HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN WILLIAMSPORT

In a press conference Saturday, Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino addressed the double homicide reported at 1700 block of Terrace Place in Williamsport early Friday.  According to the Sun Gazette, Marino said a person of interest in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alisha Seese and Ronald Dailey has been identified but not named publicly, and there is no danger at this time to the public.  Court records show that one person was arraigned in District court Friday for violating a PFA, but no information about the identity of that person is public at this time.  Police say the shooting victims were both employees of Lycoming Engines. If you have information about the shooting please call Williamsport police, or submit tips to Lycoming.crimewatchpa.com. 

MAN ARRESTED FOR THREATENING STORE EMPLOYEE

A Shamokin man is in custody after he threatened a local convenience store employee January 3^rd.  According to North Central PA dot com, 33 year old Francis Effa allegedly became irate and caused a scene when he threatened the clerk and store manager when they asked him for identification to buy cigars at the 140 West Lincoln Street Turkey Hill.  When police arrived, Effa wouldn’t initially identify himself, and police discovered stolen cigars on his person as well.  He was charged with several misdemeanors, including terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, summary retail theft and more, with a preliminary hearing February 27^th.

POWER LINES DOWN AFTER WEEKEND WINDS

PennDOT has reported some roads in Lycoming County are affected by downed trees or utility wires this morning, after windy conditions yesterday across Central Pennsylvania.  Watch for lane restrictions this morning in Penn Township on Beaver Lake Road between Poust Road and Bever Lake Road, and in Limestone Township on Route 44 between Little League Road and Middle Road.  In Northumberland County, an area of Route 405 between Ridge Road in Point Township and Route 45 in West Chillisquaque Township is reopened after closures there last night. Check road conditions 24/7 at 511PA dot com.

FARM SHOW BUTTER SCULPTURE TO BE RECYCLED

The famous butter sculpture at the 2024 farm show was dismantled after the close of the expo yesterday, to be turned into renewable energy.  According to KDKA, The 1,000-pound sculpture was designed and crafted by Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken, Pa., and reflected the theme of the 2024 Farm Show, “Connecting Our Communities”.  Sunday, crews scraped all the butter used for the sculpture into bags to be transported to a farm in Mifflinville to go through the recycling process.

LEWSIBURG MAN FACES SEVERAL FELONIES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

After a police investigation, a 26 year old man from Lewisburg is facing several felonies for his role in a sexual assault against two teenage girls that allegedly occurred between December of 2022 and July of 2023.  According to the Standard Journal Caleb Reedy was discovered to be communicating inappropriately online with minors after two girls reported to be victims of an indecent assault in Kelly Township, Union County.  The Pennsylvania State Police Milton Criminal Investigation Unit was involved in the investigation.  Reedy was taken to Union County Jail in lieu of 100 thousand dollars bail, with a preliminary hearing January 25^th.

SHOOTING CASE HELD OVER FOR NORTHUMBERLAND COURT

A plea deal was not reached for a 33-year-old Shamokin resident, charged with attempted homicide. According to the Daily Item, Akeem Tyree Gregory appeared on video in front of Judge Hugh Jones Friday, who ruled the case to be held over for trial in Northumberland County Court. In February 2020, Gregory was accused by Shamokin City Police of allegedly barricading himself in a Mount Carmel home after he shot another man more than four times. A court date has not been released.

CLINTON COUNTY TOURISM GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN

An opportunity to apply for a Clinton County Tourism Grant is open until February 29^th at 5pm and candidates are encouraged this year to use the online application process at clintoncounypa.gov on the county planning page.  According to the Lock Haven Express, the announcement was provided at Thursday’s Clinton County Commissioners’ meeting for the grant that is designated to help recipients promote overnight stays and entice visitors beyond a 50 mile radius to come explore Clinton County. If you have questions about the process, email   [email protected].

ACTIVITIES FOR MLK, JR WEEK IN WILLIAMSPORT

Events to commemorate the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are coming up in Williamsport.  STEP AmeriCorps is partnering with other organizations in Williamsport in activities across the city all week, including the annual Peace Walk at noon today, which will step off from the corner of Third and Market streets.  Take advantage of service opportunities through Friday, or participate in the Poverty Simulation with the PA food bank and Penn College on Wednesday.  Get details about registration, volunteering opportunities and a full Dream Week schedule at stepcorps.org/mlk.

SPORTS

NFL Sunday
Packers 48          Cowboys 32
Lions 24              Rams 23
The Detroit Lions won their first home playoff since 1991;  Scoring 24-23  over the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field yesterday. The Lions will play the winner of tonight’s matchup between the  Eagles and Buccaneers in the divisional round next weekend.

NFL Wild Card Playoffs Today
AFC  – Steelers vs  Bills 4:30pm CBS – Rescheduled from Saturday for extreme weather in western NY
NFC  – Eagles vs Buccaneers   8:15pm ABC/ESPN

NBA
Heat 104              Hornets 87
Nuggets 117         Pacers 109
Bucks 143            Kings 142
Timberwolves  109          Clippers  105
Bucks  143                     Kings  142
Suns 127              Trail Blazers 116
NBA Today
Houston vs 76ers  1pm NBA TV
Detroit vs Washington 3pm
Orlando vs Knicks 3pm
San Antonio vs Atlanta 3:30pm TNT
Golden State vs Memphis  6pm TNT
Miami vs  Brooklyn  7:30pm
Oklahoma City vs LA Lakers  10:30 NBATV

NHL
Rangers 2  Capitals 1
Red Wings 4       Maple Leafs 2
NHL Today
San Jose  vs Buffalo  12pm
New Jersey vs  Boston  1pm
Seattle vs Pittsburgh  1pm
NY Islanders vs Minnesota  5pm
Flyers vs St Louis  8pm

AIR SERVICE TO WASHINGTON DC FROM WILLIAMSPORT

There will be passenger air service from Williamsport to Washington DC starting this spring through Southern Airways Express.  According to the Sun Gazette, at a press conference yesterday at the Montoursville terminal, 10 nine-passenger flights per week were announced that will begin May 23^rd were announced by airport authorities and other business leaders and legislators in attendance, including Senator Bob Casey, who advocated for the airport and helped secure much of the funding, Senator Gene Yaw, US Representative Dan Meuser,  Lycoming County Commissioners Scott Metzger and Mark Mussina, and others.

FLOOD WATCH THROUGH TOMORROW

We’re still within a flood watch through tomorrow afternoon for Central Pennsylvania that will also include windy conditions through Wednesday according to Accuweather.  We’re seeing the potential for the icy and wintry mix conditions this morning, but then with warmer temperatures, we will still be faced with extra thawing and rain with the wind gusts expected to be 40 to 60 miles per hour.  Homeowners are reminded to secure trashcans and outdoor furniture.

MILL HALL ELECTRICAL FIRE DEEMED ACCIDENTAL

Authorities say a Mill Hall house fire on December 12^th was started in an overheated kitchen outlet, causing extensive interior damage to the home at 119 Dewey Street.  According to the Lock Haven Express, Mill Hall police submitted a report about the morning fire that spread from the kitchen to the living room and then to a stairwell that led to the second floor which caused more heat and smoke damage.  First responders attempted to rescue the pets in the home, but were unsuccessful.  The homeowners were uninsured.

VOTE ON STUDENTS’ PAINT THE PLOW ENTRIES

Schools in Clinton , Centre, Potter Counties and beyond participated in in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s District 2’s annual Paint the Plow Program.  According to PennDOT, they are inviting the public to vote on the work of art students from Bellefonte, Coudersport, Bucktail, Central Mountain, and Sugar Valley Rural Charter Schools, who painted plow blades based on the statewide theme “Seat belts are always in season”.  Go to penndot.pa.gov/PaintthePlow to vote through an online survey in January.

GUILTY PLEA IN 2001 COLD CASE HOMICIDE

A New Jersey man who has been in prison just shy of two years awaiting trial for a two-decade-old homicide charge from Columbia County, pleaded guilty last Friday to involuntary manslaughter of 17-year-old Shamar Washington of Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, 46 year old Brian Gregory Quinn of Woodbury, NJ was implicated in March of 2022 after a police investigation into hunters finding Washington’s shot and stabbed body with no ID in Hemlock Township in January of 2001.  Sentencing for Quinn was deferred until this Wednesday so that Washington’s family members can attend the hearing.

MERIT BADGE COLLEGE COMING TO PENN TECH IN FEBRUARY

Penn College announced it will offer faculty expertise and its high-tech instructional facilities for an upcoming regional Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge College, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 17^th.  According to the school , the council of scouts in Clinton, Lycoming, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties will bring in scouts who will select from 20 merit badges to complete 3 during the event in partnership with the Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts of America.  To register for the 50 dollar event, visit bsa.pct.edu before February 5^th.

GREENWAY MINI-GRANTS AVAILABLE

There will be a second round of Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Mini-Grants awarded, with the Winter 2024 round of applications startingtoday.  According to the SGP, funds were still available after two recipients for funds in 2023 were given to the Lewisburg Neighborhood Corporation who seeks to convert the Lewisburg Railroad Bridge as part of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail system, and for the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) for  an interpretive sign at the Beaver Place Trailhead of the Robbins (Hess Loop) Trail in Danville.  Applicants can request up to a 10 thousand dollar match for their proposal that is for Education & Outreach, Wayfinding & Signage, and/or Trail or Access Site Improvement. Get details at susquehannagreenway.org/mini-grant-program.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Basketball
Boys
Loyalsock 83        Montoursville 47
Williamsport 60  Selinsgrove  48
Bloomsburg  53  Lourdes Regional 39 
Bucktail  46          Austin  34
Girls 
Shamokin  38       Milton  36
Northwest  58      Central Columbia  27
Bucktail  55                   Austin 50

NCAA National Championship
Michigan 34       Washington  13
No. 1 Michigan beat No. 2 Washington 34-13  in front of 72,808 fans inside NRG Stadium , for their first national championship since 1997, when they were tied with Nebraska.

NBA
Bulls 119            Hornets 112
Pacers 133          Celtics 131
Thunder  136      Wizards  128
Heat  120            Rockets 113
Jazz 132              Bucks 116
Clippers 138       Suns  111
NBA Wednesday
76ers vs Atlanta 7:30pmNHL
Canucks 6           Rangers 3
Penguins 4          Flyers 1
Stars 4                 Wild 0
Avalanche 4        Bruins 3
NHL Tonight
Canucks vs Islanders 7:30pm

FORMER COMMISSIONER ACCUSED OF BURGLARY, TRESPASSING

Former Lycoming County Commissioner, Rick Mirabito, is free on bail after he surrendered Wednesday morning with his attorney over felony burglary and trespassing charges involving a landlord –tenant dispute.  According to the Sun Gazette, city police say Mirabito illegally evicted a tenant from a Vine Avenue apartment New Year’s Day and allegedly entered the woman’s apartment to take back the unit’s keys.  District Attorney Tom Marino initially withdrew the charges against Mirabito earlier this week, but refiled them yesterday after noting the case is a criminal matter, separate from the eviction issue. Mirabito’s preliminary hearing is January 16^th.

SHAMOKIN MAN LEADS POLICE ON CHASE, CRASHES

Charges are pending against a Shamokin man who led police on a chase Tuesday morning before he crashed into a pole along State Route 61.  According to the News Item, a caller contacted police about 38 year old Kyle J. Brown who they said was getting angry and not acting right.  When police arrived at the 6^th street residence, Brown left the property carrying a rifle which he threw into the car before he recklessly accelerated and left, nearly hitting an officer who had blocked his path.  Police followed but soon stopped the chase due to the high speed, and Brown crashed nearby.  He sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized.  He was then arrested and taken to the Northumberland County Jail.

STUDENT LOANS CANCELED FOR FORMER PCI STUDENTS

Students who attended the former Pittsburgh Career Institute on loans, will not have to pay back their debt.  According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, PA schools were given 18 months to find a new accreditor after the Department of Education changed policies in November of 2022.  PCI chose to close instead, leaving some students with outstanding balances that will be wiped out now by the Commonwealth.

SIGNIFICANT SNOW POSSIBLE FOR NORTHEAST

Northeast PA may see a significant amount of snow if the models meteorologists are watching prove true. According to Accuweather, a cross-country storm could  intensify late in the week in time for the weekend causing travel snags in many locations around the I- 95 corridor. The storm is forecast to collide with an area of colder air in place across the Great Lakes and Northeast, allowing for a zone of snow to unfold.  Accuweather predicts the worst of the storm will be limited to about 12-18 hours or so from late Saturday into Sunday evening with conditions likely to deteriorate in New England and upstate New York before Monday.

MAN DESTROYS SECURITY CAMERA WITH HAMMER

A Williamsport man was arrested after police discovered he destroyed a security camera at a Second Street property December 16^th with a hammer.  According to the Sun Gazette, 41 year old Michael Demers was recognized on camera wearing a black clothing and black mask  before he smashed the camera and fled, leaving blood at the scene.  Police arrested Demers at his home on West Fourth Street and charged him with simple assault , criminal mischief and tampering with evidence.  He was later released on 10 thousand dollars bail.

TRUCK TRAIN COLLISION IN SUNBURY

Area roads were closed for about an hour in Sunbury Tuesday after a truck collided with a train before 11am along Market Street.  According to police, no injuries were reported when a truck was hit on the driver’s side and was pushed by the train for several feet.  Other roads in the area were closed around the intersection while they cleared the crash.  The roads reopened just before noontime.

SCAMMER ARRESTED IN UNION COUNTY

An elderly Union County man was scammed out of 400 thousand dollars over several years, after a woman from Nebraska claimed he won the Publisher’s Clearing House lottery and had him continue to pay taxes and other charges, while he still expected the prize money.  According to State Police at Milton, the victim contacted them in August and an investigation into his allegations turned up suspect, 51 year old Candi Brown who left a trail of fraudulent activity in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio, and Illinois with ATM withdrawals from Brown’s accounts taking place in Jamaica.  Investigators found Brown had a history of fraud crimes, and was arrested.  She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Union County Court on February 8^th.

PENN DOT CHARITABLE GIVING IN 2023

PennDOT District 3 employees made fundraising for local charities a priority in 2023 and recently announced the effort and positive influence employees have in their local communities.  District 3 employees participated in several charitable events, including a competition between units to raise the most money for Footprints of Montgomery, a Lycoming County Food bank, collecting the equivalent of almost 5 thousand pound of food. In addition, bikes were collected and given to Bikes for Tykes, in honor of the late Bill Craver, a PennDOT Maintenance worker who personally donated bikes to the charity annually.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Basketball

Boys
Montgomery 80        Williamson 74 (OT)
Mifflinburg 65          Midd-West 34
Cow Valley 45          Towanda 43
Shamokin 86             Jersey Shore 29
Hughesville 44         Warrior Run 43
Loyalsock 77                        Bloomsburg 54
Selinsgrove 70          Milton 26
Montoursville 41     Danville 38
Central Col. 49         Lewisburg 45
Mount Carmel 58     Southern Columbia 52
Cntrl Mountain 72   Shikellamy 45
Girls
Loyalsock 42                        Bloomsburg 39
Williamson 45          Wellsboro 33
Benton 46                  Northwest Area 32
Troy 54                      Athens 28
Muncy 48                  South Williamsport 22
Towanda 57              Wyalusing 48
Canton 46                  Cowanesque Valley 33
Millville 54               Sullivan County 26
NP Liberty 49           Sayre 15
NE Bradford 58        NP Mansfield 28
St. John Neuman 55 Bucktail 40

NCAA Football News
In college football, former Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming will transfer to Penn State next season.  Fleming was ESPN’s No. 1 recruit in the country in 2020 after his high school days at Southern Columbia. 

NBA

Cavaliers  140      Wizards  101
Pacers  142                     Bucks  130
Brooklyn  101      Rockets  112
Knicks  116          Bulls 100
Heat  110             Lakers 96
Kings  138                      Magic 135
NBA Tonight
Milwaukee vs San Antonio  7:30pm TNT
Denver @ Golden State  10 pm TNT

NHL
Devils 6                Capitals 3
Maple Leafs  2     Ducks 1

NHL Tonight
Penguins vs Bruins 7pm  ESPN
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Phila Flyers 7pm
Chicago vs Rangers  7pm
Islanders vs Arizona 9pm

NCAA Football
National Championship Monday, January 8
Washington Huskies vs Michigan Wolverines  7:30pm ESPN  Houston, TX
NFL Saturday
Pittsburgh vs Baltimore  4:30pm ESPN