LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK MEETING

Last night, the Loyalsock Township School District held a work session public meeting to discuss their concerns over the school bus driver shortage.  I spoke with President of the District, Dr. Carolyn Strickland. Several ideas were proposed, however, there seems like there is still much to do. The proposal involves staggered start times for the 2021-2022 school term. The next meeting is May 12 and the public is encouraged to attend.

LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK MEETING

Last night, the Loyalsock Township School District held a work session public meeting. .  I spoke with President of the District, Dr. Carolyn Strickland.  The discussion was transportation and a proposal was put forth to stagger start times for the 2021-2022 school year while keeping the kids needs first. The next meeting is May12 and the public is encouraged to attend.

FUNDS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL AUTHORITY 

A collaborative effort between State Sen. Gene Yaw, State Rep. Jeff Wheeland, and State Rep. Joe Hamm, to announce significant investments for Lycoming County through the Commonwealth Financing Authority yesterday. In Williamsport, the Economic and Community Growth Corp. has been awarded $200,000 as part of a transition of a blighted Brownfield property into a multi-field, regional baseball and softball complex. Jersey Shore borough will receive $78,002 through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation program to implement the Jersey Shore Active Transportation Plan and $150,000 through the CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund to assist with a streetscape project. Lycoming County will also receive a grant of $287,379 through the Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) to extend a natural gas pipeline in Brady Township.

RECYCLING CHANGES

Recycling ways have changed in Lycoming County to reduce recycling from becoming garbage bins.  For example, bins to recycle plastics are markedly smaller for a reason, as they are for smaller items such as milk and laundry containers that bear a 1 or 2 on the bottom. It is a hope these will reduce the amount of pool liners, lawn furniture and other items from ending up in the recycling bins. With cameras at recycling sites, it is advisable to know what you can and can’t leave at the site.

PENN TECH GRADUATION

Plans are in the works for graduation ceremonies at the Pennsylvania College of Technology on May 14, 15 & 16 to include graduates from Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 in 12 in-person events at the Community Arts Center. Due to  COVID-19, Penn College is modifying the “traditional” approach to graduation in order to satisfy regulations provided by the CDC.

LYCOMING COLLEGE GRADUATION

Lycoming College has elected to have two graduation ceremonies this year. The 173rd, for the Class of 2021, and another for the Class of 2020.The Class of 2021 commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., May 15, on the Fultz Quad, rain or shine. The event will be live streamed and the link will be available on the college’s website five days before graduation. The 172nd commencement for the Class of 2020 will be held at 2 p.m., May 22 on the Fultz Quad.

MUNCY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

A slight increase in real estate taxes, set to help balance next year’s budget, is a consideration of the Muncy School Board.  Business Administrator Andrew Seese posed questions for future consideration. For example the borough is not sure how much  funding the district will receive from the state and federal governments and what about long term financial sustainability? The board is expected to pass a final budget in June.

MONTGOMERY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

A three-year contract agreement, which runs from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024, between the Montgomery Area School District and the Montgomery Area Education Association was approved.In other district news, Joseph Stoudt, principal at the Jr./Sr. High School announced that graduation will be held June 4 at the football field. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 18.

PENNSYLVANIA INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AUTHORITY

Gov. Tom Wolf announced the investment of $117 million for 25 drinking water, wastewater and non-point source projects across 19 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority on Wednesday where Old Lycoming Township received a $388,757 loan to acquire a new vacuum street sweeper, reducing sediment and debris runoff into nearby waterways.  Other funding includes $1,002,000 loan to Lewis Township in Northumberland County to establish public sewer service for homes in the area of Schell Road and Koch Road.

UPDATED COVID NUMBERS FOR TODAY

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has provided updated COVID-19 numbers for our area: Locally, Lycoming 35; Clinton 16; Tioga 8; Sullivan 4 and Northumberland 25.

CHIRP

The second phase of Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) grants is now open for eligible businesses in Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, or Union counties. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 to help alleviate 2020 revenue losses and pay for eligible operating expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For-profit hospitality businesses can view full guidelines and apply at the Community Giving Foundation’s website at https://csgiving.org/chirp/.

MISCONDUCT AT MUNCY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

It was in exchange for sexual favors, where a supervisor at the state Corrections Institution at Muncy passed notes among several female inmates and also provided prescribed drugs to another, according to an agent with the state Department of Corrections in court records. According to Amanda Wtiak in a criminal complaint, from last October and into early January, Scott, 50, of Hunlock Creek Township, Luzerne County, allegedly had indecent contact with five inmates.Scott was arraigned this week before District Judge Jon E. Kemp on two felonies – institutional sexual assault, felony contraband — and two misdemeanors –. He was released on $50,000 bail.

UPTOWN MUSIC COLLECTIVE SUMMER ENROLLMENT

The Uptown Music Collective’s summer enrollment week begins on April 19 through April 24, offering  in-person and virtual private lessons available for guitar, vocals, bass, keyboards, and drums. The semester beginning May 3 and will run for 15 weeks. Everyone can also see the continuation of the Adult Music Program at the Collective known as “AMP,” a program is specifically designed with adult students in mind, while still inside the Collective’s renowned music curriculum. Visit Uptown Music Collective. Online to learn more or to register.

BOMB THREAT

Yesterday at approximately 4:30pm, a bomb threat was made to the Hampton Inn and Suites, 66 Liberty Lane in Loyalsock Township via Telephone. The Hampton inn and suites and all other businesses/residences within the immediate vicinity were evacuated as PSP was on scene and maintained a perimeter with an incendiary device K9 responding. There was no incendiary device and the guests were allowed back to their rooms at 9 pm. Investigative leads were developed and there is no threat to the public at this time.

Sports:

Boys tennis

Williamsport shut out Shikellamy 5-0

Cowanesque Valley topped North Penn-Liberty 3-2

High School Softball

Montgomery shut out Benton 23-0

High School Baseball

Selinsgrove topped Montoursville 6-5

Boys track and field

Shikellamy over Jersey Shore 109-36

Mount Carmel over Hughesville 104-44

Girls track and field

Shikellamy over Jersey Shore 76-74

Hughesville topped Mount Carmel 76-73