DRUG CHARGES LEAD TO STATE PRISON

A Williamsport woman who pleaded guilty to drug charges that were connected to the death of a 30 year old city woman in July of 2020 was sentenced in Lycoming County court this week.  According to the Sun Gazette, Kijifa Anderson was given 27 months to 15 years in state prison for one count of delivery of a controlled substance, but the charge of drug delivery resulting in death was withdrawn.  Police say Darcia Stewart died in the backyard of her Eldred Street home just a few  hours after purchasing an unidentified drug from Anderson.

POLICE SEEK MISSING JERSEY SHORE MAN

A Jersey Shore man is missing and police are seeking his whereabouts.  According to North C entral PA dot com, the Lycoming Regional Police Department says 64-year-old David Benis and his German shepherd left for a trip to Pittsburgh Tuesday morning around 6:30am and never arrived at his son’s home.  Police say family members say Benis has several medical issues.  If you have information, call Lycoming County Regional Police Department.

NEW FACILITIES ON THE WAY FOR THE  LYCO CORONER

The Lycoming County Coroner may finally have adequate space to work after the Williamsport City Council recently said construction can begin after approving a building land development plan.  According to North Central PA dot com, Charles E. Kiessling Jr. said many people and agencies worked hard to plan and design a proper facility to handle day to day operations as well as help with emergencies while working with other county coroners through mutual aid agreements in the area.  Kiessling also said the new building will allow autopsies to be performed in Lycoming County again, a service that has not been available here since 2008.  There will be an addition to the existing structure at 3341 Wahoo Drive for a total of 12,922 square feet.

FISHING WITH FLICK AND SLAUGHTER SATURDAY

Area families can “Fish with Flick and Mayor Slaughter” this Saturday at Lycoming Creek.  According to the Sun Gazette, State Rep. Jamie Flick and Mayor Slaughter invite kids ages 4 to 16 years to come can come to the creek across the street from Bowman Field, near the Original League baseball field in Williamsport and pair up with a parent or mentor for a Mentored Youth Trout Day and learn how to fish.  Younger anglers from 4-6 will learn about fishing basics with a special activity organized by the local Trout Unlimited chapter.  Partners will offer short clinics and activity stations at the beginning of the event that will go from 10am til 2pm April 20^th.  Get your required fishing permit online at huntfish.pa.gov.

DOUBLE SHOOTING IN MILTON

There was a shooting reported in Milton Tuesday that shut down the 10 block of Broadway around 4pm.  According to the Standard Journal, multiple police and emergency responders arrived on the scene, where one victim was transported to Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, and police say an ambulance responded downtown to treat a second shooting victim who was transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.  Police activity was then reported at a fast food restaurant parking lot outside of Milton, but no word on whether there are suspects in custody this morning or the condition of the victims.

ALLEGEDLY IMPAIRED WOMAN STRIKES PEDESTRIANS

A woman from Sunbury with a 12 year old child in the car was charged after police say she was allegedly impaired and hit two pedestrians who were crossing in the street on April 10th.  According to North Central PA dot com, 49 year old Erin Wagner was driving at South Seventh and Market streets and struck an 83 year old man with a walker and a36 year old man who were crossing  the intersection.  The men were transported to to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville with suspected moderate to serious injuries.  Police said they noticed Wagner seemed impaired and through a breath test report she had a .235 blood alcohol level.  She faces felony aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, DUI and more, and is free on 75 thousand dollars bail.

PRESIDENT BIDEN CAMPAIGNS IN PA THIS WEEK

President Joe Biden was in Scranton yesterday for the first of three days in the Commonwealth.  According to WHTM, Biden talked about inflation and elevated interest rates despite low unemployment, as well as higher taxes on the rich.  The President heads to Pittsburgh this morning, then back to Washington until he returns for an event in Philadelphia.  Biden is taking advantage of campaigning in PA, since former president Donald Trump is in New York City for his criminal trial this week.

SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY RECEIVES SCIENCE RESEARCH GRANT

A 300 thousand-dollar grant for 15 students to participate in a paid, eight-week Summer Research Partners Program in the sciences has been awarded to Susquehanna University.  According to the university, the three year-grant will support wages, housing, research supplies and conference travel for students who will be able to spend their summer in a full-time, faculty-mentored research position. The grant was made possible by the Sherman Fairchild Foundation.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Baseball
Muncy  19                      Sullivan County 4
Montoursville 10           Danville 0
Canton 9               Troy  7
NP Mansfield  3  Sayre  2
Millville 5             St John Neumann  1

PIAA HS Softball
Jersey Shore  16  Danville 3
Muncy  15                     CMVT  0 /4
Loyalsock  12       Midd-West  2 /5
Montoursville 16           Lewisburg  5  /6
Warrior Run 11    Southern Columbia  2
Shikellamy 8        Williamsport 6
Neumann 20         Millville 5
Shamokin  12       Milton  2
South Wmsprt 12          Berwick 0 /3

MLB
Guardians  10     Red Sox 7
Orioles  11          Twins 3
Phillies  5            Rockies  0
Blue Jays 5         Yankees  4
Mets  3                Pirates  1
Braves  6             Astros  2
Dodgers  6          Nationals 2
MLB Today
Minnesota vs  Baltimore  1:05pm
Pittsburgh vs NY Mets  1:10pm
Rockies vs Phillies  6:05pm
Cleveland vs Boston  7:10pm

NBA Playoffs
West
Lakers 110          Pelicans  106
Kings  118          Warrior 94
NBA East Tonight
Miami  vs 76ers 7pm ESPN
Atlanta  Chicago  9:30pm ESPN

NHL
Senators  3           Bruins  1
Capitals  2                     Flyers  1
Blue Jackets  6    Hurricanes 3
Gldn Knights  3  Blackhawks 1
Canucks  4           Flames  1
NHL Tonight
Toronto vs Tampa Bay 7pm TNT
Pittsburgh  vs NY Islanders  7pm
St Louis vs Dallas  9:30pm TNT
Edmonton vs Arizona 10pm

ROADS AFFECTED BY FLOODING AND DOWNED UTILITIES

Rain has affected some area roadways with flooding or trees down affecting utilities.  According to PennDOT, in Lycoming County, Route 642 between Nisbet Terrace and Valley Road in Susquehanna Township has reopened this morning.  In Northumberland County, a new spot to watch includes Route 147 south of Herndon at the split with Route 225 to Carls Hill Road in Lower Mahanoy Township. Check 511PA dot com for road conditions of flood prone roadways near you. 

MIFFLINBURG TEEN FIRE VICTIM SERVICES SET FOR SATURDAY

Services have been set for a 16 year old sophomore at Mifflinburg Area High School who was killed after he was trapped in a house fire early Friday morning in Buffalo Township.  According to the Daily Item, Reese Donovan Conklin, was the victim in the fatal fire.  State police at Milton say Conklin’s mother and brother, who were in the home at 6491 Buffalo Road at the time of the blaze, escaped and were treated at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg for smoke inhalation.  State police are investigating the fire.  A visitation for family and friends is scheduled at 10am on Saturday, April 20^th  at St. George Roman Catholic Church in Mifflinburg, before a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. 

VOLLEYBALL APPROVED FOR MONTOURSVILLE GIRLS

There will be volleyball for junior and senior high school girls at Montoursville after school board directors this week approved the creation of the club.  According to the Sun Gazette, support for the club by students,  parents and school officials was given at the March 26^th school board meeting and was approved with some debate over start-up costs.  The estimated cost to start-up the program was 70 thousand dollars, but the Montoursville superintendent said as a yet to be developed program, the costs would likely be less and also spread over two years.

BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR

PennDOT and the PA department of Health, Gift of Life Donor Program  and others put out a call to action Friday for  National Donate Life Day – a day asking residents to become organ donors by updating their driver’s licenses.  According to PennDOT, if you’re considering it, you don’t have to wait until you have to renew your license, you can opt-in anytime at dmv.pa.gov.  About 5 million Pennsylvanians are organ donors – about 49 percent of all current drives and ID holders.

HOMELESS MAN THREATENS LAUDROMAT EMPLOYEES

A homeless man previously from West Milton was taken into custody April 4^th for threatening employees of a local laundromat in east Buffalo Township.  .  According to North Central PA dot com, 26 year old Gustavo Alexander Gutierrez, allegedly ran into the business  on North Derr Drive with a rock, throwing a cart, and threatening one employee and then yelling at, and threatening the manager when she arrived asking him to leave the premises.  Gutierrez fled out the back door when the police were about to be called, and was later taken into custody for misdemeanor simple assault, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and more and was incarcerated in lieu of 10 thousand dollars bail.  His preliminary hearing is May 2^nd.

MAN DRAGS WOMAN WITH MOVING CAR

A man from Trevorton has been charged with misdemeanor reckless endangerment after he drove away with a person hanging on to his vehicle Thursday at about 7pm.  According to the Daily Item, 30 year old Jonathan Martinez was arrested after police responded to a domestic incident at the intersection of Race and Second Street, where a woman was laying in the roadway.  Police say Martinez said the woman was trying to hit him when he drove away trapping the victim’s arm in the car window causing her to grab the roof rack of the car. She fell and was injured and treated at the scene.  Martinez was located and arrested, and is incarcerated in lieu of 5 thousand dollars bail. He has an upcoming preliminary hearing.

POWER OUTAGES IN NORTH CENTRAL PA

Just over 900 customers in Clinton County are dealing with power outages this morning from heavy rains recently.  There are only about 100 customers affected by power issues in Lycoming County this morning.  PennDOT is reporting some flooded roadways this morning.  In Columbia County Back Branch Road between Whites Church Road and Millertown Road in Mt. Pleasant Township still has downed utilities, so watch for a lane restriction there.   Check 511PA dot com for road conditions of flood prone roadways near you. 

TAX DEADLINE DAY TODAY

Today is Tax Day in the United States, and millions of Americans are racing to file their 2023 income tax returns before the midnight deadline.  However, there are some exceptions. If you request an extension, your deadline to file will be October 15, 2024. For various tax information and forms in Lycoming County, go to lycomingtax.org.

SPORTS

NASCAR Sunday – Auto Trader 400,  Texas Motor Speedway
*  Chase Elliott pulled ahead and cleared Ross Chastain on the first lap after the second restart in overtime Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, ending his 42-race winless streak.
*  The race ended on the 16th caution after Elliott had taken the white flag for the 276th lap in a race scheduled for 267 laps. 
* Brad Keslowski was 2^nd, William Byron 3^rd, Tyler Reddick 4^th and Daniel Suarez rounded out the top 5.
* It was the fifth win this season for Hendrick Motorsports, the 306th for NASCAR’s winningest team, but the first for Elliott in this No. 9 Chevrolet since Talladega in October 2022.

Golf – Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Course, Augusta, GA
* Scottie Scheffler got his second Green Jacket in three years at the 2024 Masters Sunday.
* Tiger Woods is the only other player who has won multiple majors as World No. 1.
* Scheffler finished 68 in Round 4 Sunday and completed the tournament at No. 1 winning a 3.6 million dollar purse. 
* Tiger Woods who made the Master’s Cut for the weekend and shot a 77 Sunday, finished in the last position for the Tournament – he won $44K.

MLB
Guardians  8        Yankees  7
Red Sox  5                     Angels  4
Orioles 6              Brewers 4 
Pirates  9              Phillies  2
Braves  9              Marlins 7 
Mets 2                  Royals  1
A’s  7                   Nationals  6
MLB Today
Cleveland vs Boston  11:10am
Twins vs Orioles 6:35pm
Rockies vs Phillies 6:40pm
Yankees vs Toronto 7:07pm
Pittsburgh vs NY Mets  7:10pm
Washington vs LA Dodgers 10:10pm

NBA
Celtics  132          Wizards  122
NY Knicks  120  Bulls 119
76ers  107            Nets  107
Warriors  123       Jazz 116
Rockets  116        Clippers  105

NHL
Blues  4                Kraken  1
Golden Knights 4           Avalanche  3
Hurricanes  4        Blackhawks  2
Flames  6              Coyotes  5

NHL Tonight
Canadiens  vs Red Wings  7pm
Islanders vs  Devils  7pm
Predators vs Penguins  7pm
Senators  vs NY Rangers  7:30pm
Sharks vs Oilers  9:30pm
Wild vs Kings  9:30pm ESPN

COLLISION INJURES TWO, ONE LIFE FLIGHTED

A head on collision yesterday along Route 220 near McElhattan injured both drivers involved.  According to the News Item, Police say one driver was heading in the wrong direction along Route 220 and collided on the northbound side at mile marker 116 around 10:30am causing a serious crash that involved entrapment.  According to Clinton County Department of Emergency services the Life Flight helicopter was called just after 11am and transported one patient after multiple emergency crews from Clinton County and Lycoming County responded to the collision.  The north side of Route 220 was closed until about 12:30pm yesterday.  Pine Creek Township police are investigating the incident.

TEENAGER ARRESTED FOR STABBING ADULT

A 15 year old from Shamokin has been arrested after stabbing last Thursday night around the 100 block of West Independence Street.  According to the News Item, a 24 year old city man was the victim in the incident, but no word on whether he is still hospitalized after the stabbing.  Shamokin police said the teen stabbed the victim multiple times during a fight at approximately 9pm.  They then charged the teen with felony of aggravated assault and misdemeanors of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct, and a summary of harassment, through Northumberland County Juvenile Court Services.

LEVEE PROJECT FUNDING WILL REMOVE SOME RISK OF FLOODING

Funding for Williamsport’s levee flood control project was included in FY24 Appropriations legislation was recently signed into law and the financial support will allow the city to address the looming threat of damage to the city’s assets by flooding.  According to North Cetnral PA dot com, Congressman Dan Meuser said he helped secure 3.5 million dollars to enhance the levee system and mitigate risk so the system can become compliant for certification,  allowing insurance premiums to remain reasonable that would otherwise impact taxes. 

SHOE BANK OPEN THIS MONTH IN LOCK HAVEN

Lock Haven’s Shoe Bank will be open April 20^th and is taking appointments for the event that will take place inside Covenant United Methodist Church on West Main Street in Lock Haven.  Any child from infants to teens in Clinton County or in the Liberty-Curtin School attendance area with an active Compass app, or referred by an agency can book an appointment for a pair of new shoes, socks and books for free by texting or calling weeknights 7 to 9pm 814-571-5324.  The Shoe bank will hold one more event in May before they close for the summer. More details at Lock Haven Shoe Bank on Facebook.

ROUTE 104 CLOSED MONDAY MORNING AFTER ACCIDENT

There was an accident yesterday morning that closed Route 104 in both directions between Middle Road and New Berlin Highway in Center Township in Snyder County.  According to police, one vehicle struck a utility pole, knocking the wires down around 6:30am Injuries were reported in the accident that occurred near Penns Creek, but no word on the conditions of the victims in the accident today.  According to PennDOT, Route 104 reopened after 1pm.

BENTON MAN IDENTIFIED AS DROWNING VICTIM

Police have announced the name of the fishing victim who was found unresponsive in Young Woman’s Creek Saturday afternoon in Clinton County on the first day of Trout season in Pennsylvania.  According to the Lock Haven Express, 31 year old James Ray from Benton was the victim of the fatal incident in Chapman Township.  The Chief Deputy Coroner of Clinton County is investigating the drowning.

SEWER SERVICE APPROVED BY WATSONTOWN BOROUGH

Watsontown is the sixth municipality to approve sewer service to East Chillisquaque and Turbot townships with the Milton Regional Sewer Authority (MRSA) after their borough council meeting this week.  according to the Standard Journal, Turbot Township is now the seventh municipaliuty that also must adopt a mandatory connection ordinance for the expanded service plan to take place.  The sewer service is specifically addressing service for the Potts Grove, Mahoning Manor and Pleasant Valley Village areas.

FINANCIAL AID SEMINAR AT CU-LOCK HAVEN

Commonwealth University Lock Haven Office of Financial Aid will hold a  FAFSA Completion Workshop next Thursday April 18^th in Stevenson Library for students and their parents with an active FSA ID and 2022 tax information.  Families without an FSA ID can go online to student aid dot gov to create an account.  Register for the event at apply.commonwealthu.edu or call the Office of Financial Aid at CU-Lock Haven for information 570-484-2424.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports
Baseball
Williamsport  17  Milton  1
Loyalsock  3  Warrior Run  1
South Williamsport  8 Troy  2
Central Mountain 5  Jersey Shore 2

Softball
Montgomery  17  St John Neumann 2 /3
Boys Tennis 
Central Mnt  4  Williamsport 1
Loyalsock  5  Bloomsburg  0
Jersey Shore  5  Milton  0

March Madness
NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship
(1) UConn  75      (1) Purdue  60

UConn is the third team to win back-to-back titles since the NCAA tournament expanded in 1985 and is the betting favorite to win it again next year. The only team to three-peat is UCLA, which won seven straight titles under John Wooden from 1967-73.  Neither of the other two teams to repeat since then (Florida & Duke)  made it to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament the third time around.

NBA Today
Pistons  vs 76ers  7pm
Celtics vs Bucks  7:30pm TNT
Knicks vs Bulls   8pm
Wizards  vs Timberwolves  8pm
Warriors  vs Lakers  10pm  TNT

NHL
Maple Leafs  3          Penguins  2  /OT
Canucks  4                 Golden Knights  3

NHL Tonight
Flyers vs Canadiens 7pm Montreal, QC
Capitals vs Red Wings  7pm
Maple Leafs  vs Devils  7pm
Rangers  vs Islanders  7pm

MLB
Guardians  4              White Sox  0
Yankees  7                 Marlins  0
Pirates 7                     Tigers  4
Reds  10                     Brewers  8
Mets  8                       Braves  7
Dodgers  4                 Twins  2
Phillies  5                   Cardinals  3
Nationals  8  Giants  1

MLB Today
Detroit vs Pittsburgh  12:35pm
Baltimore  vs Boston 2:10pm
Miami  vs NY Yankees  7:05pm
Mets  vs Atlanta  7:20pm ESPN+
Phillies vs St Louis  7:45pm