PURSUIT ENDS IN CRASH
The pursuit began on North Main Street in Muncy and ended in the area of Clarkstown Road in Wolf Township in the early-morning hours on Feb. 26 with the arrest of Tanner Sanders. As reported by Sun Gazette, not only did Sanders’ speeds exceed 90 mph, but he committed numerous dangerous traffic violations, as he attempted to flee police. The vehicle pursuit ended with Sanders’ vehicle out of control, crashing in a field. The subsequent foot pursuit was short lived. He was arraigned before District Judge Denise Dieter on multiple charges, including felony fleeing police, and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $99,000 bail.
ST PATRICK’S DAY SAFETY MESSAGE
The Lycoming County DUI Task Force and Pennsylvania State Police will be conducting joint DUI enforcement details during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday If you have been drinking, make the right choice to find a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
MAIL-IN BALLOTING QUESTIONING
Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices considered Tuesday whether to throw out a state law that greatly expanded mail-in balloting, holding oral argument in litigation brought in part by some of the Republican state representatives who voted overwhelmingly for it about two years ago. The unusually long, three-hour session in Harrisburg could put an end to compromise legislation that in 2019 eliminated straight-ticket voting, a priority of legislative Republicans, in exchange for no-excuse mail-in voting. Voting by mail proved immediately popular during the pandemic. Justices did not indicate when or how they will rule, although Chief Justice Max Baer suggested that if they were to throw out the 125-page law it could remain in place through the spring primary, currently scheduled for May 17.
PRELIMINARY HEARING CONTINUED
A Northumberland County woman, caring for a 6-month old child, when the child accidently overdosed on heroin, has a preliminary hearing next month. According to the Daily Item, Lyndsay Gray of Shamokin was originally scheduled for her hearing on Tuesday before Shamokin District Judge John Gembic, but it was continued until April. In December, Gray used heroin and passed out, when she awoke the child was unresponsive and not breathing. Geisinger-Shamokin emergency crews revived the child with Narcan, an overdose reversal medication. Gray faces a felony count of endangering the welfare of a child and remains an inmate at the Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bail.
SEARCH WARRANT YIELDS STOLEN PROPERTY
A “high-risk” search warrant served on a Bainbridge Street Sunbury residence on March 1, revealed financial documents taken from area churches, broken open safe and a stolen Harley-Davidson motorcycle frame. Joseph Kemper and Nicco Aurand were arraigned in front of Shamokin District Judge John Gembic last week and sent to Northumberland county jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
INDICTMENT FOR PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
The US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania reported a Northumberland County man indicted on production of child pornography charges. As reported by an online media outlet, 50-year-old Scott Snyder of the Trevorton area was indicted February 24. According to United States Attorney John Gurganus, the indictment alleges on July 7, 2012 and July 13, 2013, in Northumberland County, Snyder produced child pornography in a case investigated by both the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI. If convicted, Snyder could face a maximum of 30 years in prison. This case, part of Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
GAS PRICES RELIEF ACT
Governor Tom Wolf today applauded President Joe Biden’s plan to ban the import of Russian oil, liquified natural gas and coal to the United States in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Also today, Governor Wolf joined with four fellow governors to urge Congress to pass legislation that would address rising gas prices by suspending the federal gas tax until the end of the year. The Gas Prices Relief Act would alleviate the consumer cost of rising gas prices while protecting the federal government’s capacity to make infrastructure investments.
