SCOREBOARD BIDS REJECTED
Williamsport City Council met last night and rejected five bids for a new scoreboard at BB&T Ballpark at Bowman Field. The bids ranged from $525,000 to $675,000 dollars, but did not meet all the specifications set forth by the city on six major requirements. The scoreboard will be re-bid. In addition last night, The new scoreboard is slated to be installed before the opening of the Williamsport Crosscutters season on June 14th. Council did accept a grant in which totals $150,000 to move ahead on the refurbishing of the Brandon Park Bandshell which will cost about $280,000 all together.
LEVEE RECERTIFICATON DISCUSSION
Area officials joined with members of the Army Corps of Engineers yesterday in the city of Williamsport to discuss the levee recertification process which it’s estimated will cost some $16.5 million dollars over the next five years. Officials discussed the various work that needs done to the levee system which protects Williamsport, South Williamsport, Loyalsock and Old Lycoming Township from flooding saying it will have to be done in phases. Funding is a problem, and everything from creating an authority to oversee the work, to using county hotel tax was discussed.
AREA STUDENT CHARGED
A 19 year old Pennsylvania College of Technology student was locked up in Lycoming County Prison on Monday after being arrested for stealing from dorm rooms at the school. College police say William Silva-Gautier took personal items totaling $1700 dollars worth from three unlocked dorm rooms at Dauphin Hall on campus. He has been charged with three counts each of burglary, felony trespassing, theft, and receiving stolen property and was jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.
MONTOUR COUNTY FIRE
Fire struck overnight in Montour County. Fire broke out shortly before 1:30 in the 500 block of Foggy Mountain Road in Anthony Township, just outside of Clarkstown off of Muncy Exchange Road. A second alarm was quickly called in when firefighters arrived at the scene. It was first thought someone may have been trapped inside, but the occupants were reported out of the structure. The house was fully involved in flames. It’s not believed anyone what hurt, a damage estimate not released and the cause is under investigation. No word on how many have been displaced.
WOLF CALLS FOR SEVERANCE TAX AGAIN
For the fifth time in five years, Governor Wolf wants to impose a severance tax on the Marcellus Shale Industry. Wolf unveiled a plan yesterday in which the tax would be used to pay down a $4.5 billion dollar bond that the administration would spend over four years on projects including expanding high-speed internet access, improving flood control and cleaning up brownfields and blight in hopes of luring new business. Republican legislative leaders released a statement, supporting their continued opposition to the tax.
BIG GAME DUI ENFORCEMENT
It is Super Bowl weekend, a time when many individuals host parties to watch the Big Game. I’ts also a time for increased DUI accidents and deaths. The Lycoming Count DUI Task Force reports that they will be conducting DUI enforcements utilizing multiple police agencies within Lycoming County through the rest of the weekend. Officials are reminded party hosts to Host Responsibly as fans don’t let fan’s drive drunk. They say the .08% blood alcohol limit will be strictly enforced
ACT 13 FUNDING AVAILABLE
Today is the day that the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development begins accepting applications for the ACT 13 grants through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. According to State Senator Gene Yaw, eligible entities are encouraged to apply for the funding which is paid for by natural gas drillers and allotted to the state’s Marcellus legacy fund. Eligible projects include flood mitigaoin, watershed restoration improvement and restoration. Applications will be accepted until May 31st.
DUKE STREET RECONSTRUCTION MEETING
Residents in Northumberland will get a chance to find out the impacts of the next phase of the Duke Street Reconstruction project there during a public meeting later this month. The meeting will be hosted by PennDOT and will take place on Wednesday February 13th beginning at 6pm at Front Street Stations in Northumberland. It will include a presentation and an opportunity for attendees to review and comment on the project and traffic control plans.