PRESIDENT TRUMPS LAWYERS COME TO TOWN
Counsel for President Donald J Trump, Rudy Giuliani and others, came to Williamsport yesterday for a hearing in federal court to continue the legal fight to block certifying the state vote count. After five hours in the courthouse, and a gathering of Trump supporters in nearby parking lots showing support with State Police nearby, US District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann gave the president’s lawyers time to file an opposition to the defendant, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar’s motion to dismiss, until 5pm today. In addition while reviewing the claims in the case in which 680 thousand ballots in Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties were in question due to a poll-watching irregularities, Judge Brann found that the Supreme Court had ruled 5-2 against the argument, negating the issue. With the time to fight a dismissal of the case, Trump’s team has been given until today to present evidence that Democrats were treated more fairly than Republican voters which they maintain violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
WILLIAMSPORT FEDERAL COURT WELCOMES tRUMP COUNSEL, RUDY GIULIANI
State Police and supporters of President Trump lined the streets surrounding the Williamsport Federal Courthouse yesterday when counsel for President Donald J Trump, Rudy Giuliani and others, came to town for the hearing involving questions over 680 thousand ballots alleged to have been secretly counted without observation by poll-watchers, as well as an amended filing of the suit that electors were not given an adequate chance to have equal protection of their vote, a violation of the 14th amendment of the Constitution. Giuliani argued for US District Court Judge Matthew W Brann to not dismiss the case and allow more time to present evident, which Judge Brann did and there will be another hearing. Judge Brann will consider the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction and allow the defendant to counter today at 5pm in Williamsport.
NEW MANDATES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH IN THE FACE OF COVID SPIKES
Dr. Rachel Levine Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health held a press conference yesterday announcing more targeted efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania by implementing a mask mandate for all residents in PA whether in their home or not. Dr. Levine’s order also says that those who are traveling between Pennsylvania from another state, must test negative for the virus within 72 hours prior to arrival. The order does not apply to people traveling back and forth for work or medical treatment. People who refuse to be tested will be required to quarantine for 14 days. The state has no plans to enforce that measure at this time, but is asking for voluntary compliance. Levine said there are no plans to go with another broad-based shutdown.
LOCAL COVID UPDATE
Lycoming county reports 53 new cases of Coronavirus as of yesterday, Northumberland has 54, Snyder county reports 55 cases, Union has 15 and Montour reports 11 new cases. Tioga County saw an increase of 23 cases as of yesterday. Today’s COVID-19 total case count in Pennsylvania hit another record level – almost 5,900 There were 30 new deaths reported according to the PA Department of Health.
COMMISSIONER TESTES POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
The Lycoming County Commissioners has called for all of their public meetings for the Lycoming County Commissioners to be virtual now that his colleague, Commissioner Tony Mussare reported publicly that he tested positive for the Coronavirus ten days ago. According to the Sun Gazette, Mussare tested positive and experienced minor symptoms, but had not been hospitalized – he had attended the last three meetings virtually. However, a member of his family was hospitalized, and is at this time in stable condition. Mirabito also said county employees need to follow county directives to wear masks, to protect themselves and others.
MAN KILLED BY FAULTY HYDRAULIC RAMP
A man working for an excavation company was killed Monday in Lewis Township after a 500 pound hydraulic ramp failed and fell on him at a remote site off of Bodines Mountain Road. According to the Sun Gazette, the Lycoming County Coroner said 50 year old Wayne Neureiter or Troutville in Clearfield County died instantly at the scene after workers there tried to free him from under the ramp attmeprting to resucitet him by using CPR. The accident was not witnessed by anyone at the gas well pad near the Lewis-McIntyre township line on land owned by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Neureiter was employed by Lindemuth Excavating Inc., of Brookville in Jefferson County
NURSES GO ON STRIKE IN BUCKS COUNTY
Nearly 800 Bucks County nurses at a local hospital there went on strike yesterday over what they describe as dangerously low staffing levels that prevent them from providing high-quality care to patients. Represented by Pennsylvania health care union PASNAP, the union told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the staffing situation might only grow more dire through the winter. Officials from Trinity Health, the Catholic health system that owns St. Mary’s, said it will hire qualified agency nurses during the strike. The strike is planned to continue today, but PASNAP nurses will not be allowed back to work until Sunday because Trinity Health officials say that’s how long it takes to transition away from the replacement staff.
EAST LYCO PARENT EXPRESS CONCERN OVER REMOTE OR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION
Parents in the East Lycoming School district heard from Superintendent Michael Pawlik at the school board meeting yesterday about how the school will handle the positive cases of the coronavirus that are occurring in the district while providing in person instruction. According to the Sun Gazette, Pawlik said they rely on a team effort to contact trace, clean and keep proper distance in classroom areas, working closely with the department of Health. During the public comment time of the meeting some parents questioned the schools measures like why they are not in remote learning mode. Other parents are grateful for the in-person instruction. Palwik also said students have to submit a form if they are leaving the state and those traveling must comply with the DOH’s new mandate to provide a negative COVID-test upon returning to PA or quarantine for 14 days.
SPORTS
HS SPORTS STATE PLAYOFFS
Boys Soccer Double A Semifinal
Lewisburg beat Oley Valley 2- nothing
State Championship on Saturday at 130, Hersheypark Stadium
Lewisburg (21-0) vs Deer Lakes
Girls Soccer Class A Semifinal
Southern Columbia 9, Conwell-Egan 0
State Championship Friday 11am, Hersheypark Stadium
Southern Columbia vs. Greensburg Central Catholic
Girls Soccer Double A Semifinal
Bloomsburg 1, Allentown Central Catholic 0
State Championship Saturday 11am, Hersheypark Stadium
Bloomsburg vs North Catholic
Girls Soccer Triple A Semifinal
Villa Joseph Marie 1 Selinsgrove 0……In double overtime
Field Hockey Class A Semifinal
Wyoming Seminary 6, Bloomsburg 0
Field Hockey Double A Semifinal
Palmyra 3, Selinsgrove 0
