BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JANUARY 14, 2021

NO INJURIES IN BARN FIRE
There were no injuries reported after a family’s barn caught fire yesterday morning in Cascade Township. According to the Sun Gazette, the owner of the Rose Valley Road home said she awoke to the dog barking early Wednesday and then saw the glow of the fire on the property.   The woman, who is 6 months pregnant, drove to a neighbor’s house to call 911 since there was no phone service there.  The two humans, and a dog plus the six goats who were penned behind the insured storage structure that burned, were unharmed.  Firefighters from six departments responded and the Trout Run Fire Chief said the fire was extinguished before 5:30 am Wednesday.

SHIKELLAMY GOES REMOTE AFTER 4TH POSITIVE TEST
A fourth positive COVID test in 14 days at Shikellamy High School will shut down the school building for the rest of this week.  According to the Daily Item, Superintendent Jason Bendle said the closure effects the High School – not the other schools in the district.  Students will return to class next Tuesday since Monday is an Act 80 day and students have no academic responsibilities.  Lunches for In-Person, Virtual, and Remote Students will be available outside the cafeteria lobby today and tomorrow from 1:00 – 1:30

WILLIAMSPORT READY FOR POTENTIAL UNREST IN THE CITY
With possible protests and demonstrations taking place in the days to come surrounding the inauguration of President elect Joe Biden, local authorities in Williamsport have made statements that they are prepared for any event or demonstrations that could occur.  According to the Sun Gazette,  Williamsport Bureau of Police Chief Damon R. Hagan said his department can effectively handle any incidents within the city and that there has not been any intelligence on local threats  in the city, but that those who might wish protest or demonstrate peacefully will be given space to do so.

THURSDAY FARM SHOW ACTIVITIES
The virtual farm show continues today for kids with an 11am STEM Demonstration – Color Explosion in Pennsylvania milk as well as a noontime online cooking program all sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.  A Farm Show Agricultural Law Symposium takes place in the afternoon as well.  You can watch any of the 2021 Virtual Farm show , called “Cultivating tomorrow” on the PA Farm show facebook page or at farmshow.pa.gov

WOMAN RESCUED FROM WEST BRANCH OF SUSQUEHANNA
A woman was rescued from Susquehanna River’s West Branch river after a car accident about 7:50 am yesterday.  The unidentified woman’s was involved in the crash on the Lewisburg side of the Route 45 bridge that spans the river, but according to the Daily Item she then jumped off the bridge. Cpl. Travis Burrows of the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department was enroute to the accident and saw the woman in the water and with the help of another witness, used a 100 foot rope for stability in the strong current while they went for the victim.  Two other first responders arrived at the scene and utilized a nearby canoe in the successful attempt of getting the woman out of the water.  The officers were evaluated and realeased from  Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.. The unidentified woman was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville with minor injuries.

COVID CLAIMS MIDDLEBURG POLICE CHEIF
The police chief of Middleburg has passed away after being ill for the last few weeks with COVID-19.  According to media outlets the acting Mayor of Middleburg Heidi Potter said Police Chief Tony Jordan had been hospitalized for over a week after becoming ill with the coronavirus earlier this month.  Mark Bailey has been serving as Acting Police Chief while Jordan was ill and was formally appointed during Tuesday night’s council meeting.

COVID UPDATE
There are 88 new cases of the coronavirus in Lycoming County, Northumberland has 80, Union County has 108 Snyder has 53 new cases Clinton has 30.  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health as of midnight yesterday there were 7,619 additional positive cases reported and 349 new fatalities. Lycoming has 65 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 8 in the ICU, 4 on ventilators

VACCINE ROLL-OUT ADJUSTMENTS
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has tweaked the roll-out schedule of vaccinations for COVID-19.  In addition to the health care workers and those in long term care facilities in the 1A distribution phase, they have updated the criteria for the category to include those who are 65 and older, as well as those who have pre-existing conditions.  According to the Secretary of the Pennyslvnai Department of Health,  the state should transition into phase 1B soon which include more age groups and more service workers in additional industries.  Details on the phasing process is available online here.

SPORTS
HS Boys Basketball

Montgomery beat CMVT 61 to 56, Muncy beat Millville 55 to 36, St John Neumann beat Northwest 64-48, Canton beat Cowanesque Valley 57-26
HS Girls Basketball
Saint Joseph’s beat  Montoursville 56-52, Mifflinburg over Jersey Shore 44-36
HS Wrestling
Lewisburg defeated central Columbia 41-28
Tonight HS Sports
HS Boys Basketball
Central Columbia at Hughesville, Muncy at Montoursville, Northumberland Christian at South Williamsport and Warrior Run at Line Mountain, all @ 7:30
HS Girls Basketball
Athens at Wellsboro, North East Bradford at Canton, Williamson at Towanda, North Mansfield at Townada at 7:30 PM
HS Wrestling tonight
Milton at Loyalsock, Hughesville at Southern Columbia, Benton at Montgomery Duboise at Williamsport, Bellefonte at Jersey Shore, Towanda at Warrior run, Montoursville at Midwest, CMVT at Muncy all at 7 PM
NBA
Mavericks beat the Hornets 104 to 93, the Bucks beat the Pistons 110 to 101, the Nets beat the Knicks 116 to 109, Grizzlies beat the Timberwolves 118 to 107, Lakers over Thunder 128 to 99, Clippers beat the Pelicans 111 to 106, Trailblazers beat the Kings 132 to 126,  Jazz and Wizards, Magic and Celtics, and Hawks and Suns were postponed due to Covid
NFL Division playoffs
Saturday

NFC – Rams vs Packers @4:35 @Lambeau
AFC Ravens vs the Bills @ 8:15
Sunday
AFC – the Browns vs the Chiefs in Kansas City @ 3:05
NFC – Buccaneers vs the Saints @6:40 in New Orleans

Klete Keller, a two-time U.S. Olympic swimming gold medalist, was charged Wednesday for allegedly participating in last week’s riots at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Court records say, Keller was charged with obstructing law enforcement, knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and more,  all  federal crimes.

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