AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT RECOVERY FUNDING
Lycoming County commissioners officially accepted the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act recovery funding of $22 million that can be used by the county for such needs as public health, economic impact, essential worker pay, and infrastructure. Municipalities are receiving their own share of American Rescue funding. It was noted that the application deadline for the money is June 30.
PENN COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER
Effective July 1, staff working at the Arts Center, a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn College, become employees of the college. According to Penn College, this transition “further strengthens the college’s commitment to the venue’s long-term stability.” Penn College extensively renovated and reopened the Community Arts Center, the former Capitol Theatre, in 1993. Since then, the college has increasingly subsidized operational and infrastructure costs associated with the 2,100-seat West Fourth Street facility.
A NEWLY UPDARTED HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN FOR JERSEY SHORE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Jersey Shore Area School District is not requiring students to wear masks upon returning to school, as they are keeping with the state ending its mask mandate. According to a media outlet, the school’s updated health and safety plan states the district “will comply with all state orders in effect and notify staff and families of any necessary changes while operating schools.” Other aspects of the health and safety plan include modifications to allow for physical distancing and handwashing and respiratory etiquettes. The updated health and safety plan takes effect August 1st.
NEW SPECIES IN THE SUSQUEHANNA
The first evidence of a Golden Redhorse, a smaller-bodied sucker fish, in the Susquehanna River, has been discovered. According to SUN Gazette, in particular, the Golden Redhorse population is abundant in the drainage basins of the lower Missouri River, Ohio River, and the Mississippi River. Ryan Shaw, a recent graduate of the Mansfield University fisheries program, along with his co-authors published findings of his senior research project in the Northeastern Naturalist. Ryan, used a molecular technique called genetic barcoding to provide the first evidence of a Golden Redhorse in the Susquehanna River.
GEISINGER WALK IN COVID-19 VACCINES
Geisinger continuing walk in COVID-19 vaccines this week at its vaccine centers. Thursday, July 1 at Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also at Geisinger Hughes Vaccine Center, 9 Stearns Lane, from 9 a.m. to 1130 a.m.. In addition, the vaccines are available by appointment at Geisinger Phillipsburg in Centre County. Geisinger is offering the Pfizer vaccine; a two-dose vaccine administered 21 days apart. They are available to anyone age 12 and older.
ACCUSED MURDERER’S ATTORNEY REQUESTING A MENTAL EVALUATION FOR HIS CLIENT
Accused murderer Matthew J. Reed’s lawyer is asking for a mental health evaluation for his client. Reed, 23, who had been living at Haven Ministry, a homeless shelter in Sunbury, is accused by Stonington state police of killing three people in a Snydertown home earlier this month. Reed walked into Shamokin District Judge John Gembic’s courtroom yesterday and waived his preliminary hearing. According to the Daily Item, Reed was taken back to Northumberland County Jail where he will remain until his trial, as Judge Gembic denied bail.
DANGEROUS DOMESTIC SENDS TWO PEOPLE TO JAIL
On June 20, Kyle Lee Crain and Lena Ann Jenkins, both of Williamsport, reportedly engaged in an argument. Jenkins told Williamsport Bureau of Police that the fighting, at first verbal, turned physical. June 21 at 6:24 p.m., police units were dispatched to 1500 High Street with shots fired. According to northcentralpa.com, Crain and Jenkins, each armed with a firearm, threatened each other to the point of shooting. Crain and Jenkins face multiple felonies and misdemeanors and their bail was denied. Both are in Lycoming County Jail.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT
Catalytic converters on the underside of vehicles help reduce emissions. But according to a recent NPR report, rising prices for some metals has led to a rise in thefts. State Police in Milton are investigating a catalytic converter theft, from a parked, broken-down vehicle on Interstate 180 in Northumberland County. According to a media source, police received a report on June 26 that the catalytic converter was removed from a 2002 Honda Civic Del Sol parked near mile marker 5 in Delaware Township. The Milton State Police are investigating.
WIRETAPPING IN OLD LYCOMING TOWNSHIP
An Old Lycoming Township resident did broadcast recorded conversations without permission onto YouTube, a social media site. Kevin Ray Bradley faces wiretapping and related offenses alleging he did not inform Mayor Derek Slaughter, or a state Supreme Court Deputy Prothonotary, Amy Dreibelbis, that he was recording their conversations. Arraigned before District Judge Aaron Biichle, bail was set at $25,000 with a preliminary hearing before Biichle on July 8.
CORONAVIRUS DISASTER DECLARATION
Lycoming County commissioners voted to extend the Coronavirus Disaster Declaration for 90 days during its regular weekly meeting. According to a media source, with an extension, the county remains eligible for federal funding to help organizations and individuals impacted by COVID-19. According to Jeff Hutchins, director of Public Safety noted even though numbers of COVID-19 infections have significantly dropped, it would be prudent to extend the declaration at least one last time.
COMMERCIAL FIRE ON GOLDEN STRIP
The McDonald’s on the Golden Strip will be out of commission for due to a commercial fire that affected parts of the restaurant on Monday night, according to an online media outlet. Nobody was harmed in the incident, which was quickly put out, according to Asst. Chief Rich Caschera of the Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company. “Loyalsock and Montoursville units arrived to find a fire in a fryer that extended into the ventilation system.” McDonald’s will remain closed for around a week until the damage is repaired.
