BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 12, 2023

WILLIAMSPORT SHOOTING VICTIM IDENTIFIED

Police continue to investigate the fatal shooting on Memorial Avenue in Williamsport Saturday night, and have identified the victim who they found lying in the street about 3:30am. According to North Central PA dot com, a delay in contacting the Lycoming County coroner resulted in the time of death for 29 year old Jermaine Derick Mullen, who had been hit with multiple gunshots, being close to 6:15am, about 2 hours after police responded to the scene.  Police have not named a suspect in the shooting and ask that if anyone has information about the incident ot call Williamsport City police. 

FATAL CAR CRASH NEAR LOCK HAVEN SUNDAY

A Loganton man died Sunday after an accident along I-80 near Lock Haven.  According to WNEP, 43 year old Benjamin Snook was near mile marker 180 around 6pm Sunday when he lost control of the vehicle.  Police say Snook, who was not wearing a seatbelt, hit an embankment, and was thrown from the car.  He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  Police say evidence of alcohol or another controlled substance use may have played a part in the crash.

UNION COUNTY DA APPOINTEE HEARING TODAY

The hearing for appointing the Union County District Attorney is scheduled for today. According to the Daily Item, a hearing to present the case for appointing Union County District Attorney-elect Brian Kerstetter will be held front of Union County Judge Michael Piecuch.  Kerstetter was denied the appointment in October for the position left vacant by the death of longtime District Attorney D. Peter Johnson, who held the position for nearly 28 years. Newly elected or reelected officials in Union County will be sworn in, at the Union County Courthouse, Lewisburg on January 2nd.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA SATURDAY

December 16th is National Wreaths Across America Day as declared by the US Congress beginning in 1992.  The national tradition typically takes place next Saturday in many cemeteries across the US, including dozens of local cemeteries in Lycoming County and beyond.  Volunteers will place over 2 million evergreen wreaths on veteran’s graves that will remain in place until January 20th.  Get details about volunteering at local cemeteries and find out when their ceremony and wreath-laying events will be held by going online to Wreaths Across America dot org.

VISA FRAUD LANDS MAN WITH JAIL SENTENCE

A man from India who owned a gas station in Clinton County has been convicted of Visa fraud after staging a robbery at the business so he could apply for a special U-Visa available to crime victims.  According to State Police, they investigated and found 50 year old Vinaykumar Patel, who is a citizen of the Republic of India, had asked an associate to hire someone to rob his store in June of 2019.  After a 3-day trial last week, Patel was found guilty and could face up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced.

TEMPORARY LYCO SPCA CLOSURE AFTER PARVO DETECTED

The Lycoming County SPCA has been forced to temporarily close after one dog came in tested positive for Canine Parvovirus, a highly contagious illness for dogs, and one other dog was exposed.  SPCA officials say all other dogs have been tested and boosted and they are fine. According to WNEP, adoptions and dog intakes in Lycoming County are not allowed at this time, but they are continuing to test and monitor for the virus and as long as the health of the animals remains ok, they are set to reopen on December 23rd.  They welcome any donations to help offset the costs for their healthy homeless pets campaign.  Go to Lycoming spca.org.

UNION COUNTY TREE SALE

The Union County Conservation District in Lewisburg has begun taking orders for their 2024 Tree Sale.  According to published materials from the county, orders for a series of seedlings are available with orders being accepted through April 12th and deliveries will be at the end of April.  Soil test kits from Union County are also available.  Go to union county pa dot org for information.

POTENTIAL RETURN TO PASSENGER RAIL IN NE PA DESIGNATED

The Federal Railroad Administration is looking to develop more rail lines between American cities and has named a line between Scranton and New York City as a possible location for passenger rail through the Corridor Identification and Development Program.  According to Senator Bob Casey, designating passenger rail for service in the North East PA region again can be a game-changing force for our economy.  Rail service previously ran on the Lackawanna Cut-Off directly between Scranton and New York, but was discontinued in 1970.  The designation is considered a key step toward getting federal funding for the proposed rail service.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Basketball

Boys
Loyalsock 57        Central Columbia 42
Mansfield 81        South Williamsport 31
Abington 78         Shamokin 46
St John Neumann 63  Bloomsburg 56
Danville 57           Milton 44
Selinsgrove 64      Hughesville  31

Girls
Loyalsock 53        Central Columbia  29
Hughesville 55     Selinsgrove 20
Meadowbrook Christian 50    Canton  30
Lewisburg  40      Warrior Run  37


NFL Monday Night Football
Titans 28              Dolphins 27
NY Giants 24       Packers 22
NFL  Thursday night Football
LA Chargers vs LA Raiders 8:15pm Prime Video

NBA
Magic 104            Cavaliers 94
76ers 146              Wizards 101
Nuggets 129         Hawks  122
Knicks 136                     Raptors 130
Bucks 133           Bulls 129
Kings 131             Nets 118
NBA Tonight
Lakers vs Dallas 7:30 TNT
Golden State vs Phoenix 10pm TNT

NHL
Sabres 5                Coyotes 2
Islanders 4           Maple Leafs  3
Stars 6                  Red Wings 3
Avalanche 6         Flames 5
NHL Tonight
Arizona vs Pittsburgh Penguins 7pm
Toronto vs NY Rangers 7pm
Flyers vs Nashville 8pm

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 11, 2023

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 30th.  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 21st.

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 5th 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 19th.  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 6th through 13th 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

Upcoming

Nov 24

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