CLEAR THE SNOW OR FACE A FINE

Clearing the snow in front of your residence or business does more than just clear a walkway, insurance companies report it is also the best way to prevent injuries and those lawsuits associated with snow and ice accidents.  According to the Williamsport City Bureau of Codes there is a 24 hour time period after the precipitation stops, where the owner of any building fronting on any street or alley and the vacant lot owner where there is a sidewalk in front up to and including the corner crosswalk of the premises must clear the sidewalks. According to SUN Gazette, there is a grace period, but it does not last long and business and homeowners can face fines up to $2000 for not removing the snow and ice.

 LOCAL COVID CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 29 new cases. In Centre County added 104. Lycoming County added 107. There were 82 in Northumberland County, 47 in Union, 28 in Snyder and 17 in Montour. Tioga County added 13.

NO CHANGES TO DESIGNATIONS IN LOCK HAVEN

The residential to commercial designation for several blocks on the northern side of East Main Street will have to wait, as the Lock Haven City Council declined to act to change the designation. Representatives from the old E Main Street United Methodist Church in Lock Haven started the process moving from residential to centre business district designations that were favorably received from Clinton County and the City of Lock Have Planning Commissions.  However, city council has not followed suit. According to therecordonline.com, Council member Richard Morris made a motion to send the zoning request back to the planning commission so they could respond to several questions from the council.

AIRPORT BUDGET APPROVED

A $1.4 million budget for the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority was approved for this year at its recent monthly meeting. In the discussion was the 5% increase in wages and benefits for employees and the overall operating costs. According to Sun Gazette, CARES Act funding of $660,000 is expected to make up the deficit with the budget.

SEN. YAW:  LYCOMING COUNTY FARM RECEIVES CENTURY FARM AWARD DURING THE 106^TH PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW

State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and his staff on Friday recognized the Scott and Bonnie Wheeland Farm, Cogan Station, as a “Century Farm” Award recipient through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program.  The special event was held during the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. The “Century” and “Bicentennial” farm program was established by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to help promote the strength and durability of Pennsylvania’s farm families.  In order to qualify, a family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis, and the farm must include at least 10 acres of the original holding or gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products.

DOMESTIC ALTERCATION SENDS WOMAN TO HOSPITAL

A Jersey Shore woman was seen at the hospital for injuries to her head. She suffered from a four inch laceration on her forehead and was covered in her own blood.  According to state police, the victim reported to the emergency room physician she was struck during a domestic altercation with an artic tumbler cup.  Christopher Eck of Jersey Shore was taken into custody and transported to the Clinton County Correctional facility.  District Justice Keith Kibler arraigned Eck and set his bail at $7,500.

POINTING A FIREARM AT MULTIPLE VEHICLES BRINGS A MILTON MAN CHARGES

A Milton man pointed a gun at a vehicle full of passengers.  According to state police, Williams Smith, was reportedly standing  in the middle of the road near Pottsgrove last Sunday around 12  noon.  State police reported they received multiple calls on the male waving his handgun about.  However, when the police arrived, Smith was facedown in the roadway with his arms and legs spread and his handgun over 15 feet from him, according to the Daily Item.  He was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault with a pendng preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Michael Diehl.

WANTED MAN IN JAIL

A wanted man was picked up on Sunday during a criminal sweep and is now jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.  Farrington Fitch is a  homeless man who, Sunbury police allege, pulled a knife during a robbery of a victim who was giving him a ride last November. According to Daily Item, after Fitch asked for a ride, he pulled out a knife and stole upwards of $500 and the victim’s cellphone.

REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) said the Department of Environmental Protection must address skyrocketing clearing prices set during recent Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auctions. Yaw, as chairman of Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, in a letter sent Thursday, encouraged DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell to reconsider his invitation to testify at the panel’s Jan. 18 hearing to discuss the issue. Yaw and 161 other state lawmakers oppose RGGI because it will spike electricity rates, force plant closures, cost thousands of jobs, threaten the power grid’s reliability and derail future economic investment.

NO TAX INCREASE PICTURE

They are working towards a no-tax-hike budget for next year in the Keystone Central School District. The school board’s voting session meeting with the bulk of the session focusing on budget-related matters. In fact, the “5-Year Financial Picture  has a NO TAX INCREASE” with an $82 million budget for the current school year and a comparably sized budget ($82,670, 408) for 2022-23. According to therecordonline.com, the new budget will be unveiled in May with a final vote in June.

SUNBURY STABBING

An early morning stabbing in Memorial Acres sent one person to the hospital in serious condition. According to Sunbury Police, one person is in custody following the domestic disturbance call at 2 am.  As reported by the Daily Item, a male was found on the ground when police arrived. Police are not releasing any further information at this time.

COVID CASES FOR SATURDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 33 new cases. In Centre County 196. Lycoming County added 167.  Northumberland County registered 179 new cases. Union County added 92 cases, while Snyder added 61 and Montour 29.

BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW

Governor Tom Wolf today stood alongside U.S. Transportation Secretary to launch the largest bridge formula program in American history, made possible by the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Pennsylvania is set to receive $1.6 billion to fix more than 3,000 bridges across the commonwealth. The program represents the largest investment ever made in fixing bridges – dedicating $26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico over the five years of the law and $825 million for Tribal transportation facilities. The amount that will be available to states in Fiscal Year 2022 is $5.3 billion along with the $165 million for tribes. Today, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) also published initial guidance on the program.

COMPLEX STORM APPROACHING COMMONWEALTH

Governor Tom Wolf today reminded Pennsylvanians to monitor their local forecasts for details on a complex winter storm expected to bring a mix of snow, sleet and rain to much of the state starting Sunday. According to the National Weather Service, most areas will see snow as the storm system enters the state Sunday afternoon. The heaviest snow will fall in the western half of the state, with snow totals decreasing to the east where more sleet and rain are expected. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will increase staffing at 3 p.m. on Sunday with support from PA Turnpike Commission, PennDOT, PA State Police and PA National Guard. PEMA personnel will work with county emergency management partners to monitor the storm and any unmet needs and provide state resources as needed.

QUESTION OF QUARANTING  STUDENTS

‘The quarantining of students at the Loyalsock Township School District is getting a second look by the school board. According to Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin, the time may have come to take a serious look at not quarantining those asymptomatic individuals, even if they have come into contact with COVID infected people.  It is being done in similar situations in other school districts. According to SUN Gazette, the school district is doing the best it can at monitoring the COVID infections, however many believe it will get worse this winter.  There was no further discussion or action on this conversation.

DESTRUCTION OF PAPER RECORDS

The approval to destroy paper records for both the Old Lycoming Township and Old Lycoming Township Police was approved at the most recent meeting of the Old Lycoming Township Supervisors. The files in question includes those paper records from pre-2014 and that have been deemed legally permissible to destroy based on the provisions of Title 46 of the PA Code. Digital copies will remain on file and part of the active record system, just not in a paper form.  Old Lycoming Township will next meet Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Old Lycoming Township municipal building.

PARKING CHANGES IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

Snow events require parking changes in Loyalsock Township in the form of an ordinance that temporarily regulates parking on township streets during snow events. Residents who live on township streets are not to park any motor vehicle on the public street following an accumulation of two inches or greater depth of snow on the road surface until the township plow trucks have cleared the full width of the roadway, according to the ordinance. According to SUN Gazette, if properties do not have a driveway, an exception of the ordinance will be granted but residents are still required to follow the odd/even parking schedule for snow events.  

This would require a vehicle to be parked on the odd house numbered side of the street on odd calendar days and the even house numbered side of the street on even calendar days.

AN OVERDOSE WAS THE CAUSE

It was deemed a multi-drug overdose of what some say were anti-depressants that caused the death of a Lock Haven woman who was charged in the death of her son upwards of a year ago. Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse and County Coroner Zach Hanna ruled the death as accidental, according to therecordonline.com. However,  the death of Jamie Lynn Jackson remains under investigation by state police. It was November when she experienced a medical emergency and was transported from the Clinton County Correctional Facility. Her trial was scheduled for the spring for the murder of 9-year-old Anson Stover.

COVID CASES FOR FRIDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported new COVID-19 cases.  Clinton County reported 89 new cases. In Centre County 332 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 300. Northumberland County registered 200 new cases. Union County reported 94 new cases — buoyed by 65 new cases at USP-Lewisburg — while Snyder County added 63 and Montour County 42.

BODY FOUND IN CREEK IN SNYDER COUNTY

A man’s body was found along the bank of Penns Creek. State police at Selinsgrove are investigating the appearance of the white male’s body near the Green Bridge at Selinsgrove at Routes 11-15 and 522 on Friday at approximately 12 noon.  Snyder County Coroner William Pheasant said he pronounced the man dead at 1:03 p.m. Friday. The man, who Pheasant described as being in his mid-20s and from out of state, was laying in shallow water in the creek. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning, he said. State police confirm an investigation is ongoing.

EARLY MORNING STABBING SENDS SUNBURY WOMAN TO JAIL

Following an early morning stabbing in Memorial Acres in Sunbury, that sent a male to the hospital in serious condition, an 18-year-old Sunbury woman is in jail. Samantha Barge is jailed on $200,000 bail after appearing before Sunbury District Judge Mike Toomey Friday morning on charges of felony aggravated assault, according to the Daily Item.  Barge will appear before Toomey for a preliminary hearing at a later date.

CLINTON COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSING FOR AT LEAST FIVE DAYS

Due to the rising number of positive cases of Covid-19 in the secondary schools, the threshold of 5% of cases among students and staff at Bucktail High School and Central Mountain High Schoo has been reached.  Central Mountain Middle School is currently at 4% and awaiting test results for many others.  All elementary schools are currently at 3% or lower for total cases.  The PA Department of Health recommends full remote learning when the 5% threshold is reached.

As of Thursday, January 13, 2022,  we will be closing Bucktail High School (7-12), Central Mountain High School (9-12) and Central Mountain Middle School (5-8). 

We will close for a minimum of five days with an expected return on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

COVID CASES LOCALLY FROM YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 68 new cases. In Centre County 353 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 241. Tioga added 40. Northumberland County registered 183 new, while Union County had 54, Snyder 37 and Montour 24

GUILTY PLEAS FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES ON AVIS MAN

Aaron Confer, 23, of Avis, entered guilty pleas in the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas on Tuesday morning to one count of Aggravated Assault of a victim less than 6 years old (F2), and one count of Endangering Welfare of Children (F2).  The two guilty pleas were taken by Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury just a few days before Confer was slated to pick a jury on Friday, January 14th.  Pine Creek Township Police filed charges after they were called to the Lock Haven Hospital after a mother had taken her 3-month-old child to the hospital for injuries and bruises on the infant’s body.  Police allege that the child suffered a fractured clavicle in the assault. Confer posted $250,000 bail and remained free as he awaited trial. Sentencing is scheduled for March 14, 2022 at 8:30AM.  He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years incarceration.

NEW BUILDING FOR SUNBURY POLICE

It is a new building, a new year and a new fresh outlook for the Sunbury Police Department.  The new venture at 337 Arch Street began last spring with a price tag over $1 million. Some minor details are becoming reality. According to Chief Hare, they will have a child-friendly interview room, thanks to the Sunbury Arts Council. It will be a room where the children can feel safe and as comfortable as possible, with a softer tone in the paint and décor. According to an online media source, Hare went on to say corporate sponsors will be mentioned at a later date when officers host a grand opening.

HOUSE ADVANCES CITIZEN’S CONGRESSIONAL MAP, GROVE SAYS

For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, the House advanced a congressional district map created by a citizen of Pennsylvania, Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) announced. The map approved in House Bill 2146 remains largely identical to the plan submitted by citizen and Lehigh Valley resident Amanda Holt. It includes very minor adjustments recommended by citizens across the Commonwealth to improve the compactness of districts, respond to citizen concerns regarding communities of interest and increase minority representation in Philadelphia.Holt’s map was one of the 19 verified statewide maps submitted to the committee through the website, which also allowed residents to identify their communities of interest and comment on proposed plans. House Bill 2146 now goes to the Senate for consideration.

FIRST SEMESTER TO START ONLINE

Lock Haven University has announced that its spring 2022 semester will begin on Monday, Jan. 24, with the first week of classes to be delivered online. The university will continue all classes the week of Monday, Jan. 31 as regularly scheduled – in-person, hybrid or online. By starting the semester online, it will allow time for the expected post-holiday surge in COVID-19 cases to subside. LHU will also stagger the move-in schedule and provide a robust testing protocol for students living on campus. All students residing on campus will be required to have a negative COVID test before being permitted to complete the move-in process.

PACE AND PACENET

Governor Tom Wolf today was joined by state and local officials and older Pennsylvanians to celebrate recently signed legislation to expand eligibility in the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) programs.“Ensuring that older Pennsylvanians have access to necessary services, including quality health care and affordable prescription drugs, is a priority of my administration,” said Gov. Wolf. Programs like PACE and PACENET serve as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of older adults who need assistance with paying for their prescription medications and provide critical support to older Pennsylvanians.” PACE and PACENET currently enroll more than 250,000 older Pennsylvanians. The income limit expansions mean that an additional 100,000 older adults are now eligible with an expected 20,000 older adults expected to enroll in 2022. Enrollment begins in February.

SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES ON DANVILLE MAN

Charges of statutory sexual assault and over a dozen related counts for a Danville man as he is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl upwards of a dozen times over a span of two occasions last week. State police report John Andrew Kriner provided drugs and alcohol to the minor before engaging in intercourse. It was the second arrest for Kriner on similar charges with this girl. According to the Daily Item, police warned Kriner as a juvenile to end contact with the girl when he turns 18. Kriner was charged with rape and other charges,  jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail with a preliminary hearing in front of District Justice Marvin Shrawder on Jan. 20^th.

BUCKNELL GRADUATE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The first transplant of a pig heart into a human patient last week was led by a doctor who graduated from Bucknell University in the biomedical engineering program. Dr. Bartley Giffith, who graduated in 1970, performed a seven-hour surgery Friday at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. According to the DailyItem, Griffith was a biology major, played men’s lacross and was instrumental in launching the biomedical engineering program at Bucknell University.

IMPROVE YOUR WILDLIFE HABITAT

It’s not too early for landowners to begin making plans to improve wildlife habitat this spring and into the future by planting tree and shrub species offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Howard Nursery. The 2022 seedling order form is available online, and sales began Monday. The Howard Nursery, located in Centre County, grows tree and shrub seedlings for use on State Game Lands, Hunter Access properties, the Seedling for Schools program, and other Game Commission conservation partners. Any remaining surplus is available to Pennsylvania residents for purchase. Seedlings are sold in units of 25. The order form is available at www.pgc.pa.gov. There is a link under Quick Clicks.

GAME COMMISSION ASKING FOR HELP TO FIND TURKEYS

The Game Commission is asking for the public’s help finding turkeys to trap for ongoing and new turkey projects. The agency is encouraging Pennsylvanians to report the location of any turkey flocks they see between now and March 15. Information is being collected online at https://pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/TurkeyBroodSurvey. Visitors to that webpage will be asked to provide the date of the sighting, the location, and the type of land (public, private or unknown) where birds are seen, among other things. Game Commission crews will assess sites for the potential to trap turkeys. Turkeys will not be moved; they’ll simply be leg banded and released on site. In four Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) a sampling also will be outfitted with GPS transmitters, then be released back on site, to be monitored over time.

STANDOFF WITH PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP MAN

A Pine Creek Township man was served with a Protection From Abuse order by the Clinton County Sheriff’s office yesterday. Later the same day, Daniel Harold Mikitko allegedly called the victim upwards of a dozen times.  The victim contacted the state police and Mikitko refused to exit his residence, instead threatening troopers and other local police.  The Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team was activated around 10 pm.   Mikitko continued to threaten officers with a firearm until 5 am when he was taken into custody with less lethal force with no injuries to Mikitko or the police. Multiple charges, including terroristic threats and resisting arrest, have been filed.

STRUCTURE FIRE IN VACANT BUILDING

Flames tore through a vacant structure yesterday morning.  A building known for being a long time general store in Elimsport, at the intersection of Gap and Elimsport Roads was a total loss.  According to Sun Gazette, with no reports of injuries, firefighters from Washington Township, Clinton Township, Nippenose Valley and Montgomery responded on the initial alarm. Firemen from Warrior Run Area and White Deer responded on the additional alarm.

POSSIBLE SPACE HEATER MALFUNCTION

Fire consumed a mobile home at 74 Ikes Drive around noon yesterday. According to Clinton Township Fire Chief Todd Winder, the fire was out in minutes, but the structure still suffered significant damage. As firefighters were finishing up at this scene, 911 dispatchers received a report of a mobile home fire at 74 Ikes Drive, just north of the Lycoming-Union county line, in Brady Township about 12:15 p.m. According to SUN Gazette, the occupants were uninjured and were received emergency assistance from the local American Red Cross. Chief Winder reported the fire has been ruled accidental.

WARRANT FOR FAILURE TO NOTIFY DEPARTMENT

The Watsontown Police currently have a felony warrant for 57 year old Bautista Beers aka Bautista Bonett with a last known address of 27 ½ Main St. in the Borough of Watsontown.  Beers is a lifetime registrant through the Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law Division.  Beers relocated to another residence and failed to update his information as required.  Anyone with information about Beers’ whereabouts are requested to contact the Watsontown Police at (570)538-2773. 

IT IS A SENTENCE IMPOSED FOR RAPE OF A CHILD FOR LOCK HAVEN MAN

Edgar John Willits, Jr., was sentenced yesterday to a total term of 47 years in a State Correctional Institution for Rape of a Child and related offenses.  Following a one-day trial in August 2021, Willits was convicted of multiple felonies.  The sentence was imposed Monday morning by Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury, who also presided at trial. When offered an opportunity to speak to the Court, Willits said he wanted to apologize to the victim for “any inconvenience” he had caused her.  Before announcing his sentence, Salisbury told Willits that his actions were “despicable, disgusting and heinous,” and that he was appalled by the Defendant’s description of this event as an “inconvenience” to the victim.  Judge Salisbury stated that his goal in fashioning a sentence was to remove Willits from society, so he is no longer able to put children at risk.  Ultimately, the Court imposed a total term of incarceration of up to 47 years, followed by 3 years of mandatory probation.  Willits is considered parole eligible after serving 21 years and 4 months of his sentence, and will be a lifetime Megan’s Law Registrant.

COURT REFUSED

 A Pennsylvania court declined Monday to block an entire subpoena to state election officials in what Republican state lawmakers call a “forensic investigation” of 2020′s presidential election, fueled by former President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that Democrats stole the election. But the statewide Commonwealth Court that issued the seven-page order did not immediately greenlight the release of some information that Democratic state Attorney General Josh Shapiro challenged as being protected by privacy laws. In the unsigned order, the court said state officials and Democratic lawmakers did not persuade it that the subpoena issued in September by a Republican-controlled Senate committee had no legitimate legislative purpose.

NEW MEDICAL FACILITY TO MAKE BETTER HEALTH EASIER FOR PATIENTS CLOSER TO HOME

Geisinger Medical Center Muncy began welcoming its first patients on Monday, Jan. 10. The full-service hospital is part of a clinical joint venture between Geisinger and Highmark Health that expands access to care for those who need it most in a four-county region covering Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties.  The 120,000-square foot, three-story facility includes an emergency room, clinical decision unit, intensive care unit, surgical suites and primary and specialty care areas. Approximately 300 employees at Geisinger Medical Center Muncy will meet the routine and acute care needs of those living in Lycoming, Sullivan, Clinton and Tioga counties.

 UPDATED COVID CASES IN AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 56 new cases. In Centre County 305 were recorded. Lycoming County added 93.Northumberland County had 162. Union County added 87. Snyder County had 47 new cases, while Montour County recorded 36. Tioga County added 15.

MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL MOVING TO 100% VIRTUAL LEARNING

The Milton Area School District is experiencing high levels of positive COVID-19 cases and quarantining staff and students due to positive COVID exposure at the secondary complex. To date, we have 28 positive cases in the Middle School and High School, with over 200 students and staff quarantining. We have met the PA DOH criteria for identification of an outbreak and need to move towards outbreak containment. Additionally, we are awaiting test results on two more students. In order for us to preserve in-person learning, they will be going virtual at the Milton Middle School and Milton High School on Tuesday, January 11, Wednesday, January 12, Thursday, January 13, and Friday, January 14. We are closed on Monday, January 17 to observe Martin Luther King Day. Buildings will reopen on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 7:15 AM for in-person learning. The Middle School and High School offices, along with the District Office will remain open. This closure allows us to hit the reset for the 14-day rolling average in our buildings, based on DOH guidelines.

FIREFIGHTERS MORN ONE OF THEIR OWN

Old Lycoming Vol Fire Fighters are morning the loss of one of their own.  Chief Paul K. Stroble joined the Old Lycoming Twp Fire Company on January 11, 1965.  He will be interred on his 57^th Anniversary date of joining the Company.  He is one of a very seldom seen 3 generation family of firefighters. He served as Chief from 1978 – 1984 and was very active right up until his passing – even when his health was failing.    He will be laid to rest at the Twin Hills Cemetery in a service starting at 9 am …

BRIDGE PROJECTS IN UNION COUNTY

In Union County seven county-owned bridges have been replaced since 2016 and a major rehabilitation project has been completed. In 2021 alone, Union County had five bridges closed, repaired and reopened. According to the Daily Item, up to and including 2023, an estimated $11 million will have been spent on bridge infrastructure improvements and the county will then own 25 bridges.

DEFERRAL OF SENTENCING IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

A Turbotville woman who allegedly fell asleep, and her 3-year-old son, who left the house, unattended, was found dead in the neighbor’s pool, has not been sentenced. The deferral was until a later date, because she arrived at the Northumberland County Court with a week old, newborn child.  Britney Bridges was scheduled to be sentenced Friday after a jury in October found her guilty of a felony count of child endangerment, according to the Daily Item.  Milton state police reported Bridges as “recklessly negligent.”  Bridges has been free since Nov. 10, 2020, after her $125,000 bail was listed as ROR (released on her own recognizance).

SUNBURY POLICE LOOKING FOR SHOOTER

Shots fired into a home on Friday night has Sunbury police looking for the shooter. The gunfire occurred around 11:30pm on Bainbridge Street, when a man walked up, shot upwards of 6 or more rounds into the home and left. A dark colored SUV was in that area at the time and there are no injuries, no suspects. The incident remains under investigation and if you have any information on any of the shootings in Sunbury, please contact Northumberland County 911.

AREA UNIVERSITIES GETTING READY FOR SPRING SEMESTER

Bucknell and Susquehanna University students will be required to attend spring semester classes in person and get the COVID-19 booster shot while Bloomsburg University students will start the first week online. Bloomsburg students will be studying remotely from Jan. 24 through Jan. 28 and return to a regular schedule on Jan. 30. Bucknell University President John Bravman sent out an email to all students, requiring all students to take a COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival on campus or risk being un-enrolled from spring course. The spring semester starts on Jan. 18 at Bucknell and Jan. 31 at Susquehanna.

PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS WILL BE INTERESTING

More extreme time pressures could push the bounds of how Pennsylvania’s elections are run in 2022, with wide-open races for a U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s office driving voter interest and partisan stalemates in the statehouse sowing uncertainty. It is barely a month before candidates can legally start gathering signatures to qualify for primary ballots and Pennsylvania still has no new map of district boundaries for congressional seats and state legislative seats. A court battle looks inevitable, potentially shortening the primary campaign period for candidates for Congress and the Legislature and squeezing the timeline for counties to finalize and mail out ballots.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS BEFORE ELECTION DAY WITHOUT ATTACHMENTS DENIED

Meanwhile, despite two years of asking, counties remain unable to persuade the Republican-controlled Legislature to simply grant their request to let them process mailed-in ballots before Election Day, without attaching what Democrats view as poison pills. The vast majority of states allow it — including big Republican-controlled states like Florida, Georgia and Texas — and that hang-up in 2020′s presidential election dragged out counting, fomented a legion of baseless conspiracy theories launched by former President Donald Trump and kept the winner of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes in limbo until the Saturday after the election. “State government is failing us again,” said Forrest Lehman, Lycoming County’s elections director.

CONVICTION STANDS

Edward Bendik,  had his most recent effort to overturn his 2016 convictions for Cruelty to Animals, Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Reckless Burning, and Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer denied Thursday in an Opinion issued by Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury.  Bendik remains incarcerated in a State Correctional Institution for a maximum term of up to 43 years. Bendik sought a new trial in his most recent attempt to overturn his convictions.  He claimed that his conviction was the result of ineffective assistance of counsel during his first trial.

BENCH WARRANT ARREST

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office arrested ETTERS, MATTHEW F on Thursday January 6^th under a Bench warrant issued: Thursday November 18^th by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office

NEW CHARGES

Preliminary hearings yesterday morning left new charges, including criminal homicide, for three Williamsport women. According to Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner, the abuse both Nicole and Jasmine Snyder endured before their death was “the worst they have ever seen.” In saying that, according to SUN Gazette, prosecutors have reported they are pursuing the death penalty for both Marie Snyder and Echo Butler. Also charged in the case, Michele Butler, Echo’s mother, has charges of third-degree murder for her part in the deaths of the children.

TIME EXTENSION

Time has been extended for work on the proposed 2023 budget for the Williamsport City Council. It was during the Thursday night meeting, when the unanimous vote to change Nov 3 the first meeting for the 2023 budget and work sessions then fall on Nov. 14 and 16. According to Council President Adam Yoder, this is a six-week process and the additional time allows for solutions and hopefully eliminates a time constraint. As reported by Sun Gazette, Mayor Slaughter is looking into updated budget financial software to streamline the process.