VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER LOSES HOME TO FIRE
A 10-year volunteer for the Picture Rocks Fire Company lost his home along Boak Avenue in Hughesville yesterday morning in a fire. Firefighters from Picture Rocks, Muncy Township, Muncy Creek Township and Montgomery worked together to extinguish the blaze that destroyed the mobile home of Zach Babb. According to the Sun Gazette, Babbs’ two dogs were trapped in the home and neighbors attempted to rescue them, but they perished in the fire. Fire officials have not determined the cause of the blaze at this time. Picture Rocks Fire Chief Larry Ryder said the company will now work to determine what assistance their co-worker will need to recover.
GRANT AWARDED TO CITY HOMELESS SHELTER
A grant has been awarded to the American Rescue Workers in Williamsport which will help make critical structural improvements to its Saving Grace Shelter building formerly the Grace United Methodist Church built in the late 1800s. According to the Sun Gazette , the PPL foundation awarded the 40 thousand dollars to the non-profit, which provides services to homeless families in the county, to repair the damaged roof, repair a heating unit and other repairs. The local grant from the PPL Foundation is part of 575 thousand dollars recently allocated for 12 other organizations working to improve education and promote development of sustainable communities.
UPMC FILES AN APPEAL FOR TAX EXEMPTION
Tax revenues are still in question in Northumberland County after UPMC in Sunbury filed for an appeal this week after their tax exemption request for 20 parcels was denied last October. According to WKOK, County Solicitor Frank Garrigan will file a response today to the appeal. UPMC has requested tax exemption saying their work is public charity. If the exemption is granted, it will cost the county, the city of Sunbury, and the Shikellamy School District more than $370,000 in annual real estate tax revenue.
DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS THIS WEEKEND IN WELLSBORO
If you’re heading to Tioga County this weekend, you might want to join the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce and experience a Dickens of a Christmas. The 36th Annual event is Friday to Sunday, but closes the roads in Wellsboro Saturday at 9am for over 135 outdoor vendors, theater presentations and musical performances. Saturday at 5:30 p.m. there’s the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony with Santa and a carol sing on the Green on Main Street and enjoy several performances of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday and Sunday at the Deane Center.
ELDERLY MAN DIES IN FIRE
Towanda State Police say a man died in a fire in New Albany Wednesday after a fire occurred around 11 am at 3272 Pelton Hill Road. According to the Sun Gazette, the Bradford County coroner, Thomas Carman, said remains of 71-year-old, Richard J. Bongiovanni were found in the home where he was a resident. An autopsy and toxicology tests will be conducted this week in Binghamton NY.
WIDE LOAD COMING FROM ERIE TO LOCK HAVEN
A wide load heading to Lock Haven will be moving across Pennsylvania today and tomorrow and impacting traffic along the way. According to PennDOT, a Yankee Dryer super load will be transported 300 miles for the next few days from the Port of Erie to First Quality Tissue in Lock Haven and throughout the trip will use cross overs and unusual traffic patterns with flaggers as the load crosses traffic. The convoy will move at an average of 15 miles per hour and start in Erie County, and crossing into Clinton County late Friday affecting traffic patterns along Mill Hall Road, Rt 220 South as well as 120 East in Lock Haven.
PENN COLLEGE STUDENTS PETITION TO GRADUATE
Almost 300 students have petitioned to graduate and receive their degrees for the Fall 2019 semester at Pennsylvania College of Technology. The student speaker will be Stephanie Petrison, of Landenberg, who will receive a bachelor of science in business administration, as well as Ryan Good, assistant professor of welding who was presented with the esteemed Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award last May. Penn College president Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour will be joined by state Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s board of directors, to confer degrees and certificates upon the graduates. The commencement ceremony will be held at 11a on December. 21st, at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St. in Wmspt.
PA DOG LICENSES ON SALE NOW
Pennsylvania Dog licenses went on sale last Monday. Dog owners who need to purchase 2020dog licenses may do so at the Lycoming County Treasurer’s office located at 33 West Third Street, Williamsport. All dogs three months or older must be licensed by January 1st of each year as required by state law. Owners who do not license their dogs or have a current rabies vaccination can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per dog along with assessed court costs. The fee for an annual dog license is $8.50. If the dog is spayed or neutered, the fee is $6.50. Senior citizens and the disabled may purchase an annual license for $6.50 or $4.50 if the dog is spayed or neutered.
Sports
NBA
Hornets beat the Warriors 106 to 91, Bucks beat the Pistons 127 to 103, Magic beat the Suns 128 to 114, Celtics beat the Heat 112 to 93, Nets beat the Hawks 130 to 118, Pacers over the Thunder 107 to 100, Bulls beat the Grizzlies 106 to 99, Mavericks over the Timberwolves 121 to 114, Lakers beat Jazz 121 to 96, Trailblazers over the Kings 127 to 116.
Men’s basketball
Lycoming beat Alvernia 75 to 66,
Women’s Basketball
Lycoming beat Alvernia 58 to 46
NHL
Avalanche beat Maple Leafs 3 to 1, Penguins beat Blues 3 – nothing, Senators over the Oilers 5 to 2, and Capitals beat the Kings 3 to 1
Today Sports