PARENTS SUING WASD OVER ALLEGED ABUSE OF SPECIAL NEEDS SON
The parents of a special education student are suing the Williamsport Area School District after their son was allegedly strapped to a backboard in class last May. According to the Sun Gazette, a federal lawsuit claims former homeland security and protective services teacher, Richard Caschera, who had been employed at the school about 3 weeks, had classmates secure the boy with a strap near his neck for appearing to sleep during a test. The suit also alleges he denied the student restroom access and gave him a zero on the exam. The complaint seeks damages against Caschera, the district, and administrators for assault, false imprisonment and civil rights violations. Caschera resigned in August.
ALL CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST YOUNG SUNBURY MOTHER
All charges have been dropped against a Sunbury woman in connection with the April death of a 6-day-old infant. According to the Daily Item, prosecutors withdrew felony involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges against 31-year-old Ashley Usadel last week. Police say the baby was found unresponsive on a bed at a North 6th Street home in the early morning hours on April 10th. Usadel told officers she fell asleep while holding the child. Her attorney called the case a tragic accident, and officials agreed no crime occurred.
NEW TROOPERS COMING TO MONTOURSVILLE
Eight new state troopers are headed to Montoursville’s Troop F barracks following the graduation of the 173rd Pennsylvania State Police cadet class. Governor Josh Shapiro and PA State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris honored 59 cadets statewide after 28 weeks of training. Shapiro says his budget plan funds four more cadet classes and lifts the cap on troopers to boost patrols and response times. The Troop F graduates will report to duty September 2nd.
LITTLE LEAGUE BOOSTS PA ECONOMY
The Little League Baseball World Series pumped an estimated $40 million into Pennsylvania’s economy this year, drawing more than 70,000 visitors to Williamsport, according to the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau. Lawmakers say state investments have helped improve Bowman Field and boost events like the Grand Slam Parade, supporting tourism that drove a record $80.8 billion statewide last year. Looking ahead, Shapiro’s proposed budget includes $65 million to prepare for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, with major events planned across the Commonwealth.
SOUTHSIDE WOMAN CHARGED WITH A SECOND DUI IN TWO WEEKS
A South Williamsport woman is facing two DUI charges just eight days apart. Police say 37-year-old Vera Marie Baysore was impaired when her Nissan Rogue crashed at West Third and Maynard streets on March 8. According to the Sun Gazette, investigators said a female passenger in her car overdosed and required Naloxone to be revived. Baysore later admitted using meth and heroin and tested positive for several drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine. She was already charged with DUI from a traffic stop last February. Baysore is free on $10,000 bail and awaiting court on both cases.
UP TO TWENTY YEARS FOR MONTANDON MAN FOR 2024 STABBING
A 23-year-old Montandon man will serve eight to 20 years in state prison for a fatal 2024 stabbing. According to North Central PA dot com, Northumberland County prosecutors say Preston Bennett II was sentenced August 18 after a jury in May found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. Police say Bennett stabbed 28-year-old Kyle Christensen four or five times during a fight on Spruce Alley in West Chillisquaque Township. Christensen died the next day. Bennett was arrested about two miles from the scene; murder charges were dismissed by the jury.
FUNDS FOR BROADBAND IN PENNSYLVANIA
State Senator Gene Yaw says more than $84.7 million in provisional funding has been awarded to expand broadband service across the region. The money comes from Pennsylvania’s share of the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program. Providers receiving funds include Amazon Kuiper, SpaceX, Comcast, Verizon and several local companies. Yaw says the investment will help connect unserved and underserved homes, schools and businesses, supporting education, healthcare and economic growth. With matching funds from providers, the total investment will exceed$169 million.
MURAL CONTEST COMING TO MILTON
The Milton Community Center is calling on local artists for its first “Paint the Valley” mural contest. Submissions are open through September 1, with community voting during the Milton Harvest Festival September 6th to 13th. Nine winners will paint their murals on the center’s walls later in September. Organizers say that entry is free and all materials are provided. For details and registration, visit miltoncommunitycenter.org/mural-contest or call 570-412-4773.
SPORTS
MLB Draft League
West Virginia Black Bears 8 Williamsport Crosscutters 3
Game 3 tonight in West Virginia 6pm 1st pitch
Williamsport is back home Friday, August 29th vs State College Spikes 6:35pm 1st pitch
MLB
Red Sox 4 Orioles 3
Yankees 10 Nationals 5
Mets 13 Phillies 3
Brewers 7 D’Backs 5
Cardinals 7 Pirates 6
Dodgers 7 Reds 0
Mariners 9 Padres 6
MLB Tonight
Red Sox vs Orioles 6:35pm
Nationals vs Yankees 7:05pm
Phillies vs Mets 7:10pm TBS
Pirates vs Cardinals 7:45pm
Reds vs Dodgers 10:10pm MLBN
MLB News
* The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hit his 50th homer Monday night, extending his major league record for home runs by a catcher and joining Mickey Mantle as the only switch-hitters with 50 homers in a season and the eighth player in major league history to reach the half-century mark in August.
* Raleigh is also the first to hit at least 20 homers from each side of the plate in a season.
NFL Thursday September 4th
Cowboys vs Eagles in Philly 8pm NBC/Peacock
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