SMALL FIRE CAUSES EVACUATION AT SHIKELLAMY THURSDAY
Students at Shikellamy High School were evacuated at the end of the school day yesterday after a small fire started in the school’s welding shop. According to the Daily Item, Superintendent Jason Bendle said the fire broke out just before 2:20 when a spark caught a filter in a vent and smoke began to travel through the system. He said everyone acted quickly to remedy the situation and that several fire departments were on the scene to assist. No sporting events were cancelled with the situation under control by 3:45pm.
CHILD ABUSE CHARGES FOR WILLIAMSPORT COUPLE
A Williamsport couple was arrested after a domestic incident involving their 1 year-old child led police to press charges after they saw a video of the altercation. According to the Sun Gazette, the father, Robert Montgomery, recorded while he held the child, and his wife, Brittany Lee Montgomery, allegedly lunged toward him with a knife several times, threatening him. They were each charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. They were arraigned in Lycoming County Court, Brittany Montgomery remains jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail, Robert is free on 50 thousand dollars bail today.
COMMISSIONERS ASK FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR PUBLIC BOARDS
Vacancies on several authorities and boards in Lycoming County have led the Commissioners to invite members of the public to consider volunteering for the positions. According to the Sun Gazette, information about the county boards and how to apply is at the county website, lyco.org. unpaid positions are open at the Lycoming County Authority, Industrial Development Authority, the Assessment Appeals Board, the Human Services Advisory Board, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board. Interested parties can apply at the next weekly commissioners meeting 10am on February 1st at the Commissioners’ Board Room, first floor Executive Plaza, on Pine St.
PETA ASKS FOR RELIEF FOR PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, have sent a letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President calling for a change to the tradition of Groundhog Day. According to North Central PA dot com, the animal rights group released a statement in support of Punxsutawney Phil, saying as a live animal, he can’t tell the weather and should not be handled aggressively and thrust in front of a crowd for just a photo op. They suggest a giant gold coin be flipped instead, stating better odds than a groundhog prediction. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club disputes that Phil lives year round in an enclosure at the library. Groundhog Day is Friday, February 2nd.
TOWANDA ON DELAY AFTER POTENTIAL THREAT
The principal of Towanda School District has announced that their school is on a two hour delay this morning after school custodial staff found a possible threat that is being investigated out of an abundance of caution. Accordin got the school’s social media, Mr Peachey said the time is needed to add extra security at the school out of an abundance of caution. He said that if any member of the school community has information about a potential threat, to reach out to their principal. Absences due to safety concerns will be excused today.
WATSONTOWN FIRE DISPLACES FAMILY
A fire in Watsontown displaced a family of five Thursday who lived at 484 8th Street Drive. According to the Sun Gazette, William Buck and his family escaped the fire with only their coats after the smoke coming up from the first floor woke them up at about 1 am. The State Police fire marshal will be leading an investigation to identify the cause of the blaze. Firefighters from Warrior Run Area, Milton, White Deer Township, Mifflinburg, Montgomery and Washington Township responded to the fire and had it under control in about 30 minutes after they arrived on the scene.
COUPLE CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE
Two people in Shamokin have been charged with various counts of child abuse after their child was discovered with severe injuries. According to media outlets, 23-year-old Marcus Akers and 20-year-old Emiyaah Blakely were charged when the child was checked at the hospital and discovered to have a broken collarbone and vertebrae . Police say Blakely left the child in the care of Akers when she allegedly knew he wasn’t allowed to be alone with the child. Akers is charged with four felony counts of assault and endangerment, Blakely faces one felony count of endangerment. They both have a hearing next month.
LIBRARY TO OFFER ONLINE APPLICATION WORKSHOP
The Herr Memorial Library in Mifflinburg is hosting a program to help people seeking jobs who are unfamiliar with the process of online applications. According to the library’s digital literacy coordinator, the class is called, “Applying for Jobs Online”, and will help participants find available jobs online by searching employers’ websites and using job search engines, as well as teach them how to fill out online job applications. The class is on Tuesday, February 6 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Register at UnionCountyLibraries.org.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Basketball
Girls
St John Neumann 47 Muncy 29
Boys
Loyalsock 74 Warrior Run 53
NE Bradford 57 Canton 50
NP Liberty 65 Cow. Valley 60
Mansfield 62 Towanda 46
Wellsboro 49 Athens 46
Troy 59 Wyalusing 19
HS Wrestling
Central Mountain 43 Bald Eagle 25
Wildcats Dalton Perry gets his 100th dual meet win
Shikellamy 37 Selinsgrove 22
College Wrestling
Lock Haven 33 George Mason 6
NBA
Pacers 134 76ers 122
Jazz 123 Wizards 108
Timberwolves 96 Nets 94
Celtics 143 Heat 110
Knicks 122 Nuggets 84
Kings 134 Warriors 133
Lakers 141 Bulls 132
NBA Saturday
Miami Heat @ NY Knicks 3pm ABC
76ers @ Denver 5:30pm ABC
Lakers vs Golden State 8:30pm ABC
NHL
Canadiens 4 Islanders 3
Bruins 3 Senators 2
Red Wings 3 Flyers 0
Hurricanes 3 Devils 2
NHL Tonight
Vegas @ NY Rangers 7pm ESPN
Florida Panthers @ Pittsburgh Penguins 7pm
NFL News
* Vic Fangio is set to become the new defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN. He allegedly traveled to Philadelphia yesterday to sign his contract. Fangio left as defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins this week.
* The Atlanta Falcons’ search for a new head coach appears over as the Falcons are set to hire Raheem Morris instead of Bill Belachick. Atlanta hired Morris, most recently the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator, 13 years after his last head coaching run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
* The Carolina Panthers are planning to hire Dave Canales as their next head coach
