BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS JUNE 2, 2023

MAN JAILED FOR ARSON IN LYCOMING TOWNSHIP

A Lycoming Township man who was arrested for arson in March had his arraignment yesterday and is now in custody on several felony and misdemeanors.  According to the Sun Gazette, police allege Dustin Hargenrader set fire to a mobile home he had just signed over to the lot owner to settle back rent and other debts.  Hargenrader suffered severe smoke inhalation during the incident and was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown from UPMC Williamsport.  Hargenrader faces charges of failure to prevent a catastrophe, recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief.  He is in Lycoming County prison in lieu of 100 thousand dollars bail.

ONE ABUSER OF SEX-TRAFFICKED MINOR ARRESTED IN WELLSBORO

A 17 year old girl called police from a motel in Tioga County this spring asking for help from the people who held her captive and trafficked her sexually since she was 14 years old, and a woman from Mississippi who worked at the Green Home in Wellsboro was taken into custody on May 3rd by FBI agents.  According to First News Now, 25 year old Aubreanna Marie Barbara Odendahl most recently stayed in the motel with the victim after an unnamed male suspect brought her to the area in April.  Odendahl was employed as a transport driver for the Green Home. She faces numerous charges including unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault and more.  Her preliminary hearing is August 15th, she is out on 100 thousand dollars bail through a bondsman. No word on the identity of or charges against the male suspect.

AMISH REBUILDING SUGAR VALLEY GREENHOUSE THAT BURNED

The community has gathered around the family who suffered a fire Tuesday afternoon at the Sugar Valley Greenhouse owned by Sarah Stolzfus and managed by Feenie Esh in Limestone Township.  According to the Express, the Sugar Valley Fire Company arrived so fast, it’s why many think only a work area, a tobacco shed and some equipment was destroyed.  No other structures, flowers or plants were lost and no official cause of the fire was announced yet, but witnesses say filling their forklift with propane could have been the origin of the fire.  Almost a dozen companies responded after 2:30pm Tuesday, but building of a new facility was already underway on Wednesday.

SUNBURY INSTALL NEW CAMERA SYSTEM

A new camera system is now online in Sunbury and there are more cameras on the way.  According to Sunbury police, 11 total cameras are set to be installed with the first in place covering most of Front Street, including the intersection with Market Street and the riverfront gazebo.  The previous system of cameras had been offline since 2016, with funds only available recently to upgrade the system and make it operational.

HUGHESVILLE WOMAN LEAVES TODDLER HOME ALONE TO GO DRINK

A Hughesville woman has lost custody of her two year old daughter after she told police she didn’t realize she left her 2 year old alone at home while she went out to drink alcohol.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say 35 year old Tamika Mickel Koons was drunk when she said she was unaware her boyfriend had left her home before she did on May 13th.  Police say witnesses heard the child crying inside the home after 10pm when Children and Youth Services were called and took custody of the child.  Koons was charged with 3rd degree felony endangering the welfare of a child and is being held at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 15 thousand dollars monetary bail, with a formal arraignment on June 12th.

70 YEAR SENTENCE FOR VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER

A 28 year old man from Mount Carmel who faced charges of voluntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle this spring was sentenced up to 70 years in state prison in Northumberland County court Wednesday.  According to the Daily Item, court records say Stephen Kruskie pleaded guilty in March to the death of 21-year-old Cheyenne Swartz that occurred when the two allegedly argued in a car in Coal Township and Kruskie said Schwartz attempted to get out of the vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed.  The Montour County Coroner said Schwartz died from blunt force trauma.

DRIVER WHO RAMMED CROWD IN BERWICK PLEADS GUILTY

The man who intentionally drove his vehicle into a crowd gathered for a fundraiser in Berwick before he killed his mother with a hammer last August, pleaded guilty in Columbia County Court Wednesday.  According to the News Item, 25 year old Sura Reyes of Nescopek allegedly killed 50 year old Rebecca Reese of Wilkes-Barre and injured about a dozen others, some critically, who were struck while they were gathered to raise money for a family of 10 who had perished in a house fire August 5th.  Reyes is facing two counts of criminal homicide and 19 counts of attempted homicide.

ROADWORK CONTINUES ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Road work will continue into next week on Route 15 in South Williamsport with resurfacing complete southbound and one lane to go northbound  between the McDonalds today  and West southern Avenue.  According to PennDOT, Glenn O. Hawbaker will continue placement of the new scratch and wearing course from this Sunday, June 4 through Friday, June 9.  Work includes resetting a temporary concrete barrier in the northbound lane over Hagerman’s Run.  Work will be performed between the hours of 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

SPORTS

MLB Draft League
State College Spikes 4          Williamsport Crosscutters 0
They meet up again tonight 6:35 first pitch

MLB

Twins 7               Guardians 6
Blue Jays 3         Brewers 1
Mets 4                 Phillies 2
Padres 10            Marlins 1  
Diamondbacks 5 Rockies 4
Red Sox 8           Reds 2
Astros 5               Angels 2

NBA Finals Game 1
Nuggets 104       Heat 93
NBA Finals Game 2
Sunday 8 PM on ABC

NHL
Stanley Cup Finals Game 1
Florida vs Vegas
Saturday, 8 PM on TNT.

NASCAR SUNDAY
Enjoy Illinois 300 from Madison, IL Pre-Race Coverage @ 2:30 – Green flag racing @3:30 on the Twin Valley’s Talk Radio Network or WILQ’s HD3

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