WOMAN CHASES ANOTHER WOMAN WITH KNIVES
A 31 year old woman accused of chasing another woman on Center Street in Williamsport has been arrested. The victim said she was chased to the interior of her car by 31 year-old Amanda Gaines who was wielding two kitchen knives. Gaines then stabbed at the car , broke the blades and dropped the weapons at the scene. Police say there were reports of Gaines fighting with other patrons at a local store, she was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct and released. A preliminary hearing is July 25th.
OPENING STATEMENTS IN LYCOMING COUNTY COURT
A man accused of killing an elderly man in Lycoming county in April of 2017 faced charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault and burglary in Lycoming County Court Monday. Graham Norby-Vardac allegedly killed Donald Kleese, Jr. in his home in Eldred Township. Police say Norby-Vardac allegedly broke into Kleese’s home, killed him with a shovel and stole his car. According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, Norby-Vardac has a history of mental illness. The trial will continue this Thursday.
WATER AUTHORITY MEMBER ACCUSED OF ETHICS BREACH
There’s been a report filed with the PA Ethics Commission against a member of the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority. The Sun Gazette reports Cynthia Perry, who was recently denied a 5-year re-appointment to the authority by the City Council, says William Ertel voted to personally benefit from local development. As a fellow authority member, Ertel, is also accused of disclosing private information during executive sessions.
THE FLYING WALLENDAS WIRE MADE IN WILLIAMSPORT
A rope maker in Williamsport is proud of the Flying Wallendas accomplishment after they were televised walking over Times Square this weekend on a high-wire manufactured in Lycoming County. WNEP reports Wire Rope Works in Williamsport made the wire for Nik Wallenda that they used Sunday. The wire, which is three-quarter inches in diameter with a breaking strength of 70 thousand pounds, took about 10 weeks to be designed and created. Wire works engineers say they’re up for Wallenda’s next challenge of walking over an active volcano.
MAN DIES AFTER BOATING ACCIDENT
A man from Northumberland died after a boating accident last week in Lycoming County. 68 year-old Thomas Bell and another man were on a private pond near Ralston and attempted to switch places in a row boat. Emergency responders say the boat tipped and Bell went into the water. He lost his grip on the boat and went under while attempting to get to shore. Pennlive reports the coroner from Lycoming County reported Bell’s death as due to natural causes.
MAN ARRESTED FOR SELLING CRACK COCAINE
The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit reports that a man was arrested in May for selling crack cocaine out of his Williamsport home. 36 year-old Jaheed K. Wright responded to an online message when a confidential informant requested the drugs. According to North Central PA dot com, charges of narcotics with intent to deliver, possession of narcotics and criminal use of a communication facility were filed in May against Wright at the office of District Magistrate Christian D. Frey.
BILL COULD REFORM EDUCATION EVALUATION SYSTEM
A bill in Harrisburg to reform the educator evaluation system passed Monday in the Senate 38-11, and now heads to the House of Representatives according to the Pennsylvania State Education Association. The bill, supported strongly by the PSEA, increases the emphasis on direct classroom observation, reducing the impact of student performance measures like standardized testing and accounting for the effects of poverty on student achievement. PSEA President, Rich Askey said the bill, if it becomes law, will create a more accurate and fair evaluation system that works better for students and educators.
FREE SAFETY DAY AT ROUTE 15 REST STOP
PennDOT is hosting a free safety day at the PA Welcome Center off Route 15 in Tioga Friday. The Highway safety Network and Safe Kids PA will partner together to feature a fun day focusing on safety for visitors to the facility. There will be safety presentations from various state agencies and law enforcement groups. There will also be a memorial on display from 10am til 2pm paying tribute to the 89 PennDOT workers who have been lost while on duty since 1970.
MAHANOY CITY SPCA RESCUES MORE DOGS
Eighteen neglected dogs were rescued from a home in Mahanoy City Monday. Local police and SPCA officials seized the animals from a home where the water is shut off and the owner said he was breeding the animals to make money. WNEP reports that this is the second Mahanoy City animal rescue in less than a week. Hillside SPCA reports these rescued animals have been taken to Ruth Steiner Memorial SPCA in Pine Grove.
Sports
Major-League Baseball
Yankees beat the Blue Jays 8-10 Phillies snapped the Mets 13-seven, Red Sox over the White Sox 6-5, Indians over the Royals 3-2, Cubs thumped the Braves 8-3, Diamondbacks over the Dodgers 8-5, Rockies blanked the Giants 2 – nothing.
US Women’s World Cup Soccer yesterday in France….
United States was victorious over Spain 2-1