WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Armed with a mobile education exhibit used to promote their nationwide cause, The “Wreaths Across America” ambassador bus recently visited the Montoursville American Legion. According to SUN Gazette, Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that seeks to place a wreath on the grave of every military veteran in the nation. The Lycoming County detachment currently places wreaths at cemeteries in Antes Fort, Pine Creek, Jersey Shore, Montoursville, the Fairview Cemetery in Montgomery, the Freedom Road Cemetery and the Williamsport Cemetery on Washington Boulevard with hopes of expanding into Muncy and Hughesville cemeteries.
LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD TAX INCREASE
For the first time in three years, the Loyalsock Township School District School Board approved raising the real estate taxes next year upwards of a .43 mill increase in the rate.According to a media outlet, the district worked to avoid the increase by renegotiating contracts, installing solar panels on buildings and, more recently, approving construction of a cellular tower on district property. The board also approved the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion resolution, which will enable primary residents of qualifying properties to see a reduction of $130.75 in their property taxes. There are 3,020 homesteads and nine farmsteads in the district that qualify for the exclusion. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 14 at the Board Conference Room, 1605 Four Mile Drive.
MY VISION 9 FOUNDATION
A local nonprofit received a $75,000 grant from AllOne Foundation & Charities. The My Vision 9 Foundation, 400 Market St. in Williamsport, was presented with the check at a press conference yesterday afternoon.The My Vision 9 Foundation had initially set a goal to help 42 people when they were founded in 2018 but that number has increased dramatically, according to SUN Gazette. The vision is to improve access to healthcare, according to Executive Director John Crossgrove. My Vision 9 provides transportation, works with counseling services and provides individual coaching and other forms of support for a wide range of people.
JAMES V BROWN ANNUAL AUTHOR GALA
One fan of David Baldacci, will have the opportunity to name a character in an upcoming novel if they are lucky enough to win the bidding at the silent auction held in conjunction with the James V. Brown Library’s annual Author Gala.. Baldacci, an American author who writes suspense novels and legal thrillers, is the featured author at the James V. Brown Library’s annual Author Gala. According to a media source, the Gala, the library’s main fundraiser, will be held on Oct. 6 this year. Plans are to hold the gala at the Community Arts Center.
KIDS UNITED/COCHRAN PLAYGROUND PROJECT
It was an allocation for upwards of $45,000 for the Kids United/Cochran Playground Project that was recently approved by the Williamsport Area School Board.Construction of the playground, on the north side of the primary school, is expected to begin next week and it is designed to accommodate play for children of all abilities. In other news from the school board, the class of 2022’s request to hold the 2022 Junior/Senior Prom at the Genetti Hotel in May 2022 was approved by the board. All costs will be paid by class funds. The next board meeting will be 6 p.m. July 6 at the District Service Center, 2780 W. Fourth St.
ADDITIONAL FELONIES FOR NY MAN
After being released on $150,000 monetary bail, a New York man, who already carries four counts of rape, now faces multiple additional felonies. Casey Lewis Guyer, 37, of Little Falls, N.Y. was charged with corruption of minors, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and statutory sexual assault less than two weeks after posting bail for his previous case. According to northcentralpa.com, Guyer was also charged with two counts each of misdemeanor indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age and indecent exposure stemming from another incident.
WILLIAMSPORT MAN ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
A Williamsport man was charged with three felonies after he failed to deliver on a promise to renovate a person’s kitchen, according to northcentralpa.com. Forest Spitzfaden, 27, of Williamsport was charged with multiple felonies. According to Montoursville PSP, Spitzfaden entered into an agreement to renovate a kitchen for a total of $61,400. Spitzfaden was given $30,700 in advance for the job. In Feb. with no work completed, the accuser sent Spitzfaden a certified letter asking for the money back. Troopers said Spitzfaden never returned the money and he was charged on June 7 then released the same day on $15,000 unsecured bail. Spitzfaden is scheduled to meet with Judge Gary A. Whiteman on July 12 for a preliminary hearing.
CONVICTION STANDS
Joseph J. Newman Jr., 50, of Mill Hall, will continue to serve upwards of 29 years in state prison, according therecordonline.com. This was his latest effort to overturn his conviction and win his release from the Department of Corrections. Newman was sentenced by Clinton County Judge Michael Salisbury, October 2017, when a jury found him guilty of seven charges stemming from a shooting in August of 2016 in Mill Hall.
FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA
The “26th Annual Set the Nite to Music Fireworks Extravaganza” with UPMC, the city of Williamsport and Backyard Broadcasting is happening, in downtown Williamsport, on Sunday July 4th. A petition filed with PennDOT that was required to close the Market Street Bridge was initially denied. However, the city petitioned for a waiver. The waiver was granted by Governor Wolf’s office. Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter added that approval from the state was received yesterday morning. Backyard Broadcasting’s 26th Annual Set the Night to Music Celebration will be held in the area of the Williamsport Hampton Inn for a world class fireworks display, fired off the Market Street Bridge, and choreographed to a super patriot soundtrack.
