JUDGE SAYS WOLF’S PANDEMIC CLOSURES WERE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
A federal judge has ruled that pandemic restrictions placed on Pennsylvanians who were forced to stay home, close non-life sustaining businesses and limit the size of gatherings are unconstitutional and the Wolf administration said it will appeal. Trump appointee US District Judge Williams Stickman IV said in a ruling that the policies invoked were overreaching and arbitrary. A spokeperson for the governor said the order saved lives and will see a delayed enforcement of policies while it goes through the appeals process. Wolf recently eased many of the restrictions the plaintiffs objected to in their lawsuit.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT LOOKING FOR A NEW POLICE CHIEF
At the South Williamsport Borough Council meeting last night, there was approval to seek a new South Williamsport Borough Police Department Chief, a position that has not been filled full-time since January. According to the Sun Gazette, Southside incorporated DuBoistown Police Department this year and provides coverage 24-7 for both boroughs. In addition, the borough solicitor, reported that they had received notice of a favorable legal opinion from the county to demolish the blighted Protasio building at the corner of Maynard Street and West Southern Avenue.
SUNBURY APPROVES 500 AT OUTDOOR GATHERINGS
A letter of support was approved last evening at the Sunbury City Council meeting allowing up to 500 people at outdoor gatherings at Shikellamy High School, meaning there will be people in the stands this fall. According to media outlets, the unanimous vote did not surprise the council members and hopes for a positive outcome this season. The letter of support goes against the PIAA’s message to districts to follow Governor Tom Wolf’s recommendation of no more than 250 people at outdoor sporting events
POLICE WILL CONDUCT SAFETY SEAT CHECK
Pennsylvania State Police in Montoursville are conducting child safety seat and booster seat checks to recognize National Child Passenger Safety week in Lycoming County. According to a press release Free Child Safety Seat check can be scheduled for next week September 20th through 24th. Parents are reminded that children under the age of 4 are required to be in a child safety seat, and children 4-8 should be in a booster if the child fits the height and weight requirements for the seat. To have a seat checked or installed, call PA State police at 368-5700 to make an appointment.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSES FOOTBALL CROWDS
School Boards across the state continue to adapt to protocols and guidelines for HS Sports and South Williamsport is no exception, discussing the topic at last night’s meeting. According to the Sun Gazette, if state legislature lifts the 250-person cap on attendance at football games, each student-participant – including band members and cheerleaders in addition to football players – two tickets for family members with assigned socially distanced seating. If the state keeps the limits, one option is a lottery system to distribute the 40 to 50 tickets that would be available after accounting for athletes, band members, coaches and other game staff.
HIT & RUN TRUCK DRIVER LEAVES CRATES OF CHICKENS BEHIND
Selinsgrove State police are investigating a Snyder County hit and run accident in which a truck driver hit a utility pole about 1am Monday morning, shearing it off at its’ base, and spilled part of the load, including 19 crates of chickens. According to North Central PA .com, the driver attempted to turn onto Church Road from Heister Valley Road in West Perry Township and struck the pole on the right side of the truck. The boxes of chickens were picked up after 9:30am following the coordination with another local agency. State police are asking the public with any information on the accident of the chickens to contact the Selinsgrove barracks (570) 374-8145.
COVID-19 UPDATE FOR LYCOMING COUNTY
Lycoming County reports three new COVID-19 cases as of yesterday at midnight with 588 positive cases to date. Lycoming County has 11 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, none are on a ventilator. Statewide, there are 638 additional positive cases of COVID-19 according to the PA Department of Health with the statewide total at 145,063. No new deaths were reported Sunday, but 7 new deaths were reported for Monday, for a total of 7,869 fatalities attributed to COVID-19 in PA.
BI-MONTHLY SAFETY PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS
PennDOT has begun their new Safety Citizens program, encouraging community members to answer traffic safety questions in original ways. Pennsylvanians can participate through PennDOT’s statewide social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by answering the bi-monthly topic questions with a short video, a poem or an original piece of artwork. The program is now open, kicking off with Teen Driver Safety as the first topic. Get information on the program, online at www.PennDOT.gov/SafetyCitizens.
POSSIBLE BIRD MIGRATION THIS WEEK
Pennsylvanians may see millions of songbirds traveling for their migration over Pennsylvania this week. According to WNEP, an ecologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says September is a popular time for bird migration of sparrows, warblers, some woodpeckers, and more. Early this week bird species that typically live in Canada will pass through Pennsylvania. Get more information here.
SPORTS
HS SOCCER
GIRLS – Milton over Danville 6-3, Montoursville beat Mifflinburg 3-1, Williamsport over Central Mountain 4-1
BOYS – Benton beat Muncy 3-1, South Williamsport over Sullivan County 4-2,
GIRLS TENNIS
Jersey Shore defeated Williamsport 3-2, Montoursville over Danville 4-1
FIELD HOCKEY
Bloomsburg beat Lewisburg 3-1
X-COUNTRY
Jersey shore GIRLS over Williamsport 43-20, BOYS Jersey shore outran Williamsport 47-16
NFL
Playing for the first time in a year since a season-ending elbow injury sustained in Week 2 of 2019, Ben Roethlisberger completed 21 of 32 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns for a Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-16 win against the New York Giants,
Titans over the Broncos 16-14
In the NBA
Heat play Celtics tonight in the East Finals game 1 at 6:40p, at 9 PM the Nuggets play the Clippers in the West Semifinals game 7 of the series – tied up three and three.
MLB
Reds beat the Pirates in game one of a doubleheader 3-1, Reds beat the Pirates 9-4 in Game 2, Marlins beat Phillies 6-2, Brewers over the Cardinals 2-1 in Game 1, and Cardinals beat the Brewers in Game 2, 3-2, Mariners beat the A’s 6-5 in Game 1, A’s blanked the Mariners 9-nothing in Game 2, Orioles routed the Braves 14-1, White Sox beat the Twins 3-1, and Padres over the Dodgers 7-2
NHL
In the West finals Game 5, Dallas wins the series 4-1 beating the Golden Knights last night 3-2. The Islanders and Lightning play Game 5 tonight with Tampa Bay leading 3-1 in the East Finals.
