REDRAWING THE COMMONWEALTH

The approval was given in a vote 4-1, by the five-person commission assigned the task of redrawing Pennsylvania General Assembly district lines. The vote yesterday was the approval to adjust and validate census-based data they will use to craft preliminary maps over the coming months. However, as reported by SUN Gazette, it shifts just under 27,000 state prison inmates back to their home districts for the maps.

COVID-19 TESTING WHERE STATE LAB IS QUESTIONED

As COVID-19 testing continues to be a crucial component of tracking the impact of the virus on Pennsylvanians, state legislative leaders are requesting access and an explanation of testing processes at the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories. In a letter to Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam, multiple State Representatives noted,  “With the continued importance of COVID-19 testing in mind, we note that according to testing reports that are required as part of Act 70 of 2020, testing efforts appear to have been hampered for over a year. The reports consistently state, ‘The State Laboratory is currently a limiting factor.’

OPENING DAY OF TROUT

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) established a single, statewide Opening Day of Trout Season that will occur annually on the first Saturday in April beginning in 2022.  A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will now occur one week prior to the regular statewide opening day. Based on this announcement, anglers should plan around the following dates for the 2022 trout season:

• Saturday, March 26, 2022 – Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day
• Saturday, April 2, 2022 – Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season

UPDATED COVID-19 NUMBERS FOR LOCAL AREA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new, PA –COVID-19 cases statewide, the lowest one-day total since Aug. 30 and the fifth straight day the number of cases has declined. In Clinton County 18 new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 13, while Lycoming County increased by 55, there were 27 in Tioga County,  21 in Northumberland County, 16 in Union, a dozen in Snyder and one in Montour.

LOCK HAVEN MAN FACES NEW CHARGES

It was a Lock Haven man who was previously charged with the break-in that occurred at the Kelly Township Weis Market on October 17. He now faces three additional sets of criminal charges.  Cody Stern held on $50,000 cash bail was arraigned Friday and then returned to union county prison with a new combined $75,000 cash bail for three new cases. According to complaints, Stern was seen on video breaking into the beer bar on N Derr Dr in East Buffalo Township on Oct 17,  he also allegedly smashed a truck window and then attempted a break in at a residence. As reported by an online news agency, all charges have been filed through District Judge Jeffrey Rowe’s Office.

GRANT AWARDED TO HELP ERASE VACCINE-HESITANCY

The Lycoming County United Way is taking steps to face the issues of vaccine-hesitancy in the community. A $100,000 grant from Temple University will go a long way to helping them reach their goals. According to Ron Frick, CEO of Lycoming County United Way, “It’s trauma-informed.”  According to SUN Gazettem Frick  goes on to say we’re not going to go out and be judgmental. We’re going to provide facts, statistics and testimonials.

DISORDERLY AND DANGEROUS

He was set on harming himself and was already facing charges of assaulting a member of the UPMC Williamsport medical staff and a hospital security officer. Ty William Nicholls Williamsport screamed, while a Penn College officer placed him into custody in the 1300 block of Park Avenue in Williamsport Oct. 10. According to police, “Nicholls was very disruptive, yelling, screaming and using profanities (with) five officers were needed to control him as hospital staff placed restraints on him.” Nicholls was spitting and biting at staff and police. According to SUN Gazette, he is charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, and arraigned before District Judge Christian Frey and released on $15,000 bail.

LOCK HAVEN POLICE HIT BY PHONE SCAM

Lock Haven police department posted word of the scam on the department’s Facebook page on Monday afternoon: We have received several calls within the last hour that someone has spoofed our phone number (570-893-5911) and telling the person that they failed to show up for federal court and now owe a large fine. The caller tells the person to go to Walmart and complete some sort of check transaction. THIS IS A SCAM. The call is not coming from the Lock Haven City Police Dept.