FEDERAL PRISON GUARD INJURED IN STABBING
A guard at Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex was allegedly stabbed yesterday by an inmate and is in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center. According to the Daily Item, 51 year old Dale Franquet, of Middleburg, who also is the varsity wrestling coach at Midd-West High School was stabbed in the eye and another inmate was also injured by a stabbing but was treated and released from care. NO charges against the suspect have been announced, but with the assault happening in a federal facility, the FBI will investigate the case.
LOCAL COVID-19 UPDATE
Lycoming County has 64 new cases of the coronavirus reported as of yesterday at noon, Northumberland county has 107 , Montour has 81 new cases, Snyder has 33 new cases Tioga County reports 22 . Clinton County has 13 new today. Lycoming County has 72 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 13 in the ICU, with 4 on ventilators and 3 available Adult ICU beds. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health ,there were 6,330 new cases COVID-19, with 42 fatalities attributed to COVID-19.
ACORD MARKETS CHANGING HANDS
Sixteen Acorn Market stores throughout northcentral Pennsylvania and South Central New York have been acquired by United Refining in Warren and will now be Kwik Fill or Red Apple stores. According to the Sun Gazette, all retail store employees were retained and new positions are expected to be added, but it is unknown at this time whether the Tioga County chain will expand into Lycoming County. United Refining sells fuel through a network of over 400 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
SOAP BOX DERBY SCHEDULED FOR NOW
Williamsport will likely see a Soap Box Derby in 2021as organizers of the annual event deal with planning during a pandemic. According to the Sun Gazette, barring any COVID restrictions, a construction clinic is set to take place in May where the kids build their cars, and after a safety inspection the race is expected to take place on Saturday, June 12th. Families of participants who want information on registering for the race next year can find Soap Box Derby Williamsport, PA on Facebook and message the group.
WOMAN KICKS POLICE CRUISER, FACES MISDEMEANOR CHARGE
A South Williamsport woman faces misdemeanor charges for kicking at a police cruiser last September while there was gathering and protest going on close to the police headquarters at 245 W. Fourth Street. According to the Sun Gazette, the young daughter of 36 year old Rebecca Neidig of East Mountain Avenue was holding a sign and stood behind Cpl. Jordan Stoltzfus’ patrol car while he was attempting to leave on a call. Neidig yelled at the officer, hit the car window and then kicked at the car once both Neidig and her daughter were pulled away from the cruiser. According to court records Neidig waived her preliminary hearing and is free on $5,000 bail.
GOVERNOR WOLF WARNS ABOUT OVERRUN HOSPITALS DURING PANDEMIC
With COVID hospitalizations up in Pennsylvania, facilities are at risk of being overrun and resource sharing agreements between hospitals in the commonwealth may face a breakdown. According to a warning by Governor Tom Wolf in a virtual news conference yesterday, he will not impose the blanket restrictions imposed last spring but may be faced with placing targeted restrictions in places where the virus strikes harder. He said deaths have risen 85 percent in two weeks and the fall-out from the Thanksgiving holiday haven’t been felt yet. He asks Pennsylvanians to do their part now to slow the spread of the virus by simply wearing a mask and keeping from non-essential travel. Pennsylvania is averaging 9,000 new confirmed infections per day.
OPIOID BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
In a move to address the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania, Republican Clint Owlett sponsored a bill that has been signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf. House Bill 616 placed a strong large animal tranquilizer called Carfenteril on the list of Schedule II controlled substances making it illegal to be possessed or distributed without a license or prescription. Originally proposed by Owlett’s predecessor Matt Baker, the new law is one part of a process of enforcement, and education to help those who are addicted.
PA FISHING LICENSES ON SALE NOW
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission have begun selling 2021 fishing licenses permits and vouchers valid immediately through December 31, 2021. According to the PFCB, an annual license costs $22.90 but ther are multi-year options and other permit add-ons. You can apply for a license online at fishandboat.com or at issuing agents in retail locations.
SPORTS
NFL Monday Football from Monday
Washington beat the Steelers 23-17, the Bills beat the 49ers 34-24
Tonight NFL Football
Cowboys vs the Ravens in Baltimore at 8:05
Men’s College Basketball
Seton Hall defeated Penn State 98-92 in OT
HS Girls Volleyball
North Penn Liberty seniors Charisma Grega and Ali Koval and Canton Senior Annie Gaiotti were named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association all-state team.
