Pictured: Standing from left is Patrick Dixon, Barbara Reeves, Marc Schefsky, Star Poole and Adam Welteroth. Seated from left is President Lori Baer, V.P., Dr. Jane Penman, Dr. Nancy Story Somers and Jennifer Lake.

“The beginning of the end”

Tuesday evening Nancy Somers announced her resignation from the WASD school board citing her move out of the school district in the weeks to come.

Nancy Somers announces resignation at 6:16 p.m. motion made by Jane Penman and seconded by Adam Welteroth. Resignation accepted by an 8-1 vote, Pat Dixon voted no.

This also sends a clear signal to the rest of the WASD school board and administration; it is

“The beginning of the end.”

When fellow WASD school board member Adam Welteroth last year asked for a second to a motion to “discuss” having an independent third party look into the handling of the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip incidents in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Somers sat silent.

That silence will echo for eternity.

Since her silence, along with the rest of the WASD school board and administration; Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has taken up the case and it remains under investigation.

Somers knows this because the WASD was served highly publicized search warrants in the case.

As recently as a few weeks ago, ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was charged by Myrtle beach and Horry County South Carolina authorities.

Yet, Somers and her fellow WASD board members have taken no action to remove the administrators from their jobs pending the outcome of the Attorney General investigation.

The WAHS baseball coaching staff has been renewed and the team looks like they will play the 2021 season with ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 still on the team.

Since Somers resigned tonight it must be left to her replacement who now has 60 days to be named from a pool of applicants.

Will any of the 8 newcomer candidates put their names in; trying to get a head start on the entire election process by allowing the WASD school board to choose winners and losers?

Would that be the same behavior demonstrated by WASD school board and administration in the Myrtle Beach case to date?

If the candidate chosen to replace Nancy Somers is not black; will that demonstrate more of what current WASD school board member calls “systemic racism in the WASD”?

Nancy Somers came to an understanding of not living in the WASD disqualifies her from serving on the school board, makes you wonder if she shared that with fellow non-district resident Marc Schefsky.

Ever wonder about when JOHN DOE #1 is ultimately successful in civil litigation; (there is video of the “criminal sexual misconduct” incident) if he will change the exterior color of the Somers home?

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

“The beginning of the end” – is forthcoming.

Pictured: Standing from left is Patrick Dixon, Barbara Reeves, Marc Schefsky, Star Poole and Adam Welteroth. Seated from left is President Lori Baer, V.P., Dr. Jane Penman, Dr. Nancy Story Somers and Jennifer Lake.

TalkWilliamsport.com has confirmed at least one WASD School Board member is announcing their resignation at the meeting tonight.

A second WASD School Board member is also on the verge of resigning having been identified as a non-district resident.

The WASD School Board meeting is slated for 6 p.m. tonight and will be held virtually.

Incumbent WASD school board members, Dr. Jane Penman, Dr. Nancy Story Somers and Marc Schefsky did not submit petitions seeking reelection.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Reflecting on One Year of COVID-19

One year ago, we started seeing the first COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania. It has been a challenging year – one that has tested all of us in many ways. We have lost too many family and friends to the virus. But the rollout of vaccine gives us hope and a path back to our lives.

We know there’s a lot of information out there, and it can be hard to keep track of all the changes. That’s why we’ve started this weekly update. You’ll get a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox. When you have good information, you can make good decisions.

Current Vaccine Phase in PA

Phase 1A – which includes healthcare, residents of long-term care facilities, people 65+ and those who are 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions.

Total vaccinations administered

3,535,956 (as of 3/13/2021)

You can find the latest vaccine data at the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.

Check-in on Your Loved Ones

Right now, vaccine supplies are limited. The state is working with the federal government to increase and improve distribution.

In the meantime, if you have relatives or neighbors in the 1A category who still have not been vaccinated, reach out to them. Ask about their vaccination plans and if they need help. Remind them that with time and patience, every Pennsylvanian that wants a vaccine will get one.

PA Teachers Get Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

The federal government applauded Pennsylvania’s plan to use its first allocation of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to protect teachers and educators. Starting this week, Pre-K to 12th grade public and non-public school staff could get vaccinated with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Vaccines for teachers will be administered through local Intermediate Units with assistance from the National Guard. Teachers will be contacted about how to make an appointment.

Tech News: Your Turn Eligibility Tool & COVID Alert PA

If you’re looking for your vaccine phase (1A, 1B, 1C, or 2), check out our Your Turn Eligibility Tool. By answering a few questions, you’ll find out if you’re eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine now or in a future phase. You can also sign up for updates for when your turn arrives.

For those with smartphones, take a minute to download the COVID Alert PA app. You can opt in to get notified about potential exposure to COVID-19 cases. Other features include a daily symptom checker, and data dashboards for both COVID-19 cases and vaccines.

Both Your Turn Eligibility Tool and COVID Alert PA are available in English, Spanish, German, and Traditional Chinese.

Question of the Week

When can I get my vaccine?

A: Check out PA’s Your Turn Eligibility Tool to find out when you can get your vaccine. If you are eligible now, the tool will direct you to the Vaccine Provider Map. It will help you find a vaccine provider near you.

If it isn’t your turn yet, you can sign up to receive email and text updates when you become eligible. Text messaging and data rates may apply. The texts will come from the PA Department of Health’s hotline number (1-877-724-3258).

American Airlines employees were sent a “Special Jetwire – A Message from Doug Parker and Robert Isom” dated Wednesday, March 10, 2021 late this afternoon on the heels of the passage by Congress of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill.

TalkWilliamsport.com has obtained the message and it reads as follows:

“Dear team,

Congress has passed the American Rescue Plan, which includes additional funding for the Payroll Support Program (PSP). The bill is now on its way to President Biden for his signature so that it can be signed into law. Once that happens, it will extend the commitment that all U.S. based American Airlines team members will continue to receive pay and benefits through Sept. 30, 2021.

For our 13,000 colleagues who received Worker Adjustment and Retirement Notification (WARN) notices last month, those are happily canceled – you can tear them up! We will also soon share details about the status of voluntary leave and early out applications, once all application windows close.”

The previous Cares Act funding was set to expire on April 1, 2021.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) released the following statement after voting in opposition to President Biden and House Democrats’ $2 trillion spending package:

“It is disingenuous to the people we represent to call this legislation ‘COVID relief’ when less than 10 percent of its $2 trillion price tag goes to public health measures. Before Congress spends another cent of the people’s money to address the pandemic, we must first drive out the funds already appropriated, $1 trillion of which has yet to be spent. Washington Democrats’ endless spending on non-COVID related items is reckless and only serves to hurt those who they claim to help. Americans need relief that is temporary, targeted, and tied to COVID-19. Unfortunately, this bill fails on each of those benchmarks, and our kids and grandkids will be paying for it in higher taxes and lost opportunities for generations to come.”

BACKGROUND:

Last month, Congressman Keller penned an Op-Ed on the real cost of Biden’s bailout which ran in the Washington Times, as well as the Sunbury Daily Item, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Lewistown Sentinel, Lock Haven Express, Towanda Daily Review and Milton Standard-Journal.

In his Op-Ed, Keller explained that only 9 percent of this spending plan goes to public health spending, while the other 91 percent addresses political items unrelated to the pandemic, including:

• $12 billion in foreign aid
• $510 billion in local and state bailouts
• $86 billion to prop up multi-employer pension plans
• $34 billion to expand Obamacare
• $200 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services
• $135 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
• $135 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities

The vast majority—95 percent—of the $130 billion for K-12 schools will not actually help get kids back in the classroom because it will not be spent this year.

Because of the exorbitant price-tag of this proposal and how it has been fast-tracked through Congress, the $1.9 trillion cost must be offset, which could trigger cuts to existing federal programs that seniors, veterans, and farmers rely on. That could include an approximately $30 billion cut to the Medicare program every year for the next 10 years starting in 2022, as well as cuts to payments to military retirement and farm support programs.

Offers amendment to ensure continuity of business and free flow of commerce

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today voted against the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, shortsighted legislation that would infringe on workers’ rights, hamstring job creators, and make it harder for employers to make decisions that positively impact their workforce.

“The PRO Act needlessly inserts government, what I call the middleman, into the workplace, driving a wedge between the employee-employer relationship,” Congressman Keller said, speaking out against the bill on the House Floor. “The greatest thing that I learned working in a factory is that workers care about employers and employers care about and value the hard-working people who come to work and get the job done every day.” 

“Our team has met with employers and workers across central and northeastern Pennsylvania, and their message is crystal clear: say no to the PRO Act,” Congressman Keller said. “Let’s not pretend the government knows or cares about workers more than the businesses that employ them—and let’s not add more mandates where they don’t belong. It’s time for the government to step back and for businesses to continue [doing] what they do best: innovate, produce, and provide opportunities for the American people.”

BACKGROUND:

Before tonight’s vote, Congressman Keller introduced an amendment to the PRO Act which would have removed from the legislation language that allows unions to strike intermittently and bans the hiring of permanent replacement workers. Unfortunately, House Democrats defeated this amendment.

(Click to watch)

“This amendment simply maintains long-standing current law which protects the ability of employers to continue to do business and provide for their customers during a labor relations dispute,” Congressman Keller said. “Allowing intermittent strikes and banning permanent replacements would be devastating to our economy, our global competitiveness, and the incentive to invest in American workers.”