A FATAL CRASH IN BRADFORD COUNTY
State police in Towanda are investigating a Bradford County crash in which a woman died last night. The crash occurred around 8:45pm at Porter and Sylvania Roads in Columbia Township. Police say that vehicles driven by a 26 year old woman and a 26 year old man were traveling in opposite directions and collided nearly head on. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bradford County Coroner. The names of those involved have not yet been released, and police continued their investigation into the overnight hours.
MONTGOMERY MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD
A Montgomery man was arrested yesterday, charged with the sexual abuse of an 11 year old. 46 year old Michael Sweet allegedly raped the minor multiple times in the Montgomery area, the most recent on January 31st. Sweet has been charged with multiple charges including 11 felony counts and was arraigned then jailed in Lycoming County Prison with bail denied after being deemed a flight risk. He has a prior record of possessing child pornography and for violating Meghan’s law. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for February 15th.
POLICE PURSUIT RESULTS IN ARREST
A Winfield man has been charged with DUI, Fleeing and eluding, drug possession, as well as other counts following a police pursuit over the weekend in Northumberland County. Police say a man later identified as 51 year old Frank Beitz was observed speeding and committing multiple traffic violations in White Deer Township around 9am on Saturday morning. When police tried to pull him over, Beitz took off, leading them on a pursuit over several roads before crashing his vehicle. He was taken into custody, and found to be under the influence, and was jailed in Union County Prison.
MAN HELD ON 66 OF 108 CHARGES
Following his preliminary hearing, an Eldred Township man has seen some 40 of 108 charges against him dropped, but has been ordered held over for court on the others. Bruce Stewart is accused of the sexual assault and rape of a mentally disabled woman over a period of time at his Eldred Township home over an 8 year period. His victim testified against him during the hearing with 66 of the 108 charges against him sticking, including a count of strangulation. Stewart remained jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.
GOVERNOR TO RELEASE BUDGET TODAY
Governor Wolf will go before the State Legislature in Harrisburg today and unveil his 2019-2020 budget plan for Pennsylvania. In a plan expected to exceed $33 billion dollars, the governor is expected to seek more money for education again this year. Though Wolf has said he will not seek a broad-based tax increase, he is expected once again to ask for a tax on Marcellus Shale drillers to finance a multi-billion dollar capital plan for various projects including flood mitigation. Senate House and Republican Leaders say they will put forth their opinions following Wolf’s address.
ANOTHER PERSON CHARGED
A second person has been charged with the burglary of dorm rooms at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. 19 year old William Silva-Gautier had already been announced for his part in taking $1,400 worth of items and $300 in cash from rooms at a dorm at the school in late January. Now Penn College Police have also announced the arrest of former student 20 year old Giovanni Davis of Williamsport for his part in the thefts. He also faces several counts and was released after posting $75,000 bail.
BILL TO DENY PENSIONS FOR WRONG-DOERS
State Senator Gene Yaw has announced that the senate has passed a bill which he supports that would ensure that public employees including lawmakers who commit job-related felonies are stripped of their taxpayer-funded pensions. Senate bill 113 would require pension forfeiture if an employee or official is convicted of or pleads guilty or no contest to any felony offense related to his or her employment. Yaw says that rewarding bad behavior is something that cannot and should not be tolerated in state government or anywhere. The bill will now go to the state house for their consideration.
AGREEMENT FINALIZED
An agreement between Geisinger Health System and Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg has been finalized according to officials for both entities. The ground-breaking agreement will allow Evangelical to strengthen it’s relationship with Geisinger and it’s health plan while maintain it’s independence. The two organizations are expected to invest $265 million dollars over the next five years to enhance the health of their share communities.
MARKET STREET WORK IN LEWISBURG
There could be some slow going on Market Street in Lewisburg this week. Penn DOT has announced that a contractor will be working this week on railroad signals on Market Street in the borough thorugh Thursday of this week during the daylight hours. Two way traffic will be maintained on Market Street, though motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the work zone.
