RAPE CASE AGAINST MUNCY MAN HELD FOR TRIAL
Accusers took the stand in the preliminary hearing of the rape trial of Timothy Darren Stroud Sr. yesterday in Lycoming County Court, presenting testimony that resulted in over a thousand counts against him held for trial. According to court records the 54 year old Muncy man heard victims describing to the court the encounters with the man, which has him facing 1,019 sexual crimes. Stroud was arrested February 22nd after investigators were alerted to his behavior last December and opened an investigation into the sexual assault case.
PENNDOT REOPENS SOME ROADS AFTER HEAVY SNOW
PennDOT has reopened several roadways that had downed trees and utilities after heavy snow hit the region early Tuesday morning. Jack Hollo Road between Bennardi Development Road and Mosquito Valley Road is cleared of trees in Armstrong Township, and Route 554 between Route 15 in South Williamsport and Elimsport Road has reopened today. In Northumberland County, Musser Lane is reopened between Dugan Road and the Lycoming County Line in Delaware Township. Penn DOT announced this morning that Beauty’s Run Road, Pine Run Road, Spook Hollow Road in Piatt Township, Little Pine Creek Road in Pine Township are now reopened. However, Route 864 between Railroad street and Laurel Run Road in Picture Rocks Borough is still closed for downed utilities.
GOVERNOR SHAPIRO DELIVERS PA BUDGET
Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his first budget yesterday to a joint session of the House and Senate in Harrisburg, boosting spending for public schools but proposing no increases in income or sales tax. According to the Sun Gazette, Shapiro’s administration wants to increase spending by 6 percent and also invest in building the economy by pulling in about 2 billion dollars from reserves. The budget will require approval from the Legislature. Shapiro also asked lawmakers to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour next year from the federal minimum of $7.25.
LOCAL SOCCER LEAGUE HOLDING TRYOUTS
Men and women who want to play in the United Premiere Soccer league with the Williamsport Lions for their second season are invited to tryout this Saturday. According to the Lions website, women’s tryouts are at 9am at Liberty Arena in downtown Williamsport and men’s team tryouts will start after at 10:30 til noon. The Williamsport Lions men’s team won the 2022 UPSL D1 South Championship and finished their first season undefeated. A $25 dollar fee is required with registration online; citylionssc.com.
SECOND SUSPECT ARRESTED IN 2020 WILLIAMSPORT MURDER
Another man from Williamsport has been arrested for his connection in the murder of 18 year old Semaj Mozee that occurred in October of 2020 in Williamsport as a result of alleged gang activity. According to the Sun Gazette, 22 year old Rocellus Carter was taken into custody Monday at his Randall Circle home for being seen running from the murder scene with the alleged gunman who shot Mozee who later died at the hospital. Seneca Martin Mitchell Jr. was taken into custody last Wednesday and automatically jailed on his charges. Carter was also charged with second degree murder, conspiracy and related offenses. He was also automatically jailed at Lycoming County Prison.
LYCOMING COUNTY WOMAN IN FEDERAL COURT FOR DRUG CASE
A Muncy woman is one of 57 defendants charged in a federal narcotics case that could put each of them behind bars for at least ten years. According to the Sun Gazette, after multiple investigations by agents from the FBI and Homeland Security into gang violence in Pennsylvania, Ashley Weston was included allegedly selling to undercover agents and participating in drug trafficking activity recorded through court ordered wire-taps. The investigation broadened to reveal a scheme that stretched across the US and into Mexico that involved over 2 million fentanyl pills and more than 400 pounds of methamphetamine. Weston is the only defendant listed in the suit from Lycoming County.
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MIDDLEBURG BOY FRIDAY
Funeral services are scheduled for one of the two teen brothers from Middleburg who died in a car accident on Route 104 in Perry Township Monday morning. According to media outlets, 17 year old Josiah M. Wenger and his 14 year old brother Gabriel Wenger were killed in the accident after losing control on the hill near Kelsey Lane. According to the Daily Item, Josiah will be laid to rest this Friday morning after visitation services tomorrow from 2-4pm and from 6-8pm at Morningstar Church of God in Christ, in Mifflinburg. No word on funeral arrangements for Gabriel.
PEAK TIMES FOR SNOW GEESE HAPPENED EARLY
The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports that expected peak numbers of snow geese have occurred a month early according to the officials who estimate their numbers at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. According to Penn Live, the peak happened around the end of January with 79 thousand snow geese and almost 2 thousand tundra swans. The peak number of Canadian Geese stopping at the Lebanon and Lancaster County facilities peaked in February 17th at about 2 thousand 250 birds.
SPORTS
PIAA State Basketball Championships 1st Round Friday 3/10
Boys Class 1A
North Penn Liberty vs Linville Hill Christian @ Manheim Township HS 7pm
LaAcademia @ Sullivan County 7pm
Boys Class 4A
Eastern York @Danville 7pm
Shamokin Area @ Valley View 7pm
Littlestown @ Lewisburg 7:30pm
Girls Class 2A
Lancaster Mennonite @ South Williamsport 7pm
Northern Lehigh @ Line Mountain 7pm
Girls Class 3A
Bloomsburg @ Dunmore 7pm
Holy Redeemer @ Mount Carmel 7pm
NBA
76ers 117 Timberwolves 94
Bucks 134 Magic 123
Wizards 119 Pistons 117
Hornets 112 Knicks 105
Nets 118 Rockets 96
Thunder 137 Warriors 128
Mavericks 120 Jazz 116
Lakers 112 Grizzlies 103
NHL
Penguins 5 Blue Jackets 4
Lightning 5 Flyers 2
Panthers 2 Golden Knights 1
Hurricanes 4 Canadiens 3
Maple Leafs 4 Devils 3
Islanders 3 Sabers 2
Flames 1 Wild 0
Coyote 6 Blues 2
Avalanche 6 Sharks 0
Kraken 5 Ducks 2
NCAA Men’s Basketball
Gonzaga 77 St Mary’s 51
Gonzaga secures the West Coast Conference.
NCAA Men’s Today
The 2nd Round in the New York Life ACC tournament
Pitt vs Georgia Tech in Greensboro, NC at 2:30pm on ESPN
