WILLIAMSPORT MAYOR WILL DENY PERMITS IN JULY
As Lycoming County navigates through the green phase of Governor Tom Wolf’s reopening plan for Pennsylvania, Williamsport City Council voted this week to allow Mayor Derek Slaughter’s pandemic declaration to expire and will follow the state’s recommendations. As a result, Mayor Slaughter said he will deny permits for all mass gatherings during July. According to the Sun Gazette, this would negate the proposed meeting date of July 18th for the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement rally, considering applying for another permit after the event in April was postponed.
MORE COUNTIES TO GO GREEN
Governor Tom Wolf announced yesterday that eight more counties will move to the green phase of reopening next on Friday, June 19th . These counties include Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike, and Schuylkill. As of today, there are 46 counties in green and 21 in yellow. Governor Wolf announced a new dashboard on the Department of Health website, to further enhance data on demographics of cases, demographics of deaths and the reopening status.
GOVERNOR DOESN’T SIGN MEASURE TO REOPEN PENNSYLVANIA
The Pennsylvania General Assembly voted to end Wolf’s emergency declaration this week even as Wolf said nothing but services available to those affected by COVID-19 would be in jeopardy if he lifted his order, and has refused to sign it. That means the measure remains legally alive and according to a statement from the PA Department of Health, helps control the spread of the virus which is spiking in several other states in reopening phases. With Lycoming County in the green phase, the governor recommends that no more than 250 people gather at any public event. Telework is encouraged but not necessary and masks should be worn in stores and in locations with several people in close proximity such as businesses and work place environments.
MISSING CHILDREN LAST SEEN IN DANVILLE
The Riverside Borough Police Department in Northumberland County, is searching for 4-year-old boy dark brown hair, brown eyes, and 3 month old girl also with dark brown hair and brown eyes who were last seen on 11th Street in Danville, last Thursday at 4:00 PM. The children were reported to be with their 39 year old mother, in a 2012 purple Toyota Scion, with Virginia tags. According to police they believe the children may be at special risk of harm or injury, if you have information call 911 or the Riverside Borough Police department.
WILLIAMSPORT FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS LOCATION
It was announced this week that Backyard Broadcasting’s 25th Annual Fireworks Celebration is a go for Saturday, July 4th at 9:40pm. Due to temporary state restrictions the firing location has changed and does not allow parking vendors or on site-gatherings. But the public in most of Williamsport’s west end, South Williamsport, Newberry, Duboistown and many higher elevations in and around the city will be able to view the fireworks that will be shot from west of the Maynard St. Bridge in the old Susquehanna Supply Co. lot just west of Bayard Communications.
Sports
MiLB
The 2020 season for the New York Penn League has been delayed indefinitely due to COVID-19 according to a press release from the league. This Thursday the season was to begin with the State College Spikes hosting the Williamsport Crosscutters.IN a statement from the NY Penn League they will continue to monitor the situation and work with our Major League Baseball affiliates, while adhering to local reopening guidelines.
COLLEGE WRESTLING
Montoursville graduate and three-time state placewinner Garrett Hoffman who wrestled as a true freshman at Bucknell and suffered serious knee-injuries will spend his final year of eligibility at Indiana University to wrestle as a graduate student for Hoosier coach Angel Escobedo. Hoffman has already graduated from Bucknell, so he can go to Indiana without having to sit out a season and will be enrolled in a graduate program for business
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
The University of Houston has suspended voluntary workouts for all student-athletes after six symptomatic student-athletes in various sports tested positive for the coronavirus as the Houston area has seen a recent surge of positive tests. In a statement Friday, the university athletic department said it was suspending the activities “out of an abundance of caution.” The school said the symptomatic student-athletes had been placed in isolation and contact tracing procedures have been initiated.
