BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JANUARY 23, 2020

MAN JAILED FOR WILLIAMSPORT ROBBERY
A 19 year old man has been jailed and is facing felony charges for his alleged role in a robbery at a Turkey Hill on Washington Blvd in Williamsport in early January.  According to police reports, Jamaire Mekhai Burget, of Isabella St was wearing a red hoodie while he held a female employee at knifepoint inside the store at about 4:45am January 5th.  He stole money from the register, and fled the store on foot.  The woman escaped and called police, who found Burket nearby on Railway Street with the hoodie in his hands and cash in his pocket.  Burket has been jailed on robbery, aggravated assault, and other charges in lieu of 250 thousand dollars straight bail.

FIRE COMPANIES TO RECEIVE GRANT MONEY
State representatives in Centre and Clinton Counties have announced almost 300 thousand dollars in grants made available by the PA Emergency Management Agency and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner for 24 local fire companies in the region, each receiving at most just over 14 thousand dollars.  The funds come from slot machine gaming, and not general fund tax revenue and can provide help for construction or renovation of the facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt.  Dunnstown Fire Company in Woodward Township will also receive grant money.

SKEET SHOOTING OLYMPIAN TO TALK AT MUNCY VALLEY CLUB
An Olympic skeet shooting competitor who started in Sullivan County 4-H when she was 8 years old, will be visiting the area this weekend.   Morgan Craft will give a talk Saturday at 11 on her experiences while on the path to the Rio Olympics at the North Mountain Sportsman’s Club on Spook Hollow road in Muncy Valley.  Craft will answer questions after the talk and refreshments will be provided.    You can register by calling the Sullivan County Library – host of the event – at 570-928-9352.

SCHOOL VOLUNTEER SAVES CHILD FROM CHOKING
A volunteer at Stevens Primary school helped save a first grader who was choking thanks to his automatic reaction, as well as being a parent and trained for the job he received through AmeriCorps.  According to the Sun Gazette, Odren Polk, who the kids call Mr. O, was in the school cafeteria recently, when 7 year old Kenyon Ritter showed that he was choking, and Polk responded – a grape tomato was dislodged.  The principal at Stevens, Mr. James Ellis, said Mr. O set the example of how important CPR training is, when an emergency can happen at any time.

GRANT WILL SIPPORT STEM PROGRAMS
A grant has been awarded to Williamsport Area School District and IU17 that will help expand computer science programming and training in local districts.  According to the Sun  Gazette, the 35 thousand dollar grant will be used at Williamsport Schools to add an advanced placement computer science course to the 15 AP courses now offered by the high school.  The Superintendent of Williasmport Area Schools said the grant will enhance the multiple STEM opportunities within WASD.  Administrators from IU 17 said the grants will equip three IU 17 programs with a STEM lab space and tools which will prepare students for a technology-driven workforce.

CITY COUNCIL TO HEAR POLICE PROGRAM REQUEST
The Williamsport City Council will meet tonight and there is an anticipated agenda.  According to the Sun Gazette, City Council will review a request by the Williamsport Bureau of Police to join a program that would assist it toward becoming an accredited professional department.  According to Chief Damon Hagan the accreditation could provide a framework on which the department policy and training is established as well as track subpoenas received on court matters.  Also on the agenda is the renewal vote for John Markley as a member of the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park Commission and a discussion on revenue collection.  The council will meet tonight at 7:30 PM, in City Hall Council Chambers.  Meetings are televised live on Comcast channel 75 and posted to YouTube the following day

WWII SOLDIER FROM NORTHUMBERLAND WILL COME HOME
In a press release from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, a soldier from Northumberland has been officially accounted for.  According to the Daily Item, 20-year-old Army Pvt. Horace Middleton of Northumberland was accounted for October 31of last year.  An infantryman in a company known as Merrill’s Marauders, Middleton was killed in battled July 12, 1944 in Burma. He will be buried in Milton April 18.

PENNDOT SEEKING SUMMER HIRES
Penn DOT is opening the application period for their Summer Employment Program.  College students are encouraged to apply to gain work experience as well as prepare for future employment opportunities, or to get on track for a permanent career with PennDOT.  Positons include custodial workers, drill operators, equipment operators and semi-skilled laborers and offer various wages and responsibilities.  Apply online at penndot.gov.
Sports
NBA

Raptors beat the 76ers 107 to 95, Pistons beat the Kings 127 to 106, Thunder beat Magic 120 to 114, Lakers beat the Knicks 100 to 92, Celtics beat the Grizzlies 119 to 95, Heat beat the Wizards 134 to 129, Hawks over the Clippers 102 to 95, Bulls beat the Timberwolves 117 to 110, Rockets beat the Nuggets 121 to 105, Pacers over the Suns 112 to 87, Spurs beat the Pelicans 121 to 117, Jazz over the Warriors 129 to 96
NHL
Blue jackets beat the Jets 4 to 3, Wild over Red Wings 4 to 2
HS Boys Basketball
Lewisburg over Montoursville 52-51 (OT), Warrior Run beat South Williamsport 55 to 34, Muncie beat CMVT 41 to 26, Sullivan County over Montgomery 59-36, Loyalsock beat Milton 77-45, Bloomsburg over Hughesville 60-45, Shamokin beat Jersey Shore 62-44
HS Girls Basketball
Selinsgrove defeated Central Mountain 39-37, Jersey Shore beat Montoursville 56-46, NorthPenn Mansfield beat Canton 42-22, Wellsboro over Williamson 67-10,
HS Wrestling
South Williamsport defeated Sugar Valley 60-12,
Men’s Basketball
Millersville beat Lock Haven 83-80 snapping LHUs 4 game win streak , Mansfield over shepherd 62-61,Penn State beat Michigan 72-63
Women’s Basketball
Shepherd over Mansfield 67-59, Lock Haven over Millersville 82-75

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