Photo: Marc Schefsky (middle back row) with the rest of the WASD school board members

On Monday, retiring Lycoming County Common Pleas Court Judge Marc Lovecchio imposed an ARD Program sentence on Marc Schefsky, former WASD school board member who was charged with misedemeanor false swearing for voting in the November election.

Based on information obtained from Philadelphia attorney Wana Saadzoi, Esq. “The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program” is considered a diversionary or “first time offender” program, designed to divert first time offenders for different charges like DUI in PA, PA Drug Charges, or other crimes from entering the criminal justice system.

When a first time offender is accepted into the ARD program, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania suspends the charges against the offender, but requires that certain court-ordered conditions are followed.

These conditions may included drug and alcohol counseling, community service, restitution, etc. Similar to a probationary program, the ARD program requires a period of supervision.

Benefits of the Pennsylvania ARD Program

There are several key benefits to being accepted into the ARD program, the biggest being avoidance of jail time and not being labeled as a convicted criminal, but also possible avoidance of losing a driver’s license, and also avoiding costly and time consuming legal proceedings, court dates and hearings that people entering the criminal justice system must go through.

Once the ARD program is completed successfully, the original criminal charges are dismissed, and the offender may, 30 days after completion of the program, request the court to expunge the offender’s arrest record and ARD participation. Bear in mind that the ARD records will always be in the office of the District Attorney.

In Pennsylvania, admission into ARD is controlled by the District Attorney, who has broad discretion as to whom to allow into the program. Typically your criminal attorney will assist you in the process of admission into the ARD program but your counsel should caution you that there are no guarantees.

You will not be “convicted” of a crime if you enter the ARD program. Furthermore, the loss of your license to drive privileges will be for a short period of time, rather than the full year for a first time DUI conviction.

Additionally, 30 days after completion of the program, you can go to court to get the arrest record and ARD record expunged- cleaned up completely and removed from your past. 

Different counties have different stipulations and different application processes.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Congressman Keller releases video of conversation with border patrol agent:

“[Cartels] run people and then they’ll run dope behind it somewhere else.”

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) released the third installment of a candid conversation with a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a ride in El Paso in April. In the video, the agent explains that cartels control all aspects of travel across the border, using people to divert drug smuggling operations and other illicit activities.

(Click to watch)

Video transcript:

“If I was in Mexico and I wanted to cross over, I would have to pay a cartel to allow me to go across. I wouldn’t be able to just walk across because they’d beat me up or kill me.

“So even If I’m doing it independently, I have to pay a fee to do it. The reason they do that is because the more attention I draw to a certain area, they might not be able to use that to run their operations.

“They run dope and people simultaneously. They’ll run people and then they’ll run dope behind it somewhere else. Wherever the holes at.”

Cutting energy development in ANWR will make America weaker

 Washington, D.C. – Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today released the following statement on President Joe Biden suspending oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR):

“The fuel crisis that rocked the eastern seaboard last month illustrates the importance of investing in and securing American energy. Instead, President Biden dealt a major blow to America’s energy independence by banning responsible energy development in Alaska. Slashing domestic energy production does nothing to lessen its demand. It only serves to make our nation weaker and more dependent on foreign energy. Under President Trump, we experienced the benefits of an all-the-above energy economy: lower energy costs, family-sustaining wages, and strong national security. President Biden is putting politics over homegrown energy.”

Joins Oversight and Reform Committee Republicans in calling on Chairwoman Maloney to act

Washington, D.C. – This week, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) and House Oversight and Reform Committee Republicans sent a third letter to Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) demanding a hearing to address the growing crisis at the southern border. According to the U.S. Border Patrol, there were 178,622 border encounters in April alone, marking a 20-year high in illegal border crossings.

“As we noted in our previous letter, this Committee held multiple hearings during the Trump administration on the treatment of children at the border,” the letter to Maloney reads. “It is surprising that you have failed to schedule a hearing during the current border crisis created by the Biden administration, especially as conditions continue to deteriorate and more and more taxpayer funds are required. Even as you remain silent, members of your own party in both the Senate and the House have decried the Biden Administration’s response to the border crisis.”

On the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s letter, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement:

“In April, I traveled to the southern border and was stunned by the scope of the humanitarian and national security crisis unfolding due to the Biden administration’s detrimental immigration policies like halting border wall construction, ending the ’remain in Mexico’ policy, and functionally abolishing ICE. Now more than 50 days since my trip, the border crisis continues to worsen by the day as Vice President Harris—tapped by President Biden to lead the administration’s border efforts—has made no attempt to witness the crisis for herself. I urge Chairwoman Maloney to hold a hearing so we can get a clear answer from the Biden administration on what it plans to do to get this crisis under control.”

Read the full letter here.

Says Biden’s decision on Nord Stream 2 diminishes national security, energy independence 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) introduced the Protecting Our Wellbeing by Expanding Russian Sanctions Act or the POWERS Act, legislation that would immediately reinstate sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. In May, President Biden waived sanctions on Nord Stream 2, a gas pipeline that will supply Europe with Russian gas once completed.

On the bill, Congressman Keller made the following statement:

“At every turn, President Biden has worked to unravel America’s energy independence, resulting in skyrocketing energy costs, the elimination of family-sustaining energy jobs, and a weakened position on a global stage. After the Colonial Pipeline hack, the Biden administration faced an important decision: either invest in American energy and make it more secure or continue down a radical path that makes our nation reliant on energy from nations that do not have our best interests in mind. Unfortunately, the president’s decision to lift sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline—while simultaneously hampering domestic energy production—makes it clear where this administration stands. I’m proud to introduce the POWERS Act and prioritize American energy.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

BACKGROUND: In his first seven days in office, President Biden cancelled the Keystone XL pipeline, rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, and banned mining and drilling on federal lands, hindering America’s ability to produce energy domestically. 

On May 7, the Colonial Pipeline was hacked by Russian cybercriminals. The resulting fuel crisis highlighted the Biden administration’s failure to invest in domestic energy and safeguard it as critical infrastructure. On May 14, 2021, Congressman Keller sent a letter to President Biden calling on his administration to prioritize infrastructure projects like new pipelines and refineries to make American energy more secure.

In an effort to make the Office of Attorney General’s Community Drug Abuse Prevention (CDAP) grant program more accessible – the office has launched an online application form.  The CDAP program was created to foster parent and community groups in leading grassroots efforts to prevent the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse from harming Pennsylvanians, especially children and young adults.

Grant funding is available to help communities provide safe alternatives to drug and alcohol abuse, as well as fact-based education, prevention, or intervention efforts related to drug and alcohol abuse — including the violence and other consequences that these substances can cause.

Interested educators and community leaders can apply to CDAP at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/cdap/.

Photos: Samantha Wilson at Crosscutters game (left)

Charlie Manuel, Samantha Wilson and Larry Bowa (right)

By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Thursday morning, Samantha Wilson, former TalkWilliamsport.com intern announced on social media she has joined NBC Sports Philadelphia and the show “Down The Line w/ Charlie & Bo” which will air Saturday’s on NBC Sports Philadelphia beginning this weekend and air through early October.

The names mentioned include a pair of former Phillies managers in Charlie Manuel and Larry Bowa.

According to the Facebook post by Wilson:

Well guys, the news is OUT!! 🤩🤩 MY FIRST TV JOB! Never in a million years did I think I’d be making my TV debut w/ these two.. especially after a pandemic. A true “pinch me” moment. Check out new eps. of “Down The Line w/ Charlie & Bo” Saturday’s on NBCS Philly now through early October! 😌⚾️

Wilson interned for TalkWilliamsport.com while attending Lock Haven University.

She performed pre and post game interviews with Crosscutters players during live game broadcasts. She also contributed pre and post game interviews during game broadcasts with local high school and college football coaches and players.

According to Todd Bartley of TalkWilliamsport.com, “Sam has come along way since her intern days and been very successful early in her broadcast career. 97.5 The Fanatic morning show right out of college and now a regional sports network opportunity. It is very rewarding to see the skills she honed and developed in Williamsport being applied and realized on those big stages.” 

HARRISBURG — Graham Spanier, a former Penn State President who was previously found guilty of misdemeanor child endangerment over his handling of a 2001 complaint regarding Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse of a boy in the football team’s locker room, was ordered today by Judge John Boccabella, visiting senior judge from Berks County, to begin serving his sentence on July 9, 2021.

“Today marks the end of a long road towards justice for the children endangered by Mr. Spanier’s inaction— choosing to cover up the abuse at the hands of Jerry Sandusky rather than reporting it to law enforcement.

No one is above the law, and my office will continue to pursue anyone who looks the other way in the face of child sexual abuse. There are consequences for failing to protect children in Pennsylvania.”

-Attorney General Josh Shapiro

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.

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

A criminal charge of “false swearing” was filed against former WASD School Board member Marc Schefsky and a $5,000 bail was posted on May 4, 2021.

TalkWilliamsport.com obtained the criminal docket which shows Lycoming County Chief Detective Michael Simpler brining the charge forward based on the event taking place on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

According to the Marc Schefsky Charging Document 5-21-21, the “false swearing” occurred when Schefsky cast a ballot at the Lycoming College polling location while using his former address at the Genetti Hotel.

In reality, Schefsky was residing in Hughesville and had been for some time at the time of the incident.

The criminal charge stems largely from the February 26, 2021 TalkWilliamsprt.com exclusive; “Marc Schefsky WASD school board resignation could be the least of his issues“.

As the story showed and now the criminal charging documents reflect a Hughesville home address which has been redacted by Lycoming County Court Administration. The redactions are the standard practice of Lycoming County Court Administration.

The “false swearing” charge is graded as a misdemeanor 3 and carries with it 6 months to 1 year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

18 § 4903 §§ B. False swearing. (a) False swearing in official matters.–A person who makes a false statement under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of such a statement previously made, when he does not believe the statement to be true is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree if: (1) the falsification occurs in an official proceeding; or (2) the falsification is intended to mislead a public servant in performing his official function. (b) Other false swearing.–A person who makes a false statement under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of such a statement previously made, when he does not believe the statement to be true, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree, if the statement is one which is required by law to be sworn or affirmed before a notary or other person authorized to administer oaths.

On May 19, 2021, Schefsky appeared before Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle.

Schefsky is scheduled to be arraigned on June 7, 2021 by Judge Marc Lovecchio.

Judge Lovecchio recently announced his plans to step down from the bench.

Lycoming County Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

As a WASD board member, Marc Schefsky, played a significant role in renewing the contract of current WASD Superintendent Dr. Tim Bowers.

Schefsky resigned from the WASD school board with a letter on March 31, 2021.

Nancy Somers who previously resigned from the WASD school board by citing moving into a new home outside of the WASD has not moved into said residence as of this publication.

Dr. Bowers current contract expires on June 30, 2021. It is set to renew on July 1, 2021; unless rescinded by the current WASD school board.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Previous reporting on the WASD School Board by TalkWilliamsport.com:

Schefsky WASD School Board Resignation Letter obtained

Marc Schefsky, WASD School Board member announces intention to resign

WASD School Board major changes are forthcoming

WASD solicitor Fred Holland wants $20,000 retainer and a raise for ’21-’22

BREAKING NEWS: Resignations to be announced at the WASD School Board meeting tonight

Nancy Somers resigns from WASD school board

Residents circulate petition for immediate removal of Marc Schefsky from WASD school board

Lycoming County District Attorney office confirms receipt of Marc Schefsky non-WASD residency complaint

WASD School Board to discuss vacant board seat tonight

WASD School Board candidate petitions obtained, connections run deep

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today made the following statement in response to President Joe Biden waiving sanctions related to the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline:

“One of Joe Biden’s first moves as president was to undermine American energy independence by canceling the Keystone XL pipeline and the thousands of good-paying jobs it supported. Now, less than two weeks removed from a Russian cyberattack that crippled the American energy supply chain and led to fuel shortages up and down the East Coast, President Biden caved to Vladimir Putin, granting Russia his approval to move forward with its pipeline project. This hypocrisy illustrates just how little the Biden administration cares about American energy independence, good-paying jobs, and affordable energy. President Biden is not anti-pipeline, just anti-American pipeline.”