IDENTIFIED THE SHOOTER IN COURT
A Lycoming County man, recovering in a wheelchair from a gunshot wound, identified the man who shot him in a courtroom on Thursday. Adam Butler identified Nigel A. Lee as the man who allegedly shot him outside Mark Baskin’s mobile home at 94 Vilas Drive on Feb. 4. Butler explained to the court the bullet was not removed and sits dangerously close to his spine. As reported by Sun Gazette, Judge Dieter found sufficient evidence to hold Lee on the multiple state police charges, including; attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Lee remains jailed in the Lycoming County Prison on no bail.
FATE OF ANOTHER LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Costs, funds and declining enrollments were the issues involved in the discussion of the Loyalsock Valley Elementary School. The Montoursville Area School Board discussed the fate of the school, while weighing in cost and work needed to complete the multi-buildings improvement project. Multiple options have been provided by the architectural firm of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates for upgrading educational facilities.
COVID CASES IN LOCAL COUNTIES
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported new cases of COVID-19. Clinton County reported five new cases. Centre County added 27 and Lycoming County listed 14. Tioga County added 7. In the Valley, there were 14 in Union County, 13 in Northumberland, five in Snyder and three in Montour.
COMMONWEALTH SUPPORTS UPS
Throughout his administration, Governor Tom Wolf has supported the creation of more than 45,200 jobs in the commonwealth through the Governor’s Action Team. Today, he visited the future location of the United Parcel Service (UPS) Northeast Regional Hub, which is one of four UPS locations supported by the state to create 1,721 new, full-time jobs. Founded in 1907 as a messenger company in the United States, UPS has grown into a multi-billion-dollar corporation by focusing on the goal of enabling commerce around the globe.
LOCK HAVEN MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING BURGLARY CHARGE
On Thursday of last week a Lock Haven man was among those who had to flee their E. Main Street home when an explosion and fire set the residence ablaze. On Thursday of this week, city police announced the arrest of that man, 32-year-old Chadwick Thomas Elliot. As reported by therecordonline.com, Chadwick Thomas Elliott, 32, Lock Haven, and Donald Mincer III, 32, Mill Hall, have been charged with Burglary, Criminal Conspiracy – Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Criminal Conspiracy – Trespass, Theft, Criminal Conspiracy – Theft, Receiving Stolen Property and Criminal Mischief. On 12-21-21, Elliott and Mincer were found in a residence in the 700 block of E Main St when they did not have permission to be there. Arrest warrants were obtained for Elliott and Mincer. On 02-18-22, when the arrest warrant was server on Elliott, he resisted arrest and attempted to bite a police officer. Due to these actions, Elliott was also charged with Resisting Arrest. Elliot was among five people who had fled the duplex fire at 723-725 E. Main Street last Thursday night. The fire caused $80,000 damage, its cause officially undetermined.
BUCKNELL RESPONDS
Bucknell University reported they filed preliminary objections on a whistleblower complaint by former Bucknell Public Safety Officer Colby M. Snook. The paperwork, turned into the Union County Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday requested the dismissal of the complaint. Bucknell, according to the Daily Item, cited the lack of evidence wrongdoing, as alleged by Snook and they also denied mistreatment by other Bucknell employees. In an official release, Bucknell reported it was aware of the plaintiff’s complaint to the Union County District Attorney and they are also aware it was forwarded to the Pa Attorney General over six months ago. The university has not received any official contact from the Attorney General suggesting that the investigation will result in charges, but it remains prepared and willing to cooperate in the investigation, should it move forward.
PHEAA OFFERING WEBINARS
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting several statewide webinars in the coming weeks. On Monday, Feb. 28, and Monday, April 18, from 6-7 p.m., PHEAA will present an overview of the 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. The event will guide students and families through a step-by-step process for filing the FAFSA and state grant application.
On Monday, March 7, from 6-7 p.m., and Monday, March 28, from noon to 1 p.m., PHEAA will host a webinar on understanding the financial decision students need to make concerning higher education, including higher education costs, types of financial aid available and how to apply for financial aid. Finally, on Wednesday, April 13, from 6-7 p.m., PHEAA will present a webinar on planning and goal setting that high school juniors should be working on to prepare for the financial aid process they’ll face as seniors. To register for any of the seminars, please visit PHEAA.org/virtual.
WOLF WANTS MAIL-IN VOTING TO STAY
The Wolf administration on Thursday asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to keep the state’s mail-in voting law in place while the justices consider a lower-court ruling throwing it out. If the Commonwealth Court’s ruling stands, the 2-year-old voting law would no longer be in effect as of March 15 — a week after the Supreme Court is expected to hear oral argument in the case. Mail-in voting proved very popular during the pandemic, particularly with Democrats, as nearly 5 million votes were cast by mail over 2020-21. As of August, nearly 1.4 million Pennsylvania voters were signed up for permanent mail-in voting notification.
