BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS MAY 3, 2022

MAN SENTENCED IN MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT

A man from Williamsport who pleaded guilty to his role in a murder for hire case has been sentenced to life in state prison in Lycoming County Court.  According to the Sun Gazette, 52 year old Edward Heck paid Kenneth Wayne Smith of Cambria county 10 thousand dollars to kill his wife and two dogs in 2018.  Smith had been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the crime, but died while incarcerated last year.  Charges against Heck, like aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and cruelty to animals were dropped.

MAN VIOLATES PROBATION AT T-BALL GAME

A Lock Haven man violated his probation Sunday by allegedly being under the influence of alcohol and acting erratically at a T-ball game in Blanchard.  According to Crimewatch, witnesses say Wesley Cleon Snyder had to be told by league officials that he would be contacted by authorities for his behavior which included, taking items like a uniform and a hat from the dugout, smoking on the field, ordering food and not being able to pay for it and causing general chaos.  It was found that Snyder was on supervision with the Clinton County Adult Probation Department, where he had never shown up for any appointments.  He was apprehended at a residence where he was visiting for drug and additional charges and is in Clinton County Correctional Facility for violating his probation and parole.

JUDGE SERVES BENCH WARRANT TO FORMER PA AG

Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane is in custody after a Montgomery County Judge served her with a bench warrant last week for violating parole of her 2016 perjury conviction by being involved in a DUI accident in Scranton.  According to Penn Live, a Montgomery County judge called for Kane’s arrest after the March 12th incident.  She had served 8 months of her 23 month sentence and is now back in the Montgomery County facility outside of Philadelphia.

REAL ID ENFORCEMENT COUNTDOWN STARTS NOW

Penn DOT has partnered with the TSA and Philadelphia International Airport to announce a one year countdown for the federal enforcement of the Pennsylvania Real ID.  According to a press release, if any resident wishes to board any domestic flight or enter a federal building that requires a federally acceptable ID after May 3rd , 2023 they will need either valid Passport, military ID or Pennsylvania’s Real ID driver’s license or ID card.  To date PennDOT has issued 1.6 million Real IDs, but there is no requirement to get one. 

MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY HARMED INFANT CHARGED

A 25 year old Williamsport man who allegedly told police that he was frustrated by caring for an infant a year ago, has now been charged with several felonies after the baby was found to have broken arms and a broken femur consistent with abuse described.  According to North Central PA dot com, in a police interview, Brad Christopher Wright first said the infant was stuck in the crib, but changed his story several times to explain the injuries last year.  Wright will appear in court this week for his preliminary hearing on first and second degree felony aggravated assault on a victim less than 6 as well as charges for endangering the welfare of children.  He is being held at Lycoming County Prison on 175 thousand dollars bail.

CIVIL SUIT AGAINST SCHOOL DROPPED

A federal civil suit brought against Jersey Shore Area School District, a former student teacher and two school administrators has been dismissed after the family of the victim declined to press any charges.  According to The Express, Alexandria Sandra Kaluzny pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault and one count of statutory sexual assault after she was arrested for cultivating a relationship with a Jersey Shore Middle School boy in September of 2021.  She was sentenced to 2-10 years on prison and is required to register for Megan’s Law for 25 years.  The boy told his family Kaluzny gave him money and gifts before they moved out of the area to avoid public scrutiny. 

SOUTHERN NY TV ANCHOR FIRED

A Southern New York television news anchor has been fired after a 607 Predator YouTube video surfaced of him acting inappropriately by trying to meet a 15 year old boy.  According to First News Now, Zack Wheeler was taken off the air by the WETM 18 management after they were alerted to the video and later announced in a social media post that Wheeler, who was named news director last February and was the 6pm anchor was no longer employed by the network.  No charges have been filed in this case so far in connection to the video that went viral after its release April 30th.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION ONLINE AT MIFFLINBURG

A reminder for parents that many area kindergarten registration processes for the 2022-23 school year began in April and Mifflinburg Area Schools in particular announced all their registration will be online.  Registration forms can be submitted electronically at Mifflinburg dot org.  There is a list of required documents for parents to bring to the office once the online form is submitted to finalize the enrollment of their children in school.  If you don’t have internet service, you can make an appointment at the District administration building by calling 570-966-8200.  Children must be 5 years old by September 1st, 2022 to start school this year.

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