SNOWY CONDITIONS AND ROAD RESTRICTIONS

The snow this morning is also requiring modifications for drivers today along the interstates and suggesting alternate routes for commercial drivers in Northumberland County today.  According to PennDOT, due to the storm, commercial trucks and large trucks should avoid Route 54 between Route 487 in Ralpho Township and Route 61 in Mount Carmel Township, and instead use Route 61 and Route 487.  The department is also temporarily reducing the speed limit on I-80 and I-180 to 45 miles per hour.  As always, avoid unnecessary travel today and always check 511pa dot com before you go to check road conditions across Pennsylvania. 

BASTRESS TOWNSHIP HOUSE FIRE MONDAY

A house fire in Bastress Township yesterday was a total loss after multiple fire companies responded to the blaze along Morgan Valley Road about 11:15am.  According to the Sun Gazette, the home was less than a mile from Route 654 and smoke from the home could be seen from as far as Rauchtown.  Firefighters closed parts of Morgan Valley Road as they shuttled water to the scene from a nearby pond, but the structure was already burning on three sides and flames were coming from the roof according to first responders.  There were no reports of injuries.  The owners of the property Mark and Doris Anderman were notified of the fire and arrived on the scene late Monday.

WOMAN CHARGED FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS

A man from Coal Township was arrested in 2022 for stealing catalytic converters so that he could gather money to bail his girlfriend out of jail, and now the girlfriend is facing conspiracy charges in the scheme.  According to North Central PA dot com, police investigated jailhouse recordings of phone calls between 39 year old Jarred Derck and his girlfriend 34 year old Sarah Ann Karpinski who was in jail for drug charges, and found evidence of them discussing the thefts and selling of the car parts that took place between May and June 2022.  Derckwas charged in July of 2022 for the thefts, a warrant was issued for Karpinski  January 2^nd, 2024.

WINFIELD FARM HONORED AS CENTURY FARM

A Winfield farmer and his family’s land that has been in constant operation since 1797, have received the honor of being one of 2,300 Century and Bicentennial Farms in the Commonwealth. Bret and Mary Moyer were given the distinction last week during the 108^th PA Farm Show in Harrrisburg and join 5 other farms recognized for their long-standing traditions, including two in  in Perry County.  The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture started the Century Farm program in 1977.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TODAY

A Winter weather advisory is in place today until noon, with Accuweather reporting that the light snow should stop by midmorning.  PennDOT has adjusted speeds on I-80 and I-180 to 45 miles per hour. You can check conditions on all Pennsylvnia roadways 24/7 at 511 PA dot com.

DOUBLE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Police are still investigating the double homicide that occurred in Williamsport early Friday morning, and say the public is not in danger after a person of interest is in custody in the case.  According to the Sun Gazette, the two victims, 37 year old Alisha Seese and 37 year old Ronald Dailey Jr, who was a member of Independent Hose Company No. 1 were found deceased early Friday morning.  The two were employees of Security Alliance, a contractor utilized by Lycoming Engines for security services.  The Lycoming County DA, said they are still seeking information or video surveillance from some of the homes in the area.  If you know anything about the incident, no matter how insignificant, call Williamsport Bureau Police, 570-327-7560 ext. 7558.

SUMMER SNAP BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN

The Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services and Education have announced that  children in the Commonwealth who are income eligible will have meals provided during the summer months through the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer-EBT) program.  According to North Central PA dot com, the application process for the Summer EBT program will come around in the next few months, but up to 900,000 children will be automatically issued benefits based on their eligibility for Free or Reduced-Priced meals.  .  Benefits will be a single issuance of 120 dollars for 3 months.  Get details about the program at FNS.USDA.gov.

WARMING CENTERS OPEN DURING CODE BLUE WEATHER

There are several options for people in Williamsport who may be facing a housing crisis or heating issues and need a shelter during the bitter cold temperatures we’re expecting over the next days.  According to North Central PA dot com, when a code blue warning is issued – temperatures expected to be below 20 for a period of time – First Church in Williamsport offers a warming center at 604 Market Street from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The entrance is indicated by blue lights in the evening outside , and the doors are locked at 10 p.m. nightly.  A meal is served each night at 9pm and a pick-up breakfast upon departure is provided at 7:30am.  Get the help you need locally by first calling 211.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Basketball
Boys
Loyalsock 73            Mifflinburg  47
Montoursville  43    Central Columbia 37
Milton 65                   Bucktail 52
NP  Mansfield 61     Sayre  38
So. Columbia  53      Marian Catholic  40
Girls  
Hughesville 53         Mount Carmel 40
Wellsboro  41           Sayre  18
Cntrl Columbia 57  Midd-West  14
Marion Catholic  61  Lourdes Regional 42

NFL Monday Night Wild Card Playoffs
Bills 31               Steelers 17
Buccaneers 32    Eagles 9
NFL Divisional Playoffs  
Saturday 1/20
AFC – Houston vs Baltimore 4:30pm ESPN/ABC Baltimore, MD
NFC  – Green Bay vs San Francisco 8:15  FOX Santa Clara, CA
NFL Sunday 1/21
NFC – Tampa Bay vs Detroit  3pm  NBC
AFC – Kansas City  vs Buffalo  6:30pm  CBS
NFL NEWS

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has told teammates he intends to retire after 13 NFL seasons. Kelce’s decision, has not yet been made public. Kelce wavered in the past about retirement in recent seasons before ultimately deciding to return for one more run at the Super Bowl. Those dreams ended after Philadelphia’s 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card game on Monday night.

NBA
76ers  124            Rockets  115
Magic 98             Knicks 94
Pistons  129         Wizards   117
Cavaliers  109     Bulls 91
Heat  96               Nets  95
Celtics 105          Raptors  96
Lakers 112           Thunder 105
NBA Tonight
Denver vs 76ers  7:30pm TNT
Sacramento vs Phoenix  9pm
Oklahoma City vs LA Clippers  10pm TNT
NHL
Bruins  3              Devils 0
Penguins  3          Kraken 0
Wild 5                  Islanders  0
Flyers 4                Blues 2
NHL Tonight
Kraken vs NY Rangers 7pm
Islanders vs Winnipeg 8pm
Flyers host Dallas Thursday @7pm

BRADFORD COUNTY FIRE DEEMED TO BE ARSON            

A fatal fire in Bradford County this week has been ruled arson.  According to WNEP, state police fire marshall were on the scene of the fire Tyler Street in Athens that started around 9:30 p.m Wednesday night in which resident, 62 year old Donald Chandler passed away, his wife, who was home at the time, was not hurt. There were two minor injuries suffered by firefighters, but no other injuries were reported.

FATHER CHARGED FOR THREATS

Buffalo Valley Regional police responded to a domestic incident December 3^rd in which the father of two children threatened to kill the children’s mother and her boyfriend as he was about to arrive at her home in East Buffalo Township to drop off the children. According to North Central PA dot com, 35 year old Kyle Matthew Bryan arrived at the home with police on the scene and admitted sending the messages, but denied wanting to kill the his estranged wife.  He was taken into custody in lieu of five thousand dollars unsecured bail, with a preliminary hearing January 18^th .

PHILLY BASED CONVENIENCE STORE POSSIBLE IN 2025

As the Delaware County convenience store chain, WaWa, plans to double the number of their stores in Pennsylvania, plans for a Williamsport store in mid-2024 may be pushed back to early 2025 to coordinate with other openings at “Maynard Commons” on Maynard Street.  Two other regionally close stores are planned;  one in Lewisburg in Kelly Township, and one in Centre County.  The property at the former location of the Williamsport Foundry may see a yet to be announced fast-food restaurant, but  according to North Central PA dot com, the new store , owned by FamVest is estimated to have a $31 million economic impact in the Williamsport area with the creation of close to 100 permanent jobs .

UPTOWN MUSIC COLLECTIVE PRESENTS PEOPLE’S CHOICE SHOW

The Uptown Music Collective, Williamsport’s non-profit music school, will present “The Decade of Grunge” at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport Jaunary 27^th at 7:30pm.  The show featuring iconic sounds of the 1990s was the winning choice of over 600 community members who participated in their 8th annual online People’s Choice voting event.  The show presented in partnership with UPMC North Central Pa and UPMC Health Plan will highlight the talents of the school’s Special Performance Group 1, comprised of students aged 14 to 19, who auditioned, then plan, direct, design, rehearse, and perform the show. Tickets are 20 dollars and can be purchased online at caclive.com.  Details at uptownmusic.org/grunge.

SHAMOKIN SHOOTING, NO ONE INJURED

There was a shooting Wednesday near North Rock Street in Shamokin and a woman is in custody.  According to Shamokin police, 27-year-old Nashay Destouet shot at a man during an argument Wednesday at about 7am, but no injuries were reported.  Destouet was charged with discharging a firearm in city limits and reckless endangerment and aggravated assault after she arrived for an interview with police in the afternoon.  She will have a future arraignment and was remitted to Northumberland County Prison.

WOMAN CAUSES ACCIDENT AFTER CHASING BOYFRIEND IN CAR

A woman from Sunbury who called police to report an incident while she was driving at a high rate of speed chasing her boyfriend, caused an accident on December 16^th.  According to State police at Stonington, when 27 year old April Hayes communicated with troopers, they told her to stop the chase and let them  handle it, but she refused.  Shortly after, Hayes allegedly caused a crash that involved two other drivers along Route 61 in Shamokin Township.  Hayes was charged with reckless endangerment.

A woman from Sunbury who called police to report an incident while she was driving at a high rate of speed chasing her boyfriend, caused an accident on December 16^th.  According to State police at Stonington, when 27 year old April Hayes communicated with troopers, they told her to stop the chase and let them  handle it, but she refused.  Shortly after, Hayes allegedly caused a crash that involved two other drivers along Route 61 in Shamokin Township.  Hayes was charged with reckless endangerment.

SENATOR YAW SEEKS RE-ELECTION IN 2024

State Senator Gen Yaw, who works on behalf of residents of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties in the 23^rd District, has announced his intention to seek re-election this year. Senator Yaw supports small business and received the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Award for his supportive voting record.  Yaw was also named “Legislator of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health for his work to address the heroin epidemic plaguing the Commonwealth.  Senator Yaw works to preserve the natural gas Impact Fee, which brings tens of millions of dollars to our counties and municipalities annually.

LAST WEEKEND FOR THE FARM SHOW

It’s the last two days for the 108^th PA Farm Show, the nation’s largest indoor agricultural expo.  Today in Harrisburg, the Century Farm Award Presentation is planned for 10am this morning, and the Lumberjack competition is at 3:30pm.  The professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Circuit Finals Rodeo is tonight and tomorrow night in the New Holland arena.  Admission to the Farm Show is free, Parking is 15 dollars.  Get details at farmshow.pa.gov.

SPORTS

PIAA HS
Girls Basketball
Williamson 46      Athens 16
NP Mansfield  39           Canton  35

HS Wrestling
Selinsgrove 66  Jersey Shore 6

NBA
Cavaliers 111     Nets 102
Bucks 135           Celtics  102
Thunder 139       Trail Blazers 77
Mavericks 128  Knicks 124
Suns 127             Lakers 109
NBA Tonight
Kings vs 76ers 7:30pm ESPN

NHL
Lightining 4        Devils  3
Canucks  4          Penguins 3
Kraken 4             Capitals 1
NY Islanders 4  Maple Leafs 3
Blues 5                NY Rangers 2
Gldn Knights 2  Bruins 1
NHL Tonight
Flyers vs Minnesota  8pm ESPN+NFL Saturday
Cleveland @ Houston 4:30pm NBC
Miami @ Kansas City 8pm Peacock
NFL Sunday
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo 1pm CBS
NFL Monday
Eagles @ Tampa Bay 8:15pm ABC/ESPN

FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL PA

After the snowy weekend and the mix of rain and snow expected, the region may see increased melting with a flood watch announced for tomorrow through Wednesday.  According to the National Weather Service, much of Central Pennsylvania will be affected by the runoff and those who live in flood prone areas should be prepared, should flooding conditions develop. 1-3 more inches of precipitation is expected this week with highs Tuesday up to 47.

UNITYVILLE FIRE DISPLACES THREE

A fire in Unityville Saturday displaced a family of three who escaped the blaze along Butternut Lane.  According to the Sun Gazette, firefighters shuttled water from two ponds in the area to the home after 7:30pm, while the fire burned uncontrolled for a few hours.  Fire officials say the blaze was a total loss and wasn’t suspicious but the cause remains undetermined at this time.  Firefighters kept the flames from igniting a nearby 3-car garage, and there were reports of a flare up early Sunday, and the Red Cross is assisting the family who reportedly has fire insurance.

GUN FOUND IN UNION COUNTY COURT HOUSE

Police are looking for information surrounding a gun that was found in the Union County Courthouse on December 29^th.  According to State Police at Milton, the Marlin 336 rifle in a brown and tan leather case was discovered inside the courthouse building in Lewisburg before noon.  There was no other information released about the firearm, but if you know anything, please call Milton State Police and reference incident number PA2023-1687119.

BRIDGE COULD BE NAMED FOR A LOCAL VETERAN

Local officials have combined their efforts to name the green bridge between Loyalsock Township and Montoursville after a local veteran. Born near Mill Hall in 1922 Eleanor Pauline Hannah was a 1940 Montoursville high school graduate, she went on to join the Women’s Army Corps two years later, before being killed aboard the Gremlin Special – the plane that crashed during a sightseeing flight over the Shangri-La valley in 1945.  Representative John Hamm is working to get a bill introduced on behalf of Eleanor Hanna so the bridge between Loyalsock and Montoursville may be named after her. 

TWO DEATHS REPORTED IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

Two deaths were reported this weekend in Lower Mahanoy Township.  According to the Daily Item, State police report Brandi Hauck and Tracey Adams were found deceased in southern Northumberland County when police were called to an address off of Malta Road about 5pm Sunday.  Police report there is no danger to the public and an investigation is ongoing.  Police say they will release more information about the victims and the circumstances when it becomes available. 

MAN EXTRADICTED FROM DELAWARE FOR FORGERY CHARGES

A man from Virginia was extradited back to to Lycoming County yesterday from Delaware for his role in felony charges of theft by deception and forgery after he wrote five fraudulent checks at a C&N Bank in 2022.  According to the Sun Gazette, 55 year old Timothy Wayne Berry, who admitted to police that he is a heroin addict, has 18 previous felony convictions for the same kind of check and bank fraud crimes and is wanted in North Carolina and Delaware for similar forgeries.  District Judge William Solomon remanded Berry to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 1 million dollars bail.

YMCA WILL NOT APPEAL CLOSURE DECISION

The River Valley Regional YMCA in Williamsport is not appealing the decision by the PA State Department of Human Services which, last fall revoked its license to operate a child care center at the Williamsport branch. According to the Sun Gazette, a meeting between the facility operator, and the state department of human services is planned this week to determine its next course of action.  The child care center was closed and its license revoked in September and it cannot be reinstated. However YMCA administrators say the work may start again soon to instead obtain a brand new license for the facility.

ZOOM CLASS FOR FAMILIES OF RECOVERING ADDICTS

Residents of Snyder and Union Counties who are affected by a person’s substance use disorder or addiction are invited to join a free Zoom class, offered by a BALM Family Recovery Life Coach beginning January 16^th.  The free eight-week weekly online course is based on a method that helps families shift away from anxious reactivity to calm responsiveness, as research shows they are also in need of recovery when a family member is recovering from drug addiction. Find out more about enrollment by emailing
“s karchner 9” at gmail.com.

SPORTS

NFL Sunday
Bills 21               Dolphins 14
Cowboys 38       Commanders 10
Chiefs  13           Chargers 12
Giants 27            Eagles 10
Bengals 31          Browns 14
Jets  17                Patriots  3
NFL Saturday 1/13
Cleveland vs Houston  4:30pm NBC
Miami vs Kansa City  8pm  Peacock
NFL Sunday 1/14
Pittsburgh vs Buffalo  1pm  CBS
Green Bay vs Dallas 4:30pm
LA Rams vs Detroit  8pm NBC
NFL Monday 1/15 
Eagles vs Tampa Bay  8:15pm ABC/ESPN

NBA
Cavaliers 117               Spurs  115
Trail Blazers 134         Nets  127 
Magic 117                    Hawks 110 
Raptors  133                 Warriors  118
Lakers 106                    Clippers 103

NBA Tonight
Jazz vs Bucks 8pm
Suns vs  Clippers 10:30pm
NBA Wednesday
76ers vs Atlanta 7:30pm

NHL
Capitals 4            Kings  3
Blackhawk  4      Flames 3
Jets 6                   Coyotes  2
Red Wings 3       Ducks  2

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

UNITYVILLE MAN SENTENCED FOR CRUEL ANIMAL CRIME

A Unityville man has been sentenced in Lycoming County Court after he pled guilty to all counts related to stealing and brutally killing two dairy cows who were the pets of two young girls in the local 4-H program in January of 2020.  According to the Sun Gazette, the courtroom was full, supporting the victims – the Kitzmiller family, as President Judge Nancy Butts gave 60 year old Gary Colastosti of Woods Road up to 12 months of the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program which requires paying restitution, a letter of apology to the family, a donation to the Dairy County Dairy Committee and 50 hours of community service, and no contact with the victims.  The guilty plea allowed Colatosti to escape a possible 31 year sentence and 90 thousand dollar fine.

FAMILY OF DECEASED INMATE FILES SUIT FOR NEGLIGENCE

A federal lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Williamsport man who died in the custody of the Lycoming County Prison. According to WNEP, the family of 33 year old inmate, Chaz Donya Turner, seeks damages for claims of negligence and civil rights violations after he died January 15^th 2022 following complications from COVID and diabetes.  He went to the hospital January 2^nd, for abdominal issues where he allegedly assaulted two nurses and was arrested. County officials have not responded to the lawsuit.

SUNBURY TO NAME ALLEYWAYS

Aiding emergency responders is the goal of Sunbury officials who want to officially name multiple so-far unnamed alleys in the city of Sunbury. According to the Daily Item, the city will ask for the public’s help in naming at least 8 or more currently unnamed alleys. The naming of the local alleys will cut down on confusion in the city for 911 operators and first responders in future emergency situations.

PUBLIC INVITED TO FARM SHOW RECEPTION

The public is invited to the 108th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred^® Reception, at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg this Friday, January 5^th.  According to Agriculture Secretary, Russel Redding, the ticketed reception is 40 dollars for the general public, 20 dollars for PA Preferred members, but free for military-veteran farmers who are members of Home Grown by Heroes.  The event features a short program featuring the people and products of Pennsylvania Agriculture.  Get details at farmshow.pa.gov.

ONE KILLED, ONE INJURED IN RIDE-SHARE VEHICLE ACCIDENT

A passenger in a motor vehicle crash in Montour County was killed on I-80 Monday night and the ride-share driver was injured.  According to State Police 23 year old passenger Yainyles Gomez and the ride-share driver of the 2011 Toyota Highlander, 44 year old Anthony Machi of Hughesville, were heading to Wilkes-Barre when Machi reportedly lost control of the vehicle at about 3:38 am in Liberty Township at about mile marker 217 and overturned before striking a tree.  Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by the Montour County Coroner and an autopsy will take place tomorrow.  Machi was transported to Geisinger Medical Center with minor injuries.  Both were not wearing their seatbelts.

ALLEGED DEALER CHARGED FOR SELLING FATAL HEROIN DOSE

An Old Lycoming Township man has been charged with a felony for delivering drugs that caused the death of a Williamsport woman in May of 2019.  According to the Sun Gazette, 44 year old Alex DeJesus allegedly sold heroin to 36 year old Teresa Holtzman, who was later found unresponsive at home from an apparent overdose and died a few days later at UPMC Williamsport from what toxicology reports say was a fatal mixture of benzos and fentanyl.  DeJesus was recently taken into custody but was released from Lycoming County Prison on 95 thousand dollars bail.

ELUSIVE PIEBALD DEER TAKEN IN YORK COUNTY

A 13 year old Schuylkill County girl took the buck of her lifetime in York County on December 9th, the last day of Pennsylvania’s rifle season.  According to GoErie dot com,  Alex Eckenrod of Hegins was hunting with her  grandfather when they spotted a locally elusive 9 point piebald deer with a 17 inch spread that locals had nicknamed “The Ghost”.  Eckenrod used a 12-gauge shotgun and harvested the deer with a rifled slug.  PA Game Commission wildlife biologists say piebald condition is an inherited genetic trait that shows speckles or whitewashed flanks.  If the deer has white speckled fur, brown eyes and black hooves the deer is considered piebald and not albino.

JERSEY SHORE SENDS THREE TO PIAA ALL-STATE TEAM

Three Jersey Shore football players have been named and are All State bound. According to the Daily Item, this is the 5^th straight year Jersey Shore Football has sent players with all-state honors, including linebackers Bo Sechrist and Elijah Jordan and lineman Dyson Delaney.  Jersey Shore head coach Tom Gravish has also been tapped to lead Team Pennsylvania in next year’s Big 33 Football Classic – slated to kick off at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field in Mechanicsburg on May 26^th.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Basketball

Girls
Shamokin 46                  Midd-West 8
Central Columbia 53     Mifflinburg 28
Hughesville 65               Warrior Run 39
Shikellamy 36                Central Mntn 34
Selinsgrove 43               Danville 35
Jersey Shore 56             Lewisburg 42

Boys
Muncy 66                      S.Williamsport 20
St. John Neumann 67    Bucktail 58
NP-Liberty 65      Meadowbrook Christian 54
Northwest Area 56                  Benton 29
Sullivan County 55        Millville 31
Halifax 69                      Line Mountain 55
Greenwood 58               East Juniata 38

NBA

76ers  110           Bulls 97
Grizzlies  106     Spurs  98
Pelicans 112       Nets  85
Thunder  127      Celtics  123
Warriors  121     Magic  115

NBA Tonight
Washington vs Cleveland 7pm
Chicago Bulls vs NY Knicks 8:30pm ABC
Miami Heat vs LA Lakers 10pm ESPN

NHL
Hurricanes 6       Rangers  1
Bruins  4             Blue Jackets 1
Capitals  4           Penguins 3
Avalanche  5       Islanders  4
Oilers  5              Flyers  2
NHL Tonight
NJ vs Washington 7pm TNT
Toronto vs Anaheim Ducks 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