GREENHOUSE BUILDINGS BURN IN LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP

A 3-Alarm fire destroyed a business in Oval Monday afternoon.  According to the Sun Gazette, the store and two greenhouses at Country Acres Greenhouse on School House Road in Limestone Township were on fire when first responders arrived.  Fire officials from Nippenose Valley immediately called a second alarm upon arrival at about 12:15pm and multiple tankers arrived from Lycoming, Clinton and Northumberland Counties.  A third alarm was called at 12:45pm.  Firefighters stopped the radiant heat from destroying David King’s home – about 30 feet from the store.  Two firefighters needed medical attention; one for smoke inhalation and one for heat exhaustion, understandable in the low 80 degree heat yesterday.

MOUNT CARMEL WOMAN SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS FOR STABBING

A plea of no contest to the charge of third-degree murder on Friday in Northumberland County Court sends a Mt. Carmel woman to upwards of 40 years in state prison. According to the Daily Item, Lisa Karlaza was accused of fatally stabbing her husband, Richard Karlaza, in July 2021. Northumberland County President Judge Paige Rosini scheduled sentencing for Aug 3 at 10 a.m. Karlaza remains incarcerated without bail in the Northumberland County Jail.

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES SHARED SERVICES PLAN

A resolution for a memorandum of understanding for use of shared professional services and information technology has been approved by Williamsport City Council  between the city and River Valley Transit Authority, which are separate entities.  According to the Sun Gazette, depending on need, the two departments will be authorized to share employees in circumstances where coordinated efforts are needed to solve problems, or when the authority needs electrical work done and would use the city’s electrician as one example, with reimbursement possibly coming from the general fund.  The agreement will be for one year, once the shared service agreement is finalized in two-weeks.

OPEN HOUSE AT SELINSGROVE AIRPORT

There will be a second annual Airport Open House this Saturday at the Penn Valley Airport in Selinsgrove. According to the Airport and the Airport Pilots Organization, the State Police Aviation Unit, Cirrus Aircraft, Angel Flight East, Life Flight and a vintage DC-3 military aircraft will all be on display. In addition to exhibits and tours, displays of local aircraft and Military Transport vehicles will be on hand. The public is welcome to attend with airplane and helicopter rides available and food trucks on site from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

WOMAN HOSPITALIZED AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK

A Williamsport woman was assaulted inside her Sherman Street home and her accuser has been jailed.  According to North Central PA dot com, 38 year old Antoine Atkinson allegedly punched the victim just after 1am on May 23^rd and was taken to UPMC Williamsport for injuries she sustained to her eyes and face during the attack.   Atkinson was charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and more, and is at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 25 thousand dollars bail. His preliminary hearing is June 1st.

WILLIAMSPORT GOVERNMENT UNCHANGED FOR FALL BALLOT

Heading into the fall general election, Williamsport government looks mostly the same. According to the Sun Gazette,  the official results were recently finalized from the May 16 municipal primary.  Democrat Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter remains unchallenged, and the Lycoming County Board of Elections displayed no new nominees for write-ins for City Council, but with the nominees set to be Democrat Jon Mackey, and Republicans Bonnie Katz, Vincent Pulizzi and Adam Yoder, according to official election results.

NORRY NAMED IN FEDERAL SUIT OVER PAROLEE DISCRIMINATION

An amended civil rights complaint was filed against the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and four county courts, including Northumberland, by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the Record Online, the complaint  alleges that the courts in Blair, Lackawanna, Jefferson and Northumberland Counties discriminate against those people who are on probation and parole due to their policies and practices that limit access and restrict use of their prescribed opioid medication. The Unified Judicial System, which oversees courts in all 67 counties, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, because of its authority over lower courts, are co-defendants. The UJS has denied the allegations.

ATV TRAILS OPEN FOR THE SUMMER

DCNR has announced the opening of the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot for the 2023 riding season, which includes more than 400 miles of township roads, 163 miles of state forest roads and trails, and 33 miles of PennDOT-administered roads. New connections for this year’s pilot include: Cross Fork to Whiskey Springs ATV Trail, Cross Fork to North Bend, Black Forest to Haneyville.  The pilot riding area will open for use until, Sunday, September 24. Additional information about the ATV Regional Trail Connector pilot program is online at dcnr.gov.

SPORTS

District 2/4 6A HS Baseball Championship Game @ PNC Field yesterday
Hazleton 8          Williamsport 2
Hazleton now moves to the PIAA Class 6A State Tournament vs District 1’s 4th seed on Monday, June 5
PIAA District 4 Softball Playoffs All Games @4:30 Elm Park, Williamsport

Today
Class A
Canton vs Bucktail
Class 2A
Muncy vs South Williamsport
Tomorrow
Class 3A
Warrior Run vs Liberty
Class 4A
Jersey Shore vs Montoursville
NASCAR
Ryan Blaney got the checkered flag at the rescheduled Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway yesterday, followed by William Byron, Martin Truex, Jr., Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick rounding out the top 5.
*Josef Newgarden, also of Penske Racing, earned his 19th record-extending win at the Indianapolis 500, Sunday.
*Blaney’s win broke his personal 59-race winless streak.

MLB

Guardians 5                   Orioles 0
Rangers 5             Tigers 0
Royals 7               Cardinals 0
Cubs 1                  Rays 0
Diamondbacks 7   Rockies 5
Twins 7                 Astros 5
Giants 14             Pirates 4
A’s 7                     Braves 2
Angels 6               White Sox 4
Dodgers 6             Nationals 1
Yankees 10          Mariners 4
NBA  
East Finals Game 7
Miami 103  Celtics 84 Miami wins series 4-3
NBA Finals
Thursday June 1st 8:30pm on ABC Heat vs Nuggets in Denver, CO

NHL
West Final Game 6
Golden Knights 6 Stars 0
Vegas wins the series 4-2
NHL Stanley Cup Finals
Game 1 Saturday, June 3
Panthers vs Golden Knights 8pm on TNT

MAN IN POLICE CHASE STILL AT LARGE

A man previously convicted of leading police on a chase while towing a livestock trailer filled with sheep and goats, led police on a pursuit Wednesday in Shamokin and is still at large.  According to the News Item police are seeking 42 year old Jarrett Lee Castelonia who has an active warrant for previously fleeing and eluding police.  City police say they attempted to stop Castelonia on the first block of North Vine Street, even drawing their weapons.  Castelonia then rammed the cruiser with his car and fled, heading onto state Route 125 with police in pursuit until weather conditions caused police to call of the chase in Coal Township.  Northumberland County Communications put out an alert for a red Ford F-350 truck with a green-colored tailgate.  Anyone with information about Castelonia should call Shamokin Police at 570-648-5708.

DUI FOR WILLIAMSPORT MAN WITH CHILDREN IN CAR

A man from Williamsport was arrested for DUI and endangering the welfare of children in Union Township after being stopped by police April 8^th on Route 15 near Murray Street for speeding.  According to the Daily Item, when 34 year old Thomas L. Amons was stopped for speeding by Milton State Troopers, he allegedly smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and tried to conceal a can of beer inside the car.  Police say there were four juveniles in the vehicle ages 7,8,10, and 12, at the time of the incident, and that Amons’ blood alcohol level was found to be .296.  His preliminary hearing is June 8^th.

LOCAL NEWSPAPER NOT PUBLISHING TODAY

Subscribers to the print editions of the Standard Journal and the News Item newspapers will not have a Thursday paper delivered today.  According to Publisher, Amy Moyer, the snag in delivery is due to technical issues at their press plant and they appreciate customers bearing with them as they work to correct it.  Full access to the online editions of each paper will be available for free today to all subscribers and non-subscribers at standard, hyphen, journal dot com and news item dot com.

SU FEATURED ON “THE COLLEGE TOUR” TV SHOW

Susquehanna University was featured this week in an Amazon Prime video program about life on campus at universities across the United States.  According to the school, they were chosen to be featured in Season eight of the show “The College Tour”.  Amazing Race winner Alex Boylan hosts the show that tells the story of schools through a diverse, student led lens.  Ten SU students were selected to share their story on the show that originally premiered in March but can now be seen  Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Tubi.

SUSPECT IN HOMICIDE TRIAL SENTENCED

A Middlecreek Township man who pleaded guilty in April to an attempted homicide in May of 2022, has been sentenced in Snyder County Court.  According to PennLive, 42 year old Justin T. Yerger will spend 10 to 30 years in prison for pulling a gun and shooting at the victim, Chad Howard, and his family, in front of witnesses at the residence where they lived.  Yeager was charged with aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.  He had been incarcerated in lieu of 200 thousand dollars bail since the crime occurred.

MAINTENANCE SHED WILL BE BUILT FIRST AT AIRPORT

CARES Act funding is to be used for a new maintenance building at the Williamsport Municipal Airport after a construction contract for it was recently approved by the Authority there.  According to the Sun Gazette, construction of a planned 10 bay T-hangar facility will be put on hold while they break ground for the maintenance building that will be used for housing snow equipment, trucks and other apparatus.  Airport director Richard Howell says they should start soon since the COVID funding runs out next year.  The 5.3 million dollar project is set to be completed by Lundy Construction.

NEW SHEETZ NEAR BLOOMSBURG

A new Sheetz location opens in Buckhorn today.  According to North Central PA dot com, there will be prize giveaways and a ribbon-cutting around 10:45 am at the 6 Wedgetown Road location just off I-80 near Bloomsburg.  They will offer free self-serve coffee and soda for the entire event.  The new store with 26 parking spaces, features four high flow diesel lanes and DEF for semi trucks.  Customers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to which Sheetz will donate 25 hundred dollars as well as a giving a planned donation to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.

SPEAKER NAMED FOR MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE IN WILLIAMSPORT

US Army Retired Colonel Jack H Jacobs has been invited as a guest speaker this Saturday at the Lycoming County Memorial Day Service at the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park, at West Fourth Street and Wahoo Drive.  Colonel Jacobs is a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, and a Vietnam War combat veteran. According to the co-sponsors of the event, the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park Commission and the Lycoming County Veterans Council Inc, the Service will be held rain or shine at 11 a.m. on Saturday with a tent available.  On Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who died serving in the U.S. Military and who are remembered for their ultimate sacrifices.

SPORTS

PIAA District 4 HS Baseball
Class 2A
  South Williamsport 3         Muncy 0
  Wyalusing  4                       Canton 2
HS Baseball Championships All games @ Bowman Field
Friday
Class A
   Northeast Bradford vs Benton 4pm
Class 3A
   Central Columbia vs Hughesville 6:30pm
Saturday
Class 2A
  Wyalusing vs South Williamsport 12pm
Class 4A
   Montoursville vs Mifflinburg 3pm
PIAA District 4 Softball Playoffs Today All games @ Elm Park
Class A
   St John Neumann vs Canton 3pm
    Montgomery vs Bucktail 4:30pm
Class 4A
    Shamokin vs Jersey Shore 3pm
    Selinsgrove vs Montoursville 4:30pm
MLB
White Sox 6         Guardians 0
Rangers 3             Pirates 2
Phillies 6              Diamondbacks 5
Brewers 4             Astros 0
Twins 7                 Giants 1
Reds 10                Cardinals 3
Orioles 9              Yankees 6
Nationals 5                    Padres 3
Braves 4               Dodgers 3
Tigers 6                Royals 4
Cubs 4                  Mets 2
Marlins 10            Rockies 2
Angels 7               Red Sox 3
Mariners 6            A’s 1

NHL

East Final
Panthers 4           Hurricanes
Florida wins the series
NHL Tonight
West Final Game 4
Golden Knights vs Stars 8pm ESPN
Vegas leads 3-0

RAPE TRIAL FOR MONTOURSVILLE GYM COACH BEGINS TODAY

The two day trial begins today in Lycoming County Court for the Montoursville gym coach charged with rape of a child and other sexual assault charges that stemmed from an incident at the Epidemic Stunt and Tumble Gym in September of 2022.  The gym has since closed.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say George William Scholl lured a fourth grade girl who was a member of a cheerleading squad into an office while at his gym and allegedly committed the assault. Scholl has been out on $150,000 monetary bail since last June.

LOCK HAVEN MAN SENTENCED FOR SELLING METH

A former Lock Haven man who was convicted of selling meth and prescription medication in March has been sentenced to nine years in state prison.  According to North Central PA dot com, 27 year old Kyle James St. Clair, who represented himself at his trial, was given the almost decade long  sentence by Judge Michael Salisbury in Clinton County Court for three counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

METHODIST MEMBER CHURCHES CHOOSE TO LEAVE CONFERENCE

Over 141 member churches took steps to vote to go their own ways, moving away from the United Methodist Church at the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church held in Williamsport. According to the Sun Gazette, reports say most, if not all of the 141 disaffiliations were as a direct result of the stance held by the United Methodist church concerning the ordination of those from the LGBTQ community and the question of same-sex weddings performed by ministers in the church.

LEGION LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO PLACE FLAGS

The Lewisburg American Legion Post 182 are seeking volunteers to place American flags on veterans’ graves this evening.  According to media outlets, volunteers can join others with the American Legion at the Lewisburg Cemetery tonight at 6 p.m. on South Seventh Street when they place about 1,100 flags.  Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to meet at the cemetery entrance. In Northumberland, the American Legion and other volunteers will place flags at veteran’s graves Thursday at 6pm.

RACIAL HARASSMENT TRIAL DISMISSED IN FEDERAL COURT

A civil rights suit against Jersey Shore Schools has been dismissed in US Middle District Court after a judge said school leaders there are not culpable for the alleged environment of racial harassment suffered by the plaintiff and their family.  The court determined the district’s response to the family’s complaints leading up to the lawsuit were reasonable; such as family meetings with faculty and disciplinary actions.  According to PennLive, the family of the black student who relocated from the Jersey Shore School District is eligible to file an amended complaint of the suit, but he only recommended it if there were new allegations within the dismissed lawsuit.

WASHINGTONVILLE COPPER THIEVES SOUGHT BY POLICE

Police are seeking two suspects who stole copper pipe from a home in Washingtonville. According to North Central PA dot com, State troopers say the men broke into the home at 27 Water Street May 16^th at about 8:35 am and were seen leaving the residence after the theft.  One man goes by “Curtis” and is about 6’1” with short brown hair and average build, the other man was called Jake and was wearing a camo army jacket and jeans.  If you have information about the Montour County theft or the suspects, call state police.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM IN UNION COUNTY

The Union County Library System’s Summer Quest reading program starts June 1^st and features several kick-off events at their three locations.  According to a press release from UCLS, the summer reading program runs from June 1 – August 12, with lots of opportunities for all ages to promote reading as well as enjoy a live reptile show, weekly crafts, movie nights, and S.T.E.A.M. activities.  Go online eto UnionCountyLibraries.org/SummerQuest2023 to find out about the events happening at the Herr Memorial Library in Mifflinburg, the Public Library for Union County in Lewisburg and West End Library in Laurelton.

FLY-IN PANCAKE BREAKFAST IN TIOGA COUNTY

This Memorial Day weekend will feature the Canyon Pilots Association annual pancake breakfast at the Grand Canyon Regional Airport this Sunday May 28^th in Tioga County.  According to North Central PA dot com, the breakfast is open to the public from 8am til noon at the corporate hangar at the airport, just west of Wellsboro in Delmar Township where planes will fly-in and the Canyon Country Ultralight Club will have some aircraft on display.  Get details by emailing canyon pilots at gmail dot com.

SPORTS

NBA
East Finals Game 3
Heat 128             Celtics 102
Miami leads the series 3-0

MLB
Mets 5                  Guardians 4 Game 1
Mets 2                  Guardians 1 Game 2
Yankees 4            Reds 1
Phillies 2              Cubs 1
Nationals 6                     Tigers 4
Braves 3               Mariners 2
Diamondbacks 8 Pirates 3
Orioles 8              Blue Jays 3
Brewers 6             Rays 4
White Sox 5                    Royals 2  
Astros 2                A’s 0
Cardinals 10        Dodgers 5
Rangers 13           Rockies 3
Giants 7                Marlins 5
Angels 4               Twins 2
Padres 7               Red Sox 0

NHL
West Final Game 2
Golden Knights 3 Stars 2 /OT Vegas up 2

NASCAR
Kyle Larson picked up the million dollar Sunday night in the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in NC.  Bubba Wallace was second, Tyler Reddick third , Chase Briscoe  4^th, and Chase Elliott rounded out the top 5.
– Kyle Larson is the first to win the All-Star race at three different tracks – previously at Charlotte in 2019 in Texas in 2021
– 11th win for Hendrick
– Larson is only the 4^th  driver to win the All-Star race 3 times; Jimmie Johnson won 4,  Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt also won 3.

GOLF
46 year old Michael Block, head pro at a public golf club in California, drilled a hole-in-one to seal a remarkable performance at the PGA Championship Sunday at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.  Block finished 15^th – enough to stamp his ticket to the 106th edition of the major next year and earning  $288,333 in prize money. Bruce Koepka finished the PGA Championship at -9 for his 5^th major.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER TO PLEAD GUILTY FOR BANK FRAUD

Two women who worked at a credit Union in Northumberland County have recently plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in federal court.  According to North Central PA dot com, 58 year old Mindy Plasters and her daughter, 35 year old Brittany Aikey, both of New Columbia told the court they took close to $1 million over the eight-year period Northumberland Union County Credit Union (NUCCU) in Milton.  The pair said they lied about financial information on member applications for loans and took cash advances using member’s MasterCard accounts.  Plasters and Aikey were indicted last June and await sentencing in United States Middle District Court.

MAN CHARGED FOR IMPERSONATING GAME COMMISSION AGENT

A Williamsport man is facing charges of impersonating a public servant after police say witnesses claim he was checking licenses of people fishing in Lycoming Creek April 1^st .  According to North Central PA dot com, 65-year-old David Butters allegedly approached a group of men and demanded to see their licenses without authority, however he told a neighbor he worked for the PA Fish and Game commission.  PA Fish and Game Commission officials say he never worked for them.  Butters also faces charges of interference of lawful fishing with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 21^st.

MATULEWICZ WILL APPEAR ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

Despite missing the deadline in March for appearing on this week’s Primary Election ballot, Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewicz  secured the votes and will appear on the November ballot as  the Democratic nominee.  According to voter services, Matalevitz garnered 739 write-in votes. He will now face Michael O’Donnell in the fall for the DA seat. O’Donnell ran unopposed in the Primary for the Republican nomination.

GIRLS WRESTLING IS A SANCTIONED SPORT IN PA

Girls Wrestling has just been sanctioned as a PIAA Sport as of yesterday morning.  Accordin got the Sun Gazette, the PIAA Board of Directors voted unanimously at the final reading of the vote that got started with positive momentum several years ago.  The number of schools required for the PIAA to consider a sport to sanction is 100, and now Pennsylvania is the 38^th state to have girls wrestling with 111 teams across the commonwealth as of this year.  It’s available in all 12 Districts, with Hughesville putting a girls team together last year to join teams from Athens, Benton, Central Mountain, Hughesville, Milton, Montgomery and Williamsport.  Loyalsock, Jersey Shore, South Williamsport and North Penn-Liberty include girls in their programs, as well.

TWO GARAGE FIRES MONDAY

Two West Buffalo Township garage fires happened in union county Monday, but no cause of the incident has been announced.  The first fire was at about 4:30 pm Monday at a garage at a home on Skunk Hollow road and Route 45.  The second fire Monday was also a garage structure in the area of Stony Creek Lane and Buffalo Road. According to media outlets, first responders arribed to the blaze around 7:15 pm, which was fully engulfed, and witnesses say the smoke from the fire could be seen for miles. A second alarm was called soon after, but no injuries were reported.

ELYSBURG UNDER BOIL WATER ADVISORY

A boil water advisory is in place for the Elysburg area of Northumberland County after a water main break is being repaired.  According to Aqua Wter Company, over 1,300 customers affected in northern Ralpho Township and northeastern Shamokin Township. DEP regulations require the boil water advisory to be in place until at least Friday. Crews are investigating what led to the water main break, and customers may experience low water pressure as the system recovers from the repair.  Residents with questions can call  877.987.2782.

DEMOCRATS PREVAIL IN THE PA HOUSE

As of this week’s special election in the primaries, Democrats have the advantage in the PA House on the upcoming agenda on abortion, gun rights and election law legislation.  In the House, Heather Boyd won and now represents the Philadelphia suburbs, beating Republican Katie Ford, giving Democrats the minimum to control the chamber – 103.  Republican Michael Stender won his election in the primaries yesterday for the vacant House seat in Central PA, giving the GOP 101 seats.  According to PennLive, 1^st term democratic governor, Josh Shapiro will have at least one chamber to aid his agenda going into the final month of budget negotiations.  Republicans still control the PA Senate.

SPRINGFEST AT HILLS CREEK STATE PARK SUNDAY

Families can go to Tioga County this Sunday for Springfest at Hills Creek state park, to participate in a variety of outdoor activities for free, rain or shine.  According to step outdoors.org, the event will feature paddling sports with kayak club members offering equipment to borrow and volunteers on hand to help.  Other groups at springfest will include Pine Creek Headwaters group, Pheasants forever and more with Trout Unlimited Tiadaghton Chapter 688 volunteers providing fly tying  materials and equipment free of charge. Families can bring bikes to ride with helmets and food is available at the park concession stand from 12 – 3.  Details by emailing [email protected].

SPORTS

HS Baseball
Central Columbia 3       Wyalusing 1
Northeast Bradford 7    Sugar Valley 6 |
Williamsport 13             Milton 7
Cowanesque Valley 13 Millville 12
Jersey Shore 16             Shamokin 6
Loyalsock 4                             Danville 3  
Montgomery 14             Towanda 13
Southern Columbia 16   Line Mountain 4
Warrior Run 14             Muncy 3
Shikellamy  13               Wellsboro 2
Waverly 9                      South Williamsport 4

HS Softball
Bald Eagle Area 7                   Jersey Shore 5
Wellsboro 14                 Coudersport 4
St. John Neumann 14    Millville 4
South Williamsport 10 Northeast Bradford 5
Danville 6                      Southern Columbia 5
N. Penn Liberty 12        Addison 3
MLB

White Sox 7       Guardians 2
Pirates 8              Tigers 0
Dodgers 7           Twins 3
Rockies 11          Reds 6
Diamondbacks 5 A’s 3
Giants 7               Phillies 4
Royals 4              Padres 3
Orioles 3             Angels 1
Marlins 4            Nationals 3
Blue Jays 3         Yankees 0
Red Sox 12         Mariners 3
Mets 8                 Rays 7
Cardinals 3         Brewers 0
Braves 6              Rangers 5
Astros 7               Cubs 6
NBA
East Finals Game 1
Heat 123 Celtics 116
NBA Tonight
West Finals Game 2 @8:30pm on ESPN,
Nuggets vs Lakers in Denver (Denver leads 1-0)
NHL
East Final Game 1
Panthers vs Hurricanes @8pm on TNT from Raleigh, North Carolina