WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCILS HIRES ECONOMIC EXPERT
City Council hired an economic analytic expert Thursday. According to the Sun Gazette, Vijay Kapoor, president of Kapoor Company, will assist the city administration as it prepares for possible arbitration with the Bureau of Fire union in August. Kapoor will be paid no more than $16,500 to perform what he said is a granular, high-end analysis using compensation comparisons from cities across Pennsylvania. Mayor Derek Slaughter also said that Kapoor will also be used by the city in preparation for his proposed 2021 budget and negotiations with police and River Valley Transit unions.
REMAINS DISCOVERED IDENTIFIED
The remains discovered on the morning of July 4th near Bates Road in East Cameron Township in Northumberland County have been identified as Joshua Phillippy, 22, of Ashland. According to NorthCentralPA.com, Phillippy had been a declared missing person by Pennsylvania State Police in Frackville on June 16th. Northumberland County Coroner James Kelley with Doctor of Dental Science, Dr. John Owens ad staff, helped in identifying the remains through dental records. There is no evidence of foul play suspected in the investigation.
CITY EAGER TO GET PROJECTS DONE
City officials are eager to get projects such as Grafius Run flood control, the levee and street reconstruction done after reviewing the six-year capital projects budget according to the Sun Gazette. Interim city finance director, Joesph Pawlak, said the capital projects budget runs from June 30, 2021 through June 30, 2026, noting that the first two years will allow council to look at those projects that are more firmly in place with final four years being more of a wish list.
LOCAL RETAILERS FACING COIN SHORTAGE
Local retailers are saying there is a national shortage of U.S. Coins, posting signs about the shortage in their stores. One retailer is GIANT market on E. Third Street in Williamsport, and according to NorthCentralPA.com, their signs state they can only accept credit, debit and electronic payments at this time due to the coin shortage. In June, the Federal Reserve began limiting allocation of coins to banks and financial institutions, citing a decrease in coin deposits from financial institutions in the past few months. The U.S. Mint continues to produce coins and hopes the shortage issue will resolve once the economy opens more broadly.
CITY OF WILLIAMSPORT RECIPIENT OF CORONAVIRUS AID
The city of Williamsport is recipient of $609,271 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, according to the Sun Gazette. The block grant funding will be used to prevent, prepare and respond to COVID-19 pandemic issues, said Stephanie Young, city department director. Young also stated “Funding must not be a duplication of benefits.” And it is intended to be gap funding. The department will have an open enrollment period and once the organizations are selected, the city will need to enter into a sub-recipient agreement with the organizations.
TEEN CHARGED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CREATED IN WILLIAMSPORT
Pennsylvania State Police Montoursville stated pornographic videos created in Williamsport depicting the abuse of children were uploaded to the internet and received over 19,000 views before deletion. According to NorthCentralPA.com, Cole L. Johnson, 18, was charged on Tuesday with one count of third degree felony possession of child pornography in relation to the videos. Trooper Matthew Miller stated the female victims were aged 16 and 17. Johnson’s bail was set at $95,000 unsecured during a preliminary arraignment on Tuesday.
PIAA RESPONDS TO RUMORS ON CANCELLATION
As rumors begin to swirl about the PIAA canceling the entire fall sports season due to the coronavirus pandemic, PIAA’s executive director, Bob Lombardi, told PennLive on Thursday that the PIAA is not planning to cancel the fall sports season at next Wednesday’s meeting. Lombardi added the rumors are “unfounded” and that right now, the PIAA is looking ahead to what needs to be done to make sure fall sports can start. The High School football season is set to kick off on August 28th.
TRAFFIC CONCERNS NEAR MUNCY UPMC CONSTRUCTION SITE
Construction of Geisinger Muncy has drawn traffic concerns, with speeding in the area being a top the list. Supervisor Thomas Scheach told the Sun Gazette that the traffic “is creating mayhem” and “We’re asking people to please slow down.” According to the Sun Gazette, instillation of new signs advertising reduced speeds was anticipated for Thursday. Scheach also added the appropriate signage required for local police to use speed enforcement devices will be installed shortly.
SPORTS 7-10-20
NCAA
The Big Ten announced that they will play conference games this fall and will cancel all non-conference games due to the coronavirus pandemic, becoming the first FBS conference to make such a decision.
PGA
Tiger Woods announced he will play next week’s Memorial Tournament. It will be his first official event since the final round of the Genesis Invitational on February 16th.
NFL
As a part of their return to play plan, the NFL has eliminated any post game interactions within 6 feet of each other, including the popular trend of jersey swapping,in the 2020 season.
MLB
Even though the 2020 MLB season has yet to start, Major League Baseball released their 2021 regular season schedule yesterday. All 30 teams will open the 2021 season on April 1st.
HS Boys Basketball
Jamie Spencer was named the Head Boys Basketball Coach at St. John Neumann High School. Spencer has previous coaching experience in the county, having coached at Montoursville and Montgomery.
