ARIBTRATOR RULES IN FAVOR OF EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
A decision by an arbitrator will require the Jersey Shore School District to offer jobs back to 11 teachers who were furloughed there last year Following the furloughs which the district said was due to declining enrollment, the Jersey Shore Education Association filed a grievance against the district. The arbitrators ruling says that the district furloughed the teachers due financial reasons only, not declining enrollment and that the district did not go through the steps necessary to furlough the teachers for financial reasons. The district has 30 days to offer back those jobs.
PRELMINARY BUDGET PASSED IN SOUTH SIDE
The South Williamsport School Board last night passed an proposed 2019-2020 budget which contains more than $19.7 million dollars in expenditures and a tax increase of a little over a mill. If given final approval next month, District property owners with properties worth $100,000 dollars will have to pay $100 dollars more on their tax bills next year. The tax increase would still leave a deficit of close to $129,000 dollars. There could still be some changes made before the final budget is passed.
FATAL CRASH VICTIM IDENTIFIED
The victim of a fatal crash in the city of Williamsport last week has been identified. Police say 49 year old Phillip Kralick of Williamsport failed to stop at a stop sign at Towncrest Road and West Fourth Street in the city’s West End on May 15th around 4:20pm and was struck by a pick up truck driven by Lear Engel of Williamsport. Kralick was pronounced dead at the scene of that crash, while Engel was not injured.
STUDENT STRUCK BY VEHICLE
A Montoursville Area High School student was transported to the UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center for treatment after being struck by a vehicle while on his way to school yesterday. The accident happened around 8:15am at Mulberry and Bennett Streets in the borough as the unidentified teen was crossing in the crosswalk and was struck by a vehicle driven by another High School student. Police believe the driver did not see the student as he was blinded by the sun. The injured student’s condition has not been reported.
BRINKER UNOFFICIALLY WINS SPOT ON FALL BALLOT
Though still unofficial, it looks like write-in votes for Republican Mayoral Candidates in the city of Lock Haven from Tuesday’s primary election will send Jeff Brinker to the fall election. Election officials stress that the results have not yet been certified, but it looks like Brinker picked up 166 votes to Rick Conklin’s 105 votes on Tuesday. The official vote recount will begin on Friday. If confirmed, Brinker will run against Democrat Joel Long in November.
ANOTHER AREA STORE TO CLOSE
Another area store has announced that it will be closing. Pier 1 Imports, a home goods retailer along Lycoming Mall Circle will be closing effective on June 27th. Store closing signs are up. Employees at the store found out last week they would be closing as part of the shutdown of some 145 stores nationwide for the chanin in the fiscal year. The company reports that profitability in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year decreased 19.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. It’s not been reported how many employees will lose their jobs.
COUNCIL TO TALK GRANTS
Williamsport City Council meets tonight with review of a couple of important grant applications on their agenda. Council is expected to hear a proposal for a $441,000 grant of which the money will be used for a portion of cross pipe replacement needed as part of the levee recertification which in all is expected to cost about $16 million dollars. In addition, they will review a grant application of which the money will be used for new playground equipment and facilities to replace the accessible children’s playground at Memorial Park.
WARRIOR RUN HS TO RECEIVE BREAKFAST GRANT
It has been announced that the Warrior Run High School in Turbotville will be receiving state grant money to provide breakfasts to students there. 107th district State Representative Kurt Masser made the announcement that the school will receive a grant of up to $5,000 through a $600,000 statewide initiative to make breakfast available to all students in the school. Mt Carmel High School, also in Masser’s district will also receive money.
SCOUTS GET CEMETERIES READY FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts across Lycoming County made sure that servicemen from across the area who have passed, will be honored on the upcoming Memorial Day. The scouts with the help of area Veterans Groups placed flags on the graves of veterans in cemeteries across the county yesterday. A number of area observances are planned beginning this weekend and running through Monday to honor those who have fought for our country.
