HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
Few other details have been released into the homicide of a city man found dead behind the Williamsport Fire Department Headquarters on Walnut Street around 6:30 on New Year’s morning. An autopsy on 28 year old Ryan Jones was performed on Wednesday with the cause of death being ruled as a homicide. Other media outlets are reporting Jones was stabbed though that hasn’t been confirmed, and it’s believed that the murder did not take place at the site where he was found.
COUNCIL VOTES TO EXPAND BUSINESS DISTRICT
Williamsport City Council held it’s first meeting of the New Year last night voting to accept a zoning map amendment which will expand the city’s Central Business District. The expansion will take the district which had ended at Hepburn Street, up to Center Street and it’s hoped the decision will help a local developer to restart construction on a restaurant at Third and Hepburn Streets thanks to relaxed parking regulations. The decision is expected to help other business owers as well in that area.
5 TO 10 YEAR SENTENCE IMPOSED
A 19 year old Selinsgrove man will spend the next 5 to 10 years in state prison for his part in two drug related armed robberies in the state as well as his role in a drug ring in and around Snyder County. Noah Hendricks was sentenced in Snyder County Court yesterday. He had been charged for his part in an armed robbery at Susquehanna University and the attempted armed robbery at Clarion University, pleading guilty to several charges. His arrest touched off an investigation which resulted in the arrests of 15 people as part of the drug ring there.
MILLIONS IN IMPACT FEES UPHELD
A ruling by the state Supreme Court may put Natural Gas companies across Pennsylvania on the hook for millions more dollars in impact fees. Some 17 gas companies had challenged fees charged on stripper wells, or a well that is nearing the end of it’s life. Drillers had wanted the court to expand on the definition of those wells which would mean more wells would be exempt from the fees, but the court has ruled against them.
MAN FOUND WITH DRUGS AND A WEAPON
A Lumberton North Carolina man was pulled over for speeding last month in Loyalsock Township and found with drugs, as well as a firearm he did not have a license for. The traffic stop occurred on December 12th on Interstate 180 in the Township as 22 year old Tristen Welch was found in possession of Suboxone without a prescription, marijuana and the firearm. He was also charged with resisting arrest and was originally jailed, but since released on $15,000 bail.
LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOUND
A Maine man faces a count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity for possessing bulk U.S. currency as well as possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop in Union County on Wednesday morning. State police stopped a pickup truck driven by 27 year old Sean Bastian of Portland Maine on Interstate 80 around 10:30am finding a large undisclosed amount of cash as well as several jars containing a wax like marijuana substance and some meth pills. He was released after posting $25,000 bail.
SALVATION ARMY IN LOCK HAVEN RIPPED OFF
Police in Lock Haven are looking for the person or persons who stole from the Salvation Army there over the New Year’s Holiday. It’s believed someone broke a latch on a window at the building on East Church Street, then climbed through the window, then forced doors open to offices there taking about $400 in cash and another $300 in gift cards intended to help the community with meals and other services. Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Lock Haven.
FARM SHOW BEGINS
It’s Farm Show time in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Farm Show opens up tomorrow at the complex and will run through January 12th. This year’s theme is Inspiring Pennsylvania’s Story. New to the show this year is a craft beer competition and a market inside the main hall with cheese, honey, maple products and vegetables for sale by the state farmer’s market association. Of course there will be over 12,000 agricultural exhibits. Admission is free. Parking on the complex’s lots will cost $15.
