BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JULY 11, 2019

APARTMENT FIRE SET INTENTIONALLY
A Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal determined that a fire that began in a Muncy apartment early Wednesday morning was intentionally set.  All the tenants escaped serious injury when they were alerted by smoke alarms and evacuated their 4-unit building on Water Street at about 3:30am.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports that the tenant, who lived where the fire was determined to be originated, was evaluated at Muncy Valley Hospital.  No charges have been filed, but an investigation is ongoing.

POLICE SEEK HIT AND RUN SUSPECT
Police are searching for the driver of a vehicle who had an accident in a construction zone on EB I-180 around 5pm on Sunday, June 28th and then fled the scene.  The vehicle, believed to be a blue Chevy or GM should have damage to its left and front sides after striking a traffic sign and several pylons, and spinning out in the construction zone.  Police say the vehicle went off the roadway on EB I-180 near Pennsdale. If you have information about the incident, please call State Police.

VACANT BUILDING HAS NEW PURPOSE
The vacant Weis Market building on West Third Street in Williamsport is about to be repurposed.  City officials say there will be a future plasma donation center on the site, but no information has been released about when that facility will open.  The empty building, which recently went through a real estate assessment, will benefit the city once it’s ready for opening due to the business being returned to the tax rolls according to the Sun Gazette.

BOTCHED BID PROCESS CAUSES CALLS FOR REBIDDING
Confusion during the bid process for construction improvements at City Hall has forced the City Council to rebid the project including elevator modifications, a front door ramp and security upgrades. According to the Sun Gazette, the need for elevator modifications were pending an inspection of the car, which it recently passed.  Several contractors bid wildly different after confusion interpreting what parts of the project were the base-bid and which parts were add-alternate bids.  The 3-fold project will be re-bid and council will review the costs estimated to total close to 650 thousand dollars.

SHOTS FIRED OUTSIDE HOME
A man allegedly fired a gun toward a home in Lairdsville Sunday and police have taken him into custody.  Central PA dot com reports that 56 year old Randy Swank of Benton was charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and other charges after he was found on the scene at the 1200 block of Funston Road in Franklin Township where shots were reported.  Swank is in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 25 thousand dollars bail and will face District Magistrate John E Kemp in Muncy tomorrow.

BROADBAND FEASIBILITY DISCUSSED
There was a public meeting Wednesday on the feasibility of bringing high speed broadband internet to rural areas of Lycoming, Union, Clinton and Northumberland Counties.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports about 35 residents attended the Lycoming County  Commissioner’s meeting in which broadband experts shared the importance of high speed internet in areas where attracting industry and business growth is so essential.  An 80 thousand dollar study funded by Appalachian Regional Study including  matching funds from the four counties will determine where connection is most critical.  Another public meeting about rural broadband options is expected to be held in August.

2 ALARM FIRE IN SHAMOKIN
There was a late night fire in Shamokin Tuesday, according to Northumberland County Communications.  WKOK reports that volunteer firefighters responded to a call about a fire at an apartment complex at the intersection of East Lincoln and North Liberty Streets.  A second alarm was called just after 11pm.  Witnesses say flames were shooting through the roof at the structure when emergency crews arrived.  No injuries were reported.

BOND ISSUE ALLOWS GEISINGER TO IMPROVE CAMPUSES
The improvements to several campuses of Geisinger Medical Center have been approved after massive bond issues were addressed this week.  For now, about 470 thousand dollars of bond money will go toward upgrades to urgent care, intensive care and emergency departments at Geisinger’s Danville Campus and about 50 thousand dollars will be put toward improvements on their Shamokin campus.  WKOK reports that Geisinger locations in Centre, Mifflin and other counties are also on track for upgrades, but each county must approve the local funding.

Sports

NY Penn League

Lake Monsters over the Crosscutters 11-2

Major Softball State Tournament

South Williampsort defeated Back Mountain 10-nothing in 5 innings.

Wimbledon Men’s Tennis Singles

Spain’s Rafael Nadal defeated American Sam Querry 7-5,6-2,6-2

Switzerland’s Roger Federer defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4

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