POLICE INVESTIGATE PENN TOWNSHIP HOMICIDE-SUICIDE
On Tuesday morning, a Hughesville man shot his girlfriend, called an ambulance alleging a sick child needed help at their Mount Zion Hill Road house, and then shot and killed himself, with children nearby, police reports allege. According to the Sun Gazette, 36 year old Wesley Minier and 29 year old Kristin Paige Walter were found deceased in different rooms of the home when emergency crews arrived, who found two children safe and took them into custody. Minier had been free on bail from drug charges he faced from a year ago and was scheduled to plead guilty in Lycoming County Court later this month. A police investigation blocked the roadway in Penn Township near Beaver Lake Road from just after 6am, but was opened after the police investigation was complete around 11am yesterday.
CORONAVIRUS TALK ON THE FOREFRONT LOCALLY
Many organizations and groups are taking precautions locally to combat the spread of the coronavirus should it make it close to home. West Branch School was closed Tuesday according to social media since there were so many absences from a stomach flu, they opted to close and clean the facilities. The Lycoming County Department of Public Safety issued a statement that they are actively monitoring developments from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide the most current information. UPMC Susquehanna spokesman Tyler Wagner confirmed Tuesday that there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus across the health system. The Diocese of Scranton also announced precautions for the celebration of Mass in the 11 counties of the Diocese- opting for no-contact.
WILLIAMSPORT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
A full agenda of business was discussed at the Williamsport Area School Board meeting last night, including talks about budget season. According to the Sun Gazette, Superintendent Dr. Timothy S. Bowers said he will address individual principals and departments to prepare. Bowers also made an announcement that there is a career fair at the school March 12th and they are still seeking any organizations or companies who would like to participate in the WAHS Career Fair next Thursday.
LYCO STUDENT NAMED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Lycoming College freshman Dyson Harward, who recently lead the MAC Commonwealth and set a new basketball program record with 64 blocked shots, was named the City of Basketball Love Division III Rookie of the Year. His coach, Mike McGarvey, was elected honorable mention coach of the year. According to the Sun Gazette, McGarvey will lead the Warriors into the first round of the NCAA championship Friday in Wooster, Ohio to play 15th ranked Elmhurst at 4 PM.
THREE CHARGED FOR ROBBERY ATTACHED TO A MURDER CASE
After an investigation into a 2018 Coal Township murder, three men who allegedly made false statements to authorities are also facing robbery charges. According to the Daily Item, John Feather, of Shamokin, Seth Lytle, of Middleburg, and Madison Collins, of Coal Township, were all charged Tuesday. The three allegedly set up another man, David Rivera, in a drug deal January 24, 2018 with a plan to rob him. Police say, another actor, 19-year-old Sabian Ebersole was arrested for the murder of RIvera. Ebersole has since plead guilty in Northumberland County court to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a 3-to-6-year sentence.
PA INCREASING TESTING CAPABILITIES FOR CORONAVIRUS
According to the Pennsylvania state health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, a state laboratory is now able to handle about six tests per day for the new coronavirus that’s moving across the globe. Levine says equipment is on the way that should increase its testing capacity and that private labs are likely to soon get federal permission to do testing. Levine says people who fear they may have COVID-19 should call their doctor or hospital. Those health care workers can take a sample if testing is necessary.
NORTHUMBERLAND ADDED TO PEST QUARANTINE LIST
A dozen Pennsylvania counties, including Northumberland, have been added to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone ahead of the 2020 spring hatch. The quarantine for this invasive pest now covers 26 counties. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said today that the new counties have a few municipalities with a known infestation which led to a quarantine being placed on the entire county out of an abundance of caution. Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Columbia, Cumberland, Huntingdon, Juniata, Luzerne, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, and York have been added to the quarantine for 2020. Quick, aggressive treatment to newly identified populations of Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania was funded through the Rapid Response Disaster Readiness line of Governor Wolf’s 2019 PA Farm Bill. The 2020 PA Farm Bill proposes another $3 million to combat the invasive pest.
REAL-ID RESPONSE BETTER THAN EXPECTED IN PA
PennDOT says that Pennsylvania is going to meet the projected demand numbers for REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and photo ID cards. PennDOT projected that 1.3 million of its customers would get a REAL ID prior to the federal deadline of October 1, 2020. Since last March 1, 2019 PennDOT has processed about 2.7 million customers, with more than 826,000 individuals choosing to opt in to the REAL ID program. Residents are encouraged to get the REAL ID if they want one as soon as possible.
Sports
NBA
Spurs beat the Hornets 104 to 103, Nets beat the Celtics at 129 to120 Timberwolves defeated the Pelicans 139 to 134, Clippers over Thunder 109 to 94, Warriors beat Nuggets 116 to 100, Raptors over the Suns 123 to 114, Lakers beat the 76ers 120 to 107, Kings over the Wizards 133 to 126
NHL
Canadians beat the Islanders 6 to 2, Blues over the Rangers 3 to 1, Penguins beat the Senators 7-3, Bruins over Lightning 2 to 1, Wild beat Predators 3 to 1, Jets over the Sabres 3 to 1, Blackhawks beat the Ducks 6-2, Oilers over Stars 2 to 1, Golden Knights blanked the Devils 3-nothing, and Sharks over Maple Leafs 5-2
Men’s Basketball
Bucknell beat Holy Cross 65-62, Michigan State beat Penn State 79-71
