SUSPECTED DRUG DEALER JAILED LAST WEEK

A man tried to run from County Narcotics Enforcement officers last week after officers armed with an arrest warrant set up a drug deal in the city.  Jamil Hines, who had sold heroin for $100 dollars to an undercover officer back in November in the city was just about to be arrested when he took off from them on foot, but was apprehended after a short chase.  Hines was not found with any heroin in him despite setting up the buy admitting to planning on robbing the undercover officer of the $100 dollars. He was arraigned on a number of counts and was jailed in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $95,000 bail.

LIFE IN PRISON

Sentencing was held yesterday for a Williamsport man who was found guilty of first degree murder in the stabbing of Scotty Cole in the city.  28 year old Rashawn Williams will spend the rest of his life in prison for Cole’s killing and also had another 7 to 14 years tacked onto the sentence for aggravated assault.  Williams tried to use the defense at his trial that Cole was trying to have sex with him which he says set him off, causing him to get a knife and stab Cole multiple times inside and outside of his Locust Street home in June of 2017.  In addition to the sentence, Williams has been ordered to pay over $6,000 in funeral costs in restitution.

GRANT FOR GIRL SCOUTS

Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania which serves 30 counties across northeastern and central Pennsylvania including in our area has announced that they have received a $30,000 dollar grant from the PPL Foundation.  The money will be used to educate and encourage girls int the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics through the Girl Scouts Girls Go STEAM Program. Officials say PPL’s support will give thousands of girls the opportunity to participate in multiple events where the girls can learn from female STEAM leaders throughout Pennsylvania.

CONTRACT EXTENSION ON AGENDA

Lycoming County Commissioners this week are expected to take up the subject of a contract extension with a lobbying company that has been hired to try and secure federal and state grants for the rehabilitation of the levee which protects Williamsport, South Williamsport, Loyalsock and Old Lycoming Townships.  A current contract for $72,000 dollars of which the county and municipalities share in payment runs through the end of the year.  Commissioners will consider extending that contract through the end of next year, though it hasn’t been released as to who will be responsible for payment.

VEHICLE REPORTED INTO STRUCTURE, TAKES OFF

Emergency personnel were called out in the city of Williamsport last night for reports of a vehicle into a structure.  That occurred late in the evening in the 1000 block of High Street with that vehicle reportedly then taking off and leaving the scene.  State police reportedly had the vehicle pulled over in the vicinity of West Fourth and Susquehanna Streets shortly before midnight.  No word on if there were any injuries or on the extent of damage.  The investigation continues.

MAYOR WANT TO SELL OFF ASSETS

The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports that Williamsport’s Mayor Gabriel Campana has asked for appraisals on two city owned properties with the intent to sell them off.  The properties are the former fire station on Almond Street as well as the Civil Defense Building on Reighard Avenue.  The mayor would also like to sell the city’s two pump stations to the Municipal Water and Sewer Authority, but first, ownership issues must be cleared up with the Army Corps of Engineers. Mayor Campana says that any proceeds from the sales would be added into the city’s general fund reserve which currently stands at only $101,000 dollars.

SCAM IN BRADFORD COUNTY

State police in Bradford County are investigating a scam which they say was by both mail and phone that has bilked a county resident out of a large amount of money.  Police say the scam took place last month and involved a resident in Albany Township.  Troppers were advised that the victims who have not been named were defrauded out of $30,000 dollars.  Police have not said whether there are any suspects and they say their investigation continues.

DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

Loyalsock Township Supervisors yesterday said yes to a land development plan which would allow for another bank in the township.  George Hutchinson Development Group is looking at developing the land at 2409 East Third Street in order to place a bank there.  IN other business yesterday, township supervisors voted 5-0 to pass the 2019 budget of $7.56 million dollars. The spending plan will not contain a tax increase, keeping taxes at .5 mills for township property owners.

TAX INCREASE IN MONTOUR COUNTY

Property owners in Montour County will see their County tax bill rise for the first time in seven years.  County Commissioners there yesterday voted unanimously for a final budget of $8.1 million dollars which will contain a tax increase of a little more than .25 mills. That will mean an increase of 25 dollars for owners of properties worth $100,000 dollars next year.  County Commissioners say that the increase is due in part to state mandates which are not funded.