SHOOTING IN SHAMOKIN MONDAY

A shooting occurred yesterday around 4pm in Shamokin Township.  According to a press release from State police, the incident took place at 950 Shamrock Road.  Police say the incident was isolated and there’s no threat to the public.  There are reports of Life Flight responding to a 12-year old patient who was transported from the area.  State police in Stonington say they are continuing the investigation.

MIFFLINBURG MAN ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLING FUNDS

A man from Mifflinburg has recently been charged for embezzling funds from the Susquehanna River Valley Visitor’s Bureau over a 6-year time frame.  According to North Central PA dot com, state police investigated marketing work arranged and contracted through  43 year old Timothy Alan Dowhower, who they found used the visitors bureau credit card for nefarious website subscriptions and created a fictcious marketing company to perform work for his employer that never was completed.  Police discovered Dowhower paid  Logical Destination, LLC, his fake marketing company, approximately $150,000 every year since 2018.  Police filed charges against Dowhower last week.  He faces felony theft charges with bail set at 870 thousand dollar unsecured.  His preliminary hearing is December 19^th.

LYCO ELECTION RESULTS CERTIFIED

The Lycoming County Board of Elections has certified the results of the 2024 Presidential Election and the recount for US Senate between Bob Casey and Dave McCormick.  According the Sun Gazette the approval comes after the Election Board, Commissioners Marc Sortman and Mark Mussina received and certified the election numbers from Director of Elections Forrest Lehman.  According to the official local results, the turnout was 81.12%.  IN the senate race in Lycoming County n Casey received 29.14% of the vote, McCormick 68.29%.  Casey conceded his Senate seat last week.

BUCKNELL GRADUATE NOMINATED FOR TRUMP CABINET

President-elect Trump has nominated a Bucknell graduate to serve on his cabinet as the head of the FDA.  According to media outlets, Dr. Marty Makary, who attended Danville area High School and previously graduated from Bucknell, received national recognition for challenging public health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Makary is a professor at Johns Hopkins University and advocates reforming the U.S. healthcare system.  Dr. Marty Makary is the son of Dr. Adel and Nadia Makary of Danville.

DJ CITED FOR HAVING ALCOHOL AT HIGH SCHOOL DANCE

A disc jockey from Dornsife who had been hired by a local High school for a dance in October was charged with summary disorderly conduct for being under the influence of alcohol and pleaded guilty to the charge in Northumberland County court on November 4^th.  According to the News Item, state police at Stonington reported that 36 year old Dustin Letterman also had alcohol on his person on the Line Mountain High School property the night of homecoming.  In a previous incident court records say, Letterman and his then wife, Marissa, pleaded no contest to two counts of arson with danger of death or bodily injury and two counts of arson with intent to collect insurance after being accused of burning down a home for financial gain in September of 2017 in Jackson Township.

MILTON MAN INJURED IN ROUTE 15 CRASH

A man from Milton was injured in a crash Friday in Monroe Township in Snyder County.  According to state police, 49-year-old Franklin Espinal-Feliz drove off the road, down an embankment and struck a tree while he was driving north on Route 15 near Line Road.  Espinal-Feliz was treated for unknown injuries at Geisinger medical center and was cited for the accident. 

BURN BAN LIFTED

The burn ban that has been in place through the dry conditions these past few weeks by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been lifted as of last Friday.  After recent precipitation around the region, the risk of fires has been lessened, however, all fires must be confined to a barrel or specified area and contained.  The fire ban put in place by the Williamsport Bureau of Fire since October 31^st, expired November 20^th.  Find information about burn bans and wildfire prevention  at dcnr.pa.gov. 

PUBLIC INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 RAIL PLAN ZOOM CALL

There will be a virtual public informational meeting hosted by PennDOT to discuss the update to the Pennsylvania State Rail Plan.  According to the department, they are in the process of developing the 2025 Pennsylvania State Rail Plan involving safety, passenger and freight rail, funding decisions and more and will also evaluate and document passenger and freight rail needs over the next 20 years to guide investments.  The zoom meeting will be Tuesday, December 10 at 4pm The public can offer input through an online survey through December 19.  Go to advancing pa rail dot com.

SPORTS

NFL Monday Night Football
Ravens 30           Chargers  23
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

NBA
Magic 95             Hornets  84
Pistons 102         Raptors  100
Celtics  126         Clippers  94
Knicks 145         Nuggets  118
Nets  128             Warriors  120
Thunder  130      Kings  109
NBA Tonight
Bulls  vs Wizards  7pm
Bucks vs Heat  7:30pm TNT
Spurs  vs Jazz  9pm
Lakers  vs Suns  10pm TNT

NHL
Capitals  4           Panthers  1
Devils  5              Predators  2
Blues  5               Rangers  2
Gldn Knights 5  Flyers 4
Red Wings  4      Islanders 2
NHL Tonight
Canucks vs Bruins  7pm ESPN+
Utah vs Canadiens  7pm  ESPN+

THREE HOSPITALIZED AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A domestic disturbance in Loyalsock Township that turned violent, sent three people to the hospital yesterday around 10am.  According to State Police at Montoursville, there was a physical altercation at the 1400 block of Grampian Boulevard between a father and son which resulted in the son stabbing his father.  The father then shot a gun at the son and the bullet passed through the son’s girlfriend and then struck him as well.  None of the injuries are fatal.  According to the Sun Gazette, all the people involved were hospitalized and are in stable condition.  Charges are pending prosecution decision.

PENNDOT ENACTS TIER THREE CONDITIONS IN EASTERN PA

With the wet snow conditions, PennDOT put various speed and vehicle restrictions in place on eastern corridor roadways statewide yesterday.  There will be Tier 1 restrictions on I-81 north of 380 and on the entire length of I-84.  Tier 1 restrictions include tractors without trailers or lightly loaded trailers, passenger cars towing trailers, RVs, commercial busses or school busses and motorcycles.  Where there is no restriction in place, commercial vehicle drivers in particular are encouraged to exercise caution in high winds.  Restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe.

CASEY CONCEDE TO MCCORMICK

Media outlets report that Democratic Senator Bob Casey has conceded to Republican Dave McCormick in the U.S. Senate race after a recount was triggered in the state for the original ballot count that separated the candidates by 16,414 votes.  According to the Sun Gazette, Commissioner Scott Metzger said the recount in Lycoming County took place this week and was handled by county employees from several departments.  The County Board of Elections will hold meetings next week to certify the local results .  The Pennsylvania Department of State ordered the 67 county boards of elections to conduct a statewide recount which will be certified November 27^th.

SAMARITAN’S PURSE COLLECTING UNTIL NOVEMBER 25^TH

The international organization Samaritan’s Purse will continue their National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child through November 25^th.  According to the non-profit, local churches across the globe pack individual Shoeboxes with items for the children and deliver them to 170 countries and territories.  Several locations out of many in Lycoming County that will accept filled shoebox drop-offs  include, City Church in Williamsport, Fairlawn Community Church in Cogan Station, Grace Baptist in Muncy and others.  Find out about how to pack a shoebox and about Franklin Graham’s  Operation Christmas Child by going to the website Samaritans purse dot org.

MAN ARRESTED FOR THROWING GLASS JAR

A 28 year old man from Williamsport was charged with disorderly conduct and more after he threw a thick glass container at a woman’s car in the 200 block of Valley Street in Duboistown following an early morning argument.  According to South Williamsport police, Brennan Scott Gundrum was arraigned last week for the incident involving him and his ex-girlfriend.  The glass jar allegedly thrown by Gundrum shattered and caused almost 300 dollars damage to the vehicle.  He was also charged with propulsion of missiles and criminal mischief and released on 5 thousand dollars bail.

TROOPERS INJURED TRYING TO SERVE WARRANT IN CENTRE COUNTY

Two state troopers were injured after a suspect attempted to flee in a van November 13^th from his home in the area of Johnson Hill Road and Moose Run Road in Phillipsburg.  Police say they went to the home of 43 year old Nathan Lee Folmar to serve a warrant on Centre county DUI charges and when confronted while sitting in the back seat of his van, he refused police orders to get out of the car.  Folmer accelerated and drove out of the area, striking one trooper with the driver’s side mirror and another with flying debris.  Police pursued Folmer  for about a mile and then chased him on foot until he was taken into custody.  Folmer was charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangerment and more. He was denied bail.

SALVATION ARMY SHAMOKIN SEEKING HOLIDAY DONATIONS

The Shamokin branch of the Salvation Army is looking for help with their local food drive.  According to the News Item, organizers from the Salvation army say that a $15 dollar donation can cover the cost of one ham for a family, as they hope to feed 500 hundred families during the non-profit’s Christmas assistance program. The donation window will stay open through December 13^th.  Irish Isle Provision Co., on West. Arch Street in Coal Township will store the hams before the holiday.  Call the food drive chairman of the Salvation Army Shamokin, Brian Persing at 8472479 for more information.

SPORTS

NFL Thursday Night Football
Browns 24                      Steelers  19
NFL Sunday
Chiefs vs Panthers1pm
Buccaneers vs Giants 1pm CBS
Cowboys vs Commanders  1pm FOX
49ers vs Packers  4:25pm FOX
Eagles vs Rams  8:20pm NBC

PIAA HS Football Quarterfinals
Class A  Muncy vs Delone Catholic @ Cedar Cliff HS, New Cumberland  – Friday 7pm
AAA Danville vs Bermudian Springs  @ Susquanita HS, Duncannon – Saturday 1pm

NCAA Football Saturday
Penn State  vs Minnesota 3:30pm  CBS
BYU vs Arizona State 3:30pm ESPN
Army vs Notre Dame  7pm NBC/Peacock
The Citadel vs Clemson  3:30pm CW Network

NBA
Hornets  123        Pistons  121
Raptors  110        Timberwolves  105 
Spurs  126                     Jazz  118
Magic 119            Lakers  118
NBA Tonight
Nets vs 76ers  7pm
Celtics vs Wizards  7pm
Warriors vs Pelicans  7:30pm ESPN
Mavericks vs Nuggets  10pm ESPN

NHL
Bruins 1               Utah  0
Golden knights  3          Senators  2
Red Wings  2        Islanders  1
Devils  4               Hurricanes 2
Flames  3              Rangers  2
Wild  5                 Oilers 3

NHL Tonight
Jets  vs Penguins  7pm NHLNet
Sabres  vs Ducks  10pm ESPN+


MLB News
*  Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge captured the Most Valuable Player awards in their respective leagues yesterday, in a unanimous vote. Ohtani won his third in four years,  Judge’s second.
*  Ohtani won his first NL MVP and third overall on the strength of the first 50-homer, 50-steal season in major league history, while Judge’s greatest season ever resulted in his second AL MVP awarded by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

MIFFLINBURG MAN FORGED CHECKS FOR DRUG MONEY

A man from Mifflinburg was arrested for forging checks to allegedly get cash to buy drugs.  According to North Central PA dot com, Mifflinburg Police say 23 year old Jasper Pierce Faircloth forged a signature and cashed seven bad checks totaling almost 4 thousand dollars in early October and avoided calls from the bank when his account was overdrawn.  Faircloth admitted he used the funds to buy drugs and a virtual reality headset.  He faces seven felony counts each of forgery, seven misdemeanor counts of bad checks, felony theft, and felony receiving stolen property.  He was incarcerated in lieu of 25 thousand dollars bail.

TWO DUI CHARGES IN ONE NIGHT FOR MONTOURSVILLE WOMAN

A woman from Montoursville was charged with DUI twice during the early hours of October 5^th and is now free on bail.  According to state police, 27 year old Asia Agnew was stopped in the 300 block of Broad Street after being observed driving in an impaired manner, but denied consuming alcohol and refused a blood test at the DUI center.  She was charged with DUI and taken home.  An hour later, Agnew was stopped along the 200 block of Church Alley by another trooper who knew she had been stopped for suspected DUI previously.  Agnew again refused a blood sample, but took a preliminary breath test that showed alcohol according to police.   She was charged again with similar DUI and summary offenses from the first incident.

INCORRECT, UNDATED BALLOTS NOT TO BE COUNTED IN PA

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declared with a majority vote that ballots in the state that are undated or incorrectly dated from the just-completed 2024 general election are not to be counted.  According to Penn Live, the justices wrote the ruling for all county election board members to follow the declaration even though some eastern counties voted in this last election in favor of counting the undated votes.  As of Monday, McCormick holds a 17,444-vote lead over Casey. The recount begins today and must be complete and reported by November 27^th.

TWO MUNCY MEN WIN HONORS AT WORLD DAIRY EXPO

Two young men from Muncy and their cows have won top honors at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.  According to the Sun Gazette, Phillip McCormick and Robin were grand champions for the junior division and honorable mention in the open show for Red&White.  Dakota Fraley and Diamond were grand champions of the Brown Swiss in the international junior show.  There were 55,000 attendees and 96 countries being represented for the week-long agricultural event. McCormick is studying animal science at Penn State Altoona and was a member of 4-H.  Fraley’s family owns Twin County Farms in Muncy. Get information about the recent competition at worlddairyexpo.com.

WOMAN STILL HOSPITALIZED FROM ROUTE 901 CRASH

A woman from Minersville remains hospitalized after a head-on crash on State Route 901 in Coal Township that occurred last Wednesday.  According to a PA state police press release, 54 year old Christie Marie Paulson’s vehicle crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2023 Chevrolet Silverado head-on. The driver of the Silverado, 57 year old Daniel Kasper, suffered minor injuries after his truck took the brunt of the impact.  Paulson was unconscious at the scene and was extricated from her vehicle by first responders from the Coal Township Fire Department. The violent accident damaged the roadway by causing a gash in the pavement.  The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

WARRANT ISSUED FOR WATSONTOWN ID THIEF

A warrant has been issued for a man from the Bronx, NY who they say is responsible for identity theft in Watsontown.  According to state police, they have charged 28 year old Kevin Iurilli for using driver’s license numbers to cash checks and withdraw funds in Northumberland and previously in Blair County where he was accused of ID theft from two other individuals.  Iurilli is not yet in custody. 

CROSSCUTTERS HOT STOVE BANQUET COMING IN JANUARY

The line-up for the Williamsport Crosscutters’ Hot Stove Banquet fundraiser was announced and the event is coming up January 17^th at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport.  According to the crosscutters, Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Mussina, ESPN Hall of Fame Baseball Analyst Tim Kurkjian, and Philadelphia Phillies third base coach Dusty Wathan will be the special guests in attendance at the event.  A dinner and silent auction of special sports memorabilia is part of the banquet and the charity chosen to benefit from the proceeds this year will be Lycoming County United Way.  Get details at crosscutters.com.

STUDENTS PROTEST TO SAVE SYMBOLIC MAPLE TREE

Students at Meadowview Christian Academy protested peacefully Monday to save a symbolic maple tree on school property after it was slated to be cut down to make way for electric lines.  According to the News Item, the tree has been outside the school for over 60 years when it was Paxinos Public School, and is used currently as shade for graduation ceremonies, a spot for pictures and educational sessions.  Ultimately PPL agreed to just trim the tree and it will remain standing for now thanks to the students and teachers efforts to save it.

SPORTS

NBA
Nets  116              Hornets  115
Celtics 120                     Cavaliers 117
Nuggets  122        Grizzlies  110
Mavericks  132    Pelicans  92
Spurs  110                     Thunder  104
Lakers  124          Jazz 118

NBA Tonight
Bulls vs Bucks  7:20pm ESPN
76ers  vs Grizzlies  8pm
Knicks vs Suns  10pm ESPN
Hawks vs Warriors 10pm

NHL
Oilers  5               Senators 2
Lightning  3          Penguins  2
Wild 4                  Blues  2
Jets  6                   Panthers  3
Ducks  3               Blackhawks  2
Flames  2              Islanders  1
Rangers  4            Canucks  3

NHL Tonight
Hurricanes Flyers  7:30pm  TNT/MAX
Predators vs Kraken  10pm TNT/MAX
Sabres vs Kings 10:30pm ESPN+

Men’s Tennis
* (38 yr-old) Rafael Nadal’s amazing career came to an end after Spain lost its Davis Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands yesterday (2-1).

* Nadal announced last month that this would be his final tournament, after winning  22 men’s Grand Slam titles in his career.
* Nadal told the media Monday that he could no longer reach the competitive level he felt was required to continue to challenge for some of the sport’s biggest honors.

NFL Thursday Night Football
Steelers  vs Cleveland  8:15pm PrimeVid

PIAA HS Football Quarterfinals
Class A  Muncy vs Delone Catholic @ Cedar Cliff HS, New Cumberland  – Friday 7pm
AAA Danville vs Bermudian Springs  @ Susquanita HS, Duncannon – Saturday 1pm

NCAA Football Saturday
Penn State  vs Minnesota 3:30pm  CBS
BYU vs Arizona State 3:30pm ESPN
Army vs Notre Dame  7pm NBC/Peacock
The Citidel vs Clemson  3:30pm CW Network