FORMER COMMISSIONER ACCUSED OF BURGLARY, TRESPASSING
Former Lycoming County Commissioner, Rick Mirabito, is free on bail after he surrendered Wednesday morning with his attorney over felony burglary and trespassing charges involving a landlord –tenant dispute. According to the Sun Gazette, city police say Mirabito illegally evicted a tenant from a Vine Avenue apartment New Year’s Day and allegedly entered the woman’s apartment to take back the unit’s keys. District Attorney Tom Marino initially withdrew the charges against Mirabito earlier this week, but refiled them yesterday after noting the case is a criminal matter, separate from the eviction issue. Mirabito’s preliminary hearing is January 16th.
SHAMOKIN MAN LEADS POLICE ON CHASE, CRASHES
Charges are pending against a Shamokin man who led police on a chase Tuesday morning before he crashed into a pole along State Route 61. According to the News Item, a caller contacted police about 38 year old Kyle J. Brown who they said was getting angry and not acting right. When police arrived at the 6th street residence, Brown left the property carrying a rifle which he threw into the car before he recklessly accelerated and left, nearly hitting an officer who had blocked his path. Police followed but soon stopped the chase due to the high speed, and Brown crashed nearby. He sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized. He was then arrested and taken to the Northumberland County Jail.
STUDENT LOANS CANCELED FOR FORMER PCI STUDENTS
Students who attended the former Pittsburgh Career Institute on loans, will not have to pay back their debt. According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, PA schools were given 18 months to find a new accreditor after the Department of Education changed policies in November of 2022. PCI chose to close instead, leaving some students with outstanding balances that will be wiped out now by the Commonwealth.
SIGNIFICANT SNOW POSSIBLE FOR NORTHEAST
Northeast PA may see a significant amount of snow if the models meteorologists are watching prove true. According to Accuweather, a cross-country storm could intensify late in the week in time for the weekend causing travel snags in many locations around the I- 95 corridor. The storm is forecast to collide with an area of colder air in place across the Great Lakes and Northeast, allowing for a zone of snow to unfold. Accuweather predicts the worst of the storm will be limited to about 12-18 hours or so from late Saturday into Sunday evening with conditions likely to deteriorate in New England and upstate New York before Monday.
MAN DESTROYS SECURITY CAMERA WITH HAMMER
A Williamsport man was arrested after police discovered he destroyed a security camera at a Second Street property December 16th with a hammer. According to the Sun Gazette, 41 year old Michael Demers was recognized on camera wearing a black clothing and black mask before he smashed the camera and fled, leaving blood at the scene. Police arrested Demers at his home on West Fourth Street and charged him with simple assault , criminal mischief and tampering with evidence. He was later released on 10 thousand dollars bail.
TRUCK TRAIN COLLISION IN SUNBURY
Area roads were closed for about an hour in Sunbury Tuesday after a truck collided with a train before 11am along Market Street. According to police, no injuries were reported when a truck was hit on the driver’s side and was pushed by the train for several feet. Other roads in the area were closed around the intersection while they cleared the crash. The roads reopened just before noontime.
SCAMMER ARRESTED IN UNION COUNTY
An elderly Union County man was scammed out of 400 thousand dollars over several years, after a woman from Nebraska claimed he won the Publisher’s Clearing House lottery and had him continue to pay taxes and other charges, while he still expected the prize money. According to State Police at Milton, the victim contacted them in August and an investigation into his allegations turned up suspect, 51 year old Candi Brown who left a trail of fraudulent activity in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio, and Illinois with ATM withdrawals from Brown’s accounts taking place in Jamaica. Investigators found Brown had a history of fraud crimes, and was arrested. She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Union County Court on February 8th.
PENN DOT CHARITABLE GIVING IN 2023
PennDOT District 3 employees made fundraising for local charities a priority in 2023 and recently announced the effort and positive influence employees have in their local communities. District 3 employees participated in several charitable events, including a competition between units to raise the most money for Footprints of Montgomery, a Lycoming County Food bank, collecting the equivalent of almost 5 thousand pound of food. In addition, bikes were collected and given to Bikes for Tykes, in honor of the late Bill Craver, a PennDOT Maintenance worker who personally donated bikes to the charity annually.
SPORTS
PIAA HS Basketball
Boys
Montgomery 80 Williamson 74 (OT)
Mifflinburg 65 Midd-West 34
Cow Valley 45 Towanda 43
Shamokin 86 Jersey Shore 29
Hughesville 44 Warrior Run 43
Loyalsock 77 Bloomsburg 54
Selinsgrove 70 Milton 26
Montoursville 41 Danville 38
Central Col. 49 Lewisburg 45
Mount Carmel 58 Southern Columbia 52
Cntrl Mountain 72 Shikellamy 45
Girls
Loyalsock 42 Bloomsburg 39
Williamson 45 Wellsboro 33
Benton 46 Northwest Area 32
Troy 54 Athens 28
Muncy 48 South Williamsport 22
Towanda 57 Wyalusing 48
Canton 46 Cowanesque Valley 33
Millville 54 Sullivan County 26
NP Liberty 49 Sayre 15
NE Bradford 58 NP Mansfield 28
St. John Neuman 55 Bucktail 40
NCAA Football News
In college football, former Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming will transfer to Penn State next season. Fleming was ESPN’s No. 1 recruit in the country in 2020 after his high school days at Southern Columbia.
NBA
Cavaliers 140 Wizards 101
Pacers 142 Bucks 130
Brooklyn 101 Rockets 112
Knicks 116 Bulls 100
Heat 110 Lakers 96
Kings 138 Magic 135
NBA Tonight
Milwaukee vs San Antonio 7:30pm TNT
Denver @ Golden State 10 pm TNT
NHL
Devils 6 Capitals 3
Maple Leafs 2 Ducks 1
NHL Tonight
Penguins vs Bruins 7pm ESPN
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Phila Flyers 7pm
Chicago vs Rangers 7pm
Islanders vs Arizona 9pm
NCAA Football
National Championship Monday, January 8
Washington Huskies vs Michigan Wolverines 7:30pm ESPN Houston, TX
NFL Saturday
Pittsburgh vs Baltimore 4:30pm ESPN
