A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash that happened last Saturday night along the Arch Street Bridge in Williamsport. According to the Lycoming County Coroner, 38 year old James Neufer was pronounced dead on the scene and 38 year old Amanda Bergstrom died from injuries she sustained when the two were traveling south at the intersection of Arch Street and Hiawatha Blvd and were struck by a driver crossing into the wrong lane of traffic. Police say in an affidavit 34 year old Matthew Allen Bower allegedly caused the crash and had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. A driver traveling behind the motorcycle also was involved in the crash, a female victim and her passenger suffering non-life threatening injuries after striking Bowers car and going down over the embankment. Bower was charged Tuesday with vehicular homicide while intoxicated, among other charges.
Bloomsburg fair officials took to social media yesterday in response to viral reactions to a Facebook post thanking a spoofed Dr Rachel Levine Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health featured in a dunk tank to raise money for local fire companies. Randy Karchner, President of the Bloomsburg Fair association made a public apology. Karschner said that a man from an area fire company dressed as a woman in the tank had no intention of looking like Dr. Levine, but people at the carnival began making a connection. According to fair officials, they are open to working with LGBTQ organizations in the future to help better understand why posts like this one can be considered offensive.
Permission to apply for a grant of $379,985 with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the county intermediate punishment program has been approved by the Lycoming County commissioners Tuesday. According got the Sun Gazette, the inmate-reduction plan in place has saved about $2 million by preventing people from being incarcerated. The grant now spares county taxpayers money otherwise spent to have individuals incarcerated for two-to-five year terms. The program, which is in lieu of incarceration, was created in the mid-1990s,helping individuals go through a program of intense supervision while on probation and some receive treatment for addictions.
Mahoning Township has had to cancel their Dumpster Day scheduled for this Saturday according to their website. Township supervisors say due to Governor Tom Wolf’s restrictions they cannot have the event. Dumpster day is for residents to bring all unwanted items from home and place them in the city dumpsters at no charge. Officials apologized for the short notice.
The Jersey Shore Borough Council had public hearing Tuesday, filling the venue to capacity with residents making arguments for and against a helicopter pad addition to Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital. According to the Sun Gazette, Community concerns included disruptive noise and debris issues, but a lawyer for Geisinger assured the public that the pad will not create any safety issued for neighbors. The final project will have new lighting fixtures having the lighting fixed specifically to the parking lot and hospital grounds – not shining into residential spaces. Council voted 4-1 in favor of the heliport.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed that there are 1,027 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 102,765. There are 7,038 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 20 new deaths reported statewide. Lycoming County added two new positive cases for a total here of 276 to date, Clinton has 104 cases, Northumberland has 365 cases. Allegheny is reporting an increase of 139 cases and Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 168 new cases. The Department of Health says Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home and that consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Williamsport Area School District assistant superintendent , Dr. Susan Bigger, presented the health and safety plan required by the state at their meeting held via ZOOM Monday night. According to the SShe outlined the educational phases for reopening, based on state, county and local health conditions, outlined in the plan were: in-person instruction, moderate transmission risk; hybrid alternate schedule, high transmission risk; and remote learning, critical transmission risk. The district will provide one face covering per week per student. The types of face coverings approved are outlined in the health and safety plan. Parents will be asked to take their child’s temperature with a packet provided to families with a thermometer and instructions for the protocols to be followed. The board passed the plan by a 9-0 vote.
Bucknell has announced their health and safety plan for students this fall comprehensive coronavirus testing, no visitors permitted in residence halls and professors offering a mix of in-person and remote classes as part of the university’s plan to resume classes next month amid the ongoing pandemic. There will be takeout meals, limited classroom sizes and routine cleanings across campus. The protocols also include screening by student health personnel and contact tracing processes and procedures. Bucknell partnered with TCA/Genetworx to deliver two free COVID test kits to each student they will be required to show the medical staff their two negative tests through their Bucknell app.
SPORTS
NFL
At NFL training camps next week, teams’ rosters will include a maximum of 80 players, as opposed to the usual 90, in an effort to help enforce social distancing measures in team facilities. One of the details of the league’s latest proposal where the NFL and the union officially agreed to drop all preseason games for the 2020 season. The NFL and the Players Assoc. also announced COVID-19 testing protocols. Players and team personnel will be tested regularly to keep their team’s positive test rate under 5%.
The Wilf family that owns the Minnesota Vikings has emerged as a serious candidate to buy the Minnesota Timberwolves. There are several bidders to buy the NBA team from billionaire Glen Taylor, including metropolitan New York real estate developer Meyer Orbach, who bought a minority stake in the Timberwolves in 2016. Former Timberwolves standout Kevin Garnett also said he is forming a group to try to purchase the team. Taylor has owned the team since 1994, when he bought it for about $88 million. He is seeking at least $1.2 billion. A decision on the sale might not be made until September.
NBA
The painted “Black Lives Matter” on the game court for the league’s restart in Orlando. The league unveiled the new court Tuesday. Changes for the games include broadcasters on the sideline at center court, but enclosed in Plexiglas panels creating separation between them and the players. The players’ and coaches’ bench comprises dozens of spaced-out folding chairs — each measured to be 6 feet away from the next chair. The court is surrounded by large video screens, where virtual fans and other messages will pop up.
