BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS FEB 4, 2022

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.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS FEB 3, 2022

A NEW FOOTBALL COACH

The Williamsport Area School District hired a new head football coach on Tuesday night. Michael Pearson will take over as head coach for varsity football.  Pearson, who replaces Chuck Crews, comes to the district with more than 30 years of high school and college football coaching experience. In addition, he’s been a member of the instructional camp staff at Lycoming College and Penn State University. Pearson was a four-year letter winner at receiver at Lycoming College from 1987-90.

TERRORISTIC THREATS DURING WORK RELEASE

A Lycoming County inmate has been charged with terroristic threats a mere few days before he was scheduled to be released from jail. William Watson had been assigned work at the Lycoming County landfill. On Jan 4th, Watson allegedly refused to continue to work, remarking to a supervisor at the site, that he was getting out in five days and he had a gun with plans on using it on him. Watson waived his preliminary hearing before District Judge Allen P. Page III and is now free on $5,000 bail.

COVID CASES FROM YESTERDAY IN THE AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported 7,305 new cases. Clinton County reported 42 new cases. In Centre County 107 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 112 and Tioga added 28. Northumberland County added 113 new cases. State Health officials also recorded 44 new cases in Snyder County, 28 in Union and nine in Montour.

SUPREME COURT STEPPING IN

Pennsylvania’s Democratic-majority Supreme Court wrested control Wednesday of choosing new district lines for the state’s shrinking congressional delegation, a process that deadlocked the governor and Legislature. The five Democratic justices issued an order directing a lower judge to give them a report by Monday that recommends a new map, along with her legal and factual findings that support it. It’s the second time in four years the state’s high court has stepped in to direct congressional districting in the politically polarized state, and the latest example around the country of state courts potentially giving Democrats a boost in highly charged battles over redistricting.

NO PARKING DURING SNOW EVENTS REMINDER

Residents of Loyalsock Township are reminded of the no parking during snow events ordinance. Residents on township streets that have driveways are not to park any motor vehicle on the public streets following the accumulation of ice or snow of two inches or greater on the road surface. Vehicles are not to be parked on the street until the township plow trucks have cleared the full width of the street (both sides).  The full ordinance can be found on the Planning and Zoning Page for Loyalsock Township.  Also, in the event of heavy snow, observe the odd-even parking requirement. The township works hard to maintain the 68.05 miles of roads and streets in the township.

MOTORISTS URGED TO AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL IN COMING STORM, VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS ANTICIPATED

​ In anticipation of potentially hazardous wintry and icy conditions in much of the state on Thursday and Friday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) are advising motorists to monitor local forecasts and avoid unnecessary travel. Additionally, the agencies anticipate implementing various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm.

50 YEARS OF SERVING THE AREA

The Montour Preserve near Washingtonville turns 50 this year. The Montour preserve’s history will be celebrated on Friday night with a special event where Jon Beam, the preserve’s assistant director, will talk about their history and how close they came to extinction in 2015 when PPL divested themselves of outdoor educational facilities.   You can attend at their headquarters in Anthony Township or you can go online for the Zoom meeting from 7 to 8:30pm.

AREA CONTRACTOR FAILED TO KEEP HIS END OF THE BARGIN

Deceptive business practices charges for a Jordan Township contractor after he has failed to follow through with renovations. According to state police, Adam Potts of Unityville allegedly failed to perform work after he received advance payment.   Two victims took their concerns to the state police, where charges were filed Jan 10th. According to SUN Gazette, Potts is out on $15,000 bail.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS FEB 2, 2022

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.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS FEB 1, 2022

REMEMBERING CURLEY

He is being remembered for being the first Black Police Chief for the City of Williamsport.  The late city Police Chief Curley J. Jett died on Jan. 24 at the age of 77. He graduated from the Williamsport Area Community College and became a police officer under the leadership of Mayor John R. Coder in 1973. As reported by SUN Gazette, he ascended through the ranks from officer, then agent, sergeant, captain, assistant chief and finally chief of the Williamsport Bureau of Police. The public visitation and private burial is being held by the Maneval Allen Redmond Funeral Home. The public viewing is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home at 500 W. Fourth St on Friday, Feb. 4.

 

DEATH AT LYCOMING COUNTY PRISON

An inmate at the Lycoming County Prison died on January 15.  Chaz Turner of Williamsport was transported to UPMC Williamsport via ambulance. It was at UPMC, where Turner was pronounced dead.  According to Lycoming County Coroner, Charles E. Kiessling, Jr, the autopsy results are 10-12 weeks out, however he feels it appears to have been a natural death.  Turner, the focus on a recent disturbance on Jan. 4th at the UPMC Williamsport, was jailed following the arraignment by District Judge Aaron Biichle.

STOLEN MONEY FROM AN ESTATE

A Luzerne County woman allegedly stole thousands of dollars from her grandfather’s estate.  Krystyne Farris was arraigned on felony charges of theft from mid-August 2019 through last July. The estate belonged to James Hauser. Farris was the caretaker and also the power of attorney for Hauser’s estate.  According to state police, Farris took upwards of  $18,414 from the estate. As reported by SUN Gazette, charges were filed as a result of an investigation that began just days after Hauser’s death when family members came to the state police barracks. Farris, arraigned Jan. 25 before  District Justice Gary Whiteman on felony charges of theft and receiving stolen property and released on $25,000 bail.

ARCA FUND MEETING

The Williamsport City Council held an ARCA funds meeting last night at the Trade and Transit Center 2.  On the agenda was the discussion on the proper spending of the $25.5 million in American Rescue Funds. A few of the items discussed included fire apparatus for the Bureau of fire, street lighting and traffic cameras.

NEW FOOTBALL COACH IN LHU

Dan Mulrooney has been named the new head football coach at Lock Haven University. Mulrooney comes to The Haven after leading a remarkable turnaround at NCAA Division III Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts. A historic 7-3 record led Anna Maria to the 2021 NCAA Division III playoffs, the school’s first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Coach Mulrooney reported he is certainly looking forward to his next challenge at LHU.

COVID UPDATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new cases. Clinton County reported 17 new cases. In Centre County 71 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 73. Tioga County added 6. On Monday, the DOH reported 36 new cases in Northumberland County, 21 in Union County, 20 in Snyder and 19 in Montour County.

 

COURT CONSIDERING GETTING INVOLVED

Pennsylvania’s highest court signaled Monday that it may get involved in the process of redrawing Pennsylvania’s congressional districts boundaries, as the state runs up against the primary schedule to adjust the boundaries to account for a decade of demographic shifts. The state Supreme Court, in a 5-2 decision, put a hold on a lower court’s consideration of proposals for a new map and said it would hear arguments on whether to exercise its authority over the process. Democrats had asked the court to exercise its “extraordinary jurisdiction” in the matter. A Commonwealth Court judge, Patricia McCullough, has held three days of hearings on competing proposals for new district boundaries submitted to the court after Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers deadlocked. More than a dozen were submitted by Republican lawmakers, Democratic lawmakers, Wolf, partisan groups and good-government groups.

 

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO FIRE SERVICE

Williamsport Bureau of Fire Chief Sam Angst attended the Williamsport City Council meeting last evening, as one of the items for American Rescue Funding was new fire apparatus for the department. Chief Angst looks forward to his position as Chief, which he has had for a full week, with optimism. Coordination and cooperation with both paid and volunteer fire companies throughout Lycoming County is something the Chief stresses as well as public education and high level community service.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS JAN 31, 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.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS JAN 28 & 29, 2022

 

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. Funding will be used to buy 100 customized “little blue boxes” filled with resources and information for struggling students from the grassroots organization.

$1,500 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 FUNDING TOWARDS 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.

$12,105 was approved to support enhancements to music teachers Meghan Louder and Sam Robinson’s Hip-Hop, Rap and Rock course at WAHS. Money used to support the three grants above were from C&N, First National Bank of PA, M&T Bank and Woodlands Bank.

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.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS

The next Williamsport City Council meeting will detail the Grafius Run flood mitigation and other projects for the American Rescue Plan Fund money.  Other talking points for the Williamsport City Council include using the funds for baseball fields, body camera for the police,  street lights and traffic cameras, just to mention a few.  At this point, Williamsport has upwards of $25.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds that were broken into installments.  That meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7pm, where it is virtual and in person at Trade and Transit 2.

 

WEST BRANCH SUSQUEHANNA BUILDERS’ HOME SHOW

Section 8 programs will highlight their booth at the West Branch Susquehanna Builders’ Home Show, scheduled  April 1 through the 3 at the Lycoming Mall. The Lycoming County Housing Authority will have a booth at the show to introduce landlords to the Section 8 program. According to SUN Gazette, the tenant-based program is a section 8 housing choice voucher program enacted as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.   It is 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.

COVID CASES FOR OUR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 71 new cases. In Centre County 268 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 178. Northumberland County reported 198 new cases, Union County reported 85, Snyder reported 68 and Montour County reported 45.

 

MAIL-IN VOTING UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A statewide court declared that Pennsylvania’s expansive two-year-old mail-in voting law is unconstitutional, agreeing with challenges by Republicans who soured on mail-in voting after then-President Donald Trump began baselessly attacking it as rife with fraud in 2020′s campaign. The decision, by a five-judge Commonwealth Court panel of three Republicans and two Democrats, could be put on hold immediately by an appeal from Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to the state Supreme Court. Still, the decision throws the state’s voting laws into doubt as voters prepare to elect a new governor and a new U.S. senator in 2022. The three Republican judges agreed with Republican challengers, saying that no-excuse mail-in voting is prohibited under the state constitution and the constitution must be changed to allow it.

 

STOLEN GUN USED FOR INTIMINDATION

A Milton man used a stolen gun to intimidate motorists on Route 642.  William Smith of Milton stole a gun from a locked truck January 16 and while standing on Route 642, he pointed the revolver at several passing cars. According to an online media source, troopers arrested Smith without incident and transported him to Northumberland County Prison. Smith was charged with aggravated and simple assault as well a multiple other charges. His bail is set at $125,000.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS JAN 28, 2022

ACCIDENT CLOSES LYCOMING CREEK ROAD

Fire and rescue personnel responded to the 1700 block of Lycoming Creek Road yesterday afternoon around 4:40 pm. According to fire crews, they arrived to find two vehicles with fluids leaking. As the incident progressed, southbound lane of Lycoming Creek Road were closed at Roosevelt.  Details will be provided as they become available.

RULING IN FAVOR OF HAWBAKER

A statewide appeals court ruled in favor of a State College construction contractor in a ruling released January 19th.  It was a 22-page decision that explained Glenn O. Hawbaker cannot be prevented from bidding and doing work in the commonwealth.  PennDot was attempted to restrict Hawbaker from bidding and working on state highway projects for upwards of three years, due to a recent case where Hawbaker plead no contest to theft charges. According to the SUN Gazette, the no contest plea means the company agreed to be punished as if it were guilty, but did not expressly admit its guilt, therefore no contest plea agreements cannot be used in civil or administrative proceedings.

 

A BOOST FROM THE CLINTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Dozens of local charitable and service organization received a sizeable boost from the Clinton County Community Foundation. Wednesday, the group awarded $427,209 at the Foundation’s annual meeting at the Ross Library. These awards, according to therecordonline.com, were in addition to previously provided award amounts of $223,061.

 

COVID CASES IN OUR AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health  added new cases on Thursday. Clinton County reported 50 new cases. In Centre County 219 new cases were added. Lycoming County added 197 and Tioga added 90. There were 147 new cases in Northumberland County, 93 in Union, 60 in Snyder and 29 in Montour.

SAFETY GRANTS FOR NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded several schools safety grants. The funds, which totaled $11,000 – $60,000 included the Milton Area SD, MT Carmel Area SD, Northumberland Christian school, Shamokin Area SD and Joseph School. Milton Area SD – $20,000 for programming, Mount Carmel Area SD – $25,000 for equipment, Mount Carmel Area SD – $60,000 for their school resource officer, Northumberland Christian School – $17,000 for equipment, Northumberland Christian School – $12,000 for programming, Shamokin Area SD – $20,000 for programming, Joseph School – $25,000 for equipment.

GUILTY BY CLINTON COUNTY JURY

A Mill Hall man was arrested and charged when he was found with an active bench warrant on May 4, 2021.  Jonathan Wesley Gadd, was convicted of four separate charges by a Clinton County jury on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 after a 1-day trial.  The jury found the defendant guilty of multiple charges including Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Escape.  The charges stemmed from a May 4, 2021 report of a suspicious individual, found on the rocks along the dike levee on West Water Street in the City of Lock Haven.  When law enforcement officers responded to the scene, they encountered Gadd, who had an active bench warrant for his arrest following his failure to appear in court in October 2020.  As officers detained Gadd he was able began to flee, forcing officers to deploy a Taser to stop him. Gadd’s attorney, Andrea Pullizzi, suggested that Gadd was not trying to escape, but was merely attempting to turn around to smoke a cigarette prior to going to jail. Gadd is scheduled for sentencing on March 21, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of 13 years in prison.

MOTHER CHARGED AND INCARCERATED FOLLOWIN DEATH OF HER 3-MONTH-OLD CHILD

A three-month-old child was in cardiac arrest Tuesday afternoon and his mother has now been charged with involuntary manslaughter.  State police reported the infant to be in arrest and subsequently transported to UPMC with CPR attempts unsuccessful. The infant was pronounced deceased and Lycoming County Coroner conducted the autopsy.  There has been no information released from the medical examination to this point. According to SUN Gazette, state police reported they were at the South Main Street, Montgomery residence earlier in the day to check on the welfare of the child.    Tallia Charlebois (shar la bwa) is incarcerated and charged with involuntary manslaughter amongst other charges.

 

NEW EQUIPMENT FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Body cameras will be in area police departments soon. Milton and Northumberland Borough Police Departments expect to be equipped in the next few weeks. Watsontown Police Chief Rod Whitherite noted his department will be outfitted and functioning with their body cameras in about a week.  Other police departments, including Buffalo Valley Regional, Sunbury and Mahoning Township are already or also preparing to utilize the technology.  According to the Daily Item, Chief Whitherite says the equipment improves accountability and lowers the reports of police misconduct. It is another tool that can capture evidence and is fully supported by the public.

 ENERGY BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE

Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Legislature signaled again Wednesday that it wants to stop municipalities in the nation’s No. 2 natural gas state from adopting building codes that prohibit gas hookups, as some states, cities and counties consider all-electric building codes as a way to fight climate change. The bills prohibit municipalities from writing new building codes that restrict utility service based on the energy source. The move protects the state’s hometown natural gas industry, and as well as utilities and companies that refines and delivers fossil fuels to residential and commercial buildings. Neither bill has reached Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS JAN 27, 2022

A rumor of an active shooter threat has two high school students facing misdemeanor charges.  Nolan Michael Miller, of New Columbia, and Christopher Aviles-Robles of Montandon, were charged with disorderly conduct charges in the office of District Judge Michael Diehl. Because of the threat, classes on the day in question were moved to virtual learning. According to the Daily Item, Miller and Aviles-Robles have preliminary hearings Feb. 9 in front of Judge Diehl.

Burglary of a non-profit and thefts from motor vehicles have Danville Police are looking for two individuals. According to police, the burglary was early Tuesday morning between 1 and 5am at the Good Samarian Mission located on Ferry Street. The same two individuals entered an unknown number of unlocked vehicles, taking various items, from Lower Mulberry Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact Danville Police.

Pennsylvania State Police have reported they are investigating the death of a 3-month-old child yesterday in a home in Montgomery. The child was reported in cardiac arrest, yesterday at 1:30 pm in a residence on South Main Street. EMS crews arrived and CPR resuscitation was attempted while transporting the child to UPMC in Muncy.  The child was pronounced deceased at the hospital and the investigation is ongoing.

Pennsylvania State Police have released the identity of the individual who drove a stolen vehicle into the front of Blaise Alexander Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Lewisburg on Jan 15.  Amos Mushatt of Lansing , Michigan, once inside the dealership, took keys to a 2021 Ford Bronco. Mushatt drove that vehicle to the First National Bank, where he broke a window to gain entry and then stole $775. Later that day, he was apprehended by law enforcement in Ohio. Mushatt had his 12-year-old daughter with him and she was returned to family. He remains incarcerated in Ohio awaiting extradition. He is facing charges for burglary and related crimes at two Union County businesses.

Last night at the Loyalsock Township School Board meeting, the health and safety protocols were updated. Following a vote of 7-1, the protocols changed to include masks being optional with masks available for those who wish to wear them. Masks remain mandatory on school buses following federal regulations. The district will no longer contact trace post contacts in the school setting and quarantines will be conducted based on CDC guidelines for students and staff following positive COVID test results.

 

 

 

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS JAN 26, 2022

CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTION IS READY

Congressman Fred Keller released a statement in response to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announcing its plan to withdraw President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers with more than 100 employees. In the statement Keller acknowledges the months of bipartisan pressure from the House and Senate and the collaboration with Senator Mike Braun to create the Congressional Review Act resolution to eliminate the mask mandate. He advised all that he is ready to implement the Act if the Biden administration attempts to revive this effort.

 

COVID UPDATED LOCAL CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 20 new cases. In Centre County 137 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 113 new cases. And Tioga added 12. There were 158 new cases in Northumberland County, 62 in Snyder, 46 in Union and 40 in Montour.

CONTACT TRACING AND OPTIONAL MASKING

The ending of contact tracing and optional masking has been a topic of the Danville Area School Board. Last night, board members voted 7-0 with two abstentions to end most contact tracing and resume optional masking. According to the Daily Item,  changes in contact tracing policy means non-symptomatic students and staff will no longer be required to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID.

ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

A preliminary hearing in store in February for a Shamokin woman while caring for a 6-month-old child who accidentally overdosed on heroin. Lyndsay Gray is scheduled to appear in front of Shamokin District Judge John Gembic. According to the Daily Item, on Dec 22, Gray allegedly used heroin in the same room as the boy and then fell asleep. When she awoke, she found the infant unresponsive and not breathing. At Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, the boy was able to be revived with Narcan, an overdose reversal medication. Gray is facing a felony count of endangering the welfare of a child and remains an inmate at Northumberland County Jail in Coal Township in lieu of $40,000 cash bail.

WILLIAMSPORT MAN PICKED UP BY US MARSHALS

A man wanted by Sunbury Police following a shooting earlier this month is jailed on $100,000 bail after he was captured by U.S. Marshals on Monday. Hakeem Jefferson of Williamsport was brought before Sunbury District Judge Mike Toomey. Jefferson is charged with felony person not to possess a firearm after police said they discovered a handgun in a vehicle at the scene of a Jan. 3 shooting on Packer Street, where two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. According to an online media outlet, Jefferson is now incarcerated at the Northumberland County Jail and will appear for a preliminary hearing at a later date.

DOMESTIC IN WATSONTOWN

Watsontown Police responded to a domestic dispute yesterday morning at 8:00 am in the 100 block of E Ninth Street to find Natalie Asher had struck a male in the face and neck area. Asher was charged with one summary count of Harassment. Charges were filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Michael Diehl, Milton.

SCAM INVOLVING EBT CARD ALERT

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead today advised Pennsylvanians of a potential phishing scam texting people that their EBT card is locked. Pennsylvanians should not reply or share any personal information if they are contacted in this manner.  DHS and other government agencies do not and will not send text alerts regarding EBT, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or any other public assistance programs. The United States Department of Agriculture publishes informationOpens In A New Window about potential SNAP scams, but Pennsylvanians should always be aware of the threat of phishing schemes through unsolicited calls and text messages. Pennsylvanians who have questions about whether a call, text, letter, or other communication is legitimate should contact DHS’ Office of Income Maintenance. EBT balance and transaction inquiries as well as card replacements can be requested from DHS’s EBT contractor, Conduent, at 888-328-7366. Pennsylvanians can also access their EBT balance through the myCOMPASS PA mobile app in a safe and secure manner.

BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS JAN 25, 2022

SINGLE DAY OPENING FOR TROUT SEASON

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began its quarterly business meeting, held virtually with Commissioners and PFBC staff participating remotely, by reminding anglers about the upcoming statewide trout season and the importance of being safe on the ice and water. Under a change approved during its last meeting in October 2021, Pennsylvania returned to a single, statewide Opening Day of Trout Season that will occur annually on the first Saturday in April, and in 2022 will occur on Saturday, April 2.  A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place on Saturday, March 26.

The 2022 Trout Stocking Schedules are expected to be available on the FishBoatPA mobile app and PFBC website (www.fishandboat.com) beginning on February 1.

PENNSYLVANIA LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD OPENS ENTRY FOR LIMITED-RELEASE LOTTERIES FEATURING HIGHLY SOUGHT PRODUCTS

Entry deadline 5:00 PM Friday

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), through its Limited-Release Lottery, will award lottery registrants the opportunity to purchase 1,208 bottles of rare whiskeys.  Pennsylvania residents and licensees will have until 5:00 PM Friday, Jan. 28, to opt in to one or more of the drawings.Limited-Release Lotteries are open to Pennsylvania residents and licensees age 21 or older who provide both a verifiable Pennsylvania billing address and a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store address at registration.

PENNSYLVANIA LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO REDUCE UNDERAGE AND DANGEROUS DRINKING

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is now accepting applications for grants to fund programs that discourage and reduce underage and dangerous drinking and promote a message of responsible alcohol consumption by those of legal drinking age. Eligible grant applicants include Pennsylvania school districts and institutions of higher education, community organizations, municipal police departments, municipal officials/representatives, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations.   The deadline to apply for grants is 5 p.m. Friday, March 18.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is now accepting applications for grants to fund programs that discourage and reduce underage and dangerous drinking and promote a message of responsible alcohol consumption by those of legal drinking age.

The grant cycle is for two years, from July 2022 through June 2024. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis with a maximum award of $20,000 per year and cumulative award of no more than $40,000 per two-year grant cycle, per eligible applicant. The deadline to apply for grants is 5 p.m. Friday, March 18.

GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is now accepting applications for grants to fund programs that discourage and reduce underage and dangerous drinking and promote a message of responsible alcohol consumption by those of legal drinking age. The PLCB has awarded $17.7 million in alcohol education grants since the inception of the grants program in 1999. Examples of funded initiatives include increased underage police patrols and enhanced law enforcement initiatives, MADD’s Power of Parents campaigns, college alcohol assessment surveys, and peer education and training programs.  The deadline to apply for grants is 5 p.m. Friday, March 18.

DEP TO ANNOUNCE $245,000 GRANT FOR KINNEY RUN WATERSHED IMPROVEMENTS

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Northcentral Region Acting Director Jared Dressler will join Columbia County Conservation District and Town of Bloomsburg leaders today to announce $245,000 in Growing Greener grant funding for projects to improve water quality in the Kinney Run Watershed. Kinney Run, an impaired tributary to the Susquehanna River, is a small, urbanized watershed that frequently experiences flooding. The Growing Greener grant will fund three small, interconnected projects within the watershed to reduce storm water runoff, non-point source pollution, and erosion.  The projects will enhance aquatic and pollinator habitats and establish a new public nature park with educational signage.

 

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN SPORTS HALL OF FAME

The halftime at Monday night’s Central Mountain boys’ basketball game saw a special ceremony: induction of the two newest inductees into the Central Mountain Sports Hall of Fame. They are former Wildcat standout athlete Johnna Garbrick Harris and longtime Central Mountain coach, athletic director and principal Steve Turchetta.

 UPDATED COVID CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 20 new cases. In Centre County 104 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 99. There are 97 new cases in Northumberland County, 53 in Union, 26 in Snyder and 20 in Montour. Tioga added 6.

JURY SELECTION FOR TRIAL STARTS FEB 7

There was no plea deal from the district attorney’s office; therefore, accused killer Samantha Delcamp is heading to trial. Delcamp is charged as an accomplice to the murder of her 3-year-old daughter, Arabella Parker in October 2019. According to the Daily Item, the case is set to begin jury selection on Feb. 7 but a new ruling may delay the trial. Delcamp was charged by state police, when Delcamp knew about Arabella’s abuse and did nothing to prevent it.

 

UPMC NEW PRESIDENT

UPMC has promoted Patti Jackson-Gehris to chief operating officer of UPMC in North Central Pa. and president of UPMC Williamsport, effective Tuesday, Feb. 1. According to Sun Gazette, Jackson-Gehris brings upwards of 30 years of progressive experience including extensive background in strategic health care planning. As interim chief operating officer, UPMC in North Central Pa., and interim president of UPMC Williamsport since August 2021, Ms. Jackson-Gehris has had a hand in developing  UPMC Williamsport into a regional center of excellence and furthering the strategic outreach and footprint of UPMC in north central Pa.

 

COUNTRY CUPBOARD CLOSING

It has been in the community upwards of 50 years. The restaurant, Country Cupboard, located in Union County will close its doors by the end of the February. The announcement was made this morning by Chris Baylor, the CEO and co-owner.  According to the Daily Item, the 77,000-square foot Restaurant and Shops employs about 140 full- and part-time employees. It is the hope that many of the staff will transition to other businesses owned by Baylor-Hamm Companies.  Baylor said the current economic conditions partially played a role in the closure. As for now, he continued, there are immediate plays for the redevelopment of the property.

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