THERAPIST FACING CHARGES FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH PATIENT
A former unlicensed therapist in Williamsport is facing felony charges after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a female patient and fraudulently billing Medicaid for therapy sessions. According to the Sun Gazette, 36 year old Michael E. Miller, surrendered Tuesday and was arraigned on multiple charges, including Medicaid fraud and sexual extortion. Investigators say Miller admitted to encounters with the woman, who had a history of sexual trauma, during and after therapy sessions. Prosecutors say he also falsified records to cover up the misconduct. Miller was released on $100,000 bail.
MILL HALL WOMAN DROVE TEENS TO CAUSE VANDALISM
State police have charged a Mill Hall woman after she allegedly drove three teenagers to vandalize a home on Park Avenue. The incident happened June 15. Investigators say 38-year-old Jessica Barner transported the teens—two girls and a boy, all age 15—from Lock Haven, Mill Hall, and Loganton. Barner now faces charges of corruption of minors, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy. The teens were also charged with disorderly conduct.
GRANT FOR FOOD PROGRAM IN LEWISBURG
The Getting Ahead Foundation in Lewisburg has received a $6,500 grant from the Conagra Brands Foundation to support its Nourish and Thrive program. According to the Daily Item, the initiative teaches families how to cook healthy meals while building life skills and confidence. GAF founder Rose Williams says the program helps families connect over shared meals and promotes long-term stability. The grant will allow the foundation to continue supporting families through education and community-based support. More information is available at gettingaheadfoundation.org.
KULPMONT 100 CELEBRATION STARTS JULY 3RD
The borough of Kulpmont is marking its 150th anniversary with a weeklong celebration beginning July 3. Festivities will kick off with the arrival of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The schedule includes parades, live music, community picnics, a military vehicle display, and the unveiling of a new local history museum. The celebration wraps up July 7 with the traditional parade and a heritage picnic. Full schedule details are available at Kulpmont100 on Facebook.
COGAN STATION MAN CHARGED FOR MARCH DUI
A Cogan Station man is facing DUI charges after his pickup truck crashed into Lycoming Creek earlier this year. According to the Sun Gazette, authorities say 33-year-old Matthew Salvator Miller had cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs in his system when he lost control of his vehicle on Lycoming Creek Road about 2:45am on March 21. Miller’s truck struck a guardrail and went airborne, landing nearly 30 yards away in the creek. The man escaped the wreck and was rescued from the water by first responders. He was treated at UPMC Williamsport and later charged with DUI and a traffic offense.
STATE SENTENCE FORT TOWANDA MAN
A former Towanda man will spend up to 10 years in state prison for dealing meth and carrying an illegal weapon. According to North Central PA dot com, Edward J. McGowan III, 44, was sentenced to two to five years for meth delivery, and five months to five years for carrying brass knuckles — a prohibited weapon in Pennsylvania. Court records say the meth charge stemmed from a January 2022 incident and was initially dismissed, but later refiled on appeal. The weapons charge came after police found McGowan at a residence he was barred from under a protection from abuse order. Bradford County prosecutors said McGowan’s long criminal record made state incarceration appropriate.
BLOOMSBURG WOMAN MISSING, PUBLIC TO SEARCH TOMORROW
Police and community members are searching for a missing Columbia County woman. According to the Daily Item, Katlyn Harp was last seen at her home on Fairview Drive in Hemlock Township around 9 p.m. on June 19, according to local authorities. The Hemlock Township Police Department urges anyone with information to call 570-784-6543. Concerned residents are organizing an informal search party for Thursday, June 26, at 10 a.m. Volunteers are asked to meet at the far right side of the Walmart parking lot in Bloomsburg.
NEW LOCATION FOR SHAMOKIN FIREWORKS LAUNCH
For the first time in decades, Shamokin’s annual Independence Day fireworks won’t launch from the Glen Burn culm bank. According to the News Item, the show, designed by Citizens Fireworks Inc., will instead fire from near Big Mountain Road following the “Independence on Independence” event on July 5.The move came after the land was leased to Reading Anthracite, making the old launch site unavailable. Show designer Brian Knarr says the new site offers the space needed for the large display. Community donations fund the show, and volunteers will be collecting again this July 4.
SPORTS
MLB Draft League
Williamsport Crosscutters 8 State College Spikes 2
Cutters are at home again tonight with the State College Spikes 6:35pm 1st Pitch
MLB
Blue Jays 10 Guardians 6
Rangers 6 Orioles 5
Braves 7 Mets 4
Reds 5 Yankees 4 /11
D’Backs 4 White Sox 1
Brewers 9 Pirates 3
Astros 1 Phillies 0
Dodgers 9 Rockies 7
Padres 4 Nationals 3
MLB Today
Pirates vs Brewers 2:10pm MLBN
Nationals vs Padres 4:10pm
Rangers vs Orioles 6:35pm
Blue Jays vs Guardians 6:45pm
Braves vs Mets 7:10pm
Yankees vs Reds 7:10pm MLBN/PrimeVid
Phillies vs Astros 8:10pm
Dodgers vs Rockies 8:40pm
NBA News
* The $1.5 billion sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves from Glen Taylor to an investment group led by e-commerce entrepreneur Marc Lore and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez got NBA approval yesterday, finalizing a process more than four years after the deal was reached.
* The ownership transfer that Taylor tried to stop last year received a unanimous vote from the league’s board of governors that comprises the 30 team owners.
NHL News
The New York Rangers have decided to send the 12th pick in Friday’s NHL draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins to complete the conditions from their acquisition of forward J.T. Miller last season.
NFL News
* Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he is “pretty sure” the 2025 season will be his final NFL season during an interview on ESPN.
* Rodgers spent the first 18 years of his career in Green Bay, where he was a four-time NFL MVP.
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