CLINTON COUNTY CRASH UPDATE
Following the fatal wreck that occurred in Clinton County Wednesday afternoon that has kept the interstate closed as crews clear over 60 tractor trailers and cars from the roadway, one westbound lane is now open between I- 180 in Northumberland County and the 178/Lock Haven interchange in Clinton County. Penn DOT says both eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 opened yesterday afternoon. The detour has now been lifted using I-180W and Route 220 South. The multi-car pile-up accident began Wednesday afternoon during the beginning of the snow storm that brought white out conditions and involved 55 tractor trailers and 11 passenger cars. According to State police, two people died in accidents involved in the crash, one person died from a medical condition while in the backed up traffic.
SUNBURY HAS WATER MAIN BREAK ALONG WITH SNOW STORM
Plow crews in Sunbury had extra work to manage after a water main break occurred Wednesday night at Fourth and Reagan Streets. According to media outlets, City Administrator Jody Ocker said ambulance crews struggled with the snowy conditions while responding to an emergency on Greenough Street, and plows were temporarily stuck due to the weight of the snow and occasional rain that fell. More snow should be removed from Market street as of today, with more plow work scheduled for Arch Walnut and Chestnut streets tonight.
lYCOMING coUNTY COVID UPDATE
Lycoming County reports 167 new coronavirus cases today, Northumberland County has 116, Tioga County has 73 new today, Snyder County has 54, Union and Clinton Counties both have 44 new cases . Lycoming County has 91 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 16 in the ICU, with 7 on ventilators and 2 available Adult ICU beds. The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed yesterday that there are 9,966 additional positive cases of COVID-19, and there were 224 new deaths reported.
WILLIAMSPORT SNOWFALL BREAKS THE RECORD
Williamsport had an official record amount of snow Wednesday and Thursday totaling 24.7 inches beating the record of 24.1 inches set in 1964, according to weather outlets and Wednesday ties for the second highest one day snowfall in December. According to Accuweather, temperatures will stay below 32 for a few more days and another weather event heading toward northeastern PA could bring more snow to the region before Christmas.
VACCINE SHIPMENT STILL ON TRACK DURING STORMY CONDITIONS
The major snow storm that dumped two feet of snow on Williamsport, has not slowed the region’s chance to receive shipments of the coronavirus vaccine this week. According to the Sun Gazette, there are Pfizer vaccination allocations going to over 80 state hospitals, including UPMC Williamsport alongside UPMC Lock Haven, Cole in Potter County and Wellsboro. 16 hospitals have received the first allocation of the Pfizer vaccination, with over 1,000 doses already distributed. Geisinger has already received between 2,000 and 3,000 doses at some of their local hospitals, and has started vaccinating their front-line healthcare workers. Dr. Rachel Levine said there’s a plan for the Pfizer, Moderna or two other anticipated-to-be-approved vaccines to be administered through pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens as well as through primary care physicians and related clinics.
COUPLE ACCUSED OF ABUSE WAIVE PRELIMINARY HEARING
The estranged Williamsport couple accused of abusing their 8 children have had their bail adjusted after waiving their respective preliminary hearings. Matthew and Christine Zeigler, were arraigned on charges related to 16 years of alleged abuse including excessive spanking, being locked up for punishment and being denied food. A judge allowed an exception to a no-contact rule for Christine Zeigler who asked to be in contact with the three minors for family therapy, however the mother is not allowed to contact her other children. Matthew Ziegler’s bail was modified to 100 thousand dollars for his charges including endangering the welfare of children and indecent assault.
A COALITION FILES SUIT AGAINST GOOGLE
A coalition of 37 State Attorney’s General along with Josh Shapiro have filed suit against Google LLC alleging that Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over other search engines and advertising markets, depriving consumers of competition that could lead to greater choice, innovation, and better privacy protections. The attorneys general ask the court to halt Google’s illegal conduct and restore a competitive marketplace. The complaint is in conjunction with a pending U.S. DOJ case.
LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL GOING REMOTE
Hughesville High School will go to remote learning through 2021 with the Elementary schools remaining in traditional “face to face” instruction.The East Lycoming School District Thursday.released information about a student has been deemed “presumed positive” in the Junior & Senior High School, and because this is the fourth case in their 14 day rolling average, they will shift to remote instruction today and continue in remote instruction until January 4th. Students can find their class schedule for remote learning on Sapphire as well as in their email.
SPORTS
NFL
Thursday night Football
LA Charges defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27
Buffalo Play Denver on Saturday at 4:30
Carolina Panthers go to Green Bay at 8:15
NCAA Football
Saturday
Northwestern vs Ohio State – noon on FOX
Illinois comes to Penn State at 5:30pm
The Sun Belt Conference championship game between No. 19 Louisiana and No. 12 Coastal Carolina has been canceled because of a positive COVID-19 test within the Coastal Carolina program. The conference will recognize Louisiana and Coastal Carolina as co-champions.
UCLA will not pursue the opportunity to play in a bowl game, joining a growing list of college teams deciding to not extend their season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Bruins are one of just two teams in the Pac-12 that have played the full six-game allotment that the conference had scheduled to this point, and they are expected to host Stanford on Saturday in what will be the season finale for both teams.
