MAN ARRESTED AFTER THREATENING ROOMATES, POLICE

A Selinsgrove man was taken into custody after he threatened his female roommates with a gun and then also threatened and additionally refused to follow orders from state troopers who arrived in response of the disturbance.  According to North Central PA dot com, 68 year old John Dennison Walter Jr. struggled with police who arrived to the Penn Township Home about 7pm on December 7^th who were asking him to give up control of the firearm that he  held concealed in his hand.  State police say they gave Walter 52 verbal commands before they were able to remove the handgun from the man’s grip. No one was injured.  Walter was charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, misdemeanors of terroristic threats, and resisting arrest, his preliminary hearing was scheduled for today.  He is jailed in lieu of 50 thousand dollars bail.

THIEF OF CASH BACK LEFT BEHIND ARRESTED

A man from Milton who took cash from a self check out register accidentally left behind by a customer, has been charged with theft and receiving stolen property.  According to state police, 59 year old Robert M. Byrne Jr took the cash after the victim rang up her items at the Lewisburg Wal-mart and left the self-checkout kiosk without taking her money, police say during the investigation, Byrne was later observed on surveillance cameras taking the money and putting it in his pocket.  Police identified Byrne by his vehicle information and located him parked nearby.  Milton Troopers filed the charges against Byrne.

PUBLIC FEEDBACK NEEDED TO HELP SAVE HELLBENDER

The public is being asked to participate in a public comment about a proposal that the eastern hellbender, a unique salamander, be placed on the endangered species list.  According to the Sun Gazette, data collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows that a large portion of the eastern hellbender population is in decline and as an endangered subspecies, would be protected under federal mandates. Hellbenders are the largest of North America’s salamanders, growing up to 29 inches. They can live up to 30 years and spend their entire lives in water and are key indicators of stream and river health.  Go to regulations dot gov (and search docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0152) for instructions on how to submit comments.

MOUNT CARMEL CHRISTMAS EVENT SATURDAY

Businesses and area residents in the borough of Mount Carmel will “Light up Oak Street”, and celebrate the Christmas holiday Saturday 5 to 8pm.  According to the News Item, there will be music and entertainment, and attendees can shop at downtown businesses and also decorate holiday ornaments at the Mount Carmel Public Library until 7pm, and hang the completed ornaments on a large Christmas tree outside Tornado Tavern, along with other activities. Organizers say this is a chance to bring the entire community together.

REPEAT SHOPLIFTER ARRESTED AGAIN

A repeat shoplifter has been charged again, this time eluding loss prevention officers at the Williamsport Wegmans for a fourth time and escaping the store before city police arrived.  According to North Central PA dot com, Michelle Lynn Wettlaufer of Muncy was detained  after she attempted to leave the store by the side exit with unscanned items November 30th.  Officials say Wettlaufer allegedly admitted taking of items worth 37 dollars, but gave other false information before running from the office area where she was being questioned.  She remains at large and a warrant has been issued for her arrest. 

NON-CREDIBLE BOMB THREAT IN BELLFONTE

A Bellefonte office building in Centre County received a non-credible bomb threat last Tuesday and the facility was temporarily evacuated out of an abundance of caution.  According to the Lock Haven Express, police investigated at the Willowbank Building that evening after a threat came in via email.  They then cleared the scene and said there were no credible threats by 8:20pm.  The building houses the Centre County Elections Office, and police say the office and ballots were under constant supervision while the building was swept.

PRISON ESCAPEE IN CUSTODY AGAIN

A former Hagerstown, Maryland man was apprehended in November after being on the run from an escape from a Pennsylvania prison for a month.  According to North Central PA dot com, 35 year old Matthew Lee Miles had been held at the Capital Pavilion Residential Reentry Center in Dauphin County and escaped custody October 15^th.  Miles was found November 25^th and was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on escape charges.  For the escape, Miles could receive an additional five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

SNOWMOBILE CLASS FOR YOUTH IN JANUARY

An all-day safety course hosted by the Hyner Mountain Snowmobile Club will be held in Lock Haven coming up January 4^th.  According to North Central PA dot com, parents and children can attend the day of the event and sign in before the 8am class that is held at the Hyner Mountain Snowmobile Club lodge, which is located approximately 6 miles north of Haneyville, PA in Clinton County.  The class is free with lunch provided. IN the event of rideable snow, parents should bring snowmobiles and gear so that the DCNR-specified Optional Performance Test can be administered to the youth students.  Email  [email protected] to pre-register.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports

Girls Basketball
St J. Neumann  32         Norry Christian  19
Jersey Shore  67                   Bloomsburg  37
Hughesville  71                    Wyalusing  28
Canton  48     Meadowbrook Christian  25
Shamokin  54                        Warrior  Run  17

Boys Basketball
Crestwood  52                       Loyalsock  40
Warrior  Run  85                  So Williamsport  44
Sullivan County  38          Meadowbrook Christian  32
Boys Wrestling 
Montoursville  40                Shikellamy  21
Shamokin  48                        Loyalsock  24

NFL Monday Night Football
Vikings  30           Bears  12
Falcons  15           Raiders  9
NFL Thursday Night Football
Broncos vs Chargers  8:15pm PrimeVid
NFL Saturday
Texans  vs Chiefs  1pm NBC/Peacock
Steelers  vs Ravens  4:30pm FOX

NBA
76ers  121            Hornets  108
Pistons  125         Heat  124
Bulls  122             Raptors  121
Cavaliers  130      Nets  101
Nuggets  130        Kings  129
Clippers  144       Jazz 107

NBA Tonight
Bucks  vs  Thunder  8:30pm  ABC

NHL
Stars  3       Capitals  1
Panthers  6           Oilers  5
Canucks  3           Avalanche 1

NHL Tonight
Sabres  vs Canadiens  7pm ESPN+
Kings  vs Penguins  7pm  ESPN+
Islanders  vs Hurricanes  7:30pm  Hulu/ESPN+
Devils  vs Blues  8pm ESPN+
Rangers  vs Predators  8pm ESPN+
Capitals  vs Blackhawks 8:30pm ESPN+