BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JUNE 30, 2023

AIR QUALITY STILL ORANGE IN PA

Air Quality this morning for all of Pennsylvania due to smoke from Canadian wildfires is at a Code ORANGE alert or considered unhealthy for sensitive groups..  According to the DEP, some local conditions are remaining near red – or unhealthy to breathe, but there is some improvement  with much of the wildfire smoke likely to be cleared from our area by tomorrow, but it could return later this Summer as wildfires continue to burn in Northeast Canada.  You can check air quality levels anytime at airnow.gov.

TWO ALARM FIRE IN WATSONTOWN THURSDAY

There was a two alarm house fire near Watsontown Thursday morning.  According to Susquehanna Regional 911 eight fire companies responded to the call that came in for the home at 348 Clemens Road in Delaware Township around 6:30am yesterday. Crews were ordered to evacuate the house after the roof was in danger of collapsing.  Some witnesses at the scene said there were explosions heard and heavy smoke when crews first arrived.  No injuries were reported and a cause of the fire has  not yet been determined.

SPLASH PAD CLOSED TEMPORARILY

According to a social media post by the City of Williamsport Recreation Department, the Williamsport Splash Pad is under temporary closure due to it not turning on and off properly.  According to the Sun Gazette, authorities say it will be closed until the mechanical and electrical problems are fixed with the job anticipated to be completed by Saturday.  Those who want to use the Splash Pad are encouraged to watch Facebook for updates on the repair and status of the facility.

AUTHORITIES WILL PATROL FOR BUI ON THE WATER FOR THE 4TH

Safe travel is top of mind for the PA Department of Transportation, and as we head into the 4th of July Holiday weekend law enforcement officials are focused on safe boating with a plan of increased Waterway Conservation patrols and sobriety checks on the water.  According to authorities there is increased boat traffic along the Susquehanna  with the possibility of more people boating under the influence of alcohol. The Department recently kicked off ‘Operation Dry Water’ to increase awareness of Boating Under the Influence or BUI. Watch for increased patrols on the roadways, too, throughout the holiday next week.

BODY FOUND IN SUSQUEHANNA RIVER

A body was found in the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg this week and authorities have identified the victim as a person who had been listed as a missing person Wednesday.  According to PennLive, 82 year old Lars Blomquist of Newfield New York was reportedly boating on the river that day and his body was found just before 8pm Wednesday night.  The Dauphin County Coroner reported Blomquist’s death to be accidental by drowning. There is an investigation started into the incident led by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

PREVIOUS TENANT FORCES NEW TENANT TO PAY RENT TO HIM

A Williamsport man threatened the man who moved into his previous apartment at the 600 block of Rose Street with a knife after demanding he be paid the rent for the apartment and not the landlord.  According to the Sun Gazette, 47 year old Edward James Nicholas allegedly showed a knife during a confrontation and forced the current tenant to withdraw money for him at an ATM.  The crime was reported June 21st and Nichols was apprehended by police.  He faces felony kidnapping and robbery as well as misdemeanor assault charges, and is in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 85 thousand dollars bail.

SIGNAL LIGHTS OFF FOR NOW IN MIFFLINBURG BOROUGH

Motorists are advised that the traffic signal at the intersection of Route 45 (East Chestnut Street) and Route 3007 (Forest Hill Road) in Mifflinburg Borough, Union County, is malfunctioning and has been turned off.  Motorists approaching the intersection should expect to stop in all directions until the traffic signal is operational.  You can check conditions of all the roadways on your area by logging onto 511pa dot com 24 hours a day.

TROOPER RECOVERING FROM CRITICAL SHOOTING

The State Trooper who was shot during a manhunt June 17th , in the same series of incidents that killed Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr.,  that same day in Juniata County, remains in critical condition at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.  According to PennLive, 21 year veteran, 45 year old Lt. James Wagner is the father of three sons and is the assigned station commander at the Troop G Bedford Station, the barracks where the shooting occurred.  The suspect in the shootings 38 year old Brandon Stine of Thomspntown is in custody and a motive for the shootings has not been determined.  If you’re interested in helping the families of the troopers involved, consider the PSTA Survivors Fund, in Harrisburg, or the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation. 

SPORTS

MLB
Royals 4              Guardians 3
Pirates 5               Padres 4
Tigers 8               Rangers 5
Yankees 10         A’s 4
Rays 6                 Diamondbacks 1
White Sox 9         Angels 7

Marlins 2            Red Sox 0
Blue Jays 2         Giants 1
Brewers 3            Mets 2
Astros 14             Cardinals 0
Phillies 3             Cubs 1
Dodgers 14         Rockies 3

MLB News
The Texas Rangers are sending a franchise-record four starters to the All-Star Game in Seattle on July 11th, the most of any major league team.

*They will have a starter at all the infield positions save for first base, as catcher Jonah Heim and rookie third baseman Josh Jung are appearing as first-time All-Stars. They’ll join shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien. It’s Seager’s fourth All-Star appearance, while Semien is an All-Star for the second time in his career.
MLB Draft League

Williamsport Crosscutters are back home tonight to take on the Trenton Thunder at Historic Bowman Field 6:35 1st pitch

NASCAR Sunday
Chicago Street Race Grant Park 220 Pre-race coverage starts at 4:30 Green Flag 5:30 on the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3.

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