DR LEVINE: COVID SPIKE IS ON THE WAY, BUT THE STATE IS IN GOOD SHAPE
There is a resurgence of COVID-19 beginning in Pennsylvania for the fall season, but Dr. Rachel Levine said in a news conference yesterday that the state healthcare system is in good shape, and there are no plans to bring back business closures or stay-at-home orders at this time. With coronavirus case counts over 1000 for nine straight days Dr. Levine says there’s no way to know when a peak might be reached compared to how the virus peaked last spring. According to the Department, more testing on the way to the commonwealth, with 150 million antigen rapid tests on the way from the federal government.
FOUR COUNTIES TO GET HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS
High Speed internet service is coming to upwards of 1500 households and businesses in areas of in Lycoming, Clinton, Northumberland and Union Counties after a $2.5 million grant was recently awarded to SEDA-COG. According to the Sun Gazette, internet access will be expanded into underserved areas of the four counties including a seven mile area of Moreland Township in Lycoming County – part of the East Lycoming School District and in Northumberland County; comprising of the Route 147 area south of Sunbury to Fishers Ferry which is Upper and Lower Augusta and Rockefeller townships. The Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant funds will supplement $4 million in SEDA-COG’s revolving loan funds with an internet service provider matching $1.5 million of private investments.
OLD LYCO TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS AGAINST RETAIL CENTER
There is pushback from the residents in Old Lycoming Township over the plan for a Dewey Avenue retail center that could take up the block from Linwood to Roosevelt Avenues. According to the Sun Gazette, Tuesday night’s township meeting had close to 20 residents attend who made points against the proposed construction that could increase traffic and lower property value in the mainly residential area. Hutchinson Development sought out residents’ opinions on the proposed 10,000 square foot center which could host smaller businesses, before it is brought to the supervisors. The next Old Lycoming Township meeting will be November 10th.
POLICE CORRALLED A LOOSE CHICKEN IN WILLIAMSPORT
Williamsport Police chased a loose chicken yesterday along the 700 block of Arch Street. According to North Central PA dot com, there’s no word on how the chicken arrived in the Arch street neighborhood but it took several police officers about 30 minutes to round up the tan hen who didn’t have much to say while it eluded her potential captors. Police took the chicken to the SPCA to be cared for and they are asking the public to contact them about its owner.
FORMER CORRECTIONS OFFICER CONVICTED OF RAPE AND KIDNAPPING
A former corrections SCI Coal Township officer accused of a series of rapes and kidnappings around Northumberland County was found guilty on all 43 counts he faced from the incidents occurring between November 2012 and April 2017. According to media outlets . 46-year-old John Kurtz was found guilty by jury for the kidnapping and rape of two women and attempted kidnapping of a third. State police said Kurtz broke into homes to kidnap the women before the assault the jury heard testimony from more than 30 witnesses over five days before delivering the guilty verdict in about an hour.
A three year grant from the US Department of Justice has been awarded a second time to Lycoming College to expand programs designed to combat sexual assault and stalking on campus. According to the school’s project coordinator, the Violence Against Women Campus Grant Program funds the Coordinated Community Response team to provide central communication about victim services and prevention education. First awarded in 2017, programs that bring awareness to sexual assault on campus have developed thanks to the $300 thousand dollars provided, including a three-module program that helps students recognize harmful behaviors.
There are 9 new cases of the coronavirus in Lycoming County as of midnight last night, 6 new cases were reported in Northumberland County and 13 reported in Bradford County. The department has listed 1,276 additional positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 175,922 in the commonwealth . 27 new deaths were reported yesterday for a total of 8,411 fatalities.
A junior at Loyalsock High School has been chosen as a national delegate representing Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA at this month’s virtual National Girl Scout Convention originally to be held in Orlando Florida. According to the Sun Gazette, Girl Scout Ambassador Katy Schon, of Troop 61371will be the national representative. Schon was also recognized this year as a top seller of over 4,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
SPORTS
MLB
The Dodgers routed the Braves 15 -3 making history in an 11-run first inning in the National League Championship Series Game 3 – Atlanta leads 2-1. In the American League Championship Game 4, Astros beat the Rays 4-3 with Tampa Bay leading 3-1
HS Girls Tennis
Central Columbia over Montoursville 3-1
South Williamsport defeated Bucktail 3-1 in the Quarterfinals of the District 4 tournament yesterday – The District 4 Semis and the Finals continue at 1 PM today,
HS Girls Soccer
South Williamsport over Muncy 5-2, Sullivan County defeated Montgomery 2-1
