JURY FOR FORMER WASD PRINCIPAL CHOSEN FOR NOVEMBER TRIAL
Jury selection was competed yesterday in the case over the former Williamsport high school principal charged with grooming and maintaining a sexual relationship with a student from 2017 through 2022. According to the Sun Gazette, 36 year old Roger Weaver Freed faces 30 counts of sexual contact with a minor and a count of corruption of minors and will have a three-day trial beginning November 5th. Freed was suspended with pay at first in 2022, but since the pay was suspended after an employment hearing that same year. He is free on 175 thousand dollars unsecured bail.
SUSPECTS IN MINK FARM VANDALISM MEMBERS OF ANARCHIST GROUP
The preliminary hearing of the two suspects who released over 600 mink from a fur farm in Northumberland County on October 19th is today. According to North Central PA dot com, State police in Stonington say 25 year old Christopher Legere and 23 year old Cara Ashley Mitrano, 23, are part of an anarchist commune out or Worchester Massachusetts and while jailed, Legere contacted an unidentified individual about a 50 thousand dollar payment expected for the vandalism they allegedly carried out. In an amended criminal complaint the two were charged with added counts of eco-terrorism, corrupt organizations, burglary, and misdemeanors of theft and related charges, along with the original charges of agricultural vandalism and misdemeanor cruelty to animals. Representatives from Robert H. Stahl Sons in Rockefeller Township say 619 mink had been recovered and 64 were still missing. Three died after they were brought back. Legere and Mitrano remain in Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bail.
MAIL BALLOT REQUEST DEADLINE TODAY
The deadline for Pennsylvanians to request a mail ballot to submit by 8pm on Election Day is today at 5pm. According to recent legislation, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court says that any voter who attempted to vote by mail but had the ballot rejected can then vote provisionally on Election Day. Voters can request a ballot at their county elections office or online through the Department of State.
FISH LADDER STILL MALFUNCTIONING
Officials from DCNR Tiadaghton say they are still working to repair the Williamsport mechanical gateway, or fish ladder that allows fish to pass around the dam near Hepburn Street. According to the Sun Gazette, damage to the structure was reported in April to the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, but repairs were not started until this month after parts to fix the structure were delayed and weather events interfered with the work. After initial work last week, the gate continues to malfunction. DCNR says they are consulting with a team and the gate manufacturer to prepare for and complete the repair.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY BREAKING INTO BUSINESS
A man from Williamsport was arrested by police after being found walking along Lycoming Creek Road in the morning hours of October 18th with a tool allegedly used to smash a window of a local business that had been broken into. Police say 42 year old Douglas Hockenberry was stopped by police while walking away from Cotter’s Auto Sales shortly after a call of a burglary had taken place. Hockenberry was arraigned in Lycoming County and charged with felony attempted burglary, possession of an instrument of crime, criminal mischief, trespassing, loitering and disorderly conduct. He was released on 35 thousand dollars bail with a preliminary hearing in November.
ACCOMPLICE IN DOUBLE MURDER TRIAL IN COURT
A hearing for Muhammad Davis, an alleged accomplice of Troy Bennett Bailey Sr in the January 11 double homicide in Williamsport of Alicia Seese and Ronald Dailey, Jr. was held last Thursday. According to the Sun Gazette, court records say the cell phone of Seese was found in Lycoming Creek near the West Third Street overpass, but no data information was released at the court hearing. Davis faces two counts of second degree murder, theft by unlawful taking, unlawful restraint, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, plus multiple counts of robbery and kidnapping,. Davis’s defense attorney Donald Martino is seeking the dismissal of all counts related to robbery and theft. No trial date has been set.
CU-CLEARFIELD TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE
Commonwealth University-Clearfield will host an open house on Saturday, November 9th beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Founder’s Hall. Prospective students are encouraged to attend to learn more about what CU-Clearfield has to offer. Expert faculty will be part of a program where potential students can ask about degrees and potential career options, engage with current students on a campus tour and learn about campus life, the admissions process, financial aid, scholarship information, class options and more. To schedule a visit or register for the open house, visit commonwealthu.edu or email clearfieldadmissions @commonwealthu.edu.
BOATERS, ANGLERS REMINDED ABOUT WINTER LIFE JACKET LAW
The Fish and Boat Commission, at their most recent quarterly business meeting made reference to the many advantages anglers and boaters have to be in close proximity of the Susquehanna River, but to remember the annual cold weather life jacket requirement that begins on Nov. 1, 2024, and lasts through April 30, 2025. It requires wearing of a life jacket on all kayaks, canoes, and boats under 16 feet. It was also mentioned at the meeting that the application period remains open for the PFBC’s popular Boating Facility Grant Program with applications due by November 30th. Get details at fishandboat.com.
SPORTS
PIAA D4 Soccer Playoffs
Girls Class 2A
Hughesville 4 Troy 0
Central Columbia 3 Warrior Run 2
Girls Soccer Playoffs Today
South Williamsport vs East Juniata @ Bloomsburg HS 6pm
Muncy vs Millville @ Central Columbia 6pm
Boys Class A Today
Northumberland Christian vs Southern Columbia @ Bloomsburg HS 8pm
Benton vs Millville @ Central Columbia HS 8pm
Boys Class 2A Today
Lewisburg vs Wellsboro @ Balls Mills Complex 6pm
Central Columbia vs Midd-West @ Balls Mills Complex 8pm
MLB World Series
Dodgers 4 Yankees 2
World Series Game 4 Tonight
Dodgers vs Yankees 8:08 FOX
NFL Monday Night Football
Steelers 26 Giants 18
NFL Thursday Night Football
Houston Texans vs NY Jets 8:15pm PrimeVidNHL
Panthers 5 Sabres 2
Blue Jackets 6 Oilers 1
Lightning 3 Predators 2
Maple Leafs 6 Jets 4
Blackhawks 5 Avalanche 2
Sharks 5 Utah 4
Hurricanes 4 Canucks 3
Golden Knights 5 Flames 0
NHL Tonight
Flyers vs Bruins 7pm
Ducks vs Islanders 7pm
Wild vs Penguins 7pm
Rangers vs Capitals 7:30pm ESPN
