UPDATED COVID-19 NUMBERS FROM OUR AREA
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Sunday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 18 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 51, while Lycoming County increased by 63, Tioga had 12, 40 in Northumberland County, 18 in Union, seven in Montour and two in Snyder.
SNAPCHAT POST TAKEN SERIOUSLY
It was last evening when Keystone Central School District Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn Martin alerted the news media to threats at a “Central High School.” The post read, “Local police and Keystone Central School District Police have been made aware of a Snapchat post that included threats to students and administrators at “Central High School” by “Alex Anderson.” Students and parents can expect an “increased police presence” on Monday at district schools. Dr. Martin reported, however, that the investigation, conducted by local police, advised her that the reported post describing a threat to a “Central High School” was not credible to this location. According to therecordonline.com, in fact, it was determined the origin appeared to be Colorado.
SATURDAY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION
A motor vehicle accident on Saturday, on Route 15, just north of Allenwood is under an extensive investigation, as a trooper was exposed to Fentanyl. According to an online media outlet, the accident was in Gregg Township, Union County sometime around 4:30 pm. Sources reported a trooper and another individual were exposed to the drug Fentanyl and taken to the hospital. Hazmat personnel responded to help with the investigation.
A TRUSTED COUNSELOR HELPS AREA YOUTH
It was the trust of an 11-year-old with her counselor, which led to the arrest of a Jersey Shore man for indecent assault. According to northcentralpa.com, Christopher Lawrence Nelson is being charged with multiple felony and misdemeanors. He appeared in front of Judge Jerry Lepley for his preliminary arraignment, but was released after he successfully posted $50,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is Nov. 11.
GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES BOOSTER
Following recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Geisinger is offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines for eligible individuals.Those eligible for a booster dose include people who have received their two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and:Are 65 years and older, Are age 18 and older who live in long-term care settings or have underlying medical conditions or who work or live in high-risk settings.
You can make an appointment for a first, second, third or booster dose of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. Appointments are available at the vaccine centers at the Geisinger Health Plan Building near Danville. Appointments are also available at Geisinger Pharmacy locations in Danville and Lock Haven.
BICYCLE ACCIDENT FROM FRIDAY TAKES A LIFE
A bicycle accident on Friday night in Union County claimed the life of a 77-year-old Lewisburg man. According to state police at Milton, the accident happened on Colonel John Kelly Road when, around 7pm, Samuel F. Sauder was struck. He was transported to the Evangelical Community Hospital by EMS. According to the daily item, Sauder died at the hospital. State Police from Milton report the accident is under investigation.
FAILED JAIL ESCAPE
In a letter to his father, a convicted killed was preparing to escape the Northumberland County Jail. The letter, from Matthew Reed, asked his father to “ram a sheriff’s vehicle when he would leave a court appearance,” and then he would “take out the guard and two cops.” The investigation, with assistance from a search warrant, allowed troopers to intercept the letter at the local Post Office. Reed, with new charges of felony escape and aggravated assault for his threats to law enforcement, will appear before Shamokin District Judge John Gembic. As reported by the Daily Item, Reed was convicted in June for the murders of Susan Williams, 58, James Dicken, 59, and 17-year-old John Paul Dicken, all of Snydertown.
PLANS TO HELP HARDWORKING PENNSYLVANIANS
Governor Tom Wolf believes that hardworking Pennsylvanians deserve fair wages, paid sick leave, safe workplaces and quality jobs. Recently, the governor visited Delaware County to outline his workforce plan to benefit workers across the state, including an executive order issued and a call on the legislature to finally pass several bills that help working families. Governor Wolf is also urging legislative action to help out-of-work Pennsylvanians. The governor supports Rep. Gerald Mullery’s HB 549, which streamlines the process for eligible Pennsylvanians to receive unemployment benefits.
CDC APPROVES MIX AND MATCH
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Millions of people are newly eligible to receive a booster shot and will benefit from additional protection. More than 65 million Americans remain unvaccinated, leaving themselves – and their children, families, loved ones, and communities– vulnerable.
WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCL MEETING AND RVT AUDIT
At the most recent Williamsport City Council meeting, audits from the books of River Valley Transit were reviewed. The financial issues with RVT stem beyond 2020. This causes a question from Councilwoman Bonnie Katz, asking for clarification. According to Mark Zettlemoyer, of RKL, PennDot does a review every 3-5 years, but that only deals primarily with policy and procedures, basically, Penn Dot does not conduct the financial statement audit that was just completed by RKL. This is an independent financial audit. This explains why it is all just coming to light.
WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCIL AND RVT HARD QUESTIONS
Williamsport City Councilwoman Bonnie Katz asked the hard questions on Thursday at the Williamsport City Council meeting. She asked, “Who is responsible for this in the end? Does the city have to fund back to RVT?”In the end, according to Mark Zettlemoyer of the accounting firm RKL, anything done with the city, transportation funds is going to be the responsibility of the city to fund back to RVT.
A VACANCY ORDINANCE IN WILLIAMSPORT CITY
It’s a vacancy ordinance designed with owners of commercial buildings or land with little to no intention of developing them in the City of Williamsport. It was called a city It was called a Williamsport City Blighted Property Review Board Committee meeting and although no action was taken at this time, the conversation was moving towards a resolution. The process begins in the first year of vacancy when the property owner is given notice, advising them the property with a business or development plan. In the second year, if they need to have an actual plan and request a waiver on the first year of permitting. The first year permit fee is around $500, but it rises as the years pass by. Those at the committee meeting indicated the issue is likely to be discussed in future meetings.
GRANT MONEY FOR LYCOMING COUNTY UNITED WAY
It’s grant money that Lycoming County United Way plans to use in order to address the issue of vaccine-hesitancy in the community. According to Ron Frick, CEO of Lycoming County United Way, “It’s trauma-informed. We’re not going to go out and be judgmental. We’re going to provide facts. We’re going to provide statistics. We’re going to provide testimonials.” It was $3.5 million in grant funding, authorized by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Temple received the grant and then went on to select sub-recipients. United Way was chosen with goals being to prevent transmission of COVID-19, increase vaccine access and decrease vaccine hesitancy, and provide the resources communities need to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic in medically underserved urban, suburban and rural communities.
