STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS PREPARE TO CERTIFY RESULTS
County election boards across Pennsylvania were well on their way to certifying election results in Pennsylvania as they tabulated votes up against a Monday deadline to report to the Department of State. According to the Associated Press, Allegheny County, gave a majority to Democrat Joe Biden – Luzerne County, where Republican Donald Trump won, approved its results, and there were no reports of counties voting against certification. Secretary of State, Kathy Boockvar will now tabulate, compute and canvass votes for all races, then report to the governor. Gov. Tom Wolf will then engage the state’s electors for the Dec. 14 Electoral College meeting. Monday was the deadline under state law for legal challenges to contest any election to be filed.
SHOOTING IN WILLIAMSPORT
A person was injured by a gunshot yesterday after 6pm in Williamsport. According to the Sun Gazette, police responded to the incident in the city’s East end about 6pm Monday night along the 900 block of Penn Street and blocked the roadway for an investigation just south of St. John Neumann High School. The victim in the shooting has not been named, but they were reportedly hospitalized. A witness at the scene said they heard four gunshots fired when they were about a block away.
SERVING ALCOHOL IN PA BARS AND RESTAURANTS LIMITED FOR HOLIDAY
In a news conference Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary announced a suspension of all alcohol sales at bars and restaurants beginning at 5pm on Wednesday November 25th until 8am on Thanksgiving day. The new mitigation efforts, announced by Dr. Rachel Levine, will keep the public out of crowded spaces in which the virus thrives, on a typically very big night of the year. Governor Wolf also announced there will be a new enforcement effort where business owners who are non-compliant with mask regulations could see fines and potential shut-down after multiple offenses. An advisory – not an order – has been issued for all Pennsylvanians to stay at home as much as possible, effective today.
ROAD EFFECTED BY ROCK SLIDE REOPENED
Following last week’s rock slide along Route 11 between Northumberland and Danville, . PennDOT says the roadway is reopen between Ridge Road in Point Township, Northumberland County and Continental Boulevard in Danville. Approximately 7,000 cubic yards of rock were hauled off the road and the damaged portions were milled, paved and painted. The estimated cost of the removal is about $310,000.
LOCAL CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The coronavirus case count in Pennsylvania for the past two days is at 11,837. According to the PA Department of Health, there are 104 new Union County cases, 91 new Northumberland County cases Lycoming County reports 32 new today. Snyder County has 28 new cases. Clinton County reports 15 new today, Montour has nine new cases . 69 new deaths were reported over the same two days. In order to slow the spread of the virus, consistent mask-wearing is recommended and masks are required in all PA businesses and whenever leaving home.
FEDERAL COURT REJECTS CASE OVER SIGNATURES
The state Supreme Court on Monday said that more than 8,300 mail-in ballots in Philadelphia that had been challenged by the Trump campaign because of minor technical errors, should be counted. According to media outlets, the decision went against a Republican state Senate challenger in Allegheny County who wanted to keep votes without a handwritten date from counting. The court ruled that a voter’s failure to include a handwritten name, address or date by their declaration on the outer envelope does not “warrant the wholesale disenfranchisement of thousands of Pennsylvania voters.” Joe Biden won PA’s 20 electoral votes with a margin in the state currently more than 81,000 out of nearly 7 million cast. County election boards are expected to certify the state results today.
FEDERAL INMATE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT SENTENCED
An inmate at Allenwood who caused severe injuries to another prisoner was sentenced last week in federal court to 120 months by US District Court Judge Matthew Brann. According to media outlets, 53 year old Wesley Mark Smith was convicted of assault following a five-day trial in March 2020 where he was found guilty of punching his cellmate and continuing to bludgeon his unconscious victim – who suffered severe injuries according to reports by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
WILLIAMSPORT BUDGET PROPOSED WITH A TAX HIKE
A 2.5 mill tax hike in Williamsport, as proposed by Mayor Derek Slaughter, will likely get some revisions. The 2021 budget will get a look by City Council who say they will work to make budget cuts before the first reading of the proposal is to take place December 3rd. According to the Sun Gazette, the mayor’s proposed budget shows a year-ending balance of over $179 thousand, if the tax hike is applied, with a proposed reduction of mercantile and business tax by 25 percent. The largest city costs are related to public safety departments for the salaries and benefits of the police and firefighters. City Council will hold virtual budget work sessions November 30 and December 2nd.
SPORTS
NFL Monday Night Football
LA Rams beat the Buccaneers 27-24
Upcoming Weekend HS Football
PIAA Class AAAA Championship game
Jersey Shore against Thomas Jefferson
Saturday 3:30pm at Hershey Park Stadium.
