FIRE IN MILL HALL TUESDAY MORNING

There was a structure fire in Mill Hall yesterday that had multiple crews on the scene.  According to the Lock Haven Express, a fire at 119 Dewey Street broke out about 7:45 am according to police reports.  Main Street was shut down around 8am and traffic diverted around the area, including Central Mountain School buses and other vehicles directed with traffic control around Pennsylvania Avenue.  Crews working the blaze reported it under control just before 8:30am and officials from the Suburban Water Authority were also called to the area.  No reports on what caused the blaze.

FORMER EMPLOYEES WANT INVESTIGATION INTO DEA HAZARDS

The Lycoming County District Attorney has been asked to open an investigation into the criminal allegations by former employees that the Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Co. in Williamsport committed environmental violations.  According to the Sun Gazette, the request also includes an internal audit by OSHA and a probe into the willful neglect of the matter by the company.  The request was made during a recent press briefing held by several former employees who allege they were exposed to dangerous chemicals while working and three democratic State Senators who are looking for District Attorney Ryan Gardner  to open the criminal investigation.

SHOE BANK OPEN THIS WEEKEND

The Lock Haven area Shoe bank will be open this Saturday for eligible teens and kids to choose two pairs of shoes free by appointment.  Those who have students attending in Clinton County or at the Liberty Curtin School  is invited to book a time-slot by calling Diahann at 814-571-5324.  The Lock Haven Area Shoe Bank is inside Covenant United Methodist Church, 44 W. Main Street, and is generally open one Saturday a month.  Funding is provided by the Clinton County Community Foundation, the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, civic groups, churches and individual donors.  Go to “Lock Haven Shoe Bank” on Facebook.

NEW POLICE CHIEF IN SUNBURY

Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosius swore in the city’s new police chief Monday night, with city council voting unanimously for Travis Bremigen to officially take the post. According to the Daily Item, Bremigen, who has been with the department for 22 years, has been serving as interim chief since former police Chief Brad Hare stepped down in the midst of charges of stealing money from the Americus Hose Company in October.  Chief Bremigan signed a three year contract with the city and says he plans to have an open-door policy with city residents.

MAN BACK IN CUSTODY AFTER ACCIDENTAL RELEASE

A Cogan Station man who had been accused of shaking a 5-month old baby was released inadvertently from the Northumberland County Jail through a clerical error, but voluntarily turned himself in December 7^th after being released in November through no fault of his own.  According to the Daily Item, 33 year old Owen Moore is facing felony aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children charges after being arrested last May when emergency responders were dispatched to his Court Drive home, in Gregg Township, Union County for an unresponsive infant, where they found the 5-month old that hospital officials said suffered from a traumatic brain injury consistent with shaking.

THEFT AT WEGMANS CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Williamsport police say officers nabbed two people October 30^th at Wegmans in Williamsport when they tried to leave the store with a cart full of items without paying.  According to North Central PA dot com, 34 year old Patrick Brian Haught and 24 year old Kimberly Bella Rhee were seen on video surveillance by officers when they tried to exit an east side exit of the store near Williams Street.  Police stopped the pair just after they left the store.  Haught and Rhee were charged with theft misdemeanors, and have preliminary hearings later this month.   

KEYSTONE CENTRAL STATEMENT ON ACTIVE INVESTIGATION

The Keystone Central School District has released a statement about the active investigation that began in early November over inappropriate activity between a Central Mountain student and adult female staff members at Central Mountain Middle School.  According to school officials, the alleged inappropriate contact between the parties did not happen on school property, and all those involved, except for one person who is no longer employed by the school, have been placed on leave.  Administrators from the school said they will make further statements upon the conclusion of the investigation. 

PA TEACHER OF THE YEAR NAMED

A Mifflin County High School Grade 10 English teacher has been chosen as the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.  According to the PA Education Secretary, Susquehanna University graduate, Ashlie Crosson was recognized at the PA Department of Education’s annual professional development conference Monday.  Stephanie Machmer of Jersey Shore Area school district was also a finalist of 12 teachers statewide. Crosson will travel the state next year to meet and collaborate with other educators. She will represent the state in next year’s National Teacher of the Year competition.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Basketball

Boys
Northwest Area 52     Millville 27
Muncy 72                    St. John Neumann 49
Danville 57                  Milton 44
Lewisburg 66              Jersey Shore 38
Central Mountain 61   Mifflinburg 56



Girls
Shikellamy 49             Mount Carmel 28
Troy 60                        Sayre 19
Jersey Shore 48           Muncy 23
NP -Liberty 36            Athens 29
Central Columbia 45   Southern Columbia 23
Midd-West 60             CMVT 6
NE Bradford 67          Wellsboro 45
Williamson 43             NP-Mansfield 24

Wrestling
Benton 40                             Lake-Lehman 24
Williamson 50                      Troy 21
Warrior Run 72                    Muncy 3
Milton 35                              Mifflinburg 33
Canton 58                             Northeast Bradford 11
Montoursville 40                 Hughesville 21

NFL  Thursday night Football Tonight
LA Chargers vs LA Raiders 8:15pm Prime Video

NBA
Celtics 120          Cavaliers 113
Mavericks 127  Lakers125
Nuggets 114       Bulls 106
Suns  119                     Warriors 116
Clippers 119       Kings 99


NBA Tonight
76’ers vs Detroit 7pm
Brooklyn vs Phoenix 9pm
Knicks vs Utah Jazz 9pm

NHL
Maple Leafs 7     Rangers 3
Penguins 4          Coyotes 2
Predators 3          Flyers 2
NHL Tonight
Pittsburgh @ Montreal 7pm
Boston @ New Jersey 7:30pm TNT
Anaheim @ NY Islanders 7:30pm
Buffalo @ Colorado 10pm TNT

DEADLY SHOOTING IN WILLIAMSPORT SATURDAY

Williamsport City Police went to the 1000 block of Memorial Avenue early Saturday morning after a call for shots fired at about 3:30am.  According to North Central PA dot com, after arrival, police found an unresponsive male with multiple gunshot wounds lying in the roadway.   Emergency crews attempted to revive the man who had been shot, but pronounced him dead at the scene.  Police are seeking information surround the shooting and ask you call Agent Ben Hitesman if you can help with the investigation.  570-327-7560 ext. 7595.

WOMAN THREATENED WHILE DRIVING

A man from Cogan Station was arrested for following a woman in her car and threatening her over the phone while driving along Route 45 November 30^th.  According to North Central PA dot com, 24 year old James Micah Rooker U-turned on the roadway near Lewisburg to follow his accuser until she pulled into a parking lot of Old Turnpike Raod.  Police say another tried to help the woman and Rooker also threatened to kill him before he fled the scene.  Police later took him into custody and he has a preliminary hearing December 21^st.

FIRST READING OF WILLIAMSPORT BUDGET PASSES 1 MIL HIKE

A 1 mil real estate tax hike was passed on the first budget reading by the Williamsport City Council Thursday. According to the SUN Gazette, the first reading included the real estate tax increase due to the city’s responsibility to the debt service, previously funded by River Valley Transit – now River Valley Transit Authority, which is approximately $800,000 a year. Council members say they will continue their research of the updated reduced budget deficit changes as they approach another budget reading date.

WILLIAMSPORT HS SINGERS PERFORM AT WHITE HOUSE

Williamsport Area High School’s Millionaire Singers visited and performed at the White House this past week.  As reported by SUN Gazette, the 32 members wore black tuxedos and gowns as they performed in the East Room of the White House. The singers have performed at the White House for every administration starting with President Bill Clinton. Even though the students did not meet the president or first lady, they enjoyed a self-guided tour of one of the most famous sites in the United States. The students are slated to perform their annual holiday concert, at 3 p.m., Dec. 17 at the high school auditorium.

THREE OFFICERS’ TRIAL SET FOR FEBRUARY

The trial for three former Mount Carmel police officers has been scheduled for early next year. According to the Daily Item, jury selection for former officer Kyle Schauer, retired Lt. David Donkochik and former officer Jonathan McHugh, is slated to start on Feb 5^th at the Federal Courthouse in Williamsport. All three defendants were arrested in June when a federal indictment alleged all three officers, in upwards of 22 different arrests, used excessive force against arrestees from 2018-2021.

ELECTRONICS THEFT AT SELINSGROVE WALLMART

Thieves stole almost three thousand dollars-worth of electronics from the Best Buy store in Selinsgrove December 2nd.  According to State police in Selinsgrove, a black couple in a silver Nissan sedan was seen at the store around 4pm.  They allegedly entered the store and stole five PlayStation 5’s and five Playstation controllers.  Police say an Hispanic male driving a burgundy Subaru was seen talking with one of the suspects in the parking lot before the theft, but police do not know how or if he is involved in the theft.  Call state police with any information you know about the theft or the suspects.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE RIVER CANDIDATE

It’s time to vote for your favorite Pennsylvania River of the Year for 2024.  According to DCNR, this year’s contestants are the Allegheny River, Lackawaxen River, and Youghiogheny (yacka gainey) River and the competition is here to highlight Pennsylvania’s special waterways and the benefits they bring for conservation, recreation, economic development, and so much more.  The 2023 River of the Year designation was awarded to North Branch of the Susquehanna River.  Voting will remain open through 5 p.m. Friday, January 19^th.  Get details at pa watershed .org.

NEW MILK SHAKE FLAVOR COMING TO FARM SHOW FOR 2024

Another fun flavor has been added to the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association milkshake menu for the 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show – salted caramel.  The new flavor milkshakes will be available to purchase along with vanilla, chocolate and mixed flavors during this year’s Farm Show, January 6^th through 13^th in Harrisburg.  Dairymen’s Association is partnering with The Giant Company who will host the pop-up tasting stands, at their locations this month in Lancaster, Carlisle and Camp Hill.  The organization raises proceeds to support programs including Fill A Glass With Hope, PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Education Lab and PA Dairy Princess and Promotion Program.

SPORTS

NFL Sunday
Buccaneers 29    Falcons 25
Bengals 34          Colts 14
Browns 31          Jaguars 27
Jets 30                 Texans  6
Ravens 37           Rams 31
Bills 20               Chiefs 17 
Cowboys 33       Eagles 13
Broncos 24         Chargers 7
NFL Monday Night Football
Titans vs Dolphins 8:15pm ESPN
Packers vs Giants  8:15pm  ABC

NBA In Season Tournament Championship Saturday
Lakers 123          Pacers 109
NBA Tonight
Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers 7pm
Toronto vs Knicks 7:30pm
Brooklyn vs Sacramento 10pm

NHL
Panthers 5           Blue Jackets 2
Oilers 4                Devils 1
Rangers 4  Kings 1
Capitals 4            Blackhawks 2
NHL Tonight
Arizona vs Buffalo 7pm
Toronto vs NY Islanders 7pm