Rain, rising water has officials urging evacuation in some Bloomsburg areas

As waters continued to rise throughout the region Thursday, first responders in town prepared to go door to door, encouraging residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate before nightfall.

Police are concerned Fishing Creek will rise quickly overnight, forcing residents to flee the near-freezing waters in the dark.

Columbia County also issued a disaster declaration after forecasters predicted most waterways, including Fishing Creek and Susquehanna River, would spill their banks today.

Woman unloading presents struck by car

LOCUST TWP. — A woman unloading Christmas presents from a van was struck by a car driven by another woman who was on phone trying to track down her own packages, police say.

The injured woman, whom police did not identify, said she couldn’t feel her legs, said Ptlm. Devan DeFrain.

Life Flight was initially put on standby, but in the end, she was rushed by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center.

The accident happened just before 2 p.m. on Numidia Drive, near Slabtown.

State bans indoor dining at restaurants, limits gatherings

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf announced a bevy of restrictions Thursday in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. They include the following:

In-Person Dining and Alcohol Sales

• All in-person indoor dining at businesses in the retail food services industry, including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, social clubs, and private catered events is prohibited.   

Gov. Wolf tests positive for COVID-19

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced today that he tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday and is in isolation at home. 

The governor released the following statement:

“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well. I am following CDC and Department of Health guidelines. Frances has been tested and, as we await the result, is quarantining at home with me.

“I am continuing to serve the commonwealth and performing all of my duties remotely, as many are doing during the pandemic.

Police seek public's help to find missing woman

BLOOMSBURG — Police here are asking for the public’s help finding a missing 26-year-old woman.

Erica Shultz was last seen at her Railroad Street home on Friday, said Ptlm. Shawn Hill. Her sister spoke to her around 8 that night. But she didn’t show up for work at Weis Markets on Sunday, and no one has heard from her since.

She is 5-feet, 4-inches tall, 220 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes and wears glasses.

Officers asked anyone with information that would help them find her to call 570-784-6300.

 

Run for the Diamonds is a go

BERWICK — Lace up your sneakers, area runners; the Run for the Diamonds is on.

Members of the Berwick Marathon Association voted Saturday to go ahead with the 111th rendition of the Thanksgiving race, with some modifications to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, said President Bill Bull.

The pandemic is currently surging, both locally and across the state and country.

Violent crash ejects passenger and engine

GREENWOOD TWP. — A small car carrying three young men went airborne, crashed through a porch, grazed the house, and finally smashed down with such force, both a passenger and the car’s engine were ejected.

Nevertheless, the driver and another passenger were able to stand and talk immediately after the accident at 3:30 p.m. Friday in front of 1652 State Route 254 here, just east of Bowmans Mill Road.

The ejected passenger was breathing only shallowly, and was rushed to Geisinger Hospital by ambulance, said Rod Eves, first assistant chief for Millville Community Fire Co.

TV show’s segment from Benton corn maze slams Trump, tweaks locals, ends kinder

Anyone who knows TV political humorist Samantha Bee’s virulent views on Donald Trump shouldn’t be surprised that the segment of her TBS Channel show “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” filmed last week at the Retherford’s Farm Market corn maze would slam the president.

And it did, relentlessly, when it aired Wednesday night — also throwing a few barbs at patrons who support him and who (yuk, yuk) think things like corn mazes are entertaining.

But the show also ended with an easing of the ridicule — of area residents, if not the president.

Crews work on Nescopeck power line

NESCOPECK — Some PPL customers who went through a power outage on Monday may see power off again today as PPL does repairs to a power line, the company said.

Today's repairs include pulling a new 2,100-foot power line across the Susquehanna using a helicopter and drones. While the work occurs, service to about 1,700 customers will be cut for safety reasons, PPL said.

Danville teachers could strike Monday

DANVILLE — The teachers at Danville Area School District may strike as soon as Monday after negotiations broke down last night, a letter from the superintendent to parents states.

In recent days, the teachers' union and school district had been wrangling over changes to health insurance plans,  the length of the contract and wages.

One of the main issues has been whether a no-deductible health insurance plan from Geisinger Health Plan would continue through the school year.

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