ALLEGED RAPIST IN CUSTODY
A man from Old Lycoming Township has been denied bail after police took him into custody for allegedly attempting to kill a Williamsport woman after a sexual assault and cutting her throat with a knife at a home on Memorial Avenue on Monday. According to the Sun Gazette, 23 year old Unique Robinson faces felony charges of attempted homicide, rape, aggravated assault and other charges and was taken into custody without incident at the home in the 900 block of Memorial Avenue and was arraigned. The victim was transported by ambulance to UPMC Williamsport for treatment.
DOMESTIC DISPUTE LEADS TO ARSON
A White Deer man is in custody after a domestic dispute with a neighbor allegedly lead to arson on Sunday. According to state police, 35 year old Jamarro Wells was seen on surveillance cameras setting fire to items on a neighbor’s porch in Union County about 1:30am. Police say Wells had a beef with his neighbor and was arrested after volunteer firefighters discovered the signs of arson and called police. No one was injured in the fire. Wells was incarcerated and held in lieu of 100 thousand dollars bail.
NEW SPEAKER FOR PA HOUSE
A Reading area democrat has been voted in as the new speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after lawmakers in Harrisburg resolved the questions surrounding the leadership following three vacancies after the last Election Day. According to the Sun Gazette, Representative Mark Rozzi of Berks County who began a 6th 2 year term this week, was named speaker in a 115 to 85 vote over Republican Representative Carl Walker of Somerset. An election is scheduled for February to select candidates for the open seats that were vacated by the death of state Rep. Tony DeLuca, Rep. Summer Lee who left to become a member of Congress and Rep. Austin Davis resigned his lieutenant governor position.
ANNUAL REQUEST FOR MAIL-IN BALLOTS HEADING TO THE MAIL
Lycoming County Office of Voter Services has announced that a mailing that residents may have opted to receive, will be arriving by mail later this month and early next month. According to the Pennsylvania Election Code, the mailing that goes to voters who opt-in for the Annual Request to apply to vote by mail also will include a cover letter and an option to cancel the annual application. An online option is also available to vote by mail at votes.pa.com/applymailballot.
COMMONWEALTH FLAG AT HALF-STAFF FOR FALLEN OFFICER
Following the fatal shooting of a Pennsylvania police chief in the line of duty January 2nd, commonwealth flags will be at half staff on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds until the interment of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire, which has yet to be announced. The United States flag is to remain at full-staff during the tribute. According to WHTM, Allegheny County and state police had tried to stop 28 year old Aaron Lamont Swan Jr of Duquesne who allegedly fired the shots during a foot pursuit that killed McIntyre and wounded two other officers. Authorities in western Pennsylvania say five guns were recovered from the shooting suspect, who was killed by police during the altercation.
AUTOPSY ORDERED FOR WILLIAMSPORT SHOOTING
The Lycoming County Coroner has released information about a fatal shooting that occurred in Williamsport early Saturday morning. According to Charles Kiessling Jr, an autopsy was performed this week to support the investigation into the death of 25 year old Quahdeir Durrant, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds at the intersection of West Fourth and Grier Streets at about 2:30am. According to police, he was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
NEW TEMPORARY LT. GOVERNOR IN PENNSYLVANIA
PA Representative Kim Ward of Westmoreland County took over as current Lt. Governor yesterday after outgoing Lt Governor John Fetterman resigned prior to being sworn in as the Commonwealth’s newest Senator. According to the Sun Gazette, Ward is the president pro tempore – the first woman to hold the position in Pennsylvania, and will hold the office for two-weeks. Then Lt. Gov.-elect Austin Davis, a Democrat who was elected Nov. 8, will be inaugurated on Jan. 17 with Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro.
WORLD WAR II TRIBUTE IN RENOVO ON THE WAY
A local artist has been commissioned by the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park to create a mural that will honor local veterans who served in bombers during World War Two. According to the Record Online, Robert “Haney” Calhoun will create the 10×10 mural to be displayed on the eastern wall of Tony’s Hardware at 7th Street and Huron Avenue in Renovo called “Flyboys of WWII”, which is the latest effort of the park to create and recognize public art in the Renovo area that helps share the story of the region’s heritage. An unveiling and dedication ceremony is being planned for May 28, 2023.
SPORTS
P I-AA District 4 Girls Basketball
Montoursville 54 Milton 22
Jersey Shore 44 Lewisburg 37
Bucktail 40 Muncy 18
Hughesville 47 Warrior Run 26
Shikellamy 47 Central Mountain 36
Shamokin 70 Midwest 20
Bloomsburg 43 Loyalsock 31
NBA
Bucks 123 Wizards 113
Thunder 150 Celtics 117
Kings 117 Jazz 115
NHL
Panthers 5 Coyotes 3
Rangers 5 Hurricanes 3
Senators 4 Blue Jackets 0
Blues 6 Maple Leafs 5
Sabres 5 Capitals 4
Predators 6 Canadiens 3
Jets 3 Flames 2
Lightning 4 Blackhawks 1
Kraken 5 Oilers 2
Kings 3 Stars 2
Islanders 6 Canucks 2Upcoming NFL Games Saturday
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas 4:30pm ABC/ESPN /ESPN+
Tennessee @Jacksonville 8:15 on ABC/ESPN /ESPN+
NFL Sunday
1pm Cleveland @ Pittsburgh – CBS
4:2pm Giants @Philadelphia – CBS
NCAA National Championship Monday 1/9
TCU vs Georgia 7:30pm on ESPN – SoFi Stadium Inglewood CA