BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 18, 2022

BARN FIRE IN HEPBURN TOWNSHIP

There was a barn fire reported around 2:30 am yesterday on Rose Valley Road in Hepburn Township that brought ten community fire companies to fight the blaze.  According to the Sun Gazette, the large barn was full of bales of hay that caught fire inside the structure which contributed to the total loss of the barn.  Fire officials say two goats and a horse escaped the blaze but another horse perished.  There were no other injuries.  The state police fire marshal was on the scene yesterday but has yet to announce a cause of the fire.

NORTHUMBERLAND CRASH VICTIM IDENTIFIED

It was a Coal Township woman who died in a crash in Northumberland County Saturday that brought EMS and firefighters from Trevorton, Coal Township and Shamokin to the scene.  According to the News Item, 75-year-old Bettie Harris died in the accident on state Route 890 just south of Birch Road. Police say the vehicle went airborne and hit a tree, which split the vehicle in two.  A member of the Northumberland County Coroner’s Office said Harris was wearing her seat belt but was declared dead at the scene.  She was the only occupant in the car.

BALLOTS WITHOUT DATES ARE TO BE COUNTED

Governor Wolf has announced to counties in the Commonwealth, that ballots are to  be included in the official returns even if they lack proper dates on the outer envelope; even though, as of Sunday, the GOP has sued again to block those mail-in ballots without a handwritten date.  According to a statement from the Wolf administration, almost 1.2 million voters had applied for a mail-in ballot with Democrat applications outnumbering Republicans 4-to-1.  It is three weeks until Election Day in Pennsylvania. Get information about the November 8th ballot at vote.pa.gov.

FUNDS AWARDED FOR WILLIAMSPORT WALKWAYS

Williamsport has been awarded fifty thousand dollars from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to build a trail connector from Basin Street to the Susquehanna Riverwalk.  According to a press release from the office of Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, the funds were made possible by a portion of the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program from the Marcellus Legacy Fund.  The project will provide ADA access ramps to cross I-180 and the railroad tracks, forming a cohesively connected system of sidewalks and greenways. Mayor Slaughter says the project helps fully develop the city’s outdoor recreation resources and amenities.  The Basin Street Connector project will link the City’s Greenway system to Old City’s sidewalk system.

CHARGES FILED IN 2021 ACCIDENT

A Jersey Shore truck driver is facing homicide charges after a crash last year killed a 78 year old man from Northumberland.  According to North Central PA dot com, 42 year old  Robert John Harrow rear-ended a vehicle driven by Charles Lehman who had be extricated from the car and was taken to Geisinger  where he later succumbed to his injuries.  After reviewiung video footage of the crash and interviewing witnesses, police say Harrow was reckless while driving the tractor trailer and exceeded the speed limit.  Harrow has a preliminary hearing October 25th.

LANDFILL FIRE AT WHITE PINES

A landfill fire burned out of control for a few hours last Thursday in Columbia County.  According to the Sun Gazette, three county volunteer fire companies battled the flames that came from deep within the large pile of debris at the White Pines Landfill along Route 442.  Unityville, Lairdsville, Muncy area and Hughesville firefighters assisted five other companies that responded and they remained on the scene until just before midnight when they finally got the fire out.  There were no injuries reported and police are investigating the incident.

REGISTER TO VOTE BY OCTOBER 24

Pennsylvanians have until October 24th to register to vote in the November 8th general election.  According to a press released by the PA Secretary of State, Leigh Chapman, in order to register, you must be a US Citizen for a month, a resident of the election district in which you are voting for 30 days, and at least 18 years old on or before the election date.  The election will ask voters to choose governor, and Lieutenant governor along with 17 congressional representatives, half the state senators, and over 200 state House members.  Go to Vote.gov to check your voting status. 

TWO FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOPS PLANNED AT PENN COLLEGE

Penn College is offering a free FAFSA workshop next month and in January, so any student currently enrolled or planning to enrolling any college or university can get assistance with their online applications.  According to a press release, parents and students will be shown how to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to determine eligibility for federal and state grants, federal loans, and some scholarships. Those planning to attend on November 15th should create an FSA ID at least three days prior at studentaid.gov. Both this class and the one offered January 23, 2023, will be held in Room 202 of the college’s Madigan Library.  Details about registration can be found at pct.edu.

SPORTS

P I-AA District 4
Girls Tennis Doubles Championship
Kara Mann and Alaina Marchioni of Montoursville defeated Kylie Kilgore and Annika Bruder of Hughesville 6-3,6-4.
Montoursville’s 5th doubles title since 2017

NFL
Monday Night Football
LA Chargers 19 Denver Broncos 16 in OT
NFL Thursday Night Football
New Orleans @ Arizona – 8:15 on Prime Video

MLB
Guardians and Yankees were postponed last night due to rain. They play Game 5 of the American League Division Series today at 4:07 in New York on TBS
National League Championship Series Game 1 – Phillies play the Padres tonight 8:03 on FS1
American League Championship Series starts tomorrow…

NHL
Bruins 5              Panthers 3
Kings 5                Red Wings 4
Canadiens 3        Penguins 2
Ranger 6              Ducks 4
Coyotes 4            Maple Leafs 2
Capital 6             Canucks 4
Avalanche 6        Wild 3
Stars 4                 Jets 1
Hurricanes 5       Kraken 1

NBA Season Openers
Philadelphia’s in Boston tonight at 7:30, LA plays Golden State at 10 PM  – both games on TNT

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