CYS WORKER CHARGED WITH INTERFERING WITH HER FAMILY’S CASE
A former Northumberland County Children and Youth Services employee is facing charges after allegedly trying to interfere in a child abuse investigation involving her own family. According to North Central PA dot com, police say 42-year-old Keira Ruiz Ruiz of Sunbury used her county email to contact doctors at Geisinger, claiming her 5-month-old grandson’s broken ribs were caused by vitamin deficiencies or even dogs, without disclosing she was the child’s grandmother. Investigators allege the infant’s father, 23-year-old Jeremy Erb Jr., admitted to squeezing the baby, breaking ribs on multiple occasions. Erb remains jailed on felony assault charges. Ruiz is charged with impersonating a public servant, evidence tampering, and obstruction. Her hearing is set for September 15.
NEW CHARGES FILED AFTER SOME CHARGES PREVIOUSLY DROPPED
A 41-year-old man is facing new charges months after an alleged assault on his estranged wife. According to North Central PA dot com, State Police say Matthew William Fox punched the woman in the head several times during a February 19 argument at their New Columbia Road home. He was initially charged with simple assault and harassment, but those charges were later dropped and have now been refiled. Prosecutors also added a felony count after investigators say Fox illegally recorded one of the victim’s cell phone calls in March. Fox is scheduled for a preliminary hearing September 30th.
PROPERTY REASSESSMENT MEETING IN HUGHESVILLE
Tyler Technologies, the firm handling the county’s property reassessment, will host an informational meeting next Monday, August 25th, from 6 to 7pm at the Hughesville Public Library, 146 South Fifth Street. Residents are encouraged to attend and bring any questions or concerns about the process. Officials say this is the first comprehensive review of property values in over 20 years, and since market values have shifted significantly, some owners may currently be paying too much—or too little.
LITTLE LEAGUE KIDS MEET MLB PLAYERS BEFORE MLB CLASSIC
Major League baseball stars touched down at Montoursville Airport this weekend, greeted by lots of Little League players. According to the Sun Gazette, the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners arrived for the MLB Little League Classic and were welcomed with cheering kids, homemade signs, and even cardboard cutouts of the players as children. Players posed for photos, signed hats and cards, and even rode the buses back to Williamsport with the Little Leaguers — a once-in-a-lifetime experience connecting baseball’s biggest names with its youngest dreamers.
WHITE DEER EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
A kitchen supervisor at White Deer Run is accused of sexually assaulting a patient on the day she was discharged from the treatment facility. According to North Central PA dot com, State police say 51-year-old Victor Roberto Cotto of Millheim allegedly locked the woman in his office April 29, assaulted her, then apologized and gave her a stuffed toy as a gift. The victim reported the attack in June, Cotto denies he had any contact with the woman. He faces multiple felony charges, including rape and institutional sexual assault. Bail is set at $150,000 unsecured, with a preliminary hearing August 26.
CONVICTED DOCTOR LOSES APPEAL
A former Mount Carmel doctor who pleaded guilty to running a “pill mill” has lost another appeal. According to the News Item, 63 year old Raymond Kraynak, was convicted of distributing massive quantities of opioids, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, OxyContin, and fentanyl, from 2014 to 2017, making him the state’s top prescriber during that period. Kraynak had argued his attorneys provided ineffective counsel and claimed the court tampered with hearing transcripts, but Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann called the allegations “bizarre” and “self-serving.” Kraynak’s 15-year federal prison sentence remains in place, with evidence showing he recklessly prescribed drugs despite clear signs of danger to patients.
ONLINE PARDON SYSTEM LAUNCHED IN PA
Pennsylvania has launched an online pardon application system, making it one of the first states to digitize the process for clearing criminal records. According to Spotlight PA, thousands of residents apply each year, but the old paper system often took years and burdened staff. Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration, working with the state’s new Office of Digital Experience, says the online portal will speed up reviews and expand access, with forms available in 18 languages. At this time, more than 240 people have already applied since the launch.
PFA FORUM COMING TO CENTRAL COLUMBIA Columbia County residents will get a chance to learn more about PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals” that don’t break down in the environment and have been detected in water supplies worldwide. According to North Central PA dot com, Penn State Extension is hosting a free public forum on the issue Thursday, August 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Central Columbia Middle School. Organizers encourage advance registration for the free event. Go online to register – extension.psu.edu
SPORTS
Little League World Series Sunday
Northwest (Bonney lake WA) 3 New England (Braintree, MA) 2
Canada 12 Australia 0
West (Hawaii) 9 Great Lakes (Clarendon Hills, Chicago IL) 1
Mexico 2 Panama 1
LLWS Today
Japan vs Latin America (Venezuela) 1pm Volunteer
Southeast (Irmo, SC) vs Mountain (Las Vegas NV) 3pm Lamade
Caribbean (Aruba) vs Asia Pacific (Chinese Taipei) 5pm Volunteer
Metro (Fairfield CT) vs Midwest (Sioux Falls SD) 7pm Lamade
Little League Classic
Mets 7 Mariners 3
MLB
Phillies 11 Nationals 9
Braves 5 Guardians 4
Orioles 12 Astros 0
Yankees 8 Cardinals 4
Cubs 4 Pirates 3
Dodgers 5 Padres 4
MLB Today
Brewers vs Cubs 2:20pm
Blue Jays vs Pirates 6:40pm
Mariners vs Phillies 6:45pm MLBN
Orioles vs Red Sox 7:10pm
Dodgers vs Rockies 8:40pm
NASCAR
Cookout 400 Richmond, VA
* Austin Dillon, who led 107 of 400 laps, won by 2.471 seconds over Alex Bowman and secured his playoff spot. Ryan Blaney was third, followed by Joey Logano and Austin Cindric rounding out the top 5.
* Driving with a broken rib, it was a redemptive triumph for Dillon, whose championship eligibility was revoked by NASCAR last year after he wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap to win at Richmond.
NFL PreSeason Sunday
Jaguars 17 Saints 17
Bears 38 Bills 0
NFL PreSeason Tonight
Bengals vs Commanders 8pm ESPN
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