UPDATE ON DRIVER’S CONDITION

It was a motorcycle accident that sent an Orangeville to the hospital. On Aug 2 around 7:10 p.m. Pete Rose of suffered serious injuries when his motorcycle collided with a truck driven by Matthew Neidig of Hughesville on Rte 442  and Neufer Hollow Rd in Muncy Creek Township. According to a media source, Rose remains in intensive care at UPMC Williamsport.

UPMC URGING MASK, DISTANCE AND VACCINATE

The Delta, Delta Plus and future variants bring with them a laundry list of concerns and UPMC professionals continue to urge individuals to mask, distance and vaccinate. “We expect to see some evolution,” Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology, said during a news briefing. “We are facing a pandemic that will be with us for some time. … It will continue to evolve.” According to SUN Gazette, Snyder stressed the pandemic could be with us years down the road. He added that while vaccines are not mandated at UPMC at the moment, the potential is still there for the future.

MASK PROTOCOLS CHANGING PENN COLLEGE

With the threat of the now dominant Delta variant, the Pennsylvania College of Technology has changed their masking protocols and now requires all students, faculty, staff and visitors to be masked, regardless of vaccination status. At Penn College, the new protocols went into effect Aug. 9. Fall classes begin at the college on Aug. 16. The masking protocols will be re-evaluated every two weeks, beginning Aug. 27. As reported by a news source, Penn College has no plans at this time to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students.

MASK PROTOCOLS CHANGING LYCOMING COLLEGE

With the threat of the now dominant Delta variant Lycoming College has changed their masking protocols. According to an update sent to students from Dr. Kent Trachte, Lycoming College president issued a message to students, “All members of the community will be expected to wear masks indoors in public settings. This protocol means that everyone will begin the semester wearing masks during class. While more detail will be provided, you should be prepared with a supply of masks. The decision at Lycoming was made following a convening of the COVID Response/Advisory Group at the beginning of the month.

TRADING PROPERTY WITH LYCOMING COUNTY AND CITY OF WILLIAMSPORT

Following lengthy discussion and debate at their weekly meeting, Lycoming County commissioners voted 3-0 in favor of a land swap with the city of Williamsport which includes the county-owned Executive Plaza building and the city’s Third Street parking lot. Commissioner Rick Mirabito who voted against the land swap two weeks ago decided to change his vote, despite reservations regarding transparency and questions over the appraised value of city land. City council had already approved the issue. The swap transfers the land underneath the plaza building and its parking lot to the county. According to a report from SUN Gazette, the land on the parking garage owned by the county will transfer to the city.

LOOKING FOR BIDS TO PURCHASE NEW GLOCKS

The city reaches out for bids to vendors to provide cost estimates on 55 Glock handguns and related equipment for City police. Chief Snyder  wants to put the gun bid out and is using PennBid to find eligible vendors. According to a media outlet, the estimated cost is $57,000 for the firearms and associated equipment. The firearms with attachments were listed in the six-year capital projects budget with payment over two years. In other related action, the committee also gave a positive recommendation on a resolution authorizing an existing memorandum of understanding with the Williamsport Area School District. It is a new year and the cost went up to $317 per day, for the school resource officer service.

CITY MAY HIRE NEW OFFICER

Williamsport Bureau of Police may be hiring a 47th police officer, should City Council approve the hiring tomorrow. City Police Chief Justin Snyder asked City Council’s finance committee to recommend the hiring of Nathaniel Kendall, the newest candidate who will be done with the police academy soon, and prepared to be put on the street by Nov. 15. According to a media outlet, the committee gave the request a positive recommendation. In other related action, the committee also gave a positive recommendation on a resolution authorizing an existing memorandum of understanding with the Williamsport Area School District. It is a new year and the cost went up to $317 per day, for the school resource officer service.

GOV TOM WOLF CALLS TO STATE EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED

Some 25,000 employees of Pennsylvania’s prisons and state health care and congregate care facilities have about a month to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or take weekly tests for the virus, Gov. Tom Wolf announced yesterday. Wolf said workers in those jobs — and all new hires at those facilities — have until Sept. 7 to get fully vaccinated. In addition to the Corrections Department, it applies to state hospitals, veterans’ homes, community health centers and homes for those with intellectual disabilities. Starting Oct. 1, all state workers under Wolf’s jurisdiction who prove they are fully vaccinated will also be given an extra day off of work as an incentive to increase the vaccination rate.

LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES TEAMS

Four teams have earned Little League World Series berths Lafayette, Louisiana became the first qualifier Sunday.  Wylie, Texas will be competing at the Series for the first time and also captured its first state championship. Texas fought through the loser’s bracket, winning three straight games to reach both the Southwest final and the Series. Stuart/Palm City became Florida’s first Series qualifer since 2008.  Finally, this is the third time since 2013 Nolensville will be playing at the Series.