EARLY MORNING WEATHER, TRAFFIC WARNINGS
With the winter weather from overnight, I-80 between mile marker 194, the Clinton/Union County line, and mile marker 247, the Columbia/Luzerne County line is temporarily down to 45 mph. According to PennDOT, trucks are also being asked to avoid Route 54 between Route 487 in Ralpho Township and Route 61 in Mount Carmel Township in Northumberland County. Penn DOT features color-coded winter conditions online at 511PA dot com.
UNSUCCESSFUL CARJACKER ARRESTED
Police say a Williamsport man was arrested after he attempted to car-jack a woman in the UPMC parking lot in Williamsport, but was unsuccessful. According to Williamsport Bureau of Police, 42 year old Tyler Scott Pophal approached a woman in her car and grabbed her arm December 9th telling her to leave the vehicle. Polcie say she did not leave her car and Pophal fled the scene on foot toward Park Avenue. Shortly after police were called about the incident, they spotted Pophal walking on Banister place and took him into custody. He is charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, simple assault and more and is being held in liue of 25 thousand dollar bail.
DRIVER WHO CAUSED FATAL ACCIDENT WILL FACE TRIAL
The man accused of homicide by vehicle for being DUI while driving a ride-share passenger on I-80 in Liberty Township, and crashing, killing them last New Year’s Day, will face trial in Montour County. According to the Sun Gazette, 45 year old Anthony J. Machi of Muncy, waived his right to a preliminary hearing this week. Police say Machi was smoking marijuana the day of the accident and was DUI which caused him to lose control of the car while driving, and Yainyles Gomez-Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene. Machi is currently free on bail.
NEW AIRPORT SCHEDULE
A new two year agreement is in place between Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority and Southern Airways will continue local commercial flight service in our region. According to the Sun Gazette, new, earlier departure times will be available from Williamsport Regional Airport to Dulles in Washington DC, including two departures daily Monday through Friday. Weekend service is set to begin in March with one flight each on Saturday and Sunday.
KANSAS MAN ARRESTED FOR HAVING GUN AT HS GAME
Mount Carmel Township police arrested a man from Kansas Thursday afternoon after he tried to enter the Shikellamy, Mount Carmel high school girls basketball game with a loaded weapon in his coat. According to the News Item, 42 year old Brett Harris Fatool, told police he realized he mistakenly had the weapon with him after twice setting off a metal detector at the entrance to the gym. Fatool was charged with felony of firearms not be carried without a license and possession of a weapon on school property. He was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge William Cole and is in jail in lieu of 25 thousand dollars cash bail.
ADULT TEACHER IN CUSTODY FOR CONTACT WITH 13 YEAR-OLD
A 44 year old High School teacher from Georgia is in custody after he fostered an online sexual relationship for 6 months with a 13 year old girl from Lycoming County. According to the Sun Gazette, police say the girl, who sent a hundred naked pictures to 44 year old Eric Stephen Burton, while he claimed he was 17 years old, discovered he was older than he said after seeing an accidental digital shot of the man’s face. After learning of the online relationship which had been terminated by then, the girl’s mother filed charges with police in August and Burton was arrested last week in Woodstock, Georgia. He was brought to Williamsport on Wednesday night, arraigned in District court and denied bail. Burton is incarcerated at Lycoming County Prison.
CHRISTMAS TREE PICK UP SOON IN MAHONING TOWNSHIP
Mahoning Township will start Christmas tree pick up December 30th . According to the Daily Item, starting the Monday after Christmas, township officials will pick up the curbside trees every Monday and Friday through January 31st. In order to have the tree taken, it should be on the curb by 7am on the morning of pick up. Trees will not be picked up if there are stands attached, lights remaining or if it’s wrapped in plastic.
SPORTS
NFL
Cowboys 30 Panthers 14
Chiefs 21 Browns 7
Ravens 35 Giants 14
Jets 32 Jaguars 25
Bills 48 Lions 42
Eagles 27 Steelers 13
NFL Monday Night Football
Bears vs Vikings 8pm ABC
Falcons vs Raiders 8:30pm ESPN
NBA
Celtics 112 Wizards 98
Knicks 100 Magic 91
Timberwolves 106 Spurs 92
Mavericks 143 Warriors 133
Lakers 116 Grizzlies 110
NBA Tonight
76ers vs Hornets 7pm
Cavaliers vs Nets 7:30pm
Bulls vs Raptors 7:30pm
Jazz vs Clippers 10:30pm
NHL
Blackhawks 5 Islanders 3
Maple Leafs 5 Sabres 3
Hurricanes 4 Blue Jackets 1
Blues 3 Rangers 2
Gldn Knights 3 Wild 2
NHL Tonight
Capitals vs Stars 8pm
Panthers vs Oilers 8:30pm
Avalanche vs Canucks 10:30pm
