MONTOURSVILLE MAN CHARGED FOR INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITY WITH JUVENILE
When an older man in her home allegedly attempted to touch her inappropriately, an area juvenile contacted Montoursville State Police. Brandon Michael Hoffman, 21, of Jersey Shore, charged with multiple felonies, when authorities allege, on two separate occasions, touched a juvenile, less than 13 years old, underneath her pants during May 14 – 24 of this year. According to northcentralpa.com, Hoffman is being held at the Lycoming Count Prison in lieu of $95,000 monetary bail as he awaits a formal arraignment.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS ON AN ELDERLY WOMAN IN UNION COUNTY
An elderly woman entered a residence and allegedly struck an 8-year-old child. According to the police affadavit, Patricia G. Leitzel, 76, of Mifflinburg, without permission, entered a neighbor’s home on Pine Needle Cone Drive on July 22. Leitzel approached the juvenile and struck her, with an open hand, on the neck. Leitzel was charged with a third-degree felony criminal trespass charge and a summary of harassment. According to a media outlet, the preliminary hearing at the office of District Judge Jeffrey Mensch is scheduled for Aug. 24.
IN PERSON GRADUATION FOR PENN TECH
In person graduation returns for Pennsylvania College of Technology at downtown Williamsport. The Summer 2021 Commencement ceremony on Sat., Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Community Arts Center, for the more than 200 students who have petitioned to graduate. The event is open to students who are registered to participate and ticketed guests. Unvaccinated individuals must wear face masks. The event will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend. Degrees will be conferred upon graduates by President Davie Jane Gilmour, assisted by Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors.
CHIEF SHIKELLAMY MONUMENT REDEDICATED
A century ago Ada Swengel Miller unveiled the monument commemorating Chief Shikellamy on the grounds of Central Oak Heights. On Sunday, it was her great-grandson who helped rededicate the large stone memorial. About 50 people, including several members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, including Leanne Keefer, of Mifflinburg, came out to the afternoon ceremony on a ridge overlooking Shikellamy’s Old Town and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The rededication was held one day before the 100th anniversary of the original dedication — on Aug. 2, 1921.
FATAL SHOOTING IN SNYDER COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY
The 17-year-old Mount Pleasant Mills male teen who was shot on Wednesday, allegedly by another teen, has died. Friends and relatives posted on Facebook Saturday afternoon the news that the youth had passed away, three days after he was shot in the head. State police at Selinsgrove confirmed on Friday that they were investigating the shooting of a 17-year-old male by another 17-year-old male at an undisclosed location on Palmer Lane in West Perry Township, Snyder County, on Wednesday afternoon. Neither police spokesman Mark Reasner or Snyder County District Attorney were able to respond to the teen’s condition Saturday night and they reported the details of the investigation will not likely be released to the public since it involves a minor.
MASKS A QUESTION FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Another Valley school district will be revisiting soon its masking protocols for the upcoming school year. Warrior Run Area School District Superintendent Dr. Alan Hack says the school board will revisit that decision at the August 10 meeting. According to a media outlet, it’ll take place at 6 p.m. at the middle school library and there’s still a virtual option as well. The district is closely monitoring local COVID data and CDC data. Unvaccinated people have been strongly encouraged to wear masks.
AN ACCIDENT WITH UNKNOWN CAUSE IS INVESTIGATED BY STATE POLICE
State Police are investigating an a four-wheeler accident in Moreland Township that saw two adults transported for emergency care Saturday night. The male was taken by ground ambulance, while the female was transported by Life Flight. According to Logan Laidecker, Captain of Muncy Area Vol Fire Department, both were taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Fire personnel were dispatched at 9:55 p.m. and arrived on-scene at around 10 p.m., according to the Lycoming County 911 Center. They remained on-scene until 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
WORK SESSION NUMBER ONE IN THE BOOKS FOR THE CITY
It was the first, of several, work sessions to investigate the best way for the city to utilize the American Rescue Plan $25.4 million. In the 90-minute work session at Trade and Transit Centre II, Slaughter and Council agreed the big ticket items were on the radar such as the ongoing costly levee recertification process, and the controlling of flood situations. According to a media outlet, the funds are to be allocated by 2024 and spent in 2026, according to the U.S. Treasury guidelines. “My thought is that we do not rush this,” Slaughter said. “We can take the time and have a conversation with the administration, council and clearly any stakeholders and citizens in the community to make sure it is not nickel and dimed away.”
WILLIAMSPORT LADY IS CHOSEN TO REPRESENT PENNSYLVANIA
Sydney Robertson, of Williamsport, Lycoming County, was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA 2021 and Yvonne Burke, of Doylestown, Bucks County, was crowned Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2021 on Saturday evening at the Richland Performing Arts Center. Nearly 80 young women and teens participated in the competitions. Both pageants featured interviews and an evening gown competition. There was a swimsuit competition for Miss Pennsylvania USA contestants and an activewear competition for the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA contestants. Contestants were narrowed down to the top 16 on Friday. On Saturday, the five finalists were selected.
NEW DIRECTOR OF SHELTERS FOR AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS
American Rescue Workers (ARW) announced the recent appointment of William Coleman into the position of director of shelters. Coleman, employed with American Rescue Workers since 2019, has been instrumental in helping hundreds of individuals and families reach self-sufficiency after experiencing a homeless crisis, and through his new position, will be able to serve community members on a larger scale, according to a press release
