JERSEY SHORE MAN WANTED FOR DRUG CHARGES ELUDES POLICE

A man from Jersey Shore is wanted by police after he eluded police who were attempting to question him on November 16th about drug charges he is facing.  According to North Central PA dot com, 39 year old Christopher Jan Santiago fled from authorities on a bicycle after being spotted in Lock Haven by Drug Task Force members.  He climbed a fence after riding behind Evergreen Commons and escaping.  After questioning several witnesses, police discovered that Santiago injured his knee and sought treatment at a home on West Main Street before he was picked up by his brother and allegedly went to Delaware.  Woodward Township police say they have several warrants out for Santiago.  He is being charged with flight to avoid apprehension and evading arrest.

MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR ASSAULT WITH HAMMER

In a trial this week in Lycoming County, the man accused of attempted criminal homicide for attacking a victim outside a Williamsport city bar with a hammer in 2021 was sentenced to 20 years in prison on several charges.  According to North Central PA dot com, 44 year old Kareem Anthony Hutt was seen on surveillance video outside the Shamrock Grill committing the assault.  Hutt was acquitted of attempted criminal homicide, but the Judge merged several counts against him; including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. He will face 20 years in prison to run concurrently with a year in jail for first-degree misdemeanor possession of a weapon charge.  Hutt has 10 days to enter an appeal.

JERSEY SHORE SCHOOL BOARD STILL CLOSING SALLADASBURG

At a reorganizational meeting this week at the Jersey Shore Area School board, the public vote failed to remove those in leadership positions who voted to close Salladasburg Elementary school in a vote two weeks ago.  According to the Sun Gazette, Michelle Stemler remains president of the board, Harry Brungard is vice-president and Tim McDonnell, treasurer.  Some members of the public spoke at the meeting asking the board to rescind their vote to close the school contending that the board did not do due diligence and that a vote was taken without the necessary planning and preparation.  Superintendent Dr. Brian Ulmer said that a team is working on an action plan for movement of staff and resources at Salladasburg.

DICKENS OFA CHRISTMAS THIS WEEKEND IN WELLSBORO

It’s the 40^th annual Dickens of a Christmas event in Wellsboro, Tioga County this weekend.  The event features vendors at indoor craft shows, and a Victorian marketplace with over 126 vendors and artisans on Wellsboro’s Main Street Saturday .  Hamilton-Gibson Productions will present A Dickens of a Concert Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and ther are multiple performances of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Deane Center through Sunday.  Saturday there will be a Candlelight Walk for Peace at 5pm will begin at Packer Park and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony afterwards on The Green. Get details at wellsboropa.com.

TWO FORMER OFFICERS’ TRIALS TO BE CONTINUED UNTIL SPRING

The former officers from Mount Carmel who are facing trial in US District Court for use of excessive force, have had their trial continued to next April 28^th.  According to the News Item, David Donkochik and Jonathan McHugh and a third defendant, Kyle Schauer, who pled guilty to conspiracy in October, were accused of falsely reporting that arrestees acted in a manner requiring violence and then falsely charged arrestees with criminal offenses to conceal the use of force.  The judge said to not continue the trial would deny both sides the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation. Presentencing for Schauer is taking place now.

MAN BREAKS GLASS WINDOW AT TREATMENT CENTER

A man from Syracuse, New York has been charged after he broke a glass door at a Union County treatment center November 5^th.  According to State police, 33 year old Guillermo Jonathan Ramos was seen on video footage punching a glass door window that shattered at White Deer Run in Gregg Township.  Police were called to the scene and arrested Ramos.  They filed a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief.  Damage to the door was reported to be around $600.  The man has a preliminary hearing on December 17^th.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICE RIBBON CUTTING FRIDAY IN BERWICK

The Berwick area YMCA will host a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the expansion of its microtransit service, Stop Hopper, through rabbittransit in Columbia County.  According to a press release, the Columbia County Commissioners, the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, and community partners will kick off the new collaboration at the 11:30am event. The StopHopper App now allows residents of Berwick to schedule rides and travel anywhere within the designated zone during the daily operation hours.  Registered seniors aged 65 and older always ride for free.  Rabbittransit is offering two free rides to new riders through December 31^st.  Call 1-800-632-9063 for information.

SUNBURY CITY BAND TO PERFORM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

There will be several free holiday concerts featuring the Sunbury City Band this month.  Residents of the Central Susquehanna Valley make up  The Sunbury City Band and they perform concerts at retirement villages and other community events throughout the holiday. The band will be at the Albright Center in Sunbury December 9th at 7 p.m., and at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northumberland on December 16 at 7 p.m..  The band will also perform on Sunday, December 22 at 3pm  at the Zion Lutheran Church at Market and Fifth Streets in Sunbury. Find information at sunburycityband.org or follow them on Facebook.

SPORTS

NFL Thursday Night Football
Lions  34    Packers  31
NFL Sunday
Jets vs Dolphins  1pm CBS
Saints vs Giants 1pm
Panthers vs Eagles 1pm FOX
Browns vs Steelers  1pm CBS
Bills vs Rams 4:25pm FOX
Chargers  vs Chiefs  8:20pm NBC/Peacock

HS Football Friday
PIAA Class 2A Championship
Troy (15-0) vs Central Clarion  (14-0) 1pm @Cumberland Valley HS

NCAA Football Saturday
Iowa State  vs Arizona State  12pm ABC  Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship
Georgia (5) vs Texas  (2) 4pm ABC SEC Championship
Penn State (3) vs Oregon (1)  8pm CBS Big Ten Championship
Clemson vs SMU 8pm ABC ACC Championship

NBA
Knicks  125          Hornets  101
Cavaliers  126      Nuggets  114
Mavericks  137    Wizards  101
Pelicans  126        Suns  124
Bulls 139              Spurs  124
Warriors  99         Rockets  93
NBA Tonight
Magic vs 76ers  7pm
Lakers  vs Hawks  7:30pm
Bucks vs Celtics  7:30pm  ESPN
Pacers vs Bulls 8pm
Timberwolves  vs Warriors  10pm ESPN

NHL 
Jets 3          Sabres  2
Senators  2           Red Wings  1
Panthers  7           Flyers  5
Kraken 5     Islanders  2
NHL Tonight
Kraken  vs Devils  7pm
Penguins  vs Rangers  7:30pm Hulu

VACANT BUILDING FIRE IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT

Multiple crews responded to a fire at a vacant building in South Williamsport last night.  According to the Sun Gazette, West Southern Avenue was shut down shortly after 8:15 when a call came in about a fire at the former Merrick Brothers dealership and traffic was diverted from the area for about an hour.  Borough firefighters and crews from Loyalsock Township, DuBoistown, Old Lycoming Township, Montoursville and Jersey Shore worked to control the fire in about 20 minutes.  There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

VICTIM OF CARDIAC ARREST IN CAR ACCIDENT

A motorist was involved in a one-vehicle crash Monday night in Mount Carmel Township, but passed away after a cardiac incident at the side of the road.  According to the News Item, first responders found the victim’s Toyota Tundra on the embankment along the northbound lane of Brennan’s Farm Road just south of the entrance of Veterans Memorial Park around 9pm with the driver in cardiac arrest.  Crews attempted to revive the driver for several minutes but were not successful.  No information about the driver has been released at this time. 

CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY SET FOR 2025

State Police Troop F has announced their Citizen’s Police Academy program for those who want to gain a greater understanding of police practices and a deeper sense of law enforcement agency duties.  Adults 18 and over with no criminal history can join the program to build understanding and communication between citizens and police officers through 6 weekly evening sessions  beginning March 5^th 2025 on Bucknell Campus .  There is no cost to apply and the deadline is February 2^nd, 2025.  There will be instruction by members of the Pennsylvania State Police and local departments, utilizing hands-on learning of multiple police procedures, techniques, and specific topics.  Details by calling PSP Milton, 717-480-3658 or emailing [email protected].

TROY FOOTBALL IN STATE MATCHUP FOR FIRST TIME

In their first-ever state high school football championship, the Troy Trojans and their undefeated season could make history this weekend.  According to WETM, Troy returned to practice this week at Towanda High School to prepare for their match up against also undefeated Central Clarion Wildcats.  Troy improved to 15 & 0, with a 35-14 win over Riverside last Friday.  Until this season, neither Troy or Central Clarion have ever won a state playoff game.  The PIAA Class 2A State Championship Game is Friday at 1pm at Cumberland Valley High School.

POLICE SAY MILLMONT WOMAN EMBEZZLED FROM TOWNSHIP

A Millmont woman is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing funds from Gregg Township where she served as secretary and treasurer.  According to state police, 55-year-old Pamela Hackenburg used township credit cards and mismanaged funds to cover the withdrawals she allegedly made for personal use and online gambling between 2019 and 2024 totaling over 500 thousand dollars. Police say she was discovered after a credit card bill got to another employee, sparking an audit this year. Hackenburg is free on 500 thousand dollars bail and has a preliminary hearing December 11th.  A discussion of Hackenburg’s potential termination from the township will take place December 12^th.

ELDERLY WOMAN SCAMMED OF 13 THOUSAND DOLLARS

There has been another incident in which an elderly person has been scammed out of thousands of dollars after being contacted by the thieves.  According to State Police at Milton, a 74 year old victim in Lewis Township was tricked into giving 13 thousand dollars to several suspects on November 25^th.  Police are seeking information about the suspects who told the victim they were from the Social Security administration.  State police say the money was deposited into a bitcoin account.  Police will continue the investigation.

NEW MILKSHAKE FLAVOR AT THE FARM SHOW

The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association has announced the new flavor of milkshake that will be made available this year at the 109^th Pennsylvania Farm show in a tradition of bringing on new milkshake flavors each year. The season will feature mint milkshakes and will be available at the farmshow food court January 3^rd a day before the PA Farm Show, Pennsylvania’s State Fair, is on from January 4^th to th 11th.  Select south central PA Giant stores will feature previews and tastings of the new mint milkshakes at pop-up events in December.  Find out more at farmshow.pa.gov.

CU MANSFIELD HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT THIS WEEKEND

Mansfield University’s Department of Music will hold their holiday choral concert this Saturday evening at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm.  According to the school, more than 100 singers and instrumentalists in the five university choirs will present music from historical classics to popular favorites that celebrate the seasons of winter, Christmas, and Hanukkah with the theme, “Grant Us Peace”, featuring selections from Handel’s’ Messiah.  CU Mansfield Students with ID are admitted free, 10 dollar tickets for the general public and $5 tickets for seniors, students and children available at mansfield.booktix.net.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Sports
Boys BBall
Carlisle 57                 Williamsport 50
S. Wmspt  62             NP Liberty  55
Jersey Shore  47       CMVT  15


Boys Wrestling 
Montgomery  49       Wyalusing  18


Girls BBall
Williamsport  45      Berwick  40
Loyalsock 58            Central Mtn 32
Jersey Shore  76       Warrior  Run  12
NP Mansfield  43     Muncy  39
Canton  35              Cowanaesque Valley  28

NBA

76ers 110             Hornets  104
Cavaliers  118      Wizards  87
Bucks  128                     Pistons  107
Knicks  121          Magic  106
Suns  104             Spurs  93
Nuggets  119        Warriors  115
NBA Tonight
Pistons  vs Celtics  7:30pm
Pacers vs Nets  7:30pm
Lakers  vs Heat  7:30pm NBATv
Magic  vs 76ers 7:30pm

NHL
Bruins  3              Red Wings  2
Canadiens  2        Islanders  1
Penguins 5           Panthers  4
Sharks  2              Capitals  1
NHL Tonight
Bruins vs Blackhawks  7:30pm TNT/Max
Stars vs Kings  10pm TNT/Max

NFL Thursday
Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions  8:15pm PrimeVid
HS Football Friday
PIAA Class 2A Championship
Troy (15-0) vs Central Clarion  (14-0) 1pm @Cumberland Valley HSNCAA Football Saturday
Iowa St  vs Arizona St  12pm ABC  Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship
Georgia (5) vs Texas  (2) 4pm ABC SEC Championship
Penn State (3) vs Oregon (1)  8pm CBS Big Ten Championship
Clemson vs SMU 8pm ABC ACC Championship

TWO SUNBURY MEN FOUND NOT GUILTY ON MOST CHARGES

Two Sunbury men who were implicated for allegedly being involved in a retaliatory drive-by shooting from a convenience store shooting incident in June of 2022, have been found not guilty of most of the charges against them.  According to North Central PA dot com, a jury found  32 year old Anthony Dayquon Moultrie and 28 year old Francky Riche, not guilty on all charges that included aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person.  Riche was charged with possession of a firearm without a license.  According to the Northumberland County District Attorney the case was difficult because there was information unable to be presented and witnesses who refused to testify in the case. 

DRUG ARREST IN WILLIAMSPORT

The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit made an arrest last week after  two Williamsport men worked together and sold 30 grams of cocaine to an informant.  According to North Central PA dot com, 25 year old Zachary Chism, and 28 year old Niklas David Keller met with undercover officers outside a home in the 600 block of Lloyd Street.  Chism took one thousand dollars in marked bills and Keller retrieved the drugs from inside the home. Both are being charged with delivery of a controlled substance along with criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy and were jailed in lieu of bail. 

PENN COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT IN DECMEBER

Penn College’s graduation for the fall 2024 semester will be Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11am at the Community Arts Center.  According to a press release, almost 300 students have petitioned to graduate and 188 have planned to march at the event that is scheduled to be livestreamed.  The student speaker for the ceremony is Tamaka F. Carter, of Williamsport, who will earn a Bachelor of Science in business administration: management concentration.  Penn College President Michael J. Reed will be joined (virtually) by state Sen. Gene Yaw, chair of the college’s Board of Directors to confer the degrees to the graduates. Go to  www.pct.edu, for information.

DEER SEASON BEGINS IN PA SATURDAY

Rifle deer season starts this Saturday and runs through December 14^th.  According to the PA game commission, an estimated 500,000 hunters are expected to take advantage of the hunting opportunity in the PA Wilds and will be permitted to hunt this Sunday as one of the three Sundays in the season chosen by the state.  Hunters are reminded to wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange and follow tag regulations.  Last year, firearms hunters took about 255,000 deer, including 86,000 bucks. pgc.pa.gov.

SHAMOKIN MAN ARRESTED ON FIREARMS CHARGES

A Shamokin man was charged with several felonies after he shot a gun accidentally through the windshield of a car loaned to him by an acquaintance last week.  According to the News Item, 41 year old Joseph Galgocy told police he found the loaded RugerLC9s 9-millimeter handgun wrapped in a towel on the backseat floor of the car before he tried to empty the chamber .  This caused a live round to go through the front glass. Police responded to the Shamokin address for a domestic incident Thursday around 6:40pm where after a search, they then found the gun inside the vehicle that had been lent to Galgocy and his girlfriend.  The weapon had previously been reported stolen.  Galgocy was charged with felonies of possessing a firearm while not permitted , carrying a firearm without a license and receiving stolen property. He’s free on 20 thousand dollars bail.

MAN CHARGED FOR VIOLATING BURN BAN

A man from Forksville is facing charges after he defied the burn ban that had been in place over the last few weeks from dry conditions in the region.  According to North Central PA dot com, 65 year old Jody Carl of Sullivan County was found by state police with an alleged open fire near Millview Park Lane and Norton Road around noon on November 13^th.  He was arrested for disorderly conduct.  The burn ban in Sullivan County expired November 20^th.

FIRST RAILROAD VETERAN FUNDRAISER SUCCESSFUL

The first fundraiser held by the North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates over the Veterans Day weekend was successful raising almost 20 thousand dollars that was given to two area non-profits that serve veterans.  North Shore Railroad’s Military Units LVRR 9052, the Veterans Unit and LVRR 9050, Memorial Unit were used in passenger service for the first time in the Inaugural Veterans Benefit Voyage, in Lewisburg, PA, where 100% of the ticket sales went towards this fundraiser.  The event raised 19, 690 dollars for Lycoming County Hometown Heroes and Expedition Orange two organizations that assist area veterans.

BIRD COUNT EVENTS THIS WINTER IN NORTHERN TIER

There will be two bird counts held this winter by the Tiadaghton Audubon Society, based in Wellsboro.  According to the society, The Cowanesque Circle bird count will be on Saturday, Dec. 14 and the annual Wellsboro-Mansfield Circle bird count on Wednesday, Jan. 1 .  Participants can come to the Northern tier to count birds with the group, or can count birds at home feeders if you’re within the designated circle; a radius of 7.5 miles around Cowanesque Lake including Ives Run and Osceola.  The circle around Wellsboro is near Whitneyville, Mansfield University and Arnot .  The deadline to sign up is December 7^th, email the Tiadaghton Audubon Society by emailing [email protected] 

SPORTS

NBA
Bulls  127            Wizards  108
Bucks  106                     Heat  103
Rockets  117        Timberwolves 111
Spurs  128                     Jazz 115
Suns  127             Lakers  100
NBA Tonight
Hawks  vs Cavaliers  7pm
Bulls vs Magic  7pm
Rockets vs 76ers  7pm
Clippers vs Wizards  7pm
Knicks vs Mavericks  7:30pm ESPN
Nets vs Suns  9pm
Thunder vs Warriors  10pm ESPN

NHL
Canucks  2           Bruins  0
Utah   3               Canadiens 2
NHL Tonight
Rangers vs Hurricanes 7pm
Flames vs Red Wings 7:30pm
Capitals vs Lightning 7:30pm TNT/Max
Bruins vs Islanders 7:30pm
Canucks vs Penguins 7:30pm
Flyers vs Predators  8pm ESPN+
Golden Knights vs Avalanche  10pm TNT/Max

NFL Thanksgiving Day
Chicago Bears vs Detroit  Lions12:30pm CBS
Giants  vs Cowboys  4:30pm FOX
Dolphins  vs Green Bay Packers  8:20pmNBC
NFL Friday 
Raiders vs Chiefs  3pm PrimeVid