Lycoming County Commissioners announced this week that the decision to wear masks inside county buildings will now be up to the individual and not required as a policy going forward. The commissioners cited the lower case numbers in Lycoming County, 175 as of yesterday, is positively significant, but according to the Sun Gazette, if the numbers of covid-19 cases begin to rise, Commissioner Rick Mirabito said there will be talk of wearing masks again.
In an attempt to eliminate favoritism and level the field concerning police officer promotions in the city, Williamsport City Council’s finance committee recommended a police consulting agreement with the PA Chiefs Association to proctor the tests providing a fair promotion opportunity for all officers. According to the Sun Gazette, promotional decisions are made within the department , but Police Chief Damon Hagan said the process lets the best officers receive recognition. The agreement now goes to City Council for review.
Parking will be enforced again in Williamsport on Monday according to Williamsport Parking Authority officials. All parking meters and permits on streets and in parking lots will be active again except for select meters in the Central Business District that will be designated for limited parking for curbside pickups of food and other items. Parking was not enforced during the red, yellow and some of the green phases of the state’s plan to safely reopen after COVID-19. The parking authority will meet in July to discuss an economic recovery plan following the crisis.
Navigating the Williamsport Fourth of July fireworks plan that saw a couple location changes in recent weeks after wildlife concerns and local ordinances caused a scramble for organizers, but Backyard Broadcasting was authorized this week to hold the 25th Annual Set the Night To Music 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds, in Hughesville. The public is invited to attend a park and watch event while being parked in a socially distanced manner near the fairgrounds by the members of the Lycoming County Fire Police Association. Gates will open at 7pm Saturday night July 4th with the show and the radio soundtrack to begin at 9:40pm.
Some of the Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter’s cabinet positions and full-time city jobs are slated to be filled within the next few weeks. According to the Sun Gazette, the mayor announced Wednesday that they are seeking candidates for director of the Community and Economic Development department, River Valley Transit and city finance director. Council will be reposting the position of director of the Community and Economic Development department after some previously interested candidates did not fulfill residency requirements. The current director, Stephanie Young is expected to retire this year.
A Virginia man was killed Tuesday in a fatal accident in the Beaver Springs area of Snyder County. According to State police 31-year-old Jerel Harris of Madison Heights, Va. died in the 6:30am crash.b Troopers say the wreck on Route 235 just south of Beaver Springs happened when Harris’ truck was driving north, descending a hill, and lost control. The truck overturned, hit a guardrail and came to rest on its side. The Snyder County coroner says Harris died at the scene of that crash.Volunteers from the Beaver Springs, Beavertown, and Middleburg assisted troopers at the scene. Harris was not wearing a seatbelt according to troopers.
The PA state House and Senate started passing legislation yesterday that was begun over recent police brutality cases, including legislation designed to prevent “bad apples” from continuing to find employment in police departments. The bills involve use of force reports, a written use-of-force policy with a ban on the use of choke holds, applicant background checks and disclosure of job history, as well as biannual training on de-escalation and racial sensitivity. According to a press release, Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission is to maintain an electronic database containing that information. All four of the bills passed Wednesday still require approval from the other chamber before going to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf.
The district superintendent of the Loyalsock Township School District will serve as the district’s new pandemic coordinator. According to the Sun Gazette, the school has also approved their required health and safety plan that will provide guidelines for students and families during the reopening of schools this fall as well as guidelines for athletics and music practices starting over the summer. All schools in Pennsylvania must provide a plan for each individual board to approve which is then posted on the school’s website for public viewing and then submitted to the PA Department of Education.
SPORTS
NHL
The Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced a six-member class for 2020, including Canadian goaltender Kim St-Pierre in the women’s category; and Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland in the builder category. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 16 in Toronto, but it’s unclear whether it will happen. The NHL is working on resuming its season after suspending play in March, with the playoffs potentially extending into October and delaying the start of next season until December or January.
MLS
Major League Soccer is soon to restart, the “MLS is Back” Tournament kicks off July 8 in Florida. The regular season will resume in a tournament format at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort, just outside Orlando. All 26 clubs will take part, as the league breaks them up into five groups of four and one group of six.
The New York City Marathon was canceled yesterday, with organizers and city officials deciding that holding the race on Nov. 1 would be too risky. Organizers announced the cancellation of the 50th anniversary edition of the world’s largest marathon after coordinating with local government and deciding that the race posed too many health and safety concerns for all involved.
This year’s Berlin Marathon in Germany, also cancelled, with authorities in Germany blocking the hosting of all major events through October. That marathon was scheduled for Sept. 27.
