JURY FOR FORMER WASD PRINCIPAL CHOSEN FOR NOVEMBER TRIAL

Jury selection was competed yesterday in the case over the former Williamsport high school principal charged with grooming and maintaining a sexual relationship with a student from 2017 through 2022.  According to the Sun Gazette, 36 year old Roger Weaver Freed faces 30 counts of  sexual contact with a minor and a count of corruption of minors and will have a three-day trial beginning November 5^th.  Freed was suspended with pay at first in 2022, but since the pay was suspended after an employment hearing that same year.  He is free on 175 thousand dollars unsecured bail.

SUSPECTS IN MINK FARM VANDALISM MEMBERS OF ANARCHIST GROUP

The preliminary hearing of the two suspects who released over 600 mink from a fur farm in Northumberland County on October 19^th  is today.  According to North Central PA dot com, State police in Stonington say 25 year old Christopher Legere and 23 year old Cara Ashley Mitrano, 23, are part of an anarchist commune out or Worchester Massachusetts and while jailed, Legere contacted an unidentified individual about a 50 thousand dollar payment expected for the vandalism they allegedly carried out.  In an amended criminal complaint the two were charged with added counts of eco-terrorism, corrupt organizations, burglary, and misdemeanors of theft and related charges, along with the original charges of agricultural vandalism and misdemeanor cruelty to animals.  Representatives from Robert H. Stahl Sons in Rockefeller Township say 619 mink had been recovered and 64 were still missing.  Three died after they were brought back.  Legere and Mitrano remain in Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bail.

MAIL BALLOT REQUEST DEADLINE TODAY

The deadline for Pennsylvanians to request a mail ballot to submit by 8pm on Election Day is today at 5pm.  According to recent legislation, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court says that any voter who attempted to vote by mail but had the ballot rejected can then vote provisionally on Election Day.  Voters can request a ballot at their county elections office or online through the Department of State.

FISH LADDER STILL MALFUNCTIONING

Officials from DCNR Tiadaghton say they are still working to repair the Williamsport mechanical gateway, or fish ladder that allows fish to pass around the dam near Hepburn Street.  According to the Sun Gazette, damage to the structure was reported in April to the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, but repairs were not started until this month after parts to fix the structure were delayed and weather events interfered with the work.  After initial work last week, the gate continues to malfunction.  DCNR says they are consulting with a team and the gate manufacturer to prepare for and complete the repair.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY BREAKING INTO BUSINESS

A man from Williamsport was arrested by police after being found walking along Lycoming Creek Road in the morning hours of October 18^th with a tool allegedly used to smash a window of a local business that had been broken into.  Police say 42 year old Douglas Hockenberry was stopped by police while walking away from Cotter’s Auto Sales shortly after a call of a burglary had taken place.  Hockenberry was arraigned in Lycoming County and charged with felony attempted burglary, possession of an instrument of crime, criminal mischief, trespassing, loitering and disorderly conduct.  He was released on 35 thousand dollars bail with a preliminary hearing in November.

ACCOMPLICE IN DOUBLE MURDER TRIAL IN COURT

A hearing for Muhammad Davis, an alleged accomplice of Troy Bennett Bailey Sr in the January 11 double homicide in Williamsport of Alicia Seese and Ronald Dailey, Jr. was held last Thursday.  According to the Sun Gazette, court records say the cell phone of Seese was found in Lycoming Creek near the West Third Street overpass, but no data information was released at the court hearing.  Davis faces two counts of second degree murder, theft by unlawful taking, unlawful restraint, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, plus multiple counts of robbery and kidnapping,.  Davis’s defense attorney Donald Martino is seeking the dismissal of all counts related to robbery and theft. No trial date has been set.

CU-CLEARFIELD TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE

Commonwealth University-Clearfield will host an open house on Saturday, November 9th beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Founder’s Hall. Prospective students are encouraged to attend to learn more about what CU-Clearfield has to offer. Expert faculty will be part of a program where potential students can ask about degrees and potential career options, engage with current students on a campus tour and learn about campus life, the admissions process, financial aid, scholarship information, class options and more. To schedule a visit or register for the open house, visit commonwealthu.edu or email  clearfieldadmissions @commonwealthu.edu.

BOATERS, ANGLERS REMINDED ABOUT WINTER LIFE JACKET LAW

The Fish and Boat Commission, at their most recent quarterly business meeting made reference to the many advantages anglers and boaters  have to be in close proximity of the Susquehanna River, but to remember the  annual cold weather life jacket requirement that begins on Nov. 1, 2024, and lasts through April 30, 2025.  It requires wearing of a life jacket on all kayaks, canoes, and boats under 16 feet.  It was also mentioned at the meeting that the application period remains open for the PFBC’s popular Boating Facility Grant Program with applications due  by November 30^th.  Get details at fishandboat.com.

SPORTS

PIAA D4 Soccer Playoffs
Girls Class 2A
Hughesville 4                 Troy 0
Central Columbia  3      Warrior Run 2
Girls Soccer Playoffs  Today
South Williamsport  vs East Juniata  @ Bloomsburg HS  6pm
Muncy vs Millville  @ Central Columbia  6pm
Boys  Class A Today
Northumberland Christian  vs Southern Columbia  @ Bloomsburg HS  8pm
Benton vs Millville @ Central Columbia HS 8pm
Boys Class 2A Today
Lewisburg vs Wellsboro  @ Balls Mills Complex  6pm
Central Columbia  vs Midd-West  @ Balls Mills Complex  8pm

MLB World Series
Dodgers 4  Yankees  2
World Series Game 4 Tonight
Dodgers vs Yankees  8:08 FOX

NFL Monday Night Football
Steelers  26  Giants  18
NFL Thursday Night Football
Houston Texans vs NY Jets  8:15pm PrimeVidNHL
Panthers 5            Sabres 2
Blue Jackets  6     Oilers  1
Lightning  3          Predators  2
Maple Leafs  6     Jets  4
Blackhawks  5      Avalanche  2
Sharks  5              Utah 4
Hurricanes 4         Canucks 3
Golden Knights  5  Flames  0
NHL Tonight
Flyers  vs Bruins  7pm
Ducks vs Islanders 7pm
Wild vs Penguins 7pm
Rangers vs Capitals  7:30pm ESPN

FOUR ARRESTED IN WILLIAMSPORT FOR FENTANYL, FIREARMS POSSESSION

A Williamsport woman was stopped on suspected drug charges by the Lycoming County Narcotics Unit October 9^th which led to the arrest of three others allegedly involved in the purchase and possession of fentanyl.  According to North Central PA dot com, 36 year old Jocelyn Nicole Gardner-Fox and another woman were seen by detectives leaving a home on Park Avenue and were stopped at a gas station on High Street.  Police detained Gardner-Fox, on a warrant and found her to have drug parphrenalia.  Police went back to the Park Avenue  home with a search warrant and arrested  John Kyle Smith and Kyle Boynak on drug and firearm charges.  36 year old Cassandra Jene Hughes of Williamsport, who has felony convictions in Florida was found by police holding a firearm and was also charged.  All four suspects are in custody.

POLICE SEEK INFO ON CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH FIRE

Police have opened an investigation into the fire that happened last week at Calvary Baptist Church on Washington Boulevard in Williamsport.  According to the state police fire Marshall, the damage is estimated to be at about 100 thousand dollars.  According to North Cetnral PA dot com, since the damage has not allowed the building to be cleared for use, church members gathered outside the building Sunday, thanks to the Muncy Baptist Church loaning the chairs for the service.  If you  have any information about Wednesday’s fire call state police at 570-368-5700.

DETOURS IN PLACE FOR CSVT PROJECT IN SNYDER COUNTY

Construction continues this week on the Southern Section of the CSVT project in Snyder County.  According to PennDOT, a portion of Eleventh Avenue in Shamokin Dam Borough and Monroe Township to be closed between North Susquehanna Trail and Park Road, as the contractor begins installation of steel beams for future the CSVT highway over Eleventh Avenue.  Watch for a detour in place utilizing Park Road for the project which is expected to last approximately three weeks.

NOMINATE A WATERWAY FOR RIVER OF THE YEAR

You can nominate your favorite waterway in Pennsylvania for DCNR’s Annual River of the Year Competition.  According to state officials, rivers and streams support Pennsylvania’s $17 billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, provide habitat for wildlife, and anchor communities. You can vote through Monday, November 11, at 5pm with selected nominations voted on by the public beginning in late November.  GO to pawatersheds.org to nominate a river or waterway,  on the Grants and Awards webpage and clicking “apply”.  The Allegheny River was the winner of River of the Year in 2024.

UNDERCOVER OFFICERS ARREST MAN FOR MAKING DRUG DEAL

A 23 year old man set up a drug deal with an informant in Williamsport and was arrested by detectives from the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit.  According to North Central PA dot com, Jaqua Strickland met with undercover officers near Third Avenue and Park Avenue after setting up the seal previously.  Strickland was then charged with delivery of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.  He is free on 50 thousand dollars bail with a future preliminary hearing.

FUGITIVE MAN FOUND IN VACANT HOME IN UNION TOWNSHIP

A Williamsport man being sought by police on several warrants in Lycoming County was located and taken into custody October 8^th inside a vacant home.  According ot the Daily Item, 25 year old Michael Good had fled a vehicle that had been stopped by Buffalo Valley Regional police on West Branch Highway in East Buffalo Township, and was later seen on a bicycle near Park Road in Winfield with police efforts to find h im being unsuccessful.  He was later located inside a home in Union Township.  Good with was arrested and charged with burglary, felony trespassing, resisting arrest, evading arrests and flight to avoid apprehension and more.

UNDEFEATED SHAMOKIN WINS COAL BUCKET FRIDAY

Fans of the Shamokin Indians football team won’t soon forget the history making win of the Coal Bucket last week.  The players delivered a 21-0 victory Friday  over Mount Carmel for the first time in 29 years.  According to the News Item, the team came back to town late Friday night with sirens blaring from several buses from Catawese Coach Lines – bringing people out of their homes to congratulate team members.  Coach Marc Persing and his players will now be hard at work preparing for the first round of the PIAA District 4 playoffs. 

MIFFLINBURG 5K TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HS LACROSSE TEAM

It’s time to prepare for the annual Mifflinburg Turkey Trot hosted by the Mifflinburg Area High School boys lacrosse team, to raise money for their equipment, team meals and bus meals for away games.  According to the New Item, activities surrounding the the 5k and Fun Run will be held Thursday, Nov. 28 with the 5k stepping off at 9am. A mystery individual is slated to dress up in a turkey costume and race along with competitors, and if runners bring a non-perishable food item for Hope’s Haven Food Pantry — they are able to line up ahead of the mystery turkey.  Age group medallions will be given to first, second and third place winners for both men and women.

SPORTS

PIAA D4
Girls Soccer Playoffs Today
Class 2A
Troy vs Hughesville  @ Loyalsock  6pm
Central Columbia vs Warrior Run  @ Loyalsock 8pm
Girls Soccer Playoffs  Tomorrow
South Williamsport  vs East Juniata  @ Bloomsburg HS  6pm
Muncy vs Millville  @ Central Columbia  6pm
Boys  Class A Tomorrow
Northumberland Christian  vs Southern Columbia  @ Bloomsburg HS  8pm
Benton vs Millville @ Central Columbia HS 8pm
Boys Class 2A Tomorrow
Lewisburg vs Wellsboro  @ Balls Mills Complex  6pm
Central Columbia  vs Midd-West  @ Balls Mills Complex  8pm

NASCAR Sunday
Strait Talk Wireless 400 Homestead-Miami
* Tyler Reddick won Sunday overtaking Ryan Blaney on the final turn to win and secure a spot in NASCAR’s winner-take-all finale in Arizona in two weeks, giving Michael Jordan’s team a chance to win another title a championship at Phoenix again after his first in 1993. 

* Denny Hamlin — a part-owner of Reddick’s car — was third. Playoff drivers took the top six spots, with Christopher Bell fourth, Chase Elliott fifth and William Byron sixth.

NFL
Eagles 37    Bengals  17
Browns  29  Ravens  24
Patriots  25  Jets  22
Falcons  31  Buccaneers 26
Bills  31      Seahawks  10
Chiefs  27  Raiders  20
49ers  30     Cowboys  24
NFL Monday Night Football
Giants vs Steelers 8:15pm  ABC/ESPN

MLB Tonight
LA leads the World Series 2-0
Dodgers vs Yankees 8:08pm FOX

NHL
Oilers  3  Red Wings  2
Devils 6  Ducks 2
Canadiens  4  Flyers  3
Avalanche  5  Senators  4
NHL Tonight
Oilers vs Blue Jackets  7pm ESPN+
Predators vs Lightning  7:30pm Hulu