NEW PRESIDENT FOR PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Following a national search, beginning after President Davie Jane Gilmour announced in May 2021 her intention to retire after 24 years at the helm of the institution, Pennsylvania College of Technology has chosen Michael J. Reed to lead the institution as its eighth president, effective July 1. The Penn College Board of Directors on Wednesday approved the choice of Reed, the college’s vice president for academic affairs and provost, after an extensive search process led by Storbeck Search, of Media. He will succeed longtime President Davie Jane Gilmour.
CORONAVIRUS WORKING HARD ON HOSPITAL RESOURCES
Surging coronavirus cases have sent hospital system in the region to capacity and beyond. The surge in cases, coupled with the non-COVID patients, has placed UPMC, Geisinger Medical Center and Evangelical Community Hospital in a precarious position. According to SUN Gazette, the Centers for Disease Control labeled this region as 94% omicron variant. Throughout the northcentral Pennsylvania, the UPMC hospitals are seeing 92 COVID inpatients. At Geisinger, upwards of 318 COVID patients were hospitalized. Evangelical Community Hospital reported their COVID hospitalization is currently at 55 patients.
BOARD SEAT REMOVED IN WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Earlier this week, a vote was held to remove a board seat at the Williamsport Area School Board. The vote 7-1 was reached, following a closed-door session, and Star Poole was removed from the board. According to SUN Gazette, Poole was removed for missing at least two of the school board meetings.
NO REAL ESTATE TAXES RAISED FOR WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL BOARD
Real estate taxes will not be raised, at an amount which exceeds the Act 1 index, to support next year’s budget. According to SUN Gazette, the vote, by the Williamsport Area School Board, does not preclude any tax hike. The next fiscal year’s index is at 4.8. Budget approval deadline is June 30.
LOCAL SERVICES TAXES DUE FROM EMPLOYERS IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT
Dottie Mertz, tax collector, will begin collecting the local services tax from each employer in South Williamsport Borough beginning this month. Due Jan 31 is the fourth quarter of 2021. Businesses can expect future quarters will be submitted to Mertz, who is also the tax collector in Loyalsock Township.
LOCAL COVID CASES FOR YESTERDAY
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 44 new cases. In Centre County 293 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added169 and Tioga added 48. There were 163 new infections in Northumberland County, 55 in Snyder County, 53 in Union and 40 in Montour.
CENTRAL MOUNTAIN MUSIC TEACHER RECEIVES GRANT MONEY
The Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools Teacher Grant for the 21-22 school year was issued to Central Mountain High School music teacher Ashley Crust. According to therecordonline.com Ms. Crust won $1799.65 which can be utilized toward the creation of an electronic musical instrument workshop, led by local electronics tech, Brian Douty.
TRIAL RESUMES IN HARRISBURG
It is a trial with the potential of changing how Pennsylvania funds it’s over 500 public schools and it resumes today in Harrisburg. The state Supreme Court in 2017, revived and set six school districts, parents, the Pennsylvania conference of the NAACP, and the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools in odds and against Gov Tom Wolf, Department of Education and the education secretary, state Board of Education, and the highest-ranking leaders in the House and Senate. According to therecordonline.com, the trial will be live-streamed, beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday.
SELLING PROPERTY THAT WASN’T HIS
A Williamsport man tried to sell a house in Shamokin to an out of state woman. Problem existed when the Williamsport man did not own or have rights to the house, according to Northumberland County Detective Degg Stark. Gabrial Lopez, is wanted by police after Stark illegedly received $17,000 worth of payments on the home. Lopez faces felony charges including disposition of funds and theft by deception, according the Daily Item. Anyone with information on Lopez is asked to call Northumberland County 911.
GOING WITH A MASK MANDATE IN THE DANVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
With over 100 students and staff quarantined throughout the Danville Area School District, the decision has been made to reinstitute a universal masking district-wide. According to an alert delivered to parents yesterday, the rule goes into effect today until further notice. As reported by the Daily Item, the new rule will go into effect today, according to an alert sent to parents Wednesday afternoon, and will remain until further notice. School officials cited surging COVID-19 infections.
BUCKNELL SETS NEW RULES FOR VISITORS TO CAMPUS GAMES
Beginning today, there are new policies for spectators at all Bucknell athletic home events due to the COVID surge. According to Bucknell, all spectators 12 years and over are required to produce either a proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result before entry to Sojka Pavilion, according to the Daily Item. Also, the spectator capacity and the number of attendees at upcoming athletic events will be smaller starting Monday as well with masks to be worn at all times and no concessions will be sold during games.
CLINTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTS MAN ON BENCH WARRANT
The Lock Haven City Police arrested BENNETT, TRAVIS LOGAN on Wednesday January 5th, on a Bench warrant\that was issued Monday August 30th, 2021 by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Bennett was charged with Defiant Trespass, a misdemeanor 3.
11 PROJECTS FUNDED BY GOVERNOR WOLF
Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of 11 projects through the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) to assist local governments in nine counties with planning for zoning and updating of comprehensive plans. Clinton County $19,500 to Clinton County to update its Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. It covers 15 municipalities – three boroughs and 12 townships – that do not have their own SALDO. Northumberland County $42,500 to help Mt. Carmel Township, Kulpmont Borough, and Marion Heights Borough create a joint comprehensive plan and develop municipal zoning ordinances.
