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.
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2024
MORNING WIND ADVISORY TODAY
A wind advisory remains in effect this morning until about 10 am with winds around 20 to 25 miles per hour and gusts in some areas could be up to 45 miles per hour. High profile vehicles are advised to use caution while on the roadway. Electricity issues that plagued southern counties after heavy wet snow fell Monday night, have been mostly resolved with the PPL outage map showing only a few hundred customers across the region experiencing problems with electric service.
NO BAIL FOR MAN WHO SHOT BROTHER IN LAW
The man accused of shooting his brother in law August 17th in the lobby at a Williamsport’s Cable Services Company, was denied bail Tuesday in Lycoming County Court. According to Penn Live, the defense lawyer of 66 year old Kenneth Michaels, said he shot his relative, John Roskowski, in self-defense, but Judge Ryan Tira said that despite testimony of angry and aggressive words being exchanged, Roskowski made no specific threats of violence. Michaels may be facing a life sentence, and will wait behind bars for his upcoming murder trial. A PA Superior Court is set to review Tira’s decision.
MUNCY VOTES IN LERTA TAX BREAKS FOR “THE DISTRICT”
Muncy Township supervisors voted for an intermunicipal agreement for a 10-year Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) for the former Lycoming Mall site known now as “The District at Lycoming Valley” . According to the Sun Gazette, the president and CEO of the WIlliamsprot Lycoming Chamber said the tax break LERTA gives is a key tool to the developers in attracting new commercial tenants to the redevelopment site. Famvest, the developers of the 135-acre Lycoming Mall property get the tax break on any new development, until LERTA expires.
FUNDING FOR REARCH OF NATIVE PA SPECIES
Penn State Agricultural Sciences department has been given over 140 thousand dollars in state funding awarded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources under the Wild Resource Conservation Program, which will support three studies to protect local natural habitat. According to state legislators the funding is to advance research ensuring that our native species continue to thrive into the future. Funding will go for studying dissolved oxygen concentrations and their effect on the Chesapeake Logperch, a newly discovered native narrow-leaf ramps, and a recovery plan for Scarlet Paintbrush plant.
MOUNT CARMEL FIRE
Fire Crews are battling the windy and icy conditions, working a blaze this morning at a commercial property in Mount Carmel. According to the Daily Item, firefighters were called at around 4am to the fire along South Market Street at Moser’s Sanitation, with flames spreading to a property along East Buick Street. According to social media posts by the Northumberland County’s Fire & rescue Firewire, the building was fully involved. No injuries have been reported.
MEDICAL EPISODE LEADS TO CAR ACCIDENT
State police say a woman driving in West Chillisquaque Township had an accident after a medical episode while driving. According to State police in Northumberland County, Carolyn Reimensnyder went off the right side of on Housels Run Road while she was driving northbound around 1pm last Friday ultimately striking a fire hydrant and a utility pole. EMS arrived on the scene and transported Reimensnyder to Evangelical Community Hospital with unknown injuries.
DEAD POSSUM LEAFT IN MAILBOX
An elderly man called police February 9th after vandals put a dead possum in his mailbox. According to North Central PA dot com, state police at Selinsgrove began an investigation when the 88 year old victim called from his Beaver Springs home along the 4000 block of Ridge Road when he found the dead animal. If you have any information about the suspect call Selinsgrove State police barracks at 570-374-8145.
NEW GAME WARDEN CADETS BEING SOUGHT
The Game Commission is looking for more Game Wardens. According to North Central PA dot com, a dozen new cadets were recently commissioned after 44 weeks of training including 10 weeks of field training and graduated February 3rd. Potential Game wardens go through intensive training about wildlife forensics, wildlife surveys, hunter education instruction and more. The PA Game Commission is taking applications at this time for new cadets for new classes. Go to pgc.pa.gov for application information.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Basketball
Girls
NTL Showdown
Williamson 46 Northeast Bradford 39
Troy 57 North Penn-Mansfield 29
St. John Neumann 52 Line Mountain 30
Montgomery 48 CMVT 12
Milton 40 Central Mountain 39
Muncy 45 Sullivan County 9
Athens 43 Wyalusing 37
Boys
NTL Showdown
NP-Mansfield 65 NE Bradford 50
Troy 2 Cowanesque Valley 0 (FFT)
PHAC Tournament
Danville 54 Shamokin 53
Loyalsock 53 Selinsgrove 40
Montgomery 58 Millville 50
Curwensville 72 Bucktail 59
NCAA Women’s Basketball News
*Iowa Senior Caitlin Clark made history Thursday during a home game against the Michigan Wolverines, breaking the NCAA Division I women’s scoring record. She reached the mark with her 3,528th point in four years.
*She surpassed Kelsey Plum, who has won two WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces. Plum set the mark with 3,527 points at Washington from 2013-17.
*Clark’s record-breaking bucket last night was a deep 3-pointer from the logo.
NBA
Grizzlies 113 Bucks 110
Warriors 140 Jazz 137
Timberwolves 128 Trail Blazers 91
NHL
Maple Leafs 4 Flyers 3
Ducks 5 Senators 1
Kings 2 Devils 1
Rangers 7 Canadiens 4
Penguins 4 Blackhawks 1
NASCAR THURSDAY NIGHT
Bluegreen Vacations Duels – Daytona
Tyler Reddick won the first 150-mile race that is part of how the field is set Sunday for the season opener. Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing won the second race – both driving Toyota.
Daytona 500 Sunday – Pre-race coverage 1:30pm/Green Flag racing 2:30pm on TWIN
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS FEBRUARY 15, 2024
WOMAN SENTENCED FOR TRAFFICKING MINOR CHILDREN
A Williamsport woman who was arrested along with a co-defendant for trafficking minor girls in exchange for drugs and money was sentenced Tuesday in Lycoming County court. According to North Central PA dot com, 36 year old Jennifer Gibbs pleaded guilty to two felony counts of attempted trafficking in individuals in December of 2023 and was given two to five years incarceration in state prison and five years supervision upon release by President Judge Nancy Butts. Gibb’s codefendant, Allen Frazier faces several counts of trafficking individuals, unlawful contact with a minor, and corruption of minors. He is due in court this March and is expected to plead guilty.
POLICE SEEK WOMAN INVOLVED IN CRIME RING
A woman who pleaded guilty in Clinton County Court to third-degree felony retail theft in June of 2022, has not attended her court hearings as directed by probation and is being sought by the Clinton County Sheriff’s office. According to North Central PA dot com, 26 year old Savannah Danielle Dillard of Flint, Michigan, is allegedly is part of a crime ring who purchase items at stores using fraudulent means to purchase and then return the items at another store of the chain in another town. The Clinton County Sheriff is asking anyone with information as to Dillard’s whereabouts to submit a tip at clinton.crimewatchpa.com.
GRANT FOR POLICE SOFTWARE UPGRADE
A Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant for 1.5 million dollars obtained by the city of Williamsport, will be used to upgrade the Communications and records management for the Williamsport Bureau of Police. According to the Sun Gazette, a former records-management system the police used has been phased out and a news system called E-Force will replace it. The technology of the E-Force system will help law enforcement officers on their beats, and because of the grant, no city funding was used in the purchase.
RARE WHISKEY TO BE AVAILABLE BY LOTTERY
A limited-release lottery is available for Pennsylvania residents who want to buy rare whiskeys, and the deadline to opt-in is this Friday. According to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, whiskey from Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collections will be featured in two lotteries in which winners will be selected at random to purchase one bottle in the collection; winners are then excluded from later drawings. Residents and licensees have until 5pm Friday to opt in online to one or more of the lotteries and drawings. Get details at fine wine and good spirits dot com.
INMATE FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN CELL
A 24 year old man who was serving a 4 to 8 year sentence for making terroristic conviction from Venango County, was found unresponsive in a cell at SCI Coal Township last Friday. According to authorities from State Correctional Institution, prison staff found Andrew Shawgo, of Waterford, PA in his cell and performed life saving measures. He was transported to Geisinger Hospital where he was pronounced dead on Monday. An investigation into Shawgo’s death is underway by state police and the Northumberland County Coroner’s office.
POLICE LOOK FOR DIESEL THIEF
State Police at Milton say a thief stole diesel from three Union County school buses over the weekend. According to North Central PA dot com, between Friday at 11am and 9am Monday, a suspect was on a lot on River Road in White Deer Township and took 75 gallons of the fuel from the vehicles owned by Fishing Creek Transport. If you have information about the theft or the suspect or suspects, please call Milton State Police 570-524-2662.
TOWNSHIP LOST DATA FOLLOWING COMPUTER CRASH
Due to a hardware failure and the lack of a viable backup, East Buffalo Township has lost much of its data and digital history after a recent computer crash. According to the Daily Item, the municipality told residents at Monday night’s public meeting that the contracted computer system back-ups were not completed by Computition, of Lewisburg, and a portion of the records of the township are lost. The financial system is backed up, so bill paying will not be an issue, and ordinances and board agendas and minutes are all on a third-party website and available. Officials are now back to using physical filing systems and ask for the community’s patience while they build everything back up from hard copies and the other sites.
SELINSGROVE LIBRARY SEEKS STORIES ABOUT NAMESAKE
An interactive mural has been commissioned at the Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library in Selinsgrove, and the artist is seeking information from people who knew the man after whom the library was named. According to the Daily Item, a story circle from will be held February 29th by artist Marcellus Hammond and his crew so that participants can share stories about Gelnett. The mural is set to be installed inside the library and will have an interactive QR code to bring the artwork to life. Call the Assistant Director of the Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library, Mitch Alday, at 570-374-7163 for details about participating in the story circle.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Basketball
Boys
Williamsport 63 La Academia Partnership Charter 52
South Wmspt 69 Milton 59
Girls
Loyalsock 50 Jersey Shore 41
Cntrl Col. 42 Hughesville 40
Milton 48 Danville 30
NCAA Men’s Basketball
UConn 101 DePaul 65
Tennessee 92 Arkansas 63
Auburn 101 South Carolina 61
Notre Dame 58 Georgia Tech 55
Michigan St. 80 Penn State 72
The Lock Haven Bald Eagles upset the number 10 team in the country, East Stroudsburg, 74-69 at Thomas Field House yesterday – beating a top-10 team twice in one season for the first time in program-history.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tonight
Temple vs Florida Atlantic 7pm ESPN2
NBA
Magic 118 Knicks 100
Heat 109 76ers 104
Pacers 127 Raptors 125
Pelicans 133 Wizards 126
Mavericks 116 Spurs 93
Lakers 138 Jazz 122
Clippers 130 Warriors 125
Celtics 136 Nets 86
NBA News
the NBA-leading Boston Celtics routed the Brooklyn Nets 136-86 on Wednesday night to become just the third team in league history to post multiple 50-point wins in a season. The victory also was Joe Mazzulla’s 100th as head coach.
NBA Tonight
Milwaukee vs Memphis 8:30pm TNT
Golden State vs Utah 9pm
Minnesota vs Portland 10pm
NHL
Panthers 5 Penguins 2
Jets 1 Sharks 0
Wild 3 Coyotes 1
NHL Tonight
Flyers vs Maple Leafs 7pm
Kings vs Devils 7pm
Canadiens vs NY Rangers 7pm
Penguins vs Blackhawks 8:30pm