BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS DECEMBER 21, 2020

COVID NUMBERS RISING IN PA
Lycoming County has ranked as 19th in the nation with our COVID cases with the marking the highest infectious rates  in the United States.  COVID in the county continued an incline, as 92 new cases were added yesterday, bringing a shocking total of 4,746 cases in the county since the start of the pandemic.

VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN i-80 CRASH
A woman from Hollidaysburg and a man from Mebane, NC were the victims in the fatal crash that occurred last Wednesday as the snow storm dumped up to two feet on I-80 in Clinton County.  The accident was reportedly cleared by Friday night.  According to State Police 24 year old Falon Morris died in a crash and 56th year old James Faqua died from a medical condition unable to be treated while in the back up of the 55 tractor trailers and 11 passenger cars vehicles were involved in multiple crashes over a one-mile stretch of road.  Other crash victims are currently reported to all be in stable condition.

lWILLIAMSPORT LIBRARY HOPING TO BE FINE-FREE IN 2021
The James V. Brown Public Libraries board of trustees held a virtual meeting and are looking to transition this New year into the library system being fine-free.  According to the Sun Gazette, executive director Barbara S. McGary said there are examples of families who may have some fines and it keeps them from using the libraries essential services.  They also hope a transition will encourage the other 6 libraries in the community will follow suit, and  help uplift more impoverished people to use the library for help. Those who have fines may receive an invitation to return.  McGary said patrons, who are responsible for damaging or losing any books, will still be held responsible for reimbursement.

CITY COUNCIL VOTES FOR POLICE SALARY RAISES OVER 4 YEARS
The Williamsport City Council put forth a 4-3 vote for the four-year contract of the Williamsport Bureau of Police Lodge 29 Union. Ultimately, the discussions included the unionized police officers’ contract raises of 1 percent next year, 2 percent the following year, 2 percent the year after and 3 percent in the final year, the foreseen effect of COVID-19 on the city next year and the city’s duty to protect the taxpayers.

LYCOMING COUNTY COVID UPDATE
As of yesterday Lycoming County reported 92 new cases of the coronavirus Montour County has 70 new cases, Union County has 69 new cases, Northumberland County has 63 new cases.  Lycoming County has 77 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 15 in the ICU, with 8 on ventilators.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 7,213 and  99 new deaths reported in the Commonwealth.  Williamsport now ranks 25th in metro areas with the greatest number of new cases, relative to their population.

UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS IN PA
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was down .8 percentage points in November, with unemployment now at 6.6 percent.  Pennsylvania’s rate fell below the national rate of 6.7 percent unemployment. Over the past seven months, Pennsylvania has recovered 57.7 percent of the total nonfarm jobs lost in March and April. With our state unemployment rate at 2 percentage points above its November 2019 level.  Some 20.6 million Americans currently receive unemployment benefits, according to the Department of Labor and Industry.

LOYALSOCK SUPERVISORS APPROVE A NEW FIRE ORDINANCE
In an effort to protect local businesses and save money, the Loyalsock Township Supervisors overwhelmingly approved a business fire ordinance. In a regular meeting, Tuesday night, Supervisors agreed to requiring businesses to have a lock box, with a key, on their property in the event of a fire to alleviate expensive damage, such broken doors or windows, due to forced entry by emergency responders.  A public hearing, March 23rd at 7:15 pm, would discuss set back requirements for commercial district corner lots. They will focus on the 17 businesses on corner lots that could allow a variance to rebuild if they are grandfathered in.

lYCO COLLEGE ADDS FIELD HOCKEY, BASEBALL
Lycoming college will be adding to their athletics department in the 2022 -23 school year, after the board of trustees granted its approval on Thursday. The warriors will be adding women’s field hockey, and baseball in a move to stabilize enrollment numbers. Over the last decade enrollment has fallen for private institutions across the board with Lycoming College being no exception. Adding these new programs will hopefully encourage more athletes to attend in the coming years. As of now the school plans to search for coaches over the next year.

VIRUS TESTING AT MONTOUR-DELONG FAIRGROUNDS
There is a regional drive-thru and indoor walk-in testing clinic at the  Montour County at the Montour-Delong Community Fairgrounds from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM through Tuesday, December 22nd.  Up to 450 patients can be tested per day. Mid-nasal swabs will be performed on a first-come, first-serve basis and is completely free to all patients.  Individuals who are tested should self-isolate while they await results,.  the latest information is available online visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.  The address of the fairgroudns is 5848 Broadway Road, in Danville.

SPORTS

NFL Weekend
Sunday
Cardinals beat the Eagles 33-26, Chiefs beat the Saints 30 to 29, Browns over the New York Giants 20 to 6, Jets over the Rams 23-20, Buccaneers beat the Falcons 31-27, Cowboys beat the 49ers 41-33, Titans beat the Lions 46-25, Colts over the Texans 27-20, Dolphins beat the Patriots 20-12, Bears beat the Vikings 33-27, Seahawks beat Washington 20-15, Ravens beat the Jaguars 40 to 14.
Saturday’s Games
Bills beat the Broncos 48 to 19, Packers beat the Panthers 24-16,

Monday Night Football
Steelers play the Bengals in Ohio with an 815 kick off
NCAA
After Saturday’s  56-21 win over Illinois at Beaver Stadium, the Penn State Athletic Communications Department announced  the Penn State football program will not participate in a bowl game this season.

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