SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE SENTENCES      

The verdict is in and Ikeem Fogan of Williamsport will be spending the rest of his life in state prison for a conviction of criminal homicide in the August 2019 slaying of Rhonda McPeak in the Newberry Uni-Mart. According to SUN Gazette, Fogan was also found guilty of 10 other counts related to the robbery and wounding of JoBeth Wetzel, the clerk at the Uni-Mart the night of the robbery. Fogan will be paying $7,000 in restitution to McPeak’s daughter, as to cover the costs of the funeral. He is doing this in addition to serving  two minimum life sentences.

WRONGFULLY FIRED MAN TAKES BUSINESS TO COURT

A Clinton County man has taken First Quality Tissue of Lock Haven to court, alleging he was wrongly fired in September 2020 for using prescribed medical marijuana. According to a media outlet, Kevin Dennis of Renovo was hired July 2019 as a warehouse worker.  Dennis is seeking an award of liquidated and/or punitive damages in an amount believed by the court as appropriate. Furthermore, Dennis asked the court to award him damages for emotional distress and/or pain and suffering and that his claims are to receive a trial by jury. A summons has been sent to First Quality Tissue.

ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL

On Sunday, Oct. 10 from noon to 4 p.m. there will be an annual fall festival at Little Pine State Park that focuses on the natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities in northcentral Pennsylvania. According to a report from a media outlet, displays and scheduled programs by state and county conservation agencies, local conservation organizations, and businesses related to the outdoors will be at the fall festival. There will also be live animals, crafts, demonstrations, and more.

VOTER ID REINTRODUCED IN STATE HOUSE

A comprehensive election reform measure vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Tom Wolf has been reintroduced in the state House. A key component of the bill – to expand voter ID guidelines to require all voters to present ID each time they cast a ballot – was initially cited by the governor as a main reason for his veto, but he has subsequently said he is open to expanded ID requirements. The Voting Rights Protection Act, now House Bill 1800, would expand ID requirements but also ensure ALL registered voters can comply by calling on counties and the Department of State to issue durable voter registration identification cards, similar to those already provided. Voters also would be able to use other types of identification, including their state-issued driver license or ID card.

FALSE REPORTS TO GET SOMEONE ARRESTED
Donovan Fraunfelter, Jersey Shore, faces misdemeanor charges of false reports to law enforcement and making unsworn falsification to authorities stemming from an incident on Sept. 14, according to court records filed at District Judge Jerry C. Lepley’s office. Police said Fraunfelter didn’t like a certain individual so he notified police and submitted a bogus report that the person “threatened to kill him and chased him with a machete,” officers alleged in an affidavit. According to Sun Gazette, Fraunfelter has been sent a summons to appear before the judge.

DUI TURNS DISORDERLY

A traffic stop brought DUI charges to a Jersey Shore man. The driver, identified as Samuel Henry Collins, told troopers they “would need to shoot him” if they wanted him out of the vehicle. According to the police report,  Collins attempted to start the vehicle and drive away from authorities, which prompted them to deploy a taser. Collins was issued several charges that ranged from third-degree felony criminal attempt at fleeing, second-degree misdemeanor resisting arrest, misdemeanor use or possession of drug paraphernalia, two misdemeanor DUI charges, and two summary traffic offenses. According to a media source, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Collins on Oct. 14. Collins is being held at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 monetary bail.

COVID TESTING NOT RECOMMENDED FOR EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in our communities, Geisinger wanted to remind citizens on the appropriate locations to go for COVID-19 testing. “A hospital emergency room is not an appropriate location, but Geisinger offers several locations for more efficient and timely COVID-19 testing,” according to a statement released by hospital spokesperson Marc Stempka. “Our emergency rooms are busy, and staff there are needed to treat patients with serious illnesses and injuries.””COVID-19 testing in the emergency room takes staff away from these patients and increases wait times. Hospital emergency rooms are for emergencies, such as life-threatening injuries and illness, including symptoms of strokes, heart attacks and broken bones,” Stempka’s statement continued.

COVID UPDATE FOR VALLEY COUNTIES

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19. In Clinton County seven new cases were reported, Centre County saw an increase of 20, Lycoming County 34, 22 in Northumberland County, 21 in Snyder, 18 in Union and three in Montour.

DAMAGES AND ROAD CLOSURE WHEN TRUCK LOSES LOAD

Two people were reportedly sent to the hospital when granite slabs fell onto a passenger vehicle after breaking loose from a tractor-trailer driving on Route 15 on Monday. All five lanes of Route 15 were closed following the crash that occurred about 12:40 p.m. near the intersection of Loan Road and Route 15, just south of Evangelical Community Hospital. The tractor-trailer stopped at the traffic signal, a truckload of granite fell off the left side of the trailer. Some pieces hit the ground and shattered, while one piece struck the rear passenger side of a Nissan Versa in the passing lane.

LYCOMING COUNTY COURT SENDS THREE TO STATE PRISON

Three people were sentenced to state prison recently in Lycoming County Court, according to SUN Gazette.  Christopher Warns, Watsontown, 50 to 100 months for aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children, Daniel Rankins, Williamsport, 18 to 36 months and three years probation for indecent assault of a person younger than 13 years of age and endangering the welfare of children and Samantha Kay Bankes, 26, of Bloomsburg, nine to 24 months for escape.

BURGULARY CHARGES TO WILLIAMSPORT MAN

Taahir Stowe, Williamsport,  has been jailed on charges of illegally entering Joshua King’s home at 501 Park Ave. and stealing a handgun on March 12 after a juvenile had entered through a window and unlocked the back door for him so he could get inside, city police alleged in an affidavit. Within a week, officers recovered the stolen handgun, which was located in a backpack at 615 Court St. Stowe was arraigned last week before District Judge Aaron Biichle on charges burglary, felony trespassing, theft, receiving stolen property, carrying a firearm without a license and corrupting the morals of a minor. He remains behind bars in lieu of $100,000 bail.

WALK ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA

On Sunday, Oct. 3, a “Walk in Penn’s Woods” event will be taking place across Pennsylvania. The walk begins in Union County  and it will be 8-11 a.m. at R.B. Winter State Park in Mifflinburg. It’s hosted by Seven Mountains Audubon. In Lycoming County,  the walk is from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as part of the 40th anniversary hike on the Old Loggers Path. At 1:30 p.m., the Central Susquehanna Woodland Owners Association will sponsor a “Walk in Penn’s Woods” at the Montour Preserve on 374 Preserve Road in Danville.