REPEAT OFFENDER GETS STATE PRISON FOR FENTANYL DEALING
A Williamsport fentanyl dealer with a long criminal past is headed to state prison. Fifty-six-year-old Sean Patrick Ford, who has 21 prior convictions, was sentenced by Judge Eric Linhardt to nearly nine years behind bars for selling fentanyl to a confidential informant and using his cellphone to set up the deals. Ford was convicted in September after a jury needed just 15 minutes to reach its verdict. Prosecutors say he’s been arrested 30 times, with his parole revoked 14 times. He still faces three additional open cases, including a drug plea scheduled for December.
TWO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL DRAW LOTS FOR LAST SEAT
Williamsport’s race for City Council has ended in a rare tie, and state law says the winner must now be chosen by drawing lots. According to the Sun Gazette, after the post-election canvass, Republican Eric Beiter and Democrat April Line each finished with the same number of votes once late-arriving mail, provisional, and military ballots were reviewed. Lycoming County elections director Forrest Lehman says tie votes aren’t unusual, but it’s rare for a city council seat. The candidates will meet on November 21 to pull sealed numbers from a box, the lowest number wins the seat. Lehman says it’s a powerful reminder that every single vote truly matters.
SHAPIRO SIGNS BUDGET THAT COULD BENEFIT LYCO RESIDENTS WITH TAX CREDITS
Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 budget was signed by the governor yesterday afternoon. Shapiro called it a balanced plan that cuts taxes for working families, boosts education funding, and invests in workforce needs. He says the budget protects the full Rainy Day Fund while leaving $8 billion in reserves and includes more money for basic and special education, child-care and student-teacher stipends, career and technical programs, public safety, and small-business development. The plan could also help families in Lycoming County see increased tax relief next year with a new Working Pennsylvanians tax credit
RED KETTLE BREAKFAST KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SEASON
The Salvation Army kicked off its holiday season in Williamsport with its 7th annual Red Kettle Breakfast, complete with Christmas carols and a reminder of growing community need. Officials say donations at the iconic red kettles have dropped in recent years as fewer people shop in stores or carry cash, even as requests for assistance continue to climb. Leaders launched a five-year fundraising campaign to keep services running and unveiled this year’s theme, “The Joy of Giving,” urging the community to step up and support neighbors struggling with rising costs and hardship.
OVERLOADED EXTENSION CORD CAUSED FIRE IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT
Volunteer and city firefighters rushed to a home on George Street in South Williamport late Tuesday night after an electrical fire broke out in the basement. Investigators say an overloaded extension cord sparked the blaze just after 11pm Crews brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes, and no one was hurt. Two adults and their dog were displaced, and officials say the home will need to be completely re-wired before they can return. The homeowner does have fire insurance as the cleanup and repairs get underway.
NEW OFF-ROAD VEHICLE RULES FOR CITY OF SHAMOKIN
Shamokin City council has updated rules for off-road vehicles on city streets. According to the News Item, The amended ordinance designates additional shared-use streets and limits riding from 9am to 5pm November through March, and 9am to 6pm April through October. It also clarifies that off-road vehicles must have registration, insurance, headlights, taillights and working brakes. Council separately approved new permit fees for city-owned parking lots starting January 1: 100 dollars a year for most vehicles, and 200 dollars for food trucks and heavy-duty trucks.
VETERANS INVITED TO SAYRE AND TUNKHANNOCK
State Representative Tina Pickett is inviting area veterans to take advantage of monthly assistance opportunities at her district offices. On the third Tuesday of each month, a representative from the VFW will be available at her Sayre office to help veterans and their dependents, and on the first Wednesday of each month, an American Legion representative will be at her Tunkhannock office. Veterans don’t need to be members of either organization to receive help, but appointments are required. Services include help with benefits, pensions, education, and health care.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY
Susquehanna University will celebrate one of its longest-running holiday traditions with its Emmy Award-winning Christmas Candlelight Service, set for Tuesday, December 2nd at 7:30 p.m. in Weber Chapel. The free event features candle lighting, carols, and performances by student music ensembles. Interim Chaplain Vickie Brown will lead the service and deliver the message. Nonperishable food donations will be collected at the door. The campus radio station will air the service live starting at 7:15pm and rebroadcast it on Christmas Eve.SPORTS
PIAA Class 1A State Girls Soccer Semi-Final
Faith Christian 3 Muncy 0
PIAA Class 2A State Boys Soccer Semi-Final
Lewisburg 1 Faith Christian 0
State Championship Friday
Lewisburg vs Fairview @Northeastern HS – Manchester, PA 4pm
PIAA HS Football Playoffs 1st Round Friday 7pm
Double AA
Troy @ Southern Columbia
Triple A
Mifflinburg vs Scranton Prep @ Milton
Quad A
Shamokin @ Bellefonte
PIAA HSF Playoffs 1st Round Saturday 1pm
Class A
Line Mountain Vs Lackawanna Trail @ Shamokin
Class 6-A
State College vs Wilkes-Barre @ Milton
NBA
Hornets 111 Bucks 100
Pistons 124 Bulls 113
Magic 124 Knicks 107
Celtics 131 Grizzlies 95
Cavaliers 130 Heat 116
Rockets 135 Wizards 112
Warriors 125 Spurs 120
NBA Tonight
Raptors vs Cavaliers 7pm NBAtv
Pacers vs Suns 9pm
Hawks vs Jazz 9pm
NHL
Rangers 7 Lightning 3
Oilers 2 Flyers 1
Mammoth 5 Sabres 2
Devils 4 Blackhawks 3 /OT
NHL Tonight
Kings vs Maple Leafs 7pm ESPN+
Bruins vs Senators 7pm ESPN+
Capitals vs Panthers 7pm ESPN+
Oilers vs Blue Jackets 7:30pm ESPN/Hulu
Islanders vs Golden Knights 10pm ESPN+
MLB News
* Tarik Skubal, the left-handed ace for the Detroit Tigers, won his second consecutive American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday.
* Paul Skenes, the second-year right-hander for the Pittsburgh Pirates, followed up his Rookie of the Year season by winning his first National League Cy Young Award – getting all 30 first-place votes in voting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Comments