On the 20th anniversary of the greatest terrorist attack on American soil in the history of the nation; September 11, 2001 it is a fitting time to revisit the single greatest domestic terrorist attack in the history of Lycoming County.

On background; from “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” – PART XX

At just past 4 a.m. that day the family of this author made it out of the house safely.

When the call went out to respond, it was a 2-alarm call of a fully involved vehicle next to a structure.

Four different local fire companies and first responders were dispatched from Loyalsock, Montoursville, South Williamsport and Williamsport.

According to the information obtained by this author, a white accomplice used his vehicle (also identified) to pick-up the car bomber in the early hours of August 18, 2020 and drove into the neighborhood of this author.

The driver and car bomber made several passes of the house, circling the neighborhood preparing for their eventual getaway.

The car bomber then exited the vehicle on a street blocks away with the explosive device in hand.

He then made his way into the driveway of this author where he placed the explosive device under the rear of a vehicle and near the gas tank.

The explosive device then detonated and that sound awoke the four occupants of the adjacent home since it sounded like something hit the house.

When this author looked out the windows he saw flames rising from the vehicle.

By this time, the car bomber was walking back toward the getaway vehicle and driver who was parked on a street just blocks away.

(Photo of domestic terrorist car bomber after detonating his device.)

If not for the quick response of the multiple fire departments that responded the potential damages of multiple vehicles, and multiple occupied structures (homes and apartments) could have been catastrophic.

Yet, after the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall deemed it “arson”, there has yet to be a single arrest.

This author believes there is a potential conflict of interest in the case and investigation with an employee in the Montoursville barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police.

The case should be immediately referred out to Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters in Harrisburg for reassignment.

It is believed once the reassignment takes place, multiple arrests will be made – including the financier of the car bombing, the runner, the money courier, the driver and the car bomber.

All of whom would be facing state and potential federal domestic terrorism charges.

There are additional photos and videos that have been obtained which show the car bomber sprinting down a sidewalk after his face was seen by a neighborhood camera and in fear – he took off.

Of course, any of these domestic terrorists are more than welcome to surrender to local authorities.

This author and his family appreciate the efforts of the first responders and fully understand the immense loss of September 11, 2001 and are thankful this car bombing did not turn tragic.

Our thoughts are with those that lost loved ones on this day 20 years ago today as well as those who have lost loved ones in the ongoing war on terrorism.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

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.

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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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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

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.

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.