MILTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CLOSING FOR TWO DAYS
Three buildings in the Milton Area School District are closing for the next two days due to increased COVID positive cases. The district announced yesterday Milton High School, Milton Middle School and Baugher Elementary School will be closed today and tomorrow and will move to virtual instruction. The district says White Deer Elementary School will remain open for in-person instruction, with universal masking strongly encouraged, regardless of vaccination status. The high school, middle school and district offices will remain open implementing universal masking and social distancing as well. According to a media source, meanwhile, the Lewisburg Area School District announced yesterday it will start universal masking inside school buildings, regardless of vaccination status, beginning today.
MULTIPLE CHARGES FOR WILLIAMSPORT MEN AFTER ATTEMPTING TO FLEE POLICE
They were inside a vehicle, failing to stop for police. Two back-seat passengers Tymir Omar Martin and Tahjair Dorsey bailed out of the vehicle as soon as it came to a stop. Officers chased both men, who were apprehended within blocks in a matter of minutes, each armed with loaded handguns, police said. While Dorsey was automatically jailed in the Lycoming County Prison on probation violation, Martin was arraigned before District Judge Christian Frey on felony escape, felony carrying a firearm without a license, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. Dorsey is expected to be arraigned today on identical charges. A media outlet reported, no information was provided about who was driving the car.
MASKING ORDERS FOR K-12 SCHOOLS
With a focus on protecting students and keeping them in classrooms, Governor Tom Wolf joined the departments of Health, Human Services and Education today to discuss the current state of COVID-19 and a new Secretary of Health order requiring masks to be worn inside K-12 school buildings, early learning programs and child care providers. The order takes effect 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. According to Gov. Wolf, “The science is clear. The Delta variant is highly transmissible and dangerous to the unvaccinated, many of whom are children too young to receive the vaccine. Requiring masks in schools will keep our students safer and in the classroom, where we all want them to be. Acting Secretary Beam signed the order under her authority provided by the Disease Prevention and Control Law. The Order applies to everyone indoors at K-12 public schools including brick and mortar and cyber charter schools, private and parochial schools, career and technical centers (CTCs), and intermediate units (IUs). According to a media source, the order also applies to early learning programs and child care providers for children ages 2 and older, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CRIMINAL TRIAL FOR SEX CASE FROM MONTGOMERY
A criminal trial began Friday in Lycoming County Court for a Montgomery man accused of rape of a child under age 13. Christopher John Grob, 51, faces multiple felonies in allegations which span two years.In his opening remarks, Martin Wade, first assistant district attorney, alleged the evidence in the trial would reveal the rape occurred in two different residences. He asked the jurors to imagine how embarrassing and shameful it is for adult women who are victims of sexual assault to speak up — let alone a child. According to northcentralpa.com, the trial, presided over by county Judge Marc F. Lovecchio, continued yesterday.
WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCIL TO HOLD VIRTUAL MEETINGS
Back again, starting 7 p.m. Sept. 9 due to an increase in COVID-19 infection rates in Lycoming County, Williamsport City Council will hold virtual meetings for a temporary basis, this according to a hopeful Council President Randall J Allison. A resolution was first approved giving that authority, according to SUN Gazette.
SUSPENDED STATE TROOPER
A suspended state trooper pleaded guilty to obstructing the administration of law and impersonating a public servant during court yesterday morning. Johnathan Buynak, a state trooper employed with the Montoursville State Police barracks, was sentenced to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service and will pay $900 in restitution as a result. According to SUN Gazette, Corporal John Powis, who filed the affidavit in the case, stated Buynak was currently suspended from his position pending an investigation at the department level.
CHASE ENDED IN CRASH IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE
A preliminary hearing is set for a Northumberland man who led police on a high-speed chase on Interstate 180 in Lycoming County and crashed in a construction zone. Donald L. Harer, 47, was traveling the wrong way on I-180 westbound on Aug. 8 at a high rate of speed. Muncy Borough Police Department attempted to pull Harer over near mile marker 10 in Muncy Creek Township. The pursuit ended when Harer hit an oncoming vehicle in a posted construction zone. According to a media outlet, Harer faces multiple charges. District Judge Jon E. Kemp is handling the preliminary hearing set for Sept. 3.
HOMICIDE BY MOTOR VEHICLE CHARGES ON DRIVER WHO WASN’T PAYING ATTENTION
A driver who rear ended a vehicle on Route 45 in East Buffalo Township, killing an 8-year-old boy, has been charged with homicide by vehicle in Union County. The driver, Roger L. Kline, 68, of Beaver Springs, told police he was looking at his cell phone the afternoon of July 12 when he rear ended a sedan at 52 mph. Landyn Zerby, 8, was in the back seat of the sedan at the time and suffered fatal injuries. He was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital and transferred by helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center, where he died the next morning. Charges against include: multiple felonies. According to DailyItem, Rowe set bail at $100,000 unsecured. Kline’s preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 7 at District Magistrate Rowe’s office.
PPL IS READY FOR IDA
PPL Electric Utilities is preparing for Tropical Storm Ida, which is expected to bring wind and heavy rain across its service territory Wednesday (9/1) into Thursday (9/2). PPL Electric Utilities, which is always prepared for whatever damage and outages storms may cause, urges customers to take time to make sure they’re ready. “We have been tracking Ida very closely for several days and have a plan in place to address any outages that may occur,” said James Conrad, director of operations for PPL Electric Utilities. “Preparing for damaging storms is something we do throughout the year. We urge all of our customers to stay safe and prepare for the possibility that they may lose power.” According to a media outlet, report your outage online at pplelectric.com or text “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775).
COVID-19 DASHBOARD FROM PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Tuesday Clinton County saw four new cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours,; Centre County went up 35; Lycoming County increased by 31, 30 in Northumberland, 13 in Union, 10 in Snyder and six COVID-19 in Montour County yesterday, according to a media outlet.
