MAN ARRESTED FOR REPEATED RAPE
An Eldred Township man was taken into custody yesterday, charged with the multiple rape and sexual assault of a mentally disabled woman over a ten year period. 59 year old Bruce Stewart is accused of the repeated acts he committed with the woman from 2009 up until last July when the victim reported him. Stuart faces more than 100 counts against him stemming from the incidents which took place at his home including rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and even a count of strangulation. He was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.
MILTON WOMAN AND SON CONFIRMED VICTIMS OF MURDER/SUICIDE
It’s been confirmed that it was a Milton woman and her son who died in a murder-suicide in Lancaster County. Authorities believe that 32 year old Nicole Welton first shot her 11 year old son, and then shot herself in a motel room in Manheim Township near Lancaster on Wednesday morning. The boy was a fifth grade student in the Milton Area School District and district officials say they have made grief counselors available at the school for classmates. Police in Lancaster County are investigating and have not released any information regarding a possible motive.
BASKETBALL TO RETURN TO MEMORIAL PARK
Despite questions over whether it is feasible or not to place basketball courts next to the current pickleball courts at Memorial Park in the city of Williamsport, the city has gone ahead and poured concrete for the poles and hoops, laying the foundation for the sport to return to the park there. That occurred yesterday despite a call to hold off before a recreation commission meeting last week. Mayor Campana who had the hoops removed nearly five years ago due to questionable behavior there has said he will have monitors on hand to make sure everything runs smoothly.
GETTING CLOSER TO SALE
City officials in Williamsport believe that they are closer to selling the city’s two pump stations to the Williamsport Water and Sanitary Authority for a million dollars. As issue is ownership of the pump stations, but as reported in the Williamsport Sun Gazette this morning, city engineer Mark Benfer says he believes that issue can be cleared up with the Army Corps of Engineers. The authority board would still have to vote and approval would be needed form Williamsport City Council.
PUBLIC TO SEE RESULTS OF STUDY
Lycoming County Commissioners revealed yesterday that the public will get their chance to see an in-depth analysis of the county’s financials and operations. The $164,000 dollar study was offered by the state Department of Community and Economic Department and is designed to provide insight into how well the county is run generally and financially and provide suggestions for future changes. County officials say half the cost could be reimbursed by the state, and the suggestions to save money should be well worth the cost.
OVERTIME COSTS CUT
Saving money in Clinton County. A report from Clinton County Correctional Facility warden Angela Hoover says that thanks to 12 hours shifts and a full complement ot corrections officers that the facility is paying less overtime. In fact overtime hours were cut back to 445 in the month of December compared to 836 total overtime hours in November. The 12 hour shift was recently implemented with the goal to eliminate the need for the extra hours.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL WEAPONS AND DRUGS
A Milton man was arrested on Wednesday evening after being spotted dropping a needle in the parking lot of a Shamokin Dam Restaurant and then entering a vehicle containing two young children. 28 year old Robert Perez-Irizarry was pulled over by police who were called by a witness who watched him drop the needle. Inside, police found heroin, a loaded weapon the man was not allowed to possess and two children under the age of 8. He was charged with a number of counts and jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail.
