LOCAL COVID-19 UPDATE
There are 93 new cases of COVID-19 in Lycoming County as of Sunday at midnight, with 53 patients hospitalized, 14 in the ICU and only 2 available beds at this time. Northumberland County has 56 new cases Tioga County added 52 new cases, there are 17 new Snyder County, 20 new Union cases, and Montour has 12 new cases. The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 5,529 additional positive cases of COVID-19, and 76 new deaths reported for a total of 10,351 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
VACCINE SET TO ARRIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA
The PA department of health’s secretary Dr. Rachel Levine says the Pfizer vaccination for the virus is on track for distribution. Currently the Pfizer vaccine is going to be the first distributed with 4 others in development or in test trials. For the Pfizer vaccine, federal approval is needed to continue the process, but Dr. Levine says that even when it makes its way through the country no one knows how quickly demand will exceed supply. Levine also says that it will not be an immediate cure or end to the pandemic and that PA residents will likely be wearing masks deep in 2021.
A 39 year old Muncy man has been accused of causing a crash while under the influence. According to police, following the accident along route 405 and 422 in Muncy Creek Township, Aaron Crawford was allegedly uncooperative with ambulance staff and officers when being transported to the hospital, and refused a blood test. After a call was made for a judge to issue a warrant, the blood test was performed, which found various drugs in the man’s system and a high blood alcohol content. Crawford was incarcerated under $25,000 dollars bail and is scheduled to be arraigned this week for one felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle, and 3 misdemeanor accounts of DUI related charges.
The public can access the Williamsport City Council Budget work sessions scheduled to begin tonight at 7pm with a second work session scheduled for Wednesday night. Under consideration is the proposed 2021 budget presented by Mayor Derek Slaughter last week for 29.7 million dollars and a 2.5 mill increase in real estate tax. The two work sessions will examine various city budgets, impact fees and funding for the police fire and codes departments. You can access the meetings via the city’s website and click on the links which will redirect to YouTube, where the meetings will be aired and re-broadcast. The 2021 budget is scheduled to be adopted at 7pm December 10th
Selinsgrove borough police are investigating a West Spruce Street shooting that occurred on Thanksgiving around 10pm. According to police, a 29 year old man was shot in the leg before the unidentified suspect fled the scene. The victim made his way to his neighbors house and was transported by him to the Evangelical community hospital and later to Geisinger medical center where he was treated and released. Currently the police have no suspect for the shooting and are asking anyone who has information should call the Selinsgrove police.
All students in the Williamsport Area School District are in remote learning mode starting tomorrow – through December 4th. According to a statement by the school district, the action is to allow those students potentially exposed over the holiday break to quarantine without missing school. All students are expected to log in to Schoology according to their regular academic schedules. Anyone who has had a positive case in their household over should stay home and contact the school on the morning of the day that students are due back for in-person learning – on December 7th.
Rep. Jeff Wheeland, who represents the 83rd District in the state House of Representatives, has been appointed to the Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors by House Speaker Bryan Cutler. Wheeland succeeds Rep. Garth Everett, who served on the Penn College Board since 2011. Wheeland’s appointment is effective immediately and runs through the 2021-22 legislative session. Wheeland, a 1977 business management alumnus of Penn College predecessor Williamsport Area Community College, has served on the college’s Corporate Advisory Board and has broad familiarity with campus operations from his two terms as a Lycoming County commissioner.
Tomorrow, December 1st, is Giving Tuesday – the national Day of Giving to follow Black Friday and Cyber Monday and the Lycoming County United Way will be working together with local community partners – including restaurants in Williamsport to support small business and those community programs that need help. The public can buy food at the Brickyard Restaurant & Ale House, the Stonehouse, the Genetti Taphouse or the James Restaurant and a portion of those sales will Help the United way who supports the 23 different agencies and 36 different programs we support in three counties, according to United Way CEO, Ron Frick. Find out more at lcuw.org
SPORTS
NFL
The Bills beat the Chargers 27-17, Giants over the Bengals 19-17, Dolphins beat the Jets 20-3, Browns over the Jaguars 27 -25, Chiefs beat the Buccaneers 27-24, and Packers over the Bears 41-25, Saints beat the Broncos 31-3, Patriots beat the Cardinals 20-17, Vikings over the Panthers 28-27, Titans beat the Colts 45-26, Falcons beat the Raiders 43-6
NFL Monday Night Football
Seahawks play the Eagles in Philadelphia for an 8:15 kick off
NFL Tuesday Night
Ravens and Steelers are scheduled @ Heinz Field at 8 PM
NCAA Football
Penn State accomplished their first victory of the season, beating Michigan, 27-17, Saturday at Michigan Stadium. The Nittany Lions are now 1-5.
HS FOOTBALL
The Jersey Shore Bulldogs faced off against Thomas Jefferson at the PIAA Tournament Saturday, and lost the contest, 14 – 21.
Southern Columbia are the Class 2A State Champs beating Wilmington 42-14 Saturday in Hershey. Coach Jim Roth picked up his 456th win to become the state’s all-time leader as the Tigers claimed their fourth straight state title, their 11th in the PIAA era in 19 trips to the finals.
