ACQUITTAL OF WILLIAMSPORT MAN
It was a 30 minute deliberation for a jury in Lycoming County to unanimously acquit a Williamsport man accused of selling cocaine to a county detective. According to a media outlet, Christopher Peter White of Williamsport was found not guilty on felony drug-related charges after his arrest in October 2019 by Lycoming County Detective Jonathan Rachael, who reported White sold cocaine to an undercover Narcotics Enforcement Unit detective in Williamsport in Jan.
FIREARMS CHARGE
A North Carolina man arrested by the Lycoming County Detectives in 2019 recently pleaded guilty to a felony firearms charge. Tahjair I. Dorsey, of Durham, North Carolina, illegally possessed a Glock 19 9mm with a fully-loaded 30-round extended magazine on Sept. 23, according to Lycoming County Detectives. Dorsey was sentenced by Lycoming County President Judge Nancy L. Butts for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 24 months less one day in county jail. As part of Dorsey’s sentence imposed by Butts, he must pay the costs of prosecution, provide a DNA sample and a $250 DNA collection fee, forfeit $203 and perform 50 hours of community service. According to the SUN Gazette, Dorsey has been confined to the Lycoming County Prison since Jan. 11.
YOUNGER PEOPLE SOON TO RECEIVE VACCINES
COVID-19 vaccines finally are headed for more kids as U.S. regulators on Monday expanded use of Pfizer’s shot to those as young as 12. Shots could begin as soon as a federal vaccine advisory committee issues recommendations for using the two-dose vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds, expected Wednesday. Canada recently became the first to expand use to 12 and up. Next up is testing whether the vaccine works for even younger children. Both Pfizer and Moderna have begun U.S. studies in children ages 6 months to 11 years.
DOMESTIC ALTERCATION
Javona Bateman of 1208 Isabella St., picked up a machete and swung it at her boyfriend, during a domestic altercation, causing an injury about 3:40 a.m. on April 8, according to city police. The boyfriend was unnamed in the police affidavit. The two were having an argument when she grabbed a machete that was hanging on a bedroom wall and began swinging it, striking the boyfriend in the chest, causing a six-inch long laceration, police said. Charged with simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime, Bateman was arraigned before District Judge Christian Frey and released on $15,000 bail. She has since been held for court on both charges, according to SUN Gazette.
COVID-19 DASHBOARD
The PA Dept. of Health has released updated COVID-19 Dashboard numbers and locally: Lycoming: 24 Tioga 6 Bradford: 30 Sullivan: 30 Columbia: 16 Montour: 4 Northumberland: 13 Union: 3 Snyder: 5 Centre: 16 Clinton: 3
SENATE BILL 664
Lawmakers on the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee unanimously endorsed a bill yesterday that gives students a chance to repeat a grade after falling behind from COVID-19 disruptions. In addition, Senate Bill 664 would give parents the option to voluntarily hold their child back Also, it allows special education students aging out of the system at 21-year-old to extend enrollment an additional year.
The bill moves to the Senate for consideration.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
A Middleburg man was convicted of the sexual assault of a young female, allegedly over the course of five years, from 1992-1997. Snyder County DA says 59-year-old Claude Sprenkel was convicted on 10 counts each of felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and misdemeanor indecent assault. According to an online media outlet, Judge Louise Knight granted the DA’s motion to revoke Sprenkel’s bail pending sentencing, and he’ll remain jailed in Snyder County Prison until then. The DA is seeking a lengthy state prison sentence.The victim first reported the crimes to state troopers in September 2018 and Sprenkel was charged in November 2018.
Sports
High School Softball
Jersey Shore over Montgomery 4-2;
Muncy shut out Columbia Montour VoTech 11-0;
Boys Tennis
Lewisburg’s Cecchini wins District 4 Class AA singles
High School Baseball
Southern Columbia over Loyalsock 11-8; Sayre over Cowanesque Valley 12-1;
Canton shut out Williamson 21-0;Muncy shut out Columbia Montour VoTech 10-0
Boys Lacrosse
Lewisburg over Danville 20-9
