BACKYARD BROADCASTING, LOCAL NEWS MARCH 12 & 13, 2022

EMPLOYMENT FIGURES

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment figures for January 2022, showing the state’s unemployment rate down one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.4 percent. January’s report marks the 21st consecutive month without an unemployment rate increase. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percentage point to 4.0 percent in January. The commonwealth’s unemployment rate was 2.1 percentage points below its January 2021 level and the national rate was down 2.4 points over the year. Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – increased by 4,000 over the month. The employment count rose 13,000, to 6,030,000, while resident unemployment declined 9,000, to 341,000. From April 2020 through January 2022, Pennsylvania has recovered approximately 79% of jobs lost due to the pandemic.

ACCIDENT SPILLED MILK IN SNYDER COUNTY

Yesterday morning, Shamokin Dam Police Department (SDPD) investigated a vehicle crash involving entrapment.  At approximately 1143 a.m., Kevin Eberhart of Lewisburg was operating a Truck Tractor hauling approximately 48,000 pounds of milk when he failed to negotiate the turn in the road and rolled onto its passenger side, spilling 20,000 pounds of milk spilled onto the road.   Emergency crews cut part of the cab away to remove Eberhart.  He was Life-Flighted to Geisinger Medical Center from the scene for injuries sustained.

 

A VISIT FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Education Noe Ortega toured the Lycoming County Career and Technical Education facility at Hughesville. As reported by SUN Gazette, Ortega asked students what they were learning and then spoke with the instructors about what and how they were teaching. Ortega visited many classrooms, including; the culinary arts, criminal justice, construction, computer and automotive studies. He has been traveling the state visiting career technical programs and suggests to instructors, that there are other pathways to learning besides the 2-and 4-year college route.  He noted that opening up education and experience in a career path to younger students helps them explore their future possibilities.

 

WILLIAMSPORT POLICE LOOKING FOR THE PUBLIC’S HELP

An active investigation has the Williamsport Bureau of Police looking for the public’s help. The individual in question is on our Facebook page and is the subject of an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual is asked to contact PO Andrew Stevens at Williamsport Bureau of Police or Lycoming County Communications.

BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS FOUR TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT

It was an unforgettable traffic accident that sent upwards of 5 people to the hospital, damaged several vehicles and sent a car onto the roof of a restaurant in Snyder County, two Fridays ago.  Last Friday, Shamokin Dam police arrested the driver Theresa Risso for multiple charges, including; endangering the welfare of children and DUI. According to WNEP, police have reported Risso’s blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit. She is currently in Snyder County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.

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