MAN ALLEGEDLY SETS HIS CABIN ON FIRE A preliminary hearing is now set for February third for a 65-year-old Mifflinburg man accused of intentionally setting his cabin on fire. Benjamin Allen Houdeshell Sr. faces seven charges, including felony arson and causing a catastrophe, after a fire just after 12:30 a.m. December second in West Buffalo Township. State police say Houdeshell poured gasoline inside the cabin and ignited it with a propane torch, then warned 911 about gunpowder and propane tanks on the property.
GARAGE FIRE STOPPED FROM BURNING RESIDENCE Lycoming Regional Police say quick thinking by officers helped prevent a garage fire from becoming more serious early December 28th. Just after 3 a.m., heavy smoke was reported along Route 44. The smoke was traced to a garage fire at a home on South Route 44 in Nippenose Township. Police notified dispatch, alerted and safely evacuated the residents, and moved vehicles away to give firefighters access. Investigators say the fire started when hot ashes ignited a trash can.
FUNDING FOR CHILD CARE FACILITIES The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is now accepting applications for a new Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program aimed at easing workforce shortages. Using twenty-five million dollars in the 2025–26 state budget, DHS will provide licensed child care providers with 450 dollars per employee to support retention and hiring, helping an estimated 55,000 workers statewide. Providers must apply through the Early Learning Resource Center by January 29.
HIKE INTO THE NEW YEAR Several state parks and natural areas will mark the new year with free, guided First Day Hikes across Pennsylvania. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says more than 60 hikes will be held statewide on New Year’s Day, including events at Shikellamy State Park, R.B. Winter State Park, and Montour Preserve. Most hikes are one to two miles and designed for a wide range of ages and abilities.
NAMES RELEASED IN FATAL ACCIDENT Three people killed in a Christmas Day crash in Centre County have been identified. The Centre County Coroner says 37-year-old Diana Lyons, 33-year-old Richard Harriott, and their 10-year-old son, all of Lock Haven, died at the scene of a head-on crash on Bald Eagle Valley Road near Bald Eagle State Park. The child attended Keystone Central School District, which says grief counselors will be available when students return January fifth, and the boy’s sister remains in critical care. The crash is still under investigation.
ICY ROADS CAUSE PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE REGION Icy roads caused major problems for first responders yesterday morning across the region. In Anthony Township, a paramedic slipped on Chapel Hill Road while responding to a reported fall just before six a.m., forcing crews to stop sending vehicles and walk in or use a UTV until cinders were applied. Both the original patient and the injured paramedic were later taken to the hospital. In Moreland Township, a pickup truck slid on Route 442 and overturned, though the driver was not hurt. A separate ice-related incident brought down trees and power lines along Route 220 north of Tivoli, knocking out electricity to many PPL customers and temporarily closing the highway until crews made conditions safer.
SKILL GAME LEGISLATION STALLED The Pennsylvania General Assembly is at the halfway point of the 2025–26 session with historically low productivity, following a budget stalemate that delayed passage of a 50-point-1-billion-dollar spending plan until November. Just 60 bills have been signed into law, the fewest since 2009. One major unresolved issue is regulation and taxation of skill games. That proposal stalled during budget talks and could resurface as lawmakers search for new revenue.
NEW TREASURER The City of Williamsport has appointed a new treasurer and tax collector. Adam Welteroth officially began the job December fifteenth after being selected by City Council following an interview process. He replaces Kevin Mackey, who resigned in October. Six people initially expressed interest in the position, with two candidates interviewed before council made its appointment. One council member abstained from the vote. The treasurer and tax collector’s office is located in the Trade and Transit Centre One building at Third and Pine streets in downtown Williamsport.
Sports
District 4 Boys Basketball 12/29
Southern Columbia 58 Danville 47
Mt Carmel 62 Tunkhannock 38
Pedie McDonald Christmas Tournament:
Loyalsock 57 Bellefonte 46
Montoursville 66 Selinsgrove 50
District 4 Girls Basketball 12/29
Loyalsock 54 Jersey Shore 38
Meadowbrook Christian 36 Montgomery 15
Hughesville 58 Selinsgrove 11
Southern Columbia 44 Danville 38
Mt Carmel 53 Berwick 40
Monday Night Football
Falcons 27 Rams 24
NCAA College Bowl Games
Georgia Southern 29 App State 10
NHL
Hurricanes 3 Rangers 2
Panthers 5 Capitals 3
Oilers 3 Jets 1
Sabres 4 Blues 2
Avalanche 5 Kings 2
Predators 4 Mammoth 3
Flames 2 Wild 5
Sharks 5 Ducks 4
Canucks 3 Kraken 2
today
New Jersey @ Toronto 7:00 PM ESPN+
Montreal @ Florida 7:00 PM ESPN+
Carolina @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ESPN+
New York @ Chicago 8:30 PM NHL Net
Philadelphia @ Vancouver 10:00 PM ESPN+
NBA
Bucks 123 Hornets 113 today
Suns 115 Wizards 101 Philadelphia @ Memphis
Warriors 120 Nets 107 Boston @ Utah
Heat 147 Nuggets 123 Detroit @ Los Angeles
Raptors 107 Magic 106 Sacremento @ LA
Timberwolves 136 Bulls 101
Rockets 126 Pacers 119
Knicks 130 Pelicans 125
Thunder 140 Hawks 129
Cavaliers 113 Spurs 101
Trail Blazers 125 Mavericks 122
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