BUS DRIVER FACING FELONIES FOR INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH STUDENT
A former Williamsport Area School District bus driver is facing felony charges after police say he had inappropriate contact with a female student on his bus. Lycoming Regional police arrested 29-year-old Ryan Haywood after he turned himself in Thursday. Investigators say Haywood grabbed the girl’s leg while stopped at Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School on October 20, then blew her a kiss when she told him she was uncomfortable. He’s also accused of making inappropriate comments and adding his TikTok profile to a student’s phone. Haywood was fired during the investigation and released on 50 thousand dollars bail.
BUDGET COULD ELIMINATE SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS
Williamsport’s proposed 2026 budget removes the assistant police chief position as the city looks to control rising costs and avoid deeper cuts. According to the Sun Gazette, police officials told council the move, along with retirements and a possible military deployment, will temporarily lower staffing but save money while keeping the force at its 51-officer complement. The plan also includes a half-mill real estate tax increase and higher overtime projections, driven largely by rising health insurance costs.
SUNBURY COIN TOSS TODAY FOR TIED SUPERVISOR POSITION
A coin toss will decide the supervisor race in Beaver Township, Snyder County. Incumbent Republican Nelson Narehood and independent challenger Roger Rice each received 91 votes in the November 4 election, so the tiebreaker is scheduled for noon today at the Snyder County Courthouse in Middleburg. The outcome will determine who takes the seat on the township board.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM RAISES MONEY FOR SUMMER READING
The annual Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library “Tree Fest of Children’s Books” is underway in Selinsgrove, featuring 16 decorated trees and six wreaths themed around beloved children’s books. Visitors can vote for their favorite creation starting Monday the 24th through December 19, with all donations benefiting the Snyder County Libraries summer reading program. The displays will be on view during regular library hours until December 26 at 1 North High Street in Selinsgrove.
MAN WHO ATTEMPTED AN EXORCISM ARRESTED
A Tennessee man is jailed in Bradford County after pleading guilty to trespassing and disorderly conduct in a bizarre incident on a Towanda porch. Police say 41-year-old Matthew Brown refused repeated orders to leave a Poplar Street home on November 10, instead kneeling to pray and shouting as officers tried to intervene. Investigators say Brown followed a woman to the home and attempted an exorcism, pushing her when she tried to get away. Officers had to force Brown into a patrol car. He remains jailed on 20 thousand dollars bail.
DANVILLE WOMAN HIT BY CAR
A 72-year-old woman was hospitalized after being hit by a car late Wednesday morning on Bloom Road in Danville. The Press-Enterprise reports police say Donna Ranck stepped into the Bloom Road and Huntington Avenue intersection without looking, and the driver, 57-year-old Jeffrey Yordy of Millville, couldn’t stop in time. Ranck was conscious as she was taken to Geisinger, where she remains in critical but stable condition. The crash shut down the road for about 30 minutes.
PHONE HEARINGS OFFERED BY UTILITY COMMISSION OVER RATE INCREASE
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will hold four in-person and two telephone hearings in December on PPL Electric Utilities’ proposed 7 percent residential rate increase. PPL is seeking a 356.3 million dollar annual hike that would raise a typical monthly bill for 918 kilowatt-hours a little over 10 dollars for its 1.5 million customers in 29 counties. Hearings run December 8th through 11th in Scranton, Catasauqua, Harrisburg and Lancaster, with phone hearings December 15. Residents can register to testify through the PUC or Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate before a final decision July 1.
FREE CHRISTMAS EVENT AT CENTRAL MOUNTAIN
The Kiwanis Club of Bald Eagle and Nittany Valleys is inviting families to a free “Polar Express” Christmas celebration Sunday, December 7th, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Central Mountain Middle School. The event is geared toward kids 12 and under, with free children’s books, crafts, treats, a basket raffle, and a chance to write letters to Santa and meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Families can earn an extra raffle ticket by bringing nonperishable food donations for local food banks.
SPORTS
NFL Thursday Night Football
Texans 23 Bills 19
NFL Sunday
Steelers vs Bears 1pm CBS
Eagles vs Cowboys 4:25pm FOX
Buccaneers vs Rams 8:20pm NBC/Peacock
NCAA Football Saturday
Rutgers vs Ohio St 12pm FOX
Miami vs Cirginia Tech 12pm ESPN
Syracuse vs Notre Dame 3:30pm NBC/Peacock
Tulane vs Temple 3:34pm ESPNU
Michigan vs Maryland 4pm BTN
Pitt vs Georgia Tech 7pm ESPN
Nebraska vs Penn State 7pm NBC
NBA
Magic 129 Clippers 101
Grizzlies 137 Kings 96
76ers 123 Bucks 114
Spurs 135 Hawks 126
NBA Tonight – NBA Cup
Pacers vs Cavaliers 7pm PrimeVid
Nets vs Celtics 7:30pm
Wizards vs Raptors 7:30pm
Heat vs Bulls 8pm
Timberwolves vs Suns 9pm
Nuggets vs Rockets 9:30pm PrimeVid
Trail Blazers vs Warriors 10pm
NHL
Capitals 8 Canadiens 4
Islanders 5 Red Wings 0
Panthers 1 Devils 0
Flyers 3 Blues 2
Kraken 3 Blackhawks 2
Avalanche 6 Rangers 3
Senators 3 Ducks 2
NHL Tonight
Blackhawks vs Sabres 7pm ESPN+
Wild vs Penguins 7pm NHLNet
Hurricanes vs Jets 8pm ESPN+
Bruins vs Kings 10:30pm ESPN+
Comments