GARAGE FIRE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE FIRE SPREADS

Muncy area volunteer firefighters worked a garage fire yesterday and managed to save the home on the property at 263 Pepper Street.  According to the Sun Gazette, Muncy Fire Chief Scot Delany said that the garage on the property – which stood about 5 feet from the home of James and Jessica Hartman, was engulfed in flames when they arrived.  Delany said there was some damage to the homes’ siding but no fire damaged the inside of the Hartman’s home. Fire crews from Hughesville, Pennsdale, Montoursville, and Picture Rockes were on the scene. The fire’s cause was ruled accidental.

MAN IMPERSONATES OFFICER

A man from Winfield impersonated a police officer at the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant on September 5^th and is facing charges in Snyder County. According to North Central PA dot com, 29 year old Nikolas Bolig identified himself as an off-duty police officer to a man who told state police later that Bolig detained him, patted him down, brought up a previous DUI conviction and threatened him with jail time.  State police say Bolig was charged with impersonating a public servant, disorderly conduct and harassment.  He has a preliminary hearing October 26^th.

GAME WARDEN LOOKING FOR SUSPECT WHO KILLED DEER

The Pennsylvania game commission‘s north central region is seeking information related to the illegal taking of a trophy class Whitetail deer in Union County close to the federal penitentiary. According to the Union County Pennsylvania sheriffs office, the game warden was made aware of a dear that had been shot and concluded that it was taken with a small caliber fire arm October 3 around 11 PM.  If you have any information about the person who shot the deer that was found in the field along route 44 in Greg Township, please report it to the Pennsylvania game commission‘s north central region at 1-833-PGC WILD.

LEAF COLLECTION TO START IN OCTOBER

Leaf collection in the city of Williamsport will begin on October 24^th and should continue into December.  According to the Sun Gazette, residents are asked to just use main roads for leaves as the larger trucks don’t fit in all the alleyways.  Residents are also asked to only put loose leaves out for the trucks since sticks, limbs and other brush can jam and damages the city equipment.  Leaves and debris – but no grass clippings – can be taken to the City Brush pile at any time for any city resident with a card for the brush recycling center.

COUNTRY CUPBOARD PROPERTY TO BE TORN DOWN

The demolition of the former Country Cupboard Restaurant and Gift Shops along Route 15 in Lewisburg is set to begin October 11^th.  Evangelical Community Hospital acquired the property after the restaurant operated in that location for 49 years, and closed in February of this year. According to the Standard-Journal, the process will come in phases so that utilities can be rerouted to the surrounding businesses – this will take through the end of the year.  Officials from Evangelical say there are no plans at this time to use the property.

POLICE SEEK DIESEL FUEL THIEF

Someone is syphoning gas out of parked trucks in Delaware Township.  According to State Police at Milton, there was a theft of 500 dollars-worth of diesel fuel from a parked truck by someone driving a white Ford service truck model year between 2017 and 2019 with an auxiliary fuel tank on the back.  The theft occurred sometime between Friday, September 30^th and Saturday, October 1^st,  while the vehicle was parked in the Cleveland Brother’s Equipment parking lot.  If anyone has information call state police.

HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES APPEAL SUIT DISMISSAL

Over 100 former Geisinger employees who were fired over the health system’s implementation of a COVID-19 vaccine and testing policy have appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Middle District.  The former employees some of whom received religious exemptions to the health system’s vaccine mandate, named nine issues they are appealing, including their claim that they were threatened with termination if they were to reject three PCR or antigen tests. The former employees, from 14 Geisinger affiliates, sought lost wages and benefits, loss of future pay, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney’s fees.  Federal Judge Matthew Brann had dismissed the case in August.

PA LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD MADE RECORD FUNDS LAST YEAR

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reports that the unaudited financial results for fiscal year 2021-22 reflect a record net income and the first time gross wine and spirits sales topped $3 billion.  Contributions to state and local governments go in part to the General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services.  The liquor control board regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. 

SPORT

PIAA District 4
Girls Soccer
 Sullivan County 4      Montgomery 1
S. Williamsport 4        Muncy 2
Troy 2                           Williamson 1
Athens 3                       Wellsboro 2
Boys Soccer
Benton 4             Muncy 0
Williamsport 7   Shamokin 1
Warrior Run 5    Hughesville 2

MLB
Game 1 Orioles 5         Blue Jays 4
Game 2 Blue Jays 5     Orioles 1
Pirates 5              Cardinals 3
Rangers 4            Yankees 2
Astros 3               Phillies 2
Diamondbacks 4 Brewers 2
Guardians 9        Royals 2
Marlins 12          Braves 9
Mets 9                 Nationals 2
Red Sox 6           Rays 3
Cubs 15               Reds 2
MLB News – Manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred were fired by the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night, shortly after they finished the season 65-97 with a 9-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.NFL
Thursday Night Football Indianapolis is in Denver at 8:15 on Prime Video
NFL Sunday
Giants play the Green Bay Packers 9:30 AM on Sunday from London on NFL Network
Other Sunday games 1pm… Pittsburgh and Buffalo, Dolphins come to play the Jets, Cowboys are in Los Angeles to play the Rams.  Cincinnati is in Baltimore for Sunday Night Football at 8:20 on NBC.

ACCUSED ACCOMPLICE HAS HOMICIDE CHARGES DROPPED

A York County woman who was jailed for her accomplice-role in a fatal shooting in August at the Liberty interchange of Route 15, had charges of conspiracy to commit homicide dropped in district court this week. According to the Sun Gazette, 32 year old Denissa Alvarez-Matias still faces charges of endangering the welfare of children and hindering apprehension in county court, for which bail has been set at 150 thousand dollars. State police originally charged that Alvarez-Matias was an accomplice to 33 year old Leonardo Pagan-Acevedo when he allegedly fatally shot Jesus Alicia-Santiago during a child custody exchange August 26^th.  According to an autopsy Alicia-Santiago was struck by one bullet to his spleen.  He was found deceased in a vehicle at a convenience store just off the interstate in Liberty.

JUDGE DECIDING ON CHARGES AGAINST SUNBURY MAN

A Northumberland County Judge has held off on a decision to determine whether to dismiss a defense Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in the case of 31 year old Benton Ross of Sunbury.  According to North Central PA dot com,  Ross is accused of shooting Brian Cunningham in august of 2020 at a Mile Post Road residence.  He faces felony attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm inside a structure.  Ross posted 100 thousand dollars cash bail in June of 2021.  Northumberland County President Judge Charles Saylor says he will issue a decision at a later date.

STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE IDENTITY THEFT IN MONTOUR COUNTY

An Anthony Township man says his identity was stolen so the suspect could use it to apply for unemployment.  According to the Daily Item, an unidentified 33 year old male victim from Danville reported the problem to state police at Milton last Thursday morning. Police have now opened an investigation in Montour County.

CUTTER’S DIRECTOR OF SMILES TO BE HONORED AT BANQUET

Rashan West-Bey, the Williamsport Crosscutters Director of Smiles, will be honored by the West Branch Valley Sports Hall of Fame as the Volunteer of the Year during the annual Hall of Fame banquet at the Genetti Hotel & Suites in Williamsport, on Sunday, November 13.  West-Bey joined the Cutters during the 2003 season and has been a fixture at Historic Bowman Field ever since. According to Gabe Sinacropi, VP of Marketing for the Williamsport Crosscutters,  Rhashan is recognized everywhere he goes and is easily the most popular person in the ballpark.  Cutters fans are invited to come to the induction banquet. $35 tickets are available e-mailing [email protected]

SOME CHARGES DISMISSED FOR FORMER WASD TEACHER

A former Williamsport Area teacher facing two cases of unlawful contact with a minor, has had all charges in one case dismissed.  According to the Sun Gazette, a district judge determined there was insufficient evidence in the case of Christopher Yoder who a judge said was involved in an inappropriate conversation – but not to the level of criminality.  Yoder does still face statutory sexual assault and other charges from his alleged relationship with a female student during the 2011-2012 school year.

SOLAR ARRAY TO BE DEDICATED THIS WEEK

Bucknell University has a 1.76-megawatt solar array and they will dedicate it later this week.  According to a statement by the school, Encore Renewable Energy of Burlington Vermont will be at the event Thursday at 2pm to be held at the project site off Smoketown Road between the Bucknell Golf Club and the Art Barn Complex.  The array will supply up to seven percent of the University’s electricity and is projected top allow the university to be carbon neutral by 2030.  The school says they will pay the East Buffalo Township property taxes on the site.

CONSULTING FIRM TO SEEK FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

The same consulting firm seeking funding for the recently discussed levee project in Williamsport, is also seeking funding to assist in justice and law enforcement funding.  According to the Sun Gazette, Keller Partners and Company of Washington DC, is working with the City to seek grant potential through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program or Connect and Protect – also known as part of JMHCP.  Overall the millions of dollars in potential funding sought, can be used by the bureau of police for staffing, infrastructure and covering the costs of programs that lower the amount of violent crime in our city. 

MORE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS ACTIVITIES

UPMC is going pink this month for Breast Cancer Awareness, by lighting the hospital buildings pink, asking staff to wear pink, offering educational programs as well as discounted  mammograms in three locations around north central Pennsylvania;  Williamsport, Muncy and Wellsboro.  Around town, you will see UPMC sponsor local sporting teams’ Pink Out games, and there will be a Pretty in Pink event held by “Renew You” a UPMC women’s group, Thursday evening October 13^th at the Holiday Inn in Williamsport, that will include health screenings, shopping, beauty experts and other women’s activities.  Get details at UPMC.me/prettyinpink

SPORTS

PIAA District 4 – Girls Soccer
Muncy 18                     CMVT 0
Wellsboro 1                  Jersey Shore 1 (2OT)
Southern Columbia 9  Montgomery 1
Williamson 3                Sullivan County 1
Shikellamy 4                Danville 1

Boys Soccer
South Williamsport 2  North Penn-Liberty 1
East Juniata 3               St. Joseph’s Catholic 0
Danville 3                     Central Columbia 1
Line Mountain 2                   Shamokin 1
Selinsgrove 5               Midd-West 3
Southern Columbia 2 Hughesville 1

NFL Monday night football
49ers 24              Rams 9
Thursday night Football Colts and Broncos @ 815 on Prime Video

MLB
Royals 5              Guardians 2 /10
Pirates 3              Cardinals 2
Marlins 4            Braves 0
Reds 3                 Cubs 1
Blue Jays 5         Orioles 1
Yankees 3           Rangers 1
Red Sox 4           Rays 3
Phillies 3             Astros 0
Nationals and Mets were postponed due to rain with a doubleheader today.
The Phillies have clinched their first postseason berth since 2011 with a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros. Game 1 of the wild-card series will be Friday night.

NBA preseason
76ers 127            Nets 108
Grizzlies 109      Magic 97
Thunder 112       Nuggets 101
Kings 105           Lakers 75
Clippers 102       Trailblazers 97

PA SKILL THEFT SUSPECT STILL AT LARGE

An unidentified man is still at large who stole more than 34 thousand dollars from a game of skill machine in Williamsport.  According to North Central PA dot com, State Police at Montoursville say the theft happened at the Nittany Minit Mart on East third Street on August 16^th at around 11pm.   Authorities believe the man who had an Hispanic accent and used keys to gain access to the machine and had unknown accomplices to complete the theft.  If you know anything about the incident, call State Police.   570-368-5700

JUNIATA COUNTY WOMAN DIES IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

A woman from East Waterford, PA died in a motorcycle accident in Snyder County this week.  According to State Troopers and the Snyder County Coroner, 41 year old Janet Swartwood was traveling on Route 35 near Cherry Hill Road around 2:30pm September 26^th, lost control of the motorcycle, going off the road and hitting a tree.  The coroner says the Juniata County woman died from her injuries at the scene of the crash

SPYGLASS CAN HAVE SOME SUMMER CAMPING

A Northumberland County judge ruled that Spyglass Ridge Winery can have camping at their facility during special events even though it will not be considered a permanent campsite location.  According to the Daily Item, the Rockefeller Township winery went to court with the township supervisors to appeal an earlier zoning hearing decision that kept campers from their place during the summer concert series based on a 40 year old ordnance. The owners of the winery say they just want to  provide their patrons with a safe place to park on their property.

FLAGS LOWERED FOR PA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

Flags were ordered to half staff yesterday by Governor Tom Wolf, to honor  74 year old Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Max Baer who died at his home in Pittsburgh on Friday.  According to a statement by the state court system, Baer was first elected to the state’s highest court in 2003, and became chief justice last year after Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor retired.  A Duquesne University Law School graduate, Baer was elected to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in 1989.  Taking his place will be Justice Debra Todd, who is the longest continuously serving member, the first woman to serve as chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

LEVEE SYSTEM FUNDING COULD BE ON THE WAY

A Washington based consulting firm is assisting the city of Williamsport secure a possible 8 million dollars in funding for various projects taking place on the levee system.  According to North Central PA dot com, Keller Partners & Company gave a quarterly presentation at the City Council meeting this week and say they expect to see a bill passed through the House Appropriations Committee in Washington by the end of the year that could make these funds available. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers told council they will begin the levee risk assessment to start the process of bringing the levee system into compliance within the next couple of weeks.

GEISINGER LIGHTS UP PINK FOR OCTOBER

Geisinger Hospitals will be lit pink in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Geisinger is working to raise awareness about the importance of early breast cancer detection. The pink lights also honor the millions of patients and families affected by the disease.  Breast health experts at the hospital say most lives are saved with annual mammograms beginning at age 40, but those with a family history of breast cancer should screen earlier. For patients who are underinsured, a free government-based program can assist in covering the cost of the vital health screening.

SPORTS

NCAA football
Penn State over Northwestern 17-7
Ohio State beat Rutgers 49-10
Michigan over Iowa 27-14
Georgia Tech beat Pitt 26-21.

NFL football today
Vikings and the Saints play at 9:30 AM this morning in London on NFL network
1 o’clock for the other matchups between the Commanders and Cowboys in Dallas the Bears vs the Giants, the Jaguars come to Philly to play the Eagles, Jets vs Steelers, the Bills are in Baltimore to play the Ravens.
Chiefs and the Buccaneers will play 8:20 PM tonight in Tampa on NBC.

Monday Night Football Rams and the 49er’s 8:15 kick off on ESPN

NFL News
The unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant involved in clearing Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during last Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills has been fired. Multiple sources said the firing came after it was found the consultant made “several mistakes” in his evaluation. TagovaiLoa was diagnosed with a concussion and discharged hours later; he flew back to South Florida with the team early Friday morning.

NASCAR
Yellawood 500 at Talladega Super Speedway – Prerace coverage starts Sunday at 2pm on the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3

WILLIAMSPORT SHOOTING VICTIM IDENTIFIED

A mother of a young child was identified as the victim in the shooting that happened Wednesday at a West Fourth Street apartment in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, the Lycoming County Coroner said the victim is 41 year old single mother, Heather Cohick, who was shot early Wednesday morning in her first floor apartment with her 2-year old son in a room nearby.  He was not injured.  Police say this is the third homicide in the city since May and have not made any arrests. The shooting August 21^st on Newberry Street that injured two 15 year olds is suspected to be gang related.

FINAL VOTE ON POLICE REGIONILIZATION

A 22 officer Police Regionalization plan to replace the Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police Department and Old Lycoming Police Department is set to be effective January 1^st 2023, after The Old Lycoming Township supervisors voted 2-1 in favor of police regionalization Wednesday.  According to North Central PA dot com, the sometimes contentious meeting at Old Lycoming Volunteer Fire Station resulted in the  last of the three charter municipalities approving the charter agreement to setup the Lycoming Regional Police Department. Porter Township and Jersey Shore approved their agreement earlier this month.

MONTOUR COUNTY JOB FAIR

There will be a PennDOT job fair in Danville Thursday October 13^th for people who are interested in working with the department in Montour County. The event will be at the Mausdale Construction Office on Old Valley School Road for Transportation Equipment Operators and trainees with a current CDL. On-the-spot applications will take place from 4 til 6pm and some positions also require a current medical examiner certificate. For more information, please call 570-387-4250.

PROCEEDS FROM CROSSCUTTERS GAMES GIVE BACK

The proceeds from all the Williamsport Crosscutter’s 50/50 raffles during the 2022 season were presented to the American Rescue Workers this week.  According to Gabe Sinacropi, VP of Marketing for the Cutters, the check for 7,626 dollars comes from the Crosscutters and the Pitch In Charitable Foundation, a non-profit foundation of professional baseball teams.  In six seasons, the Williamsport Crosscutters have donated over $39,000 to the American Rescue Workers.

FATHER OF ACCUSED MURDERER WANTS HIS CHARGES DROPPED

The father of Echo Butler, one of the two Williamsport women accused of starving their two young daughters to death in 2021, wants the charges against him in the case dismissed.  According to the Sun Gazette, the attorney for 54 year old Ronald Butler, accused of endangering the welfare of children and obstruction in child abuse, argued that Butler had no duty to care for the girls. The Lycoming County District Attorney cited that Butler and his wife did care for the girls when their mother wasn’t home.  Butler’s wife, Michelle, faces first-degree murder charges and is expected to submit a guilty plea in the case next month. The bodies of the two young girls were found buried on Butler’s Property in Hepburn Township.

MASTRIANO VISITS POTTER COUNTY

The Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial candidate, Doug Mastriano, was in Potter County this week and was met by the public there with overwhelming support.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mastriano along with his wife Rebbeca, who is known as “Rebbie”, spoke at Larry’s Sports Center on Route 6 in Galeton with the event also sponsored by Free PA of Potter County, and The Potter County Republican Party. The Mastriano’s left by bus and made stops in Tioga and Clinton Counties. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to register to vote before October 20^th. 

JERSEY SHORE SOLAR FARM CONSTRUCTION APPROVED

The Nippenose Township Planning Commission hosted representatives from solar panel company, Doral LLC at their most recent meeting to discuss the construction of a large utility grade solar farm near Jersey Shore.  According to the Sun Gazette, community members who attended the presentation had questions about noise, glare, tax increases and traffic increasing during construction around Route 44.    Council approved the project, provided community provisions are met.  After permits are secure in the next year, construction of the facility that will generate 200 megawatts of power to be sold back to energy companies, should begin.

SUNBURY SENIOR HEALTH FAIR

30 vendors will be on hand today for the Senior Health Fair at the Susquehanna Valley Mall hosted by State Representative Lynda Culver of  Sunbury.  According to a press release, those in attendance will be able to receive a flu or COVID shot and other health screening s will b available.  Culver says to bring your insurance card to the event that will be from 10am til 1pm Friday.  The Representative’s district office is in Sunbury on Arch St., and if you have questions about the health fair or any other issue, call 570-286-5885.

SPORTS

P I-AA District 4 Football Thursday  
Troy 45 Wellsboro 3

HS Football Week 6

CENTRAL COLUMBIA – LOYALSOCK

(BYB GAME OF THE WEEK)

WILLIAMSPORT – CENTRAL MOUNTAIN

MONTOURSVILLE – SOUTHERN COLUMBIA

COLUMBIA MONTOUR VO TECH – MUNCY

HUGHESVILLE – MILTON

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION ACADEMY – JERSEY SHORE

BLOOMSBURG – WARRIOR RUN

LEWISBURG – DANVILLE

MIDD-WEST – MOUNT CARMEL

SELINSGROVE – MIFFLINBURG

SHIKELLAMY – SHAMOKIN

NFL
Bengals 27 Dolphins 15
NFL Miami Dolphins quarterback  Tua Tago vai loa was taken to a local hospital with head and neck injuries suffered on a second-quarter sack in Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.  It was reported shortly before halftime that he was conscious and had all movement. He  was expected to travel back to Miami with the team.

MLB
Red Sox 5            Orioles 3
Cubs 2                  Phillies 0
Guardians 2                   Rays 1
White Sox 4         Twins 3  
Tigers 10              Royals 3
Marlins 4              Brewers 2
Dodgers 5             Padres 2
Mariners 10                   Rangers 9 in 11 innings
Giant 6                 Rockies 4

NASCAR
Yellawood 500 at Talladega Super Speedway – Prerace coverage starts Sunday at 2pm on the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3

NASCAR NEWS
Alex Bowman will miss Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with a concussion that the Hendrick Motorsports driver apparently suffered last week at Texas. Noah Gragson will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet. Bowman is now the second driver sidelined with a concussion suffered in a crash of NASCAR’s new Next Gen car.

SUNBURY SHOOTER IN CUSTODY

The Sunbury man who is accused of shooting and killing a man outside a bar last Sunday morning, was taken into custody Monday night at the Relax Inn in Lewisburg by Sunbury police and US Marshals Service.  According to the Daily Item, Randy Easton, who fled after a fight between him and 33 year old Joseph Rice who was declared dead at the scene, is being charged with homicide.  Easton’s companion, 45 year old Lisa Gebhart of White Deer will also be charged with hindering the apprehension of a criminal.

MAN STEALS CAR, SCRAPS IT AT RECYCLING CENTER

A man from Williamsport has been charged with two felonies after he stole a car and sold it for scrap at a Lycoming County Recycling company.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say 62 year old Jack Larue Howlett allegedly had the vehicle towed to the facility in October of 2021.  Employees at Staiman Recycling told police they had a title and bill of sale for the vehicle that was scrapped for 100 dollars, but the employee was deceived by Howlett.  He was arraigned on September 15^th and was charged with receiving stolen property and theft.  Howlett was released from custody after posting15 thousand dollars unsecured bail.

SOUTHERN LANES OF CSVT PROJECT OPEN TODAY

Today is when traffic patterns will change in the Northern section work zone of the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project.  Southbound traffic that previously used the median crossovers to the northbound side, will shift to the newly completed section of the southbound roadway south of Route 45 in West Chillisquaque Township in Northumberland County. Northbound traffic will remain the same as it is.  Traffic will be down to one lane in each direction,  as the construction in the area continues.

LOSE PARK GROUNDBREAKING STARTS REJUVENATION

The rejuvenation of Lose Park began yesterday with a ceremonial groundbreaking in Williamsport that will see many upgrades at the Memorial Avenue site.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter was at the event and said the planned improvements for the neighborhood were exciting starting with the park, but that single family homes, rental properties and other housing will be in the community as well.  Expected playground work for the park includes a resurfaced basketball court and more playground equipment as well as new street lights and accessible parking. Funding for local parks comes from the 1993 Keystone fund, derived from the sale of real estate, Lose Park is one of 25 hundred parks benefiting from 250 million dollars in grants.

FIRE IN LOYALSOCK DISPLACES TWO

An elderly Loyalsock Township woman and her son were displaced by a fire that began about 10:30 am Tuesday morning.  According to the Sun Gazette, Louise Wurster, her son Dwayne Wurster, and an aide from the Office of Aging were able to escape the burning home that sustained about 100 thousand dollars in heat and smoke damage. Loyalsock Township firefighters were moments away from the home on Becht Road, and responded along with South Williamsport firemen in the new mutual-aid agreement.  Williamsport and Montoursville fire crews also assisted at the scene.  State fire marshals determined an electrical short of a power strip in a bedroom caused the fire.

BLOOMSBURG MAN STEALS WIDOW’S MOTORCYCLE

A Bloomsburg man told police he would rather go to jail rather than return a 1983 Harley Davidson shovelhead motorcycle he took that belonged to the deceased husband of his former girlfriend after their break-up.  According to North Central PA dot com, 55 year old Dale Walter of Barton Street, told police that he was not giving the bike back after the daughter of the woman who owned the missing bike called police about it September 5^th explaining that Walter had moved out and there had been a fight over who owned the belongings.  Walter has been charged with felony theft.

BILL INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER FUNDS

As one of only two states that do not provide state funding for indigent defense, there is a new bill in Pennsylvania that would provide state level funding for the public defender system in the commonwealth.  According to the Keystone State News, the current system has PA counties responsible for public defender funds and as an example for the consequences of this, Luzerne County has now stopped taking new cases because of budget deficiencies.  The executive director of the Public Defenders Association of Pennsylvania says the current system is failing those who need it the most when the Constitution states the government must provide counsel to those who can’t afford it in criminal cases.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY JUDGE TO RETIRE

A Northumberland County judge announced today that he is retiring at the beginning of 2023.  According to a press release, Judge Charles Saylor, announced that he will leave his position as President judge so that he can spend time with his wife and grandchildren.  He says there is enough time for a successor’s name to be placed on the ballot, and fellow judges Jones and Rosini are tenured to the Norry bench until 2025.  Saylor was first elected in 2001 and retained in 2011.

SPORTS

Volleyball
Williamsport 3     Cowanesque Valley 0
Wellsboro 3                   Sayre 1
Williamson 3        Towanda 1
Canton 3              Northeast Bradford 1
North Penn-Liberty 3     Wyalusing 0

MLB
Rays 6                 Guardians 5
Pirates 4              Reds 1
Braves 8              Nationals 2
Red Sox 13         Orioles 9
Marlins 6            Mets 4
Cubs 2                 Phillies 1
Yankees 5           Blue Jays 2 – Giving the Yankees their 20th American League East title last night. It’s their  first divisional pennant for New York since 2019

Chicago Super-fan, 103 year old Sister Jean was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch ahead of the Chicago Cubs versus Philadelphia Phillies matchup last night. Sister Jean is mostly well known for her loyalty to Loyola University during March Madness.

GOLF NEWS
The controversial LIV Golf circuit has signed many big names and sparked widespread conversation over the last several months and is now nearing a deal to buy air time on Fox Sports.   The deal is still being finalized, according to the report. LIV Golf is five events into its inaugural season, with three more on the way before the end of the year. It will expand to 14 tournaments in 2023.