TWO OVERNIGHT FIRES IN THE COLD CHALLENGE CREWS
Crews were busy in Lycoming County as firefighters responded to two separate blazes late last night into early this morning. A fully involved structure fire was reported just before 1 a.m. at Culberson Construction on South Arch Street in Duboistown, with flames spreading to a utility pole and power lines. Earlier in the evening, crews were called to South Market Street in Muncy for a fire involving garages, a vehicle, and power . Cold weather challenged fire crews as wind chills dipped near ten below zero.
WILLIAMSPORT MAN CONVICED IN 2023 HOMICIDE
A jury has found Benjamin Villanueva III guilty in the December 2023 shooting death of Jermaine Mullen, following a three-day trial. Villanueva was convicted of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, evidence tampering, and illegal possession of a firearm, but acquitted of robbery and second-degree murder. Prosecutors argued the killing stemmed from a robbery gone wrong, while the defense claimed others were involved. According to the Sun Gazette, Villanueva was not in the courtroom for the verdict and is scheduled for sentencing April 10.
NATURAL GAS PRICES SET TO RISE
UGI Utilities has filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to raise base natural gas rates, a move that would increase the average residential customer’s monthly bill by nearly nine percent. The company says the increase would help recover a 468-million-dollar investment in system upgrades. If approved, a typical residential heating bill would rise about ten dollars a month. The request is subject to review and public hearings, with a decision expected later this year.
REP HAMM ANNOUNCES FUND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
More than 488-thousand dollars is headed to Lycoming and Sullivan counties for environmental improvement projects aimed at protecting streams, wildlife, and water quality. State Representative Joe Hamm says the funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will support stream restoration, habitat improvements, and stormwater management. Grants will help groups including Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, and the Sullivan County Conservation District, with the money awarded through Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener program.
PASTORS INJURED IN HOUSE FIRE
There have been more details released about the family injured in a South Williamsport house fire. According to the Sun Gazette, fire officials say pastor John Butler and his wife, Carol – who Is also a pastor, suffered serious burns in the late Tuesday night blaze that destroyed their Bedaro Drive home. A retired firefighter neighbor rescued Carol Butler from the burning garage, while John Butler escaped on his own. The couple was later transferred to a specialized burn unit as the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
PA LEGISLATORS LOOKING TO STOP NONCONSENSUAL AI IMAGES
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is leading a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general urging xAI to take stronger action to stop its AI chatbot Grok from generating nonconsensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material. The group says the tool has been used to create sexually explicit images without consent, causing serious harm. Attorneys general are demanding safeguards, content removal, and accountability, warning the technology may violate state and federal laws if changes are not made.
LYCO LANDFILL TO GET NEW OVERSIGHT
Lycoming County Commissioners have approved a two-year agreement to bring in the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority to manage the county landfill, which officials say is about 27 million dollars in debt. The move follows months of concern over the landfill’s financial condition and shifts oversight away from the county’s Resources Management Services department. Under the deal, the authority’s general manager and staff will oversee daily operations at a cost of 20-thousand dollars a month, paid from landfill revenues. Commissioners say the change is aimed at stabilizing the operation and evaluating its long-term future as a county-owned facility.
NEW TRAIL PROPOSED IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
A proposed pedestrian trail would connect the RiverWoods senior living campus in Kelly Township to Lewisburg, Wolfe Field, and eventually WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital. Project leaders outlined plans to Union County officials, saying the first phase would include ADA-compliant sidewalks and safety upgrades along River Road and the St. Anthony Bridge. The project would be funded through grants, with no county money requested, and supporters are seeking a letter of support by mid-February.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Boys Basketball
Montoursville 67 Milton 38
Wilkes Barre 65 Williamsport 57
Mifflin County 59 Selinsgrove 54
HS Girls Basketball
Towanda 48 Athens 37
Col. Co. Christian 42 Millville 27
HS Boys Wrestling
Sugar Val Charter 48 Wellsboro 15
Benton 31 Loyalsock 28
Girls Wrestling
Montgomery 36 Williamsport 27
Wellsboro 35 Sugar Valley Charter 9
NCAA Men’s Basketball
Iowa State 97 Colorado 67
Illinois 75 Washington 66
Northwestern 94 Penn State 73
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tonight
Michigan vs Michigan State 8pm FOX
Providence vs Villanova 7pm FS1
NBA
76ers 113 Kings 111
Wizards 109 Bucks 99
Rockets 104 Hawks 86
Heat 116 Bulls 113
Hornets 123 Mavericks 121
Nuggets 107 Nets 103
Suns 114 Pistons 96
Timberwolves 123 Thunder 111
NBA Tonight
Lakers vs Wizards 7pm
Raptors vs Magic 7:30pm ESPN
Kings vs Celtics 7:30pm
Trail Blazers vs Knicks 7:30pm
Nets vs Jazz 9:30pm
Pistons vs Warriors 10pm ESPN
NHL
Bruins 6 Flyers 3
Sabres 4 Kings 1
Canadiens 7 Avalanche 3
Devils 3 Predators 2
Islanders 2 Rangers 1
Penguins 6 Blackhawks 2
Hurricanes 5 Mammoth 4
Capitals 4 Red Wings 3
Stars 5 Golden Knights 4 /SO
NHL Tonight
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks 8:30pm NHLNet
NASCAR Sunday
The Clash @ Bowman Gray Sunday at 8pm on FOX
NFL Super Bowl LX Sunday, Feb 8
Seahawks vs Patriots 6:30pm NBC/Peacock
Penn State Hockey hits a major milestone this weekend as the Nittany Lions take the ice outdoors at Beaver Stadium. The women host Robert Morris at 1pm today, followed by the men facing second-ranked Michigan State Saturday afternoon in a top-five matchup. Men’s coach Guy Gadowsky calls the outdoor game a longtime goal, as Penn State Athletics welcomes tens of thousands of fans for its first Winter Sports Weekend.
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