LOCAL PHYSICIAN SAVES A LIFE ON A PLANE
On a flight to Phoenix, he was called on to save a life. Dr. Kashif Chaudhry is the director of cardiac electrophysiology at UPMC Williamsport and this past weekend he was on a plane when another passenger went into cardiac arrest. As reported by WNEP, Dr. Chaudhry and his wife, who is also a physician, started performing CPR. It was his first time doing so outside a hospital setting. After 90 seconds in, the woman regained a pulse and began to move. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital when the plane landed. Dr. Chaudhry says every doctor knows how to give CPR but is now advocating for the public to learn. He says you never know when you have to save a life, and it’s good to be prepared.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING ADOPTED
It was adopted and the Williamsport City Council now has the means to utilize the $25.4 million American Rescue Plan budget to improve the city’s financial outlook and quality of life in the city of Williamsport. As reported by the SUN Gazette, the breakdown of the funding, includes but is not limited to $6.2 million in public works; $3.5 million in recreation; and $3.6 million in public safety. The equity is drawn from $12.7 million in the first installment that has been received and $12.7 million in the second installment expected in late April or early May.
PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED TO HELP REDUCE GAS PRICES
With gas prices at record highs across the U.S., an increasing number of governors and state lawmakers are calling for the suspension of gas taxes to provide relief to motorists who are facing the prospect of even higher pump prices as the country cuts off Russian oil imports. Republican legislative leaders in Michigan and Pennsylvania announced proposals Wednesday to suspend or reduce state gas taxes.
AWARDS FOR LOCAL LIBRARIES
The state Department of Education (PDE) today announced that nearly $5.3 million in funding has been awarded to 21 libraries in 17 counties for the construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities. The award recipients were selected through a competitive grant process. The Keystone grants will help public library facilities improve their operations, install equipment, and upgrade security systems. Libraries receiving the Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities include: Annie Halenbake Ross Library, City of Lock Haven – $23,950 Mount Carmel Area Public Library, Mount Carmel Borough – $59,000
511PA.COM
Motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 860 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.
LAND DEVELOPMENT FOR UPMC
A land development plan for UPMC Williamsport has more parking in store. As reported by SUN Gazette, upwards of 72 more parking spaces, include as many as 13 handicap accessible spaces, will be located in an area near the emergency room entrance. According to Gary Knarr, the Williamsport City Zoning Officer, the land plan was reviewed this week at the planning commission meeting. Now, the next step for UPMC is to present the plan to City Council for their approval at their next meeting, next Thursday.
SAYING GOODBYE TO ONE OF THEIR OWN
Besides Hepburn Township, members from multiple other fire companies took part in the celebration of life, gathering yesterday morning at Sanders Mortuary in Williamsport to remember Sharon Tempesco a life member of the Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Company. Described as the rock of the Hepburn Township fire company, she was a genuine trailblazer, a woman with compassion for others, one mourner said at the service. Tempesco was a trained emergency medical technician, but so much more, serving many positions in the company for the past several years.
LAWSUIT AGAINST LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DISMISSED
A lawsuit was dismissed that accused the Lewisburg Area School District of failing to address student bullying. According to PennLive, U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew Brann, on Tuesday – when an alleged bullying victim’s mother and stepfather failed to file an amended complaint by the March 3 court-ordered deadline. Kathleen Kurtz and Robert Straub accused the district of failing to address persistent, sexually degrading bullying and ‘harassment ultimately resulting in their teenage son being unable to attend school‘. The district claimed and the judge agreed the allegations, although sexually tinged, are not cognizable sexual harassment under Title IX.(9)
ACCIDENT VICTIM RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
A man from Shamokin Dam was released from the Geisinger Medical Center, after he spent several days there following the crash on the Golden Strip in Shamokin Dam. James Haught, didn’t get home yet, however, he was transferred to a physical rehabilitation facility. As reported by the Daily Item, Haught suffered from a broken back, ribs and other injuries when Theresa Risso slammed into his parked van outside Golden Chopsticks restaurant. Risso was also released. According to Chief Timothy Bremigen, Shamokin Dam Police, charges are pending against Risso, who has two prior DUI convictions.
REGIONAL RECOVERY COALITION
Five counties are taking the stance to address the opioid epidemic. Northumberland, Snyder, Union, Montour and Columbia counties will have their final individual coalition meetings this month before forming the Regional Recovery Coalition, teaming up with the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way and the United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties. The coalition’s main goals, as reported by the Daily Item, include, but are not limited to, preventing overdose deaths; reduce the stigma of substance use disorder and prevention education.
