JUVENILES IN CUSTODY FOR WILLIAMSPORT SHOOTINGS

Two Williamsport teens and a Philadelphia boy are facing juvenile charges after police discovered they were allegedly  involved in several shootings around Williamsport in the past two weeks.  According to the Sun Gazette, shots were first fired July 18^th in the area of Linn Street in which a car was struck.  No injuries were sustained in the next two shootings the first of which was on King Street Monday at about 7:45pm but another vehicle was struck by a bullet during that shooting on Tuesday at 12:45am. After police recovered ballistics evidence at the three scenes, they suspected the incidents were linked and through search warrants, further discovered evidence and firearms from the shootings connected to the suspects.  The 16 year old from Philly who was being sought by juvenile probation authorities and he was sent back to the city.  The remaining two teens are to be petitioned in juvenile court.

FOX WITH SUSPECTED RABIES CAPTURED

In the wake of two people being bitten by a suspected-to-be-rabid fox in Selinsgrove yesterday, state police have announced they have now collected it and given it and the PA Game Commission for testing.  According to North Central PA dot com, in an incident on July 24^th, the East Snyder Community Garden posted to social media that people were bitten in Harris Estates.  Once results from the tests come back, authorities will take next steps.

TREE CLEARING NEXT WEEK IN LEWISBURG

A tree clearing project is going to affect Route 15 south in East Buffalo Township, Union County. According to PennDOT, next Monday through Thursday dead trees, saplings and vines will be cleared along the Route 15 southbound Right-of-Way near Bucknell between Curtin Avenue and the intersection with Smoketown Road and Moore Avenue.  The right side driving lane will be taken up with tree surgeon crews from 9am til 3pm each day.

A tree clearing project is going to affect Route 15 south in East Buffalo Township, Union County. According to PennDOT, next Monday through Thursday dead trees, saplings and vines will be cleared along the Route 15 southbound Right-of-Way near Bucknell between Curtin Avenue and the intersection with Smoketown Road and Moore Avenue.  The right side driving lane will be taken up with tree surgeon crews from 9am til 3pm each day.

The 77^th Little league World Series is coming to Williamsport and on August 13^th the 18^th Grand Slam parade kicks off at Maynard and Fourth Streets  at 5pm.  According to the Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, they have announced a grand marshal for the annual parade that will feature the 20 Little League World series teams and their families.  Former Detroit Tiger and Hall of Fame Pitcher, Jack Morris will appear in the parade thanks to Lycoming Engines.  The parade will be broadcast live on WNEP TV-16.

SHUNK MAN ALLEGEDLY EXPOSED HIMSELF IN HILLSGROVE

A man with a history of sex crimes was taken into in custody this week for allegedly exposing himself outside of an ice cream shop in Hillsgrove.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say they received a report from the owner of the shop about 88 year old Louis Dastalfo of Shunk who had exposed himself in the past and was seen by victims again earlier this month  in his truck.  After a police interview, troopers allege even though Dastalfo says his behavior is innocent, the fact that he is a prior registered Megan’s Law offender and has repeated this behavior, says otherwise.  He is in Bradford County Prison in lieu of 10 thousand dollars bail, with a preliminary hearing in August.

GUILTY TROOPER IN FATAL ACCIDENT TRIAL SEEKS NEW TRIAL

After a guilty verdict in the case of a state trooper who police say crossed the center line of Route 6 in February of 2023, causing an accident that killed a Troy area school teacher, Michael Brown is now seeking a new trial.  According to PennLive, Brown’s attorney is claiming juror misconduct and want the judge to vacate his guilty verdict.  Brown and his lawyer also want the August 9^th sentencing hearing to be continued so that four jurors in question could answer to their alleged misconduct, which included not disclosing an active arrest warrant, posting their intended verdict on social media and other allegations.

LINE PAINTING OVERNIGHT NEXT WEEK ON PA HIGHWAYS

There will line painting in north central Pennsylvania next week.  According to PennDOT, line painting operations Start Sunday at 7pm through 7am daily in Lycoming, Sullivan, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Columbia and Montour Counties, weather permitting. The department asks for patience from motorists, and to stay back from and not pass the paint truck, as well as not driving on the wet paint lines. They will pull over periodically to allow traffic to pass.  You can can check conditions on major roadways 24/7 by visiting 511PA.com.

MILTON CHRISTMAS IN JULY EVENT

There will be an inaugural Christmas in July event in Milton this Saturday.  According to the Daily Item, the Milton Winterfest Committee is attempting to extend the Spirit they try to generate at Christmastime during the summer this year as well as to raise awareness for the wintertime event.  There will be a candy cane hunt, games and activities for the kids along with over 20 food and craft vendors plus fundraising auctions and drawings. The event is from 11am til 1pm at Brown Avenue Park.

SPORTS

Little League
PA State Tournament
Back Mountain 4  TriTown 1
TriTown  vs GreenCastle Tonight @ Newville 7pm

MLB Draft League
WV Black Bears 4  Williamsport Crosscutters 3
WV sweeps the series.
Cutters back home tonight hosting State College Spikes 6:35pm first pitch

MLB
Tigers  3 Guardians  0
Padres  3  Nationals 0
Orioles  7  Marlins  6
Mets 3  Braves  2
MLB Tonight
Guardians vs Phillies 6:40pm
Padrtes vs Orioles 7:05pm
Braves vs Mets 7:10pm
Yankees vs Red Sox  7:10pm ESPN+
Pirates vs Diamondbacks 9:40pm

Olympic News
Canada’s women’s national team head coach Bev Priestman has been removed from the country’s Olympic soccer team over a scandal involving the use of drones to spy on opponents’ practice.  The Canadian Olympic Committee said it made the decision after Canada Soccer decided to suspend Priestman for the remainder of the tournament.

Paris 2024 Opening Ceremonies Today
Streaming live @ 12pm NBC/Peacock, NBCOlympics.com
Primetime Replay 7:30pm  NBC

• From a technical, television perspective, the extravaganza will be the most complicated event that has ever been produced. The Olympic Broadcasting Service (OBS) will operate 100 cameras along the parade route and each delegation will have access to a live mobile phone camera on the boat. NBC will be tracking Team USA’s route, and the Americans will be second-to-last down the river because the U.S. will host the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

DALMATIA MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON

A man from Lower Mahanoy Township is being charged with arson after he allegedly set fire to his home at the 200 block of River Road on June 20^th, the day it was scheduled to be up for a sheriff’s sale.  According to North Central PA dot com, after the fire officials found out that owner, 35 year old Andrew John Souder’s home had been up for sale that day, the state fire marshal got involved in the investigation.  Since the fire, Souder admitted he was behind on mortgage payments and claimed he had sent back payments that investigators said were never received.  He also claimed the fire on his insurance for over 300 thousand dollars. The PA State Police fire marshal has since determined the fire was intentionally set.  Souder is scheduled for a pre-trial conference August 2^nd in a Northumberland County courtroom with Judge Paige Rosini.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS OF SCAMS

The Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement about calls and messages from a fake Sheriff Lusk, telling the phone owner they are being fined and must bring money to a specific location.  According to the Sun Gazette, the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office says they are aware of a male caller attempting to scam county residents, after they have received calls from victims reporting the issue.  If you are a target of a scam call like this, never give personal information, and ask to call the agency right back if you want to be sure. The Sheriff’s Office will never call and ask to meet for a signature or take a check.  Report all scam calls to the Pennsylvania Attorney General at attorneygeneral.gov /submit-a-complaint.

WATSONTOWN BRIDGE TO CLOSE THIS WEEK

The Watsontown Bridge will close today for a week.  According to PennDOT, the bridge closure over the Susquehanna River in Union and Northumberland Counties will last until next Wednesday. The corridor carries Brimmer Avenue between Union and Northumberland County and has been closed off and on this year. Detours are in place on Route 44, Main Street, and Route 15. With delays expected on the Milton and Route 44 bridges.

PASSHE CHANCELLOR STEPPING DOWN

The man who has served as the chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) will end his 6 year tenure in October. According to the Daily Item, Dr. Dan Greenstein prepared an open letter to students, faculty, and staff at the 10 state-owned universities saying he was grateful for his time as chancellor and was glad to be able to help universities freeze tuition every year stressing affordability within the system.  An interim chancellor will be appointed when Greenstein ends his service and the Board of directors plan to start an national search for a qualified candidate.

MAN CHARGED FOR POSSESSING CHILD PORN

A Mifflinburg man who was found with dozens of pornographic images of children on several handheld devices was arrested last Thursday and charged for ten counts of possession of child pornography and a felony count of criminal use of a communication facility.  According to the Daily Item, 35 year old Aaron Reed Kahley was interviewed at his home in Union County July 18^th,  after the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce received a referral about four Cybertip Line reports that were flagged with images attributed to devices and accounts connected to Kahley.  He was committed to Union County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, with a preliminary hearing August 20^th.

RENOVO WOMAN SURVIVES ROLLOVER CRASH

A woman from Renovo survived a rollover crash that happened in Grugan Township July 5^th.  According to the Lock Haven Express, 27 year old Tiffani Zinn in a 2020 Chevy Traverse was traveling near the 8400 Block of Renovo Road and traveled off the north side of the road.  State Police at Lamar say Zinn overcorrected and lost control of the car just after 3am and rolled several times on Renovo Road before striking an embankment and coming to a stop.  Zinn was not treated for any injuries, even though police say she was not wearing a seatbelt.

CHARGES FOR WOMAN WHO SOLD DRUGS TO INFORMANT

Charges have been filed against a Williamsport woman who allegedly sold suboxone strips to an undercover agent several times between October and January.  According to the Sun Gazette, the Narcotics Enforcement Unit gave 3 felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance and illegal use of a cell phone to  53 year old Lisa Hockaday, after at least one incident at West Third and Arch Streets, and several other in Linden.  Hockaday waived her preliminary hearing and is free on 15 thousand dollars bail.

WWII HONOR ROLL IN UNION COUNTY RESTORED

A fundraising campaign in Mifflinburg has brought about the completed restoration of the Union County World War II Honor Roll at the memorial at Mifflinburg Community Park along North Fifth Street. According to the Daily Item, the bronze panels were refurbished and the bricks and concrete around the memorial were restored.  The Union County Veterans Foundation raised about 19 thousand dollars for the project and costs were about 16 thousand.  The remaining funds will be used for maintaining the memorial, paying the caretaker and future projects. There will be a rededication during the annual Veterans Day program at 11am November 9th.

SPORTS

Little League State Championships Today
Tri-Town will face West Point at 10 a.m. in Newville 

MLB Draft League
WV Black Bears 5  Williamsport Crosscutters 0
Cutters stay on the road for Game2 against the Black Bears tonight.  Thye return to Williamsport Friday night against the State College Spikes 6:35pm first pitch.

MLB
Guardians  5        Tigers  4
Marlins  6             Orioles  3
Cardinals 2                    Pirates  1
Padres 4               Nationals 0
Mets 3                  Yankees  2
Phillies  3             Twins  0
MLB Today
Cardinals vs Pirates  12:35pm
Phillies  vs Twins 1:10pm ESPN+
Orioles vs Marlins 6:40pm
Tigers vs Guardians 6:40pm
Padres vs Washington 6:45pm
Mets vs Yankees 7pm ESPN

Olympic News
Women’s Basketball
* The US women’s Olympic basketball team beat Germany 84-57 in an exhibition game in London.  These two teams are in the same pool in the Olympics and will play again in the Paris Games on August 4^th.
Gymnastics
* Simone Biles, 27, has won every all-around competition she has entered in more than a decade.
* She’s a nine-time national champion, a six-time world champ and the 2016 Olympic all-around gold medalist.
* Biles could become the first gymnast to win Olympic gold in nonconsecutive Games after she took two years off after the Tokyo Olympics.

Golf News
* Tiger Wood’s son Charlie shot a 10-over 80 yesterday and missed the cut at 22 over through two rounds at the U.S. Junior Amateur.
* The 15-year-old Woods, who earned a spot in the 264-player field last month, finished near the bottom of the pack with his famous father, in attendance.

FATAL ATV ACCIDENT IN BRADFORD COUNTY

A man from Rome, PA was killed in an ATV accident Saturday, July 6^th near Windham, PA.  According to State police at Towanda, 30 year old Nicholas Byrne suffered a fatal head injury when he failed to negotiate a left turn while driving his 2010 Yamaha Raptor and hit a tree on Hickeys Rocks Road, just north of Greek Road in Bradford County.  Police say the accident happened around 10:30pm and that Byrne wasn’t wearing a helmet or any other safety equipment at the time of the crash and  died from his injuries at the scene.  The Warren Township Fire Department and the Bradford County Coroner assisted with the accident. 

CHILD REPORTS ABUSE TO TROOPERS IN MONTOURSVILLE

A child from Montgomery went to the State police barracks July 4^th and reported that her family member threw her and physically abused her, leading to the man’s arrest.  According to North Central PA dot com, the victim showed police bruising on her ribs and foot from the altercation that took place at a home on Cemetery Hill Road.  Troopers took 60 year old Anthony Maurice Kovaleski into custody and charged him with endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, and harassment.  He is free today on 10 thousand dollars bail.

FOREVER STAMP PRICES GOING UP

The USPS has announced a price increase – again for forever stamps and other post office services.  According to the Postal Regulatory Commission, this is the 19th stamp rate change since 2000 and the fifth rate hike in two years.  Stamp prices are set to increase by 5 cents this month with certified mail and money order fees also set to increase.  The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase from 68 cents to 73 cents on July 14, and first class mail rates increasing by roughly 7.8%.

UPTOWN MUSIC COLLECTIVE TO PERFORM IN MUNCY

The Uptown Music Collective will be featured in Muncy at a mid-summer event called “Pops at Pepper Street” – a free-to-the-public concert coming up on August 3^rd.  According to the Muncy Historical Society, they’ll host the students from the UMC’s renowned performance program for a second year, and they will present music for all ages at the Schuyler Memorial Stadium on the Muncy Junior-Senior High School campus starting at 7pm.  Free popcorn and other food will be available for purchase from the Muncy Music Association and Boy Scout Troop No. 25.  In case of bad weather the concert will be held indoors.  Get details at Muncy Historical Society’s Facebook page.

SUNBURY WOMAN WANTED FOR QUESTIONING IN NYC HOMICIDE

A woman from Pennsylvania is a person of interest in a homicide investigation in New York City, after the man she lives with in Sunbury was discovered stabbed to death in a Brooklyn apartment.  According to the Daily Item, police say Maurice Freeman was seen arguing with the woman around 5:15 am Monday before she allegedly fled from the scene in a car registered to an address in Northumberland County.  Police report a blood trail was found at 1491 Shore Parkway in the city, that went from the apartment where Freeman was discovered, across a street to a nearby park.  Freeman was hospitalized but died from his injuries.  The Sunbury Police Chief are diverting all questions about the case to the NYPD, and more information is expected to be released as the investigation continues.

TWO SHAMOKIN MEN ARRESTED FOR BREAKING IN, DRUG POSSESSION

Two men from Shamokin were arrested after witnesses called police as they were breaking into a property on North Shamokin Street.  According to The news Item, 28 year old Logan C. Faust and 33 year old Zebulon J. Keefe were apprehended by police who were alerted to the break in at about 10 am Tuesday.  K9 Pax from Coal Township was also called to the scene as well and officers discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on the two men.  Faust and Keefer were charged with criminal trespass, drug possession, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct and are in Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash bail.

CHANGES FOR SOME LYCO POLLING SITES

Changes to some polling sites in Lycoming County were approved yesterday by Lycoming County Board of Elections  as they work to bring all the sites into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  According to Forrest Lehman, director of Voter Services, one long term change is for Anthony Township to move their polling site to Anthony Baptist Church at 4750 Quenshukeny Road, and Wards 3 and 4 in the Jersey Shore Borough will now vote at the Mountain View Alliance Church at 1515 Cemetery Street.  Get information about polling locations at lyco.org under voter services.

REPAVING PROJECT TO HAPPEN SUNDAY OVERNIGHT

There will be overnight resurfacing work starting Sunday on Route 87 in Montoursville Borough, Fairfield Township, Upper Fairfield Township, and Plunketts Creek Township. According to Penn DOT, there will be milling and paving along Route 87 between the 180 overpass in Montoursville Borough and Snyder’s Country Pet Food  between the hours of 9pm and 6am. Watch for single lane conditions with flaggers on the scene overnight through the work zone.

SPORTS

MLB Draft League
Thunder 2            Crosscutters 1
The Cutters dropped Game 3 in the series with Thunder this week, but have a 20-8 record for the first half of the season and head out to West Virginia tonight for a two-game road trip. 

MLB
Tigers   10            Guardians 1
Mets 7                  Nationals 0
Pirates 1               Brewers 0
Phillies  5             Dodgers  1
Cubs  8                 Orioles  0
Rays  5                 Yankees  4

MLB Tonight
Oakland A’s vs Phillies  6:40pm
Guardians vs Rays  AppleTv
Yankees vs Orioles  7:05 ESPN+
Pirates  vs White Sox  8:10pm
Nationals  vs Brewers 8:10pm

NASCAR Sunday
The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VisitPA.comPocono Raceway, Long Pond
1:30 PreRace Coverage/ 2:30 Green Flag racing

NBA News
*  Kyle Lowry announced on Instagram on Thursday that he has agreed to remain with the Philadelphia 76ers.  The deal is for one year, for Lowry to return to his hometown Sixers where he’ll shore up a veteran bench including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George.
*  38 year old Lowry joined Philadelphia in the spring after being bought out by the Charlotte Hornets, who had acquired him in a trade with the Miami Heat.

ESPY AWARDS
The 2024 ESPY Awards was hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles lastnight
 * They recognized the athletes who have died this year, including Willie Mays, Bill Walton and Jerry West.
*  Legendary college football coach Nick Saban was given the ESPY icon award for all his achievements during his Alabama coaching tenure, including six national championships at Alabama, and with the one title he won at LSU, he has the most for any coach in NCAA Division I history.
*  Special award presentations included the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for Steve Gleason, the former NFL safety who had been diagnosed with ALS and gave an emotional acceptance speech.  The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance was given toDawn Staley, South Carolina women’s basketball coach, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service was given to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex for his work on the Invictus Games that benefits wounded veterans.