RALLY IN LOCK HAVEN TO PROTEST INTEGRATION
There was a rally in downtown Lock Haven Saturday in protest to the integration of the higher education system in Pennsylvania which could possibly combine the Clinton County university with Mansfield and Bloomsburg universities. According to the Sun Gazette, about 100 people were in Triangle park this weekend voicing concerns about the termination of staff at the school, with over 50 staff jobs proposed to be eliminated. Community members and local unions voiced criticism of the chancellor of the PA State System of Higher Education, Dan Greenstein for his role in the integration proposal.
MAN CHARGED AFTER HIDING GUN IN BUSHES
A Clinton County man has been charged with reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct after he hid a handgun in some bushes before entering through security at the Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville last October. According to the Sun Gazette, presidential security detail found the loaded gun which was registered to 61 year old Randall McIntosh of Mill Hall, who said he put the gun in the brush as to avoid returning to his car on the night President Trump was making a quick campaign stop at the airport. McIntosh waived his preliminary hearing and was released on $5,000 bail
RENT RELIEF AVAILABLE IN PENNSYLVANIA
Rapid relief to millions of Pennsylvanians at risk of eviction or loss of utility service was announced yesterday by Governor Tom Wolf in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. And it will distribute about $569 million to Pennsylvania households with an additional $278 million in rental assistance to Pennsylvania’s largest counties by the federal government. According to northcentralpa.com households may be eligible for up to 12 months of assistance to cover past-due or future rental and/or utility payments. Effective today, Pennsylvanians can submit applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program online at www.compass.state.pa.us
ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN LINDEN
PennDOT will be working the safety improvement project along Route 220 northbound and southbound starting today in Woodward and Piatt Townships. Motorists should note some closures today. Construction will close the eastern exit at the Sheetz in Linden, so use South Pine Run Road to enter Route 220 northbound. A detour using Pine Run Road and Route 220 will be in place for closures affecting Youngs Road East and West. In addition, Front Street in Linden will be open to local traffic only. Speeds will also be reduced along 220and two lanes of traffic will be maintained.
LOCAL MAN INVOLVED IN SOUTHERN PA CRASH
A man from Mount Carmel was involved in a serious crash that shut down I-81 southbound last Monday in Schuylkill County. According to state police in Frackville, 57-year old Randall Edwards was driving a tractor trailer on I-81 in Ryan Township and went off the roadway around 4:15 pm, traveled down a steep embankment, and overturned into a wooded area. Edwards was flown to Geisinger after being rescued from the vehicle. He was later treated and released. Both sides of I-81 South shut down for about a half hour during the recovery. Police are investigating.
TASK FORCE TO STUDY LAW ENFORCEMENT BEST PRACTICES
New legislation was introduced in Harrisburg Friday identifying best practices for law enforcement to prevent otherwise-peaceful demonstrations in state cities from escalating to violent protests. According to trackbill.com, Senate Resolution 52 establishes a 20-member task force to study law enforcement procedures for responding to large-scale demonstrations, such as crowd control tactics and less-than-lethal force. Task force members including members of state legislation, police departments and local governments will recommend potential changes to state law. Public stakeholders would offer input to the task force through a process to be established by the Joint State Government Commission
VACCINATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA ROLLING OUT QUICKER
The Wolf administration along with Alison Beam, Acting Secretary of Health detailed the state’s vaccination rollout progress as the process accelerates and Pennsylvania outperforms its peer states. According to Governor Wolf, the pace of vaccinations in Pennsylvania is accelerating each day and the commonwealth is committed to vaccinating everyone in Phase 1A. An analysis of CDC data on the number of vaccines administered per 100,000 of population through March 17th , puts Pennsylvania second in the nation behind only New Mexico. In Pennsylvania 24% of the population has their first doses, 12% are fully vaccinated.
RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION ALLOWED TO BEGIN
The development plan allowing two new businesses to start construction in Muncy Township has been approved by the Lycoming County Planning Commission last week. According to the Sun gazette, construction for a Starbucks and Chick-fil-A restaurant can begin at the Lycoming Crossing property. Township supervisors have already approved the plan for the new development.
