REGIONALIZATION CLOSER TO REALITY
The Executive Director of USDA-Rural Development for Pa., Bob Morgan traveled to meet with Lycoming County Commissioners, leaders of Jersey Shore government and public safety to explore the numerous funding opportunities to construct a Regional Public Safety building in order to consolidate and regionalize police, EMS, fire, and other government offices. As reported by northcentralpa.com, the price tag may reach upwards of $10.5 million, but it is already partially funded through $1 million RACP grant funds.
MONDAY WALK OUT AT BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY
PennLive is reporting… An estimated 300 Bucknell students walked out of class Monday afternoon to rally and demand answers and accountability from the university administration and Public Safety. Jillie Santos, a senior, cited the allegations that recently retired public safety Chief Stephen J. Barilar destroyed evidence in a case in which a female student reported a male using his cell phone invaded her privacy in a dormitory restroom. She also referred to the whistleblower suit against Bucknell by former public safety officer Colby M. Snook who claims he resigned Nov. 15 because of the retaliation for reporting the alleged destruction of evidence.
RETURNING TO THE FRONT BURNER IN WILLIAMSPORT
The revitalization of Park Avenue in Williamsport is back on the front burner for Williamsport City Council. Funding continues to be the resounding question, with the potential funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act funding. In fact, as reported by SUN Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter noted the Park Avenue neighborhood has been part of his administrative goals. The benefits to revitalization include improved connectivity to downtown with better sidewalks and streetscape that will eventually provide the section with its own identity.
CRASH SENDS ONE TO THE HOSPITAL AND GAS LEAK
One person was taken to the hospital after a vehicle crashed into a home in Danville Tuesday afternoon. As reported by an online media outlet, the crash occurred around 12:30 p.m. at 314 Bloom Street. Communications say the vehicle struck a gas heater in the home causing a gas leak.
TOURS AND PROPOSALS
Williamsport City Hall tours to begin soon and Williamsport City Mayor Derek Slaughter is looking forward to the process and seeing the end result for the City Hall. The historic building built between 1888 and 1891 is open for tours and proposals. Proposals for real estate brokers and private parties will be available on PennBid. Bids open until April 8. Slaughter stresses the city is keeping all options open and selling is not the only one on the table.
VEHICLE THEFT LANDS HUGHESVILLE MAN IN HOT WATER
A Hughesville man has been jailed on charges his allegedly stole his estranged wife’s SUV from Loyalsock Township in early February. As reported by the SUN Gazette, Timothy Savage faces multiple charges including felony theft, felony receiving stolen property and arraigned before District Judge William Solomon and then committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
KELLER TOURS THE AREA
Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) spent last week visiting with businesses and learning institutions across Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, giving an update on his efforts in Congress to expand opportunities for career and technical education while promoting economic development and job creation throughout the region. On Tuesday, Keller toured Sivana Converting, an industrial hemp manufacturer in Sunbury.
COVID CASES IN AREA COUNTIES
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported new cases of COVID-19. Clinton County reported 16 new cases. Centre County added 45 and Lycoming County listed 27. Tioga County added 11.In the Valley, there were 53 cases added since Sunday, including 30 in Northumberland County, 11 in Union, seven in Montour and five in Snyder.
PARK AVENUE RENOVATION AND REVITALIZATION
The revitalization of Park Avenue in Williamsport is back on the front burner for Williamsport City Council. Funding continues to be the resounding question, with the potential funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act funding. In fact, as reported by SUN Gazette, Mayor Derek Slaughter noted the Park Avenue neighborhood has been part of his administrative goals. The benefits to revitalization include improved connectivity to downtown with better sidewalks and streetscape to provide the section of the city its own identity.
CONGRESSIONAL MAPS RETURN TO NEWS
A federal lawsuit claims the Pennsylvania Supreme Court would overstep its authority by selecting a new set of congressional district maps, and the plaintiffs also want a restraining order to prevent the state justices from changing the election calendar. Two Republicans running for Congress, a member of the election board in rural Susquehanna County and two others sued the governor and two high-ranking state elections officials this month, arguing the stalemate over passing new maps should require all 17 races to be run as “at-large” statewide contests this year. An emergency request for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction was filed Monday. Three days earlier, the state Supreme Court held oral argument about which of the competing proposals it should adopt for the state’s congressional delegation.
