RESTRICTIONS CUT

U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop. The decision also was driven by a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, propelled by the omicron variant.

ASSAULT CHARGES LAND PITTSTON MAN IN JAIL

A Pittston man allegedly kicked in the front door of a residence in Williamsport and assaulted the male resident. Williamsport Bureau of Police arrived in the 1600 block of Scott Street in the early morning hours of Dec. 4^th to find a bruised and bloody male victim. According to SUN Gazette, Scott Erb was arrested and taken before District Judge Christian Frey on multiple charges, including burglary and felony trespassing. Erb was taken to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES FROM YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 14 new cases. In Centre County 21 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 37 new cases. Tioga County added 5 new cases.  There were 18 new infections in Northumberland County, eight in Snyder, five in Montour and four in Union County.

ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE CHARGES FROM 2019 PLED IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT

A Sunbury man pleaded guilty to felony charge of attempted homicide when he shot Derek Whitsesel four times with a .40 caliber handgun in Milton in November of  2019. The fight, according to the Daily Item, started over a winter hat and has now sent Ricky Pearson to prison for the next 12 to 36 years. Whitesel survived the attack.

NEW ACTING SECRETARY OF COMMONWEALTH

Governor Tom Wolf announced his intention to name Leigh M. Chapman to serve as Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth. Chapman will replace Acting Secretary Veronica Degraffenreid, who will be elevated to serve in the Administration as a special advisor to the governor.  Chapman currently serves as executive director of Deliver My Vote, a non-partisan, non-profit organization focused on research and education about voting by mail. From 2015 to 2017, Chapman served as policy director at the Department of State, advancing key agenda items including the implementation of electronic voter registration.  Chapman will serve as Acting Secretary beginning Saturday, January 8, 2022.

ALL RESTRICTIONS LIFTED FROM INTERSTATE

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) lifted all speed limit and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions in place on interstates in the region at 1:00 PM. Due to the winter storm impacting the region, speed limits were reduced at 9:40 a.m. on Interstate 80 eastbound and westbound between the Clinton County line and Interstate 180. Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com.

LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS GRADUATE

Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), announced that 15 Liquor Enforcement Officers graduated and have been assigned to Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE) offices across the commonwealth. The men and women represent the 28th liquor control enforcement trainee graduating class. The ceremony was held at the Southwest Training Center in Greensburg. Liquor Enforcement Officer Trainee Kaitlyn M. Davenport spoke on behalf of the graduating class. Liquor Enforcement Officers are responsible for conducting investigations performed through undercover operations and open inspections of licensed or unlicensed liquor establishments. They have the power and duty to arrest for violations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and related offenses.

WILDLIFE FUTURES PROGRAM STUDY

Pennsylvania’s fur takers will play a critical role in a study to determine the extent to which mouse and rat poisons might be affecting the state’s bobcats, fishers and otters. Hunters and trappers are being asked to participate in the study by submitting carcasses from these species to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Those who harvest a bobcat, fisher or otter and who want to submit the carcass for the study are asked to call the Game Commission region office serving the county where the animal was taken. The study is being conducted by the Game Commission in partnership with PennVet’s Wildlife Futures Program, an organization with the mission to “increase disease surveillance, management and research to better protect wildlife across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.”

ROADWORK TO CONTINUE INTO 2022 ON MAJOR ROADWAY

Route 220 west of Williamsport and south of Lycoming County can expect both safety and transportation improvements with the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project. This three year project is planned has three schedule sections, the current is April to November 2021. The final schedule is April to November 2022. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in District 3 in Montoursville, the necessary work is done with the plan of safer transportation by addressing confusing traffic movements and an ease for U-turns when necessary.  Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. is slated as the primary contractor and the work has a price tag of $41 million.

SUNBURY POLICE LOOKING FOR 17-YEAR-OLD FOR FELONY GUN CHARGES

Police are looking for a 17-year-old Sunbury man who held up another man by gunpoint on North 4th Street on Monday as he took $40 and the victim’s cellphone. An arrest warrant has been issued for Elijah Simpson, who is charged with felony robbery and firearms not be carried without a license charges, according to the Daily Item. Police report Simpson will be facing charges as an adult. Anyone with information on Simpson is asked to call Northumberland County 911.

AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS FEEDING HUNDREDS

Over 800 families were provided for, with compassion, caring and food last Tuesday in Williamsport. According to SUN Gazette, the American Rescue Workers held their annual Holiday Food Distribution Tuesday. With the help of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, their susucessful event provided breakfast, lunch and dinner to those in need in Lycoming County.

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES FOR YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released updated COVID-19 case information for yesterday. Centre County added 56 new infections. Clinton had 10. There were 32 new cases in Lycoming County. Tioga added 3.  There were 27 new infections in Northumberland County, 24 in Union, four in Snyder and two in Montour County.

JUDGEMENT AGAINST COMPANY WILL NOT GET TO FIRED EMPLOYEES

No part of the $13 million judgement against a now obsolete company will be seen by the over 900 former Wood-Mode Inc. employees who lost their jobs, when the plant, located in Kreamer, Snyder county, suddenly closed in 2019 after being a working staple in the community for over seven years. In a lawsuit against Wood-Mode and its former owners, they were charged with violating the WARN Act. However, according to attorneys, those funds cannot be collected, as WARN only allows collection from the corporation and its assets, not the officers or directors. The current Wood-Mode LLC, according to the Daily Item, is owned by Bill French has no association with the former lawsuit or company.

HISTORICAL CHURCH CLOSES ITS DOORS

A Pennsylvania church with a 221-year history held its final service and is scheduled to close at the end of the year because of declining membership and attendance. The First Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, which is nearly as old as the borough itself, held the final scheduled service on Christmas Eve after having welcomed generations of families over the course of more than two centuries. The church was established in 1800 by the same men who founded Bellefonte in 1795 at a time when there were only 16 states and counted among its members two former Pennsylvania governors.

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM

EST MONDAY…Mixed precipitation expected with ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch. Total snow and sleet accumulations are expected to be an inch or less for portions of central Pennsylvania from 9 AM to 6 PM EST today. Drivers should plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. The highest ice accumulations will be on the hill tops. Slightly higher snow and sleet totals may be found north of Lock Haven.

POLICE REMIND DRIVERS OF OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAY

The New Year’s Eve Holiday has historically resulted in an increase of impaired driving crashes and arrests.  With this in mind, the Old Lycoming Police Department hopes to get drivers to think if they plan on celebrating with alcohol and other substances this holiday weekend.  Police officers want to take this opportunity to remind drivers that preventing an impaired driving incident is simple.  Remember to plan ahead, designate a sober driver and leave extra time to get to your destination. New Year’s weekend impaired driving/DUI Task forces statewide in addition to locally in Lycoming County will be part of Operation Safe Holiday, tasked with removing impaired drivers from the roadways.

THREATS TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL GET MAN CHARGES

A Middleburg man threatened EMS personnel when they responded to his calls for help.  According to State Police in Selinsgrove, Walter Long called 911 and asked for help, as he was suffering from a medical emergency. DH & L Emergency Services responded to the call and arrived to find Long. He became irate and threatened EMS, eventually even refusing all medical services. Police report charges were filed with the local District Justice.

KIDSBURG PLAYGROUND IN HUFNAGLE PARK

It is first of its kind, a new playground dedicated to first responders and the essence of volunteerism. The 8,500-square-foot Kidsburg Playground is set to be located in Hufnagle Park in Lewisburg. The dedicated ceremony, set up and prepared by the creators of the park, Playworld Systems in Lewisburg, will include the very latest in innovative play equipment featuring a yellow fire engine structure, with an opening in June 2022.  According to the Daily Item, Hufnagle Park is named after Gorden Hufnagle, a 25-year Lewisburg Police Department Veteran, who lost his life, saving others, in the flood of 1972.  The park will reflect the colors of the William Cameron Engine Company and the imagination of Playworld.

COACH RETIRES AND NEW ONE IS SOUGHT

Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Russ Rose announced his retirement today after 43 years leading the Nittany Lions. Rose retires from his post as the winningest coach in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball history with 1,330 victories in his illustrious career. Rose will remain in an advisory role within the athletics department. Katie Schumacher-Cawley will serve as interim head coach as Penn State opens a national search for its next head coach. Rose guided the Nittany Lions to seven NCAA titles, including four-straight championships, and 17 Big Ten crowns. He has been at the helm of all 41 of Penn State’s NCAA Tournament appearances, making the Nittany Lions the only team in NCAA history to appear in all 41 tournaments.

19^TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES

Two local businesses were recognized for their achievements in the 19th annual Festival of Trees. The Trail Inn of Cogan Station received the People’s Choice Award, and Professional Lawn and Landscape Co. of Trout Run was deemed “Best of the Festival.” The Salvation Army Williamsport Corps will present both businesses with plaques in January. The People’s Choice award winner was decided by the public voting for their favorite tree with monetary donations at the Lycoming Mall and at sponsoring businesses. The ornately decorated Trail Inn tree received upwards of twice as many votes over any other tree was the winner for the People’s Choice Award. The Best of the Festival award raised over $1,000 for the Salvation Army’s local programs and services. That tree was the Professional Lawn and Landscape Co.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT CHRISTMAS TREE PROGRAM A SUCCESS

The South Williamsport Police Department’s first of its proposed annual Christmas Program helped upwards of 14 families in the South Williamsport and DuBoistown Boroughs. The ambitious program gave to those who were unable to provide gifts to children. Headed by a retired Jersey Shore Police Officer, who was very familiar with the program – as he ran it for years there, who is now the South Williamsport Mayor Marlin Angelo and also South Williamsport Police Officer Seth Stropp.  Members of the South Williamsport Borough Council with South Williamsport Police Officers delivered the wrapped gifts to families on Christmas eve morning.  According to Mayor Angelo, monetary donations for the Christmas Program will be accepted year round, to help make each year more successful than the last.

VOLUNTEERS NEED HELP

The state of volunteer firefighting is in a crisis. That is the assessment of Acting Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook and multiple fire officials in the state, nation and Valley. The current model of volunteer firefighting in Pennsylvania is based on the long-standing tradition going back to the 1700s when Ben Franklin founded the first volunteer department in Philadelphia. That model has continued virtually unchanged since that time, said Cook. The issues are complex. Cook and other fire leaders said they range from aversion to change to societal transformations of the family unit where both spouses are now working to increasing extracurricular activities for children. It means fewer people are coming out to fight fires, which leads to second and third alarms being called not due to the severity of the incident but to the lack of manpower.

OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAY

Operation Safe Holiday continues through New Year’s Day. Law enforcement will conduct impaired driving enforcement details, with zero tolerance toward drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. According to PennDOT data, there were 1,175 crashes resulting in 31 deaths during the same period in 2019. Drivers are also reminded to obey Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop, or disabled vehicle. The goal of the Move Over Law is to protect law enforcement, emergency medical providers, and other first responders when responding to crashes.

COMING AROUND THE CORNER TO HARRISBURG

The 2022 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Saturday, January 8 through Saturday January 15, will feature a return of fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, famous Farm Show Food Court, bunny hopping and sheep shearing competitions (among hundreds of other competitive agricultural events), cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred^® Culinary Connection, and more than one million square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who power Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry.

CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES

A Cogan Station man was arrested for molesting a child in Hepburn Township. Jeremy Earnest allegedly had inappropriate contact with a female victim when he sexually assaulted her in a home in mid-October. According to SUN Gazette, Earnest was charged with multiple counts including, but not limited to, two each of indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.  Charges were filed with District Judge William Solomon and Earnest was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

SEXUAL ASSAULTS FROM OVER 20 YEARS AGO

A Williamsport man was arrested for sexually assaulting two children. According to city police, Erick Johnson, is said to have committed the crimes when he was between the ages of 14 to 18, which was over 20 years ago. As reported by the SUN Gazette, Johnson allegedly raped one child when starting when she was 4-years-old to when she turned 8-years-old, upwards of 100 times at residences in Jersey Shore and Williamsport. The second victim was 5-years-old through 9-years-old when the assaults took place. Johnson was arraigned in front of District Justic Biichle for charges of sexual assault, set his bail at $150,000 and incarcerated him at the Lycoming County Prison.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER

A Jersey Shore woman shoved a police officer and violently swung her arms at him during a disturbance call at her home on Dec. 4.  Terra Lee Bertin, disregarded orders to calm down and instead assaulted the police. She was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated assault. She was arraigned in front of District Justice Frey, where she posted $20,000 bail.

REINDEER READY TO FLY

Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill to meet Santa and his nine reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane today to announce that the reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24. According to Gov. Tom Wolf in a press release, Santa’s reindeer are in good health–despite one’s very bright red nose–and ready to deliver toys to the good girls and boys of Pennsylvania tomorrow evening. All nine reindeer are physically fit and in good spirits, they’re ready to fly this holiday season. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph received clearance to fly to Pennsylvania.

​MORE STATE POLICE GRADUATED

Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, announced today that 59 cadets graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey and have been assigned to troops across the commonwealth. The men and women represent the 162^nd graduating cadet class. The ceremony returned to the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Harrisburg for the first time since December 2019 in front of a limited amount of family members. Cadet Matthew J. Condrad spoke on behalf of the graduating class. The ceremony was live streamed on the academy Facebook page and YouTube channel.

POLICE REMIND YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PETS NEEDS

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is reminding pet owners, including those who keep their pets outdoors, that they are required to provide the animals with basic needs, as defined by law, or face potential animal neglect and/or cruelty charges. “Basic needs include the proper sustenance to maintain a healthy body weight, as well as clean, unfrozen water to avoid dehydration,” said Corporal Michael Spada, PSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation Animal Cruelty Officer. “It is important to note that animals need just as much water in the cold of winter as they do in the heat of summer.” Animals must also have access to an appropriate-sized shelter that provides protection from the weather, keeps the animal dry, and allows it to retain its body heat. The shelter must also be clean and sanitary.

STATE SUPREME COURT RATIONAL ON RULING

The state Supreme Court on Thursday released its rationale for why it ruled that Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration had no legal authority to require masks in Pennsylvania’s schools and child care centers, even amid a pandemic and surging cases of COVID-19. The Democratic-majority court ruled 6-0 on Dec. 10, immediately ending the statewide mask mandate, except in school districts that still required them. Justice Thomas Saylor did not participate in the decision. The justices’ 58-page opinion released Thursday does not discuss whether school districts have the legal authority to require masks. But the justices wrote that the Republican-controlled Legislature’s move in June to end Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration also eliminated any legal justification for a school mask mandate.

RELEASED FROM DUTY FOLLOWING ACCIDENT

A Mifflinburg Police Officer lost his job eight days after he crashed the police cruiser while engaged in a pursuit into Limestone Township and down Red Ridge Road. Former officer Riley Bremigen was uninjured, according to the Daily Item. The Mifflinburg Borough Council voted 4-1 during an executive session at Tuesday’s council meeting.

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES

The Pennsylvania Dept of Health released updated COVID-19 case information from yesterday.  Tioga County added 19 cases, Lycoming had 62, Clinton 14 new cases, Centre added 126, Northumberland 49, Snyder added 23, Union County had 46 and Montour County added 11 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

DOMESTIC INJURES CHILD

A domestic dispute brought Sunbury Police to a residence to find an injured 11-month-old. Anthony Dudley and Adreana Merigris of Sunbury, according to police, were engaged in a violent physical altercation, when the child somehow their child obtained multiple  scratches and a bloody nose. Both Dudley and Merigris were taken to District Judge Toomy and then committed to the Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.

MIDDLEBURG POLICE QUESTION REQUESTS IN MAIL

Police in Middleburg are calling it a possible fraud, many residents received in the US mail asking them to join nextdoor.com. Officers say the invites appear to have come from a local resident.  However, that person says they were not organizing an online neighborhood community.Middleburg police say they are suspicious and don’t advise Middleburg residents to participate in what they call a possible fraud. According to an online media source,  the investigation is continuing.

CHILD ENDANGERING IN NORTHUMBERLAND

A Northumberland woman was found heavily intoxicated while caring for her three children ages 8, 6, and 4 years.  Jaquelin Stasik, according to a media outlet, is facing several charges, including endangering the welfare of three young children. Police reported they were dispatched Stasik’s home for a domestic disturbance.  Reports from the residence indicate she was intoxicated to the extent she was unable to take care of herself or her children.  Police say officers found her so intoxicated she couldn’t take care of herself or her children. She was taken to Geisinger for treatment and her boyfriend is now caring for the children at her home.

ARMED ROBBERY AND POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR SUSPECTS

An armed robbery at the Mulan Massage and Spa on Dotterers Rd in Porter Township, Clinton County is under investigation by the Lamar State Police. According to police, the armed robbery occurred at approximately 7:40pm on Monday evening. Suspect #1, a black male suspect approx. 6’5” tall and skinny, wearing a black jacket, black pants, white socks, and black shoes came in for a massage. Suspect #2 entered, he is a black, and non-hispanic male described as approximately 6’0” tall and skinny, wearing all black clothing, along with a black mask and black gloves. He allegedly grabbed the victim by the neck, pointed a gun at the back of her head and demanded her to give him the money. Both suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured during the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police in Lamar.

FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR LYCOMING MALL ROAD

Lycoming County Coroner is investigating a fatal crash that occurred yesterday afternoon. According to police, a FedEx home delivery truck struck the rear of a parked tractor-trailer truck, as it sat along the berm of the Lycoming Mall Road exit ramp of Interstate 180 West in Muncy Township. The driver was killed and his passenger, a male juvenile, was injured and taken to UPMC via ambulance. Identities of both the driver and passenger may be released today, according to SUN Gazette. As the scene was investigated, state police had the off-ramp closed upwards of two hours.

UPDATED COVD-19 CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 17 new cases. In Centre County 126 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 45 new cases. On Tuesday, the DOH reported 47 in Northumberland County, 34 in Union, 24 in Snyder and 20 in Montour. Tioga County had 11 new cases reported yesterday.

PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKER REFUSES INVITATION

Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania on Tuesday rebuffed a request for him to sit down for an interview and turn over documents to the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection, joining other allies of former President Donald Trump in trying to stonewall the committee. In a statement, Perry called the committee “illegitimate.” In a letter to Perry on Monday night, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democratic chairman of the panel, said the panel had received evidence from multiple witnesses, including then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and then-acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue, that Perry had “an important role” in efforts to install Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark as acting attorney general.

AMENDMENT ENDED BEFORE IT BEGAN

Pennsylvania’s highest court on Tuesday hammered a final nail into the coffin of a proposed victims’ rights constitutional amendment that has never gone into effect, even though state voters supported it by a large margin in a referendum more than two years ago. The justices ruled 6-1 that the sprawling proposal violated the Pennsylvania Constitution’s requirement that amendments address a single topic to prevent lawmakers from bundling together items that might not pass on their individual merits. Unofficial tallies indicate the so-called “Marsy’s Law” amendment would have spelled out 15 rights for victims, including notification about cases and a right to attend and weigh in during plea hearings, sentencings and parole proceedings. It also would have addressed how victims can recover property and given them an ability to reject defense subpoenas.

WORKERS IN 25 STATES WILL SEE THEIR PAYCHECKS GROW WHEN MINIMUM

Wage increases go into effect in 2022, but Pennsylvania is not one of them. According to a new report from the National Employment Law Project, 21 states have minimum-wage increases set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. Four more states have increases slated for later in the year. Each of Pennsylvania’s six neighboring states already have minimum wages higher than Pennsylvania’s $7.25 an hour, and several of them are among the 25 states with planned increases for 2022. On Jan. 1, 2022, Pennsylvania will be surrounded by states with the following minimum wages: Delaware ($10.50); Maryland ($12.20); New Jersey ($13); New York ($13.20); Ohio ($8.80); and West Virginia ($8.75). Modernizing the outdated minimum wage would benefit workers over age 20, as well as women, people of color and workers in rural communities.

FRESH EXPRESS SALAD RECALL

Fresh Express is recalling certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility because the product has the potential to be contaminated with an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, the infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Consumers with these symptoms should consult their health care provider.  The recall includes all Use-By Dates of fresh salad items with product codes Z324 through Z350. Product codes are located on the front of the packages below the Use-By Date, as shown above. No other Fresh Express products are subject to recall.

TRIAL ENDED WITH A SENTENCE

A New Columbia woman was convicted in a Union County jury trial, where Melissa Keister was charged with felony child welfare for treating a 9 year old girl like that of a dog, according to Union Co DA Pete Johnson. Keister received a 3 year sentence of restrictive probation  including a 4 month term of house arrest with electronic monitoring.

 POLICE CHIEF URGING COMMUNITY TO ASK NOT ASSUME

Conflicting stories surround the reports of a “violent sexual attack” in the borough of Danville.  According to Danville Borough Police Chief Jonathan Swank, on a Facebook statement, The Danville Police Department has been fielding many questions and phone calls regarding the ongoing assault investigation. There have been no further reports of similar assaults in Danville Borough. Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies are working together on this investigation. When information can be released regarding this case, it will come from official sources. The police will provide as much factual information as we can without compromising the investigation. With all that being said, Danville Borough is not Mayberry RFD, but it is also not Chicago  Be smart, Be safe.

WEIS MARKETS PULLING FRESH EXPRESS BAGGED SALADS

According to a report from Weis Markets, they have pulled products from their shelves, following the recent recall of Fresh Express bagged salads with use-by dates that feature codes Z324 through Z350.  Fresh Express is recalling certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility because the product has the potential to be contaminated with an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO A HEARING

A Coal Township man charged with the violent killing of his mother, waived his right to a hearing, sending the criminal case to Northumberland County Court.  According to a media outlet, Christopher Depka is accused of attacking his mother with a baseball bat and using her credit card. The county prosecutors haven’t said if they’ll seek the death penalty.