Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner announced Friday afternoon his office will not prosecute non-mask wearers in local schools.
His entire statement is provided here.
Congressman Fred Keller vows to fight Biden’s vaccine mandate
September 10, 2021 By
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) issued the following statement on President Biden’s mandate requiring vaccination for all federal employees, contractors, and private-sector businesses with 100 or more employees:
“Joe Biden’s federal vaccine mandate not only contradicts his previous assurances—it infringes on the most basic freedoms of America’s workers and employers to make their own health decisions regarding vaccination. This administration is trampling on the rights of 80 million private sector workers and weaponizing the federal bureaucracy to impose government-sanctioned workplace discrimination on the basis of vaccination status.
“As the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, I will fight these totalitarian measures through all available means. The federal government has no authority to dictate who is permitted to have a job, and Biden’s efforts to strong-arm employers into compliance will not stand.”
Lycoming County Commissioners respond to Lycoming County Controller claims
August 28, 2021 By
Saturday morning the Lycoming County Commissioners provided the media with a written statement dated Wednesday, August 25, 2021 and released today in response to assertions made by Krista Rogers, Lycoming County Controller.
“Because the Controller continues with her unsupported assertions of alleged illegal conduct by the County Commissioners, we are compelled to respond.
First,the action by the Commissioners on the 911 recruitment/retention plan was proper. The concept of the plan was approved on Tuesday, August 17th, with the understanding that Salary Board action would follow before implementation in September. The Salary Board action required to implement the plan was taken on Tuesday, August 24th, with a unanimous vote to implement the plan, including the Controller herself voting in favor.
Second, the Commissioners stand by their decision to return essential fiscal functions to the Office of Budget and Finance. As we said when we initiated this process, we brought this suit solely to protect the integrity of the County’s financial operations. The suit prevented threatened interference by the Controller with the process of returning these functions to the office where they had been effectively performed for decades. Payroll, accounts payable, and the general ledger will be handled by the County employees in the Office of Budget and Finance, with the Controller continuing to retain her oversight functions, which were never challenged by the Commissioners.
As we are the ultimate managers of the County’s financial affairs, it remains our position that this action was in the best interest of the County’s taxpayers. This response is to dispel the Controller’s contention our decision was improper and illegal. The Court had the opportunity to address the ultimate merits of whether the County’s decision was proper, but it did not do so. Instead, it ruled on a procedural issue without reversing in any way on our actions regarding the transfer of functions.
At this point, it is our hope that everyone will simply move forward from here. We believe the County’s taxpayers are more concerned with these essential functions being performed properly – as they now are – rather than what office performs these ministerial acts.”
This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.
Congressman Fred Keller statement on deadly bombings at Kabul Airport
August 26, 2021 By
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) released the following statement in response to the terrorist attacks at Kabul Airport that killed American troops and Afghan allies:
“The terrorist attacks at the Kabul Airport today are horrific and appalling. My family and I are praying for the heroic American troops who were wounded or killed, as well as for their families who share in their sacrifice. Our nation is grateful for every man and woman in uniform, especially those who remain on the ground in Kabul, in harm’s way, conducting this important mission. Their bravery will not be forgotten.
“Responsibility for the chaos currently unfolding in Afghanistan rests squarely with President Biden. President Biden’s weak leadership and misguided efforts to negotiate with terrorists contributed to the loss of American life. This catastrophe was entirely avoidable and President Biden must be held accountable.
“While we pray for the American troops and Afghan allies still behind enemy lines, our top priority must be the safe evacuation of American citizens and military personnel. President Biden must commit to ensuring that we leave no American behind.”
Congressman Keller on Afghanistan War veterans: “Their service was not in vain.”
August 24, 2021 By
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) joined House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and his House Republican colleagues for a press conference outside of the Capitol, calling for action to get Americans in Afghanistan home and showing support for Afghanistan War veterans for their important contributions.
Following the press conference, Congressman Fred Keller made this statement:
“While Speaker Pelosi works to pass a wildly unpopular budget resolution that would fast-track $3.5 trillion in spending and add trillions to our national debt, I was proud to join my Republican colleagues in demanding greater action and oversight by the Biden administration to get every American stranded in Afghanistan safely out of harm’s way.
The fault of the collapse of Afghanistan rests solely with President Biden. America’s veterans who served honorably in Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East went above and beyond the call of duty to keep terrorists on their heels and give the Afghan people a fighting chance at freedom. Their service was not in vain.”
Senator Yaw’s Response on Election Audit
August 20, 2021 By
Photo Courtesy PCN
Posted on Aug 19, 2021
I have received many calls, emails and messages from Pennsylvania residents (and non-residents alike) who have voiced concerns about the fairness of our elections and have called for an election audit. At first blush, an audit sounds like a good idea, but after any reasoned thought into the ramifications such an undertaking may trigger, this will not be a productive undertaking.
As the stage is being set, every move associated with an audit is going to be met with, or require, court action. The three counties targeted for an audit (Philadelphia, York and Tioga counties) have clearly indicated that they will not release any records or machines for the purposes of an audit. If subpoenas are issued, they will surely be challenged. Knowing a little about our court system, my estimate is that it will be 3-5 years before there is anything close to a resolution. Any lawyer with minimal skills can accomplish that sort of delay by raising and appealing every possible issue. In addition, election law litigation will generate questions which have never been addressed under Pennsylvania law. And let’s not forget that Republicans have not won a court case against the Wolf administration in over two years.
Moreover, the Wolf administration will undoubtedly spend taxpayer money protecting what they will term “the integrity of the system.” Legal services for the only audit proposal are based on donations and pro bono services. The outcome of that scenario is not favorable to a quick and productive audit. The idea of pursuing legal action involving state issues funded by private donations raises a whole new set of legal questions standing alone.
Many of the emails I receive want an audit because the sender fully believes that Donald Trump will somehow be reinstated as President. That is the underlying rationale for many who support an audit. Unless there is a coup, which is not going to happen in the United States, the 2020 election is over. Biden is the President. An audit is not going to change that fact irrespective of the outcome. Sometimes losing is the result of a bad call. How many sporting events have been lost by a bad call? When these problems arise the focus is: How do we prevent this from happening again? What can we fix? We don’t go back and replay the game. No one likes losing, but, if we are on that side, we can be civil and respectful.
The Election Reform Bill (House Bill 1300), which was passed by the legislature earlier this year, was oriented toward fixing the problems as found by the state House of Representatives and Senate committees that gathered information from voter’s services offices across the state. This was done through several public hearings. Unfortunately, Governor Wolf vetoed House Bill 1300, mainly because the bill had a provision mandating a voter ID. There is some indication he may be willing to reconsider some of the issues. Figuring out a way around his veto seems to be a course, which could produce tangible results for the next election coming in just a couple of months.
Compromise is a word never heard in Washington and rarely heard in Harrisburg. If we are truly interested in resolving real election issues identified by the frontline workers, exploring compromise could be productive. And, what is the downside? A delay of a few months to explore compromise is just not significant when faced with a 3-5 year legal battle with an uncertain outcome.
Much has been said about the unconstitutionality of actions by Wolf’s cabinet members during the election, including former Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar. I agree, but I don’t see how an audit addresses those issues. I will leave the question of how to address those matters to our Senate legal team.
BREAKING NEWS: Judge Linhardt sides with Little League denying Needville and Tulsa World Series relief
August 17, 2021 By
Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com
News@TalkWilliamsport.com
On Tuesday afternoon Lycoming County Common Pleas Couty Judge Eric Linhardt issued his Order and Opinion in the Needville Little League, Inc and Tulsa National LL, Inc. vs Little League Baseball, Inc. case.
Needville and Tulsa were seeking immediate injunctive relief to return to the Little League baseball tournament which has now reached the World Series rounds; after being disqualified for having Covid-19 positive test results; then had subsequent negative test results.
The Order and Opinion reads in part:
“While this court is not unsympathetic to the manner in which they were disqualified, neither Tulsa nor Needville have earned their place in Williamsport.”
“Additionally, the Court credits the representations of Defendant’s witnesses that adding two new teams at this late date would be unduly burdensome.”
“The Court also considers the high probability that
a preliminary injunction awarded in favor of Plaintiffs
would invite the other five teams that were disqualified on similar grounds
to seek through preliminary injunction
their place at the Little League World Series.”
The complete Order and Opinion is available here:
Needville Little League, Inc and Tulsa National LL, Inc v Little League Baseball, Inc
This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com
BREAKING NEWS: Little League case headed to court Monday
August 13, 2021 By
UPDATE: Needville (TX) Little League, Inc and Tulsa National LL, Inc. vs Little League Baseball, Inc. is set for a hearing before Lycoming County Common Pleas Judge Eric Linhardt, Monday at 1 p.m.
Wendy D. Testa Partner with Wilson Elser in Philadelphia is representing Little League Baseball, Inc.
Where is Little League Baseball, Inc. Chief Counsel Thomas Marshall?
TalkWilliamsport.com will be attending the hearing.
BREAKING NEWS: Judge Linhardt is not in the office today
August 13, 2021 By
UPDATE: TalkWilliamsport.com has confirmed with office of the Lycoming County Court Administrator that Judge Eric Linhardt is not in the office today.
Why was a case seeking immediate injunctive relief for Little League teams that were unceremoniously dismissed from Little League World Series over false positive Covid-19 test results given to a Lycoming County Judge who is not in today?
TalkWilliamsport.com left a message with Lycoming County President Judge Nancy Butts seeking answers on an immediate reassignment of the case as well as the possibility of recusals from all Lycoming County Judges.
This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.
UPDATE: Judge Eric R. Linhardt assigned Little League Covid-19 disqualified teams case
August 13, 2021 By
UPDATE August 13, 2021 11:55 a.m.:
TalkWilliamsport.com has confirmed the case between the Covid-19 disqualified Little League teams and Little League International has been assigned to Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas Judge Eric R. Linhardt.
Linhardt is a former Lycoming County District Attorney sworn in as Judge in January 2018.
The same office of District Attorney that was referenced by the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro when choosing not to pursue obstruction of justice charges in the 2018 WAHS baseball team “criminal sexual misconduct” incident in Myrtle Beach based on the fact:
“The OAG was unable to determine whether any attempt to ‘cover-up’ the conduct occurred in Pennsylvania due to the failure of the District Attorney’s Office to create, implement, and enforce any policies governing the conduct of county detectives.”
While Lindhardt was District Attorney prior to the March 2018 Myrtle Beach incident there were a number of (231 Pa. Code § 230.2) cases which had the clock run out by not being brought forward.
Current Little League team host (uncle) Willie Weber was the chief detective under Linhardt while he was the Lycoming County District Attorney.
Weber was a subject of the OAG investigation into the Myrtle Beach incident and is still employed by the Office of Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner no longer serving as chief detective..
A scheduling order has not been issued in the Little League case where time is of the essence.
Is a recusal in order for this case for all Lycoming County judges?
This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.
