MAN IDENTIFIED, MURDER THE CAUSE OF DEATH
Williamsport police have identified the man found dead in the city on New Year’s morning as 28 year old Ryan Jones of the city and say his death is being ruled as a homicide. Jones was found around 6:40 on Tuesday morning behind city fire headquarters along Walnut Street and pronounced dead there by the deputy coroner. His body was sent to Allentown for an autopsy where it was confirmed that someone killed the man. Police are remaining tight lipped on just how he was killed, and are not releasing any other details. They are asking anyone with information to give police a call at 570-327-7560. Detective Justin Snyder is the lead investigator.
BANK ROBBERY IN SNYDER COUNTY
Police in Snyder County continue their investigation into yesterday’s bank robbery which occurred in Selinsgrove. Around 2:15pm, a man described as a white male, about 5 ft 6 inches tall, with a medium to medium heavy build 30-45 years old and was wearing a blue parka with white striped down the sleeves and horned rimmed glasses, walked up to a teller’s window at Northumberland National Bank on North Market Street with a note, then reached over and grabbed cash the teller was counting and took off. He ran for a short time before jumping in a blue sedan. No word on how much money was taken and no one was hurt.
STRONG ARMED ROBBERY IN CITY
A strong armed robbery was reported at a convenience market in the city of Williamsport early yesterday morning. Somewhere around 2:40 in the morning, a black male with a mustache/bear, and brown hair walked into the Turkey Hill Market at 700 Washington Boulevard and attempted to rob the place. It’s not known if he got away with any money but he was last seen riding along Railway Street on a bicycle. No other information has been released and Williamsport Police are investigating.
BASKETBALL COURTS TO RETURN
Williamsport’s Mayor wants to return the basketball hoops to Memorial Park in the city. In April of 2014 Mayor Gabriel Campana ordered the basketball hoops taken down and pickleball courts as put in due to what he called gang activity at the basketball courts which were used pretty much daily. Campana says that after much consideration and a willingness of community leaders to form a Memorial Pak Committee that he has instructed city streets and parks employees to install a full basketball court next to the pickleball court. He also said that the blighted rubberized playground surface at the park will be replaced with a high grade playground mulch.
EVERETT APPOINTED TO CHAIRMANSHIP
84th District State Representative Garth Everett was appointed yesterday as chairman of the House State Government Committee for the 2019-2020 legislative session. Everett is beginning his sevent term in the state house and says he is excited and thankful to be given the opportunity to head an important House committee that is largely responsible for holding government agencies accountable and keeping them transparent for the public. The committee is charged with reviewing legislation dealing with aspects of state government abuse of taxpayer dollars as well as other aspects of state government such as election code, lobbyist disclosure, legislative term limits and campaign financing.
NEW JOB FOR FORMER COP
A former Williamsport Police Captain has a new job within the Williamsport Area School District as the Supervisor of Pupil Transportation and School Safety/School Police Officer. Miller who joined the police force in 2000 and who was most recently a captain before leaving the force replaces Scott Williams who resigned for the district in December for other employment. It’s hoped that in his expanded role, that Miller can help further the district’s commitment to student and staff safety.
AUTOPSY PERFORMED ON MAN SHOT BY POLICE
Results will not be released until later regarding the autopsy of a man who was shot and killed by police on Monday at his Waterville home. 62 year old Brant Hartung engaged police in a standoff beginning on Monday morning and ending after he fired several shots at officers, and then was shot when officers returned fire early on Monday afternoon. An autopsy was performed yesterday. The Lycoming County Coroner say no further details will be released until state police complete their investigation an turn their findings over to the Lycoming County District Attorney’s office.
COUNCIL TO MEET FOR FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
Williamsport City Council has it’s first meeting of the new year tonight. Amongst it’s agenda is the second and final reading of a zoning ordinance which would expand the city’s Central Business District, amongst other things helping the owner of one city building restart construction on a building he owns that he wants to turn into a restaurant. The approval would help eliminate some parking restrictions there. Council also will review a grant which will help purchase trees which would be replanted in various sections of the city, and review a collective bargaining agreement between the city and it’s employees.
HAZMAT CLEAN UP ON 80
A HazMat Cleanup is scheduled for a section of I-80 eastbound in Montour County. The work will take place today from 7:30am to approximately 3pm at Mile 221 about three miles west of Danville in Liberty Township. Due to that cleanup the left passing lane will be closed. Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through that workzone there today.
