OBSTRUCTION CHARGE FOR GA TEACHER WHO WON’T GIVE VOICE SAMPLE
A former Georgia teacher already jailed on child exploitation charges is now facing additional charges in Lycoming County for obstructing a police investigation. According to North Central PA dot com, 45-year-old Eric Burton of Kennesaw, GA refused to comply with multiple court-approved search warrants requiring him to record his voice for comparison with audio from a fake Snapchat account used to contact minors. Investigators allege Burton posed as a teenager to solicit explicit photos and videos from children, including one victim in Lycoming County. He now faces an additional felony obstruction charge, with bail set at $25,000 on top of the $500,000 already imposed for his earlier offenses.
LOCAL BARTENDER SERVING SHORT DUI SENTENCE KILLED BY CELLMATE
The Williamsport community is mourning the loss of Erick Gainer, a well-known bartender at The Brickyard Restaurant & Ale House, who was reportedly killed by his cellmate at the Cumberland County Prison. According to North Central PA dot com, 41 year old Gainer was fatally assaulted on October 22, just days after beginning a short jail sentence for DUI. His accused attacker, 33-year-old Dangelo Nowlin, faces homicide charges. The Brickyard will honor Gainer’s memory with a gathering tonight from 4 to 6pm.
FLUORIDE DEBATE IN SUNBURY CONTINUES
Sunbury city leaders are urging the municipal authority to reconsider its decision to remove fluoride from the city’s water system. According to the Daily Item, at Monday night’s council meeting, two local dentists warned that ending fluoridation would harm community dental health. Councilman Jim Eister and Mayor Josh Brosious said the authority should slow down and research alternatives, including switching to liquid fluoride, which Lara estimated would cost about $98,000. Authority members maintain their decision was based solely on employee safety concerns handling powdered fluoride, not financial reasons.
NO PARADE THURSDAY IN MONTGOMERY, TRICK OR TREATING IS ON
With regret, the Montgomery Lions Club has announced the cancellation of Thursday night’s annual Halloween Parade due to expected rain and potential safety concerns. Parade officials say the decision came on the recommendation of emergency management authorities, citing a forecast calling for rain throughout the day. However, trick-or-treating in Montgomery will still go on as planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., though families are urged to monitor the weather. Parade organizers expressed disappointment but hope for clearer skies for Friday night’s Red Raiders game.
LANGHORNE MAN IN FATAL SULLIVAN COUNTY CRASH
State police say a Langhorne man was killed Saturday afternoon in a crash along Route 87 in Sullivan County. According to North Central PA dot com, troopers from the Laporte barracks report 54-year-old Michael Hanley lost control of his pickup on a curve north of Holly Hill Road in Colley Township around 4 p.m. His GMC Sierra went off the road and struck several trees before crashing head-on into one about 45 feet from the highway. Hanley was pronounced dead at the scene. State police are continuing their investigation.
LOCAL SCHOOL BRINGS BACK FORMER CONTROVERSIAL COACH FOR FOOTBALL CONSULTANT
A divided Warrior Run School Board has approved former teacher and coach Scott Shaffer as a volunteer football consultant, despite his past loss of a state teaching certificate over sexual misconduct. According to North Central PA dot com, the board voted 5-4 Monday night after residents voiced opposition, citing the 2020 state order that permanently revoked Shaffer’s certification for inappropriate relationships with students at CMVT. Head Coach Derrick Zechman defended Shaffer, saying he passed background checks and was never criminally charged. Shaffer will assist from the press box on game nights and will not interact with students. Opponents argued the move risks the district’s integrity and student safety.
NEW BILL WILL NOTIFY PARENTS OF A WEAPON INCIDENT AT SCHOOL
Pennsylvania lawmakers have approved a bill requiring schools to notify parents and staff within 24 hours of any weapons incident on campus, buses, or at school events. According to a news release, Senate Bill 246, now on Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Lawmakers say the measure was inspired by a Lehigh Valley case where parents learned of a weapons incident only from police reports. Supporters say the law will create consistent statewide communication and greater transparency in protecting students and staff. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment.
PART OF I-180 NAMED FOR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER
A section of Interstate 180 in Lycoming County now bears the name Kenneth C. Larson Jr. Memorial Highway, honoring a veteran and visionary engineer who helped shape Pennsylvania’s transportation network. State Senator Gene Yaw says Larson’s decades of leadership at PennDOT and beyond left a lasting mark on regional development. A Bucknell graduate and Navy veteran, Larson also co-founded the Larson Design Group in Williamsport. His family says the dedication reflects not only his professional legacy but his lifelong devotion to community and family.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Soccer Playoffs
Class 2A Girls
Central Columbia 6 Warrior Run 1
Troy 1 Hughesville 0
Girls Soccer Playoffs today
Class 1A
South Wmspt vs So Columbia @ Milton 6pm
Line Mt vs Muncy @ Shikellamy 6pm
Boys Soccer Playoffs Today
Class 1A
So Columbia vs Benton @Milton 8pm
Northumberland Christian vs Millville @Shikellamy 8pm
Class 2A
Central Columbia vs Midd-West @Balls Mills 6pm
Montoursville vs Lewisburg @ Balls Mills 8pm
NFL Monday Night Football
Chiefs 28 Commanders 7
NFL Thursday Night Football
Ravens vs Dolphins 8:15pm
MLB World Series Game 3
Dodgers 6 Blue Jays 5 LA leads 2-1
MLB World Series Game 4
Blue Jays vs Dodgers 8pm FOX
NBA
Cavaliers 116 Pistons 95
76ers 136 Magic 124
Rockets 137 Nets 109
Celtics 122 Pelicans 90
Spurs 121 Raptors 103
Thunder 101 Mavericks 94
Jazz 138 Suns 134
Warriors 131 Grizzlies 118
Trail Blazers 122 Lakers 108
NBA Tonight
76ers vs Wizards 7pm
Hornets vs Heat 7:30pm
Knicks vs Bucks 8pm NBC/Peacock
Kings vs Thunder 8pm
Clippers vs Warriors 11pm NBC/Peacock
NHL
Penguins 6 Blues 3
Senators 7 Bruins 2
NHL Tonight
Penguins vs Flyers 6pm ESPN
Islanders vs Bruins 7:15pm ESPN+
Capitals vs Stars 8:30pm ESPN
Rangers vs Canucks 10pm ESPN+
Kings vs Sharks 11pm ESPN
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