MORE SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES FOR MUNCY MAN

The Muncy man already jailed on over one thousand sexual assault, and child pornography  charges in Lycoming County, is facing more sexual assault charges after an alleged victim testified in court this week.  According to the Sun Gazette, 55 year old Timothy Stroud, Sr. has been again charged with statutory sexual assault with a person under 16, aggravated indecent assault and more which is now a third case against him.  District Judge Denise Dieter denied bail determining there are no conditions she could place on Stroud that would guarantee the safety of the community.  He will remain incarcerated.

WOMAN SCAMS MONEY, CLAIMED IT WAS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

A woman from Newburg has been arrested for fraud after she scammed almost 60 thousand dollars in donations meant for needy families.  According to State police at Milton, the victims told officers that 42 year old Lori Ann Ketcham, took their money through an online app, but when they asked for verification that the families were being helped, Ketchum would not share photos and discouraged contact.  Police say Ketchum could not show them where the money she received between March of 2022 and September of 2023 had gone.  Ketchum had been arrested for fraud in 2016 when she was a certified peer specialist, and was charged with falsifying patient records to inflate her billable services for which she received probation.  Her preliminary hearing for this charge is May 30^th.

PA TURNPIKE COMMISSION WARNS OF SCAM

There’s a new scam for those who use the E-ZPass toll system, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning customers.  According to the Bucks County Courier Times, there have been texts and emails sent recently to EZ Pass account holders requesting a settlement of accounts.  Customers are advised to not click on the link, and instead file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.  They can also use the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app to check their account.

VOTERS GUIDE AVAILABLE IN UNION COUNTY

The League of Women Voters of the Lewisburg Area have published a “Voters Guide for the 2024 April General Primary Election” to help Union County residents be more informed as we approach Primary Election Day, April 23rd in Pennsylvania. According to the Daily Item, the nonpartisan guide contains the names of all candidates that appear on the ballot and is available at Union County libraries and post offices as well as online at the  League of Women Voters website at www.lwvlewisburgarea.org.

SELINSGROVE TRUCK DRIVER DIES IN ACCIDENT IN EASTERN PA

A Selinsgrove man died in Lehigh Township in Northampton County close to the New Jersey border on Tuesday morning, when the tri-axle dump truck he was driving was involved in an accident.  According to the Morning Call, the Northampton County coroner said 52 year old Lincoln Brown was traveling yesterday morning along Route 145 near Mulberry Drive at about 6:30am when he sustained fatal injuries in the crash. There is no word on whether any one else was involved in the incident Lehigh Township Police said Route 145 opened around 11:30 yesterday morning after police concluded their investigation at the scene.

RAPIST SENTENCED TO POSSIBLE 15 YEARS

A man charged with assault for holding to a knife to a female victim’s throat during the attack in January of 2023 has been sentenced to 7 and a half to 15 years in prison.  According to the Sun Gazette, court records say 25 year old Unique Robinson chose not to tell the truth about cheating to his girlfriend, and instead tried to silence the victim about their infidelity.  The  Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade argued there was a high probability that Robinson would hurt others if not locked up.  Robinson’s family asked he not be taken away from h is 6 year-old daughter.  Robinson also faces 12 months of supervised probation upon his eventual release.

PSP SEEK MAN WHO FLED ON FOOT IN TURBOTVILLE

State Police say the public is not in danger, but they are looking for a suspect who fled from police in Turbotville on Monday morning.  According to media outlets, the high speed chase started when a man with a beard wouldn’t stop for officers along Pleasant Grove Road near Turbotville and once he stopped the chase, fled on foot and got away.  State police are investigating and request you call PSP at Milton if you have information 570-524-2662.

RIDER PARK ART TO BE FEATURED IN JULY FIRST FRIDAY

Rider Park on Caleb Creek Road in Trout Run is hosting an Artist in Residency program in May and invites participants to join in making handcrafted clay creations inspired by nature in a series of classes this season.  According to North Central PA dot com, local clay artist Kathy Görg will teach a 15 person class, creating art pieces that will be displayed during Williamsport’s July First Friday event at Lycoming Arts, on West 4th Street.  For more information about the class or about “Art in Rider Park”, email [email protected] or go to Riderpark.org.  Limited scholarships are available for the 5 week class that starts Tuesday, May 28^th.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports

Baseball 
Muncy  16                     Bucktail 1
Montgomery  4    St John Neumann  2

Softball  
Milton  24            Central Columbia  23 /10
Boys Tennis 
South Wmsport  5  Hughesville 0

MLB
White Sox  7      Guardians  5
Tigers  5              Pirates  3
Orioles  7            Red Sox  1
Brewers  9           Reds  5
Yankees 3           Marlins 2
Braves  6             Mets  5
Royals  4             Astros  3  /10
Cardinals  3        Phillies  0
Nationals 5         Giants 3

MLB Today  
Phillies  vs St Louis  1:15pm
Diamondbacks vs Colorado  3:10pm ESPN+
Miami vs Yankees 7:05pm

NBA
Mavericks  130            Hornets  104
76ers  120                     Pistons  102
Bucks  104                   Celtics  91
Knicks  128                  Bulls  117
Timberwolves  130     Wizards 121
Warriors  134               Lakers  120

NBA Tonight
Dallas vs Miami  7:30pm ESPN
Minnesota vs Denver 10pm ESPN

NHL
Hurricanes 4       Bruins  1
Canadiens  9       Flyers  3
Capitals  2           Red Wings  1
Maple Leafs 5     Devils 2
Islanders  4         Rangers  2

NHL Tonight
Vegas vs Edmonton 8:30pm TNT

WILLIAMSPORT FIRE DISPLACES FIVE

A two-alarm fire Sunday in Williamsport displaced five people from a four-unit apartment building on West Fourth Street.  According to the Sun Gazette, just after 7pm,  neighbors and witnesses along the street alerted tenants to the fire they saw coming from an air conditioning unit on the second floor.  City firemen rescued a woman from a second floor apartment where there was smoke coming from the window.  Two tenants were taken to UPMC Williamsport for tr5eament of smoke inhalation, and the fire was under control in about 15 minutes.  Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Company, along with South Williamsport and Montoursville responded to the second alarm and assisted Williamsport.  The Red Cross is assisting the families and the fire is under investigation.

BODY OF FISHERMAN FOUND UNRESPONSIVE

There is a report that law enforcement officials are conducting a death investigation of an unidentified person who was found dead while fishing Saturday.  According to State Troopers the 31 year old fisherman was found unresponsive in the “Young Woman’s Creek”  in Chapman Township Saturday afternoon at about 2pm.  No other information has yet been released, and an investigation is ongoing.

MANY MAIL IN BALLOT REQUESTS FROM BOTH PARTIES

Close to a million people in Pennsylvania have requested mail-in or absentee ballot for Pennsylvania’s April 23 primary.  According to WHTM, As of April 3^rd, 74% of requested mail ballots have been from registered Democrats, but more than 200,000 have been requested by Republicans. The deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on April 16 and all ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on April 23.  The deadline to register to vote is April 8.

ECLIPSE TRAVLERS REMINDED OF TRAFFIC ISSUES

Travelers heading out to see the solar eclipse today in Western Pennsylvania are reminded of available resources from PennDOT and VisitErie dot com.  The path of the eclipse starts in Pennsylvania at approximately 2pm with totality expected at 3:16pm and will conclude at approximately 4:30pm Nearly 435,000 Pennsylvanians live in the path of this eclipse. State Police will be posted at each exit to keep traffic moving and people gathered at rest stops will be directed to view the eclipse elsewhere.  Find an updated webpage at 511pa.com/eclipse24.

FAST FOOD EMPLOYEE THREATENED POLICE WITH KNIFE

A fast food employee in Lewisburg pulled a knife March 22^nd and threatened patrons and police.  According to North Central PA dot com, 68 year old Ronald Shumate was working when a manager discovered him threatening to harm himself and called police.  Milton State Police asked Shumate to step outside for questioning, he pulled out the knife and began yelling, and scaring customers, some who had children with them, causing them to evacuate the store.  Shumate was charged with terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct, his preliminary hearing is May 2^nd.

MAN CHARGED A SIXTH TIME FOR FELONY THEFT AT GROCERY STORE

A man from Sunbury is in custody after he allegedly stole items from Weis Markets and gave police a fictitious name when they were questioning him March 23^rd.  According to North Central PA dot com, 32 year old Nicholas Hurd was identified as a trespasser in the store after witnesses say they previously saw him with drug paraphernalia in the restroom and had been kicked out.  Police arrived at the scene and discovered Hurd with about 63 dollars worth of items in his pockets as well as bags and suspected methamphetamine as he left the store.  Hurd admitted to police he took drugs and then required hospitalization.  He was charged with felony retail theft and possession with intent to deliver.  Hurd has been charged and convicted 5 previous times for retail theft. He is incarcerated in liue of 150 thousand dollars bail.

A man from Sunbury is in custody after he allegedly stole items from Weis Markets and gave police a fictitious name when they were questioning him March 23^rd.  According to North Central PA dot com, 32 year old Nicholas Hurd was identified as a trespasser in the store after witnesses say they previously saw him with drug paraphernalia in the restroom and had been kicked out.  Police arrived at the scene and discovered Hurd with about 63 dollars worth of items in his pockets as well as bags and suspected methamphetamine as he left the store.  Hurd admitted to police he took drugs and then required hospitalization.  He was charged with felony retail theft and possession with intent to deliver.  Hurd has been charged and convicted 5 previous times for retail theft. He is incarcerated in liue of 150 thousand dollars bail.

As Pennsylvania remains a battleground state in the upcoming presidential election, we will have visits from the current Vice President of the United states and  former President Donald Trump prior to the Presidential primary April 23^rd.  According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Kamala Harris will be in Philadelphia today to discuss how to continue to lower inflation in the Commonwealth, and next Saturday, Former President Donald Trump will visit Schnecksville Fire Hall on Old Packhouse Road in North Whitehall Township at 7pm. 

RESPASZ BAND OFFERING FREE CONCERT THIS MONTH

The Williamsport Community Arts Center is hosting the Respasz Band this month and they’ll be sharing a celebration of springtime and Broadway musicals for free.  According to the band, “Musical Memories”  will feature songs from 16 different musicals from composers including Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Philip Sousa, and Leonard Bernstein.  Repasz conductor Jeff Dent says many of the numbers are award-winners, from Tonys , Grammys, Golden Globes and the Oscars.  The show at 7:30 on Tuesday April 16^th will also include the presentation of the Repasz Band Senior Awards, given annually to one senior from each high school in Lycoming County.

SPORTS

NASCAR
William Byron took the lead with 73 laps to go and held on to win at Martinsville Motor Speedway Sunday, giving Hendrick a 1-2-3 finish.  Kyle Larson rallied to finish second, Chase Elliott third, Bubba Wallace fourth and Ryan Blaney, last fall’s winner here, fifth. The fourth Hendrick driver, Alex Bowman, finished eighth.

March Madness
NCAA Women’s National Championship
South Carolina 87         Iowa 75
South Carolina, led by Dawn Staley, entered the women’s NCAA Tournament as the overall No. 1 seed, and won their third national championship Sunday.
NCAA Men’s National Championship Tonight
Purdue vs UConn 9:20pm TBS

MLB
Braves  5              Diamondbacks  2
Pirates  3              Orioles 2
Nationals  3          Phillies  2
Yankees 8            Blue Jays  3
Mets  3                 Reds  1
Cubs  8                 LA Dodgers  1
Red Sox  12         Angels  2
Astros  3              Rangers 1

MLB Tonight
Miami vs NY Yankees  6:05pm
Detroit vs Pittsburgh  6:40pm
Mets  vs Atlanta  7:20pm
Phillies vs St Louis  7:45pm
Washington vs San Francisco  9:45pm

NHL
Red Wings 3         Sabres  1
Senators  3           Capitals  2
Predators  3          Devils  2
Rangers  5            Canadiens  2

NHL Tonight  
Pittsburgh vs Toronto  7pm

NBA
Clippers  120       Cavaliers  118
Celtics  124          Trail Blazers  107
Knicks  122          Bucks  109
76ers  133            Spurs  126
Kings  107              Nets  77
Warriors 118        Jazz 110

FLOOD WATCH THROUGH TOMORROW FOR NEPA

There’s a flood watch in effect through tomorrow morning for Lycoming County and other northeastern Pennsylvania counties according to the National Weather Service.  PennDOT is reporting some flooding this morning in Union County on 8^th Street between Valley Road and Route 45 in Mifflinburg Borough.  Beaver Run Road is also reported to be flooding between Route 192 and Johnson Mill Road in Buffalo Township.  In addition, Bald Eagle Creek is approaching flood stage and residents are advised of a warning for minor flooding through Saturday morning.  As of this morning, Bald Eagle Creek near Beech Creek Station was at 9.8 feet with flood stage at 11 feet.  The river is expected to crest by midnight tonight at 12.9 feet.

ELDERLY COUPLE DIES IN UNION COUNTY ACCIDENT

The Union County coroner reports that two elderly residents were killed Monday after a traffic accident in Union Township.  According to State police, 72-year-old Jerry Bower and 60-year-old Etta Mendler-Bower who was his passenger were driving a small SUV when they allegedly pulled out in front of a pick-up truck driven by 19-year-old Remington Lenig at about 2:45pm at the intersection of Route 304 and Stein Lane.  Lenig and his passenger sustained minor injuries.  The Bowers died at the scene of the crash. 

MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST MINOR PLEADS GUILTY

A Lamar Township man has pleaded guilty to second degree aggravated assault against a 9 year old girl, and will avoid the jury trial that was scheduled for him in Clinton County Court this upcoming May. According to the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office, 25 year old Emanuel King will face sentencing after the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment board determines whether he is considered a violent sexual predator.  King was arrested in August of 2023 for aggravated assault charges and unlawful contact with a minor, against multiple victims under the age of 13.

SHAW PLACE PARK LOOKING FOR DESIGN PARTNERS

The City of Williamsport , as they make plans to upgrade and improve Shaw Place Park, are seeking  to partner with architectural consultants and design-build firms to create a space for a mountain bike skills park, which will  include an integrated  network of trails of various skill levels, and will complement the walking paths, and the recently completed Splash pad within the park.  According to the Sun Gazette, DCNR awarded the city over 220 thousand dollars for the park along Sheridan Street, and those who could provide professional design services have until April 22^nd at 3pm to submit their proposals.

MAN WHO THREW CARSEAT INTO STREET GET PROBATION

A man from Williamsport has been given probation for throwing a car seat holding his 3-month old child in it into the street last April during an argument with the baby’s mother as part of a plea agreement in Lycoming County Court. The baby was unhurt.  According to the Sun Gazette, 30 year old Kadeem Middleton pleaded guilty to a count of disorderly conduct after originally being charged with felony child endangerment assault charges and resisting arrest.  Middleton will serve the 12 months and also be required to perform community service.

THEFT SUPECT FOUND ALSO TO BE SUSPECT IN A VEHICLE THEFT

A 34 year old former Scranton man who was apprehended and jailed for stealing items from a police cruiser parked at a car dealership near Muncy on February 25th, has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle from earlier that same day. According to the Sun Gazette, Jesse Greiner had stolen two ATV’s, taking one from a dealer along Legion Road first around 10:30 am and driving it from the store, then returning it, and taking another ATV for a ride before noon.  Police say Griner overturned the 2^nd ATV near the location where police arrested him for the theft from the cruiser.  He is in Lycoming County Prison on 25 thousand dollars bail.

WATSONTOWN MUSEUM REOPENS

The Watsontown Historical Museum is reopened after they shut down for five months after part of the ceiling fell down in November, not causing  any injury, just a mess.  According to the Daily Item, volunteers worked to restore the museum that opened on Monday that features five connecting rooms that feature artifacts reflecting Watsontown’s history.  The Watsontown Historical Association used funds from a $150,000 Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant to pay for the renovations. Get details at mywatsontown.com.

KULPMONT CLEAN UP DAY APRIL 20

A former Kulpmont Borough Councilman is spearheading an Earth Day clean-up of Veteran’s Memorial Field and other high-traffic areas on April 20^th.  According to the Daily Item, Joseph Dowkus and interested volunteers are meeting Saturday the 20^th at 8am for a clean up that Dowkus says is more than borough workers can keep up with.  Bags will be provided but participants are encouraged to wear gloves or bring tools like a trash grabber. Questions can be directed to Dowkus on Facebook at Sons of the American Legion page.  The Kulpmont clean-up is expected to last until noon.

SPORTS

NCAA Women’s Final 4 Friday, April 5
(3) NC State  vs (1) South Carolina  7pm
(3) UConn  vs (1) Iowa 9pm
NCAA Women’s Championship  Sunday April 3pm

NCAA Men’s Basketball Saturday 4/6
Final Four
(11) NC State  vs (1) Purdue  6:09pm TBS
(4) Alabama vs (1) UConn  8:49pm TBS
NCAA Men’s Championship Monday April 8 9:20pm

MLB
Guardians 5         Mariners 2
Brewers  3                     Twins 2
Royals  4              Orioles  1
Phillies  9             Reds  4
Red Sox  5                     A’s 4  /11
Diamondbacks  7           Yankees 0
Tigers vs Mets  postponed til Thursday

NBA
Lakers 128                     Raptors  111
Wizards  117        Bucks  113
76ers  109            Thunder  105
Heat  109             Knicks  99
Cavaliers  129      Jazz  113
Warriors  104       Mavericks  100
NBA Tonight
Oklahoma City vs Boston  7:30pm ESPN
Pacers vs Nets  7:30pm
Cleveland vs Phoenix 10pm ESPN