ROAD RAGE INCIDENT

A Danville man is facing charges for flashing a 9mm handgun at driver from New York State in a vehicle along Route 15 in Union County last month.  According to North Central PA dot com, the victim told state troopers that he accidentally merged near a F-150 truck driven by 45 year old David Andrew Hess about 3:30pm on March 30^th causing Hess to brake check the man and pull the handgun until the victim pulled over.  Police say Hess pulled into a gas station in New Columbia and turned around pulling back out onto Route 15 north.  During an investigation Hess admitted to showing the gun to the victim who was with his wife and two young children.  Hess was charged with felony aggravated assault, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, and more with bail set at 75 thousand dollars and a preliminary hearing May 23^rd.

WATER MAIN BREAK IN WILLIAMSPORT

There was work last night on a water main break on Alvin Avenue in Williamsport just south of Ritchey Street that may or may not affect the water pressure or access to water in the area today.  According to the Sun Gazette, a section of the street was dug to do an evaluation of the extent of damage in the 6 inch cast iron pipe, how long a repair would take and if there would be loss of water use at all.  The decision was based on whether the problem was a circular break or a crack since a crack would take many more hours to repair.  Watch for a section of the street around the road work to be closed if work continues today.

HAZMAT TRAINING AT UPMC WILLIAMSPORT

Training for HAZMAT and mass casualty response will be taking place this morning at UPMC Williamsport at 700 High Street.  According to North Central Pa dot com, hospital officials want to reinforce that the emergency preparedness planning, which involves setting up tents and other equipment, is only training and the community should not be alarmed.  Watch for UPMC and Susquehanna Regional EMS to be in the 699 Parking lot near the Emergency area from 7am through 5pm today.

EAGLE WATCH AT LITTLE PINE STATE PARK SATURDAY

The public is invited to watch bald eagles this Saturday at the Eagle Watch at Little Pine State Park.  According to the Lock Haven Express binoculars and a spotting scope will be provided to observe some of the eagles that make their home in Little Pine Creek Valley.  All children must be accompanied by an adult to participate.  Those interested should meet Saturday at the Eagle Watch at 4205 Little Pine Creek Road in Waterville at 9:30am.

WOMAN CHARGED FOR TWO SPITTING INCIDENTS

A woman from Milton was arrested on March 13^th for spitting on a state trooper during a domestic incident in Kelly Township, and during her booking at the prison facility, she allegedly spit on a corrections officer and received more charges.   According to North Central PA dot com, 37 year old Kimberly Mae Dieffenderfer had previously been charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, DUI and more, but now faces felony aggravated assault by a prisoner, and a judge has set bail at five thousand dollars.  She remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison.

THREE SELINSGROVE COUNCIL MEMBERS RESIGN

Three Selinsgrove council members have submitted individual letters stating their intent to  resign after they feel they have had to endure an uncomfortable and unprofessional environment on the council. Separate letters from Council President Marvin Rudnitsky, and council members Sara Lauver and Christopher Kalcich were submitted to borough Solicitor Robert Cravitz just before last Monday’s public meeting.  According to the Daily Item, Vice President Richard Mease and council members Bobbie Owens, Scott Frost and Sara Maul remain and some have only speculated as to why the three left all at once.

SENATOR BOB CASEY TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION

Democratic US Senator, Bob Casey announced his bid for reelection Monday, a successful run would mean his fourth term in office.  According to a press release, Casey points to the successful landmark legislation that has come about in the Democratic controlled Congress, like spending on infrastructure, reinvigorating the domestic semiconductor industry, subsidizing hydrogen fuel plants and lowering drug costs for Medicare recipients. Casey aligns with labor unions and President Biden.  He turns 63 this week.

CUTTERS TO CELEBRATE THE POTATO CAPER

Williamsport Crosscutters celebrated the Great Potato Caper last year by inviting the man responsible, Dave Bresnahan, back for the 35^th anniversary of the trick that got him kicked out of the league, but secured his place in baseball history.  Now the Cutters will spend some of this season wearing the  new and specially designed jerseys and hats assuming the identity of the Potato Capers for all six of the Friday night home games, in honor of Bresnahan’s throw of a peeled potato during the game instead of a baseball.  Watch crosscutters.com for a full promotional schedule to be released at the end of the month.

SPORTS

HS Baseball
South Williamsport 9    Montoursville 4
HS Boys Tennis
Loyalsock 5          Bloomsburg 0
Danville 3             Montoursville 2
Jersey Shore 4      Milton 1
College Baseball
Lycoming College 8 Kings 5
MLB
Guardians 3                   Yankees 2
White Sox 4          Twins 3
Orioles 5              Athletics 1
Astros 8               Pirates 2
Rays 1                  Red Sox 0
Phillies 15             Marlins 3
Mets 5                  Padres 0
Braves 5               Reds 4
Cubs 3                  Mariners 2
Rangers 11           Royals 2
Rockies 7              Cardinals 4
Nationals 6           Angels 4  
Diamondbacks 3   Brewers 0
Dodgers 9             Giants 1

NHL
Stars 6                  Red Wings 1
Maple Leafs 2      Panthers 1
Sabers 3                Rangers 2
Senators 3           Hurricanes 2
Capitals 5             Islanders 2
Jets 6                   Sharks 2
Wild 4                  Blackhawks 2
Predators 3          Flames 2
Kraken 4              Coyotes 1
Kings 3                 Canucks 0

NBA Tonight
NBA Play-In East and West
Hawks and Heat @ 7:30pm on TNT
Timberwolves and Lakers @ 10pm TNT

WILLIAMSPORT MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER DENIED BAIL

An incarcerated man charged with rape, attempted murder and other assault charges, has been denied bail again in a Lycoming County Court.  According to the Sun Gazette, 24-year-old Unique Terrell Robinson’s alleged victim testified in court that Robinson had cut her throat with a knife during the assault January 2^nd and she was fearful of Robinson.  Judge Ryan Tira denied his request for bail that had originally been denied in January during his preliminary hearing.  Robinson remains in custody at the Lycoming County Prison with nine counts held for court.

TEEN WHO TREATENED LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL SENTENCED

A teenager from Williamsport has been sentenced to over 5 months in prison and 2 years of probation for threatening to shoot up Loyalsock Township School while on the phone with several students there last December.  According to Penn Live, 18 year old Dejuan Angel Rivera, was sentenced by President Judge Nancy Butts after pleading guilty to terroristic threats last month.  Rivera is also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.  Prior cases of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and disorderly conduct were also resolved by the current sentence.

FIRE DISPLACES EAST END FAMILY

Another family in Williamsport has been displaced by fire.  According to the Sun Gazette, a two-alarm fire broke out at 838 Tucker Street in the East End of the City at about 2:30 am Tuesday, and three adults, two children and a cat escaped the burning home.  City Fire officials say the fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, which was found in the walls of the home with smoke pouring from the attic as well.  Montoursville and Old Lycoming Fire departments responded to the blaze and the Red Cross is assisting the family who was left homeless by the fire that remains under investigation.

PA VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE MAY 1, 2023

Pennsylvania residents are reminded to make sure they are prepared for the May 16^th municipal primary, by checking their voter status and registering before May 1^st, 2023.  To be eligible, you must be a US citizen for one month before the primary, a resident of PA and a resident of the district in which you will vote for 30 days and 18 years old on or before Election Day.  Pennsylvania is a closed primary, meaning Republicans and Democrats only are allowed to choose their own party’s nominees.  Go to Lyco.org to check your voter status.

NEW CHARGES ADDED TO CAREGIVER IN FORGERY AND THEFT CASE

A woman who cared for an elderly couple beginning in October of 2018, who was charged with felony forgery and aggravated assault for cashing checks and using funds from their accounts and mixing poison into their cigarette tobacco plead guilty yesterday in Northumberland County Court.  According to the Daily Item, charges against 41 year old Tina Marie Young were amended yesterday to include the poisoning charge from an incident investigators say happened in June of 2019.  Young is free on 100 thousand dollars unsecured bail.

MIFFLIN COUNTY MAN GIVEN 84 MONTHS IN STATE PRISON

A man from Mifflin County has been sentenced to 7 years in state prison for an August 2022 burglary at Peters Marine in Mill Hall, the maximum sentence possible.  According to the Record Online, police say 48 year old Daniel Elroy Powell attempted to steal a motorcycle from a shed at the business on Eagle Valley Road, but couldn’t start it, causing damage to other equipment on the property.  Powell was ordered to pay restitution to the victim and is eligible for parole in 12 months.

100K GRANT AWARDED TO COUNTY CORONER

One hundred thousand dollar grant for the purchase and development of a new building for the Lycoming County Coroner was awarded  to the office and according to the Sun Gazette, Coroner, Charles Keissling, Jr. said that Representative Jamie Flick of South Williamsport  and Representative Joe Hamm of  Hepburn Township were instrumental advocates for the much-needed funding.  Flick recently announced the grant made possible through the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act which provides gaming revenue distributions for projects of public interest in the state. Talks of a new facility for the county coroner have been taking place for years; Keissling says he hopes the grant will expedite the project.

BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL FOR SOLAR COMMUNITIES IN PA

In a creative solution to try and maintain reasonable utility costs, a bipartisan proposal is now in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that would allow Pennsylvania to join 22 other states that allow “community solar” projects giving solar access for all Pennsylvanians whether they have panels on their property or not. According to the Capital Star, the bill is sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown, a Republican from Monroe County and it could green light over 230 community solar projects, including 5 in Lycoming County. According to the website EnergySage, community solar programs can save participants between 5% to 15% off their typical electricity bills , create more than 12,000 jobs statewide, and generate $1.8 billion in economic activity in the state.

SPORTS

HS Softball
Montoursville 8                    Central Columbia 7
Selinsgrove 1               Jersey Shore 0
Warrior Run 4              Bloomsburg 1
Midd-West 9                Hughesville 5
Williamsport 6             Central Mountain 5
HS Baseball
Selinsgrove 15             Shikellamy 5
Northwest 17               Sullivan County 4

MLB

A’s 4                    Guardians 3
Diamondbacks 8         Padres 6
Cubs 12                       Reds 5
Marlins 1                     Twins 0
Phillies 4             Yankees 1
Rays 10               Nationals 6
Pirates 4              Red Sox 1
Brewers 9            Mets 0
Blue Jays 4                  Royals 1
Braves 4              Cardinals 1
Orioles 7             Rangers 2  
Tigers  6                      Astros 3
Mariners 11                 Angels 2
Dodgers 5                   Rockies 2

NBA   Raptors 120               Hornets 100
Heat 118                    Pistons 105
Cavaliers 117            Magic 113
Bucks 140                 Wizards 128  
Timberwolves 107  Nets 102
76ers 103                   Celtics 101
Hawks 123                Bulls 105
Rockets 124             Nuggets 103 
Grizzlies 119            Trailblazers 109
Kings 121                  Pelicans 103
Lakers  135               Jazz 133
Warriors 136             Thunder 125
Suns 115                    Spurs 94
NHL
Hurricanes 3                         Senators 2
Panthers 2                  Sabers 1
Red Wings 5             Canadians 0
Devils 5                     Penguins 1
Maple Leafs 4           Blue Jackets 2
Predators 3                Golden Knights 2
Blues 4                       Flyers 2
Blackhawks 4           Flames 3
Kraken 5                    Canucks 2
Oilers 3                      Kings 1
Avalanche 4             Sharks 3

PPL RESTORES ELECTRIC AFTER GUSTY WEEKEND

All electrical outages under PPL’s jurisdiction have been restored according to their outage map this morning. High winds this weekend gusted up to 55 miles per hour brought down limbs and trees, stripped siding from homes and had Central Pennsylvania  emergency crews clearing roadways of downed poles and wires in some areas.  According to the Sun Gazette, in Williamsport the exterior overhang at the front of Tony’s Deli on Washington Boulevard was brought down by the windy conditions. No injuries were reported – the store was not open at the time.

TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT SHUTS DOWN I-80 EAST

Both Lanes of eastbound I-80 were closed this morning after a tractor trailer accident occurred there around 4am this morning.  According to PennDOT, there are no specific details about the crash but the interstate was shut down eastbound between mile marker 178 – the Route 220 Lock Haven exit and mile marker 210, the Route 15 south, Lewisburg exit.  Go online to check 511pa dot com 24/7 to find out all Pennsylvania road conditions.

WILLIAMSPORT SPRING CLEAN UP STARTING APRIL 10

The annual spring clean-up in Williamsport is on the way this month, and residents will be able to place yard debris at the curb for pick up.  According to Mayor Derek Slaughter, between Monday April 10^th and Sunday April 16^th, property owners can collect loose limbs, leaves, plant, and shrub clippings and place it along a main Street in the city for pick-up, but no debris will be collected from alleyways and side streets due to the size of the collection equipment.  NO grass clippings will be accepted and there will be on collection only.  If residents miss the collection time, yard debris can be brought to the brush pile at 1550 West Third Street.  Placing yard debris is only permitted in Williamsport during the designated pick-up days. 

NEW ROOF FOR WILLIAMSPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT

After years of patching the roof when necessary at the Williamsport Bureau of Fire headquarters on Walnut Street, a contract to replace it has been approved by the Williamsport City Council. According to the Sun Gazette, a fabric roofing system that meets the city’s energy codes will be installed by Hillside Roofing of Allentown for just over 75 thousand dollars, which will come from facility maintenance in the capital budget. The new roof will dispel rainwater and snowmelt as well as deflect sun and ultraviolet rays. Fire Chief Sam Aungst said the fire headquarters was originally built in 1979 and has been leaking over the years.

WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT FILED BY INMATE’S MOTHER DISMISSED

A federal lawsuit filed by Sherry Beers,  the mother of a Northumberland County Jail inmate who took his life while incarcerated there in 2021, was dismissed by a federal judge. As reported by the Daily Item, Chief United States District Judge Matthew W Brann granted the county’s motion to dismiss, without prejudice. According to reports, Brann indicated that the lack of staffing or training is not either a policy or custom but an unfortunate state of affairs.  Beers had been seeking damages in excess of $225,000.

FUNDING IN CITY TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS

With funding from the Williamsport Department of Community and Economic Development and help from non-profit agencies in the area, a plan for over 880 thousand dollars is available from the Williamsport City Council to address the concern of homelessness in the city.  According to the Sun Gazette, the city will behave as a pass-through for the funding allowing various organizations to submit proposals for use of the funds and use them in the best way.  Non-profits such as YWCA, American Rescue Workers and STEP Inc would be funded to help those most affected by the problem of homelessness.

FIRST FEMALE WARDEN AT LEWISBURG

The US Penitentiary at Lewisburg has hires their 30^th warden and the first female to lead the facility. According to the Daily Item, 43 year old Jessica Sage had worked as a staff psychologist at the Union County prison in 2013 and set her sights then on becoming the warden – which officially took place February 27^th.  Sage is one of only 27 female wardens in the Bureau of Prisons and began her career in Tucson in 2009 . She’s in charge at the US Penitentiary at Lewisburg, known as The Big House, which houses just over 1,000 total male inmates.

COUNTIES ADDED TO SPOTTED LANTERNFLY QUARANTINE

Clinton and Clearfield Counties were added to the list of counties under a quarantine for spotted lanternfly the quarantine covers 51 of the Commonwealth’s 67 counties. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, residents are encouraged to remove and scrape egg masses before they hatch, which usually occurs in May-June.  Ag Secretary Russell Redding said spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that is disruptive and damaging to Pennsylvania’s agriculture commodities and a nuisance pest for all Pennsylvanians.

SPORTS

NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship
LSU 102             Iowa 85
NCAA Men’s Basketball
San Diego State 72  Florida Atlantic 71
UConn 72 Miami  59
NCAA Men’s Championship tonight
San Diego State vs UConn  9:20 PM on CBS from Houston, TX

NASCAR
Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, VA – Kyle Larson took the checkered flag followed by  Chase Elliot, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell and Kevin Harvick rounding out the Top 5.

NBA
Raptors 128        Hornets 108
Nets 111              Jazz 110
Bulls 128            Grizzlies 107
Trailblazers 107 Timberwolves 105
Hawks 132          Mavericks 130
Knicks 118         Wizards 109
Magic 128           Pistons 102
Spurs 142           Kings 134
Lakers 134          Rockets 109
Suns 128             Thunder 118
Cavaliers 115     Pacers 105
Bucks 117           76ers 104
Nuggets 112       Warriors 110

NHL
Rangers 5            Capitals 2
Bruins 4              Blues 3
Hurricanes 2       Islanders 1
Blue Jackets 4     Senators 3
Penguins 4          Flyers 2
Red Wings 5       Maple Leafs 2
Jets 6                   Devils 1
Flames 5              Bucks 4
Kings 4                Canucks 1
MLB
Guardians 6        Mariners 5
Nationals 4         Braves 1
Rays 5                 Tigers 1
Red Sox 9           Orioles 5
Yankees 6           Giants 0
Mets 5                 Marlins 1
Reds 3                 Pirates 1
White Sox 6        Astros 3
Twins 7                 Royals 4
Cardinals 9         Blue Jays 4
Brewers 9             Cubs 5
Angels 6               A’s 0
Diamondbacks 2   Dodgers 1
Padres 3               Rockies 1
Rangers 2            Phillies 1

VIOLENT CRASH SHUTS DOWN EAST THIRD STREET

State police are investigating a crash that happened on East Third Street yesterday around 1:30pm and sent one driver to the hospital.  According to the Sun Gazette, witnesses say a three car collision happen at Westminster Drive with one of the cars, a Mazda, flipping up in the air and landing on its roof.  Crews from Loyalsock Township and South Williamsport responded to the scene and extricated the driver from the Mazda and transported her to UPMC Williamsport.  No one else was hurt in the crash.

MURDER CHARGES THROWN OUT

Third degree murder charges against a 21 year old Williamsport woman who gave birth to a premature baby at home, who later died, have been thrown out by a Williamsport district judge, but charges of felony endangering the welfare of a child were upheld.  According to the Sun Gazette, District judge Christian Frey said no evidence supports that Chemari Truax acted with malice in the death of the baby, there were only her reactions to a confusing, unanticipated birth at home. Truax called the hospital that night and brought the infant to the ER an hour after delivery, however resuscitative efforts were not successful.  Truax is free on bail.

TEEN SUFFERS FROM SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT

A teenager from Williamsport suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his hand Wednesday just after 3:30pm.  According to the Sun Gazette, Williamsport police say the accidental shooting happened at the 900 block of Poplar Street that brought paramedics to the scene and transported the boy to UPMC Williamsport.  City police originally thought there was more than one party involved in the shooting, but are now trying to determine who owns the gun and how the minor had the weapon in his possession.  

NO MORE INPATIENT SERVICES AT UPMC LOCK HAVEN

UPMC Lock Haven will no longer be admitting patients to the hospital as inpatients, instead transitioning the facility to an Emergency Outpatient Emergency Department this spring.  According to the Lock Haven Express, president of UPMC Lock Haven, Ron Reynolds, said March 29^th was the last day the hospital admitted inpatients and the hospital will begin the transition this Monday.  Reynolds said 18 of 25 employees from the inpatient side of the hospital have moved jobs within the UPMC system, and that Williamsport Regional Medical Center keeps 4-5 inpatient beds open on a daily basis to accommodate patients being treated at Lock Haven’s ER. The hospital will be recognized with the new designation as Emergency Outpatient Emergency Department on April 20^th and the services are to begin April 21^st.

UPCOMING VOTE WILL DECIDE FATE OF LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The fate of the Salladasburg Elementary School building is coming in April when the Jersey Shore area school board will vote on student placement and whether to close one of the three elementary schools in the district.  According to the Sun Gazette, there are three scenarios the school board is considering.  Scenario A which is the only one that closes the Salladasburg building, would move k-3 students to Jersey Shore elementary and grades 4 & 5 go to Avis elementary.  Scenario B Jersey Shore gets all students in grades 3-5 and Avis and Salladasburg would each take half the k-2 grade students.  Scenario C would keep all the buildings k-5, but students would be shifted to other buildings for equal class sizes.  The board will meet April 24^th to discuss the scenarios and vote.

SECOND FLOOR APARTMENT NEAR IUP COLLAPSES

Twelve people were injured after the second floor of an off-campus apartment at Indiana University of Pennsylvania collapsed Saturday night.  According to State police and social media the apartment was about a mile from campus and the floor caved in just before midnight.  It’s not clear whether all the people who were injured were IUP students – but police say everyone inside the apartment escaped – some having to break windows to get out of the structure.  Seven people were hospitalized and are being evaluated after the accident.  State police are investigating the cause of the collapse.

ACCIDENT VICTIM CAN FILE PUNATIVE DAMAGES

A woman from Nebraska who was seriously injured in the multi- vehicle pile-up in Clinton County along I-80 in December of 2020, will be allowed to pursue punitive damages in federal court.  According to the Sun Gazette, Bianca Armbruster says in a court filing that the defendants did not drive with proper vigilance or at a safe speed during the snow squall conditions that caused 64 cars and trucks to collide and become stranded in winter conditions.  Two people died in the ordeal and 22 were hurt, including Armbruster.  She is seeking in excess of 75 thousand dollars from the drivers of four rigs the woman said overrode her Jeep on the interstate during the accident.  Nine others are named in the suit but unidentified.

PA LANDMARK TO BE FEATURED ON GHOST HUNTERS

A Pennsylvania landmark will be featured on an upcoming episode of Ghost Hunters on the Travel Channel.  According to PennLive, Lehigh Valley news dot com reports that the George Taylor Mansion built in Catasauqua, Lehigh County in 1768, will be the focus of the May 4 episode.  Recent visitors claim to see ghostly presences in the home, one said to be Taylor himself, who was an Irishman and Philadelphia resident who was an original signer of the Declaration of Independence.  The episode will feature the investigation of the claims done by the Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS).

SPORTS

NCAA Basketball News
Penn State hired a new men’s basketball head coach yesterday. Mike Rhoades is the former head coach of VCU in Richmond, Va and a Pennsylvania native from Mahanoy City.  Rhoades has produced a 373-189 record, seven NCAA Tournament and nine national postseason appearances across 19 seasons as a head coach. 

NCAA Men’s Basketball Final 4 Saturday, April 1
Florida Atlantic vs San Diego State 6pm on CBS
Miami vs UConn 8:45pm on CBS
NCAA Men’s Championship Monday 9:20pm on CBS

Women’s Basketball News – Iowa star Caitlin Clark was awarded Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year yesterday.  Throughout the NCAA tournament so far, Clark had 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in the No. 2 Hawkeyes’ Elite Eight victory over the No. 5 Louisville Cardinals, a win that sent Iowa to the Final Four for the first time since 1993.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Final 4 Friday, March 31
Virginia Tech vs LSU 7pm on ESPN
South Carolina vs Iowa 9pm on ESPN
NCAA Women’s Championship Sunday 3:30pm on ABC

NBA
Bucks 149                    Pacers 136
Nets 123                       Rockets 114
Knicks 101                   Heat 92
76ers 116                      Mavericks 108
Lakers 121                    Bulls 110
Clippers 141                Grizzlies 132
Thunder 107                Pistons 106
Jazz 128                        Spurs 117
Kings 120                     Trailblazers 80
Suns 107                      Timberwolves 100

NHL
Panthers 3           Maple Leafs 2
Islanders 2          Capitals 1
Wild 4                 Avalanche 2

FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH

A Mifflinburg man was thrown from a motorcycle and killed after a crash Sunday evening in Union County.  According to state police at Milton, 34 year old Tyler Reichenbach was traveling west at a high rate of speed along Route 45 and crested a hill in Lewis Township at the same time a car turned into Reichenbach’s path  when entering a driveway.  The Union County Coroner said Reichenbach was fatally struck before he was thrown from the motorcycle, but no other injuries were reported.

CLOTHING COLLECTION FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES IN SUNBURY

After the two alarm fire disrupted the lives of four families Sunday in Sunbury, some area organizations and businesses are organizing to collect clothing for them.  According to WNEP, Sweet Chaos, located on Market Street in Sunbury, is holding a clothing collection for two of the families during their normal business hours and Good Will Hose Company is also hosting a clothing and toys collection for the other two families who also have a dog. There is more information about the needs of the families through links on the Facebook page, “Stay Sunbury Informed and Beyond”.  Two people were hospitalized and over ten others left homeless when a fire tore through a home on Miller Street, also damaging the neighboring homes.  Sunbury fire officials say the blaze was not suspicious.

FLAGS AT HALF-MAST FOR EXPLOSION VICTIMS

Governor Shapiro has ordered Commonwealth flags to fly at half-mast to honor the seven people who died from the powerful explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory in West Reading Pennsylvania Friday afternoon, as reported by the Daily Item.  Rescue dogs did find one woman alive in the rubble Saturday, but authorities did not release more information beyond that out of the 10 injured patients treated, two were transferred to other facilities, two others admitted and the others had been discharged. State authorities are still trying to determine the cause of the blast.

BRIDGE WORK SHIFTS TRAFFIC

Residents are experiencing traffic changes as construction work is underway on Route 220 west of Williamsport.  According to PennDOT, the next stage in the bridge work by Glenn O. Hawbaker has brought about a traffic shift to the southbound side of the bridge, making traffic unable to make left turns from Queneshaque Road to Route 220 North.  Motorists will now travel 220 south first then use the U-turn lanes at the former Woodward Township elementary school to proceed northbound.  Traffic from Linden will have to use 220 north to the  Grandview jug handle to go south on 220.  Traffic is down to two lanes at 45 miles per hour through Queneshaque Road and Route 220.

ELECTIRCAL FIRE CLOSES LOYALSOCK MIDDLE

The Loyalsock Township Middle school will be closed today due to a minor electrical fire inside the building.  According to Loyalsock Township School District, the students and staff at the secondary campus will not report today, but the elementary school will operate as normal.  According to school administrators, the Loyalsock Township athletic events will take place as scheduled.

POLICE SEARCH FOR BREAK-IN SUSPECT

There was a break-in to a shed and a nearby home along Route 11 and state police at Montoursville say over two thousand dollars-worth of tools were stolen between January first and March 15^th.  According to North Central PA dot com, an unknown suspect forced their way into a shed in Jordan Township and took an 18 hundred pound winch and also broke into a home stealing other auto parts, tools, ammunition, and other miscellaneous items. If you have any information about a suspect or whereabouts of the items, call Pennsylvania State police at Montoursville.

FEES TO INCREASE AT COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

Fee equality at Commonwealth University has caused the price to go up slightly for undergraduates for next year’s fall and spring semesters.  According to the Press-Enterprise, fees are charged to undergraduates are in addition to tuition and the increase for $22 at Bloomsburg is the smallest increase being assessed between the three schools.  Lock Haven students fee increase is $69 and Mansfield’s increase of $84 has been imposed in a tiered increased over the next two years. Total fees for students at Commonwealth University are now $1,650 per semester and generate 13.5 million dollars in income for the schools.

ROUTE 880 TO SEE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNALS

Temporary traffic changes are coming to Loganton this week which will remain in place a few months to include alternating traffic signals on the roadway through the beginning of the summer.  According to PennDOT, crews involved in a private project east of 880 require signal lights that will flash until April 4^th when the signals transition to full function, forcing an alternating traffic pattern along 880.  PennDOT officials say the work will be in place through June and they will continue to update the public as to when traffic conditions will change.

SPORTS

NCAA Women’s Basketball Elite Eight last night
South Carolina 86       Maryland 75
LSU 54                         Miami 42
Virginia Tech 84          Ohio State 74
Iowa 97                         Louisville 83
NCAA Women’s Basketball Final 4 Friday
Virginia Tech vs LSU at 7pm on ESPN
South Carolina vs Iowa 9pm on ESPN

NBA
Bucks 126                     Pistons 117  
Mavericks 127             Pacers 104
Knicks 137                   Rockets 115
Suns 117                       Jazz 103
Nuggets 116                 76ers 111
Pelicans 124                 Trailblazers 91
Timberwolves 119      Kings 115
Clippers 124                Bulls 112

NHL  
Canadiens 4        Sabers 3
Senators 5           Panthers 2
Islanders  5         Devils 1
Wild 5                 Kracken 1
Avalanche 5        Ducks 1
Oilers 5               Coyotes 4