BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 13, 2021

CHARGES HELD OVER FOR COURT

Curtis Kinney, while on the stand, in front of District Judge Christian Frey, pointed to Eric Tyson and testified that Tyson was the one who allegedly stabbed him on Sept 20, during an argument, inside 213 Campbell St. Tyson was taken into custody near the apartment shortly after the stabbing and has since remained behind bars at the Lycoming County Prison without bail. According to a media source, at the conclusion of the hearing, Frey held him on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime and tampering with evidence.

NATURAL GAS LINE SUPPORT APPROVED

At the latest meeting, the Lycoming County Commissioners voted to approve upwards of $551,000 toward the extension of the natural gas lines. These lines are part of the Timber Run Industrial Park, located in Brady Township, across from the county’s landfill along Route 15.  In all, the price tag for the project is $870,000 with a state grant covering $280,000. As reported by SUN Gazette, Shannon Rossman, director of planning and community development, presented the agreement with UGI Natural Gas for the commissioners’ approval. “As soon as this is done, they should be able to start work very quickly,” Rossman said.

PENNSYLVANIA VOTING PROCEEDURES

Complicated is a word not often associated with voting. However, Pennsylvania’s election rules can confuse the best of us.  According to Lycoming County Director of Voter Services Forrest Lehman  “Mail ballots may only be returned to Voter Services to be counted — they cannot be turned in at a polling place, unless the voter is surrendering the mail ballot in order to cast an in-person vote on a precinct ballot,” Lehman went on to say. “Polling places are not statutorily permitted to serve as mail ballot drop-off sites.” According to SUN Gazette, prospective voters have until Oct. 18 to register to vote through one of the three options provided by the state. Lehman advised voters to handle the process in-person as much as possible due to slower Postal Service deliveries.

SHOTS FIRED IN WILLIAMSPORT

Last evening at 8:28 p.m. Williamsport City Police were dispatched to the area of the 600 Block of Maple Street for a reported shooting.  Upon arrival, officers located an unconscious 25-year-old female gunshot victim, who was taken to the hospital via EMS.  Officers were assisted by Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit. This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information  related to this shooting, please contact Agent Brittany Alexander at 570-327-7640 or [email protected]

WILLIAMSPORT CODES OFFICE MOVED

The move has been made and Williamsport Bureau of Codes office has checked into the River Valley Transit headquarters at 1500 W. Third St.. According to Joseph Gerari, City Codes Administrator, residents who need permits and have codes-related business can drive to RVT headquarters, find ample parking, enter the lobby and finish paperwork or ask for an officer right there.  According to a media source, Gerardi said for a temporary relocation, he and the department personnel are happy.

TENSION RAISED AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Tense moments as residents stepped to the podium at the Jersey Shore Area School Board meeting expressing opinions on vaccines and masks, with some even calling out school directors for complying with Gov. Wolf’s order on masking. According to a report from an online media outlet, in the end, District Superintendent Brian Ulmer briefly noted several court cases involving the masking of students, including Montoursville Area School District, where a federal middle district judge denied an injunction by residents who challenged the constitutionality of masking.

 

RADAR SET UP IN DUBOISTOWN AND SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT

A new way to gain information on traffic patterns, speed and other useful data will be set up in DuBoistown and South Williamsport boroughs. According to South Williamsport officials, motors will notice a radar speed alert sign set up in various locations. As reported by a media source, the sign, leased by Old Lycoming Township with a price tag of $52 a week, according to South Williamsport Borough Manager and Public Safety Director, Steven W. Cappelli.

COVID-19 RESULTS FOR AREA FROM YESTERDAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County six new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 21, while Lycoming County increased by 36, Northumberland County posted 23, Union County added 20, Snyder County had nine new cases while Montour added four more.

IT WAS RULED A SUICIDE IN CLINTON COUNTY

Clinton County Coroner Zach Hanna has determined that suicide resulted in the death of a Central Mountain Middle School support staff employee. Hanna on Tuesday issued a release on the Monday morning incident at the middle school. He identified the victim as Elvis E. Cardona, 43, from Mill Hall. The coroner’s statement: On October 11, 2021, I, Zach Hanna, Clinton County Coroner, responded to the Central Mountain Middle School, 200 Ben Ave., Mill Hall, PA 17751 per the request of the Pennsylvania State Police to assist in a death investigation following the discovery of a body in the school by a staff member prior to the start of the school day on Monday. Following a thorough investigation by myself and PSP, including their Forensic Specialist Unit, it was determined that Mr. Elvis E. Cardona, a 43-year-old male of Mill Hall, PA, died as a result of suicide. Out of respect to Mr. Cardona’s family, the cause of death will remain private at this time. To address public concerns, a firearm was not involved in this incident. Classes at the middle school were conducted online Tuesday for a second day in a row. In-class instruction is to resume on Wednesday.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING TOPICS

At the latest South Williamsport Borough Council meeting, the council approved purchase of six trees replacing six dead trees that were removed from the community park complex, with a cost of $2,229. In addition, council approved engineering with HRG for the pool demolition in the amount of $19,996. Also,  Mayor Marlin Angelo reported the Christmas donations for the police department distribution of toys has topped $5,000 and this first year project continues to grow. According to a media outlet, for the November meeting, the borough general fund, storm water, and sewer proposed budgets are expected to be reviewed.

JEDI THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG NEEDS YOUR HELP

He was there calming and comforting children going through the impossible Jedi, the emotional support dog at the Lycoming County Courthouse, now needs support as he faces a cancer diagnosis and the treatments that follow.  Jedi, a labrador and golden retriever mix, has been on duty at the courthouse for almost four years. His treatment cost $1,000 per month. According to a media source, if anyone wants to help defray the expense of his treatments, they should send them to Children and Youth which has taken care of Jedi’s expenses or to the Animal Hospital.

TREY POTTS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL BUT MAY NOT PLAY REMAINDER OF SEASON

Minnesota running back and Williamsport graduate Trey Potts will miss the remainder of the season with an undisclosed injury serious enough to keep him hospitalized for six days after it occurred in the last game. Coach P.J. Fleck said Monday that Potts was “doing very well” and expected to be present at the practice facility this week to visit with the team. As reported by an online media outlet, Fleck praised the effort and expertise of the medical staff for quickly determining Potts needed to go to a hospital after the initial evaluation on the sideline became a “really scary” situation. The door has not closed on Potts resuming his career next season, Fleck said.

 

CHOKING A PREGNANT WOMAN GETS BLOOMSBURG MAN FELONY CHARGES

He admitted to choking a woman .. twice .. and he admitted that to an officer wearing body cam.  Diego Luis Otero of Bloomsburg was charged with two counts of second-degree felony strangulation and one count of summary harassment on Oct. 5. According to police, Otero allegedly put the woman, who was 10 weeks pregnant at the time, into a rear naked choke hold until she “tapped out” from lack of air. According to a media outlet, Otero is being held at the Columbia County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail, awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for today.

VEHICLE THEFT DISCOVERED WHILE STOLEN CAR WAS AT GAS PUMPS

He said he knew there was something off about the vehicle she purchased for $750.  Accoring to police, Robert Larkin of Bloomsburg and Tia Maria Fenstermacher, 30, of Bloomsburg were at the Sheetz in Bloomsburg, filling the vehicle with gas when officers took them into custody. Larkin was charged with third-degree felony receiving stolen property and a summary charge of driving with a suspended license. He was released on Oct. 1 after posting $25,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing with Doug Brewer is scheduled for today in Millville. Fenstermacher was charged with third-degree felony receiving stolen property and misdemeanor use or possession of drug paraphernalia. According to a media source, unlike Larkin, Fenstermacher is being held at the Columbia County Prison in lieu of $10,000 monetary bail as she awaits today’s preliminary hearing.

DOG ATTACK SENDS SUNBURY RESIDENTS TO GEISINGER

Three Sunbury residents are recovering following a dog attack on Julia Street and Susquehanna Avenue last evening. According to  Sunbury Police Chief Brad Hare officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Susquehanna Avenue, at around 6:15 p.m. for a report of an animal attack. According to the Daily Item, two individuals sustained major injuries and were transported to Geisinger Medical Center, in Danville, while a third was taken by relatives to an emergency care clinic for treatment. Hare said the Sunbury Animal Hospital was contacted and arrived on scene to help with the situation. The dog was eventually tranquilized and taken into the custody of the animal hospital, Hare said.

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