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.”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) recently supported various legislative initiatives to reaffirm his commitment to investing in Israel’s sovereignty and its people, including signing onto a letter to President Biden urging the administration to take actions to weaken Hamas and co-sponsoring a resolution that condemns Hamas’ transgressions against Israel.

In the letter led by Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), Keller called on President Biden to maintain U.S. security assistance to Israel and move to sanction Hamas for using civilians as human shields.

“We must work together to help our ally defend itself from Hamas and other threats, and to cut off the support to Hamas that enables it to kill and injure Israeli and Palestinian civilians,” the letter reads. “These attacks clearly demonstrate the critical importance of our security assistance to Israel, as agreed to in the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding. We urge you to uphold this commitment, and we continue to oppose any reductions in funding or added conditions on security assistance, which would be detrimental to Israel’s ability to defend itself against all threats, including the current assault.”

Read the full letter here.

Congressman Keller also co-sponsored Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s (NJ-2) resolution that recognizes Hamas’ actions as war crimes, reiterates the group’s designation as a terrorist organization, and expresses that the United States must continue to support Israel’s fight against terrorism.

Find full text of this legislation here.

In case you missed it, last week Keller co-sponsored a resolution introduced by Congressman Carlos Giménez (FL-26) that denounces the acts of terrorism committed by Hamas and reaffirms support for Israel.

Find full text of this legislation here.

On supporting Israel, Congressman Keller made the following statement:

“The terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians illustrate the need for America’s bipartisan support for the State of Israel. Unfortunately, some Democrats have continued to waver rather than joining the majority of Congress in coming to the aid of our strongest ally in the Middle East and the only democracy in the region. Hesitating to support Israel at this critical juncture not only jeopardizes its security—it sends a dangerous message to America’s strategic partners around the globe. The United States must reaffirm our support for Israel and work swiftly to aid its people.”

Photo Courtesy PCN

(HARRISBURG) – State Senator Gene Yaw issued the following statement after Governor Wolf renewed the state’s COVID-19 emergency declaration for 21 days:

“As we wait for the final election results to be certified, today marks the first step to returning checks and balances to the Commonwealth’s long-term emergencies.  We are now operating under the rules established when the people of Pennsylvania voted to amend the state Constitution. 

“The General Assembly is now receiving information from Governor Wolf that had previously not been shared. That information allows us to make better informed decisions as we move forward to implement the will of the people. 

“I will work with my colleagues and the administration to ensure that the Commonwealth continues to be eligible to receive the federal funding that is supporting our economic recovery from COVID-19 and other valuable programs, which are relied upon by Pennsylvanians.”

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania voters passed the two amendments to the state Constitution that were designed to improve the way the state responds to future emergencies. One limits an emergency declaration to 21 days unless the General Assembly approves a longer duration. The other clarifies that the governor will not be able to unilaterally veto legislative action that ends the declaration.

Photo: Lycoming County Commissioners Rick Mirabito, Scott Metzger, Tony Mussare, Administrative Manager Lycoming County Commissioners, Eileen Ebner and Lycoming County Controller, Krista Rogers.

By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

On April 26, 2021, the Lycoming County Commissioners filed a “Motion for Contempt” against Lycoming County Controller Krista Rogers.

The motion seeks; two reassigned employees to relocate to Office of Budget & Finance, cease and desist from performing payroll, accounts payable and general ledger functions through the Controller’s office and transfer those functions to the Office of Budget & Finance.

It also seeks attorney fees and costs from the Controller.

Senior Judge John B. Leete from Potter County will hear from the parties on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in a Lycoming County courtroom.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today introduced the Saving Hypodermic injections and Offering vaccines to Taxpayers Swiftly (SHOTS) Act with original co-sponsors Congressman Mike Kelly (PA-16) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01).

Starting today, all adults in the United States are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. In this eligibility, the Biden administration is welcoming illegal aliens to receive shots, per a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in February, which would delay Americans and other taxpayers from accessing the vaccine.

As the crisis at the southern border continues to worsen, the SHOTS Act would instruct DHS to ensure that American citizens and lawful permanent residents are given priority to receive the COVID-19 vaccine over those visiting or who have entered the United States illegally.

Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA):

“While I’m glad that more Americans are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, I am troubled that the Biden administration is giving taxpayer-funded vaccines to illegal aliens. While preventing community spread remains a priority, the current guidance for COVID-19 vaccines only serves to further incentivize individuals to break the law and enter the United States illegally, compounding the crisis at the southern border which the Biden administration has yet to address. Americans have invested trillions in COVID-19 relief, which includes funds for vaccine development, distribution, and administration. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure that America’s COVID-19 vaccines are going into the arms of American taxpayers first.”

Background:

Last week, Congressman Keller joined Ranking Member James Comer (KY-01), Congresswoman Yvette Herrell (NM-02), and six other Republican members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee on a trip to the southern border to see first-hand the crisis currently unfolding and understand how it is impacting our nation.

Members of the National Border Patrol Council informed the delegation that an estimated 60,000 individuals have illegally entered the United States and evaded capture in the last two months.

According to DHS, in March of 2021:

• CBP encountered over 172,000 illegal immigrants at the southwest border, the highest monthly total in 15 years and an increase of 400% compared to March 2020.
• CBP encountered nearly 19,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs), an increase of 486% compared to March 2020.
• CBP encountered more than 53,000 family units at the southwest border, an increase of 1056% compared to March 2020.

Full text of this legislation is attached.

By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

TalkWilliamsport.com filed Right to Know Law appeals with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records after the Williamsport Area School District again denied and redacted records related to the 2018 “criminal sexual misconduct” incident in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina during the WAHS baseball team trip.

ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was recently charged in the case by South Carolina law enforcement authorities.

In one instance, the WASD provided a “room assignment” email that had been requested three years ago. The WASD Open Records Officer Wanda Erb claimed on multiple occasions “no records exist.”

Five appeals were filed and a sixth appeal is forthcoming seeking the full release of clearly public records in possession of the Williamsport Area School District.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photo: Lycoming County Commissioners Rick Mirabito, Scott Metzger, Tony Mussare, Administrative Manager Lycoming County Commissioners, Eileen Ebner and Lycoming County Controller, Krista Rogers.

By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

On Thursday, the Lycoming County Commissioners issued a press release titled “Transfer of Financial Functions”.

It was released in response to “Caught in the Middle” an in-depth report by TalkWilliamsport.com.

The press release from Lycoming County Commissioners Rick Mirabito, Scott Metzger and Tony Mussare reads as follows:

“We offer these thoughts in response to the Controller’s attempt to politicize our recent personnel actions. As Commissioners, we have dedicated ourselves to providing efficient and effective government functions to the taxpayers of this County. That was our sole motivation for transferring a few employees and their related functions back to the County’s fiscal department (now called the Office of Budget and Finance), where they were capably handled for years.

It is an unfortunate reality that these functions were and are not being performed timely or competently under the Controller’s supervision. In fact, repeated errors in basic things such as processing payroll and continued failures to produce reports and year-end entries on time evidenced this poor performance.

Two years ago, the Controller argued that the now transferred functions should be placed under her jurisdiction. The Commissioners agreed to do so with the expectation that the transfer would be seamless and have no effect on County government and County taxpayers. Plainly put, that expectation has not been fulfilled, despite the two years the Controller has had to absorb the functions and debug any problems.

And so it has become apparent to the Commissioners that they need to transfer, at least for now, these functions back to where they were capably handled for many years, to protect the County, its employees, and its citizens. The Controller claims that this action is illegal, but the Commissioners believe otherwise. While the courts may need to resolve that contest, what is beyond dispute is this — the transferred functions that were not competently handled by the Controller will now be done well and timely.”

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.