mmaroney@sungazette.com
A 46-year-old city man received a 25 year prison sentence for his part in a drug trafficking resulting in a rash of heroin overdoses in 2017.
Raymond Howard recently was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment followed by a four-year term of supervised release by U.S. Middle District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Howard was found guilty after a five-day jury trial in October 2020 to conspiring to distribute heroin and a mixture of heroin and carfentanil.
During a three-day period in June 2017, there was a rash of drug overdoses in the city and region.
So many people, so many shining moments, so many reasons to be proud!
That’s what we see day in and day out on the front pages of your hometown community newspaper, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
Even during a global pandemic, our people are out there giving of themselves and doing remarkable things.
People like Joe Hope, who recently retired as chief after 25 years with the Old Lycoming Township Police Department, and Donald “The Duke” Lukens, a city resident and 95-year-old World War II veteran.
Lukens has served his country during one of the great wars and, at 95, spent a week in the hospital with COVID-19. He defied the odds and beat the virus, showing us all the possibility.
jbergmueller@sungazette.com
Chief Joseph Hope at the Old Lycoming Police Department in Old Lycoming Township on Friday. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Old Lycoming Township is sending off a police chief who has served the township for the past 25 years.
Joe Hope began his time at the Old Lycoming Township Police Department as an intern before working his way through the ranks to become chief in 2016.
“It’s been a good 25 years, and I think the township is moving in the right direction,” Hope said. “We have enjoyed lots of support from the community, especially with what is going on throughout our nation.”
Clearfield woman allegedly lied on firearm application
Sheila Kent, 48, of 120 Clark St., Clearfield, allegedly lied on an application to purchase a firearm from National Sport Goods back in June of 2020, according to Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police.
Kent allegedly checked “no” in response to the question, “Have you ever been convicted in any court for a felony, or other crime, for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year, even if you received a shorter sentence including probation?” said Brian Firetti, a Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police officer.
According to Firetti, Kent previously pled guilty to DUI twice in 2006, and was placed on probation for two years.
jbergmueller@sungazette.com
The Old Lycoming Township supervisors dug into several brief agenda items during their February meeting after officiating promotions within Old Lycoming Township Police Department.
The supervisors unanimously approved Allyx Kennedy as the new township bookkeeper and treasurer, while they made various other appointments to its planning commission.
Jessica Williams was assigned to the township’s planning commission through Dec. 31, 2024, while Ed Gair and David Kay were approved through Dec. 31, 2021. Each approval received unanimous support from the supervisors.
Meanwhile, Judy Fink resigned from the Zoning Hearing Board after 28 years of service to the community.
“We accept her resignation with regret. She did an outstanding job and we will miss her experience,” Linda Mazullo, one of the township supervisors, said.