Local News

FIREFIGHTERS LAUDED FOR THEIR WORK

Damage is estimated at about $100,000 dollars stemming from that Sunday afternoon fire in the city which began in a five unit apartment building on Memorial Avenue and quickly spread to another house next door.  Williamsport’s Fire Chief Todd Heckman is giving kudos to the first seven city firefighters who responded to the scene at 1526 Memorial Avenue and says that all the firefighters who responded to a the three-alarm blaze did a great job of keeping structural damage to a minimum.  One resident suffered a minor injury when they fell. Ten are currently homeless. The cause of that city fire remains under investigation.

A THIRD DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION FOR GROVES

Guilty of murder in the third degree.  A Clinton County jury yesterday found Loyd Groves guilty of the 1991 murder of Kathy Heckel of Lock Haven.  During the nearly two week trial, the prosecution painted a picture of Groves involvement in the disappearance of Heckel who he was having a romantic relationship at the time, though it’s believed the woman was trying to break it off.  Her body has never been found.  Groves who was arrested in 2015, but who has been a suspect ever since her disappearance was found not guilty of first degree murder.  He will be sentenced next month and could spend the rest of his life in prison.  took about ten hours all together for them to come up with their verdict.

LEWISBURG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TO SHINE

The lights will go back on in Downtown Lewisburg.  Last week, officials in Lewisburg say that the lights which usually are strung along Market Street to light up the holiday season would not be put up due to the fact that they were in bad shape and the borough did not have enough funds to replace them.  A Go Fund Me page was set up and money raised, and council last night voted to use area power company bucket trucks to string up less expensive non commercial lights. It’s hoped that the lights can be on in time for Lewisburg’s Late Shoppers Friday night this week.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT AND THREATS

Police have arrested a Barbours man accused of assaulting and threatening his daughter during a disturbance in Upper Fairfield Township.  The incident happened on Sunday along Back Street as 38 year old Bradley Stewart allegedly assaulted the unidentified female, also allegedly threatening to beat her to a bloody pulp and to stab her in the face. He was charged with simple assault and terroristic threats and was jailed in lieu of $15,000 bail.

CRASH ON 220 INJURES 1

A man was sent to the hospital for treatment following a crash on Route 220 in Woodward Township last evening.  The accident happened around 6pm in front of the Woodward Township Volunteer Fire Company as a vehicle rear-ended another.  The driver of the first car was transported to UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center for treatment of unspecified injuries.  That person’s name and condition have not been released. The second driver who has not been named was not injured. State police are investigating the crash.

MAN STRUCK AND KILLED BY VEHICLE

A section of Route 11 in Point Township, Northumberland County was shut down for about 2 ½ hours last evening after a man was struck and killed by a vehicle.  The Daily Item Newspaper reports that the as yet unidentified 75 year old man was crossing the highway from the Sunoco Quick Shop Convenience store to the Witmer Drive Mobile Home Park around 6:30pm  when he was struck by an SUV. That man was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the SUV was not hurt.  The investigation continues.

APPROVAL FOR BRIDGE BUNDLING LOAN RECIEVED

Approval has been given for a $7 million dollar loan which will go towards the replacement and repair of bridges in Lycoming County. The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank loan which was requested back in June will pay for the costs to replace or repair 17 municipally owned bridges.  Debt service will be paid for with help from the $5 registration fee on county vehicles as well as natural gas impact fees that have been set aside, plus a 5% local match from the participating municipalities. County Commissioners will have to approve receipt of the loan.

NO SCHOOL CLOSING MEETINGS YET

The Jersey Shore School Board has decided not to hold hearings on the closings of two elementary schools in the district, at least for the time being.  A vote last night to set dates for public hearings to discuss the possible closings of both the Avis and Salladsburg Elementary Schools, next month deadlocked at 4 with one board member absent.  The district almost closed the schools last year, to help with a large budget deficit, but it was decided not to do so.  The district continues to discuss ways to head off another budget deficit.

NOVIELLO TO RUN FOR MAYOR

A second candidate has come forward saying he will seek nomination to run for mayor in the city of Williamsport next year.  Republican Don Noviello, a current city councilman says he will seek the Republican nomination in the spring primary.  Noviello says the city needs to evelop more opportunities to bring it into the 21st Century and cited outdated and ineffective codes and other regulations that should be updated or eliminated in order to entice new businesses. Previously city resident Eric Beiter had announced his candidacy.  Current Republican Mayor Gabriel Campana has not announced yet whether or not he is running for re-election.

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