MAN SEEKING “DEATH BY COP” INJURES TROOPERS
A man who provoked two state troopers with knives wanting to die by suicide by cop, injured the two officers and was taken into custody this week. According to the Daily Item, Michael W. Hartzell, of Pepper Hills Road in Cooper Township, was throwing knives at family members, who then called police around 7pm Tuesday. After Cpl. Joshua Herman and Tpr. James Gutierrez arrived on the scene Hartzell struggled with them during handcuffing and the officers arms were cut. Hartzell was arraigned in Millville District court and committed to the Montour County Jail in lieu of $125,000 bail.
ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING AT BLOOMSBURG
Residents near Bloomsburg University heard gunfire from a simulated gunfire training exercise on campus yesterday afternoon after 1pm, according to Bloomsburg University Director of Communication Tom McGuire. According to WBRE, The training was offered by Louisiana State University National Center for Biomedical Research and Training and is congressionally funded so it can be offered for free 47 people spent the day at a ‘Run, Fight, Hide’ training, learning what to do if they ever faced an active shooter.
COUNCIL WILL REVIEW PROPOSAL OF LEGAL SERVICES
On the agenda for Williamsport City Council meeting tonight is a review of resolutions that include a proposal to name a primary tax appeal hearing officer. According to the Sun Gazette, some council members reviewed the proposal and some say it will provide better and local tax collection for residents and businesses. They will consider local attorney Fred Holland, as well as consider the retention of the law firm, Murphy, Butterfield and Holland for potential future legal services at $150 an hour bringing it back in-house instead of hiring a service at 55 thousand dollars a year for 7 years.
WARMING CENTER OPENS FOR THE HOMELESS
An overnight warming center opened up this week for a third year to serve the homeless in Williamsport. First United Methodist Church will provide those in need with food and a safe sleeping space through the winter until March 13th with the Code Blue Warming Center. According to the Sun Gazette, the center opens at 9pm each night through 7:30am where volunteers staff the facility and provide food for those who stay. The church also assists the American Rescue Workers when they are at capacity, taking referrals each evening.
LAWMAKER UNVEILS AG LEGISLATION FARM SHOW
Yesterday during elected officials day at the PA Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the opening of the last 2019 PA Farm Bill grant, the $1 million Farm Vitality Grant Program aiming to enhance the long-term health and vitality of Pennsylvania’s family farms. It’s Veterans, Military & Their Families Day today at the 104th Annual Farm Show in Harrisburg. The Farm Show runs through Satuday Janaury 11th and admission is free with paid parking.
BENTON WOMAN KILLED IN ACCIDENT
One woman was killed and a man injured after an accident in Columbia County Tuesday. Victoria Dawson of Benton was killed when 33-year-old Jason Musselman of Benton was on Green Creek Road around 10:30am when he lost control and went off the road and hit a tree. Benton was pronounced dead by a local coroner and Musselman was flown to Geisinger and is in critical condition. According to State police, Medevac based in Altoona and the Geisinger EMS plus volunteers from Benton and Millville fire companies assisted at the scene.
PENNDOT JOB FAIR COMING NEXT WEEK
There will be another PennDOT job fair and open house next Wednesday at the PennDOt Engineeering Offic on Jordan Avenue in Montoursville. Come to talk about a career with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and see the Design, Construction, and Maintenance units displays and demonstrations, plus info on current projects and job opportunities. The job fair and open house is1pm to 8pm on January 15th and is available to persons with disabilities, those who need assistance cancontact the PennDOT District 3-0 office at 570-368-4204.
CAC NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
There is a new Executive Director coming aboard at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport. According to a press release from CAC, Chuck Still, is formerly the founding executive director of Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston in Houston, Texas, and will bring his 30 years of expertise and a variety of new shows and new programs to the community. Still said he hopes to make positive changes to the theater and continue to be one of the premiere cultural organizations in the area.
THREE PIZZA PLACES IN PENNSYLVANIA IN THE TOP 25
A travel website ranks three area pizza places as the top 25 best pizza shops in Pennsylvania. Big Seven Travel dot com ranked Williamsport’s The Stonehouse at number 8, and Bart’s Pizzeria also in Williamsport is at 13, and Mifflin Pizza in Mifflinville came in at number 23. According to their website, rankings were based on critical and editorial opinions, presentation, dollar value, atmosphere, and online customer reviews.
Sports
NBA
Raptors beat the Hornets 112 to 110, Heat beat the Pacers 122 to 108, Spurs beat the Celtics 129 to 114, Magic beat the Wizards 123 to 89, Nuggets beat the Mavericks 107 to 106, Rockets beat the Hawks 122 to 115, Pelicans beat the Bulls 123 to 108, Jazz beat the Knicks 128 to 104, and Bucks beat the Warriors 107 to 98
NHL
Jets beat the Maple Leafs 4 to 3, Flyers over the Capitals 3 to 2, and Stars beat the Kings 2 to 1
Men’s basketball
Lock Haven beat Mansfield 79 to 59, Albright beat Lycoming 73 to 68
Women’s basketball
Lock Haven beat Mansfield 76 to 47, Albright beat Lycoming 92 to 88 (OT)
HS Girls Basketball
Montoursville beat Midd-West 59 to 42, Central Columbia beat Warrior Run 46 to 37, Mount Carmel beat Hughesville 50 to 28
HS Boys Basketball
Wellsboro beat Sayre 80 to 42, Mount Carmel over Hughesville 58 to 52, North Penn Liberty defeated Towanda 63 to 33, North Penn Mansfield beat Williamson 68 to 28, and Troy beat Canton 59 to 55
