MAN WHO COMMITTED MULTIPLE VEHICULAR CRIMES IN CUSTODY
A man from Virginia is in custody after breaking the law in several Pennsylvania counties earlier this month. According to state police 31-year old Ryan Da Silva of Virginia Beach allegedly threatened people at a Danville area hotel on March 7th and was also involved in a hit and run crash Selinsgrove where he then eluded police while continuing southbound on Route 11 to Adams county in south central PA. State police in Gettysburg report that DeSilva was involved in another minor accident in Adams county where police caught up with him and took him into custody. Charges will be filed in multiple counties.
ACCESSIBILITY RAMP COMING TO CITY HALL
The city of Williamsport is moving forward with installing an accessible ramp at City Hall and they will take bids on the project until April 16th. According to the Sun Gazette, initial projected costs have come down after city officials used preexisting designs and other cost cutting measures to save, even with the cost of steel increasing. The city will meet accessibility requirements with the construction of the ramp as well as a remodel of the first floor elevator by November 10th, 2021, as part of the settlement agreement with advocate agencies for the disabled which was approved March 10th.
LOCAL COVID UPDATE
There are ten new cases of the coronavirus in Lycoming County as of yesterday, Northumberland’s cases are lower today, too at 8. The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed a two-day total from Sunday and Monday of 3,920 additional positive cases and 14 new deaths attributed to COVID-19. Lycoming County has 26 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, and 2 on a ventilator.
SOLAR ENERGY ON THE WAY IN PA
Solar arrays could be built in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder Counties according to a new solar energy initiative announced by Governor Tom Wolf yesterday. Our four local counties are in addition to three other counties in Pennsylvania that will provide about half of the electricity used by state government and create about 400 jobs. The Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy, or PULSE, is set to begin operation in January of 2023 and according to energy officials will significantly reduce the state’s carbon footprint.
RESIDENT ESCAPES FREEBURG HOUSE FIRE
A Freeburg home was heavily damaged by a fire that also killed the family’s dog yesterday. According to the Daily item, witnesses gathered outside the home on 303 New Market St while crews fought the blaze. The home was owned by Tim Weikel. One person who lived in the home was home and escaped the flames according to neighbors who also said propane tanks bursting outside the home contributed to the fire. Firefighters from Freeburg, Fremont, Middleburg, Kreamer, Selinsgrove, Port Trevorton, Kratzerville, Mifflinburg and Point Township were at the scene, for about four hours.
INMATE FACES MORE CHARGES
New charges have been filed against a man who was an inmate at SCI-Coal Township and wrote threatening letters to a Columbia County Court of Common Pleas judge, two members of the Scott Township police department and a 17 year old juvenile between June 22 and Oct. 23, 2020. According to North Central PA dot com, 28 year old Shane Michael Banks, who currently is incarcerated at SCI-Albion on separate charges, faces felony intimidation charges and other harassment misdemeanors. Banks is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing in Columbia County.
AGGRESSIVE DRIVING INITIATIVE IN PLACE
Northumberland area police traffic services as well as other municipal police forces will participate in an aggressive driving enforcement initiative starting this week through April 25. According to a press release from the highway safety network there will be a targeted aggressive driving enforcement wave that will focus on speeding, aggressive and distracted driving plus work zone awareness, and residents who are stopped for these violations will receive a ticket. The annual PennDOT education project is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
CDC UPDATES MASK GUIDANCE
Mask mandates in Pennsylvania have been updated by the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. According to Alison Beam, fully vaccinated people can visit with other vaccinated people without a mask, as well as visit unvaccinated people at low risk. However, Beam says fully vaccinated people should continue masking and distancing in public, and continue to avoid large-sized in-person gatherings. People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID more than two weeks after receiving the second of a two-dose series, or more than two weeks after receiving a single dose vaccine
SPORTS
HS Boys Basketball
P I-AA Class AAA Semifinals
Loyalsock vs. Math Civics and Sciences @ LaSalle college 7pm tonight.
