COVID-19 LOCAL CASES FROM THANKSGIVING

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 26 new cases. In Centre County 53 new cases were recorded, Lycoming County added 110 new cases. There were 33 in Northumberland County, 17 in Snyder, 16 in Union and 12 in Montour County. Tioga County had 45 new cases reported.

FIRE IN SUNBURY ON AUGUSTA STREET

Fire caused extensive damage to a residence in Sunbury last night.  A home on Augusta St. was under control in just under an hour and remains under investigation. According to the Daily Item, the home owner and a fire fighter suffered minor injuries during the incident.

PRINCIPALS FROM THE PA REDISTRICTING ADVISORY COUNCIL

Governor Tom Wolf announced the Pennsylvania Redistricting Advisory Council has finalized a set of guiding principles of legal, representation, and process recommendations the governor should consider when evaluating the fairness of a congressional redistricting map presented by the General Assembly. The governor believes that gerrymandering is harmful to democracy and that politicians should not use the drawing of congressional district boundaries to choose their own voters. The governor signed Executive Order 2021-05 on Sept. 13 establishing the six-member advisory council. Its members have expertise in redistricting, political science and mapmaking experience and represent Drexel, Penn State, Gettysburg and West Chester Universities.

JERSEY SHORE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MASKING CHANGES

Student and staff masking in the Jersey Shore Area School District has now become optional. At the latest meeting, the school board approved a revised health and safety plan and has joined other Lycoming County school districts in lifting mask orders.

PARKING ORDINANCES FOR SNOW EVENTS IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP

Parking during snow events in Loyalsock Township now has an ordinance to temporarily regulate parking during snow events.  The Supervisors viewed the ordinance to be an act for the best interest to citizens and visitors of the township and designed to assist plow trucks to create safe throughways. According to Sun Gazette, it is written to permit any duly authorized agent, representing Loyalsock Township, to regulate the parking on streets or highways during winter storms. As it stands, when accumulation exceeds two inches of snow or ice, it is unlawful to park a motor vehicle on any road or street inside the residential, commercial and apartment office zones. Maps of these areas are available at the township office.

FIRED CROSS COUNTRY COACH HIRES LAWYER

Sex discrimination complaints sent a fired Danville Middle School Cross Country Coach to seek out an attorney against the Danville School District School Board. According to a media source,  the complaint specifically names President Chris Huron, board member Kyle Gordon,  and  an administrator – Chris Johns. According to The Daily Item, the board terminated Tina Bartholomew at its September 28 meeting and did not identify her or a reason. Parents have indicated the firing was over claims she released confidential coaching surveys students had answered. The district has denied the allegations through its Altoona attorney.

ARRESTED FOR FALSE REPORTS OF KIDNAPPING

A Williamsport man reported his girlfriend was kidnapped by several people in the area of the 700 block of Pine Street. Myles Cunningham, of  Sixth St., is looking at charges for allegedly contacting police with a fictitious report on Oct. 31. According to SUN Gazette, police suspected the report was made during a “drug-induced stupor.” In fact, Cunningham was reportidly “yelling, pounding on doors and looking for his kidnapped girlfriend” on Pine Street, according to the affidavit. Williamsport Police made contact with his girlfriend and she was safe, according to reports. Cunningham was arraigned in front of District Judge Aaron Bleach on multiple charges and was jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail.

JAMES V BROWN LIBRARY’S ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

An annual campaign, designed to help a valued assest to the community grow, is starting up. The James V. Brown Library provides  residents and visitors, year round, a safe place to learn and expand both their education and leisure ambitions. The library has both online and in person free access to books, computers and more. Now, they are asking for help to continue this tradition and keep the free access available to everyone. As reported by northcentralpa.com, you can see what they offer and how you can help at jvbrownlibrary.edu.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WEEKEND IN PA

Retailers are expected to usher in the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season Friday with bigger crowds than last year in a closer step toward normalcy. But the fallout from the pandemic continues to weigh on businesses and shoppers’ minds. Buoyed by solid hiring, healthy pay gains and substantial savings, customers are returning to stores and splurging on all types of items. But the spike has also resulted in limited selection across the board as suppliers and retailers have been caught flat-footed. Shortages of shipping containers and truckers have helped delay deliveries while inflation continues to creep. The combination of not finding the right item at the right price — in addition to a labor shortage that makes it more difficult for businesses to respond to customer needs — could make for a less festive mood. Shoppers are expected to pay on average of between 5% to 17% more for toys, clothing, appliances, TVs and others purchases on Black Friday this year compared with last year. TVs will see the highest price hike on average, up 17% from a year ago, according to the research firm. That’s because whatever discounts available will be applied to goods that are already expensive.

CHRISTMAS SEASON BEGINS IN LOCK HAVEN

A parade and Christmas tree lighting kicks off Small Business Saturday and the joyous Christmas season in Lock Haven with an all-day event.  According to the Express, Haven Hollywood Holidays starts at 8 a.m. with a limited number of “Shop Lock Haven Local” canvas bags given away. Then just after 9 am, businesses will open. At 6 pm, the parade rolls, giving visitors a chance to vote for their favorite float. The day ends with the annual tree lighting at Triangle Park. The fun continues until Dec. 18, as every Saturday is called Small Business Saturday and each offering deals, activities and celebration.

WILLIAMSPORT FEDERAL JUDGE SENDS MAN TO SEVEN YEARS FOR MONEY LAUNDERING

A federal judge in Pennsylvania has sentenced a Nigerian man to more than seven years in prison for conspiring to launder approximately $1.89 million in mail and wire fraud proceeds in a scheme that targeted women. Jabin Okpako, and his wife, Christine Bradley of Sayre, transferred the funds out of the United States to three separate bank accounts in Nigeria, prosecutors said. Authorities said the couple targeted women, ranging in age from 55 to 85, who visited online game, relationship and dating websites. According to prosecutors, the fictitious purposes included to help a worker in Alaska who fell from a tower, to aid the United Nations and to recover a $6 million inheritance. The judge ordered Jabin to make restitution in the amount of $440,950 and to forfeit proceeds of the criminal activity