SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTOS Above left, Ty Fae, cashier at Texas Vape, clears the sidewalk of snow in front of the West Fourth Street business in late January. Above center, a youngster picks up eggs during the Hughesville Rotary’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in early April. Above right, 9-11 Coalition board member Tank Baird discusses planning on a sunny July day for September’s 9-11 Memorial Ride.

Welcome to 2024.

And as that happens, let’s look back at 2023 and some of the biggest local stories covered by Sun-Gazette staff.

From City Hall offered up for sale and the sale delayed, to a Cuban Little League coach walking away from the tournament and not returning, 2023 had its share of jaw-dropping moments.

Baby New Year

Nothing starts a year off with a kick like covering the first baby born at a local hospital. In 2023, the honor went to Hendrix Blu, son of Jade Carlli and Ronnie Litchfield.

Another celebratory story soon after as Lycoming County’s Special Olympics teammates Brendan Rooker, who was chosen athlete of the month, and Lester Loner, volunteer of the month, were featured. Loner has been with the organization for 38 years. He’s always there for the athletes and Rooker, too, has been with the star athletes for a dozen years. Congratulations.

A barn burns

It was frigid cold when Hepburn Township firefighters responded to a barn on fire along Route 973. The blaze, investigators said, followed fires on properties owned by the same person. All of the animals in the fire were rescued by firefighters and those on the scene.

A class action lawsuit extends the scope of one filed by Candice Gair, a former Shop-Vac employee who was affected by the company shut-down in September 2020. The lawsuit sought to add 400 employees who were also terminated, alleging they were unjustly let go and they want unpaid wages, benefits, vacation and pension contributions.

Meanwhile, the cost of the hand recount of the November 2020 ballots undertaken by the Lycoming County Voter Services reached $11,452, which is about 10 cents from each resident in the county.

The North Branch of the Susquehanna is named the state’s 2023 River of the Year by a vote.

About a dozen students from Muncy School District avoid serious injuries when the bus they are in collided with a car. The students were checked on the scene, evaluated and released to their parents.

The Eagles Mere toboggan slide closed again due to temperature and a lack of ice. The last time the race was run was in 2014, with COVID-19 shutting the race down in 2021 and 2022.

Wyndswept Farms and Vineyards, a Muncy area venue for holding weddings and parties, is badly damaged after a fire sparked by an extermination bomb, according to state police.

Homicide alleged

In early March, a Lycoming County mother faces homicide and child endangerment charges in the death of her newborn. Chemari Truax gave birth to her daughter at 23 weeks inside her home on Fifth Avenue in Williamsport but she didn’t immediately seek medical help for her daughter until an hour later when she went to the UPMC Williamsport Emergency Department, investigators alleged.

A shooting suspect nabbed

A Williamsport man is taken into custody for the homicide of a one-time friend in October of 2020. Seneca Martin Mitchell Jr., 21, was the primary suspect in the shooting of Semaj Mozee, 18, at a Campbell Street apartment in what police say was motivated by rival gang activity.

Wet and heavy snow in March brings down trees and causes power outages.

The 30-hour online giving event, Raise the Region, involves 334 nonprofit organizations helping the public.

A fiber optic network will be available for the Greater Williamsport area with choices of high -speed internet brought by FastBridge Fiber.

A wrongful death settlement was reached in the 2019 suit in which a Williamsport man in a motorized wheelchair, John C. Yaraoz II, was killed when he was struck and dragged by an SUV at Fourth and Williams Streets in the city.

Loyalsock Township high school and middle school sustains a small early morning fire in an office.

Vietnam-era veterans are honored on National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The man who was accused of killing Heather Cohick in the doorway of her Williamsport apartment in September of 2022 with her toddler son looking on, pleaded guilty in Lycoming County Court and was given life without the possibility of parole. Tyree Cleveland, 39, of Berks County also confessed to robbing a Family Dollar clerk at gunpoint and stealing cash three days before Cohick’s death. Cleveland received an additional consecutive 20 to 40 years in addition to the life sentence for first-degree murder, robbery and charges for a felon possessing a firearm.

A Watsontown man pleaded guilty to the beating death of another man, but family members are awaiting trial in the case. Thomas Allen Huffman of Watsontown was accused in the beating death of Richard Leroy Jameson II and then burying him on their property in 2020. In addition to Huffman, his wife Dorothy was charged and awaited further court proceedings and the couple’s nephew, Kayden Koser, was involved.

In April, the state Supreme Court Disciplinary Board suspended Attorney Mary C. Kilgus, a Lycoming County lawyer and Bradford County Assistant District Attorney from practicing law for four years after investigating misappropriation of funds, lying to clients, and repeatedly failing to act with diligence.

Also that month, a shooting in Watsontown injured both the suspect and a state trooper while he was responding to a domestic incident involving 19-year-old Hunter Shaheen.

More CSVT updates

A busy connector in Shamokin Dam will be closed for about seven months, as more work gets underway for the CSVT southern section.

A teenager from Williamsport was sentenced to over 5 months in prison and 2 years of probation for threatening to shoot up Loyalsock Township School while on the phone with several students there last December. Dejuan Angel Rivera, 18, promised county President Judge Nancy Butts at sentencing that he would alter his ways.

A family on Tucker Street in Williamsport was displaced by fire. Three adults, two children and a cat escaped the burning home, city fire officials said.

A $100,000 grant for the purchase and development of a new building for the Lycoming County Coroner was awarded to the office. Coroner Charles Keissling, Jr. said that state Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport and Representative Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, were instrumental advocates for the much-needed funding. Flick said the grant was made possible through the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act.

Voting precincts change

The Lycoming County Board of Elections determined that three precincts will have a change of polling sites in the upcoming May 16 primary. The Department of Justice visited all 81 county polling places, and found some out of compliance with the American with Disabilities Act requirements. As a result, three sites needed to be addressed immediately with Cummings Township residents to use the Township building which has had recent improvements, including an accessible ramp and parking space. It was also determined that Montgomery Borough and Clinton Township voters will go to the Clinton Township fire hall on Route 54.

A 90-day experimental trial run of bus service from downtown Williamsport to Williamsport Area High school is being offered by River Valley Transit Authority.

Burn bans are implemented in the City of Williamsport and Old Lycoming Township by orders of the Fire Chiefs because of dry conditions. In early June, fire crews from multiple companies from multiple counties responded to a fire at the Lycoming County Landfill. Lithium batteries must not be disposed of in the trash, officials said.

Former mall agreement sealed

An agreement between FamVest LLC, and The commissioners who agreed to loan $5 million toward the purchase of the former Lycoming Mall property is furthered. FamVest said it will put a mixed-use of residential and commercial units at the property. Residents look forward to shopping again and the housing needs will be fulfilled as the concept moves toward the construction phase.

Theater closes

Another blow to the summer movies blockbuster viewing as Regal Cinemas outside the former Lycoming Mall said it would close in July. Fans of watching movies can always head to Williamsport’s main theater on West Fourth Street.

Soap Box Derby fun

More than 60 boys and girls maneuvered their low-riding cars down Market Street in the annual Williamsport Soap Box Derby in June.

The community remembers as 27 years ago on July 17, 1996, 21 lives were tragically lost in TWA Flight 800. Updates such as an expanded and redirected walking path, new shrubbery and other monument touch ups are seen at the angel memorial in Montoursville in remembrance of the lives lost from Montoursville Area High School that day are highlighted.

Deadly shooting

An Old Lycoming Township business owner shot his brother-in-law in the lobby of the business Aug. 16. Kenneth Richard Michaels, 65, does not fight with police who were called to Cable Services Company on Marydale Drive after Michaels allegedly shot John Roskowski, in the abdomen and failed to call for help.

Little League World Series

In mid-August, the 17th annual Grand Slam Parade brings thousands from across the world to watch the Little League World Series downtown to watch the boys and girls drive by and special guests, such as baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, the parade grand marshal, wave to the fans along the parade route. Investigators said an immediate search commenced for Cuba’s Little League World Series coach, Jose Perez, who walked away from the dormitory and got into a vehicle on Route 15. Perez was an assistant coach with the Bayamo, Cuba Little League World Series team. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro appears with former Little League World Series star pitcher Mo’ne Davis, who became the first girl to win a Little League World Series game and the first girl to pitch a shutout during the competition. Now 22 years old, Davis appeared today at the Little League with Shapiro to tour the facility on championship day. The championship was captured by a team from El Segundo, California.

The three part-time officers with the Montgomery Police Department all resigned and the chief said he would remain on administratively for a few months as the department ended and the borough council decided the coverage will be done by state police.

Ron Frick from the Lycoming County United Way, was hyped about the upcoming LIVE United in Music III, presented by UPMC, taking place next week at the Community Arts Center. The event invites central PA’s biggest musical stars to Williamsport as a part of LIVE United Month.

At the end of the month, a school bus crash along Route 15 at Blind Road in Clinton Township sent four people to the hospital, including three students from the Montgomery School District.

Smoke alarms saves lives

Robert Steppe and two other family members woke up to smoke alarms 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. 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.

In early September, Frank Girardi, former Lycoming College Warriors football coach, a legend already on campus and throughout the Middle Atlantic Conference added to that legacy. A stadium where he coached the Warriors to many victories was named in his honor. Hundreds of friends, family members, and former football players cheered his acceptance of the namesake.

After a series of inspections by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, the Williamsport YMCA Child Care Center on Walnut Street in Williamsport was closed and their childcare license revoked. A notice to parents went out that other arrangements must be made for their children, since the center is closed indefinitely with appeals expected.

Decision on City Hall delayed

The fate of the condemned Williamsport City Hall building remained open-ended in late September after the City Council decided to table their decision. Council voted 6-1 approving the vote to table or delay deciding about the high bid of $550,500 submitted by JBas Realty of Jessup. Councilman Jon Mackey voted no about the delay.

The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement unit assisted police in taking two men into custody after an investigation led to a confidential informant assisting police in a drug ring that was discovered in August of this year. Dondre Terrell McMillan, 29, and Rashaun Fleming, 35, were allegedly running a methamphetamine and marijuana distribution chain.

A Lycoming County man was arrested in New Jersey for a homicide earlier in August. The Lycoming County District Attorney said Kenneth Michaels was taken into custody Aug. 31 in Cape May, New Jersey.

Investigators conducted a drug operation that resulted in mid-October that arrested 13 individuals who allegedly distributed various drugs. The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU) recognized a disconcerting trend of increased drug investigations originating in South Williamsport and involving South Williamsport residents.

Seasonal campsites

A proposal to add seasonal campsites near Antlers Lane where a restaurant and boat launch are located in Woodward Township, is getting pushback from residents nearby it.

Old Lycoming Township supervisors ask for an audit of their natural gas impact fee fund from 2018 to present as $1 million is unaccounted for, said Supervisor Dave Shirn. Right to Know officer Ann Marie Brown is hired and Bethany Jones, will be the township treasurer.

Over $1 million in additions to Newberry Park may be possible if the city is awarded a $600,000 grant from the Keystone Communities Program and Community and Economic Development. The matching funds come from the city’s Community Development Block Grant funds, and if the grant comes through, ideas for the park include pickleball courts, basketball courts, a soccer field and restrooms.

City Hall fate remains uncertain

A delay on whether the City Council will vote about the agreement of the sale of the former City Hall building on West Fourth Street in downtown Williamsport. Mayor Derek Slaughter said that they await results of pending state and federal investigations, including a special audit from the Federal Transit Administration which influences their decision making timetable.

The sale of Thaddeus Stevens Primary school, which has been closed for about a year, with Moonrise Acquisitions LLC, to allow Hutchinson LLC to repurpose the building atv1150 Louisa St. as a multi-family dwelling.

Conditional use approval was the final answer by the Clinton Township supervisors in a slim 3-2 vote last week for the $35 million Montgomery Area School building and facilities project, which involves the relocation of the junior/senior high school students to the Montgomery Area Community Center.

More than $600,000 was awarded to the City of Williamsport from PennDOT to support the Little League Boulevard/Hepburn Street and Little League Boulevard/Market Street Traffic Signal Modernization Project.

Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week leads to state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC), to promote waterway and estuary conservation.

YWCA’s Women of Excellence recognizes “hard work, dedication” in early November. There were 36 nominees.

Veterans parade marches in city

The Lycoming County Veterans Day Parade made its way through Williamsport with veterans groups, city Mayor Derek Slaughter and the Nittany Highland Bagpipe Band. The parade began at Campbell Street and continued down West Fourth Street to Pine Street.

Ohev Sholom Congregation held a solidarity vigil for the hostages kept by Hamas and the war with Israel.

City Council held the two budget work sessions ahead of the votes on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. The budget presented by Mayor Derek Slaughter called for a 1 mill tax increase over the 16.22 mills in 2023. The budget in 2023 was $28.6 million.

Holiday happenings are a hit

Black Friday sales abounded and Small Business Saturday was a boost for merchants’ economies.

The City of Williamsport Holiday Parade brought Santa to help light up the tree at the Green in downtown Williamsport along with Mayor Derek Slaughter.

Victorian Christmas and its theme of preservation and restoration supported by Preservation Williamsport was again a success and the Festival of Trees for the Salvation Army was relocated to 33 W. Third St. after being held 20 years at the former Lycoming Mall.

The Festival of Lights at Brandon Park at 5 p.m. on Dec. 1 in the evening, set the mood for the remainder of the month leading up to Christmas.

Downtown is alighted in the colors with lights along the public streets and planters filled with poinsettias ahead of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

City police search for a man in a red hoodie and ski mask who demanded money from a teller at Woodland’s Bank 1908 W. Fourth St. He walked out but officers did not see him.

A man was quickly taken into custody by city police at the rear of Trade and Transit on Dec. 1 after stabbing a man and woman using a butcher knife.

Timothy Maddox, 35, last known address of 832 W. Third St., was charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment after an early morning incident in which he allegedly stabbed two people at the Trade and Transit Center on W. Third St.

Maddox stated that the stabbing was “a long time coming,” an arrest affidavit said.

City officials adopt a $30 million budget with a half mill of property tax increase. The budget utilized a means of transferring funds from the American Rescue Plan allocation to various accounts that were eligible to reduce the burden that would have been higher had the $2.7 in ARPA transfers not taken place. City Councilwoman Liz Miele cautioned about the deficit next year and said Mayor Derek Slaughter’s proposal for a 1 mill tax hike was more realistic.