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 9^th 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 30^th .  According to the Daily Item, starting the Monday after Christmas, township officials will pick up the curbside trees every Monday and Friday through January 31^st.  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

ANOTHER SUSPECT IN FATAL SHOOTING CASE IN CUSTODY

A young man from New Jersey was returned to Williamsport Wednesday to answer to charges in the case of 15 year old Ahmeen Palmer who was fatally shot last March in a parking lot in Loyalsock Township.  According to the Sun Gazette, Ibn Hakiem Hunter was originally charged in August with hindering apprehension, riot, recklessly endangering, obstruction of the administration of law and more but those charges were dismissed.  After an investigation, charges were refiled by the Lycoming County District Attorney.  Hunter is allegedly an accomplice to the suspected shooter of Palmer, Ja’hsir Legare, who remains at large.  Hunter was arraigned and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.

SOUTHSIDE FIRE DEEMED ARSON

The fire that struck a vacant building in South Williamsport last Tuesday has been determined to be arson.  According to the Sun Gazette, a state police fire marshal investigated at the former Merrick Brothers dealership at 1530 W. Southern Ave and said the fire was intentionally set and caused about 50 thousand dollars in damages.  South Williamsport, Williamsport Bureau of Fire, Loyalsock Township, DuBoistown, Old Lycoming Township, Montoursville and Jersey Shore responded to the blaze and took about 20 minutes to get it under control.  No injuries were reported and West Southern avenue opened up after fire police diverted traffic around the scene for about an hour.

POTTERY SALE THURSDAY AT LHU

The 24^th Lock Haven University student and alum pottery sale is today with some proceeds benefitting local non-profit H.E.L.P. 4 Pets.  According to the Lock Haven Express, Commonwealth University Art Professor Vance McCoy says students work hard creating pottery each semester and when a piece they made sells, it’s very rewarding.  The event is 10am til 6pm at the LHU Art Annex on Railroad Street in Lock Haven and only cash or checks will be accepted. Email for information vmccoy @commonwealthu.edu.

NOMINATE FAMILIES IN NEED IN COAL TOWNSHIP

The Union Fire Company is taking suggestions to help Coal Township and Shamokin families who deserve Christmas meal baskets, but may not be able to afford the costs this year.  According to the News Item, the department has served the community like this at Christmas for 20 years and say they hope to continue  to reach out to families in need.  The public can suggest families by private messaging the Union Fire Co. on Facebook with a family’s name, their address, phone number, family size and number of children.

SHAMOKIN MAN CHARGED WITH FELONY STRANGULATION

A 39 year old man from Shamokin is facing felony charges of strangulation, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary harassment after a domestic incident at his home November 15^th .  According to North Central PA dot com, Christian Medina was allegedly intoxicated when he threatened family members and then self-harm, and barricading himself in, before officers were called to the scene.  Medina was on probation at the time of the incident, and is now awaiting arraignment.

MAN STOPPED ON I-80 WITH THOUSANDS IN ALLEGED DRUG MONEY

A 43 year old man from New Jersey was stopped by state police on I-80 in Turbot Township in October and was found with thousands of dollars in cash from alleged drug deals.  According to the Standard Journal, state police stopped Jose Polo Sanchez near mile marker 212 in Northumberland County for improper sun screening and operating a vehicle without valid inspection.  The cash that the state trooper found in rubber-band secured bundles during a search of the vehicle tested positive for trace amounts of fentanyl and cocaine.  Police say Sanchez admitted the over 14 thousand dollars they discovered was payment for heroin delivery. He remains in Clinton County Correctional Facility on an immigration detainer with a preliminary hearing January 8^th.

PAINT THE PLOW WINNERS IN DISTRICT 3

Two Northcentral PA counties have announced the winners to their PennDOT District 3 Paint the Plow safety outreach contest.  According to PennDOT, the program promotes winter driving safety and appreciation for high school art programs and student creativity. Wyalusing Valley High School won the Bradford County contest, depicting a yellow snowplow clearing the roads while a red pick-up truck follows at a safe distance.  North-Penn Liberty High School won the Tioga County contest, depicting two penguins as they slide on a slick road next to a slippery when wet traffic sign. Each area winner’s entry will be painted on a PennDOT snowplow blade and displayed at their respective county maintenance buildings.

CHRISTMAS RELIEF HEADING TO  HURRICANE HELENE VICTIMS

There’s another chance to help Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina for Christmas after a retired Williamsport Bureau of Fire fighter is planning a second trip with toys, Christmas items and other relief supplies.  According to the Sun Gazette, Kevin Breen of Williamsport will once again collect supplies at 127 Reynolds St., South Williamsport with a list on his Facbook page of needed items. Today is the last day to drop off donations from noon til 7pm since they will leave the area afterwards.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports
Boys Basketball
Danville  73                   Loyalsock  58
Warrior Run  59            Jersey Shore  37
Northwest Area  75       CMVT  31
Girls  Basketball
East Juniata  40  Midd-West  35

NBA
Hawks  108          Knicks  100
Rockets  91          Warriors  90
NBA Tonight
Pistons vs Celtics  7:30pm  NBAtv
Raptors  vs Heat  7:30pm
Kings  Pelicans  8pm

NHL
Rangers  3  Sabres  2
Senators  5           Ducks  1
NHL Tonight
Penguins  vs Canadiens  7pm ESPN+
Kings  vs Devils  7pm ESPN+
Red Wings  vs Flyers  7pm ESPN+
Blackhawks  vs Islanders  7:30pm ESPN+
Oilers vs Wild 8:30pm Hulu

NFL Thursday Night Football
Rams  vs 49ers  8:15pm PrimeVid
NCAA Football Saturday
Army Navy  3pm CBS

NCAA Football News
* 6-time Super Bowl-winning coach 72 year old Bill Belichick was named the new head coach at North Carolina.

*  The board of trustees is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting today to approve a five-year deal Belichick worked in the NFL in some capacity from 1975 until leaving the New England Patriots after the 2023 season.
*  This will be Belichick’s first college coaching job, but his father, Steve, served as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955

JUDGE DECLARES MISTRIAL IN FORMER HS PRINCPAL CASE

In Lycoming County Court this week, the judge in the case against former Williamsport area high school principal Roger Weaver Freed was declared a mistrial.  According to the Sun Gazette, statements by the alleged victim in the case were made that caused Judge Eric Linhardt to make the decision.  Court records say two responses the victim made on the stand implicated Freed for not notifying authorities about information between the student and another teacher he allegedly knew as a mandated reporter.  A new jury could be picked for the trial that was supposed to continue throughout this week. 

HOMELESS MAN JAILED FOR THEFT IN M ONTOURSVILLE

An area homeless man is jailed in the Lycoming County Prison after he was arrested December 1^st at the Montoursville Wal-mart for stealing over 3 thousand dollars-worth of merchandise.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say 32 year old Jordan Patrick Charles gave a false identity after he was apprehended for the theft last Sunday around 10:20pm, which was discovered after he was fingerprinted.  Charles has a warrant out for his arrest in New York State for an unknown charge, but he now faces felony shoplifting and giving false ID to law enforcement.  He is being held in lieu of 50 thousand dollars bail.

CROW DISPERSAL PROGRAM STARTS IN HARRISBURG

A crow dispersal program started this week in the state’s capitol which means the Department of General Services will detonate non-lethal explosives from 5-7pm each day for about a month until the crows who cause the nuisance in Harrisburg leave the area for the season.  Crow waste in the Capital complex causes slipping hazards for pedestrians and damages buildings there.  Pennsylvania Capitol Police say they will use the U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved method of discharging exploding shells and whistling devices to deter crows from roosting, a method that not harmful to people, crows, other animals, or the environment.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA EVENT THIS SATURDAY

Wreaths Across America Central PA are gearing up for laying wreaths across the region this Saturday.  In Lycoming County, get information by going to their Facebook page and messaging Dori Rankanin, the coordinator of the local program.  In Montour County, a parade will escort 2,750 wreaths into the area Wednesday via Route 54 and Route 11, ending at East End Fire Company. The procession, featuring a tractor-trailer with police and firefighter escorts, invites the community to line the route in support.

INMATE AT FCI LEWISBURG DIES IN CUSTODY

An inmate at FCI Lewisburg was found unresponsive in the medium security prison last Thursday and died as a result of an unknown issue.  According to North Central PA dot com, prison staff attempted to resuscitate 41-year-old Jonathan Strader, but was unsuccessful, and he was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead Thursday morning.  Strader had been in Lewisburg since last May sentenced to 360 months for possession of methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Virginia – no other inmates or employees were harmed.  Autopsy and toxicology results on Strader are pending.

TWO ARRESTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING IN TIOGA COUNTY

Two people from Mississippi are facing sex trafficking charges in Tioga County.  According to North Central PA dot com, 30 year old Craig Coins and 26 year old Aubreanna Odendahl brought a child to Pennsylvania in April of 2023 for the purpose of making child pornography.  After an investigation, members of the FBI confiscated an iPhone from the couple and charged them with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor, conspiracy to produce child pornography and more.

VOTE FOR PENNDOT’S PAINT THE PLOW

Online voting is on now through this Friday for the public to vote on seven Penn DOT plows decorated by high school students in five counties as part of the annual Paint the Plow program, a statewide outreach aimed at promoting winter driving safety and fostering student creativity.  According to PennDOT, the “Judges’ Pick” will be determined by PennDOT personnel and based on creativity and ability to incorporate the designated safety message and theme.  The public votes for the “Fan Favorite” winner.  District 2 features plows painted by students from Bellefonte schools, Galeton Area School, Sugar Valley Rural Charter School and others.  Go to penndot.pa.gov/PaintthePlow to cast your vote.  A winner in all categories will be announced this month.

SANTA MAILBOX ACCEPTING LETTERS IN RALPHO TOWNSHIP

The Santa Mailbox, sponsored by the Ralpho Township Business Association is open and receiving letters now, but it’s in a new location this year.  According to the News Item, association President Francis Berger says children have until December 20^th to mail letters to Santa using the mailbox that is located next to the community Christmas tree and recycling center behind the municipal building.  Santa’s mailbox is available in partnership with the Ralpho Township supervisors and with the help of the township maintenance department.  To receive a response from Santa, please include a return address on the letter you submit.

SPORTS

PIAA HS
Girls Basketball
Hughesville  55    Lewisburg  40
Bloomsburg  47  Montoursville 23
Penns Valley  76  Central Mountain  71  OT
Boys Basketball
Lewisburg  74      Jersey Shore  52

NFL Monday Night Football
Bengals  27                    Cowboys  20
NFL Thursday Night Football
LA Rams vs San Fran 49ers  8:15PrimeVid
NFL Sunday
Eagles vs Steelers  4:25pm FOX

NBA
Knicks  113          Raptors  108
NBA Tonight
Magic vs Bucks  7pm TNT
Mavericks vs Thunder 9:30pm TNT

NHL
Red Wings  6        Sabres  5
Blackhawks  2      Rangers  1
Canadiens  3        Ducks  2
NHL Tonight
Maple Leafs  vs Devils  7pm Hulu/ESPN+
Avalanche  vs Penguins  7pm ESPN+
Flyers  vs Blue Jackets  7pm ESPN+
Kings vs Islanders  7:30pm  ESPN+
Wild  vs  Utah  9:30pm Hulu

NCAA Football News
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Colorado’s two-way player Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Miami quarterback Cam Ward were named finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday.

The winner will be announced Saturday during a ceremony at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City starting at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The Heisman Trophy is “annually awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the United States, whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”