PRESS CONFERENCE RELEASES SOME DETAILS SURROUND BODIES FOUND

Yesterday morning, around 10:30 a.m., Chief Christopher Kriner held a press conference, in order to update the community on the progress of the homicide investigation involving the deaths of two young females and their remains discovered this weekend. Based on an arrest warrant for endangering the welfare of children and obstruction, Marie Sue Snyder was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service-Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force. The interview led to the search which led to the bodies in the back yard of the residence at 653 Livermore Road.  The identities of the 4 and 6-year-old children were confirmed and their remains were sent to Erie Pa for further analysis. This is a homicide investigation.

DOC OFFERS COVID-19 BOOSTER TO STAFF AND INCARCERATED PERSONS

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for individuals who live or work in high-risk settings, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) today began offering COVID-19 boosters to staff and the incarcerated population at its facilities. More than 90 percent of the incarcerated population has been vaccinated against COVID-19. Similar to the DOC’s initial vaccination efforts, those who receive a booster will be given a $25 incentive in their commissary account from the Inmate General Welfare Fund (IGWF). The IGWF self-supporting and not taxpayer funded.

INTERSTATE 81 SUSQUEHANNA PROJECT

The I-81 Susquehanna Project is a candidate for bridge tolling through the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership Initiative. The Pathways program seeks to identify potential alternative funding solutions for transportation in the state. Under the initiative, tolls collected would be used for the bridges’ construction, maintenance and operation. The I-81 Susquehanna Project is a nine-mile stretch of reconstruction and repair work along Interstate 81 from New Milford Borough to the New York border.

MASK MANDATE CHANGES IN JANUARY

Governor Tom Wolf today announced the intention to return the commonwealth’s K-12 school mask requirement to local leaders on January 17, 2022. Upon the expiration of the statewide mandate, local school officials will again be able to implement mitigation efforts at the local level. At that time, schools may continue requiring mask-wearing based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.  The current Secretary of Health order requires masks to be worn inside K-12 school buildings, early learning programs and child care providers for both children and adults regardless of vaccination status. The full order remains in effect until an additional announcement in mid-January at which time the administration anticipates local K-12 school officials will again be able to implement mitigation efforts at the local level. The full order will remain in effect for early learning programs and child care providers until further notification.

MAYOR  SLAUGHTER REMINDS RESIDENTS OF FALLING LEAVES IN THE CITY

Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter has reported that the city has three trucks currently picking up leaves through the city. He reminds residents the leaf pick up will continue as conditions permit throughout the season and beyond. As leaves fall on wet roadways, intersections are slick and can be hazardous. Please slow down and use caution at these times.  Leaf pick up has begun in other communities throughout the area.

DRAFT BUDGET HAS NO PROJECTED TAX INCREASE

Residents of Sunbury will appreciate the work the Sunbury City Council put into the approval of a draft budget that included no tax increases. According to a news outlet, the budget was balanced.  Also at the most recent council meeting, Sunbury Police Chief Brad Hare reported the city has nine full-time officers, something the city hasn’t had since 2017. Hare went on to say their new building should be ready for them by the end of 2021.

MODIFICATION OR ENDING MASK MANDATE IN JANUARY

Pennsylvania school districts will be allowed to modify or end the mask mandate for K-12 students in January, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday, saying it is “time to prepare for a transition back to a more normal setting.” The Democratic governor said that, on Jan. 17, he expects to turn over decisions about masking to local school officials. The state’s universal masking requirement for early learning programs and child care facilities will remain in place. The Wolf administration imposed a statewide mandate in early September amid a surge in infections and hospitalizations from the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. The mandate sparked a fierce backlash among some parents, and two lawsuits seeking to overturn it are pending.

POWER OF ATTORNEY HELPS THEMSELVES TO $80,000

A Northumberland pair utilized an 85-year-old woman’s bank account to use upwards of $80,000 in shopping purchases which included, but not limited to, personal expenses, vacation in Maryland, gas and heating oil.  A Northumberland couple facing felony theft charges were released on $25,000 unsecured bail on Monday. According to the Daily Item, the state Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations Unit filed unlawful taking and receiving of stolen property, as they were acting a power of attorney for the victim on Melissa and Todd Hoy, who appeared yesterday in front of District Judge Michael Toomey and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. The Hoys are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in front of Toomey on Nov. 30

STOLEN PUPPIES IN TURBOTVILLE

State police in Milton  seek information on missing puppies . . . Milton state police report a Turbotville man reported someone entered his property and stole two Yorkshire Terrier puppies. The female puppy is valued at $2,500 and the male at $1,800. Please contact Milton state police at 570-524-2662 with any information.

APPROVAL FOR AN AMENDMENT BECOMES HEATED

The borough council in DuBoistown had goals of approving an amendment to their police contract. The DuBoistown Borough has a state mandated police contract with neighboring South Williamsport Borough. The amendment required a vote of the council and a signature from the Mayor. However, according to SUN Gazette, the meeting turned heated and the required paperwork, including the contract, was not signed by Mayor Norm Cowden, who left before official adjournment.  The frustration for Cowden seemed to include a “lock-in” salary increase for the uniformed police officers of 3% from 2024 to 2027. His frustration continued when he expressed concerns over the police presence in DuBoistown. The amendment to the contract passed 4-1.

LOCAL COVID-19 CASES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases, the fifth straight day where some numbers have dropped. In Clinton County 17 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 24 new cases, Lycoming County increased by 63, Tioga County 15, 33 in Northumberland County. There were also 17 cases in Snyder County and 15 in Union County. There were no new cases in Montour County, the first time since Sept. 7 that a Valley county had no cases.