HEAVY SMOKE DAMAGE AFTER AREA SCHOOL FIRE
Sullivan County schools are closed today following a fire yesterday morning which struck at the High School in Laporte. The fire was discovered around 6am bringing in several companies from around the area. Firefighters found heavy smoke conditions and with the help of a thermal imaging camera, found fire at an electrical box in the auditorium. They were able to knock it down within 5 to 7 minutes but there is smoke damage throughout the building. No one was injured, a damage estimate was not released and the cause is ruled as accidental
MORE STORMS CAUSE DAMAGE
More storms moved through our area yesterday downing trees and bringing down powerlines. A possible tornado may have touched down in Wellsboro, doing some damage there. Power outages were reported across our region with close to 750 customers without power for awhile in Union County and another 500 or so in Northumberland County. Trees also came down in Columbia County with at least one reported on a home in Bloomsburg. Meanwhile, the National Weather service has confirmed it was a tornado which touched down on Tuesday in Bradford County in Wysox Township causing some damage there.
LOOKING FOR MORE TODAY
Yet another flash flood watch is in effect for most of our area today as more of those afternoon thunderstorms could fire up. Storms yesterday caused trees to fall across the region, knocking out power to thousands of customers in area counties. The National Weather service will investigate a possible tornado which occurred near Wellsboro in Tioga County. Heavy damage was also done in the Forest Hill Area all the way up to Halfway Dam in Union County with a possible tornado there as well.
MAN BITTEN BY SNAKE IN CRITICAL CONDITION
An area man is in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center suffering from a snakebite from an Eastern Timber Rattlesnake at a Cogan House Township Property on Friday. Just hours after a delay in his expected guilty plea to capturing the snakes and putting them up for sale, as well as for killing 12 prized deer at a hunting lodge, Cody Short was bitten several times by the snake around 4:30pm on Friday. He was flown to Geisinger. The investigation continues.
WOMAN FACES ARSON CHARGES
A woman who was rescued from her burning apartment in Montgomery back in March of this year, now faces felony arson charges as well as other counts stemming from that fire. Michelle McMillarn reportedly set her bed on fire at Montgomery Homes on Bower Street on March 17th, in an effort to end her life. She was rescued by firefighters. Yesterday charges were filed against her including a charge of recklessly endangering. She was released after posting $25,000 bail. The fire caused $3200 in damage all together.
BOWMAN FIELD IMPROVEMENTS POSTPONED
Planned improvements at Bowman Field have officially been delayed. It was reported today that more than a million dollars in improvements and renovations will now not take place until after the Williamsport Crosscutters season which begins on June 14th. Work will include an expanded press box as well as renovations to the visitors locker room and umpire area and will be helped along by a $600,000 dollar grant. In addition, officials say the fate of a new scoreboard is now in the hands of the Crosscutters.
VOTE COUNT CONTINUES
No major issues are expected as Lycoming County Voter Services officials finish up the official vote count from the May 21st primary election. The official vote count began on Friday, but was delayed due to the long holiday weekend. Officials say it will take a few more days to tally up all the votes including the write-in votes and the official vote counts will be posted on the county’s website at www.Lyco.org.
DUI ENFORCMENT RESULTS
State police in Montoursville say they participated in roving patrols and Sobriety Checkpoints over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend in Lycoming County. Police report that they made five DUI arrests and also issue multiple summary traffic arrests during the details. They will continue DUI enforcement through the summer months.
STATE FUNDS FOR SUNBURY SAFETY PROJECT
Safety projects in municipalities across the state of Pennsylvania are being boosted by more than $15 million dollars in Automated Red Light Enforcement funding. The program helps the state make improvements in traffic flow and safety. In our region, the city of Sunbury will receive $317,000 dollars to improve the traffic signal at the intersection of North Fourth Street and Reagen Street by installing a new mast arm, ADA compliant cub cuts and crosswalk, new vehicle detection and pedestrian signals with push buttons.
