BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

CITY MAN ASSAULTS HOSPITAL POLICE

A city man who was being treated at UPMC Williamsport last Wednesday for an unknown condition, became combative with a hospital police officer and was arrested on assault charges. According to the Sun Gazette, hospital officials say 22 year old Trevon Wagner was acting erratically from possibly being off of prescribed medication, and while being moved to a secure area, struck the officer escorting him several times allegedly causing  a concussion.  Two other hospital officials had minor injuries.  Wagner was also charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and was committed to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 75 thousand dollars bail.

OZ AND FETTERMAN WILL DEBATE IN OCTOBER

Senate candidate Dr Mehmet Oz’s campaign responded to his Democratic opponent, John Fetterman’s, campaign yesterday, agreeing to the October 25th date for a debate hosted by NextStar Media if conditions were met extending the debate to 90 minutes and other concerns over a closed captioning system Fetterman is using due to auditory processing issues he suffers after a stroke last May. According to Penn Live, the Fetterman campaign responded saying said it will do a standard pre-debate walk-through and that the debate would remain at 60 minutes. The debate will be held in Harrisburg and will be on broadcast on nine Pennsylvania Nextstar affiliates.

CHANGES TO LOYALSOCK 1ST PRECINCT VOTING LOCATION

There’s a polling place change planned for Loyalsock Township’s 1st precinct for the November 8th Election.  According to Lycoming County Voter Services, due to construction at the regular polling place, a temporary location will the the STEP Loyalsock Center for Healthy Aging at 1607 Four Mile Drive. Registered voters in this area should receive notification letters in the near future. The normal location, St Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church will remain the regular polling place for all future elections after this November.

JERSEY SHORE CONSIDERING SERVICE DOG TO ASSIST STUDENTS

Jersey Shore School District Superintendent, Dr. Brian Ulmer, said the school board will be considering whether it would be possible to bring a facility dog to the school to assist with mental health programs in the district.  According to the Sun Gazette, administrators and special education teachers envision using a working dog to help students with anxiety feel calmer during group counselling sessions, assist during episodes of classroom disruption or other creative options.  Teachers say the dog could be purchased with grant funds.  A proposal will be on the next Jersey Shore school board agenda.

WOMAN ARRESTED IN DOMESTIC INCIDENT

An Avis woman has been jailed after police responded to a domestic incident Saturday night at the Econo Lodge on E. Third St in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, when police responded  to the hotel about 12:45 am Saturday, they saw blood on the bedroom and bathroom floors, and also observed 34 year old Megan Rinehart with blood on her clothing.  According to police, Rinehart’s boyfriend had been taken to UPMC Williamsport prior to them arriving to be treated for stab wounds Rinehart allegedly inflicted with a fork.  She has been charged with simple assault and harassment.  She was sent to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 75 hundred dollars bail.

TRUCK DRIVER SUSPECT WHO DUMPED BODY ON I-80 PLEADS GUILTY

The Texas man accused of killing a New York woman and dumping her body at an exit in Union County off of Interstate 80 in February of 2021 has pled guilty to third-degree murder.  According to North Central Pa dot com, the Union County District Attorney says 30 year old Tracy Rollins, a truck driver from Dallas, Texas shot and killed 47 year old Rebecca Landrith of Virginia and left her body near the Mile Run Interchange in West Buffalo Township.  Rollins’ could face up to 80 years in prison, for pleading guilty to third degree murder and abuse of a corpse charges. A trial that had been scheduled for Rollins in October has been canceled.

INSPECTION OF LOYALSOCK CREEK FINDS TOO MUCH SEDIMENT

During a routine inspection in August, the Department of Environmental protection observed an unacceptable amount of sediment in the Loyalsock Creek north of Montoursville, and has issued notices of violation to companies involved in the Marcellus Shale site.  According to the Sun Gazette, some are blaming the problem on Pennsylvania General Energy Company of Warren.  The DEP has classified Loyalsock Creek as an Exceptional Value stream, which is home to the Eastern Hellbender, the state amphibian, and as a result, any degradation at the site is prohibited.  PGE’s site prep work on the banks of the Loyalsock Creek is along Route 87 in Gamble Township.

MULTI-MODAL PROJECT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FROM PENNDOT

PennDOT has announced that applications for transportation improvement projects under the Multimodal Transportation Fund will be accepted through November 14th.  Eligible applicants include municipalities, council of governments, business/non-profit organizations, and others whose projects coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities.  Act 89 established a dedicated Multimodal Transportation Fund that allows for priority investments in any transportation mode.  PennDOT expects to announce grant recipients next year, and funding will become available in July 2023.

SPORTS

PIAA District IV Scoreboard

Girls Soccer
Milton 2                        Mount Carmel 0
Lewisburg 8                  Shamokin 0
Shikellamy 4                Selinsgrove 0
Central Columbia 8     Loyalsock 0
Southern Columbia 1  Bloomsburg 0 (OT)
Midd-West 3                Warrior Run 0

Boys Soccer
Wellsboro 2                 Athens 1 (OT)
South Williamsport 1  Muncy 0
Millville 3                    Montgomery 2
Benton 5                       Sullivan County 1

MLB
Pirates 10            Reds 4
Guardians 5        Angels 3
Giants 4               Braves 1
Phillies 6             Marlins 1
Orioles 6             Nationals 2
Cubs 6                 Mets 3
Yankees 5           Red Sox 3
Diamondbacks 5 Dodgers 3 in 10 innings

NFL tonight
Los Angeles Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 on Prime Video

NCAA Football this weekend
Penn State heading to Alabama Saturday to face Auburn @3:30pm on CBS

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

FORMER WASD PRINCIPAL SEX ASSAULT CASE WILL GO TO TRIAL

A judge has determined the case against Williamsport High School Principal Roger Freed will go to a jury trial, after testimony was heard in district court yesterday in Lycoming County.  According to the Sun Gazette the alleged victim said the incidents began when he was a senior between 2017 and 2018 and continued after graduation, sometimes involving alcohol.  Freed now faces third degree felonies for sexual assault and giving alcohol to a minor.  A trial date has yet to be determined.

MAN TASED IN CRUISER AFTER DOMESTIC ABUSE INCIDENT

A Jersey Shore man is in custody after a domestic incident at a home on North Main Street last Wednesday.  According to the Sun Gazette, Tiadaghton Valley Regional police were called to the scene in Jersey Shore where police say 38 year old Aaron Bitner had punched and beat his wife, and after being handcuffed without incident at his home, later caused a disturbance in the police cruiser while he was being transported. A Taser deployment sent him to the hospital with chest pain, but once he was discharged, he was jailed immediately for a probation violation. Bitner was arraigned Friday and recommitted on simple assault, attempted escape and other charges.

JERSEY SHORE APPROVES REGIONALIZATION AGREEMENT

The Jersey Shore Borough Council met this week and unanimously approved their part of an agreement to officially contribute to the Lycoming Regional Police department.  According to the Sun Gazette, this is the final step in the regionalization with Porter and Old Lycoming Townships.  There was no negative public comment at the meeting Monday about the issue of regionalization that has been polarizing in other townships.  The council also approved a rezoning ordinance for an industrial designation for West Pharmaceutical, and addressed the public’s concern over company truck parking in the borough. 

NEW CHARGES ON OCTOBER WATER BILL FOR CITY

Williamsport’s Water Authority will begin a new series of charges and will have a public meeting for residents impacted by the changes.  According to the Sun Gazette, residential customers will see a line for storm water service on their October bills for $10.  Non-residential customers will pay by non-porous surface area.  The sanitary authority’s public meeting for business, industry and non-profit customers will be at 4pm Wednesday at Trade & Transit Center II, 100 West Third Street in Williamsport. The residential meeting will be at the same place at 7pm Wednesday.  Details and an interactive map can be found at the authority website;  wmwa-wsa.org/stormwater.

LANDLORD THREATENS TENANT WITH GUNS

A Lock Haven couple is facing assault and firearm charges after they threatened a tenant they wanted to evict from their property by showing guns and acting aggressively.  According to North Central PA dot com, William Sean and Candy Jo Laubscher fired shots at the ground and showed guns before they entered the property on German Road September 1st and demanded the tenant leave.  State Police interviewed the Laubscher’s about the incident,  and charged them with first–degree terroristic threats, carrying unlicensed weapons and other charges.  They each posted five thousand dollars monetary bail and will be back in court September 20th for their preliminary hearings.

ALLEGED CAR THIEF FOUND AT LOCAL WALMART, IN CUSTODY

Items police say were taken from a home in Bradford County last May were found in a stolen car this summer in the parking lot of the Montoursville Walmart.  According to State police at Towanda, the driver of that stolen car, 37 year old David Scott Smith of Newberry, Florida, was arrested and recently arraigned for first degree felony burglary and criminal trespassing.  Smith was held on 100 thousand dollars monetary bail and will appear in Lycoming county court September 28th for a preliminary hearing.

NEW PA DRIVER’S LICENSE DESIGN ON THE WAY

PennDOT says they are going to update and enhance the design and security features of the current Pennsylvania Driver’s License starting in November 2022.  According to a press release, the new license products will be phased in both be in use during the transition.  Both the standard and REAL ID will be using the new design and should be completely phased in within four years.  The REAL ID or other federally acceptable identification will be required after May 3rd 2023 to board a flight or enter a federal building.

VETERAN-FARMERS ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS

There are grants available through Governor Wolf’s Farm Bill for Veteran-Farmers who want to grow their business.  According to North Central PA dot com, the PA Farm Bill through the Department of Agriculture can provide up to 10 thousand dollars per framer for food safety, biosecurity planning, equipment of working capital. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture, Pennsylvania is home to more than 7,000 military veterans identified as agricultural producers.

SPORTS

MLB
Pirates 6     Reds 1 – Game 1
Pirates 1     Reds 0 – Game 2
Guardians 3        Angels 1
Phillies 2             Marlins 1
Orioles 4             Nationals 3
Cubs 4                 Mets 1
Yankees 7           Red Sox 6
Braves 5              Giants 1

NFL

Pittsburghs’ TJ Watt does not need surgery on a torn pectoral muscle, according to doctors, after Watt sought a second and third opinion following his injury. However, the Steeler’s star pass rusher could miss six weeks after tearing his left pectoral Sunday during the 23-20 overtime victory with the Bengals.

PIAA Distict 4
Boys Soccer
Danville 6                     Jersey Shore 0
Lewisburg 5                 Shikellamy 0
Selinsgrove 6               Central Mountain 2
Montoursville 3           Mifflinburg 2 (OT)
Central Columbia 3     Loyalsock 0
Southern Columbia 5  Hughesville 1
Williamsport 1             Midd-West 0
Warrior Run 3              Bloomsburg 2

Girls Soccer
Athens 4              North Penn-Mansfield 0
Muncy 7             Sullivan County 0
Benton 11           Montgomery 0Volleyball
Canton 3             Sayre 0
Wellsboro 3        Troy 0

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BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

TWO CAR ACCIDENT INJURES SIX

A two-car accident in Williamsport that also involved a bicyclist, sent six people to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  According to the Sun Gazette, two cars collided at Park Avenue and Walnut Street about 5:30pm.  The two drivers and three minor passengers were injured in the crash.  A man on a bicycle who was also traveling through the intersection, was struck by one of the vehicles after the initial accident and was also injured.  All parties were taken to UPMC Williamsport, but no word on the nature of their injuries or their condition today.

PROPANE LEAK ALONG ROUTE 522 IN SELINSGROVE

A propane leak has been reported and a portion of Route 522 in Selinsgrove was closed down last night around 7pm.  According to emergency services, a leak was reported at K& L Feeds in Selinsgrove and was extremely close to the roadway near the Clifford Road intersection.  A cause of the leak has not been released, but no injuries have been reported.  There is no word on when the section of Route 522 will be reopened.

BALLOT REFERENDUM BEING REMOVED FOR NOVEMBER

In the wake of the arrival of a letter from the State Department, Lycoming County’s Election Board has now voted to remove the recent referendum that was to be placed on the upcoming ballot about using electronic voting systems.  According to the Sun Gazette, the State Department says the local Election Board does not have the authority to place the referendum on the ballot because of a case in Westmoreland Township requiring electronic voting due to the Help America Vote Act, addressing accessibility for the disabled voter. A group of concerned citizens recently presented signature filled petitions asking for the upcoming ballot to contain the question for the voters, on whether to hand count ballots and remove the electronic voting system.

TOP COASTER HONORS FOR KNOEBELS

Knoebels Amusement Park has received top honors for a popular rollercoaster at the park for the fourth year! According to their social media page, The Phoenix is the Golden ticket winner as the top wooden roller coaster in the world according to Amusement Today magazine.  The Knoebel family was in San Antonio Texas to accept the award recently since the ride was brought from the Lone Star State in 1985.  The Golden Ticket award was also given to Knoebels for the best food.

SUNBURY MAN WANTED FOR BLOOMSBURG SHOOTING

Police are seeking Sunbury man who shot another man in the leg while they were at at Bloomsburg bar.  According to media outlets,  they are seeking 21 year old Kenny Meeker who police say was seen on surveillance cameras at the bar on East Main Street shooting a victim in the right knee.  Bloomsburg police say Meeker is facing aggravated and simple assault charges as well as  reckless endangerment.  If you know the whereabouts of Meeker, contact Bloomsburg police 570-784-4155

CONTRACTOR CHARGED FOR TAKING PAY AND NOT WORKING

A Loganton man is free on bail after he was charged with felony theft for failure to honor a construction contract for work to be done.  According to the Sun Gazette, South Williamsport Police say the owner of Black Bear Construction, Dustin Allen Butler, also faces receiving stolen property charges after accepting 14 thousand dollars from a DuBoistown man who hired him to build a garage on Euclid Avenue last February.  Butler was arraigned with bail set at 25 thousand dollars.

MOST PA NURSING HOMES REACH AGREEMENT

A tentative contract agreement has been reached between Comprehensive Healthcare and both Priority and SEIU Healthcare PA.  According to the Sun Gazette, picketing was paused on Friday due to the agreement with 13 out of 14 nursing homes across Pennsylvania however contract details were not released.  The dispute that began the strike on September 2nd, was over pay, benefits and staffing levels.  About 700 union members were involved in the strike, Shenandoah Heights nursing home in Schuylkill County is an independently owned nursing home which has yet to reach an agreement to end their walk-out.

WILLIAMSPORT AIRPORT TOWER TO BE UPGRADED

Improvements to the tower are set to begin soon at the Williamsport Regional Airport.  According to Airport Executive Director, Richard Howell, about 700 thousand dollars in federal funds from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law money and CARES Act funding will be used for a tower upgrades to the windows, energy system improvements and general building rehabilitation.  In other matters at the Regional Airport Authority meeting last week, Howell said the Montour Street project to extend the roadway to the south end of Montoursville is on track, he said about one million dollars in CARES Act funding total has been utilized at the airport.

SPORTS

PIAA District IV

Girls Soccer
Southern Columbia 4 Midd-West 2
Warrior Run 3              Loyalsock 1
Selinsgrove 4               Williamsport 1
Milton 6                       Mifflinburg 2
Central Columbia 6     Hughesville 0

Boys Soccer
Sullivan County 4       Northeast Bradford 2
Wellsboro 8                 North Penn-Liberty 0

Volleyball
Loyalsock 3                  Sugar Valley Rural Charter 0
Wellsboro 3                 South Williamsport 0
Bald Eagle Area 3        Williamsport 0

NFL
Seahawks 17 Broncos 16

NFL Thursday 9/15
Los Angeles @ Kansas City 8:15 on Prime Video.

MLB
Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout homered in his seventh consecutive game Monday night, one shy of the major league record. Ken Griffey Jr., Don Mattingly and Dale Long share the major league record of eight straight games with a home run.

Guardians 5        Angels 4
Astro 7                Tigers 0
Pirates 6              Reds 3
Cubs 5                 Mets 2
Dodgers 6           Diamondbacks 0
Giants 3               Braves 2

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

THE 911 MEMORIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDE, LET FREEDOM ROAR

Let Freedom Roar, the 911 memorial coalition held their annual 911 memorial ride yesterday.  Chaplain of the coalition Reverend Gary Smith was one of the speakers along with other members of the coalition. The rain didn’t dampen the spirits, but solidified the message that after 21 years, Americans in our area for sure still remember that horrible day in 2001.  Spectators including whole families lined the 42 mile route yesterday flying American flags and cheering on the column of riders who departed and returned to the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire department building on Route 54 in Montgomery. 

WOMAN WHO CRASHED INTO MUSEUM AWAITING TRIAL

The woman that crashed her mini-van into the Little League Museum in South Williamsport, this past July, is in jail and is awaiting her court appearance. According to the Sun Gazette, 57 year old Theresa Salazar, 57, of Williamsport had a preliminary hearing before District Magistrate Gary Whiteman last week who rejected the defense’s argument that the additional attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges should be dismissed. Judge Whiteman did dismiss harassment by communication against the woman.

UPCOMING VIGIL FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and there will be a candlelight vigil this week to honor those gone because of suicide, and to open a dialogue about mental health, in the community. The public is invited to gather Wednesday on the front lawn of UPMC Williamsport on High Street from 6 to 7pm. Representatives will be on-hand at the event to offer multiple resources for mental health at the event this week as well as provide the area with community education and outreach for the rest this month.

WOMAN CHARGED FOR LYING ABOUT HUSBAND WITH A GUN

A Jersey Shore woman has been charged with false reports and disorderly conduct after she entered a doctor’s office in Loyalsock Township telling the staff her husband was on the way to the office with a gun to shoot everyone last June.  According to the Sun Gazette, the staff at the River Avenue clinic, evacuated the premises and according to police, when the man arrived he was unarmed and had never made those threats.  Darlene McKean waived her preliminary hearing last week and is free on 5 thousand dollars bail.

HUGHESVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT

A Hughesville man was charged with inappropriate contact with a child less than 5 years of age. According to North Central PA dot com, a Pennsylvania State Police investigation says the mother filed a report in June 2021, that the child had told another family member of the multiple incidents, accusing 25 year old Derek Maggs. Maggs was arraigned on September 6th, with unsecured bail set at 99 thousand dollars . Maggs will have a preliminary hearing on September 16th.

PIPE UPGRADE COMING FOR LAWSHE RUN

Lycoming County Commissioners are putting $1 million dollars into the restabilization of a culvert pipe that feeds into Lawshe Run in Jersey Shore Borough. According to the Sun Gazette, the pipe runs underneath the heavily-traveled Allegheny Street, and is at risk of a total collapse. The project is expected to cost a total of $9 million dollars. Other funding sources are being sought for the project. If the pipe would collapse, it would affect thousands of residents and businesses, in the area.

ILLEGAL BIKES OR ATVS COULD BE SEIZED

A new law that was signed this summer by Governor Wolf about illegal riding of ATVs and Dirt bikes took effect Friday.  According to pa.gov, police who stop people riding illegally on the roads can seize the property and possibly destroy it.  In a measure sponsored by state senator Pat Browne, they say they intend to send a message that breaking the law on illegal operation of the vehicles is not going to be tolerated.

FREE BREAKFAST FOR PA SCHOOL CHILDREN

There will be free breakfast for every child enrolled in Pennsylvania public schools this academic year, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday. According to the Phildelphia Inquirer, the program, costs $21.5 million in state funds, affect 1.7 million children in public, private, and charter schools that participate in the National Free Lunch Program.The program begins Oct. 1 and will last through the end of the school year. It will be paid for through the state’s School Food Services General Fund appropriation, which has extra money from when the federal government provided free breakfast and lunch to all schoolsduring the first two years of the pandemic.

SPORTS

NFL Sunday
Saints 27             Falcons 26
Steelers 23          Bengals 20
Eagles 38            Lions 35
Ravens 24           Jets 9
Commanders 28 Jaguars 22
Browns 26          Panthers 24
Giants 21            Titans 20
Chiefs 44            Cardinals 21
Buccaneers 19    Cowboys 3
NFL tonight
Broncos and Seahawks wrap up Week 1 @8:15 on ABC


MLB

Red Sox 1           Orioles 0
Phillies 7             Nationals 5
Cardinals 4         Pirates 3

Yankees 10         Rays 4
Mets 9                 Marlins 3
Guardians 4        Twins 1
Mariners 8          Braves 7

NASCAR

Bubba Wallace won his second career NASCAR cup series race yesterday in Kansas followed by Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman and  Martin Truex, Jr
Wallace is not among the 16 racing for the title, but yesterday Christopher Bell secured his spot in the next round on points. The other 11 spots are open as the cup series heads to Bristol next Sunday

TENNIS

US Open
19 yr old Carlos Alcaraz of Spain won the US open yesterday by defeating Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 at Flushing Meadows becoming the youngest man now seeded at #1 in men’s tennis history.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS – September 11, 2022

Today marks the 21st Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. Extremists hijacked planes and crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Here in Lycoming County, the 9/11 Coalition will be holding a memorial motorcycle ride that will take bikers along a 42 mile journey, beginning at 3pm. The ride will start from the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company in Montgomery. With the ride, it will also have road delays for motorists. Listen to one of the Backyard Broadcasting stations to get up-to-the-moment traffic reports. The 9/11 Memorial Ride for today, is rain or shine.

Lycoming County Commissioners are putting $1 million dollars  into improving a situation in Jersey Shore Borough, that will see the restabilization of the culvert pipe that feeds into Lawshe Run. The pipe runs underneath the heavily-traveled Allegheny Street, and is at risk of a total collapse. The project is expected to cost a total of $9 million dollars. Other funding sources are being sought for the project. If the pipe would collapse, it would affect thousands of residents and businesses, in the area.

A prison guard from Mount Carmel is now behind bars for institutional sexual assault, that occurred at the Columbia County Prison. Joseph Rogustski was charged with the assault, harassment, and indecent assault on the female inmate. The alleged assault took place on August 31st. The inmate’s fiancé contacted police about the incident and who then promptly initiated the investigation. Bloomsburg state police are continuing the investigation.

A man accused of robbery, stood in front of a judge on Friday morning, in a preliminary hearing. Demetri Carroll, of Philadelphia, was charged with first-degree felony robbery, third-degree robbery, first-degree misdemeanor terroristic threats, theft by unlawful taking and simple assault. However, Judge Ryan Tira dismissed the terroristic threat charges, after prosecutors withdrew that charge. Carroll was initially held on $100,000 monetary bail; but, was modified to unsecured bail on April 19th. The robbery occurred at a home along West Third Street, in March of this year.

Many area counties around Central Pennsylvania, have received election integrity grants through the the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Under Act 88 of 2022, DCED established this program to provide grants to counties for elections administration. The amount of funding each county received was determined by the number of registered voters within the county in the previous primary election. Lycoming County received $366,000; Northumberland County got $298,551.81; Columbia County received $198,195.15; Sullivan County received the smallest amount at $22,529.78. However, Clinton, Snyder, Union and Tioga counties also received grant funds.

A father and son in Williamsport, were arrested for assault, after a confrontation resulted between the two men and another neighbor, along Wildwood Boulevard in June. Donald and Justin Fisher were charged on August 25th, with second-degree misdemeanor simple assault and harassment, and are both scheduled to appear before District Magistrate Christian Frey on October 10th.

According to Northcentral PA dot com, a third Williamsport teacher is being investigated by police for inappropriate contact with a student. Michelle Pulizzi, who formerly taught English at the high school, was allegedly involved with a student, who also was a confidential informant for the police. Pulizzi was implicated after former high school principal, Roger Freed, confirmed to police about the incidents involving Pulizzi and the student. Freed is facing 30 charges of sexual abuse of students. Recently, Chris Yoder was suspended without pay, since last Fall, for similar indiscretions involving students. No charges have been filed against Pulizzi, as of yet.

Motorists that travel along Route 64, near Lamar, in Clinton County; should expect to see delays as construction crews will be setting beams over Fishing Creek, just North of the village. Delays are expected for up to 15 minutes at a time. The $1.8 million dollar project is expected to last until mid-November.

PennDOT crews in Clinton County will be performing numerous maintenance and upgrade needs around the county, this coming week. The Paul Mack Boulevard bridge, just off Route 220 in Lock Haven, is expected to see some bridge repairs. Route 144 (also known as the Ridge Road near Renovo) will have crews performing crack sealing repairs. In addition, crews will be mowing all along Interstate 80, from the Lamar area to near the Jersey Shore exit.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES –

Philadelphia 8, Washington 5

St. Louis 7, Pittsburgh 5

NY Mets 11, Miami 3

NY Yankees 10, Tampa Bay 3

Boston 17, Baltimore 4

Cleveland 6, Minnesota 4

Seattle 3, Atlanta 1

San Francisco 5, Chicago Cubs 3

Chicago White Sox 10, Oakland 2

Milwaukee 5, Cincinnati 1

Colorado 4, Arizona 1

Detroit 8, Kansas City 4

LA Angels 6, Houston 1

LA Dodgers 8, San Diego 4

Toronto 11, Texas 7

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS –

Lewisburg blanked Selinsgrove, 5 to 0

Bloomsburg edged Danville, 3 to 2

Towanda over North Penn – Liberty, 4 to 1

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER –

Milton over Shamokin, 4 to 0

Midd-West over Milton, 4 to 0

Danville over Midd-West, 2 to 1

Wyalusing Valley blanked North Penn-Mansfield, 6 to 0

Troy over Wellsboro, 3 to 0

Central Columbia defeated Bloomsburg, 2 to 0

Hughesville over Selinsgrove, 4 to 1

Mifflinburg defeated Jersey Shore, 7 to 2

Southern Columbia tied Danville, 3 all

Montoursville blanked Loyalsock, 5 to 0

Millville doubled up Sullivan County, 4 to 2

Williamson edged Meadowbrook Christian, 2 to 1 in OT

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER –

Selinsgrove over Mifflin County, 7 to 1

Wellsboro blanked Troy, 6 to 0

Northern Bradford edged North Penn – Liberty, 5 to 3

Athens over Galeton, 3 to 1

South Williamsport defeated Millville, 5 to 1

Sullivan County edged Montgomery, 1 to 0

Williamsport slipped past Warrior Run, 2 to 1

Williamson blanked Towanda, 14 to 0

Danville defeated Benton, 4 to 0

Midd-West blanked Milton, 4 to 0

Benton slipped past Milton, 2 to 1

North Schuylkill over Lourdes Regional, 1 to 0

Nativity BVM blanked Shamokin, 7 to 0

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES –

Berwick(1-2) blew out Abington Heights(0-3), 49 to 0

Northwest Area(3-0) defeated Towanda(1-2), 45 to 12

COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES –

Penn State defeated the Ohio Bobcats, 46 to 10

Lycoming edged Lebanon Valley, 21 to 20

Susquehanna defeated Franklin & Marshall, 30 to 28

VMI defeated Bucknell, 24 to 14

Mercyhurst upended Lock Haven, 49 to 7

Bloomsburg defeated Clarion, 42 to 3

NFL FOOTBALL GAMES TODAY –

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions, 1pm

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals, 1pm

San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears, 1pm

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 1pm

Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers, 1pm

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans, 1pm

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 1pm

Baltimore Ravens at NY Jets, 1pm

Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Commanders, 1pm

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 4:25pm

NY Giants at Tennessee Titans, 4:25pm

Las Vegas Raiders at LA Chargers, 4:25pm

Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25pm

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys, 8:20pm

Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15pm – Monday

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS – September 10, 2022

The Salary Board and the Lycoming County Commissioners are facing ever-demanding issues with keeping employees at a modest rate of pay. The Salary Board, which consists of the commissioners and County Controller, Krista Rogers, met to discuss pay raises for some staff positions at the Lycoming County Pre-Release Center, near Montoursville. At this week’s meeting, the nursing staff at the PRC, were given pay raises, that were retroactive to June 1st.

The Loyalsock Township Area School District is looking for a new school board member, after the board accepted the resignation of Valerie Komarnicki. According to School Board President Carolyn Strickland, the board will accept applications for the open seat until September 28th, with interviews occurring on October 3rd.

A former store manager for a convenience store has been arrested and charged for theft. Nicole Lee, of Spruce Street, Williamsport, is accused of stealing $2300 from the Puff’s store on Washington Boulevard. Lee has since been terminated and was arraigned by a District Magistrate and is free on bail.

A Duboistown man was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at another individual’s head, in what the suspect thought was a “drug deal” taking place near Edgewood and Cochran in the borough. Daniel Smith, 51, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another; after the incident last Saturday evening. Smith was arraigned before Magistrate Christian Frey and jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail.

A Philadelphia man was jailed after a vehicle stop by state police recently in Williamsport. Sharief Clay, 22, was arrested after troopers discovered 48 bags of heroin, three packets of crack cocaine, and a loaded handgun, in a glove compartment of a vehicle. District Magistrate Denise Dieter jailed Clay with no bail set, and is in the Lycoming County Prison.

A Hughesville man was charged with inappropriate contact with a child, who is less than 5 years of age. Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case, after the mother filed a report in June 2021, that the child had told another family member of the multiple incidents that has accused 25 year old Derek Maggs. Maggs was arraigned on September 6th, with bail set at $99,000 unsecured bail. Maggs will have a preliminary hearing on September 16th.

IN SPORTS…

High School Football –

In The Backyard Broadcasting High School Football Game of the Week, the South Williamsport Mounties annihilated Columbia-Montour Vo Tech, 72 to 6. The Mounties are now 2 and 1, on the season. Meanwhile, the Loyalsock Lancers upset perennial favorite Southern Columbia, 27 to 10. It was the first loss by the Tigers, at home in Catawissa, since losing to Lewisburg in 2010.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES –

Athens 55, Wyalusing Valley 7

Bloomsburg 18, Hughesville 14

Canton 35, Wellsboro 0

Danville 69, Central Columbia 0

Dallas 41, Williamsport 20

Elk County Catholic 30, Bucktail 16

Jersey Shore 63, Selinsgrove 0

Mifflinburg 35, Shamokin 21

Milton 42, Midd-West 0

Montgomery 36, Cowanesque Valley 20

Montoursville 24, Lewisburg 21

Mount Carmel 55, Warrior Run 7

Shikellamy 23, Central Mountain 3

Tri Valley 35, Line Mountain 20

Troy 56, North Penn-Mansfield 14

BOYS SOCCER –

Meadowbrook Christian 2, Belleville Mennonite 0

Muncy 1, Millville 1

Northumberland Christian 9, Blair County Christian 0

GIRLS SOCCER –

Meadowbrook Christian 4, Belleville Mennonite 0

Northumberland Christian 9, Blair County Christian  1

GIRLS TENNIS –

Bucktail 4, Cowanesque Valley 1

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES –

Philadelphia 5, Washington 3

Pittsburgh 8, St. Louis 2

Miami 6, NY Mets 2

Tampa Bay 4, NY Yankees 2

Baltimore 3, Boston 2

Cleveland 7, Minnesota 6

Atlanta 6, Seattle 4

Chicago Cubs 4, San Francisco 2

Chicago White Sox 5, Oakland 3

Cincinnati 8, Milwaukee 2

Colorado 12, Arizona 10

Detroit 10, Kansas City 2

Houston 4, LA Angels 3

San Diego 5, LA Dodgers 4

Toronto 4, Texas 3

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES TODAY –

Berwick vs. Abington Heights – 1pm

Towanda vs. Northwest Area – 7pm

COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES TODAY –

Ohio vs. Penn State – Noon

Lycoming vs. Lebanon Valley – 1pm

Franklin & Marshall vs. Susquehanna – 1pm

Bucknell vs. VMI – 1:30pm

Mercyhurst vs. Lock Haven – 6pm

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

SOUTHSIDE LOCKDOWN AFTER PARENT THREAT

An alleged threat from a Clinton County parent who had previously been served a PFA, that he might take a gun to the South Williamsport school when he picked up his kids, sparked lockdowns at three district buildings yesterday.  According to the Sun Gazette, state police took the man into custody a little after 1pm while Central, Rommelt and the junior and senior high schools were locked down for safety.  Police and public safety officers on the scene commended parents and guardians who were alerted to the threat, because they were cooperative and patient while they waited around the block until they could connect with their children. The man who made the threat never was on school grounds and officers have not said whether charges will be filed against him.

DUBOISTOWN MAN THREATENS ANOTHER WITH A FIREARM

A confrontation between neighbors has resulted in a DuBoistown man being taken into custody last Saturday.  According to the Sun Gazette, 51 year old Daniel Smith accused a group juveniles who were gathered at Edgewood and Cochran Avenues of being drug dealers, when the kids returned with their parents to speak with Smith, he brought a gun from inside his residence.  Police say Smith pointed the weapon at Brian Reagan’s head then fired it in the air.  Reagan and his family left his property and called 911.  Smith was arraigned and taken into custody and is in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 150 thousand dollars bail.

FETTERMAN AGREES TO DEBATE OZ

According to Politico John Fetterman, Lt Governor of Pennsylvania, has agreed to one debate against his Republican rival and political novice, Dr. Mehmet Oz some time in October.  Oz has been questioning Fetterman’s health after his stroke last May after Fetterman himself says he has lingering effects of his stroke, like slower auditory processing speed, meaning he can’t respond quickly to what he’s hearing. Details on the debate against the men vying for the US Senate seat vacated by Senator Pat Toomey, will be announced when they are arranged.

VALLEY UNITED WAY TO PROVIDE TUTORS FOR K-12 STUDENTS

The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way and Bucknell and Susquehanna Universities are partnering to offer virtual tutoring for K-12 students in the Susquehanna Valley.  According to a press release, student tutors from the universities will provide virtual sessions on Zoom for up to 2 hours per week for elementary and high school students who need help in Reading or Early Literacy, Math, Science, Literature and English, and History.  There are also Pre-K through 5th grade options for reading and early literacy and math.  Sign up for the United we learn program at  gsvuw.org.

FORMER WASD STUDENT FILES SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

A former Williamsport Area High School student has come forward with allegations that he was sexually abused by another student while on a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with the high school baseball team in 2018, and says district officials covered up the assault.  According to the Sun Gazette, a lawsuit was filed in US Middle District Court this week alleging former district officials, including then-principal Brandon Pardoe, then Assistant Principal Roger Freed and Athletic director Sean McCann and others, knew of the assault by the unnamed John Doe, and that there was video evidence of other assaults on the same trip they asked students to delete after being told of the incident despite being mandated reporters.  Law enforcement officials say the school district has countered with a response, but it is unknown at this time.

FACEBOOK DRUG DEALER ARRESTED

A man conducting drug transactions over Facebook Messenger for several months was arrested after he delivered heroin to a confidential informant and undercover detective three times.  According to North Central PA dot com, 35 year old Dallas Grove from Williamsport arranged to meet with the officers at a local convenience store on West Fourth Street where the drugs were exchanged for marked cash and each time he was followed by police.  Grove was taken into custody and arraigned in Lycoming County District Court August 30th.  He  was released on 85 thousand dollars bail.

BICYCLIST STILL CRITICAL AFTER LAST WEEKEND ACCIDENT

A 61 year old Danville man who was sideswiped by a car while riding a bicycle along Continental Blvd in Montour County August 31st , is still in critical condition according to Geisinger officials.  Police say Larry Robbins of Danville was traveling east on Routes 44 and 54 in Limestone Township when 41 year old Michael Carr of Pottsville, also traveling east in a 2011 Subaru Outback approaching Robbins from behind his bike, drifted onto the south shoulder of the roadway and struck the man.  Robbins flew from his bicycle, both coming to rest in a ditch on the south shoulder .  No word on whether Carr will be charged.

LOCAL STUDENT CHOSEN FOR FFA BAND

A trumpet player from Line Mountain High School has been chosen to play in the National Future Farmer’s of America Band at the 2022 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis in October.  According to the Daily item 16 year old Line Mountain junior Levi Ferster from Dalmatia, who is the president of the Line Mountain Mahantango FFA Chapter in Herndon will perform several times from October 26th to 29th.

LANE RESTRICTION IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT TODAY

There will be a lane restriction today on Route 654 – in South Williamsport for a maintenance project.  According to Penn DOT, the crew will be performing an inlet repair on West Southern Avenue. So, motorist can expect a man on the scene  flagging on West Southern between Sidney and Lowe Streets.  Work on this project starts after 8:30am and goes until 2:30 PM, weather permitting.

SPORTS

PIAA District IV

Boys Soccer
Lewisburg 3                           Midd-West 2
Northeast Bradford 5           Troy 3
Benton 7                                Montgomery 0
Athens 1                                 North Penn-Liberty 0
Wellsboro 2                           Williamson 0
State College 4                      Williamsport 0

Girls Soccer
Hughesville 5               Troy 2
Shikellamy 4                Warrior Run 0


MLB

Game 1 – Mets 5          Pirates 1
Game 2 – Mets 10        Pirates 0
Game 1- Yankees 5     Twins 4
Game 2 – Yankees 7    Twins 1
Braves 7              A’s 3
Rays 1                 Red Sox 0
Phillies 4             Marlins 3
Blue Jays 4         Orioles 1
Cardinals 6         Nationals 5

Men’s  Tennis US Open

America’s Frances Tiafoe (tee AHF oh) beat Andre Rublev of Russia 7-6, 7-6, 6-4, earning the first trip to the US Open semifinals by an American man since 2006.
(22 seed Tiafoe beat 2nd seed Rafael Nadal Monday in the Fourth Round of the US Open)
Andy Roddick, who was in Arthur Ashe stadium yesterday, was the last U.S. man to get to the semifinals in New York, losing to Roger Federer in the title match 16 years ago. 

NFL Tonight
Buffalo @ Los Angeles 8:20pm on NBC

BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS – September 6, 2022

A Western Clinton County project that will produce shale natural gas – fired electricity to thousands in New York and Pennsylvania; will proceed despite an Environmental Hearing Board ruling saying that state – approved emission limits for sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds are too high. The facility will be located at the former Pennsylvania Railroad railcar and repair shop, that sits on 68 acres, in Renovo. The project investment could top $850 million dollars, and provide some 70 jobs in the construction phase and bring 30 permanent jobs to the Renovo Energy Center.

A Mifflinburg woman, who was formerly employed by Bucknell University, has been charged with a felony of access device fraud; after allegedly making 140 charges to Amazon, with the university credit card, for personal use. Tonya Struble, 39, had made the improper charges between February 7th and May 26th. Struble was arraigned in district court and bail was set at $25,000 unsecured. Struble had previously been charged for forging her clearances, when she applied for a job in March with Geisinger in Danville.

With the Old City project in downtown Williamsport moving along, with the public-private partnership; it has got other area locations wanting to becoming a part of the renaissance of the downtown area, especially near the Interstate 180 area. Rick Mahonski, the owner of River Valley Plaza, is looking at improving the look and feel of the plaza, to bring further growth to the area. The Starbucks location is looking at making improvements to the restaurant, by adding an additional drive through for customers. The improvements are just some of the things that will be done after Williamsport City Council approved the developers to apply for a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant. The RACP grant being applied for is not to exceed $4 million and will come at no cost to the city.

DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams-Dunn has announced the appointment of Gregory Kisko, as the District Forester for Sproul State Forest. Sproul State Forest is located in Clinton and Centre counties, which is a part of the Pennsylvania Wilds. Kisko will oversee management of the forest, which covers more than 305,000 acres and features steep and rugged hillsides cut by the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries.

Lycoming County Commissioners are hoping to address the housing shortage that is being experienced in the area. The housing shortage was identified during meetings earlier this year to explore how best to allocate the county’s American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. Now, the commissioners have a plan to address that need. Out of the meetings with area developers, realtors and water authorities, a small task force was formed to explore the issue and try to come up with solutions. From that, an application was developed for the Housing Supply Initiative Grant Program. Interested parties can begin to submit applications to the county on Oct. 1st.

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association are inviting the public to a picnic and joint meeting, that will include a tour of the Lycoming College Biology Field Station. The tour will include research and demonstration projects on conservation and restoration of the Loyalsock Creek riparian floodplain and ecosystem. Reservations are requested for the event.

A South Williamsport man has been arrested and charged in relation to sexual molestation of a 10 year old child. Dalton William Schlee, 29, was jailed for felony and misdemeanor charges in Williamsport. Schlee faces three counts of aggravated indecent assault, two counts of indecent assault and one count each of unlawful contact with a minor and corrupting the morals of a minor. The alleged incident occurred sometime between June 2019 and March 2020, police said. Following his arraignment, Schlee is jailed in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $125,000 bail.

A refuted gang member has been arrested in Williamsport, for a felony charge of illegal possession of a firearm. Steven Oliver Singletary, a former member of the “Tat Gang” which sold heroin and cocaine in the Williamsport area between 2012-2014, was arrested stemming from an incident at his girlfriend’s home in the city on August 24th. Due to his drug conviction six years ago in federal court, the 35-year-old man is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Singletary is free on bail.

A New Berlin man was charged with felony sexual assault and forcible compulsion after an alleged incident last August, at a hotel near Lewisburg. Abdur-Rahim Harper, 30, was arraigned on September 1st, with bail set at $50,000 unsecured, with a preliminary hearing set for September 15th.

A Lewisburg contractor is accused of taking a deposit from a couple and failed to start the home improvements as promised. Francisco Avila, 31, owner of Avila’s Home Improvement, gave a quote to the couple and placed a $3,000 deposit with the contractor; but, did not return to complete the work. Avila was charged with Theft by Deception, deceptive business practices, and other related charges. A bench warrant is out for Avila’s arrest.

IN SPORTS…

MLB Draft League –

The Williamsport Crosscutters have clinched the second half title of the MLB Draft League, after defeating the Frederick Keys, on the road in Maryland. The Cutters defeated the Keys, 5 to 3, on Sunday evening and will now head to West Virginia tonight, to face the Black Bears, who won the 1st half title, for the MLB Draft League Championship.

MLB SCORES –

NY Yankees over Minnesota, 5-2

Toronto defeated Baltimore, 7-3 in Game 1

Toronto doubled up Baltimore, 8-4 in Game 2

Tampa Bay slipped past Boston, 4-3

Cleveland doubled up Kansas City, 6-3

Washington blanked St. Louis, 6-0

Milwaukee edged Colorado, 6-4

Chicago White Sox over Seattle, 3-2

Arizona blanked San Diego, 5-0

Houston edged Texas, 1-0

LA Angels annihilated Detroit, 10-0

San Francisco defeated LA Dodgers, 7-4

COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS –

AP Top 25

Alabama remains at #1 after their victory over Utah State on Saturday. Ohio State drops from #2 to #3, with Georgia, leapfrogging the Buckeyes to #2, Clemson and Michigan, round out the Top 5. Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Baylor and Oklahoma State, round out the Top 10. Pittsburgh was picked at #19. Penn State did not make the rankings for the week.

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