Loyalsock Township Schools will be back to school August 31st for 5 days a week for in-person instruction. In a virtual meeting Wednesday, Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin said they will follow the plan submitted to the school board July 29th and modify the plan as necessary. New recommendations were given this week for schools reopening by Governor Wolf, and in a moderate designation of covid-19 transmission, a hybrid model is the suggestion for schools in Lycoming County. McLaughlin said masks will be mandatory while in school buildings, and also that Loyalsock student athletes are doing pre-season workouts while the district awaits a decision from the PIAA about fall sports.
A man from Shamokin was arrested for numerous counts of use and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia after police responded to reports that he was running around a fast food parking lot in Snyder County causing a disturbance. According to Norht Central PA dot com, on July 19th Brandon J. Weikel had run in front of vehicles in a KFC parking lot in Shamokin Dam while allegedly high on methamphetamine and the management ther asked him to leave. Selinsgrove state police arrived when the man would not comply. Weikel was also charged with public drinkenss , he’ll face a preliminary hearing next week in Selinsgrove.
A Princeton, New Jersey man has been charged with agricultural vandalism in Centre County, according to North Central PA dot com, 62 year old Joe K. Payne, Jr., allegedly used a skid steer to cut a portion of state forest road and dump it on public land near Ingeleby Road in Haines Township this spring. A foresting survey turned up damage that was investigated. Payne was also charged with criminal mischief and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August. 19.
Penn State University who originally said students on campus would assume any and all risk of COVID-19 which some media outlets criticized as extreme, has reversed course. In a statement from the school, Penn State will provide an alternate legal agreement that students must sign regarding the coronavirus before returning to campus as a second option with modified language, while still acknowledging a student’s personal risk of being on campus amid the pandemic. Penn State says it will hold half of its fall semester classes with at least some in-person instruction for almost 100,000 students enrolled.
There are 15 new cases of coronavirus reported in Lycoming County for a total of 426 cases according to the PA Department of Health. There are 11 new Northumberland County cases for a total there of 524. In Union County there were no new cases for a county total of 276 since the pandemic, but at USP Lewisburg there are still 18 active inmate cases and two active staff member cases. In hotspot counties for the state Allegheny County reports an increase of 114 cases and Philadelphia County has an increase of 192 cases of COVID-19. Statewide, there are 991 additional positive cases for a total over 122 thousand.
A man who already was out on bail for speeding and a DUI last May, was involved in an accident in Liberty Township a month later and fled the scene. According to North Central PA dot com, State Police who responded to an injury accident along Railroad street found the operator of one of the vehicles not present. Police determined the driver of a blue 2010 Nissan Altima who was involved to be Michael Karichner of Mill Hall, he now faces new charges including driving with a suspended license. He’ll be in court again October 7th.
Following the deaths of two people involved in a traffic accident last Tuesday in Montour County, the Coroner’s Office there is investigating. The accident happened at the intersection of State Route 54 and State Route 44 in Limestone Township near Milton. According to WNEP, Margaret Smith from the Williamsport area, who was being driven by Ward Bennett when he failed to stop and hit another vehicle, died from her injuries Thursday afternoon. Authorities say Sandra Hoffman was driving the other car and also passed away Thursday from her injuries.
PPL is reminding customers who still may need help with their utility bill that the federal government Low income home energy assistance program is still available through August 31st or whenever the funds are exhausted. According to the Sun Gazette, the federal government is working with electric companies and ither utility companies to assist families struggling with their bills at this time. A link to see if you’re eligible for the assistance is available here.
SPORTS
MLB
Mets beat the Nationals 8-2, Orioles over the Phillies 11-4, Rays stomped the Red Sox 17-8, Pirates over the Reds 9-6, Cubs over the Brewers 4-2, Dodgers thumped the Padres 11-2, the doubleheader between the Cardinals and the Tigers was postponed
NBA
Wizards over the Celtics 96-90, Kings beat the Lakers 136-122, Grizzlies beat the Bucks 119-106, Suns beat the Mavericks 128-102, Jazz over the Spurs 118-112, Trailblazers got past the Nets 134 to 133, Magic over the Pelicans 133 to 127
NHL
East 1st Round game 2 – Blue Jackets beat Lightning 3-1, and Hurricanes beat the Bruins 3-2, Golden Knights beat Blackhawks in the West first round in overtime game 2, 4-3, and Stars over Flames 5-4
NCAA
NCAA president Mark Emmert said Thursday there won’t be fall NCAA championships because there are not enough schools participating due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — a decision that affects 22 championships, including FCS football. The number of schools fell below 50% on Wednesday when the Big East announced its fall sports wouldn’t be played.
