CITY COUNCIL DECIDES TO TABLE CITY HALL BID DECISION

The fate of the Williamsport City Hall building remains open-ended for now after City Council decided to table their decision.  Many in the community have been watching and waiting to know the outcome, but according to the Sun Gazette, council voted 6-1 approving the vote to table or delay deciding about the high bid of five hundred fifty five thousand, five hundred dollars submitted by JBas Realty of Jessup.  Councilman Jon Mackey voted no about the delay.  There is no word at this time how long City Council wants to wait to make a definitive decision about the historic building on West Fourth Street in downtown Williamsport.

WOODWARD TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS FACE BOTH SIDES OF ISSUE

A proposal to add seasonal campsites near Antlers Lane where a restaurant and boat launch are located in Woodward Township, is getting pushback from residents, who recently told the township supervisors they worry about the potential for noise and unsafe traffic for residents  According to the Sun Gazette, Woodward Township supervisors agreed on the need for restrictive conditions going forward as to not burden neighbors, but see their role as also allowing the owners of the property who want to add 50-plus sites to find acceptable the conditions which might be created.  The next meeting of the supervisors in Woodward Township will be 6 pm on October 11^th.

LOCK HAVEN BRIDGE TO CLOSE OVERNIGHT THIS WEEKEND

Flemington Bridge will be closed during overnight hours this weekend and motorists will be required to use a detour.  According to PennDOT, the Flemington Bridge along Route 150 near Lock Haven will close Saturday night at 8pm until 6am Sunday, 8pm Sunday through 6am Monday, and 8pm Monday through 6am Tuesday.  Work to be completed includes the removal of the painters containment as they wrap up the preservation project that  will extend the life of this bridge and two others in Clinton County.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY TEST NEXT WEEK

A test of the federal government’s nationwide Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts will take place next week for the entire public.  According to the Daily Item, Danville police say on Wednesday October 4^th cell towers will broadcast the test beginning at 2:20pm.  It will continue for about 30 minutes, but wireless devices should only receive one notification.  The test should be accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.  Police say the test is necessary to minimize confusion and maximize the public safety value of it.

MAN ARRESTED FOR PUNCHING OFFICER, RESISTING ARREST

A Beech Creek man had an altercation with police after they came to his house to perform a well-check on his minor child who was in his home September 17^th.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say the mother of the child was with police and was allowed to talk to her daughter who was deemed safe and came from inside the home. An argument began between 40 year old Joshua Lee Furl’s wife and the mother, and Furl came outside.  After refusing to return inside, Furl punched an officer at the 500 block of Bald Eagle Street, breaking his glasses.  He continued to resist arrest while being taken into custody. He was charged with aggravated assault and public drunkenness and was released on 40 thousand dollars unsecured bail.

CASH STOLEN FROM SELF-CHECKOUT

A shopper at the Selinsgrove Walmart September 23^rd left their cash back in the self-checkout machine and someone stole it.  According to North Central PA dot com, the victim went back to the store a short time after realizing they forgot the cash and it was gone.  Now the Selinsgrove state police are investigating and ask that if anyone has any information about the theft to contact state police at 570-374-8145.

PHEASANT STOCKING TO START IN PENNSYLVANIA

Stocking of pheasants will start next week as the PA Game Commission works across the state to release 237 thousand ring- necked pheasants throughout the hunting seasons.  The birds for eastern Pennsylvania are raised at the Loyalsock State Game Farm, in Lycoming County.  Several weekly rounds of release take place in the North Central PA region; which includes Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Union Counties.  A total of 3 thousand-thirty birds will be released regularly in Lycoming County from October 5^th through January 3^rd and 4^th.

ANNUAL ROUTE 192 CLEAN-UP NEXT MONTH

The public is invited to Mifflinburg’s annual clean-up of Route 192 in Union County on October 21^st.  According to the Daily Item, the event that is hosted by the Friends of R.B. Winter Annual Autumn Clean Up of Route 192 will meet at 9am at the Environmental learning center, where they will provide gloves and bags and safety vests, but volunteers are asked to bring water and weather appropriate clothes.  Register for the event before October 18^th online at friendsofrbwinter.org/cleanup.

SPORTS

NFL Thursday Night Football
Detroit Lions 34  Green Bay Packers 20
NFL Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans 1pm CBS
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles 1pm FOX
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns 1pm
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills 1pm
New England Patriots @ Dallas Cowboys 4:25pm FOX
Kansas City Chiefs @ NY Jets 8:20pm NBC
NFL Monday Night Football
Seattle Seahawks @ NY Giants 8:15 pm ABC/ESPN

PIAA HS Football Friday
Backyard Broadcasting Game of the Week
Southern Columbia @ Montoursville6:30 pre-game coverage/7pm kick-off on the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3

MLB

Tigers 7                 Royals 3
A’s 2                     Twins 1
White Sox  3         Diamondbacks 1
Brewers 3             Cardinals 0
Pirates 3               Phillies 2
Orioles 2              Red Sox 0
Blue Jays 6           Yankees 0
Marlins 2              Mets 1
Braves 5               Cubs 3
Rockies 14            Dodgers 5
Mariners 3            Rangers 2

MLB News
* Orioles clinched the American League  division championship last night with their (2-0) victory over the Boston Red Sox.
* During the seventh-inning stretch, the scoreboard revealed the sight of Orioles great Cal Ripken in attendance.

NASCAR Sunday 
Yellawood 500  Talladega Super Speedway
Pre-Race coverage @ 1pm Green flag racing @2pm
on the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3

PA STATE POLICE CONTINUE SEARCH FOR ELDERLY WOMAN

The search has been renewed for a missing elderly woman who disappeared in July from the Westfield area of Potter County.  According to the Sun Gazette, PA State Police have asked the public, including hunters, to help the search for 85 year old Phyllis Potter or her vehicle – a white 2009 Subaru Outback.  Potter was last seen July 21^st around 5am after leaving the home of a friend.  Searches have been ongoing, but have not turned up any information.  Potter has no known medical conditions that may have contributed to her disappearance.  Call 1-8004PATIPS  if you have information that can help Mansfield State Police (570) 662-2151.

OHIO WOMAN IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC STOP

Two women from Ohio were stopped by Milton State Police on I-80 in Liberty Township September 22^nd and one was taken into custody after troopers found narcotics and weapons inside the car.  According to North Central PA dot com, State police say the driver of the car fled on foot after the stop, and 27 year old Denisse Rosado Martinez attempted to walk away from the scene.  She was taken into custody and charged with felonies of possession of a controlled substance, and illegally carrying firearms. Maritnez was committed to Columbia County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. 

SHIKELLAMY STATE PARK DAM TO DEFLATE STARTING SUNDAY

Residents in Sunbury can expect the deflation of the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam to begin October 1^st, effectively ending the boating season at Shikellamy State Park.  Those with a boat in a slip at the marina are asked to remove their boats by Saturday night at sunset.  The park docks are removed after the deflation of the dam on the Susquehanna which takes about two weeks to complete. 

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DONATION APPROVED AT JERSEY SHORE

The Jersey Shore Area School Board approved a donation of protective equipment for the district’s varsity and junior varsity football players.  According to the Sun Gazette, the McCracken family provided 40 Q-Collars, an FDA approved method of protecting players from brain injuries.  The donation is in response to the death of Max Engel, a senior varsity football player who collapsed on the field during a game this month and died a week later on September 15^th from traumatic brain injury, according got the Montour County Coroner.  An investigation into the timeline of Engel’s injury is ongoing.

MOUNT CARMEL CARJACKING SUSPECTS ARRESTED

Police arrested two men from Mount Carmel after an alleged carjacking Monday.  According to Mount Carmel police, the incident in Northumberland County happened at the convenience store at Fifth and Market Streets in Mount Carmel.  Police say the two suspects, 24 year old Jordan Lutz and a 17 year old juvenile entered the victim’s car, assaulted them and made off with the vehicle.  After police saw the two a short time later, they abandoned the car and fled on foot.  After their apprehension, Lutz was charged with aggravated assault, theft and more. 

CITY AUDITORS FILE A “DISCLAIMER OF OPINION”

As the city awaits details from audits of Williamsport finances from 2020, 2021 and 2022, auditors currently working on the 2019 audit have released a “disclaimer of opinion”.  According to the Sun Gazette, an official from Zelenkofske Axelrod of Harrisburg, told the City Council Finance committee that information about 2019 financials and documents managed under former Mayor Gabriel J. Campana and former Finance Director and River Valley Transit General Manager William E. Nichols Jr are part of the finding.  RVT and Williamsport Parking Authority financial records have not been available for auditors.  A disclaimer of opinion means auditors cannot form a basis of opinion either due to limitation of scope or involvement of significant uncertainties.

ONLINE SURVEY FROM PENNDOT

PennDOT is asking for feedback from the community through an online survey through October 20^th.  The 2023 PennDOT Construction/Maintenance Customer Satisfaction Survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations in construction and maintenance activities.  The 24-question survey also asks about experiences with reporting concerns to the department, and whether or how consumers use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Find information about the survey at https://penndot.pa.gov/ www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023PDConstruction

CAR DEALERS, PAVING COMPANY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER CENTER

Local businesses are raising funds for state-of-the-art-cancer care and prevention with Susquehanna Health Foundation in the 2023 Drive for a Cause.  According to North Central PA dot com, several area car dealers will each donate $25 to UPMC’s Kathryn Candor Lundy Breast Health Center in Williamsport for every car that is sold through October 31^st, and ALL Excavating & Paving will also donate $50 for each driveway they pave in October.  Contributing sponsors for 2023 Drive for a cause include UPMC and UPMC Health Plan and several media sponsors.  Get more information at SusquehannaHealthFoundation.org/Donate.

SPORTS

MLB

Reds 11                Guardians 7
Rockies 4              Dodgers 1 Game 1
Dodgers 11          Rockies 2 Game 2
Orioles 1              Nationals 0
Tigers  6               Royals 3
Phillies  3              Pirates 2
Yankees 2            Blue Jays 0
Rays 9                  Red Sox 7 
Braves 7               Cubs  6
D’backs 15           White Sox 4
Twins 11               A’s 3
Cardinals 4          Brewers 1
Angels 9               Rangers 3
Padres 4               Giants 0
Mariners 6            Astros 2
Marlins / Mets postponed for wet ground

MLB NEWS
The Brewers clinched the National League Central title for the third time in six seasons last night despite a 4-1 loss to the last-place St. Louis Cardinals. This for Milwaukee after the Chicago Cubs lost to the Braves in a come from behind win.

WNBA Semi-Finals Game 2
NY Liberty 84                        Connecticut Sun 77
Las Vegas Aces 91                Dallas Wings 84
Game 3 Friday night
Liberty vs Sun in CT 7:30pm ESPN2
Aces vs Wings in TX 9:30pm  ESPN2
NCAA Football
Thursday
Temple @ Tulsa 7:30pm ESPN
Friday
Cincinnati @ BYU 10:15pm ESPN
Saturday
Penn State @ Northwestern (Illinois) noon Big Ten Network
Michigan @ Nebraska 3:30pm FOX
Notre Dame @ Duke 7:30pm ABC
Michigan Staet @ Iowa 7:30pm NBC
Pitt @ Virginia Tech 8pm ACCN
West Virginia @ TCU 8pm ESPN2

CEO WILL FACE TRIAL IN HOMICIDE OF BROTHER IN LAW

Kenneth Michaels learned he was going to stand trial for the homicide of John Roskowski his former business partner and brother-in-law Friday, in a crowded Lycoming County courtroom.  According to the SUN Gazette, Michaels was charged with the shooting of Roskowski on Aug. 17^th at Cable Services Company in Old Lycoming Township. Magistrate Judge Solomon held over charges of criminal homicide and voluntary manslaughter for trial. With no court date set, Michaels was recommitted to the Lycoming County Prison with no bail.

INFORMANT LEADS POLICE TO A DRUG ARREST

Two men, one from Philadelphia, were arrested last week after selling an informant a pound of marijuana inside a car along the 300 block of Park Avenue.  According to the Sun Gazette, 24 year old Saladin Brown of Cherry Street and 34 year old John Jahil Carter were both taken into custody on felony drug charges after police stopped the vehicle following the transaction.  In an affidavit by the Narcotics Enforcement Unit, the two sold a pound of the drug for 18 hundred dollars prior to the traffic stop.  Their vehicle was impounded pending a search warrant and they were each arraigned on the drug and conspiracy charges and committed to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 50 thousand dollars bail.

PASSENGER RAIL FOR WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

PennDOT has finalized an agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) to expand passenger rail service on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak line in Western Pennsylvania, allowing access to modern passenger rail connecting communities and bringing jobs, economic development, and infrastructure investment along with it.  The Pennsylvanian Amtrak service currently travels roundtrip between New York City and Pittsburgh via Harrisburg once daily.   The Pennsylvanian is a key passenger rail route  and is one of the busiest and fastest links on Norfolk Southern’s network, connecting with major terminals in Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and the Lehigh Valley.

PA FALL FOLIAGE WEBSITE FOR 2023

DCNR is offering a website featuring fall foliage reports beginning this week.  According to the department, weekly updates about where to find the greatest autumn leaf viewing experience will be provided by experts in the commonwealth who represent various regions.  According to North Central PA dot com,  Chris Firestone, wild plant program manager of Tioga State Forest District in Wellsboro is the expert available in Northcentral Pennsylvania.  DCNR says Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation, and that hotel stays add between $350 million to $450 million to the state’s economy during the month of October. Find out more at dcnr.pa.gov.

FUGITIVE FROM DUI IN 2021 CAPTURED IN KENTUCKY

A man who was involved in a crash on Auction Road in Lamar Township on March 10, 2021 and was on the run was apprehended on Friday in Louisville, Kentucky by the Louisville Metro Police Department Fugitive Task Force. Mill Hall police said James A Biederman crashed into an occupied vehicle causing injury to the victim, then fled the scene. He was charged with DUI and other charges and fled the state several days later. Biederman remains in the Metro Dept of Corrections in Louisville while he awaits extradition back to Pennsylvania.

CONTRABAND STASHED IN PROSTHETIC LEG

A Bloomsburg woman who stashed contraband in her prosthetic leg was caught August 23^rd when Corrections officers at Columbia County Prison followed a tip at the prison about the issue and investigated.   According to North Central PA dot com, 57-year-old Maribeth Endress’s leg was searched by prison hospital staff and suboxone strips were found in a silicone outer layer of the prothestic.  Endress first denied knowing about the drug, but later admitted to police that they were hers but didn’t share them with anyone.  She was charged with felony contraband.

LOCK HAVEN BRIDGE TO OPEN TODAY

PennDOT confirmed that it will reopen one lane of the Flemington Bridge along Route 150 near Lock Haven by 1:00 pm today. PennDOT closed the bridge to traffic in June as part of a bridge preservation project that will extend the life of this and two other structures in Clinton County. This morning the contractor will install guide rail and place temporary traffic signals at each end of the bridge to enforce an alternating traffic pattern once the lane is open. The bridge will remain closed to pedestrians.

SELINSGROVE POOL FEES WILL GO UP NEXT SEASON

The Selinsgrove Area Recreational Inc. pool board has announced that they will raise rates next summer, due to higher operating costs.  According to the Daily Item, pool board president Richard Mease said costs for pool chemicals and materials as well as tests and other products needed to run the pool have risen exponentially and even though attendance was good for the previous summer, individual daily rates will go from 5 to 6 dollars and a season pass will rise to 250 dollars.  The Swimming pool on Linda Lane in Selinsgrove is a nonprofit organization and Mease says they accept tax-deductible donations and continue to recruit lifeguards year round.

SPORTS

NFL

Seahawks 37        Panthers 27
Browns 27                     Titans 3
Lions 20               Falcons 6
Packers 18                      Saints 17 
Dolphins 70         Broncos 20
Chargers 28          Vikings 24
Patriots 15                     Jets  10
Bills 37                 Jaguars 17
Colts 22               Ravens 19
Chiefs 41              Bears 10
Cardinals 28         Cowboys 16
Steelers 23           Raiders 18

NFL Monday Night Football Tonight
Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:15pm ABC
LA Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals 8:15pm ESPN

* Taylor Swift, wearing  red and white, took up All-Pro tight end’s Travis Kelce’s invitation to attend Sunday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium.  She sat in Kelce’s suite with his mother, Donna.
MLB

Orioles 5             Guardians 1
Blue Jays 9         Rays 5
D’backs 7            Yankees 1
Nationals 3         Braves 2
White Sox  3      Red Sox 2
Marlins 6            Brewers 1
Reds 4                 Pirates 2 
Twins 9               Angels 3
Royals 6              Astros 5
Cubs 4                 Rockies 3
Rangers 9  Mariners 8
Tigers 2               A’s 0
Padres 12            Cardinals 2
Phillies 5             Mets 2
Braves 8              Nationals 5
Dodgers 3           Giants 2
NASCAR
William Byron  advanced into the round of eight of NASCAR playoffs at the AutoTrader EchoPark 400 at Texas.  Ross Chastain second, ahead of Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin. Retiring driver Kevin Harvick was sixth and playoff driver Brad Keselowski seventh.

Byron got a milestone win for his team by winning the opener of the second round of the playoffs giving them the 300th victory for Hendrick Motorsports.

NCAA Football Saturday Scores

Michigan 31    Rutgers 7
Ohio State 17 Notre Dame 14
Penn State 31              Iowa 0 (White Out)
N. Carolina 41             Pitt 24
Oklahoma 20              Cincinnati 6