BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS AUGUST 21, 2020

AIRLINE ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF FLIGHTS IN OCTOBER THRU NOVEMBER
Following a recent announcement about direct flights to Charlotte North Carolina from Williamsport Regional Airport, American Airlines has adjusted its’ schedule for the fall and will suspend flights starting in October from 15 markets including Williamsport.  According to a press release from the Airline, the federal CARES Act funding expires and the company is making cuts in low demand areas.  The changes are only official for the October schedule period which runs until November 3rd.

COLLEGE CAMPUSES DEALING WITH COVID
COVID-19 is already reaching Central PA campuses.  Bucknell and Bloomsburg Universities have both announced a handful of students who have tested positive for the coronavirus.  According to the Daily Item, out of two Bucknell students tested, one had two negative and third positive test. At Bloomsburg, nine more students had tested positive for the virus raising the total to 10.  Bucknell launched a COVID-19 case tracker available publicly at www.bucknell.edu/life-bucknell/fall-reopening/covid-19-dashboard.  Bloomsburg announced the school bookstore will be closed until Monday with a temporary location set up offsite for pickup of books and materials

DRUG RAID ULTIMATELY RESULTS IN 30 ARRESTS; MORE EXPECTED
Lycoming County DA Ryan Gardner held a press conference yesterday addressing the recent arrests in the city that ultimately yielded more than 30 drug, firearm and gang-related arrests in Williamsport.  According to the Sun Gazette, the DA said that Williamsport is home to four known gangs that have taken a foothold in the city who are in the business of distributing illegal narcotics in Lycoming County.  Gardner said after the Thirty people were arrested as a result of the NEU warrants, and three out of six federal warrants were served, the Lycoming County Narcotics Unit still has warrants for 30 more suspects in gang and drug activity in the city.

COMCAST ANNOUNCES FUNDING HELP FOR SCHOOLS
Comcast has begun a new program for teachers in their system thanking htem with help to pay for their services.  Any faculty, staff or school administrators who are eligible can receive a 150 dollar Visa gift card that will pay for two months of an internet package with the company.  Comcast’s effort to help new customers will continue until December 31st as part of their Internet Essentials Partnership program.

Lycoming County reports one new case of the coronavirus with 165 people testing negative as of yesterday according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  There is a concern in Union County where as of yesterday, the cases count has jumped by 22 to 327.   The Federal Bureau of Prisons website says that the penitentiary in Lewisburg now has a cumulative total of 85 positive COVID-19 cases among inmates, with 33 being active cases and 52 recovered cases and seven staff members with active positive COVID-19 cases.  Inmates there have been quarantined in their cells.  Congressman Fred Keller who has been on the forefront of mitigating COVID-19 spread in state prison system since the the beginning, launched a bipartisan Bureau of Prisons Reform Caucus.

There was a car fire reported early Tuesday in Loyalsock Township and state police are investigating.  According to the Sun Gazette, local fire officials said the truck area of a car that was parked on Warren Avenue and at around 4:15am had a heavy fire in the trunk area.  Police did not identify the vehicle or property owner, the paper says, according to social media messages, a Williamsport sports journalist said the car is his and alleges the fire was a bombing attempt. The car sustained heavy fire damage but the blaze was extinguished by city and local firefighter quickly.  The state police investigation in progress will determine whether a crime was committed.

A valley man media outlets say is familiar with protesting in the area is suing the borough of Mifflinburg over the flag-burning ordinaces that are in place.  According to PennLive, activist Gene Stilp filed suit in U.S. Middle District Court to get a preliminary injunction that could allow him to hold a flag buring event.  Police borough police officially warned Stilp after he ignited a Trump protest flag July 24 on public grounds. Stilp told media outlets the written warning violates his right to freedom of expression. He has also sued Lewisburg, Middleburg, and Harrisburg over their ordinances.

President Trump delivered a campaign speech in Lackawanna County yesterday at about 3:30 after arriving from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International in his motorcade.  The president criticized Former Vice president Joe Biden who was born in Scranton, but  also promoted his own economic programs and plans for a second term.  The president spoke for about an hour at Mariotti Building Products.

SPORTS
NBA heat beat the Pacers 109-100 Miami leading the series 2-nothing, Bucks over Magic 111-96, series tied up 1-1, in the west Rockets beat Thunder 111-98, Houston leads the series 2-nothing, Lakers beat the Trailblazers 111-88, the series tied up1-1

MLB
Rays thumped the Yankees 10-5, Blue Jays beat the Phillies 3-2 in Game 1 of a doubleheader make up from July 31, Game 2 – Blue Jays edged the Phillies 9-8, White Sox blanked the Tigers 9-nothing, Astros over the Rockies 10-8, Indians blanked the Pirates 2-nothing, Twins over the Brewers 7-1, Dodgers beat the Mariners 6-1, Red Sox over the Orioles 7-1, Padres edged the Rangers 8-7, Cardinals over the Reds 5-4, A’s beat the Diamondbacks 5-1, Giants over the Angels 10-5, and the Mets and Marlins were postponed due to illness.

NHL
New York Islanders win their series beating the Capitals last night 4-nothing in the East 1st round Game 5. In the West 1st round Game 6 – Stars beat the flames 7-3 with Dallas winning the series 4-2
Game 6 tonight at 7pm between the Flyers in the Canadians and the Blues in the Canucks play their Game 6 tonight at 9:45 PM

In NASCAR Austin Dillon has been cleared to race in Dover this weekend after he tested negative twice for the coronavirus Dylan is qualified for the NASCAR playoffs this year after winning at Texas last month

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