HANNA SELECTED AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
Dr. Bashar Hanna has been chosen by the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education as interim president of Mansfield University during its July Board of Governors meeting. Hanna will continue to serve as president of Bloomsburg University, a position he’s held since 2017, and interim president of Lock Haven University, a position he was appointed to in February. According to a media source, in addition, Hanna will lead the team overseeing the Northeast Integration of three universities – Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield – into a single accredited entity with three distinct campuses.
BUCKNELL MASKING REQUIREMENTS CHANGE
Bucknell University announced it is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor campus spaces and implementing weekly testing for unvaccinated staff and students. According to a media source, emails sent to staff and students by Bucknell University today. The new policies are “in response to the recent significant increase in COVID-19 cases in Union County.” According to the email, masks are required “of everyone in all public and academic indoor campus spaces” and should be worn “regardless of social distancing or vaccination status.”
FRAUD INVESTIGATION BASED ON CARD USAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION
A Williamsport man was charged with several misdemeanors stemming from a fraud investigation conducted by the Old Lycoming Township Police Department on July 28. Police reported a card, was used without permission, by the caretaker of the card owner. Media outlets report Carl Wesley Caum, 49, allegedly spent more than $1,400 on two separate cards in the victim’s name from Jan. 29 to April 7 of 2021. The bail for the felony case was listed as $25,000 unsecured and his preliminary is scheduled before Judge William Solomon on Aug 18.
TODDLER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL WITH MORPHINE OVERDOSE
On Tuesday, a Williamsport Police Officer transported a two-year-old and his mother to the hospital after an apparent overdose on morphine. According to the report, the toddler got into Drew Barasky’s unprescribed morphine pills. According to a media outlet, Barasky was charged with multiple charges and held at the Lycoming County Prison after he was unable to provide the $50,000 monetary bail. His preliminary is scheduled for Aug 12 before Judge Aaron Biichle.
CITY WORKERS RELOCATE UNTIL CITY HALL IS CLEARED
City Hall workers are going to temporarily relocate to the third floor of Trade and Transit Centre I. Painters with the city were applying fresh coats of paint inside Trade and Transit Centre I’s third floor Thursday. The building’s first floor and basement remain occupied by the Community Theatre League, which leases the basement and first floor space from River Valley Transit. According to SUN Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter said he is having everyone inside, including police, to be relocated temporarily to safer premises, not necessarily in the same location.
ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN CHARGES
Lycoming County Children and Youth caseworkers reported they arrived at the home of Cellastean Moore and Kalvin Sampson’s home on Hazel Drive in Loyalsock Township about 4:15 p.m. on April 20, to find children from 2 yrs to 7 yrs with no adult supervision. A media outlet reported, both the mother and father face a felony charge of endangering the welfare of children. On Thursday morning at the office of District Judge Gary Whiteman, where they were arraigned and released on $15,000 bail each.
PENN STATE FOOTBALL EYES FUTURE, HOPEFUL
Penn State is set to take the field for preseason camp as less than a month remains before the Nittany Lions travel to Wisconsin for their season opener on Sept. 4. After a full allotment of spring practices and two spring scrimmages, it appears the 2021 season will return to normal as Penn State begins its eighth season under coach James Franklin. Seven opponents are set to visit Beaver Stadium this season: Ball State (Sept. 11), Auburn (Sept. 18), Villanova (Sept. 25), Indiana (Oct. 2), Illinois (Oct. 23), Michigan (Nov. 13) and Rutgers (Nov. 20).Despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the Delta variant, Penn State athletic officials haven’t indicated that they’re considering amending their previously announced return to full-capacity athletic events this fall.
