MORE DETAILS ON FRIDAY SHOOTING ON VILAS DRIVE

Reported drug usage may have played a role in the Friday afternoon shooting on Vilas Drive. In fact, according to state police, the shooter, Nigel Lee, and the victim, Adam Butler, allegedly used crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and marijuana days before the incident occurred.  As reported by SUN Gazette, Lee, of Mill Hall, was accused by state police for shooting Butler multiple times in an unprovoked attack. At this time, Butler is hospitalized and Lee is jailed with no bail, charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm and possession of an instrument of crime.

FIRE ON REACH ROAD

Dust caught fire and brought Williamsport City firefighters to the Danzer Veneer Americas, 240 N. Reach Road around 1:40 p.m. yesterday. Upwards of six off duty crew members were called in to fight the blaze. According to reports, crews returned to available status just after 3:30 pm with no injuries and an unknown damage estimate.

NEW GAME WARDENS GRADUATE

Twenty-four new game wardens have been assigned to districts in Pennsylvania. Following 44 weeks of intensive training, the 33rd Class of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation graduated Feb. 5, 2022 at the Susquehanna Township Middle School in Harrisburg.  Training School Director Kyle Jury praised the class for its resiliency and commitment. The 33rd Class enrolled on March 28, 2021 and was trained by nearly 200 instructors and field-training officers. Welcome, Andrew D. Butler, of Wellsboro to the Lycoming County Office.

BEAR SEASON, A RECORD IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Pennsylvania bear hunters had quite the year in 2021. They took 3,659 bears across last year’s various seasons. That ranks as the state’s fifth-best harvest ever, and the second-largest recorded since 2011. The 2020 bear harvest, for comparison’s sake, was 3,621. The statewide regular bear season accounted for the largest part of the 2021 bear harvest. Hunters took 1,315 bears in that four-day hunt. The extended bear season – which last year for the first time allowed hunters to harvest bears throughout the opening weekend of deer season in some Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) – contributed 1,128 animals to the harvest. The archery bear season added another 680, while the muzzleloader/special firearms bear season harvest was 536.

COVID CASES REPORTED YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported 7,855 new cases. Clinton County reported 12 new cases. In Centre County 138 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 105 and Tioga County added 14.  There were 65 in Northumberland County, 62 in Union, 15 in Snyder and five in Montour.

HIS FINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL

Gov. Tom Wolf will pitch his eighth and last budget proposal to lawmakers Tuesday, as the Democrat pushes Republicans to spend more federal pandemic relief aid now and Wolf looks to cement his public school legacy by securing a big boost in state aid. The state’s bank accounts are brimming with cash, and Wolf, who is constitutionally required to leave office next January when his second term ends, is touting himself as the only governor since Dick Thornburgh in 1987 to leave a cash surplus to his successor.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT IN TROUBLE WITH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Northumberland County court officials have been accused by a US Department of Justice investigation of violating the civil rights as they forced three people with an opioid use disorder to stop taking a doctor-prescribed addiction medication or risk violating terms of court-ordered supervision. The Justice Department officials went on to explain those directives directly contradict medical research and approved practices. In addition, as reported by the Daily Item,  the directive are also violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

KINDGERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR LOCAL SCHOOL

Kindergarten registration has opened in the Warrior Run School District. According to the Daily Item, registration for the 2022-23 school year is currently open and will close March 5.  If you want to begin the registration process, visit the Warrior Run School District homepage at wrsd.org.  All children must be five years of age before Sept 1, 2022.

PRESCHOOL EVACUATED

Initial dispatch of a boiler explosion brought emergency crews to the Blessed Beginnings and Preschool on West Central Avenue in South Williamsport yesterday morning just after 10 am.  As reported by SUN Gazette, all students and staff were evacuated to the church next door. South Williamsport Fire Chief Tyler Dickson noted crews discovered a radiator malfunction with no explosion and no fire. With no injures, all children and staff returned to preschool without further incident.

LOOKING AT POSSIBLY SELLING CITY HALL

Tours before finding a possible buyer for Williamsport City Hall, 245 W Fourth Street, were recently announced by the Williamsport City Council.  In fact, according to SUN Gazette, a formal request for proposals, reaching out to realtors, has been advertised.   According to Jon Sander, City Engineeer, PennBid is the electronic forum for sealed proposals to be entered by those interested real estate brokers. The building has been closed due to water issues from the roof and then the heater coil that released hot water throughout the building. Accessible upgrades are at a standstill, according to city codes administrator, Joseph Geradi.

PA COVD CASES FOR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported new cases. Clinton County reported 32 new cases. In Centre County 85 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 159. There were 90 in Northumberland County, 40 in Snyder, 29 in Union and 14 in Montour.

ONE IN CUSTODY FROM SUNBURY STABBING

A 20-year old Sunbury man allegedly stabbed Rashah Johnson, also of Sunbury, sending him to the Geisinger Medical Center in critical condition on Friday evening in the 300 block of Race Street in the city.  Seth Ruhl is in police custody, facing felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges. He is awaiting his arraignment today.  According to the Daily Item, there were no details on injuries or status of Johnson from the Geisinger Medical Center.

FATAL FIRE

The Lycoming County Coroner’s Office was called to Lewis Twp. on Lower Bodines Rd. at the scene of a trailer fire after 0145 AM.  One person and 3 dogs perished in the fire.  The investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is being conducted by the State Police Fire Marshal Cpl. Nicholas Loffredo and Trooper Nathan Birth, who determined the fire to be accidental in nature.  The deceased was 32 year old Steven Greene, the son of Jacolyn and Mark Smith who resided in the trailer next to the fire scene.  The cause of death was due to smoke inhalation and severe burns. The deceased was pronounced dead at the scene by Chief Deputy Coroner Jerold Ross. Responding agencies included Trout Run, Ralston, Hepburn Twp., Old Lycoming Twp., Woodward Twp., Duboistown, Eldred Twp., and Plunketts Creek Twp..  Additional details will be released as the investigation continues.

MAN IN CUSTODY FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON SHOOTING

Multiple gunshots rang through the neighborhood in the area of 96 Villas Drive in Porter Township Friday afternoon, at approximately 1:26 pm. One person was shot and taken to the hospital and the shooter was apprehended. The victim’s condition is unknown at this time. As of Saturday and a press release from the State Police, Nigil Akeem Lee was in custody with charges filed.

CRASH SENDS THREE TO HOSPITAL

A multiple vehicle crash sends one driver to the hospital with serious injuries. Saturday afternoon around 3:30 pm on Route 220, near Lime Bluff Road, it was reported to be a head on collision with multiple vehicles involved.  Reports suggest upwards of three people were transported to UPMC and their conditions are unknown at this time.

ROAD SALT SUPPLIES NOT WHAT THEY EXPECTED

Salt is becoming a commodity. In fact,  salt deliveries are reportedly getting scarce in our area. Suppliers and trucker shortages are slowing the receipt of this valuable winter asset in low levels. Loyalsock Township Manager, Bill Burdett, noted that his supplier is behind. The township, ahead of a possible active winter season, ordered 450 tons and has only received 100 tons to this point. But, as reported by SUN Gazette, it is not just here, South Williamsport and Jersey Shore are also feeling the salt pinch.

COVID CASES FROM YESTERDAY IN THE AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released new COVID-19 cases numbers from yesterday. Tioga County added 33. Lycoming added 84 and Clinton added 38. There were 65 in Northumberland County, 38 in Union, 22 in Snyder and 15 in Montour.

SUNBURY MAN IN FEDERAL CUSTODY

A Sunbury man was allegedly in possession of large amounts of narcotics and firearms is in federal custody. Horace White was the suspect of an investigation, as a tip was received by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and city police which spawned an investigation that began in August 2020. According to the Daily Item, White was picked up Tuesday and arraigned before a federal judge and charged with weapons and drug trafficking crimes.

BLOOD DONATIONS DROPPING IN COMMONWEALTH

Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson and Patrick Bradley, President and CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, today expressed their growing concern over the dramatically decreasing number of volunteers who regularly donate blood, during a news conference highlighting the critical need for blood donation across the commonwealth.  Blood donations are a critical and integral part of medical care. Many patients who have major surgeries will need a blood transfusion to replace blood lost during their procedure. Blood transfusions are also used for patients who have serious injuries from car crashes or natural disasters, and people with illnesses that cause anemia, like leukemia or kidney disease, will often receive blood transfusions.

HUGHESVILLE CROSS COUNTRY COACH IS PA COACH OF THE YEAR

The association chooses one boys coach and one girls coach from all 50 states and rates them for their successes during the fall season. According to the SUN Gazette, state-by-state winners were selected based on their teams’ performances in the 2021 cross country season. Each state winner is in consideration for the association’s National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year award.

WATER RESCUE

On Friday 05:43 am, the Mifflinburg Hose Company was dispatched to Lewis Township, The 900 block of Canada Drive for a water rescue for reported two people in a house surrounded by water.

NEW BUSINESSES GETTING READY TO OPEN

Loyalsock Township, a Lycoming County municipality, has added, and continues to add, new businesses into 2022, has kept this end of the county bustling. In fact, according to Loyalsock Township Manager Bill Burdett, businesses including Popeyes and Texas Roadhouse as set to soon open on the Golden Strip. These two new businesses are set to join other newcomers to the strip including Crumbl Cookies, Mitchkicks, K Jewelers, and Hobby Lobby, amongst others. Burdett sees the township has simply a great place to work and live and has noted the townships continued work toward maintain a low tax rate. As reported by SUN Gazette, Burdett went on to note that the future is bright for Loyalsock.

VACCINATIONS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5

Pfizer on Tuesday asked the U.S. to authorize extra-low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5, potentially opening the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots as early as March. In an extraordinary move, the Food and Drug Administration had urged Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to apply earlier than the companies had planned — and before it’s settled if the youngsters will need two shots or three. The nation’s 19 million children under 5 are the only group not yet eligible for vaccination against the coronavirus. Many parents have been pushing for an expansion of shots to toddlers and preschoolers, especially as the omicron variant sent record numbers of youngsters to the hospital. Pfizer aims to give children as young as 6 months shots that contain one-tenth of the dose given to adults. The company said it had started submitting its data to the FDA and expects to complete the process in a few days.

COVID REPORTED AT KEYSTONE CENTRAL

A report published yesterday, cited 56 known positive student cases of COVID-19 in the Keystone Central School District, with 17 at the elementary level and 39 secondary students.  According to Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin, there were also seven active cases among district staff members, for an overall total of 63. As reported by therecordonline.com, a “Test To Stay” option at district schools. Any staff or student who is identified as a close contact may voluntarily participate in order to stay in school – that is if they negative and are symptom free. With parental permission, school nurses will be able to do a rapid COVID test free of charge. More information will be provided when the test kits arrive.

COVID UPDATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new cases. Clinton County reported 32 new cases. Centre County added 65. Lycoming County added 66 and Tioga County added 7. Northumberland County added 85 new cases on Tuesday, with Snyder recording 29, 26 in Union and nine in Montour.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FUNDING

Governor Tom Wolf today announced that 30 counties have received nearly $28 million in additional federal funding to enhance their behavioral health programs. The grants will target specific statewide priorities, including mobile crisis mental health services, telehealth, student assistance programs, start-up funding for residential treatment services and assisted outpatient treatment, and additional crisis services projects. These projects include walk-in and remote crisis supports, expanding crisis, respite, and residential care capacity, and enhanced collaboration with law enforcement to assist with crisis response.

Project areas and applicants receiving funding include:

• Additional Crisis Services (21 projects): Lycoming/Clinton Counties, 8 County Regional (Centre, Clearfield/Jefferson, Huntingdon/Mifflin/Juniata, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties);
• Telehealth Capacity (Two projects): Bradford/Sullivan Counties and Columbia/Montour/Snyder/Union Counties; and,
• Student Assistance Program (Nine projects): Lycoming/Clinton Counties.

AIRLINE SAYING NO MORE MONKEY TRANSPORTS

The airline that carried monkeys’ part of the way to a U.S. research laboratory before they were involved in a highway crash in Pennsylvania says it will stop the shipments.  The move by the African airline is the latest skirmish in a long-running battle between animal-rights groups and researchers — with airlines caught in the middle — over the use of animals in medical experiments. On Jan. 21, a truck towing a trailer with 100 monkeys collided with a dump truck on a Pennsylvania highway. Several of the monkeys escaped. Authorities said later that three were shot and killed and they accounted for the rest. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which assisted local authorities after the crash and escape of some of the monkeys, said Tuesday that the monkeys are at an approved quarantine facility. A CDC spokeswoman declined to give the location of the facility or say what the lab intended to do with the monkeys.

BACK TO REMOTE LEARNING

Milton Baugher elementary school is moving to remote learning for two days… this is following an increase in COVID cases and also the quarantining of staff and students. According to reports from the school district, there were 25 positive cases at Baugher Elementary with over 90 students and staff quarantining. The announcement came late Monday and the shift to online with go through tomorrow.  The students are expected to return to in-person instruction on Friday.

EXPANDING BOUNDARIES AND BALANCING WORKLOADS

The shifting of magisterial districts to expand boundaries to balance workloads between four magisterial district judges is open for review and comment. According to SUN Gazette, the proposal, set up by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts’, is set to shift two city wards to District Judge Aaron Biichle’s office in 2023 and then three precincts in Loyalsock Township to District Judge William Solomon’s office in 2024. Also, Williamsport Wards 8 and 9 would move to District Judge Biichle’s office. Copies of the proposed plan may be reviewed at the office of district court administrator at the Lycoming County Courthouse,  at the James V. Brown Library and at each of the Lycoming County magisterial district courts.

Comments on the proposed plan must be submitted by Feb. 18, 2022.

SUNDAY EVENING GARAGE FIRE

Fire ripped through a garage in South Williamsport around 6 p.m. Sunday evening. The garage, located on the 400 block of Winthrop Street was under control by 6:25 pm. South Williamsport Fire Chief reported the fire was in the garage and did not spread to nearby buildings. Multiple fire companies worked  with the South Williamsport Fire Department to battle the blaze, including Loyalsock, Montoursville, DuBoistown and Nisbet. With no injuries reported, according to SUN Gazette, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

COVID CASES FOR SUNDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported new cases. Clinton County reported 25 new cases. In Centre County 111 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 86 and  Tioga added 21. There were 114 new cases in the Susquehanna Valley counties: 59 in Northumberland County, 33 in Union County, 14 in Snyder and eight in Montour County.

WASD EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS $4,708 TO SUPPORT PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

In its latest grant round, the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation (WASDEF) recently awarded $4,708 to support three program enhancements across the district.  $2,200 was granted to district social workers Megan Hunter and Heather Way to support the purchase of Find Your Anchor suicide prevention kids.  And, $1,500 was given to special education teacher Caitlin McClain at Jackson Primary School and $1,008 to Williamsport Area High School social studies teacher Matthew DeWire. So far this school year, WASDEF has directly supported 13 projects, programs and initiatives totaling $119,326.

GRANT MONEY FOR WASD

WASD Education Foundation recently facilitated the receipt of more than $37,000 in grant funding to support three programs via the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania through Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donations:  $13,538 was approved to help support this year’s return of the district’s #MillionairesRead summer reading program. $12,200 was approved to support the purchase of new projection and sound systems for the Blackbox Theatre at WAHS for Marie Fox’s Drama classes. In addition, $12,105 was approved to support enhancements to music teachers Meghan Louder and Sam Robinson’s Hip-Hop, Rap and Rock course at WAHS..

STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE QUARTERLY FIREARMS PURCHASE DENIAL INVESTIGATIONS

​ The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) conducted 337,911 background checks during the fourth quarter, which is an 11% increase from the previous quarter. In addition, PSP released the number of firearms purchase denials, subsequent investigations, and arrests that resulted from investigations for the fourth quarter of 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2021, 5,330 people were denied. In total, 1,380 denials were referred to law enforcement agencies and 13 arrests were made with a warrant at point of purchase. In Pennsylvania, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or if they willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive a firearm seller, licensed dealer, or licensed manufacturer.

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS

United Ways across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and United Way of Pennsylvania are calling for state legislators to join 28 other states that currently offer individual working taxpayers some tax relief in the form of an Earned Income Tax Credit. A new economic impact study commissioned by United Way of Pennsylvania and released today shows that for every one dollar in cost to the state budget, a refundable EITC will generate a return of seven dollars from additional state and local tax income, business revenue and reduced spending on public assistance. Ron Frick, President of the Lycoming County United Way said, “A refundable EITC helps the individual and the economy so passage of this legislation is a win-win-win for the Commonwealth, the economy and residents in the counties we serve.”

INFRASTRUCTURE LAW

Arriving just hours after a Pennsylvania bridge collapse, President Joe Biden stared into the cratered muddy earth where the aging span fell early Friday, striking evidence supporting the $1 trillion infrastructure law he already had planned to tout on his trip to Pittsburgh. Standing before concrete barriers papered with yellow police tape, Biden craned his neck to look out over the gaping expanse left by the crumbled bridge, as the smell of gas from a nearby leak filled the air. The infrastructure law signed by Biden has earmarked about $1.6 billion for Pennsylvania bridge maintenance, with tens of billions more for public transit, highway maintenance and broadband internet expansion in the state.

LYCOMING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

Section 8 programs will highlight the Lycoming County Housing Authority booth at the West Branch Susquehanna Builder’ Home Show, scheduled April 1 through the 3 at the Lycoming Mall. According to SUN Gazette, the tenant-based program is a section 8 housing choice designed so that the assistance follows the program participant, according to information on the authority’s website. Under the program, tenants pay between 30 and 40% of their adjusted gross monthly income in rent and the Lycoming Housing Authority pays the remainder of the negotiated rent directly to the landlord under a Housing Assistance Payments Program.

GUN LEGISLATION BILL

Pennsylvania’s state Senate recently approved veto-destined legislation to help gun owners and gun-rights organizations collect damages in court from cities that passed firearms restrictions that were found to violate state law. Despite the veto threat by Gov. Tom Wolf, the bill passed the Republican-controlled chamber, 32-17, with three Democrats joining every Republican in support of it. The bill passed the Republican-controlled House in June and goes to Wolf’s desk, the latest in a long-running disagreement with the Democrat over how to deal with gun violence. Under the bill, a gun owner or a gun-rights organization would have standing in court to sue municipalities over firearms ordinances that they contend are more restrictive than state law. A city whose gun ordinance is struck down in court could be ordered to pay damages.

ASSAULT AT UPMC WILLIAMSPORT

A Williamsport man faces charges after he assaulted two nurses and damaging parts of the triage room at UPMC Williamsport. According to reports Chaz Turner was yelling obscenities and issuing threats to hospital staff on Jan 3 around 10:20 pm. Turner became combative, smashing a computer stand and other items as he attempted to resist arrest. Turner was arraigned before District Judge Aaron Beak Lee with multiple charges including aggravated and simple assault. Turner has been released on $50,000 bail.

FELONY CHARGES FOR WATSONTOWN WOMAN

A Watsontown woman allegedly gave her boyfriend, Earnest Lee Sharr Jr. the fatal dose of drugs that eventually ended his life on Sept 24.  has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Februrary. Samatha Jo Acy, is scheduled to appear in front of District Judge Michael Diehl. She is charged with multiple counts including felony drug delivery in death. According to daily item, she remains incarcerated in Northumberland County jail in lieu of $125,000 bail.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

According to the Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, the elephant in the room is the condemned City Hall. The newly formed Williamsport City Council wrestles with options as they are looking at upwards of $20 million dollars to repair,  replace and return city employees to offices in the historic building known as City Hall. Fortunately, the Trade and Transit I and II centers are reliable and convenient homes to city offices and departments as the important decisions are made.