AIR QUALITY STILL ORANGE IN PA

Air Quality this morning for all of Pennsylvania due to smoke from Canadian wildfires is at a Code ORANGE alert or considered unhealthy for sensitive groups..  According to the DEP, some local conditions are remaining near red – or unhealthy to breathe, but there is some improvement  with much of the wildfire smoke likely to be cleared from our area by tomorrow, but it could return later this Summer as wildfires continue to burn in Northeast Canada.  You can check air quality levels anytime at airnow.gov.

TWO ALARM FIRE IN WATSONTOWN THURSDAY

There was a two alarm house fire near Watsontown Thursday morning.  According to Susquehanna Regional 911 eight fire companies responded to the call that came in for the home at 348 Clemens Road in Delaware Township around 6:30am yesterday. Crews were ordered to evacuate the house after the roof was in danger of collapsing.  Some witnesses at the scene said there were explosions heard and heavy smoke when crews first arrived.  No injuries were reported and a cause of the fire has  not yet been determined.

SPLASH PAD CLOSED TEMPORARILY

According to a social media post by the City of Williamsport Recreation Department, the Williamsport Splash Pad is under temporary closure due to it not turning on and off properly.  According to the Sun Gazette, authorities say it will be closed until the mechanical and electrical problems are fixed with the job anticipated to be completed by Saturday.  Those who want to use the Splash Pad are encouraged to watch Facebook for updates on the repair and status of the facility.

AUTHORITIES WILL PATROL FOR BUI ON THE WATER FOR THE 4TH

Safe travel is top of mind for the PA Department of Transportation, and as we head into the 4^th of July Holiday weekend law enforcement officials are focused on safe boating with a plan of increased Waterway Conservation patrols and sobriety checks on the water.  According to authorities there is increased boat traffic along the Susquehanna  with the possibility of more people boating under the influence of alcohol. The Department recently kicked off ‘Operation Dry Water’ to increase awareness of Boating Under the Influence or BUI. Watch for increased patrols on the roadways, too, throughout the holiday next week.

BODY FOUND IN SUSQUEHANNA RIVER

A body was found in the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg this week and authorities have identified the victim as a person who had been listed as a missing person Wednesday.  According to PennLive, 82 year old Lars Blomquist of Newfield New York was reportedly boating on the river that day and his body was found just before 8pm Wednesday night.  The Dauphin County Coroner reported Blomquist’s death to be accidental by drowning. There is an investigation started into the incident led by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

PREVIOUS TENANT FORCES NEW TENANT TO PAY RENT TO HIM

A Williamsport man threatened the man who moved into his previous apartment at the 600 block of Rose Street with a knife after demanding he be paid the rent for the apartment and not the landlord.  According to the Sun Gazette, 47 year old Edward James Nicholas allegedly showed a knife during a confrontation and forced the current tenant to withdraw money for him at an ATM.  The crime was reported June 21st and Nichols was apprehended by police.  He faces felony kidnapping and robbery as well as misdemeanor assault charges, and is in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 85 thousand dollars bail.

SIGNAL LIGHTS OFF FOR NOW IN MIFFLINBURG BOROUGH

Motorists are advised that the traffic signal at the intersection of Route 45 (East Chestnut Street) and Route 3007 (Forest Hill Road) in Mifflinburg Borough, Union County, is malfunctioning and has been turned off.  Motorists approaching the intersection should expect to stop in all directions until the traffic signal is operational.  You can check conditions of all the roadways on your area by logging onto 511pa dot com 24 hours a day.

TROOPER RECOVERING FROM CRITICAL SHOOTING

The State Trooper who was shot during a manhunt June 17^th , in the same series of incidents that killed Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr.,  that same day in Juniata County, remains in critical condition at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.  According to PennLive, 21 year veteran, 45 year old Lt. James Wagner is the father of three sons and is the assigned station commander at the Troop G Bedford Station, the barracks where the shooting occurred.  The suspect in the shootings 38 year old Brandon Stine of Thomspntown is in custody and a motive for the shootings has not been determined.  If you’re interested in helping the families of the troopers involved, consider the PSTA Survivors Fund, in Harrisburg, or the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation. 

SPORTS

MLB
Royals 4              Guardians 3
Pirates 5               Padres 4
Tigers 8               Rangers 5
Yankees 10         A’s 4
Rays 6                 Diamondbacks 1
White Sox 9         Angels 7
Marlins 2            Red Sox 0
Blue Jays 2         Giants 1
Brewers 3            Mets 2
Astros 14             Cardinals 0
Phillies 3             Cubs 1
Dodgers 14         Rockies 3

MLB News
The Texas Rangers are sending a franchise-record four starters to the All-Star Game in Seattle on July 11th, the most of any major league team.

*They will have a starter at all the infield positions save for first base, as catcher Jonah Heim and rookie third baseman Josh Jung are appearing as first-time All-Stars. They’ll join shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien. It’s Seager’s fourth All-Star appearance, while Semien is an All-Star for the second time in his career.
MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters are back home tonight to take on the Trenton Thunder at Historic Bowman Field 6:35 1^st pitch

NASCAR Sunday
Chicago Street Race Grant Park 220 Pre-race coverage starts at 4:30 Green Flag 5:30 on the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3.

WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT SETTLED IN WILLIAMSPORT

A wrongful death settlement has been reached in the 2019 suit in which a Williamsport man in a motorized wheel chair was killed when he was struck and dragged by an SUV at Fourth and Williams Streets in the city. According to the Sun Gazette, the estate of John C. Yaraoz II asked to settle with the driver and the city for 265 thousand dollars in front of Lycoming County Judge Eric R. Linhardt with neither of the defendants admitting liability.  During the investigation of the original accident that claimed the life of Yaroz, the city was accused of negligence for not properly maintaining the walk-don’t walk signal at the intersection, which according to police has since been repaired.

WOMAN SUING TO GET EXOTIC CAT BACK

A woman from New Jersey is suing a local animal rescue for allegedly holding her exotic emotional support cat illegally.  According to North Central PA dot com,  court records say that Catherine DeLucia’s cross-breed Savanna/Egyptian Mau cat was given to a New York animal rescue in a domestic dispute, and when she went to retrieve her pet, it had been transferred to Snyder County’s T&D’s Cats of the World facility who countersued and says the cat is illegal to own in New York  State. DeLucia allegedly went to the rescue facility and during an altercation, spit in the face and eyes of the defendants who own the shelter requiring them to seek preventative care.

WATER BARRIERS TO BE PURCHASED FOR CROWD SAFETY

The City of Williamsport is planning to spend 40 thousand dollars of money from American Rescue Plan Funds on water barriers to ensure spectator safety during parades and special events.  According to the Sun Gazette, the public works department will use 100 of the barriers to deter any issue with a vehicle that may go toward a crowd of people intentionally or unintentionally.  The barriers each weigh 16 hundred pounds and are filled with 200 gallons of water.  Other plans for the city include the installations of six to eight cameras and internet service at Shaw Park with plans for camera upgrades at other parks like the Memorial Pool, Lose and Newberry parks then Brandon and Young’s Parks.

GAME COMMISSION WEBSITE HAD ISSUES

The online buzz was mostly against the PA Game Commission yesterday for their execution of the online logistics for the first time doe tags were available online instead of by mail-in application.  According to social media site, they experienced intermittent slowness and crashes and later, the commission apologized saying they are diligently working to resolve the issues in order to continue license sales.  The Game Commission approved the change to go to online sales during their January 2023 meeting.  The site to get your tag for this first round is up today – pgc.pa.gov.

MAN CHARGED WITH DUI

A Williamsport man is free on bail after he was charged with aggravated assault, DUI, reckless endangerment and more after an accident May 9^th.  According to the Sun Gazette, state police say 34 year old Brandon Eugene Baysore drove his 2008 Ford Edge into an Acura MDX driven by Tiffany Gettinger along Route 220 in Woodward Township forcing her car into a ditch and injuring a passenger who required intensive care at UPMC Williamsport.  Baysore told police he had been golfing early and fell asleep at the wheel that night, while an investigation revealed multiple indicators of impairment – including the smell of alcohol on his breath.  Baysore was charged last week in front of District Judge Denise Dieter before he posted his 50 thousand dollar bail.

POLICE SEEKING WOMAN FOR QUESTIONING

Police are seeking information about a mother and child who were seen in a dispute in the street and then traveling in a Black Honda with New Jersey plates in Old Lycoming Township.  According to Lycoming Regional Police, they were dispatched to an area around Misner Road yesterday around 2pm when witnesses said they saw a woman speed up to a juvenile child who was standing on the street, get out of the car, hit the child  who yelled back at her – calling her mom, and was then forced into the car.  They were last seen traveling north in the 2300 block of Lycoming Creek Road with the license plate number A5B.  Police are seeking the woman for questioning  – they don’t believe it’s an abduction.  Call Lycoming County Dispatch at 570-329-4060 or leave an anonymous Crimewatch tip.

PLUMBING UPGRADES COMING TO WILLIAM HEPBURN HIGHRISE

The William Hepburn high rise recently got approved for an almost 1.5 million dollar plumbing upgrade by the Lycoming Housing Authority last week.  According to the Sun Gazette there was a lone bidder from an Ohio firm for the project and the authority had to bring in a third party consulting firm to create an independent cost estimate.  This included pulling back on some desired features as a cost-saving measure but the ten-story high rise built in the late ‘60s is now set to undergo upgrades to the lining and brush coating of the original sanitary piping, vent piping and cold and hot water piping.  The Authority does have the funds for the project, but also applied for a 750 thousand dollar Affordable Housing Program Grant to off-set costs.

TIOGA COUNTY RIDE RESCHEDULED FOR JULY

A motorcycle ride that was to benefit the Wellsboro Shared Home, that was postponed this weekend due to weather in Tioga County will now take place in Mansfield Sunday, July 23^rd .  According to WETM, the 100-mile ride will start at 11am with registration at 10am and the route will be the same; going from Eisenhauer’s Tioga County Harley-Davidson  to Covington, Liberty, Morris, Wellsboro, Ansonia, and back to Mansfield for lunch at 1:15.  Call for details 570-724-2300.

SPORTS

NCAA Men’s College Baseball
World Series Championship Game
LSU 18    Florida 4
LSU wins the series 2-1

MLB
Orioles 10           Reds 3
Brewers 2            Mets 1
Braves 4              Twins 1
Tigers 7               Rangers 2
Angels 2              White Sox 1
Mariners 8          Nationals 4

MLB Draft League
Frederick Keys 5         Crosscutters 3
Williamsport gets another shot on the road tonight in Game 2 out of 3 against the Keys – 7pm first pitch

NHL NEWS
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid swept the top individual honors at the NHL Awards last night to cap his career-best season.

*McDavid won the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL Players’ Association’s most outstanding player.
*It was McDavid’s third Hart Trophy win, after having been nominated five times.

WOMAN FLOWN TO HOSPITAL AFTER MCCLURE WRECK

There was an accident along Route 522 Monday morning around 7:45 in McClure after which, a woman was flown to Geisinger and a man was taken into custody.  According to media outlets, Middleburg police say they have 43 year old Samuel Smith in custody.  Police say the female allegedly jumped from the moving vehicle and was found lying in the road and severely injured when officers arrived on the scene.  Smith was arrested for impaired driving and is in custody for other pending charges.  Police say Route 522 reopened after a brief closure yesterday and the investigation into the accident continues.

MONTOURSVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL CONTACT

A 21 year old Montoursville man is in custody after he allegedly asked a young girl if he could touch her and play games while she was on her property on Elm Street.  According to North Central Pa dot com, the young girl ran inside her home and told a relative who called police after Anthony Jacob Kancevicius stuck his head under a nearby fence and continued to ask the girl to come into his backyard.  Police arrested  Kancevicius after an interview and charged him with interference with custody of children and unlawful contact with a minor.  His bail was denied by Judge Gary Whiteman.

EAST BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOIL WATER ADVISORY

Due to a water main break in East Buffalo Township, a boil water advisory is in place for about 14 hundred customers.  According to the Daily Item, Pennsylvania American Water customers along dozens of streets are affected and should use bottled water and not drink any tap water without first bringing it to a rolling boil and letting it cool.  Check information about the progress of the repair online at amwater.com/paaw , and get general information about health risks, call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

SUSQUEHANNA GREENWAY PHOTO CONTEST

Interested participants have until June 30^th to submit original photographs and share stories in the annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest.  The contest is free-to-enter and encourages photographers of all ages and skill levels to enter photos under several categories including Treasured River Towns, Susquehanna Landmarks, Susquehanna Adventures, and Wildlife.  Cash prizes will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd place in each category with entries submitted electronically.  Get details for entering at susquehannagreenway.org/photocontest .

MONTOURSVILLE MAN FACES OVER 800 MOLESTATION CHARGES

A man who used to live in Montoursville was brought back to PA to face over 800 charges for molestation of a child over a 3 year period between 2007 and 2010.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say reports from the victim about 76 year old Danny Ray Brewer who allegedly committed the offenses in Fairfield Township came in earlier this year.  Brewer, who denies the charges, was arrested in St. Clair County, Illinois, and waived extradition.  He faces 100 felony counts of unlawful contact with and was arraigned in Lycoming County Court Sunday night.

GUEST PULLED UNRESPONSIVE FROM KNOEBELS POOL

The Knoebel’s Amusement Park family is asking all to pray for the best possible outcome for the man who was pulled unresponsive from a pool at the park Sunday by lifeguards.  According to North Central PA dot com, when lifeguards and emergency personnel on duty discovered the man in the Crystal Pool, they immediately treated  him at the scene with additional attention from the Knoebels EMS team before he was transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.  Park officials have not released the identity or the current condition of the victim. 

LEGISLATURE TO PRESERVE INFRASTRUCTURE FROM VANDALISM

After attacks last year at two electrical substations in North Carolina involving gunfire at the sites which cut power to nearby communities for days, Senator Gene Yaw recently announced legislation to increase penalties against those who intentionally vandalize or attack critical infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 819, would bring 3^rd degree felony charges and a fine of no less than $10,000, along with the potential to face civil suits for damages for those who willfully damage, destroy, or tamper with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility.

I-95 WILL OPEN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

 Governor Josh Shapiro announced that I-95 is set to be re-opened in two weeks – much earlier than predicted – after a tanker truck carrying a “petroleum-based product” caught fire under the interstate near Cottman Avenue last Sunday and the roadway collapsed.  According to Penn Live, President Joe Biden was at the live press conference Saturday when Shapiro provided the update and confirmed that the federal government will provide funds to help build the Interstate System and help it be restored ahead of schedule.  Construction work is continuing 24/7 with demolition of the overpass completed on Thursday.  A live stream of the construction site now available at  penndot.pa.gov under District 6, I-95 Updates. 

SPORTS

MLB
Cardinals 8         Nationals 6
Tigers 6               Royals 4
Marlins 11          Blue Jays 0  
Cubs 8                 Pirates 0
Reds 5                 Rockies 4
Red Sox 9           Twins 3
Diamondbacks 9 Brewers 1
Mets 11               Astros 1
Rangers 5            White Sox 2
Giants 7               Padres 4

MLB Draft League
The Williamsport Crosscutters are back tonight at Historic Bowman Field to play the Frederick Keys – 6:35 PM first pitch.

NBA
*The NBA Draft First Round starts Thursday  – the Spurs have the first pick, followed by the Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons.
*The likely #1 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama, arrived in the U.S. yesterday at Newark International Airport to crowds of fans already. 
*The 19 year old, 7 foot 5 French prospect who will likely be taken by the San Antonio Spurs, will be at a pre-draft media event tomorrow, then appear in the Green Room at the actual draft on Thursday.

PRESS CONFERENCE IDENTIFIES FALLEN TROOPER

State troopers have identified the officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty in Juniata County Saturday.  According to Penn Live, 29 year old Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr., was killed and 45 year old Lt.James Wagner was critically wounded in separate incidents prior to suspect 38 year old Brandon Stine of Thompsontown being killed. Police say Stine engaged officers just before 1 pm near the Lewistown police station in Mifflintown Borough where Wagner was shot.  Stine then fled and was confronted at another location, where he and Rougeau were both fatally shot. Wagner is currently listed in critical condition at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. 

WOMAN CHARGED WITH THEFT FROM EMPLOYER

A woman who had been hired for only two weeks at a Williamsport mini-mart before she allegedly stole money from the business was recently charged in district court.  According to the Sun Gazette, Sandra Alexander was hired to work at the 6^th and High Street mini mart in November of 2021 and was accused of stealing 17 hundred dollars.  She was charged with theft and receiving stolen property and  after waiving her preliminary hearing, is free on 25 hundred dollars bail.

OVERNIGHT MILLING AND PAVING ON I-180 THIS WEEK

I-180 A contractor will be milling and paving this week on the eastbound lanes of I-180 in Lycoming County starting at Loyalsock Creek and working eastward through Friday.  Watch for alternating lane restrictions when work is going on between the hours of 7pm and 7am weather permitting.  The work is part of  a two year project that will mill and resurface over 13 miles of roadway at the Route 87 and Fairfield Road interchanges and include new lighting guide rail upgrades and more, with additional bridge work planned for 16 structures in the county. 

I-180 A contractor will be milling and paving this week on the eastbound lanes of I-180 in Lycoming County starting at Loyalsock Creek and working eastward through Friday.  Watch for alternating lane restrictions when work is going on between the hours of 7pm and 7am weather permitting.  The work is part of  a two year project that will mill and resurface over 13 miles of roadway at the Route 87 and Fairfield Road interchanges and include new lighting guide rail upgrades and more, with additional bridge work planned for 16 structures in the county. 

BALD EAGLE LEGISLATION
There’s a new bill in PA legislature that would increase fines for killing bald and golden eagles to $2,000 from the current penalty of only $200 for anyone convicted of killing the national symbol. According to North Central PA dot com, Senate Bill 709, is sponsored by Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Bethlehem.  Pennsylvania removed the bald eagle from its endangered list to protected status in 2014, but since 2018, the Game Commission has filed 10 charges for unlawfully taking or possessing eagles.  In Ohio, a conviction carries a maximum of 180 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.

FBI CHARGES THREE LOCAL OFFICERS WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE

Three Mount Carmel police officers have been charged by the FBI and state police have with excessive force, which could send them to prison for up to 10 years. According to the Daily Item, a federal indictment was filed Friday in U.S. Middle District Court against the officers. The indictment identifies officer Kyle Schauer, retired officer Lt. David Donkochik and former officer Jonathan McHugh and claims they used excessive force in upwards of 22 different arrests. All three were arrested on Friday.

MAN JAILED OVER EXTORTION CHARGE

A Mansfield man is facing a felony sexual extortion charge from accusations made against him in 2019 .  According to the Daily Item,  Ralpho Township police say Zane Bryan Walentukonis was arraigned in front of Milton District Judge Michael Diehl last Thursday for allegedly threatening to send explicit videos to a teen in Elysburg. Walentukonis sits in Northumberland County Jail in lieu of  $125,000 bail.  His preliminary hearing has yet to be scheduled.   

2023 PENNSYLVANIA LAUREL QUEEN CROWNED

This year’s Pennsylvania Laurel Queen is Emma Podobinski, representing Warrior Run High School.  Podobinski was crowned queen out of a field of 26 candidates, representing high schools from across the state of Pennsylvania.   During her reign as Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen, Ms. Podobinski will represent the Laurel Festival during Wellsboro’s Dickens of  Christmas event in December and return to next year’s Laurel festival to crown her successor.  As queen, Emma also receives a three thousand dollar academic scholarship.  She will attend Houghton College in the Fall.  First runner up was Melody Rzeszotarski of Montoursville Area High School and Katherine West representing Towanda was second runner up.  They also received a monetary academic scholarship.

SPORTS

MLB
Guardians 12      Diamondbacks 3
Orioles 6             Cubs 3
Braves 14            Rockies 6
Marlins 4            Nationals 2
Red Sox 6           Yankees 2 Game 1
Red Sox 4           Yankees 1 Game 2
Cardinals 8         Mets 7
Angels 5              Royals 2 
Reds 9                 Astros 7
Tigers 6               Twins 4
Brewers 5            Pirates 2
Rangers 11          Blue Jays 7
Phillies 3             A’s 2
Mariners 5          White Sox 1
Giants 7               Dodgers 3
Padres 5              Rays 4

GOLF
Wyndham Clark from Denver Colorado, held off Rory McIlroy, Scottie, Scheffler and Rickie Fowler in the final round to win Sunday at the 123rd US Open at the Los Angeles Country Club and now ascends from 32^nd to 13^th  in the Official World Golf Ranking.

MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters 4          Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3
The Cutters are off today but come back Tuesday to Historic Bowman Field to play the Frederick Keys – 6:35 PM first pitch.