FUNDING PRESENTED FOR K-9 PROGRAM
Almost 44 thousand dollars was presented to the Williamsport Police K-9 program yesterday that will bring a male German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix named Tacoma to the police force in 2020. Thanks to the donation by Ciocca (seeOAKah) Dealerships, the city’s K-9 program has been revived and two more dogs may be added if future donations become available. Police Chief Damon Hagan said Officer Tyson Minier will be Tacoma’s handler and they will work in schools, and work events with large crowds and assist smaller police departments when needed.
According to the Sun Gazette, City Councilwoman Bonnie Katz said the dogs will serve as ambassadors for the city.
SENTENCE IMPOSED IN 2016 WILLIAMSPORT MURDER CASE
Despite objections by the defense counsel about media affecting a fair sentence a Philadelphia native was given two consecutive life sentences for his involvement in a double murder on Poplar Street in Williamsport in 2016. According to the Sun Gazette, the District Attorney for the Commonwealth asked for the maximum penalty. Thirty eight year old Joseph Sentore Coleman Jr was found guilty in early September for the home invasion and murder of 27 year old Shane Wright, and his mother, Kristine Kibler, three years ago in October. Judge Marc Lovecchio ordered the judgements for the serious crimes run consecutively to ensure public safety.
STORM ATER AGREEMENT PROPOSAL TO BE REVIEWED
City Council will review a proposal tonight to hire a legal expert to finish up a storm water transfer agreement for the city with the Williamsport Sanitary Authority within a quick deadline. Contract negotiations need to be complete by early next month and according to the Sun Gazette, if approved, the Salzmann Hughes law firm can have the agreement prepared by December 4th, and they will help write the details of the storm water system transfer to the authority, since the city requires assistance managing the equipment and man power of such a large project. Any cost sharing for the legal work will be an equal split.
CUTTERS NAME ANNUAL CHARITY BENEFICIARY
The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that the West End Christian Community Center will be their charity beneficiary for the 14th annual Hot Stove Banquet this coming January at the Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. According to the Sun Gazette, Phillies legend Greg Luzinski will be a special guest at the banquet as well as baseball Analyst Tim Kurkjian. The West End Community Center serves thousands of people annually with a soup kitchen and Shoe express, providing new shoes for needy children.
CHILD BREATHES ON HER OWN AFTER LIFE SUPPORT REMOVED
After three year old Arabella Parker was taken off life support Wednesday afternoon she continued breathing on her own and opened her eyes according to the Daily Item. According to a nursing supervisor at Giesinger medical Center, Parker remains in critical condition but her vital signs are staying stable even with the long recovery ahead of her. Parker is a victim of child abuse allegedly at the hand of her mother’s boy fried Jahred Burgess of Trevorton who is being held in Northumberland County Prison on child abuse charges.
FORMER LAWYER SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON
A 66-year-old Cogan Station man and former attorney was sentenced to state prison yesterday for 11 counts of child pornography and also must register for 15 years as a sex offender under Megan’s law. James R. Protasio, a former lawyer who represented himself, pled guilty last July of having sexually explicit photographs and videos of children in 2017 and began serving his 3 to 8 years in prison yesterday. According to North Central PA dot com Protasio was evaluated and found to not be a violent sexual predator. He must submit a DNA sample and pay all court costs.
TRAFFIC PROJECT ALMOST COMPLETE IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Traffic could return to normal in Northumberland just in time for Thanksgiving next week. According to PennDOT the work on King Street is expected to complete by Wednesday afternoon. Crews must finish paving, installing signals, crosswalks, and landscaping, and the temporary traffic control devices will be removed as soon as that phase is done, according to officials from PennDOT. There will be final paving next year on of Front, King, Duke and Water Streets.
CHRISTMAS PARADE TOMORROW IN WILLIAMSPORT
Get ready for the Children’s Magical Christmas Parade, tomorrow in downtown Williamsport at 6pm. The route starts at Elmira and West Third streets, traveling east to Pine Street, turning left at West Fourth Street, then west back to Elmira Street. According to parade organizers, after the parade at the Green, at the corner of Hepburn and West Fourth streets, Santa and Mayor Gabriel J. Campana will light the tree. Then Santa will then meet the children and their families inside Liberty Arena.
Sports
NBA
Wizards beat the Spurs 138 to 132, 76’ers beat the Knicks 109 to 104, Raptors over Magic 113 to 97, Bucks beat the Hawks 135 to 127, Heat beat the Cavaliers 124 to 100, Nets beat the Hornets 101 to 91, Mavericks beat the Warriors 142 to 94, Bulls over the Pistons 109 to 89, Jazz beat the Timberwolves 103 to 95, Nuggets beat the Rockets 105 to 95 and Clippers edged the Celtics 107 to 104.
NHL
Senators beat the Canadiens 2-1, Rangers beat the capitals 4-1.
Women’s College Basketball
Lycoming beat King’s 88 to 82, Temple beat Bucknell 72 to 61.
Today Sports
NFL
Thursday Night Football
Indianapolis Colts vs the Houston Texans for an 820 kick off
