COVID CASES FOR FRIDAY
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported new COVID cases for yesterday. Clinton County reported 56 new cases on Friday. In Centre County 284 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 118 new cases. There were 110 new infections in Northumberland County, 44 in Snyder, 43 in Union and 11 in Montour.
DCNR GRANT FUNDING FOR MONTOUR AREA RECREATION COMMISSION
State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) today applauded the funding announcement by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) dedicating thousands toward waterways protection, stormwater management, as well as park and recreational improvements throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union and surrounding counties. In Montour County, the Montour Area Recreation Commission received $125,000 for use toward the further development and rehabilitation of Hopewell Park located in Mahoning Township.
MUMMERS PARADE MOVED TO SUNDAY
The Mummers Parade, believed to be the nation’s oldest folk festival, stems from a mixture of immigrant traditions, some dating back of the 1640s, dubbed “mummer,” probably from the German word for “mask.” The outdoor portion of Philadelphia’s famous and sometimes inflammatory New Year’s Day parade featuring the Mummers has been pushed to Sunday because of rain in the forecast. The indoor portion of the events, including performances at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will still continue as planned on Saturday, officials said. City officials also announced the New Year’s Day fireworks planned for Penn’s Landing at 6 p.m. are canceled because of the weather forecast.
MEETING CHANGED DATE AND WENT VIRTUAL
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that a meeting of the Fisheries and Hatcheries Committee originally scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at the PFBC’s Centre Region Office has been rescheduled. The meeting will now take place on Thursday, January 13, 2022 beginning at 1:00 p.m. and will be conducted online with Commissioners and PFBC staff participating remotely. The public may view a live stream of the meeting by visiting the PA Fish and Boat Facebook page. Public comments pertaining to the agenda can be submitted by calling (717) 705-7846 beginning on Monday, January 10 at 8:00 a.m. until Tuesday, January 11 at 12:00 p.m.
PENN STATE TO START SEMESTER IN PERSON, AS PLANNED
Penn State will start the spring semester as planned, with in-person classes and activities held as scheduled with continued health and safety protocols in place. The University will continue to closely monitor the conditions around University Park and its Commonwealth Campuses and will alter its plans if necessary. Additional and/or enhanced protocols may be added in the coming weeks to reflect the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus omicron variant. While conditions vary by region and community, at this time, Penn State’s action is consistent with that of about half its Big Ten peers. The latest information on the University’s response to the pandemic can be found on the Coronavirus Information website.
JUDGE SWORN IN UNION COUNTY
She is now officially known as Judge Lori R. Hackenburg, Court of Common Pleas Judge for the 17th Judicial District of Union And Snyder County. Friday, in front of a small crowd, she stepped forward and raised her right hand, solidifying hopes for those who voted for her and moving forward with her career. According to the Daily Item, she is the second female to serve as a county judge in the 17th Judicial District. There is a robing and swearing-in ceremony planned at the Northumberland County Courthouse on Monday at 11 am.
SUN GAZETTE CARRIER SAVES A WOMAN FROM HOUSE FIRE
A hero emerges when the need arises. It was early Wednesday morning when a residential blaze erupted in Loyalsock Township. A SUN Gazette newspaper carrier, out delivering on her morning route, heard screams coming from inside. Becky Levano made the decision to go in and found Sheila Myers and her dog, Buddy, at the rear of her home, unable to escape. According to SUN Gazette, Levano assisted Myers to the outside of her home, moments before the fire exploded, consuming everything.
LOOKING FOR ANSWERS
The public comment deadline is today and the Clinton County Commissioners have renewed their call for more information regarding the proposal from the Maryland Air National Guard in which they wish to expand training flights over a large swath of north central Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, the commissioners shared their most recent letter they sent to the Maryland National Guard. This letter also included petitions from hundreds of concerned citizens, looking for information and expressing concerns, according to therecordonline.com. The commissioners on Wednesday shared with the media their most recent letter, what they called “a final stand,” to the Maryland National Guard, sending along information they have gathered, including petitions with hundreds of signatures from area residents expressing their concern about the safety of the flights. This final letter, joins one sent by Governor Tom Wolf.
$3.5 MILLION PAID TO EMPLOYEES IN 2021
In 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) investigated more than 4,000 complaints of alleged labor law violations and returned more than $3.5 million in earned wages to Pennsylvania workers whose employers violated a labor law, according to data released today by L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier. Most of the complaints investigated in 2021 and in recent years were relevant to the Wage Payment and Collection Law (WPCL), the Minimum Wage Act (MWA), the Prevailing Wage Act, (PWA), the Child Labor Act (CLA) and the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act (CWMA). The Bureau of Labor Law Compliance includes 24 investigators, four supervisors and six central office staff who work in district offices located in Altoona, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton.
THE NEW PA SENIOR FOOD BOX PROGRAM
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Aging Secretary Robert Torres today highlighted the Wolf Administration’s successful rebrand of the PA Senior Food Box Program in 2021, formally known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Over 7,100 seniors enrolled after the department made significant steps to improve access to and awareness of the program. Key to the effort is a partnership between the Departments of Agriculture and Aging that has enabled the Department of Aging’s PACE pharmaceutical assistance program to conduct outreach to its enrollees who may also be eligible for the Senior Food Box Program. Through these actions in 2021, Pennsylvania is optimistic that it will be approved to maintain its existing caseload by the USDA in the coming year. The Administration hopes to further increase enrollment in 2022 and increase Pennsylvania’s caseload to serve even more seniors in need in the coming years.
POLICE REMIND DRIVERS OF OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAY
The New Year’s Eve Holiday has historically resulted in an increase of impaired driving crashes and arrests. With this in mind, the Old Lycoming Police Department hopes to get drivers to think if they plan on celebrating with alcohol and other substances this holiday weekend. Police officers want to take this opportunity to remind drivers that preventing an impaired driving incident is simple. Remember to plan ahead, designate a sober driver and leave extra time to get to your destination. New Year’s weekend impaired driving/DUI Task forces statewide in addition to locally in Lycoming County will be part of Operation Safe Holiday, tasked with removing impaired drivers from the roadways.
OPERATION SAFE HOLIDAY
Operation Safe Holiday continues through New Year’s Day. Law enforcement will conduct impaired driving enforcement details, with zero tolerance toward drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. According to PennDOT data, there were 1,175 crashes resulting in 31 deaths during the same period in 2019. Drivers are also reminded to obey Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop, or disabled vehicle. The goal of the Move Over Law is to protect law enforcement, emergency medical providers, and other first responders when responding to crashes.
DCNR GRANT TO RIDER PARK IN GAMBLE TOWNSHIP
State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) today applauded the funding announcement by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) dedicating thousands toward waterways protection, stormwater management, as well as park and recreational improvements throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union and surrounding counties. These highly competitive DCNR grants were awarded through the Conservation Community Partnerships Program (C2P2). In Lycoming County; First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania received $250,000 for further development of Rider Park in Gamble Township, Lycoming County. Work will include construction of a pavilion, pedestrian walkway, parking area, access drive and stormwater management measures; installation of interpretive signage; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. ESF
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TRAFFIC STATISTICS BY PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE
The Pennsylvania State Police investigated 488 motor vehicle crashes, which killed six people and injured 90 others, during the Christmas holiday weekend from December 24-26, 2021. Alcohol was a factor in 8% of the crashes, including one fatal crash, and resulted in 181 DUI arrests. State Troopers also arrested 158 individuals on criminal charges and issued 4,007 traffic citations. With New Year’s Eve celebrations still ahead, state police will once again be on the lookout for impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Remember to plan ahead for a safe ride home before heading out, especially if your holiday plans involve alcohol.
TURNPIKE TOLLS INCREASING AS PROMISED IN JULY
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) reminds drivers that a toll increase announced earlier this year is set to take effect just after midnight Sunday. In July, the PTC approved a 5% toll increase for all E-ZPass and PA Turnpike Toll By Plate rates for the entire system. This is the first time in six years that the annual increase has been less than 6%.The most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for Toll By Plate customers. To find updated 2022 toll rates go to paturnpike.com
THE 2021 PERSON OF THE YEAR!!
It is an act of giving and giving back. Donations are accepted and then turned into adorable monkeys that are sent to needy children for emotional support. Alyson Creasy is not your typical 12-year-old, as her website, alysmonkeys.org, has allowed her to send over 6,000 monkeys to those in need. Because she continues to make a difference in the community and beyond, Aly has become a 2021 person of the year finalist, as reported by SUN Gazette.
COVID CASES FOR SATURDAY
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 41 new cases on Saturday. In Centre County 319 new infections and Lycoming County added 56. There were 102 new infections in Northumberland County. There were also 31 cases in Montour County and 20 each in Snyder and Union.
BATTLE THE OPIOID GETS 50 PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES
A global settlement with hopes of bringing $1 billion to the Commonwealth to battle the opioid battle just added fifty Pennsylvania counties. Three pharmaceutical distributors, Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, with Johnson & Johnson, are involved in the settlement equaling $26 billion that requires needed industry changes. According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, “Pennsylvania lost 5,172 lives to overdoses in the last year alone, which is 14 Pennsylvanians a day.”He went on to say Pennsylvania is expected to receive up to $232 million in 2022, distributed to local governments that signed on to the settlement. According to therecordonline.com, locally, Clinton, Montour, Snyder and Union have signed onboard. the remaining 17 counties and multiple subdivisions have until next month to decide.
NEW YEAR’S BABY AT EVAN HOSPITAL
Evangelical Community Hospital in combination with The Family Place are excited to announce a new year’s baby girl, born Saturday morning at 2:04 am, on January 1, 2022, to Jedediah Lemon and Carlee Jo Rudy of Mifflinburg. According to the Daily Item, the baby was delivered by Angela Cassel, Certified Nurse Midwife with OB/GYN of Evangelical.
