sabres 3
Bruins 4 Stars 3
Maple Leafs 4 Blues 2
Wild 10 Canucks 7
Red Wings 4 Kraken 3
Senators 4 Lightning 2
NHL Tonight
Dallas vs NY Rangers 7pm
NY Islanders vs Pittsburgh 7pm
New Jersey vs Washington 7pm
NCAA Men’s Basketball
Houston 73 Iowa State 65
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tonight
Tennessee vs Missouri 7pm
UConn vs Creighton 8:30 FS1
Baylor vs BYU 9pm ESPN
TCU vs Texas Tech 9pm ESPN2
NBA Thursday
Magic vs Cavaliers 7pm
Pistons vs Pacers 7pm
Knicks vs 76ers 7pm
Nets vs Raptors 7pm
Suns vs Mavericks 7:30pm TNT
Celtics vs Bulls 8pm
Lakers vs Warriors 10pm TNT
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 19, 2024
PERSON OF INTEREST IN CITY SHOOTING WILL STAY IN JAIL
The man arrested on a protection from abuse order after the fatal shooting of 37 year old Alisha Seese, of Williamsport, and 37 year old Ronald Dailey Jr. of Jersey Shore near Lycoming Engines on January 12th will remain in jail. According to the Sun Gazette, a preliminary hearing Friday determined that 57-year-old Troy Bailey will remain in custody and the prosecution has filed a motion to seal charges for 60 days. This motion was then signed by Judge Eric Linhardt. According to Penn Live, Court documents show that Seese obtained for herself and four children ages 9, 10, 13 and 17, a PFA against Troy Bennett Bailey, 57, of Williamsport on December 15th.
MOUNT CARMEL FIRE A TOTAL LOSS
The fire marshal determined that the fire Friday that destroyed a Mount Carmel business has an undetermined cause due to the degree of the damage. According to the Daily Item, Mount Carmel Fire officials reported the fire was active Friday at 3am at Moser Sanitation, on the 400 block of South Market Street with over 100 firefighters responding in the windy and cold conditions. Reports say the fire was under control by 7:30 am, but not before one firefighter suffered a minor injury and the building deemed a total loss.
NEW FINES FOR SOUTH SIDE BLIGHT
Home owners in South Williamsport who don’t maintain their property up to code are facing stiffer fines for offenses moving forward. According to the Sun Gazette, the South Williamsport Borough Council approved an ordinance amendment last week to increase the cost of citations for high grass and weeds, garbage or dilapidated conditions. Officials from the borough say the first offense will now carry a 500 dollar fine, up from 25 dollars and subsequent citations issued after that will increase to one thousand dollars and could incur jail time.
HACKED COURT WEBSITES IN HARRISBURG RESTORED
The Pennsylvania court system websites and services that were compromised during a denial of services cyber-attack earlier in February, have been restored this week. According to the Sun Gazette, the courts agency never received any ransom notes or demands to restore service during the shut down. A federal investigation is continuing into the source of the problems, and a suspect has not yet been named. Cybersecurity experts say denial-of-service hackers are often state-backed actors seeking money and can use tactics to try to hide their identity.
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY OVER STABBING
A stabbing last Friday has sent a Mill Hall man to the hospital and a Williamsport man to Lycoming County Prison. According to the Sun Gazette, Lycoming Regional Police say the incident happened in the 300 block of South Lincoln Avenue and 22-year-old Dalton Lee Johnson stands accused of stabbing 30-year-old Aaron Fisher during the confrontation. Johnson was arraigned before District Judge Denise Dieter on aggravated and simple assault charges, recklessly endangering another person and other charges. Johnson was incarcerated in lieu of $85,000 bail.
SUSPECT IN DECEMBER SHOOTING IN CUSTODY
US Marshals have arrested a man wanted for a December 9th shooting in Williamsport. According to North Central PA dot com, 33 year old Benjamin Villanueva was the suspect who allegedly shot Jermaine Mullen in the 1000 block of Memorial Avenue at about 3:30am. During an investigation, police discovered evidence that showed Villanueva wearing clothing that was later found discarded that matched the suspect in videos that were submitted to police. Villanueva is facing charges for criminal homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and more. With no bail listed.
MANSFIELD STATE POLICE HOLDING CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY
Tioga County residents are invited to attend a 7-week “Citizen’s Police Academy” program designed to expose those interested in learning more about local law enforcement, the types of training officers receive, and general law enforcement concepts and responsibilities. According to PA State police, seven Wednesday evening sessions at the Mansfield Fire Hall begin March 6th, participants 18 and older receive instruction and have hands-on learning of multiple police procedures and techniques. Applications are available at the PA State Police barracks in Mansfield, or by calling 570-560-1361 and should be submitted by Friday March 1st.
THON BREAKS THE RECORD AGAIN
The 46 hour Dance Marathon fundraising event at Penn State, called THON, had another record breaking year over the weekend. According to the Centre Daily times, the event that raises money for childhood cancers raised 16,955,683.63, 1.9 million more than last year’s event. THON has a 47-year partnership with Four Diamonds, raising money so that families in the program never pay for a single medical bill at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. THON’s live stream, was watched by over 32 thousand unique households in 58 countries. Donations can still be made online for those who were unable to attend at THON.org.
SPORTS
NBA All Star Game
Eastern Conference set the all-time scoring record by becoming the first team to surpass 200 points in a 211-186 victory over the Western Conference.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Sunday
Ohio State 73 (2) Purdue 69
S. Florida 90 (24) Florida Atlantic 86
NCAA Basketball Tonight
(21)Virginia vs Virginia Tech 7pm ESPN
(10)Iowa State vs (3) Houston 9pm ESPN
NHL Sunday
Rangers 6 Islanders 5
Kings 2 Penguins 1
Avalance 4 Coyotes 3
NHL Tonight
Ducks vs Sabres 12:30pm ESPN+
Stars vs Bruins 1pm ESPN+
Senators vs Lightning 7pm NHL Net
NASCAR
A rainy weekend has caused Nascar to postpone the season-opening Daytona 500 until today at 4pm at Daytona International Speedway. Listen on TWIN Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3
MLB News
*Shohei Ohtani did not participate in live batting practice Sunday, and his Los Angeles Dodgers spring training debut is on hold.
*Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani, who is coming back from elbow surgery, will not play in Thursday’s opener against the San Diego Padres.
*The two-time American League MVP won’t pitch this season following right elbow surgery on Sept. 19 but hopes to be ready as a hitter by the March 20 opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea.
* The two-time MVP signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract as a free agent in December.