CITY MAN SENTENCED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN ARSON FOR HIRE
The Williamsport father of a man who died while allegedly carrying out a 2018 arson for hire scheme in Scranton, was sentenced to up to five years in prison for involuntary manslaughter Friday. According to the Sun Gazette, 56 year old Brett Sweeting, Sr., pled guilty for his role as a getaway driver who left his son, Bret Sweeting Jr., behind when an explosion from the accelerant killed him at the home of Chad Kenowski, who was also in on the arson plot. According to court records, Kenowski pled guilty to third degree murder in Sweeting Jr.’s death and was sentenced in April to 22 years in state prison.
WILLIAMSPORT FIRE DAMAGES PARK AVENUE HOME
A fire determined to be caused by careless smoking caused 50 thousand dollars in damage Saturday at a home on Park Avenue in Williamsport. According to the Sun Gazette, a neighbor saw smoke coming from the roof and called the fire department before Dennis Folk and his family escaped with their pets at about 8:20am. Firefighters on the scene said they controlled the fire in about 10 minutes and the Folks will be able to stay with relatives while repairs are done to the home, including repairs of a collapsed second floor ceiling.
FIREWORKS LEGISLATION SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Governor Wolf signed new fireworks legislation yesterday that will restrict use and increase penalties for not following the provisions. According to WHTM, House Bill 2157 includes mandatory minimum fines for fireworks violations with more clearly defined regulations. The bill states; consumer fireworks may not be used 10pm to 10am except over July 4th and December 31st, local municipalities have authority to restrict fireworks use and the bill requires three-days-notice to livestock owners about when fireworks are going to be used, and that the 12% tax levied from fireworks goes to emergency services use.
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS QUALIFY FOR FIRST ROUND OF LLWS
There are two more international teams who have qualified to play in the 75th Little League World Series this August in South Williamsport. According to the Sun Gazette, the Little League team of Managua, Nicaragua clinched their 1st trip to Williamsport by defeating Venezuela 10-nothing in the 2022 Latin America Regional Championship. The Pabao Little League team from Curacao will return this year to defend their 2019 International Championship win following their win against Cuba 3-1 in the Caribbean Regional tournament. The game between these two teams – the Caribbean and Latin American champs – is the opening round of the LLWS August 17th at 1pm in Volunteer Stadium.
TRAIN HITS A CAR IN ANTIS FORT
A car and a freight train collided near Antis Fort last evening, causing a brief investigation at the scene, but no injuries were reported. According to the Sun Gazette, police said a Norfolk Southern train clipped the rear passenger side of a passenger car at the rail road crossing on River Mill road, west of Antis Fort. The accident occurred just after 6pm and police were on the scene. The train sustained no damage and continued on. There was minor damage to the car, which could be driven from the scene. Police did not release the identity of the driver.
WOMAN DOES DAMAGE TO AN ACQUAINTANCE’S HOME
A Williamsport woman has been arrested after police say she did over 10 thousand dollars in damage to the home of a male acquaintance at the Harvest Moon Park in Woodward Township on June 21st. According to the Sun Gazette, 30 year old Sherilee McCaslin smashed a shoe through a window of the modular home, damaged a flat screen TV, carved into wooden and glass surfaces and poked holes in many walls and doors with a blunt object. McCaslin was arraigned in Lycoming county Court and was incarcerated under 10 thousand dollars bail.
RENOVATION ORDINANCE TO BE UPDATED
Williamsport’s Architectural Review Board, or HARB, has been given a 10 thousand dollar grant to update the city’s historic architecture ordinance that could allow for major changes in exterior renovation rules. An original ordinance from 1975 is in need of an update to streamline and upgrade the renovation process including policies and procedures for using modern materials and best practices for structure review. According to Williamsport officials, once an outside consulting firm is hired to address renovations, the processes that are required can be more clearly spelled out.
NEW FIREARM RULES FOR TURKEY HUNTING
The Board of Game Commissioners adopted new regulations for turkey season in Pennsylvania this fall at their meeting on Friday. According to a press release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the restriction keeps turkey hunters from using single projectile firearms including slug guns, muzzleloading rifles and handguns starting this fall. The Game Commission said it should impact less than 1% of hunters and that the restrictions are additional means to protect turkey populations without reducing the length of the season. Only shotguns and archery gear will be lawful for fall turkey hunting.
SPORTS
MLB
Pirates 5 Marlins 1
Rays 10 Red Sox 5
Guardians 8 White Socks 4
Cardinals 6 Phillies 1
Mets 4 Braves 1
Royals 3 Tigers 1 Game 1
Royals 7 Tiger 3 Game 2
MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters 9 Frederick Keys 1
MLB Draft League Tonight Game 2 @ Muncy Bank Ballpark 6:35 1st pitch
Little League
Keystone defeated Montgomery for the District 12 Little League Junior Division Championship 8-3. Keystone was leading 4-3 going into the Top of the 7th inning, when they got a three run triple and scored one more run to seal the game.
