NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY MURDER SUSPECT ARRAIGNED YESTERDAY
State Police in Stonington reported Matthew J Reed planned to steal a 1997 Toyota Camry from the victims and brought a gun to kill them if he needed to when he shot and killed three people inside a Snydertown home Wednesday, according to arrest papers. Reed confessed to murdering Susan Williams, 58, James Dicken, 59, and an unidentified 17-year-old male at 3425 Snydertown Road, according to a criminal affidavit filed by state police. Northumberland County District Judge John Gembic denied Reed’s request for bail at his arraignment yesterday. .State police noted in arrest papers that Reed said he “‘snapped’ and started shooting and when he was done all three victims were deceased.” Reed is scheduled to appear before Gembic for his preliminary hearing June 22, according to The Daily Item.
CONTINUANCE GRANTED FOR WINFIELD WOMAN FACING FIREARMS POSSESSION CHARGE
Magisterial District Judge John Reed granted a continuance Wednesday to Myrle Miller, 76, of Winfield, who’s charged in Snyder County with illegal possession of a firearm. The long rifle belonged to her late husband, John W. Nichols, according to arrest papers. The charge resulted from the investigation leading to Miller’s homicide arrest in Union County for allegedly fatally poisoning Nichols. The Daily Item reported Miller was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday on the count, and that hearing is now postponed as she seeks an attorney, Snyder County District Attorney. Miller was previously granted a continuance by Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Mensch, Mifflinburg, in the homicide case. She was to appear before Mensch on Tuesday.
BUFFALO VALLEY REGIONAL POLICE LOOKING FOR MILTON MAN FACING INVOLUNTARY DEVIATE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE CHARGES
A Milton man provided a juvenile girl alcohol and forced her to perform a sexual act on him, according to Buffalo Valley Regional Police.Police charged Anthony R. Bach, 22, with two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor. The juvenile accuser made the allegations during an interview at the Child Advocacy Center in Sunbury. Police said attempts to contact Bach have failed, according to a media outlet. He hasn’t yet been arraigned on the charges filed Tuesday at the office of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Rowe.
TWO ALARM BLAZE IN LOCK HAVEN
An early morning two alarm blaze rocked a residence near the intersection of W. 4th Street and W. Church Street in Lock Haven. Clinton County Communications reported fire crews cleared the scene at 3 am and the fire remains under investigation.
PROPOSED ELECTION LAW REFORMS
Area House lawmakers are behind a proposed bill calling for election law reforms. The legislation, produced by state Rep. Seth Grove, chairman of the State Government Committee, would change deadlines, adopt new rules for early voting, alter mail-in ballot procedures, and require IDs for in-person voters. State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Montoursville, said it is absolutely necessary to restore trust in the election process. “This bill, on its own, makes it easier to vote, harder to cheat,” he said. State Rep. Clint Owlett, called the legislation the first step in a lengthy reform process. State Rep. Jeff Wheeland, said the bill comes as the result of hearings and testimony, including from county officials across the state concerned about the voting process. Gov. Wolf, who is expected to veto the bill, has emphasized that results from the 2020 election were certified and accurate with no evidence of fraud.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE REPORT DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE STATS
The Pennsylvania State Police announced yesterday that troopers made 18,412 driving under the influence arrests in 2020, which reflects a one percent decrease from the total number of dui arrests in 2019. Also, troopers investigated 4,157 DUI related crashes in 2020. According to a press release, impaired driving is a serious crime that continues to impact our roadways. Troopers were tasked with additional duties during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they continued to work with law enforcement partners to keep our roadways safe through a combination of dui education and enforcement efforts. Troopers utilized virtual classrooms and completed over 1,300 traffic safety presentations in 2020.
BUDGET APPROVED FOR PCT 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
The Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors approved a budget for the 2021-22 school year that shows no increase in tuition and fees for students. In 2021-22 school year, the in-state rate for tuition and fees will remain at $587 per credit hour, the same rate for the previous year. According to a media outlet, the budget also features are voluntary gifts of $100,000 to the City of Williamsport and $35,000 to the Williamsport Area School District. These gifts are re-evaluated annually.
41ST ANNUAL FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA
The city of Williamsport will host the 41st annual Flags Across America event on flag day, it is a single ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, beneath one of the largest flying American flags in the region. “We are going to honor our nation on Flag Day and hold a ceremony,” said Robert Weaver, event co-coordinator with William Carlucci, an attorney and event speaker. “The city could not obtain a permit needed to hold the march on streets from the state Department of Transportation,”according to sun gazette. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, those riding bicycles decorated in red, white and blue, patriotic pet owners and others are invited to attend.
SIX-YEAR-OLD INSPIRATION DONATES OF TIME/ENERGY FOR WATER/GATORADE/SNACK DRIVE FOR LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS
“Paisley Armstrong, 6, of Danville, has stepped up and designed a water/gatorade/snack drive.” for local fire fighters. The official start date was scheduled to be June 19, but word got out and donations have been coming in. Paisley visited the Goodwill Hose Company during their Chicken BBQ to drop off the first donation and then stopped in at the Friendship Fire Company for the second donation in a weekend of visit to local fire stations. Paisley said that firefighters especially get hot and hungry when fighting fires so they need food and water. The next donation is scheduled at the East End Fire Company on June 16.
According to a media outlet, Paisley had a goal of 10 cases of water, which she already achieved. They will continue to collect through the summer. Danville Fire Chief John Buckenberger said she has yet to meet Paisley but he appreciates her efforts. She deserves the recognition.
