BACKYARD BROADCASTING WEEKEND NEWS MAY 16, 2020

GOVERNOR WOLF ANNOUNCES MORE COUNTIES TO MOVE INTO YELLOW
Governor Wolf announced yesterday in his daily press conference 12 new counties are eligible to move into the yellow phase for the second round. Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Wayne and York will change from the red. This brings yellow phase counties to 37 state wide with only 18 states left to qualify, Wolf recognized how frustrated residents may be.  He doubled down on his decisive actions stating that, “the danger is real,” and residents in the remaining 18 counties must remain vigilant, despite their frustrations,  for any chance of normalcy in the future.

MONTGOMERY BOROUGH COUNCIL MAY HAVE HELD SECRET MEETINGS
There are accusations coming forth this week that there have been alleged violations of the Sunshine Act- which requires Pennsylvania agencies to conduct business in public – in Montgomery Borough Council proceedings, by former Council woman Shawn Coles.  According to the Sun Gazette,  Coles said she was given direction by Council President Susan Andrews on how to vote, and was excluded from secret meetings with other members of the council.  Coles’ resignation was accepted at last Tuesday’s meeting, along with letters of resignation from Mayor Fae Herb and Officer Ken Flewelling – with the reasons not disclosed.  Andrews stepped into the role as mayor following Herb’s resignation.  The council has 30 days to fill the vacancies.

PRINTING ERROR SENT MORE BALLOTS THAN REQUIRED TO SOME
Lycoming county elections are coming up amid the covid-19 pandemic, prompting many voters to register to vote by mail. The director of voter services, Forest Lehman, stated that a processing error occurred with the company they contracted to print the ballots and about 60 residents received multiples in the mail. According to the Sun Gazette, they will be watching for fraud. Voting in person will still be available for people who want to do it the old fashioned way on June 2nd, but expect long lines, social distancing  and don’t forget that mask.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UPDATE
986 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported bringing the statewide total to 60,622. The death count is up 124 bringing the statewide death total to 4,342. In Lycoming there a 2 new cases, making it 141 but after reconciliation of deaths, the county total has been brought down to 7 according to the PA department of health. Northumberland added 4 for a total of 136.

GOLDEN STRIP RESURFACING CONTINUES NEXT WEEK
Overnight work will continue next week in Loyalsock Township along the Golden Strip.  According to PennDOT, the project will continue along East Third Street between Country Club Drive to River Avenue. Repairs to the traffic signals will be completed after the resurfacing has been performed.  The work will be completed Sunday through Friday from 9pm to 6am with the project expected to be completed in the late-summer of 2020.

PUBLIC INVITED TO ADD TO VETERAN MEMORIAL
There will be an opportunity for people in Williamsport to honor veterans this Memorial Day beginning Monday at the Williamsport Vet Center.   Anyone with a veteran’s memento, picture, or memorial is invited to hang it from the paracord display this Monday through Memorial Day.  A virtual ceremony will be held on GoTOMeeting Monday at 10am to introduce the project.  Email [email protected] for details.  Get details on how to join the meeting here.

NO SUNDAY PAPER ANYMORE
Don’t expect a Sunday paper in Williamsport tomorrow. The Sun Gazette has transformed in these changing times, printing their largest edition now on Saturday, including the entertainment, coupons and features sections, as well as a new full puzzles and crossword page.  According to the paper, the news and sports events that happen on Saturdays will be available through online reading and in Monday’s print edition.

Sports
NFL
Attorneys for Seattle Seahawks corner back Quinton Dunbar and New York Giants corner back, DeAndre Baker said Friday that they have affidavits from witnesses that show their clients are innocent of charges from an alleged armed robbery that took place in Florida, on Wednesday. Police said Friday that the arrest warrants still stand, none of the victims or witnesses has recanted their story to them and neither player has turned himself in.

NASCAR
The Real Heroes 400 takes place at Darlington Motor Speedway tomorrow and the starting line up has been drawn. Brad Keselowski won the pole and will start up front with Alex Bowman joining him on the front row followed by Matt DiBennidetto, Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola.  Green flag is Sunday at 3:30 on WILQ HD3

Governor Tom Wolf spoke to NASCAR officials at Pocono Motor Speedway Friday about the race scheduled there for June 27th, saying he’s not yet ready to make a decision about allowing the facility to open, while the county is in the red designation.

 

 

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