A COLD MORNING
The cold snap is here. Temperatures are below zero across our area this morning, with wind chills even lower. Area residents are having a tough time starting vehicles and area garages expect to be busy this morning. In addition, you are reminded that if your pipes freeze, to not try and thaw them out with a blow torch or flame, instead with hot water and a blow dryer. Make a check on elderly neighbors and make sure they have adequate heat sources and keep those pets inside. All area schools are closed including Penn College, Lock Haven University and Mansfield University with the exception of Sullivan County schools still on a two hour delay this morning.
POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED RAPE
A Montgomery man, formerly with the Montgomery police department and now working part-time in Muncy and Duboistown has been charged with the attempted sexual assault of a woman. 69 year old Larry Wilcox was arrested yesterday and charged with the attempted rape of a 39 year old woman in July of 2018 at a private residence in Clinton Township. He is charged with attempted rape, attempted sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault and was jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail.
MIDDLEBURG WOMAN DIES IN CRASH
A crash on Tuesday afternoon in Snyder County took the life of a Middleburg woman and has critically injured a Selinsgrove man. That crash occurred just before 12:30pm on Route 522 in Middlecreek Township. A vehicle driven by 21 year old Laurie Stoltzfus went out of control on a snow covered roadway, going into the northbound lane, striking another vehicle then sliding sideways into one driven by 25 year old Tyson Mowrey of Selinsgrove. Stoltzfus was pronounced dead from her injures at Geisinger Medical Center. Mowrey is in critical condition.
TWO POSSIBLE NEW HIRES IN COUNTY
Lycoming County Commissioners during their meeting today are poised to decide whether or not to hire on a new public defender. The current public defender who has been working on an independent contractor basis is set to retire next month. The prospective new hire, who is capable of handling murder cases does is currently an assistant in the officer and does not want to work independently. County Commissioners also are looking at hiring a new bail release officer for the county prison.
MAN IN CRITICAL CONDITION
A Coal Township man is in critical condition after striking a truck with a snowplow on the front head on on Tuesday evening. The crash occurred around 6:30pm as 55 year old James Wehr lost control of his vehicle on State Route 61 in Shamokin Township, going over the center line and striking that pick up truck with a plow on the front driven by Donald Wolfgang of Kulpmont. Wehr was trapped and had to be extricated taken onto Geisinger Medical Center. Wolfgang was not injured.
GOVERNOR WOLF PROPOSES MINIMUM WAGE HIKE
Pennsylvania’s Governor wants to give a million or so workers in the state of Pennsylvania a raise. Wolf yesterday proposed the increase in the state’s minimum wage to $12 dollars this year which would put it in line with the highest state minimum wages. He also would like to eliminate the tipped wages minimum which is now set at $2.83. Wolf says the move would provide more than $100 milllion dollars in sannual savings in state programs for the poor. He would need approval from the Republican controlled legislature.
BONE FRAGMENTS DISCOVERED
A possible break in a Northumberland County murder case which was reopened in 2017. It’s been revealed that bone fragments were found in the wall of a home in Milton searched back in 2017 and could be that of Barbara Miller of Sunbury who went missing back in 1989. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System is checking DNA and say it could be months to determine if the fragments belong to Miller. Sunbury police say the case remains open.
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS GRANTS
Williamsport City Council meets tonight and is expected to vote on a grant agreement between the city and First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania for $150,000 which would go towards restoration of the Brandon Park Bandshell. The full cost would be about $280,000 with other funds coming from Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $100,000 an $20,000 from the county. They also will hold a first reading on a proposed zoning map amendment to extend the Central Business District west of Hepburn Street.
