POLICE CHASE WOMEN AFTER SHOPLIFTLING
Police stopped two women who stole merchandise from a Selinsgrove department store last weekend and they were both were in district court this week.   According to State troopers, 50-year-old Shari Weaver and 30 year old Sarah Karpinski of Shamokin, stole more than 80 dollars-worth of items and fled the Kohl’s Department Store after employees there tried to stop them.  Troopers found the merchandise in the car when they stopped the women after they fled from Marketplace Boulevard. Weaver  was arraigned and released on bail and Karpinski was charged with a misdemeanor.

SHOTS FIRED IN MANSFIELD
Police in Mansfield Borough reported gunshots along the South Main Street area near Smythe Park last night, and requested assistance from area law enforcement for the investigation.  According to North Central PA dot com, an on-duty officer heard the shots near the park at Route 6, but upon investigation, found that a suspect had fled the scene.  According to social media reports there is no threat to the public.  Mansfield University released information that they couldnot confirm a credible threat.  If the public has information about a shooting in Mansfield please call local police.

FIRE TAX APPROVED IN WOODWARD TOWNSHIP
Despite some residents being against it, the Woodward Township supervisors this week approved a fire tax for 2020 at 1 mill based on a home’s assessed value.  The tax will be implemented this year and generate approximately $137,000 for the fire company. The money will be controlled by the supervisors in a separate bank account and can be requested by fire company officials after being approved by the supervisors.  Other topics discussed include the sale of the sewer authority building at 21 Oriole Road as well as moving the police department to the fire hall building. The discussion will continue at the next meeting on Feb. 18.

PUBLIC MEETING ADDRESSES HOSPITAL CLOSURE
The Sunbury City Council held a public meeting last night to address the closing of UPMC Susquehanna.  Local leaders addressed the crowd citing the seriousness of the emergency room closing.  EMS officials in attendance talked of solutions for travels times when patients will need transport to Muncy, Lewisburg and Danville.  Other officials offered employment opportunities at the meeting.

COMMERCIAL ENTITIES TO PAY FOR PUBLIC RECORDS
The State House on Tuesday voted 177-15 to approve legislation that would allow state and local governments to charge businesses for public records. According to the Tribune Democrat, municipal offices aren’t equipped to handle the volume of information regularly sought by commercial record requesters. There is controversy about the bill over the state’s Right to Know law, but legislation was amended in the State Government committee so journalists and academic researchers don’t have to pay, but it will allow for fees for commercial records requests.

COMMISSIONERS ASK FOR MORE FUNDING THROUGH SFPP
A letter of support was approved by the Centre County commissioners yesterday asking Governor Tom Wolf to increase an allocation for the county for the State Food Purchase Program.  According to the Lock Haven Express, Adult Services Director Faith Ryan said many families rely on food banks to feed their families yet, Centre County has seen a decrease in its SFPP funds over the years – with Pennsylvania losing almost 600 thousand dollars in funding since 2005.  The letter of support asks that $36 million almost double the current allocation.  The next commissioners meeting is Jan. 28 at the Willowbank Building in Bellefonte.

SOIL REMEDIATION CONTINUES THIS WEEK
Watch for alternating lane closures as the road work and soil remediation continues this week on I-80 westbound in Union County.  According to PennDOT The work will take place today through Friday,  7am to 5pm  in White Deer Township around mile marker 202.  There will be crews flagging and blocking left lane. You can follow PennDOT on Twitter @511PAAltoona

DONOR HELPS SHAMOKIN SCHOOL DISTRICT
An anonymous donor has given a 250,000 gift to help fund new turf for the the Shamokin Area School District varsity football field.  According to the News Item a former student donated the funds for the Kemp Memorial Stadium turf.  The donation was accepted at the school board meeting yesterday and a contract to install replacement turf was approved.
Sports
NBA  – Clippers beat the Mavericks 110 to 107
NHL
Bruins beat the Golden Knights 3 to 2, the Islanders beat the Rangers 4-2, Hurricanes over the Jets 4-1, Flyers beat the Penguins 3 to nothing, Panthers over the Blackhawks 4 to 3
HS Girls Basketball
Hughesville beat South Williamsport 36-34, Muncy beat CMVT 59-27, Sullivan County beat Benton 48-38, Montoursville beat Lewisburg 55-47, Loyalsock over Mount Carmel 45 to 40, and Millville beat Montgomery 54 to 47, Saint John Neumann over Bucktail 31 to 24, Jersey Shore beat Milton 51 to 36, Shamokin beat Warrior Run 57 to 55, Galeton over Smethport 20 to 18,
HS Boys Basketball
St. John Neumann beat Millville 53 to 50, North Penn Mansfield beat Wellsboro 66 to 60, Canton beat North East Bradford 57-49,  North Penn Liberty beat Sayre 52 to 49,
Swimming
Girls -Bloomsburg defeated Jersey shore 104 to 79,
Boys – Bloomsburg over Jersey Shore 88 to 54,
HS Wrestling
Canton beat Towanda 45-27, Montgomery over South Williamsport 30 to 21, Milton beat Lewisburg 42 to 27, Montoursville beat Warrior Run 51 to 19, Central Mountain beat Selinsgrove 36 to 30, Williamsport over Danville 63 to 18
Men’s Basketball
Penn college beat PSU Berks 90 to 70,
Women’s Basketball
PSU Berks beat Penn College 57 to 37
Major League Baseball – Derek Jeter has been selected for entry into the major-league baseball Hall of Fame for 2020 – one vote short of being a unanimous selection.