BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 7, 2023
CMVT STUDENT DIES IN COLUMBIA COUNTY CRASH
A 17 year old CMVT student died in a one-vehicle crash in Columbia County yesterday. According to the Daily Item, State Police say the young man from Stillwater, who they did not identify, crashed around 7:45am when he was traveling south on Route 487 near Zion Church Road in Fishing Creek Township and hit a guide rail, then a tree. The Columbia County Coroner was on the scene. CMVT and Benton Area Schools will be offering grief counseling at both locations starting this week.
DANVILLE MAN ARRESTED AFTER MISSING COURT
A Danville man is in Montour County Prison after he didn’tupdate his address and attend counseling sessions, both required by Megan’s Law after he was originally convicted of sexual contact by forcible compulsion with a minor in New York State in 1998. He is classified as a Level 2 sex offender, posing a “moderate” risk to the community. Police say U.S. Marshall’s Service was seeking 43 year old Terrance Labella with a warrant after he didn’t show up for court in late October. Labella is now in custody in lieu of $35,000 monetary bail with a preliminary hearing on December 12th.
COUNTERFEIT MONEY CIRCULATING
Police are warning area merchants and residents about counterfeit 100 dollar bills that are circulating. According to State police at Milton, items were bought at the Dollar General Store on Route 405 in West Chillisquaque Township November 27th with the fake money. Police say they are continuing an investigation and to contact them with any information about the bills passed in Northumberland County.
LOCAL ATHLETE JOINS HOT STOVE BANQUET LINE UP
The crosscutters have added another Pennsylvania athlete to their guest list for the 2024 Hot Stove banquet coming up in January in Downtown Williamsport. According to the cutters website, Former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ed Ott will join Pirate teammate Kent Tekulve, ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian and ESPN Radio’s Chris Carlin. Ott is a native of Muncy and spent eight seasons in the Major Leagues as part of the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Lycoming County United Way this year, and you can get tickets and info about this event at crosscutters dot com.
PASSENGER ARRESTED AFTER STRIKING DRIVER
A woman driving through Muncy on I-180 November 24th, went to police when the passenger of the car she was in, backhanded her across the face and kicked the windshield while she was driving. According to Pennsylvania State police, they observed during an interview after the incident, a bruise on the victim’s face that 26 year old Tiler Martin Wood allegedly caused. Wood faces second-degree simple assault and harassment charges, and was jailed in lieu of 25 thousand dollars bail.
TIOGA COUNTY MAN HITS JUVENILE
A 23 year old man from Mansfield was arrested after he punched a juvenile who found him hiding on his family’s property. According to North Central PA dot com, police say Wyatt Gleason was behind a tree at the 60 block of Sugar Maple Lane and when he was discovered punched and caused a laceration to the juvenile’s face, then fled the scene. Police interviewed Gleason the next day who admitted to the assault. Officers charged him with second degree misdemeanors with no bail listed.
LOCAL GRANTS FOR WATERSHED CARE
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $19.3 million in grants to county teams across Pennsylvania’s share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. According to the DEP, the 2024 Countywide Action Plan Implementation Grants support each county’s effort to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution for the health of local streams, rivers, and lakes. Lycoming and Clinton Counties, Northumberland County Conservation District and Snyder County Conservation District, which covers both Snyder and Union Counties all benefit from the funding.
BLUE ANGELS COMING TO HARRISBURG IN 2025
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels in their F/A-18E Super Hornets will perform at Harrisburg International Airport in May of 2025 for the Air Dot Show Tour. According to Penn Live, the tour officials say the pilots perform about 20 maneuvers during their full demonstrations within a 40 minute show for the Memorial Day weekend in 2025. The dates, that include 6 other cities; Orlando, New York, Augusta, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Ocean City, Maryland, were announced at the International Council of Air Shows convention in Las Vegas this week. Sign up for updates on the Air Dot Show Tour at air dot show.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Basketball
BOYS
Troy 58 Northeast Bradford 21
Athens 65 Cowanesque Valley 32
Warrior Run 77 Midd-West 53
Wellsboro 60 Williamson 43
Sayre 67 Towanda 57
Wyalusing 49 Canton 43
NP Mansfield 71 NP-Liberty 40
GIRLS
Bucktail 36 Benton 33
Warrior Run 52 Muncy 41
Bloomsburg 53 Montoursville 35
Mount Carmel 42 Danville 30
Holy Redeemer 62 Williamsport 55
NBA
Bulls 111 Hornets 100
76ers 131 Wizards 126
Nets 114 Hawks 113
Cavaliers 121 Magic 111
Heat 112 Raptors 103
Warriors 110 Trail Blazers 106
NBA In-Season Tournament Semi-finals
Pacers vs Bucks 5pm ESPN
Pelicans vs Lakers 9pm TNT
NHL
Lightning 3 Penguins 1
Panthers 5 Stars 4
Golden Knights 6 Blues 3
Oilers 6 Hurricanes 1
NHL Tonight
Blue Jackets vs Islanders 7:30pm
Flyers vs Coyotes 9pm
Devils vs Kraken 10:30pm ESPN
NFL Thursday Night Football
New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers 8:15 Prime Video
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 6, 2023
MOTHER ARRESTED FOR THREATS TOWARD SON
A young mother was arrested Sunday evening after she slapped and threatened to kill her 13 year old son while she was holding an infant in her arms. According to the Standard Journal, police say they saw videos that were recorded by the son of 35 year old Krystal Markley from Mount Carmel that were evidence of the threats. A criminal complaint was filed against Markley who police say was visibly intoxicated before a breath test revealed that her blood alcohol level was point 1 9 2. She was arraigned Sunday for endangering the welfare of children, terroristic threats and simple assault and was jailed in lieu of 20 thousand dollars bail. Her preliminary hearing is December 13th.
ACCESSIBILITY SETTLEMENT TO BE DISCUSSED IN MUNCY
A proposed settlement agreement over accessibility will be discussed this month by the Muncy Borough Council with the U.S. Attorney General in the Middle District and its Civil Rights coordinator. According to the Sun Gazette, the agreement was reached at the end of November, but it does not include the interior of the building on North Washington Street. The issue came up following an investigation into borough buildings and accessibility needs by the justice department, and council will meet Thursday December 21st to discuss both sides of the settlement.
PENNDOT WORKING IN RALPHO TOWNSHIP TODAY
There is a lane restriction today on the Reading Turnpike in Ralpho Township for bridge maintenance. According to PennDOT, the maintenance work will be performed South of Paxinos, in Northumberland County on the bridge that carries the Reading Turnpike over the Shamokin Creek. Motorists can expect single lane conditions with flagging today through 3:00 PM. No official detour will be in place, but drivers can seek alternate routes if possible. Find driving conditions online for the entire state at 511PA dot com.
PIG RESCUED IN PHILADELPHIA NEEDS FOREVER HOME
A Philadelphia Animal Care Control Team has rescued a pig found wandering the streets of the city, took him in, named him Snoop Hogg, gave him medical treatment and is now looking for a forever home for their foster “office pig”. According to North Central PA dot com, Snoop Hogg was taken in when found with mange and an eye issue, but is now healthy and enjoying a social-life. According to The Sanctuary PA dot org, they are looking for a family to adopt the pig who will grow to around 100-pounds, to ideally be an indoor pig with a fenced in yard. Anyone interested in talking about adopting can email “dog adoptions” @ the sanctuary PA dot org.
UP TO 90 MONTHS OR MORE IN PRISON FOR DANVILLE MAN
A man from Mount Carmel pleaded guilty Monday to felony aggravated assault from a stabbing in January of 2022. According to the Daily Item, police say 45-year-old Adam Danaher allegedly got into an argument with the victim at a convenience store where the man suffered the stabbing in the torso before he drove himself to the hospital upon realizing he was injured. Police followed a blood trail to an address on North Beech Street where Danaher lived, and later took him into custody. Danaher could face up to 90 months in prison or more if the Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney adds to the prosecution, a deadly weapon enhancement.
CASH STOLEN FROM PURSE LEFT IN CART
A Lewisburg Walmart employee has been accused of stealing money from a customer’s purse October 24th. According to North Central PA dot com, a customer realized she left her purse in a cart in the morning and returned in the evening to retrieve it. State police at Milton say after the customer reported that 82 dollars was missing, they pulled surveillance footage which showed 25 year old Andrew James Ely of Winfield handling the purse near the cart corral and then returning it to customer service. A manager for asset protection for Walmart said no one else was seen near the bag during the whole incident. Ely’s preliminary hearing is December 21st.
MONTOURSVILLE TREE-LIGHTING CANCELLED
The Montoursville Recreation Board has been forced to cancel the tree-lighting ceremony this year after liability related issues became apparent too late to correct before the event. According to the Montoursville Mayor, Steve Bagwell’s Facebook post, even though the cancellation is disappointing, it has shown that there is a potential committee of people willing to make a Christmastime tree-lighting in Montoursville a permanent, annual event. The page also shows that the Christmas tree at the Hutchinson property has been lit for the season.
WINTER ENROLLMENT NEXT WEEK AT THE COLLECTIVE
The Uptown Music Collective’s winter enrollment week begins next Monday December 11th through Friday the 15th. According to the Assistant Executive Director of the Collective, no experience is necessary for those who want to enroll for in-person and virtual private lessons on guitar, vocals, bass, keyboards, and drums. The Winter Semester begins on Jan. 8, 2024, and will run for 15 weeks.
Local adults are also encouraged to enroll in the Adult Music Program, specifically designed with adult students in mind. More information online at www.uptownmusic.org.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Basketball
Boys Basketball
Sullivan County 54 Benton 31
Mifflinburg 74 Milton 44
Montgomery 64 CMVT 35
Mifflin County 67 Shikellamy 51
HS Bowling
Boys
Mifflinburg 5 Lewisburg 0
Girls
Mifflinburg 5 Lewisburg 0
Girls Basketball
Cowanesque Valley 37 Athens 26
Troy 59 NE Bradford 43
Milton 43 Selinsgrove 34
Wellsboro 35 NP Mansfield 20
Towanda 44 Sayre 34
Shikellamy 44 Shamokin 42
Norry Christian 40 S. Williamsport 27
Montgomery 49 CMVT 9
State College 60 Loyalsock 58 (OT)
NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals
Lakers 106 Suns 103
Bucks 146 Knicks 122
Pacers & Bucks, Pelicans & Lakers head to the NBA In-Season Tournament Semi-finals Thursday
NBA Tonight
76ers vs Wizard 7pm
Nets vs Hawks 7:30pm
Hornets vs Bulls 8pm
NHL
Senators 6 Rangers 2
Red Wings 5 Sabres 3
Sharks 5 Islanders 4
Devils 6 Canucks 5
NHL Tonight
Pittsbugh @ Tampa Bay 7pm
Dallas @ Florida 7pm TNT
Vegas @ St Louis 9pm
Carolina @ Edmonton 9:30pm TNT
NFL Thursday Night Football
New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers 8:15 Prime Video
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 5, 2023
CAREGIVER ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT AGAINST TODDLER
A Montoursville woman who cared for children in her home has been charged with aggravated assault of a child less than 6, after the victim’s parents observed an injury to the 15-month old’s face that was consistent with an open handed slap November 9th. According to the Sun Gazette, a Childline report shows that 44 year old Erin Moon told police the child had fallen and struck their face on a toy, but a specialist at Geisinger medical center identified the pattern of injury to be a slap, a mark that allegedly remained on the child’s face for 3 weeks. Moon cared for 5 children in her Chilton Point home. State police said she was remanded to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 25 thousand dollars bail.
KITCHEN FIRE IN WILLIAMSPORT
There was a kitchen fire in a third floor apartment at 700 block of West Edwin Street in Williamsport Monday. According to the Sun Gazette, the location of the fire was close to the fire headquarters on Walnut Street which allowed about a dozen firefighters to respond quickly to the smoke pouring from the windows of the building. City firefighters carried a hose to the scene and extinguished the fire in about 10 minutes. Police say the one occupant of the apartment with the fire was displaced and will be staying with relatives until the apartment can be restored. Other tenants on the third floor of the building were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, but were allowed to remain in their homes. The fire is under investigation.
NARCAN GIVEAWAY IN BLOOMSBURG DECEMBER 15
The Susquehanna Valley United Way is distributing NARCAN at several locations this month. According to United in Recovery there is an event at the Bloomsburg Town Hall on East Second Street December 15th from 9am til 10am. Narcan is a potential life-saving drug that reverses the impact of an opioid overdose, it’s available over the counter but can be expensive to purchase. The Mount Carmel Police also remind the public of the NARCAN Box available on a pole across the street from the police station at 34 W. Third St. in the borough.
NATURAL GAS PRICES GOING DOWN
UGI customers may see a decrease in prices this month. According to North Central PA dot com, UGI’s supply costs dropped more than 40%, and those savings will be passed directly on to home and business customers – the largest decrease in gas costs in more than a decade. Customers can check the segment of the bill called “Commodity Charge”, where they will see the lower rate. However, the distribution portion of the UGI bill is not impacted by the change in costs. Get details about natural gas usage at ugi.com.
SUNBURY MAN IN CUSTODY FOR THREATENING WOMAN WITH A GUN
Police have taken a Sunbury man into custody after he threatened a woman with a gun to her head if she didn’t help him look for keys that were lost outside a home on Catawissa Avenue early Saturday morning. According to North Central PA dot com, police say 21 year old Jahmiere Artis shot the gun near the victim as he was threatening her, and during the incident, she was able to use the light on her phone to search for the keys but called 911. Artis was arrested for multiple felonies, including aggravated assault and is in Northumberland County Jail in lieu of 150 thousand dollars bail.
MOTHER NOW CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY
A Shamokin woman who had been the subject of a CYS check in October at her South Shamokin Street home, is now facing neglect and cruelty to animals after police and the landlord found two dead dogs from starvation, and a third dog left for dead in the woman’s vacated apartment. According to North Central PA dot com, 31 year old Tara Jane Baker had been evicted in November after the welfare check that brought about child endangerment charges from the deplorable conditions police found in Baker’s home with her young child living there. Baker answers to the animal cruelty charges at a preliminary hearing today in Northumberland County Court.
SNYDER COUNTY DMV TO REOPEN TODAY
The Snyder County Driver’s license center will reopen today after the significant energy efficiency upgrades and renovations initiated by PennDOT and the Department of General Services were started in mid-September. According to PennDOT, the Selinsgrove Driver License Center, 1015 Route 522, now resumes their normal operating hours; Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. for all services. Driver and Photo License Centers that were operating with modified hours during the Selinsgrove closure in Shamokin, Schukyll Haven and Lewisburg will resume normal operation this week as well. Get details at www.dmv.pa.gov.
FUNDRAISER FOR CU STUDENTS TRAVELING TO LONDON
The Commonwealth University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance will be raising funds this month to offset costs for 69 students and alumni who are traveling to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade and other celebrations from December 28th until January 4th. According to the university, performers from Mansfield, Lock Haven and Bloomsburg have already paid for their portion of the trip, but the online fundraising is an opportunity to help the students a little more during the journey. During the trip, the students will visit the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Royal Albert Music Hall, museums, Buckingham Palace and more. There is a 12 thousand dollar goal and those interested in donating in any amount can find the link to the fundraiser at cup.meritpages.com.
SPORTS
HS Boys Basketball
Scranton Prep 64 Williamsport 45
Montoursville 64 Wellsboro 46
Central Columbia 66 Northwest Area 45
Millville 51 Canton 47
Midd-West 46 Northumberland Christian 26
East Juniata 63 Belleville Mennonite 35
Notre Dame, NY 65 Towanda 61
HS Girls Basketball
Williamson 42 NP Liberty 32
Athens 27 Sullivan County 22
East Juniata 50 Belleville Mennonite 30
Meadowbrook Christian 33 Grace Prep 21
Juniata 38 Mifflinburg 22
NFL Monday Night Football
Bengals 34 Jaguars 31
NFL Thursday Night Football
New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers 8:15 Prime Video
NBA
Pacers 122 Celtics 112
Pelicans 127 Kings 117
NBA Tonight
Knicks vs Bucks 7:30pm TNT
Phoenix vs LA Lakers 10pm TNT
NBA Wednesday
76’ers vs Washington Wizards 7pm
NHL
Flyers 2 Penguins 1
NHL Tonight
Rangers vs Ottawa 7pm
Detroit vs Buffalo 7:30pm hulu/ESPN+
San Jose vs NY Islanders 7:30pm
NJ vs Vancouver 10pm NHL Net
BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 4,2023
STABBING SUSPECT CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER
A Williamsport man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed two people Friday morning at the Trade and Transit Center on West Third Street in Williamsport. He was then taken into custody after a short foot pursuit along Pine Street. According to the Sun Gazette, 35 year old Timothy Maddox admitted to police he was triggered to commit the stabbing after he followed the female victim and argued with her before he pulled a knife and injured her chest and arm. A male acquaintance of both the suspect and victim intervened and was stabbed in the abdomen. Police recovered a blade from Maddox who was charged and denied bail. The victims were hospitalized but there’s no word on their current condition from UPMC Williamsport.
UNDERAGE DRIVER STOPPED BY POLICE
An underage driver led police on a two mile pursuit before they were able to stop him. According to North Central Pa Dot com, the 14 year old boy, whose name was not released due to his age, was seen driving a 2010 Ford Flex on November 23rd along Routes 405 and 45 in West Chillisquaque Township. State Police at Milton discovered it was a boy behind the wheel just before 1am when they stopped him in Northumberland County. Charges have been file in juvenile court.
SOUTHERN SECTIONS OF THE CSVT PROJECT CONTINUES
Construction on the Southern Section of the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project continues this week which will begin a long term closure on Fisher Road. Beginning this Wednesday, Fisher Road will be closed between both Park Road entrances, with a detour in place sending motorists onto Park Road to Routes 11 and 15. The road will remain closed until spring 2024, while they realign Fisher Road allowing local residents access to the area.
.DROUGHT WATCH FOR CLINTON COUNTY
Clinton County has been added to the drought warning list. As one of 13 newly added counties, residents are required to reduce their water usage by six to nine gallons per day. As reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Lock Haven City Authority, Rote Mutual Water Company and Suburban Lock Haven Water Authority are on the list of public water suppliers requiring mandatory water conservation. Further details can be found on dep.pa.gov.
FORMER LINE MT. ADMINISTRATOR GETS TRIAL CONTINUANCE
Former Line Mountain Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Brad Skelton was granted a continuance last Friday for his trial in Northumberland County Court that was scheduled for January 22nd. . According to the Daily Item, 40 year old Skelton resigned on October 29, 2021 after being accused of using district accounts to purchase over 4500 dollars in construction materials for home improvement projects at his home address. He is charged with three felonies and is currently free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
CEILING AT WATSONTOWN MUSEUM COLLAPSES
A ceiling structure collapsed in the lobby at the Watsontown Historical Association Museum Wednesday that has caused the cancellation of all upcoming events at the facility until further notice. According to the Association’ Facebook page, after watching the security footage they determined the ceiling gave way early Wednesday between midnight and 4am, fortunately when no one was in the museum. After clean up, museum authorities determined that none of the glass cases or windows were broken or damaged. They say they will re-open in the spring, hopefully with the original ceiling height restored and the old crown molding that was under the drop ceiling restored and in place.
NO WILLIAMSPORT RITE AID STORES SCEHDULED TO CLOSE YET
The nationwide Rite Aid store closures in the midst of a bankruptcy plan, are not affecting the Williamsport stores at this time, among a series of closures announced for other Pennsylvania stores. According to state college dot com, a Bellefonte Rite Aid store along East Bishop Street and several stores in State College will be closing before the end of the year. Several stores were closed in Philadelphia earlier this year as part of an additional 25% of stores set to close, all in all totaling close to 500.
CLIMATE CHANGE FEEDBACK SOUGHT FROM PUBLIC
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Programs Office will host a local public engagement session to give Pennsylvanians an opportunity to provide feedback on how to use federal funding for addressing climate change. Sessions are planned statewide with the goal of involving Pennsylvanians in developing a Priority Climate Action Plan for communities across the commonwealth. The local session will be this Wednesday at 6 pm at Firetree Place located at 600 Campbell St, Williamsport. Get information and register online at dep.pa.gov.
SPORTS
NFL
Buccaneers 21 Panthers 18
Falcons 13 Jets 8
Cardinals 24 Steelers 10
Dolphins 45 Commanders 15
Rams 36 Browns 19
49ers 42 Eagles 19
Packers 27 Chiefs 19
NFL Monday Night Football Tonight
Bengals vs Jaguars 8:15pm ABC/ESPN
NBA Tonight
Celtics vs Pacers 7:30pm TNT
Pelicans vs Kings 10pm TNT
NHL
Rangers 6 Sharks 5
Bruins 3 Blue Jackets 1
NHL Tonight
Penguins vs Flyers in Philadelphia 7pm
PIAA Football Championship
Southern Columbia Tigers defeated Dunmore Bucks Friday night 39 -7. Southern (14-1) will take on District 8’s Westinghouse next Friday at 1 p.m. at Cumberland Valley High School in a rematch of last year’s championship. Southern defeated Westinghouse 37-22 a year ago.