BACKYARD BROADCASTING LOCAL NEWS AUGUST 21, 2023

CUBA LITTLE LEAGUE COACH UNACCOUNTED FOR

One of three coaches in Williamsport with the Bayamo Cuba Little League Team remains unaccounted for this morning after Little League International notified authorities that he never returned to International Grove late Saturday night.  According to Penn Live, there’s no word on whether authorities believe Jose Perez defected to the United States.  Cuba, who’s experiencing a trip to the Little League OWrld Series for the first time, had a 3-2 loss to Panama on Sunday which eliminated them from title contention. An investigation continues into the whereabouts of Perez.

FAMILY ESCAPES APARTMENT FIRE

Smoke alarms saved the lives of three Williamsport residents Saturday. According to the Sun Gazette, Robert Steppe and two other family members woke up to smoke alarms at 1:15 am and quickly escaped through the front door of the apartment at the 300 block of Campbell St. The fire progressed quickly to a four alarm blaze, with multiple fire companies battling the fire which was brought under control after 3am.  Williamsport Fire Chief Sam Aungst reported no injuries and the three displaced residents were being assisted by the local chapter of the American Red Cross.  The fire remains under investigation.

ROUTE 220 BRIDGE PROJECT CONTINUES

Commuters on Route 220 north and southbound in Woodward Township,  are advised that a bridge replacement and rehabilitation project continues this week.  All traffic will be traveling on the southbound side of the highway with the moveable barrier system in place daily opening two lanes of travel northbound for the morning and two lanes southbound for the afternoon. During these times, the opposing direction of traffic will be restricted to one lane. Watch forintermittent delays up to 15 minutes late this Thursday morning, August 24, on the Route 220 northbound off ramp to Fourth Street when concrete delivery and placement will cause slowdowns. 

WOOLRICH FACTORY HAS NEW OWNER

The Woolrich Woolen main manufacturing building located on Mill Street in Woolrich has a new owner. According to the Record online, a deed for a $1.15 million sale was recorded in the Clinton County Courthouse this past week and the purchaser was named as Crown Mill Holdings LLC, of Bayonne, NJ. At this time, there is no additional information on the plans for the 430,000 square feet structure, which has been sitting empty for five years. However, Mike Flanagan, President/CEO of the Clinton County Economic Partnership, said he was hopeful something positive may result from the sale.

VICTIM OF THURSDAY SHOOTING IDENTIFIED

The victim of the fatal shooting Thursday inside the lobby of the Cable Services Company on Marydale Ave. in Old Lycoming Township has been identified by Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. According to the Sun Gazette,  69-year-old John Roskowski, of Loyalsock Township, died of a gunshot wound. Kiessling also reported the death has been ruled a homicide. Roskowski was rushed to UPMC Williamsport Thursday after the shooting, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed by the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office at this time.

DANVILLE MAN KICKS OFFICERS

Felony aggravated assault in one of many charges filed against a Danville man after he is reported to have kicked two police officers. According to the Daily Item, Ballan Whitman of Front Street, Danville allegedly assaulted the officers on Saturday when the officers responded to a suspicious person then to a man with a knife call. Mahoning Township Police responded to assist. In addition to kicking police, Whitman fought and bit a security guard at the hospital.  Whitman is being held in Montour County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail with a preliminary hearing on August 29th.

THREE NEW YORKERS ARRESTED FOR SCAMMING

Two sets of scammers from New York have been caught after attempting to defraud older Pennsylvanians.  According to the Attorney General Michelle Henry, two individuals from the Bronx were charged with corruption and theft charges in one case and are being held on 75 thousand dollars bail each.  Qiang Li of Rye New York is also facing criminal conspiracy charges including unlawful use of a computer.   Pennsylvanians who believe they have been victims of a scam should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection ( by calling 800-441-2555 or emailing [email protected])

NEW 911 UPGRADES ON THE WAY

Next Generation 911, a program which aids dispatchers to locate callers, while avoiding misrouted calls, network issues and overload, is coming to Central Susquehanna Regional 911. According to the Daily Item, Regional, which covers Union and Snyder counties, says Next Generation 911 is a digital fiber optic network which can improve 911 services. Included in the upgrade is text to 911 and eventually the ability to share photos, videos and other helpful details to 911 dispatchers.

SPORTS

MLB

Tigers 4           Guardians 1
Mariners 7       Astros 6
Red Sox 6        Yankees 5
Giants 4                     Braves 3
Blue Jays 10    Reds 3
Twins 2           Pirates 0
Cardinals 7      Mets 3
Cubs 4             Royals 3
Brewers 6         Rangers 2
White Sox 10    Rockies  5

Orioles 12        A’s 1
Nationals 4      Phillies 3 (Little League Classic in Williamsport)


Little League World Series
Sunday

Game 17 – Panama 3                             Cuba 2
Game 18 – Smithfield, RI (Metro) 7                Media, PA (Mid-Atlantic) 2
Game 19 – Mexico 10                  Canada 1
Game 20 – Henderson NV (Mountain) 7                  Fargo, ND (Midwest)1
Today Games
Game 21 – Curacao (Caribbean) vs Venezuela (Latin America) 1pm Volunteer
Game 22 – Seattle (Northwest) vs Nolensville TN (Southeast) 3pm Lamade
Game 23 – Tokyo (Japan) vs Chinese Taipei (Asia –Pacific) 5pm Volunteer
Game 24 – Needville TX (Southwest) vs  El Segundo CA (West) 7pm Lamade

MLB Draft League

Williamsport Crosscutters 6                  Mahoning Valley Scrappers 4
Cutters are back at Historic Bowman Field this coming Thursday, August 24th to host the State College Spikes
MLB Draft League News
Former Crosscutters were with the Phillies during the Little League Classic Sunday night….
*    Alec Bohm, a 2018 member of the Williamsport Crosscutters, went 1-4 with a single in the ninth inning and scored the first of three Phillies runs in the ninth inning. He also suffered one strikeout at the plate.
* Bryson Stott, a 2019 member of the Williamsport Crosscutters, went 0-3 with a walk in his return to Williamsport.

NASCAR

William Byron dominated at Watkins Glen International yesterday. Denny Hamlin was second –  nearly 3 seconds back. Christopher Bell was third, followed by AJ Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs.

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