LOYALSOCK MIDDLE STUDENT THREATENS SCHOOL

Police are reporting that a Loyalsock Township middle school student allegedly threatened to shoot up the school and is facing criminal charges.  According to North Central PA dot com, a statement was issued by Superintendent Jerry McLaughlin that several students had reported that a student was saying they would bring a gun to school today.  McLaughlin said the threat is no longer a problem after the state police were contacted and took action Monday night, removing the student from the school community.  Security will be increased at the school this week according to authorities, but they are confident there is no continuing threat to students or staff.  Charges are pending for the suspect. 

CANADIAN WOMAN INJURED IN ROUTE 15 CRASH

Trout Run firefighters and other emergency personnel responded to a crash yesterday morning around 10:30am.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say a woman from Ontario Canada was driving a Ford Focus and went off the Route 15 for an unknown reason about two miles south of the Trout Run Exit.  State Police say the unidentified woman struck the embankment and overturned in her vehicle.  She was transported by ambulance to UPMC Williamsport where there has not been a report about her condition today.

JUDGE: LYCO COMMISSIONERS USURPED AUTHORITY

The Lycoming County Commissioners may decide to appeal a second ruling by a visiting Potter County Senior Judge, after he found for a second time that the commissioners overstepped authority by transferring Office of Budget and Finance functions of the elected controller into their office when they were dissatisfied with the work.  According to Penn Live, Judge John B. Leete ruled that the commissioners’ actions were improper and in derogation of various provisions of the County Code.  Pending a potential appeal, the court ruled that the commissioners must return all ledgers, accounts, payroll and related documents along with the employees to Krista Rogers, the county’s controller, whose legal fees will also be provided by the county.

BIRDERS ASKED TO COUNT THIS WINTER

Wellsboro birders are looking for help from you this year.  According to the Sun Gazette, the Tiadaghton Audubon Society wants citizens help with two Christmas Bird Counts this winter.  The Cowanesque Circle bird count on Saturday, Dec. 17, and the Wellsboro-Mansfield Circle bird count on Sunday, January 1.  You can register to count birds on your property or go on the road and count no later than Monday, December 12, for the December 17th Count and by Monday, December 26, for the January 1st Count.  Email for information; [email protected] or call 570-948-9052.

AMBULANCE CREW CALLS POLICE AFTER PATIENT BROKE HIS RESTRAINTS

A patient broke through restraints and became aggressive with emergency personnel last week, forcing the ambulance crew to pull over and call police.  According to North Central PA dot com, a relative called 911 after 55 year old Thomas Paul Charmley of Eagles Mere was feared to have had a stroke.  Police said Charmley was initially calm inside the ambulance but became more aggressive before transport.  He has been charged with first-degree felony aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct and is in the Columbia County Prison in lieu of 25 thousand dollars monetary bail.

MAN ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING IN GROCERY STORE

A man who broke into a local grocery store in August has been charged in an affidavit this week by Old Lycoming Township Police.  According to the Sun Gazette, Brian Richard Jacobs allegedly pried open the automatic doors of the Weis on Lycoming Creek Road before the store opened after 4:30am, going to the employee lounge, attempting to take a jacket and then standing in the aisles before employees called 911.  Police say Jacobs of Cogan Station may have been under the influence was taken to UPMC Williamsport for evaluation.  Jacobs charges included felony trespassing, attempted theft, and public drunkenness..  He was released on 15 thousand dollars bail.

LIMITED TIME MILKSHAKE FLAVOR FEATURED FOR FARM SHOW

The farm show is coming again January 7^th, and the famous PA Dairymen milkshakes may be on your mind, but according to Penn Live, there is a new flavor coming to the 2023 event to think about.  A new limited edition orange cream flavor milkshake will be included with the regular vanilla and chocolate flavors.  The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association are also offering a free milkshake to the first 50 people in line at the show this year. The 2023 Farm Show runs January 7-14 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.

CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING IN PA

Gov. Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf held the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony last night at the state Capitol.  The Central Dauphin High School Choir performed during the ceremony to celebrate the lighting of the 20-foot-tall tree from Carbon County. The tree is decorated with more than 900 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments.  The ornaments were donated by students and seniors throughout the commonwealth coordinated by Pre-K for PA and the Department of Aging. This will be the last tree lighting overseen by Gov. Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf, as Governor-elect Josh Shapiro is set to take office.

SPORTS

NFL Monday Night Football
Buccaneers 17              Saints 16

NHL
Golden Knights 4        Bruins 3
Rangers 6                      Blues 4
Flyers 5                         Avalanche 3
Capitals 3                     Oilers 2
Flames 3                       Coyotes 2  
Canucks 7                     Canadiens 6

NBA
Clippers 119       Hornets 117
Bucks 109           Magic 102
Thunder 121       Hawks 114
Celtics 116          Raptors 110
Rockets 132        76ers 123
Grizzlies 101      Heat 93
Mavericks 130   Suns 111
Pacers 112          Warriors 104

NCAA Football
Heisman Trophy finalists have been announced… all are quarterbacks … Stetson Bennett of Georgia, Max Duggan of TCU, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams of USC.  The winner will be announced this Saturday night at 8pm on ESPN

NCAA Basketball News
Bucknell University has announced that Jay Wright ’83 — a former CBS Sports college basketball analyst and Villanova basketball coach who took the team to two NCAA championships and four Final Fours — will deliver the keynote address at Bucknell University’s 173rd Commencement on Sunday, May 14, 2023.  Wright was a member of the Bucknell men’s basketball team before graduating in 1983 with degrees in economics and sociology. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

MLB NEWS
 Shortstop Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed on an 11-year, $300 million contract Monday. The deal, which includes a full no-trade clause and no deferred money, ties Turner to the Phillies through the 2033 season and is the 10th $300 million-plus contract in baseball history.

SPORS

MORE DETAILS ON TUESDAY’S I-180 CRASH

Nine passengers traveling in a van on I-180 near Montoursville were injured Tuesday evening when they collided with a tractor trailer, causing the shut down of the east bound lanes of the interstate for five hours.  According to the Sun Gazette, the driver of the van and his wife, Richard and Mary Spoonire, and one passenger,  76 year old Omar Peachey were extricated from the wreckage and admitted to intensive care at UPMC Williamsport. Six other Amish passengers from Belleville in Mifflin County were treated at area hospitals.  Police who reconstructed the accident say the Spoonires were driving the van and attempting to use the emergency crossover lane in Montoursville to turn around in front of the driver of the tractor trailer, Kody Musser of Lancaster County, who police credited for evading a further tragedy and hit the guide wires of the left side of 180 instead.  Musser was not injured. The interstate reopened around 3am Wednesday morning.

UNITYVILLE MAN THREATENS FAMILY

A Unityville man is in custody for two sets of charges, most recently for firing a shotgun from the window of a moving truck near a residence and for threatening to blow up his ex-wife’s home on November 16^th , threatening his sister and suggesting he was the next “Brian Taylor”, the man who had, in the weeks prior, shot his wife, sister, a friend and himself in a mass shooting.  According to Penn Live, 43 year old Nathan Allen Minier also faces charges for not relinquishing firearms in the most recent case, after two protection from abuse orders were filed against him.  His preliminary hearing is Friday and he is incarcerated in lieu of 260 thousand dollars bail.

PA VEHICLE CODE MORE STRICT ON DUI OFFENDERS

A new Pennsylvania law will make the penalties for certain DUI offenses more stringent, a move to protect all drivers by requiring consecutive sentencing for certain repeat DUI offenders, and imposing an 18-month driving privilege suspension for a DUI conviction graded as a felony of the second degree.  Act 59 of 2022 – referred to as “Deana’s Law” –amends the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.   According to officials at PennDOT, the new legislation also provides for sentencing enhancement in cases where an individual has four or more prior DUI offenses. 

WILLIAMSPORT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS THIS FRIDAY

The City of Williamsport invites you to the  Annual Festival of Lights in Brandon Park this Friday beginning at 5pm!  Mayor Derek Slaughter and Santa Claus will flip the switch to illuminate thousands of twinkling lights throughout the park. E njoy entertainment on the Dr. Kenneth Cooper Stage showcasing Milissa Augustine Dance Academy, Penn College Wildcat Dance Team, and a Disney Character meet and Greet in the park!  The Master of Ceremonies will be our own Jake Michaels from Backyard Broadcasting. Come kick off  the Christmas Season in Brandon Park!

SUSPECT BROKE INTO VICTIM’S HOUSE

A Williamsport man was arrested after he crawled through a window to confront a victim last month.  According to North Cetnral PA dot com, 31 year old Sha’had Lee Harris fled from the scene after pinning down the resident in the apartment where he broke in and screaming in her face before she asked a person on the other end of her phone to call police.  According ot police there was a histody of domestic abuse between the accuser and the accused.  Harris was charged with second degree criminal trespassing and other charges.  He posted 25 thousand dollars unsecured bail with a preliminary hearing December 5^th.

WILLIAMSPORT MAN ACCUSED OF USING STOLEN CREDIT CARD

A Williamsport man was arrested for allegedly stealing an acquaintance’s credit card and using it at a video game store in December of 2021 .  According to North Central PA dot com, 23 year old Kyseer Aziz Wright, was accused of taking the card of a person he had met on the Grinder app in 2021, who shortly after got messages from his card company that there were fraudulaent purchase.  Wright was identified as the suspect through store video recordings and photos and was arrested November 14 in Union County.  He faces forgery, access device fraud, and a misdemeanor of theft by unlawful taking.

PHILLY DA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL DATE SET

The PA Senate has set the stage this week for the first impeachment trial in nearly three decades.  According to the the Capital-Star, The House impeachment managers presented the articles of impeachment, which accuse Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner of misbehavior in office to the Senate yesterday and then went into recess until January.  Krasner, a Democrat, has until December 21 to file an answer to the upper chamber who formally notified him of the charges and that he is to appear in court January 18.  A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required to remove Krasner from office.

COLUMBIA COUNTY SENATOR TO RESIGN

Republican Senator John Gordner of Columbia County released a statement Monday that he will be resigning from his seat in the chamber representing the 109th Legislative District and the 27th Senatorial District as of today, the 30^th of November.  According to Gordner’s statement he will  join the Pennsylvania Senate Interim President Pro Tempore Kim Ward a Republican from Westmoreland County as Counsel.  Gordner is a graduate of Dickenson College and the Dickenson School of Law in 1993 and was first elected to the state Senate in a special election in November 2003.

SPORTS

PIAA Football State Semifinals this weekend
Class A
Canton Warriors vs. Steelton-Highspire Rollers @ Shamokin, Friday at 7pm. 
Winner advances to state championship game at Cumberland Valley High School on Thursday, December 8th at 1pm. 
Double A
Southern Columbia Tigers  vs. Trinity Shamrocks  @Selinsgrove, Friday at 7pm. 
Winner advances to state championship game at Cumberland Valley High School on Friday, December 9th at 1pm.

NFL tonight
Buffalo @ New England 8:15 on Prime Video

NHL
Sabers 5              Red Wings 4
Rangers 3            Senators 1
Maple Leafs 3     Sharks 1
Oilers 5               Blackhawks 4

NBA
Cavaliers 113     76ers 85
Hawks 125          Magic 108
Celtics 134          Heat 121
Nets 113              Wizards 107
Bucks 109           Knicks 103
Timberwolves 109 Grizzlies 101
Pelicans 126       Raptors 108
Suns 132             Bulls 113
Jazz  125             Clippers 112
Lakers 128          Trailblazers 109

USA Men’s Soccer at the World Cup Saturday
In the round of 16, Team USA plays the Netherlands Saturday at 10 AM on FOX for their chance to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

WILLIAMSPORT SHOOTER HELD FOR COURT IN LYCOMING COUNTY

A Berks County man who already faces court action on previous charges in Lycoming County has had his case held for court after District Judge Christian Frey heard evidence from victims and witnesses yesterday about a shooting that took place around noon on September 28^th at 1000 block of Vine Avenue, close to Penn College in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, 39 year old Tyree Cleveland from Sinking Spring, PA was identified as the person who allegedly fired shots at a Penn College Police Lieutenant and fled on foot prompting other campus police to assist in apprehending him.  Cleveland, who has been previously convicted of felony drug charges, will face one count of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment as well as firearms charges.

PEEPING TOM ARRESTED

A Shrewsbury Township man has been charged with prowling at nighttime and loitering after a neighbor awoke to her dog barking at him looking in her window on November 7th.  According to state police at Montoursville, 60 year old James Mio Sones, with whom the victim had previously experienced negative interactions, admitted to looking into the home since he suspected illegal activity.  Sones will have a preliminary hearing December 30^th. 

LUZERNE COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION NOT CERTIFIED

The state may have to get involved in the Luzerne County general election after a public meeting yesterday led to missing Monday’s deadline to certify the ballots.  According to WNEP, more than a dozen voters and volunteers were at the meeting and were against certifying the election following several snags on Election Day; including the inability for people to vote after running out of ballot paper, lack of privacy and a judge ordering the polling place to remain open past the normal closing time. Two democrats on the Luzerne County council voted to certify the election, one abstained and two republicans voted against certification. 

PA HUNTERS CAN DONATE DEER

Hunters in Pennsylvania have an opportunity to share some of the venison they have harvested this season.  According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunters Sharing the Harvest donates over 100 thousand pounds of venison to food banks, soup kitchens and mission outreach centers across the commonwealth.  You can donate your deer at no charge thanks to partners of the program, and help create 200 meals or become a participating processor.  Find out more at share deer dot org. 187 thousand pounds of venison was donated in Pennsylvnaia in the 2021-2022 deer seasons.

MUNCY MAN ATTEMPTS TO FLEE FROM POLICE

A Muncy man who police say was being sought by police with a bench warrant for his arrest over charges filed in September, was taken into custody early last week.  According to North Central PA dot com, 38 year old Jordan Probst had been involved in a domestic incident in Muncy Creek Township last Tuesday and attempted to run from police once they made him aware they knew of his previous assault and disorderly conduct charges.  Probst tried to escape to a neighbor’s yard and allegedly assaulted troopers from Montoursville before they took him into custody.  Probst has a preliminary hearing December 2^nd. 

MAN WHO PUNCHED GIRLFRIEND CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT

A Williamsport man was arraigned last week in Lycoming County Court after police say he punched his girlfriend in a domestic incident last spring, over their newborn child.  According to the Sun Gazette, 29 year old Kevin DuJour Brown faces simple assault and harassment after he allegedly pinned the woman down before hitting her in the face.  Brown posted 10 thousand dollars bail and was released. 

EMERGENCY CALL CENTER LOOKING TO HIRE

Central Susquehanna Regional 911says they are paying 16 dollars an hour for full-time tele-communicators to work in the merged Union and Snyder County 911 call center.  According to media outlets, administrators from CSR 911 are looking to fill at least 5 full time positions and pay for training which could take six months.  Qualifications for the position include being 18 years old, with a GED or HS diploma, the ability to multi-task, and remain calm under stress, and the desire to help others.  Find the information online at Snyder county dot org.

PINE CREEK POLICE OFFERING GIFTS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

The Pine Creek Township Police are inviting families to sign up for Operation Christmas Program, which provides gifts for children under 15 years of age in Avis, Dunnstable Township, Wayne Township and Pine Creek Township areas.  Find applications, guidelines and four dates in November for parents to come to the police department to sign up if they have not benefitted from the program in the last two years at pinecreekpd.org.  Anyone interested in making a donation to Operation Christmas  can send a contribution to Operation Christmas, PO Box 596 Avis, 17721

SPORTS

PIAA Football State Semifinals this weekend
Class A
Canton Warriors vs. Steelton-Highspire Rollers @ Shamokin, Friday at 7pm. 
Winner advances to state championship game at Cumberland Valley High School on Thursday, December 8th at 1pm. 

Double A

Southern Columbia Tigers  vs. Trinity Shamrocks  @Selinsgrove, Friday at 7pm. 

Winner advances to state championship game at Cumberland Valley High School on Friday, December 9th at 1pm.

NFL Monday Night Football
Steelers 24          Colts 17
NFL Thursday Night
The Bills are in New England Thursday at 8:15 on Prime Video

NHL
Lightning 6                   Sabers 5 OT
Golden Knights 3        Blue Jackets 2 in a Shootout
Maple Leafs 4              Red Wings 2
Devils 5                        Rangers 3
Stars 4                           Blues 1
Oilers 4                         Panthers 3

NBA
76ers 104                      Hawks 101
Wizards 142                 Timberwolves 127
Celtics 140                   Hornets 105
Nets 109                       Magic 102
Nuggets 129                 Rockets 113
Bulls 114                      Jazz 107

Soccer
It’s Iran versus the United States at 2 PM on FOX for the FIFA World Cup – Winner of that match competes against the winner of Wales versus England airing today on FS1 at the same time.

WATSONTOWN MAN CHARGED WITH DUI

A twenty year old man from Watsontown has been charged with a DUI and more after being found under the influence of a controlled substance with a toddler in the car.  According to court records, Watsontown police arrested 20 year old Dakota Lowry for an incident that occurred October 24^th at the 100 block  of Main Street in Watsontown.  There is an investigation ongoing, but charges against Lowry were filed in District Court.

DELIVERY DRIVER ASSAULTED

A pizza delivery driver was assaulted by two women in October and the two suspects are facing first-degree felonies as well as other charges.  According to police, witnesses confirmed that they recognized Brianna Marie Ortega and Alyssa Paul as the assailants who allegedly cut the delivery person off in traffic and then argued with the victim at the 500 block of South Market Street in Shamokin before the altercation.  The victim required hospitalization with a broken finger, broken nose, and a concussion after Ortega and Paul punched and body slammed her to the ground. The two have preliminary hearings December 13^th. 

PA LAWMAKERS GETTING RAISE BECAUSE OF INFLATION

As a result of inflation, Pennsylvania lawmakers are getting a salary increase for 2023.  According to the Sun Gazette, Salaries across the board will rise 7.8%, a figure tied by state law to the yearly change in the consumer price index published by the U.S. Department of Labor for mid-Atlantic urban areas.  It is the largest year-over-year inflationary increase for mid-Atlantic urban areas in October since 1981. Rank-and-file lawmakers will see almost 103 thousand dollars a year with the additional $7,400 dollar increase. The Legislature’s highest paid officers, the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore, will make more than 160 thousand dollars a year up over 11 thousand.  Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro will make almost 230 thousand dollars.

FUNDRAISING RALLY FOR GILSON SNOW

Rusty Rail Brewing Company, a longtime partner with Gilson Snow, will be holding a rally this Sunday from 2 til 6 to help the ski and snowboard manufacturer rebuild from the devastating fire that occurred November 18^th.  The rally is free to attend and will feature live music, and a variety of opportunities to support the Gilson team. A portion of proceeds from the sale of each beer during the rally will support the Gilson team and their families as Gilson designs, builds, and works to open their new shop.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK ON RIVER AVENUE

A pedestrian was struck near the Weis Market on River Avenue last evening around 5pm.  According to the Sun Gazette, an ambulance was called to the area north of East Third Street and transported the unnamed woman who was struck to UPMC Williamsport.  The person who police say was driving the Toyota Camry that struck the first woman, was also being evaluated at the scene for distress and anxiety.  State police were called in to investigate the accident and River Avenue was closed to through traffic.

WOMAN CAUSES DISTURBANCE CHARGED WITH DUI

A 36 year old woman from Williamsport is facing DUI and other charges after her erratic behavior caused a clerk at a smoke shop in South Williamsport to call police.  According to the Sun Gazette, Amy Lynn Tedesco caused a disturbance at Smokers Express November 11^th and left in a rage, breaking the store’s door off its hinges, doing donuts in the parking lot in her 1997 Volvo before leaving the property and abandoning the car a few blocks away on Southern Avenue.  Police responding to the call, apprehended Tedesco and took her to the borough police headquarters where in addition to the DUI, she was charged with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and harassment.  She is incarcerated in liue of 10 thousand dollars bail.

NEW RECORD SYSTEM  FOR EVANGELICAL

Evangelical Community Hospital is transitioning to a new electronic medical record system beginning December 4^th, 2022.  According to IT administrators at the hospital,  patients are reminded that they will need to transition their own information from the previous “Follow My Health” patient portal to the MyChart online portal,  since the previous system will be inaccessible after the new software, called  “Epic”, goes live.  Epic Information Management will make access to essential medical information seamless across all departments and has been ranked the top electronic health records system for 12 years.

YOUNGER DRIVERS STATISTICALLY IN CRASHES FOR DRINKSGIVING

PennDOT has introduced a new term and they are warning people about what it means.  The night before Thanksgiving is becoming known as Drinksgiving, named for the number of impaired crashed that occur involving  young adults returning home to visit with family and high school friends at bars the night before the holiday.  According to PennDOT, in the past five years in Pennsylvania, there were 138 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving eve and 44% of those impaired driving crashes involving drivers between 21and 24.  They recommend creating a plan before the party starts; like having a sober friend drive, calling a cab, Uber or Lyft.

SPORTS

NHL
Sabers 7               Canadiens 2
Rangers 5             Kings 3
NBA
76ers 115             Nets 106
Kings 113             Grizzlies 109  
Pistons 110                    Nuggets 108  
Suns 115              Lakers 105

Thanksgiving Day Football
Buffalo @ Detroit at 12:30 CBS
Giants @ Dallas at 4:30 FOX
New England @ Minnesota at 8:20 on NBC.
NFL NEWS
A tribute to sports icon John Madden will become an annual event starting Thursday with special dedication segments on all three game broadcasts by CBS, FOX and NBC. A recording of Madden discussing Thanksgiving and the holiday’s relationship to football will serve as the lead-in to the three games that day, including the Giants’ NFC East showdown against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
NFL Weekend+
Eagles host Green Bay Sunday at 8:20 on NBC
Steelers play Monday Night Football in Indianapolis on ESPN

NCAA football Saturday
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech 12pm/ESPN
Michigan vs Ohio State 12pm/FOX
South Carolina vs Clemson 12pm/ABC
Oregon vs Oregon State at 3:30pm/ ABC
Notre Dame and USC 7:30pm /ABC
Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Canceled

Upcoming PIAA Football Quarterfinals

Triple A

Wyomissing vs Danville @Danville HS – Friday 7pm

Double A

Southern Columbia vs Bishop Guilfoyle @Mansion Park, Altoona – Friday 7pm

Single A

Canton vs Northern Cambria @Mansion Park, Altoona  – Saturday 5pm