FIREFIGHTERS SAY GOODBYE TO ONE OF THEIR OWN
It was an emotional gathering of friends, family and brothers in the fire service at St. John’s – Newberry United Methodist Church in Williamsport to celebrate the life of former Old Lycoming Township Fire Chief Paul Stroble Jr, who, last week died at the age of 83. According to Sheriff Mark Lusk, “He was a man who did it all. He served his country, his community and his God.” Chief Paul K. Stroble joined the Old Lycoming Twp Fire Company on January 11, 1965. He was interred on his 57th Anniversary date of joining the Company. As one in a 3 generation family of firefighters, Stroble served as Chief from 1978 – 1984 and was very active right up until his passing – even when his health was failing.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL BOARD SEATS TAKEN
Three open seat vacancies were filled at the last South Williamsport Area School Board work session meeting. According to SUN Gazette, Ben Brigandi for Region I; Summer Bukeavich, Region II and John Hitesman, Region III will be sworn in at an upcoming meeting.
LOCAL COVID CASES YESTERDAY
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 51 new cases. In Centre County 172 new cases were recorded. Lycoming County added 124. Tioga County added 56. Northumberland County registered 131 new cases, while Snyder County had 47, Union 46 and Montour 30.
FIRE GUTTED BUILDING IN MILL HALL
Fire tore through a frame home yesterday afternoon in the 200 block of South Water Street in Mill Hall. Upwards of 40 firemen responded and according to Fire Chief Tony Walker, the fire fighter battled for over 45 minutes in sub-freezing temperatures. According to therecordonline.com, the two-and-a-half story structure was gutted by flames. Reports say there were no injuries, however it is unknown if the family pets escaped. Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall was requested to investigate.
LOCAL LOTTERY WINNER
A Clinton County woman won $1 million dollars in the Pennsylvania Lottery Match 6 Jackpot game. According to therecordonline.com, April Williams purchased her ticket at the Sheetz on Hogan Boulevard near Mill Hall. A lottery spokesperson said lottery officials and representatives from Sheetz will be present Wednesday at the Mill Hall location for a commemorative check presentation.
REMOTE LEARNING FOR TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Remote learning for Danville Area School District is due to an increase in COVID throughout the four schools. On a Facebook post and communication from Superintendent Ricki Boyle, As per the PA DOH, DASD students will be moved to virtual learning beginning today with a tentative return date of Tuesday, January 18. All extracurricular activities and athletic practices and events will be rescheduled. Monday, January 17 is a professional development day and no student classes. During this time K-5 students are expected to follow the posted schedule in the teacher’s Google Classroom and attend scheduled Google Meets. 6 – 12 students are expected to follow their normal schedule by attending Google Meets and accessing Google Classroom.
Milton Area’s Baugher Elementary added to the remote learning with the Milton Middle and High Schools for the rest of this week.
HELICOPTER CRASH IN PA
A pilot crash-landed a medical helicopter Tuesday without loss of life in a residential area of suburban Philadelphia, somehow avoiding a web of power lines and buildings as the aircraft fluttered, hit the street and slid into bushes outside a church, authorities and witnesses said. It was a “miracle” that none of the four people aboard, including an infant patient, suffered life-threatening injuries, Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy M. Bernhardt said. Rescue crews rushed to the wreckage by the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church in Upper Darby at about 1 p.m. and helped get the pilot, two crew members and the infant out of the aircraft, Bernhardt said at a press conference.
WOLF: VACCINE IS STRATEGY TO FIGHT COVID-19, NOT SHUTDOWNS
The Wolf administration said Tuesday it has no plans to pursue another COVID-19 emergency declaration, or attempt to impose new statewide restrictions or vaccine mandates, in response to the highly contagious omicron variant that is spreading quickly and overloading Pennsylvania’s hospitals. Statewide, new confirmed cases have spiked by 50% in a week, rising to 27,545 per day, according to weekly Health Department data released Tuesday. Cases are expected to peak this month. More than 7,100 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, a pandemic record, and nearly a third of all patients in intensive care units have the disease. Deaths have risen by more than a third in two weeks, averaging about 127 per day.
SUNBURY POLICE LOOKING FOR MUNCY MAN
A Muncy man allegedly was in possession of a stolen firearm after Sunbury Police continued their probe into the January 3rd shooting on Packer Street. Hakeem Jefferson of West Water Street is wanted after police reported a search of his vehicle revealed a stolen Beretta handgun, two magazines and a black ski mask, according to the Daily Item. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Northumberland County 911.
SIMPLE ASSAULT CHARGES FOR UNION COUNTY MAN
A Union County man threw a glass against the victim that shattered around their four-month-old child. Shannon Parrish III then placed the victim in a chokehold, preventing her to breathe. Parrish was taken into custody and a follow up search warrant revealed methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and paraphernalia. Parrish was charged with strangulation, endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault amongst others. He was remanded to Union County Jail on $45,000 bail.
