JAMES V. BROWN LIBRARY RECEIVES AN AWARD
For overcoming a significant and public censorship challenge earlier this year, The James V. Brown Library, standing strong through a year of censorship and other challenges, has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Library Association as the Library of the Year. Each year, a library is chosen because they have excelled in leadership and service to the public. According to SUN Gazette, the library is having an open house Friday, Nov. 12th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the children’s area with light refreshments.
VISITOR’S AGGRESSIVE COMMENTS END MEETING
The East Lycoming School Board abruptly closed their recent public meeting, choosing to move to executive session allegedly following public comments. Audience members have been permitted to speak at meetings, pending their agreement to rules and policy set for the meeting by the school board. In such, visitors are permitted three minutes to address the board. According to SUN Gazette, during the three minutes, all comments for board consideration are expected to be non-vulgar and directed to current policy issues. When the comments became pointed and confrontational toward board members, enough was enough. According to Donna Gavitt board member, “I call for an adjournment of this meeting.” When asked why, Gavitt answered, “Shouting out of line.”
CHARGES BOUND OVER FOR COURT
The alleged inappropriate comments made to 16-year-old girls over Snapchat and in the classroom resulting in subsequent charges including; unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors, have passed all requirements and are bound over to court. A Williamsport Area High School geometry teacher, Christopher Yoder, appeared before District Judge Aaron Biichle in a preliminary hearing. Yoder’s bail remains $85,000.
FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
A five-year agreement, which covers teachers and the other school professional employees, was approved by the Montoursville Area School Board. According to SUN Gazette, on average, the professional employees, per the contract, will be increased to 2.31 % for the 2022-2023 school years. The contract covers school nurses and counselors. However, it excludes management level personnel and supervisors.
COVID-19 LOCAL NUMBERS
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases statewide. In Clinton County 28 new cases were reported, County saw an increase of 47, while Lycoming County increased by 75, 68 new cases in Northumberland County, 29 in Union, 23 in Snyder and seven in Montour.
IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT FOR AREA UNIVERSITY
In person commencement for Fall 2021 will be held Friday, and Saturday Dec. 10 and 11 for Bloomsburg University in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall. The School of Graduate Studies and the Zeigler College of Business will hold commencement ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. And the College of Education and the College of Science and Technology will graduate on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. Finally, the College of Liberal Arts ceremony Saturday, Dec. 11th at 2 pm. Masks are required of all inside Haas Center for the Arts regardless of vaccination status.
PRESIDENTIAL HONORS IN SNYDER COUNTY
It is an honor like no other. The Hill View Christmas Tree Farm, located just outside of Middleburg in Snyder County, has been awarded the honor of having one of their trees as the National Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. this year. The tree, according to owner Darrell Bowersox, will be taken to Washington with an escort on Friday morning. The National Christmas Tree is lit annually to mark the officially start of the Christmas season for the nation’s capital. According to a media outlet, The tree will be planted between the White House and the Washington Monument.
ARREST MADE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
On Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 at 1348 hours, Watsontown Police conducted a traffic stop on Jason M. Enterline, 36 of Milton, for a vehicle code violation occurring in the 200 block of Main St. A subsequent investigation found Enterline, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, was in possession of and concealed a loaded firearm on his person. The firearm was without identifying serial numbers. Additionally, narcotics and drug paraphernalia were also recovered from the vehicle. Enterline was charged with Felony counts of A Person Not to Possess a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm with altered serial number, Firearms not to be carried without a license, Misdemeanor counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Drug Paraphernalia and summary vehicle code violations. Enterline was transported to Northumberland County Jail where he is awaiting arraignment.
SENATE BILL 420 FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE QUALIFICATIONS
As legislators continue conversations about criminal justice reform, a state Senate bill, sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), Vice Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, would clarify the statutory requirements for individuals who hold the office of District Attorney in Pennsylvania. Senator Yaw’s bill, Senate Bill 420, focuses on a District Attorney holding a valid license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the time of election throughout the term of office. “Currently, there is no requirement that a person elected to the office of District Attorney possess an active license to practice law at the time of entering office, which SB 420 will require,” Sen. Yaw said. “My bill would also establish safeguards so that the office of District Attorney would continue to operate uninterrupted in the event of a suspension of the law license or disbarment from the practice of law of a sitting District Attorney. Senate Bill 420 would cover situations when a District Attorney’s law license is suspended, or they are disbarred.
HAVEN CUPBOARD EVENT
Lock Haven University students involved with a service project for their small group communications class will host a trunk or treat and canned food drive combined event from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31 at the Lock Haven Moose Lodge 100, 150 S. Hanna St. The event is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to come in costume to receive treats and also to bring a canned or non-perishable food item to benefit the Haven Cupboard food pantry, which provides food and other items to LHU students in need.
FREED FROM SHORTENED JAIL TERM
A convicted drug dealer, originally sentenced 14 to 29 years in state prison by a 2013 jury, who found him guilty on 21 counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, has been released from his set jail term. Neil Neidig of Sunbury, appeared in front of Judge Paige Rosini, a judge from Northumberland County, yesterday, will be on probation for upwards of 19 years. As reported by the Daily Item, he has been a resident of state prison since 2011.
COURTHOUSE NEW AND IMPROVED IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
According to Northumberland County Planning Coordinator Justin Skavery, the newly designed courtroom at the Northumberland County Courthouse is complete. The second floor courtroom space is 626 square feet and provides office space of 235 square feet, has been operational for approximately two weeks and used primarily by Senior Judge Harold Woelfel Jr. According to the Daily Item, the courtroom is part of the Northumberland County Courthouse Rehabilitation project with a total pricetag of $4.3 million.
50,000TH COVID-19 VACCINE IN NORTH CENTRAL UPMC REGION
They are celebrating the big 50. The big 50,000 that is… UPMC north central is sharing the news of the 50,000th administration of the COVID-19 vaccine here at home in the north central UPMC region. A breakfast was prepared for UPMC COVID-19 clinical staff and they were presented with special vaccine challenge coins. UPMC, recognizing them for their service to the community, echoed the pride of the region. According to Heather Stafford, clinical director of Infection Prevention and Control, UPMC North Central Pa, “Reaching this vaccination milestone is definitely a reason to celebrate, both as a system and as a community.”
