WILLIAMSPORT SHOOTER HELD FOR COURT IN LYCOMING COUNTY

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

PEEPING TOM ARRESTED

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

LUZERNE COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION NOT CERTIFIED

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

PA HUNTERS CAN DONATE DEER

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

MUNCY MAN ATTEMPTS TO FLEE FROM POLICE

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

MAN WHO PUNCHED GIRLFRIEND CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT

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

EMERGENCY CALL CENTER LOOKING TO HIRE

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

PINE CREEK POLICE OFFERING GIFTS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

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

SPORTS

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

Double A

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

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

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

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

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

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

WATSONTOWN MAN CHARGED WITH DUI

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

DELIVERY DRIVER ASSAULTED

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

PA LAWMAKERS GETTING RAISE BECAUSE OF INFLATION

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

FUNDRAISING RALLY FOR GILSON SNOW

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

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK ON RIVER AVENUE

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

WOMAN CAUSES DISTURBANCE CHARGED WITH DUI

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

NEW RECORD SYSTEM  FOR EVANGELICAL

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

YOUNGER DRIVERS STATISTICALLY IN CRASHES FOR DRINKSGIVING

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

SPORTS

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

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

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

Upcoming PIAA Football Quarterfinals

Triple A

Wyomissing vs Danville @Danville HS – Friday 7pm

Double A

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

Single A

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

FATAL ACCIDENT IN PERRY COUNTY

A man from Northumberland County died in a single-vehicle accident on Route 11 Wednesday around 7:30am.  According to State police at Newport sau 44 year old Keith Krieger of Herndon was driving near the Route 322 West exit ramp in Watts Township when he hit a guide rail, went airborne and struck a tree.  The Perry County Coroner declared Krieger dead at the scene. 

FIREARMS CHARGES AGAINST JERSEY SHORE MAN DROPPED

Charges have been dropped against a Jersey Shore man who police believed had ammunition and firearms illegally.  According to the Sun Gazette, Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police discovered boxes of bullets at the Smith Street property of 36 year old Robert Seese,  and filed a misdemeanor  charge of possession of firearms or ammunition, since court records indicated there was an amended PFA for him prohibiting his use and owning of firearms.  However, Seese was never served the new amended order and investigators have withdrawn the case. 

PA LAWMAKERS VOTE TO IMPEACH KRASNER

The first Pennsylvania Senate impeachment trial in almost 30 years is set to take place after lawmakers in the Commonwealth voted to impeach Democrat District Attorney Larry Krasner 107-85.  Philadelphia voters reelected Krasner last year and he is not accused of breaking the law, rather he is under fire for failure to prosecute some minor crimes, bail request policies, staff oversight and reports him inadequately handing communication with crime victims amid rising crime in the city.  According to the Philadephia Inquirer, lawmakers have only removed two officials — both of them judges — through impeachment: the first in 1811 and state Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen in 1994.

BALLOONFEST TO TAKE A HIATUS

Balloonfest is taking a break.  According to a social media post by the committee of Balloonfest, Air Show and So Much More, the annual event that takes place at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds has planned hiatus for 2023.  Balloonfest is expected to return in 2024  after a time to regroup, grow and improve the event.  According to the Sun Gazette, organizers say two things that led to the decision is the need for more volunteers and rising costs. Those interested in joining the Balloonfest committee is encouraged to reach out.

WATSONTOWN WOMAN REAR ENDS SNOWPLOW ON ROUTE 15

A Watsontown woman crashed into a snow plow earlier this week while it was being operated along Route 15 in Monroe Township.  According to Selinsgrove State Police before 6pm on Tuesday, 62 year old Melanie Wallace attempted to pass the plow that was being driven by 55 year old Shane Fawver of Mount Pleasant Mills, when snow obstructed her view, she ran into the back of the plow.  Wallace was treated at Evangelical Community Hospital. The driver of the plow was not injured.

NEW YORK MAN AQUITTED IN LYCOMING COUNTY COURT

A New York man being tried in Lycoming County for 20 counts of sexual assault charges that a minor-family member alleged, has been acquitted.  According to North Central PA dot com, court records indicated   Casey Lewis Guyer was accused of the assault that occurred in Muncy Borough between July or August of 2019 but the prosecution had no physical evidence such as text messages or photos.  A 12 member jury deliberated for about an hour and found that there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute Casey Lewis Guyer, declaring him not guilty.  He had been free on bail since June 2021.

WILLIAMSPORT SUBMITS A NO-INCREASE BUDGET PROPOSAL

A 28.6 million dollar zero-tax increase budget was presented in Williamsport Wednesday during a City Council work session.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter and a contracted finance advisor from Harrisburg, gave to Council an assessment of the budget as well as estimates about the current financial climate after working through audits, time constraints, and in some cases lack of reconciliation from the last 4 years. The Capital Projects budget is being integrated into general operations and the information technology budget which was normally part of the general fund, has been moved into City Hall Operations.A second work session will be held for Williamsport City Council Monday at 7pm.

GRANTS AVAILABLE TO BUILD EV CHARGING STATIONS IN PA

PennDOT introduced a program recently that supports the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, helping to make Electric Vehicle charging more accessible to all Americans.  According to the Sun Gazette, The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program will make available 170 million dollars to grant recipients in Pennsylvania who apply to host direct current fast chargers at ideal business locations along the interstates to support longer distance travel.  Information on NEVI is available at PA.gov.  Recipients are responsible for a 20 percent match when awarded the grant. [email protected].

SPORTS

NFL Thursday Night Football
Titans 27 Packers 17

NHL
Bruins 4              Flyers 1
Avalanche 3        Hurricanes 2
Lightning 4         Flames 1
Devils 3              Maple Leafs 2
Penguins 6          Wild 4
Predators 5          Islanders 4
Blues 5                Capitals 4

NBA
Nets 109              Trailblazers 107
Kings 130           Spurs 112
Clippers 96         Pistons 91
NBA Tonight
76ers vs Bucks on ESPN @7:30
Knicks vs Warriors  on ESPN @ 10pm

NCAA Men’s Basketball
University of Kentucky 106          South Carolina State 63
Murray State 88                              Texas A&M  79
Arizona State 87                             Michigan  62

MLB NEWS
Aaron Judge  was given a final accolade for his historic 2022  last night – The American League’s Most Valuable Player.  He is the first outfielder for the Yankees to win the award since Mickey Mantle in 1962.  Judge received 28 first-place votes and 410 points.

DELAYS FOR SOME SCHOOLS AFTER AREA’S FIRST WEATHER EVENT

Penn DOT has restored speeds on local highways after the weather yesterday slowed traffic in many areas around the state.  Temperatures this morning have risen above freezing and there are no more reports of major problems along the secondary roadways or interstates. Some schools implemented a two hour delay this morning in North Central PA.

MONTGOMERY MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT

After a domestic incident at a river lot campground in Montgomery, a man was been jailed for allegedly pushing the woman involved, who was holding an infant.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say 31 year old Delbert Hayes of 125 S. Main Street was intoxicated and pushed and assaulted his significant other on October 28^th, who with the baby, ended up on the floor before fleeing to a vehicle outside. Police say the woman called 911 after being assaulted again outside their camper.  Hayes has been charged with felony endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault and was taken to Lycoming County Prison, but has been released on 25 thousand dollars bail.

TROOPERS JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING OF MASS SHOOTER IN JORDAN TWP

Preliminary findings were released on the fatal shots fired by troopers November 5^th in Jordan township after a mass shooting near Unityville, and Distirct Attorney Ryan Gardner deemed  the officers justified in firing the shots that killed 54 year old Brian Taylor.  Taylor allegedly had shot his wife Linda Taylor, his sister, Andrea Meek who lived nearby, and a friend from Lebanon County who was visiting, 55 year old Jerry Zehring, that Saturday morning before traveling along Route 239 on an ATV and firing shots at cars and other cabins.  According to the Sun Gazette, the Lycoming County coroner said he has conducted toxicology tests on Taylor, but results will not be available for a few months.

LOYALSOCK TEACHER NOMINTED FOR GRAMMY

The Fine Arts Coordinator at Loyalsock Township School District has been recognized with a nomination for The Grammy’s 2023 Music Educator Award.  According to the Sun Gazette, Ryan Bulgarelli who is a Penn State Graduate teaches instrumental music, guitar, music technology, and directs the school’s bands and ensembles.  He has been with Loyalsock Township for 13 years.  Bulgarelli was chosen as one of 25 teachers nationwide – and the only educator nominated from Pennsylvania. The finalists will be announced in December.

TWO-STORY SHED BURNS IN PICTURE ROCKS

As a result of a fire that destroyed a shed near Picture Rocks, the woman who rented the property was also injured trying to save animals from the burning structure.  According to the Sun Gazette, Picture Rocks and Hughesville firefighters responded to the blaze at 472 Pine Tree Road and got the fire under control in about 20 minutes.  The unidentified victim of the fire declined treatment for her hands initially at the scene.  Fire officials said they stayed into the afternoon to control hot spots that sprung up.  An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and no estimates on the damage done have been released.

THEFTS OF PA SKILL GAMES AT LOCAL LAUNDROMATS

Police are investigating a rash of thefts that have occurred at laundromats in which suspects are breaking into and stealing from Games of Skill machines.  According to North Central PA dot com, State police said the most recent theft occurred Monday at Lexie’s Laundry on Route 522 in Snyder Township when the suspects took cash from the machine and used it to obtain cash out tickets.  They say similar thefts have occurred in Union and Northumberland counties.  If you have information, please call State Police at Selinsgrove 570-374-8145.

PA LIBERTARIANS MAINTIAN PARTY STATUS AFTER MIDTERMS

After the midterm elections in Pennsylvania, the Libertarian party status is set, as the legislative candidates of the party received more votes than any other previous midterm election.  According to North Central PA dot com, for the first time in 20 years they received at least 2% of the vote in at least 10 counties and will maintain party status as determined by PA election law.  The two most prominent Libertarian candidates running in Pennsylvania were Erik Gerhardt for U.S. Senate and Matt Hackenburg for Governor.

REMAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA WWII SOLDIER IDENTIFIED

The remains of a World War II soldier from Pennsylvania who was killed during an ambush in France in 1945, have been identified.  According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, scientists did DNA and dental analysis and determined the unidentified body to be that of 25 year old Pfc Francis Martin of Scranton. Martin was killed when German forces attacked a truck convoy he was in, and his along with 37 other sets of remains were disinterred and analyzed for identification.  Martin’s name is on the Walls of the Missing at a cemetery in France where a rosette will be placed since Martin is now accounted for.

SPORTS

P I-AA State Semifinals rescheduled from yesterday
Girls Soccer Semifinals
Southern Columbia vs South Williamsport @Milton Area HS 6pm  
Wyomissing vs Central Columbia @ Tulpehocken HS 7pm
Boys Soccer Semifinals
Northwestern Lehigh vs Lewisburg @North Schuylkill HS 6pm
Field hockey Semifinals
Central Columbia vs Boiling Springs @ Tulpehocken HS 5pm
NHL
Canucks 5           Sabers 4
Panthers 5           Capitals 2
Devils 5               Canadians 1
Maple Leafs 5     Penguins 2
Lightning 5         Stars 4 /OT
Blue Jackets 5     Flyers 4
Predators 2          Wild 1
Ducks 3               Redwings 2
Sharks 5              Golden Knights 2

NBA
Pelicans 113       Grizzlies 102
Mavericks 103   Clippers 101
Knicks 118         Jazz 111
Trailblazers 117 Spurs 110
Kings 153           Nets 121
NCAA Basketball
Michigan State 86       Kentucky 77 2/OT
Kansas 69                     Duke 64
North Carolina 72       Gardner Webb 66
UConn 84                     Buffalo 64