SCHOOL DO OVER
A bill that would allow parents to give their kids a do-over extra year of school to make up for the 2020-2021 year disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic closings and operating changes, passed unanimously in the state House on yesterday. The measure already passed the state Senate in May but the House amended the bill.. A media outlet reported, the Senate could vote on whether to concur on the House changes as soon as today. Gov. Tom Wolf hasn’t taken a position on the legislation, yet, according Lyndsay Kensinger, a spokeswoman for the governor.
LOCK HAVEN’S FLOATING STAGE
American Idol alum, Aaron Kelly will be the first to perform this summer on Lock Haven’s floating stage. The concert will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The Saturday Corman Amphitheater setting is a change from previous years, when the concerts along the river were held on Sunday evenings. The recordonline.com reports, Pennsylvania Native Aaron Kelly is a singer-songwriter best known for his run as the youngest artist ever to reach the Top 5 on American Idol. To learn more about the 2021 Summer Concert Series, check the City of Lock Haven’s website.
FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT SET FOR JULY
Defense counsel has waived the first court appearance for the teenager charged with homicide in the shooting death of his friend.A preliminary hearing for Brian St. John III, 19, had been scheduled for today, but defense counsel yesterday morning notified Clinton County Court the decision to waive. St. John’s formal arraignment in court will be scheduled for early July. St. John remains incarcerated at the Clinton County Correctional Facility after his arrest following the Feb. 26 incident.According to therecordonline.com, he was arrested and charged with the killing of Jakob Lee Haines during a gathering at the St. John home atop Brewery Hollow Road in Woodward Township.
MONTOURSVILLE AREA SCHOOL BOARD COVID-19 VACCINE NEWS
The Montoursville Area School Board voted to approve a resolution stating that the district would not require students or staff to have the COVID-19 vaccine. The nearly full-capacity crowd attended the Montoursville Area School Board meeting to voice their fears that children and staff in the district would have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to return to classes in the fall.According to SUN Gazette, Board President David Shimmel noted that the district had never mentioned the idea of mandating vaccines for students.
STREAM BANK AND STREAK REHABILITATION PROJECT
A $390,000 stream bank and stream rehabilitation project leading to James Short Park in Loyalsock Township may be possible after obtaining a state Department of Environmental Protection “Growing Greener” grant later this year. Township supervisors gave approval to the township administration, in partnership with the Williamsport Sanitary Authority, to apply for the grant to cover costs connected with the bank project on the Miller’s Run waterway.
FIRE DESTROYED A HOME IN SUNBURY
A fire late Tuesday night extensively damaged a two-story wood-plank house at 185 Holly St., according to Ralston Fire Chief John Orr.. Flames destroyed the roof and burned away much of the second floor, according to a media source. There were no reports of injuries. Ralston was assisted by departments from Trout Run, Canton, Hepburn Township and Old Lycoming Township. The local chapter of the American Red Cross is providing her with emergency assistance. The fire remains under investigation.
ELEVATOR UPGRADES FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The City Hall elevator has passed inspection and functions to take people up and down, but it still needs the upgrades, such as a wider entrance and buttons accessible from a wheelchair as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tonight, City Council is expecting to look at bids by elevator and construction companies to complete the elevator modification and accessibility work and upgrades, according to SUN Gazette. Bids include Otis Elevator, Lundy Construction and Gannett Fleming. Tonight’s meeting is the first in-person since they were moved to a virtual format on YouTube due to COVID-19. The digital format will still be available to watch through YouTube and will be made accessible through the City’s website.
COVID TEST FOR TRAVELING
Geisinger is looking to help those traveling this summer who still need to have a COVID-19 test before leaving by offering PCR tests for those 12 months and older at 18 Convenient Care walk-in clinics throughout central and northeast Pennsylvania. You don’t need an appointment and tests are offered for a self-pay fee of $140. To get a test, you must have legal identification, such as a driver’s license, and anyone between age 12 months and 17 years old must have a parent or legal guardian with them. Results will be available within 24 hours through myGeisinger.
DAY OF ACTION
Lycoming County United Way with upwards of 25 community volunteers representing local industry and other nonprofits spent several hours working together on June 23 as part of United Way World wide’s National Day of Action, a Global Day of Service. According to he Day of Action in Williamsport, volunteers including the Lycoming County United Way staff, and employees of multiple local businesses and organizations, painted, cleaned, landscaped, and organized for four of our community partners. About 60 hours of community service was completed.
SUNBURY 3 ALARM BLAZE
Two families are displaced after a three-alarm fire at a double home in Sunbury yesterday afternoon. Sunbury Fire Chief Brad Wertz says no injuries were reported from the fire at 231 North Sixth Street. Two pets perished in the blaze and the house is considered a total loss. A state police fire marshal is still investigating the cause. According to a media outlet, crews were on scene for about eight and a half hours. Dozens of volunteer fire crews from Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties were dispatched just after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Daily Item blaze was first reported as a two-alarm fire, but a third alarm was called shortly after. There is minor smoke and water damage to some surrounding homes. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced families.
OLYMPIC TRIALS
Williamsport grad Rachel Fatherly is competing today in Eugene, Oregon, for a spot in the Olympics. According to SUN Gazette it’s day 7 of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials for the Tokyo games this afternoon. The former Millionaire state champion is set to compete in the shot put at 1:30 p.m. for the qualifying round, with the finals at 8 p.m. tonight. Fatherly qualified for the US Olympic Trials when she finished 22nd with a throw of 50 feet, 8 inches, according to SUN Gazette.
