NEW WEAPON NOTIFICATION RULES TESTED AT SELINSGROVE SCHOOLS
A routine safety issue at Selinsgrove Elementary became one of the first tests of Pennsylvania’s new school notification law. District officials say a student in grades K through 2 arrived at school Monday with two pocket knives unknowingly left in a coat pocket. According to the Daily Item, Superintendent Frank Jankowski said there was no threat or intent to cause harm, but policy was violated and the student will face some discipline. The notice was issued under a new state requirement that schools alert families and staff of all weapon-related incidents within 24 hours.
TWO FACE CHARGES OVER COPPER THEFT
Two men are facing charges following a copper theft in Lycoming County that police say caused major damage. According to State police, Thomas Smith of Williamsport and Christian Krisher of Watsontown are accused of stealing about five thousand dollars worth of copper from a Lewis Township home last April, causing an estimated fifty thousand dollars in damage. Investigators linked the suspects through vehicle sightings and matching shoe prints recovered at the scene. Both men were arraigned this month and bail was set at seventy-five thousand dollars each.
SOME NORTH CENTRAL COUNTIES UNDER DROUGHT WATCH
Water officials are urging conservation as drought conditions expand across central Pennsylvania. Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties are now under a drought watch, while Aqua Pennsylvania has issued a mandatory water conservation notice for customers served by the Roaring Creek Water Plant in southeastern Northumberland County. State officials say uneven rainfall and declining groundwater levels are driving the concern, with Fulton County elevated to drought warning status. Residents are being asked to limit nonessential residential water use as conditions continue to be monitored.
LOCAL DISTILLERY WINS AT AN INAUGURAL EVENT AT THE FARM SHOW
A Montoursville distillery is being recognized at the Pennsylvania Farm Show for a first-of-its-kind competition. Pour Decisions Distillery took top honors for its Wiley Whiskey, which was named the number-one whiskey in the state during the Farm Show’s inaugural Spirits Competition. The event marked the first time distilled spirits were judged at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, with distilleries from across the state competing in multiple categories. The award highlights the growing presence of Pennsylvania-made spirits, with Pour Decisions using locally sourced ingredients and small-batch production at its Lycoming County operation.
FUGITIVE WHO ESCAPED DURING A TRANSPORT BACK IN CUSTODY
A Lycoming County fugitive is back in custody after a dramatic attempt to avoid arrest. Authorities say Harry Thomas Bell jumped from a vehicle while being transported and after, was located at a motel in Old Lycoming Township, where he allegedly jumped from a second-story window before being captured. Investigators say the arrest came days after Bell escaped custody during transport from a courthouse hearing, and he now faces multiple felony escape and evading charges, with total bail set at one-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars.
HOME RULE QUESTION TO BE ON THE MAY BALLOT IN WILLIAMSPORT
Williamsport voters will decide in May whether to create a seven-member government study commission to explore adopting Home Rule. According tot eh Sun Gazette, City Council approved placing the question on the primary ballot after consultants from Public Financial Management recommended the change. Supporters say Home Rule could give the city greater local control over finances and governance, while council members stress the need to educate residents and encourage candidates to run for the study commission seats that would appear on the same ballot.
YAW ELECTED CHAIR OF CHESAPEAKE BAY COMMISSION
State Senator Gene Yaw, who represents Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Union counties in northcentral Pennsylvania, has been elected chair of the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission for 2026. Yaw, who also chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, says he plans to advance innovative clean-water policies tied to the updated Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. A longtime commission member, Yaw has led major local and statewide efforts, including Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Fund, aimed at improving water quality throughout the Susquehanna River basin and the Chesapeake Bay.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR STATE POLICE LEADERSHIP CAMP
The Pennsylvania State Police are now accepting applications for their annual youth leadership camp. The six-day program runs June seventh through thirteenth at Messiah University in Cumberland County and is open to teens ages fifteen to seventeen interested in law enforcement or military careers. Cadets will take part in hands-on training focused on leadership, teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. The camp is staffed by state police, the National Guard, and the American Legion, with three participants earning one-thousand-dollar scholarships.
SPORTS
PIAA Boys HS Basketball
Loyalsock 57 Montoursville 50
Danville 58 Bloomsburg 33
Warrior Run 64 Muncy 25
Shamokin 57 Mifflinburg 54
Selinsgrove 56 Jersey Shore 42
Sullivan Co. 59 Canton 24
DuBois 45 Central Mtn 35
Girls HS Basketball
Bucktail 35 Sullivan County 28
Port Allegany 36 Wellsboro 24
NP Mansfield 45 Central Mtn 35
NFL Wild Card Playoffs
Texans 30 Steelers 6
NFL Divisional Playoffs Saturday 1/17
AFC – Bills vs Broncos 4:30pm CBS
NFC – 49ers vs Seahawks 8pm FOX
NFL Divisional Playoffs Sunday 1/18
AFC – Texans vs Patriots 3pm ESPN/ABC
NFC – Rams vs Bears 6:30pm NBC/Peacock
NCAA Football Championships presented by AT&T Monday 1/19
Miami vs Indiana 7:30pm ESPN
NBA
Jazz 123 Cavaliers 112
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Suns vs Heat 7:30pm
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NHL
Panthers 4 Sabres 3
Kraken 4 Rangers 2
Lightning 5 Flyers 1
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NHL Tonight
Canucks vs Senators 7pm ESPN+
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Canadiens vs Capitals 7pm ESPN+
Red Wings vs Bruins 7:30pm TNT/HBOMax
Hurricanes vs Blues 7:30pm ESPN+/Hulu
Maple Leafs vs Mammoth 10pm ESPN+/Hulu
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