WATSONTOWN MAN STEALS AMBULANCE LEADS POLICE CHASE
A Watsontown man with a long history of theft and driving offenses is facing new felony charges after police say he stole an ambulance from Geisinger Medical Center. Authorities allege 23-year-old Tyler Eugene Beaver ran from the ER in scrubs, took an unlocked ambulance, and led police on a high-speed chase through Montour and Northumberland counties before getting stuck in a snow embankment. He was taken into custody without incident.
PERSON BADLY BURNED AFTER JUMPING INTO FRYER AT OLIVE GARDEN
Emergency crews responded to an Olive Garden after a man was critically injured in an alleged fryer incident. According to North Central PA dot com and witness accounts, crews were called to the East Third Street restaurant just after 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, with reports a man allegedly jumped headfirst into a fryer, suffering severe burns. A second person was treated for minor injuries, and as of now, the company has released no public statement as the investigation continues.
LEVEE REHABILITATION PROJECT IN WILLIAMSPORT
The City of Williamsport and the SEDA-Council of Governments are moving ahead with an $8 million FEMA-funded levee rehabilitation project, releasing requests for engineering and construction oversight. City officials say the effort is being coordinated with Old Lycoming Township, Loyalsock Township, and South Williamsport, with the goal of recertifying the levee system and protecting residents and businesses from flooding and mandatory flood insurance.
AMERICA250PA OFFICIALS SHARE PLAN FOR 2026
Officials with America250PA brought their statewide tour to Williamsport this week to highlight plans for the United States’ 250th anniversary and celebrate the region’s place in history. According to the Sun Gazette, Executive director Cassandra Coleman told local officials that the effort will engage every county with events, legacy bell installations, free concerts and scholarships leading up to the semiquincentennial. Speakers noted Lycoming County’s historic contributions, from Williamsport’s days as the Lumber Capital of the World to being home to Little League Baseball and early Revolutionary activity in Jersey Shore, and urged teaching future generations about the region’s role in the nation’s story.
FATAL VEHICLE CRASH NEAR HERNDON
A 39-year-old Herndon man was killed in a single-vehicle crash last Thursday night in Northumberland County. State police say Daniel Barnhart lost control of his pickup just before 7 p.m. on Route 147 in Jackson Township, north of Herndon. Troopers say the truck struck an embankment and Barnhart was ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner.
FORMER NORRY DA WAIVES PRELIMINARY HEARING
Former Northumberland County District Attorney’s Office head Anthony Matulewicz has waived a preliminary hearing on drug and disorderly conduct charges. According to the Daily Item, the 48-year-old Mount Carmel resident is accused of firing a weapon outside his home last April, with police later finding hundreds of packets of prescription drugs during a search. The case now moves to county court, where it will be prosecuted by Christopher Phillips.
INITIAL APPROVAL OF 2026-27 PA HUNTING PLAN
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has given preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2026 and 2027. The proposal largely mirrors last year’s seasons and keeps Sundays included, while rejecting a plan to move firearms deer season earlier. Notable changes include a one-bird spring gobbler limit, targeted adjustments to deer and bear seasons, expanded elk scheduling, and new bobcat and river otter opportunities in select wildlife units. Final approval is expected in April after public comment.
GO FUND ME FOR COUPLE BURNED IN SOUTHSIDE HOUSEFIRE
Family and friends have started an effort to help the couple injured in a South Williamsport house fire Tuesday night. Pastors John and Carol Butler were rescued from their Bedaro Drive home after flames tore through the house, leaving them with serious burn injuries and destroying everything they owned. The longtime leaders of Wings of Love Community Church are recovering in the hospital as relatives launched a GoFundMe to help with medical bills, housing, and rebuilding, raising more than twelve-thousand dollars in the first day. Search go Fund me for Aid for John & Carol’s Healing and New Beginning
PHIL PREDICTS SIX MORE WEEKS
Our favorite groundhog will be making a major weather prediction this morning. Punxsutawney Phil will poke his head out for Groundhog Day. It’s the 139th year that the famous groundhog predicts whether we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of cold and snow.
SPORTS
NFL Pro Bowl Tomorrow 8pm ESPN/Disney HD
NFL Super Bowl LX Sunday, Feb 8
Seahawks vs Patriots 6:30pm NBC/Peacock
NASCAR
* A bomb cyclone over North Carolina forced NASCAR to push its preseason exhibition to Wednesday night because the snow-covered roads are too dangerous for teams and fans to get to historic Bowman-Gray Stadium.
* Nearly a foot of snow in and around Charlotte, North Carolina’s
NCAA Men’s Basketball Sunday
Illinois 78 Nebraska 69
Iowa St 95 Kansas St 61
Purdue 93 Maryland 63
Florida 100 Alabama 77
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tonight
Syracuse vs UNC 7pm ESPN
Kansas vs Texas Tech 9pm ESPN
NBA
Celtics 107 Bucks 79
Pistons 130 Nets 77
Heat 134 Bulls 91
Wizards 116 Kings 112
Knicks 112 Lakers 100
Clippers 117 Suns 93
Cavaliers 130 Trail Blazers 111
Thunder 121 Nuggets 111
NBA Today
Pelicans vs Hornets 3pm
Rockets vs Pacers 7pm
Timberwolves vs Grizzlies 7:30pm Peacock
76ers vs Clippers 10pm Peacock
NHL
Hurricanes 3 Kings 2
Lightning 6 Bruins 5
Ducks 4 Golden Knights 3
NHL Tonight
Senators vs Penguins 7pm ESPN+
Islanders vs Capitals 7pm ESPN+
Canadiens vs Wild 7:30pm ESPN+
Blues vs Predators 8pm ESPN+
Sharks vs Blackhawks 8:30pm ESPN+
Canucks vs Mammoth 9:30pm ESPN+
TENNIS – Australian Open
* Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam after securing the Australian Open title Sunday against Novak Djokovic ,who had never lost in his 10 previous finals at Melbourne Park.
* Alcaraz joined Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Don Budge, Fred Perry and compatriot Rafael Nadal — who was watching the final from the front row at Rod Laver Arena — as the only men in tennis history to win all four major titles in their career. Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open
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