The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records along with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro will now have the opportunity to determine if Wanda Erb committed perjury or swore out false statements to a state agency in Right to Know Law responses in her role as the RTKL Officer for the Williamsport Area School District.

For nearly three full years, through a blizzard of very simply worded Right to Know Law requests, TalkWilliamsport.com has sought records relevant to the 2018 WAHS baseball trip in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where “criminal sexual misconduct” has been proven to have occurred and it was captured on video.

Recently, ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1  was criminally charged by South Carolina authorities in the 2018 baseball team incident.

The WASD early on developed a strategy to deny access to clearly public records making arguments that have been proven over time to be patently false in order to keep the records secret.

After nearly three full years of continually asking for a “room assignment” list, a multitude of appeals, previous records mediation sessions and attorneys involved on both sides; the dam burst today with a record that was always in the possession of the WASD.

THEY LIED!

This story contains graphic language and details related to multiple indecent sexual assaults.

The following article contains emails and information obtained from the Williamsport Area School District through the PA Right-to-Know Law.

Why did WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe wait 12 days after the Childline call was made in May 2018 to open an investigation into what WASD Solicitor Fred Holland characterized as “indecent and inappropriate behavior”?

The incident in Myrtle beach during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip was later confirmed by Lycoming County District Attorney to be “criminal sexual misconduct” of which ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was charged for.

As Brandon Pardoe said in part in an email sent on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 2:24 PM to then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller and copied to WASD Athletic Director Sean McCann with the Subject: Stryker and the no trespass letter attached;

“Ryan,

Thank you for your patience as we went through the proper channels

to hopefully curtail this unacceptable behavior.”

What does Pardoe mean when he says “we went through the proper channels”?

Is this not standard procedure in the Williamsport Area School District?

Based on the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro investigation of the WASD handling of the Myrtle Beach incident; it appears going “through the proper channels” is not standard procedure.

Ryan Miller resigned as WAHS head baseball coach on Friday, April 20, 2018, citing family reasons as noted in this story and exactly 14 days from the “No Trespass” letter SRO Jordan Stoltzfus hand delivered to Ricky Stryker.

Let us now explore the less than 72-hour window of time the WASD dealt with the perceived Ricky Stryker threat.

From: Ryan Miller
Date: April 3, 2018 at 3:04:54 PM EDT
To: Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>, Brandon Pardoe <bpardoe@wasd.org>
Cc: jstolzf@wasd.org
Subject: Ricky Stryker situation

“Dear Brandon and Sean,

I would like to thank you Dr. Pardoe for your immediate response to my concerns upon arriving home from Myrtle Beach, as well as you taking the initiative to meet with Mr. Stryker on your own time. It is greatly appreciated by myself and the coaching staff.

I attached SRO Stoltzfus to this email for elaboration on the Ricky Stryker situation. First off, SRO Stoltzfus, I want to thank you for your attention to this issue.

I understand that all three of you will be involved in the outcome of this issue therefore I wanted all of you to know where the WSD coaching staff and I stand.

Due to Ricky Stryker’s past aggressive actions towards the baseball coaching staff and recent personal threats towards myself I believe it is extremely important for him to be swiftly banned from all WSD events home or away. 

This issue has been discussed amongst all coaches and we as a baseball staff, WSD representatives, and protectors of our athletes do not need the distraction, nor the fear of being approached physically by a known aggressive problem maker.

For an individual who approached coaches in the past and threatens them via social media the coaching staff and I do not believe simply telling him he can’t be there will be enough. Although his father has been supportive, his father has advised him before not to conduct himself in this way and he has not listened. Therefore, simply believing someone saying he won’t be around the team or threaten us is irrelevant.

I understand there is a process that needs to take place amongst administrators. I understand I can only suggest an outcome.

As the leader of the WSD baseball team and the individual entrusted to not only run the baseball program but have our athletes best interest in mind

I felt it is important for all of you to hear this suggestion that I have presented above.

I would also like to ask the athletic department to personally discuss once again with the parents about proper conduct at sporting events and how to represent the WASD in a positive manner.

Negative comments from any parent or fan towards coaching staff and players is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately after the representation that was observed in Myrtle beach. If any person is considered unruly the same request will be made to have them removed permanently from sporting events. The coaching staff has been proactive in creating posters that will be displayed on the fences down at Logue and Winder Field and I would ask that the same be done on the athletic departments behalf in whatever form you see fit.

SRO Stoltzfus I also understand you may need to contact me regarding my personal safety outside of WSD related events. I will do whatever you need me to do to get this handled. I appreciate everything you do and thank you.

I appreciate everyone’s time in regards to this matter.

Sincerely
Ryan Miller
Sent from my iPhone”

When then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller said in his own words; “Due to Ricky Stryker’s past aggressive actions towards the baseball coaching staff and recent personal threats towards myself I believe it is extremely important for him to be swiftly banned from all WSD events home or away”; does the same standard apply to “indecent and inappropriate behavior” and “criminal sexual misconduct” of which ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 committed on another teammate during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach?

Does the same standard apply to ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 since Miller said; “This issue has been discussed amongst all coaches and we as a baseball staff, WSD representatives, and protectors of our athletes do not need the distraction, nor the fear of being approached physically by a known aggressive problem maker.

How does then head coach Miller have any understanding of an outcome in the Stryker matter (unless Pardoe had already determined it; again)?

“I understand there is a process that needs to take place amongst administrators. I understand I can only suggest an outcome.”

Miller fully accepts his responsibility as the WAHS head baseball coach; “As the leader of the WSD baseball team and the individual entrusted to not only run the baseball program but have our athletes best interest in mind.”

What about the player’s safety and well being instead of “best interest”; what does Miller even mean by saying that?

EDITOR’S NOTE: A mere 6-seconds after sending the “Subject: Ricky Stryker situation” email above; then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller forwards the message to volunteer assistant coach Randy Zangara as noted below.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ryan Miller
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 3:05 PM
To: Randy Zangara
Subject: Fwd: Ricky Stryker situation
Sent from my iPhone

Former WASD administrator Randy Zangara has consistently denied any involvement in any WASD investigations.

Why would Ryan Miller forward Zangara the message and not the rest of the WASD baseball coaching staff?

Further understanding can be gleaned in “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” – PART II:

ZANGARA REFUSES COMMENT

As previously outlined in their responses, WASD placed Randy Zangara in Myrtle Beach at the time of the alleged incidents in March 2018.

Talk Williamsport made attempts to reach Dr. Randy Zangara to discuss the phone calls referenced in this story, Dr. Zangara offered the following e-mail response from his Penn College e-mail account:  <REDACTED @pct.edu>, on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 12:43 PM

Hello Mr. Bartley,

I heard that you have both called and physically stopped by Penn College to talk with me. I am requesting that you do not contact me via phone, at work, home, or for that matter anywhere else. I presume you are wanting to ask questions about a trip that occurred in the Williamsport School District that I was not on. If in fact that is the case you must understand I will not engage in conversations pertaining to investigations I was not involved with.

Thank you Randy J. Zangara, Ed.D., Pennsylvania College of Technology

Dean of College Transitions and First Year Initiatives

Mr. Zangara in his statement says,

“I presume you are wanting to ask questions about a trip that occurred in the Williamsport School District that I was not on. If in fact that is the case you must understand I will not engage in conversations pertaining to investigations I was not involved with.”

Yet, in the WASD RTKL response to Talk Williamsport WASD does not flatly deny the request with “the records do not exist”.

10. (Erroneously numbered as 8) Notes taken by Randy Zangara during interviews with students, parents, and staff— First, it is assumed that your request seeks notes pertaining only to the alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip. That request is denied because these records relate to a non-criminal investigation, constitute notes by a public official for his own use, and/or identify a child then aged 17 or younger or denied because the records do not exist.

WASD further offered the following with Wanda Erb in the October 8, 2019 affidavit:

8. Regarding Requestor’s sixth request, I conducted a thorough examination of files in the possession, custody and control of the Agency for records responsive to the request. This entailed contacting the Agency’s cellular phone provider and inquiring whether the text of any text message could be recovered as of the date of the request. The provider informed me that the contents of the messages could not be obtained without a court order. The provider was able to produce call and text logs for a certain time period for those district employees whose bills were paid by the district during the course of their employment, including Brandon Pardoe, Sean McCann and Randy Zangara. Further, I reviewed the text messages then existing on the phone of Brandon Pardoe and Sean McCann with their existence. I found nothing responsive to the request.

When asked if I could conduct a similar review with Mr. Randy Zangara.

Mr. Zangara declined.

Penn College currently employs Randy Zangara as Dean of College Transitions and First Year Initiatives. Zangara was formerly the career and technical education director for the WASD.

HEAD COACH RYAN MILLER RESIGNS CITING FAMILY REASONS

A number of fact witnesses have shared with Talk Williamsport that Head Coach Ryan Miller along with then volunteer statistician Randy Zangara showed up for the night game on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 as Holy Redeemer played Williamsport at Bowman Field – heavily intoxicated.

Fact witnesses stated that the brother of Ryan Miller was so disgusted with the situation, he left.  Fact witnesses also stated Zangara blamed it on a bad reaction to cough syrup.

Ryan Miller & Randy Zangara had 15 phone calls with each other the next day on Thursday, April 19, 2018 beginning at 7:13 a.m. through 6:46 p.m. totaling more than 90 minutes.

The brother of Ryan Miller had multiple phone conversations with Randy Zangara the same day.

Brandon Pardoe & Randy Zangara had a phone call Friday, April 20, 2018 at 3:20 p.m. and at 3:55 p.m. later that same day Zangara received a call from Ryan Miller lasting 4 minutes.

Ryan Miller submitted a typed and signed letter of resignation to WASD on Friday, April 20, 2018 citing family reasons.

The WASD School Board accepted the resignation of Ryan Miller on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

WAHS head principal makes a Request on Thursday, April 05, 2018 at 3:40 PM as noted below:

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 3:40 PM
To: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>; Richard Poole <rpoole@wasd.org>
Cc: Susan A. Neidig <sneidig@wasd.org>; Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>; Ryan Miller; Jordan Stoltzfus <jstoltzf@wasd.org>
Subject: Request

“Dr. Bowers and Dr. Poole:

I am writing to express my concern over the attached “FB Direct Message” that was sent to our head baseball coach at WAHS, Mr. Ryan Miller from Ricky Stryker. Ricky Stryker has two younger brothers on the team who are integral to the success of the team. Ricky Stryker sent this message to Coach Miller while the team was on their annual trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. Ricky Stryker was not present at the tournament in Myrtle Beach. Ricky Stryker verbally attacked the coaching staff last year at a district playoff game at Bucknell University. Also, Ricky Stryker is well known by the WBP for his actions in the community. It is my recommendation that we do not permit Ricky Stryker to attend WAHS baseball games as a spectator as he would be a distraction for the players, coaching staff, fans, and community. The innuendos and language used by Ricky Stryker is not a reflection of the program or school that we want to permit. This request is being made for the protection of our student athletes and school employees. I have been in touch with Ricky Stryker’s father, Rick Stryker, Sr. who is appalled with this message that his 36 year old son sent to the coach of his younger son on the team. He is aware of the request. Any assistance by using Mr. Holland, WASD Solicitor, to notify Mr. Stryker would be a proactive measure to avoid a possible conflict at an upcoming competition. 

Thank you for your consideration in protecting our students and employees. If I can provide you with any further information about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Brandon Pardoe
WAHS Head Principal”

Based on the information provided in the WASD email exchanges the Ricky Stryker Message was sent Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 9:16 a.m. and was liked by Stryker at 4:21 p.m. the same day and reads as follows:

Look you better get your fucking shit together iMessage you personally because I don’t like the way you;re fucking dealing with shit if you fuck up both my little brothers chances at college there’s gonna be a big fucking problem between me and you and when I see you I will approach you you’re a fucking horrible coach dude if you have anything to say don’t go to my mom don’t go to my dad you come to fucking me understand

From: Timothy Bowers [mailto:tbowers@wasd.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 3:49 PM
To: Fred Holland <fholland@mbhlaw.com>
Subject: FW: Request

“Hi Fred,
Would you please review and let me know your thoughts?
Tim”
Dr. Timothy S. Bowers
Superintendent of Schools
Williamsport Area School District

From: Fred Holland [mailto:fholland@mbhlaw.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 4:00 PM
To: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>
Subject: RE: Request

“Hi Tim,
I think I should send him a no trespass letter.
Do we know his address?
The last few letters, Jordan has hand delivered. That might also be worthwhile for this one, if he’s willing.
If you want me to send a letter, get me the address, and I’ll get it out, for hand delivery by Jordan, or by certified mail.
If you want to talk it through, please call.
Best,
Fred”
Fred A. Holland
Murphy, Butterfield, & Holland, P.C.
442 William Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
Ph: 570-326-6505 Fax: 570-326-0437

From: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 5:01 PM
To: Brandon Pardoe <bpardoe@wasd.org>
Subject: FW: Request

“Can you get me his address?”

Dr. Timothy S. Bowers
Superintendent of Schools
Williamsport Area School District

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Jordan Stoltzfus
Subject: FW: Request

“Jordan,
Can you get me an address for Ricky Stryker?
Brandon”

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Timothy Bowers
Subject: Re: Request

“I will request from Jordan and he mentioned that he is willing to hand deliver.”

>‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
>From: Brandon Pardoe
>Sent: Friday, April 06, 2018 2:24 PM
>To: Ryan Miller
>Cc: Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>
>Subject: Stryker
>
>Ryan,
>
>Attached is the copy of the letter that Fred Holland, WASD Solicitor, composed to send to Ricky Stryker. Officer
Stoltzfus is going to hand deliver and we will mail a copy to him via US Mail.
>
>It is imperative that regardless as to what he may post or attempt to provoke you that you do not respond. I have spoken to both of Ricky’s parents and informed them of our course of action as a district. We will continue to support you and the coaching staff. Thank you for your patience as we went through the proper channels to hopefully curtail this unacceptable behavior.
>
>If anything else arises, please do not hesitate to bring it to my attention.
>
>Brandon Pardoe
>WAHS Head Principal

Holland Letter to Stryker 4-6-18 banning him from campus facilities dated April 6, 2018.

On 4/6/18, 2:35 PM, “Sean McCann” <smccann@wasd.org> wrote:
>I know it’s verbiage, but Fred’s letter states that he cannot be on any property owned by WASD, we don’t own Logue Field, we lease it, does that matter?

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Friday, April 6, 2018 2:42 PM
To: Sean McCann
Subject: Re: Stryker

no

Lingering questions remain after the WASD Right-to-Know Law disclosures; why if WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe was aware of Stryker’s bad behavior a year earlier, why did it fall to Ryan Miller to suggest a ban from WASD property?

If Randy Zangara has nothing to do with anything related to “investigations” is Ryan Miller sending him a narrative email with granular details?

Why is the public perception from outside the WASD that situational outcomes are pre-determined based on race and socio-economic status?

Why after almost three plus years of Right-to-Know Law requests and WASD disclosures; Ryan Miller and the rest of the WAHS baseball coaching staff is unable to share which hotels and what room numbers they stayed in?

Has the WASD decided to now use former WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller as the scapegoat for the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip where “criminal sexual misconduct” occurred and ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 has been recently charged?

How is Ricky Stryker banned from the WASD with no crime of a sexual nature against a child and not on any “lists”; and yet other community members are giving unlimited access to campus without submitting to background checks?

Or is it just another pre-determined WASD outcome?

Is it any wonder why WASD school board members are resigning for any reason they find suitable?

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

“The Beginning of the End” – is forthcoming.

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

TalkWilliamsport.com has obtained the letter Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture sent State Senator Doug Mastriano denying access to the PPE stockpile housed at the PA Farm Show complex.

The PA Farm Show complex is located across the street from the Department of Agriculture.

The March 24, 2021 letter reads as follows:

The Honorable Doug Mastriano

Senate of Pennsylvania

Senate Box 203033172

Main Capitol Bldg.

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3033

Dear Senator Mastriano:

Thank you for reaching out regarding the Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) maintained at the Farm Show Complex.

Since March 2020 the Commonwealth has fulfilled every legitimate needs’request submitted for PPE and there are no unmet needs requests at this time. We have pushed out close to 6.3 million N95 masks, more than 1.2 million gowns, more than 3.5 million procedure masks, close to 16.7 million gloves, more than 1.5 million face shields, and close to 1.4 million bottles of hand sanitizer. Most recently, the commonwealth storage area has managed the receipt and redistribution of several million masks for the educational sector, where we worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Intermediate Units to provide these masks to schools. PPE currently is shipped out as needed to support vaccination sites across the state.

Any supplies purchased with state funds are reimbursable through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Costs for PPE are high and as the Commonwealth uses FEMA funds to purchase, we follow that agency’s guidance on the distribution of PPE. In your letter, you mentioned that there may be eligible entities that need PPE. If you would please identify those entities and provide me with their contact information, we will reach out to them.

The PPE inventory is part of preparation for this pandemic and any future needs associated with it or other emergencies. As we have done since the beginning, it is necessary to maintain appropriate security for these essential goods.

Accordingly, we are unable to grant you access to the Farm Show Complex at this time.

Sincerely,

Russell C. Redding

Secretary

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

CC: Governor Tom Wolf

Alison Beam, Acting Secretary of Health

David (Randy) Padfield, Director PEMA

Troy Thompson,Press Secretary, Department of General Services

Joseph Jacob, Superintendent, Capitol Police

Stephen Rudman, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies & PPE sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

On background, the talking points included in the letter sent by Department of Agriculture, Secretary Russell C. Redding mirrors what Shannon Powers, Press Secretary for the PA Department of Agriculture provided the following to TalkWilliamsport.com in response to the PPE stockpile WHISTLEBLOWER story.

“The Wolf Administration used the summer months to prepare for a fall resurgence that would – and did – significantly tax the healthcare sector. Part of this strategy was to acquire a significant stockpile that could be used to assist healthcare facilities who were unable to acquire these products through their normal supply chains, such as we saw during the spring surge of COVID-19. As the global supply chain for these products has been limited at times, the Administration has had to look at alternative vendors, including some from overseas; however, all products that are purchased for this stockpile have been vetted by federal partners and are either approved or authorized for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. This has resulted in the Administration having significantly more PPE on hand to assist those who need it than we had prior to COVID-19. Further, at this time, costs related to maintaining this stockpile of PPE supplies are being covered by the State and are reimbursable by Federal disaster relief funds.

We continue to push PPE to those who need and request it and will work to ensure we keep our stockpile filled to prepare for a future surge, for future COVID-19 vaccination efforts, or even a future public health emergency.

The Administration has also pushed out significant quantities of PPE to those facilities that need it. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the commonwealth has provided millions of N95 and procedure masks, gloves, gowns, face shields and bottles of hand sanitizer to facilities that need it across the state. We require that facilities first attempt to procure these products through their own supply chain, but in the event that PPE such as masks, gowns, face shields, gloves or hand sanitizer is unable to be procured, a resource request would be submitted for review and if appropriate, PEMA and the Department of Health collaborate to deliver the requested supplies. The commonwealth stockpile is used in the event that other suppliers do not have the necessary items and all other potential sources have been exhausted.

We have pushed out close to 6.3 million N95 masks, more than 1.2 million gowns, more than 3.5 procedure masks, close to 16.7 million gloves, more than 1.5 million face shields, and close to 1.4 million bottles of hand sanitizer from the stockpile.

Pennsylvanians need to continue social distancing, wearing masks, and doing all of the things that we know help to keep us safe – that’s the best way to protect yourself and your family, but it also protects our health care workers.”

The same talking points were used by Lyndsey Kensinger, Press Secretary for Governor Wolf in a story by ABC27.

According to ABC27, a task force to relocate the PPE stockpile is being developed, “There’s a sense of urgency. We need to open up the Farm Show because it makes money for the economy. When visitors come, they stay at hotels and eat at restaurants,” Rep. Patty Kim, (D-Dauphin) said.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com in conjunction with 21-time Emmy Award winning journalist Wendy Bell and the Wendy Bell Radio Show on WJAS-AM 1320.

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

Marc Schefsky, WASD School Board member announced he intends to tender his resignation in the coming days citing a serious family health concern with his father in Florida.

The WASD School Board was beginning the process of filling the open seat caused by the sudden resignation of Nancy Somers when Schefsky made his announcement during the meeting tonight.

For individuals seeking to fill either seat, applications will be made available by the Williamsport Area School District.

The due date announced in the meeting tonight is April 8, 2021.

The WASD School Board also voted to move their next meeting from Tuesday, April 6, 2021 to the following Tuesday, April 13, 2021 which will be held in the Williamsport Area High School Auditorium with CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.

Each applicant will be interviewed in-person during the meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

When reached Tuesday evening, the office of Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner declined further comment.

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

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

“The Beginning of the End” – is forthcoming.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

(Photos: Derek Ortiz father of Skylar Ortiz Liu (Top), Jian Liu (Left))

TODD BARTLEY, TALKWILLIAMSPORT.COM

NEWS@TALKWILLIAMSPORT.COM

For one father who served his nation faithfully, the unimaginable has happened, his daughter Skylar Ortiz Liu has been kidnapped by her mother and taken to China.

Derek Ortiz is the father of Skylar Ortiz Liu and was in the process of getting a second divorce from his wife Jian Liu and mother of Skylar when the unthinkable happened.

Jian Liu is a Chinese national and up until Labor Day weekend was residing in the United States.

It has been confirmed that Jian Liu took Skylar Ortiz Liu out of the country against her will over the 2020 Labor Day weekend.

Derek Ortiz was granted visitation to see his daughter each weekend as part of a custody agreement both parties had accepted on January 23, 2020 and signed by Cumberland County District Judge Presiding Toni S. King on January 26, 2020.

The Order issued with specific instructions by Judge King stated that Skylar “was not to leave the country.”

Filed Order Review IED and Not Remove Child – Ortiz, D

However as court documents indicate Jian Liu previously violated those keeping Ortiz occupied in court with motions and additional filings.

Ortiz is represented by Attorney Angela M. Hatley; and in August of 2019 he shared his fears of his wife returning to China with his daughter.

Based on those concerns Attorney Hatley filed for emergency custody on behalf of Ortiz.

At the time of the filings in August 2019 Jian Liu had kept Skylar away from Ortiz for 42 days, contempt motions against Liu were also filed.

Contacted for this story, attorney Angela M. Hatley offered the following, 

“Mr Ortiz and his daughter are so bonded and he is such a great dad.

I pray that President Trump and those capable officials in his administration will be able to bring Skylar home to Fayetteville and her father soon.  

It is really a tragedy that a mother would be so nefarious as to remove the child from her father and this country in violation of court orders and federal and state kidnapping statutes.”

On Sunday evening, September 13, 2020, Derek Ortiz sat down for an interview with this author to discuss the kidnapping of his daughter.

It is accessible by clicking here and entering Passcode: *+4mqi9a

Currently, China is a non-extradition country with the United States.

THE TIMELINE

Ortiz having not received his daughter at the prescribed time on Friday of the Labor Day holiday weekend he contacted attorney Hatley who in turn contacted counsel for Jian Liu to see if a resolution could be worked out for visitation.

Jian Liu was non-responsive to the multitude of calls and texts made by Ortiz.

Ortiz and Hatley then contacted local local law enforcement who did a wellness check on Skylar; only to find where she had been staying with her mother had been abandoned and deserted.

Ortiz was overcome with emotions.

Because it was a long holiday weekend, the next available day for the North Carolina courts was Tuesday after Labor Day.

That day, a motion for emergency custody was filed for Ortiz by Hatley.

Order_-_Emer_Custody_ds_9.11.20

The same day, Attorney Victoria Gillispie Hardin withdrew as counsel for Liu on the basis of “loss of contact” with her client.

Both motions were granted.

Derek Ortiz discovered evidence in 2019 that in 2017 while separated from his wife, she was involved in the operation of an Asian prostitution ring. At that time, those details and evidentiary materials were provided to law enforcement and the FBI.

To date, no charges have been filed in that aspect of the case.

Derek Ortiz is a retired US Army Specialist having served at home and abroad, stationed at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina at the time of his medical retirement.

More on his service and areas he served in will be provided in PART II of this series.

This author has confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is urgently looking into the case and the Department of State is also involved.

Contact information for elected officials has been provided below.

President Biden
White House switchboard at 202-456-1414
The comments line at 202-456-1111

Email: president@whitehouse.gov

Vice President Harris
White House switchboard at 202-456-1414
The comments line at 202-456-1111
comment page: www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

NC Senator Thom Tillis

202-224-6342

NC Senator Richard Burr

202-224-3154

NC Congressman Richard Hudson

Washington Office: 202-225-3715

NC Office: 910-997-2070

NC State Senators

Kirk DeViere – Office Phone: 919-733-5776

Email: Kirk.deViere@ncleg.gov

Legislative Assistant: Grayson Barnette

Ben Clark – Office Phone: 919-733-9349

Email: Ben.Clark@ncleg.gov

Legislative Assistant: Dion Clark

NC State Representatives

Marvin Lucas – Phone: 910-497-2733

Email: Marvin.Lucas@ncleg.gov

Legislative Assistant: Thelma Utley

William Richardson – Phone: 910-488-5050

Email: William.Richardson@ncleg.gov

Legislative Assistant: Leigh Lawrence

John Szoka – Phone: 910-583-2960

Email: John.Szoka@ncleg.gov

Military Experience: US Army, 1976-96, Retired LTC

Legislative Assistant: Beverly Slagle

Diane Wheatley – Phone: 919-733-5959

Email: Diane.Wheatley@ncleg.gov

Legislative Assistant: Al Wheatley

More on this story as information is made available.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

“The Wolf Administration used the summer months to prepare for a fall resurgence that would – and did – significantly tax the healthcare sector. Part of this strategy was to acquire a significant stockpile that could be used to assist healthcare facilities who were unable to acquire these products through their normal supply chains, such as we saw during the spring surge of COVID-19. As the global supply chain for these products has been limited at times, the Administration has had to look at alternative vendors, including some from overseas; however, all products that are purchased for this stockpile have been vetted by federal partners and are either approved or authorized for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. This has resulted in the Administration having significantly more PPE on hand to assist those who need it than we had prior to COVID-19. Further, at this time, costs related to maintaining this stockpile of PPE supplies are being covered by the State and are reimbursable by Federal disaster relief funds.

We continue to push PPE to those who need and request it and will work to ensure we keep our stockpile filled to prepare for a future surge, for future COVID-19 vaccination efforts, or even a future public health emergency.

The Administration has also pushed out significant quantities of PPE to those facilities that need it. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the commonwealth has provided millions of N95 and procedure masks, gloves, gowns, face shields and bottles of hand sanitizer to facilities that need it across the state. We require that facilities first attempt to procure these products through their own supply chain, but in the event that PPE such as masks, gowns, face shields, gloves or hand sanitizer is unable to be procured, a resource request would be submitted for review and if appropriate, PEMA and the Department of Health collaborate to deliver the requested supplies. The commonwealth stockpile is used in the event that other suppliers do not have the necessary items and all other potential sources have been exhausted.

We have pushed out close to 6.3 million N95 masks, more than 1.2 million gowns, more than 3.5 procedure masks, close to 16.7 million gloves, more than 1.5 million face shields, and close to 1.4 million bottles of hand sanitizer from the stockpile.

Pennsylvanians need to continue social distancing, wearing masks, and doing all of the things that we know help to keep us safe – that’s the best way to protect yourself and your family, but it also protects our health care workers.”

As a point of clarity, Powers confirmed that no COVID-19 vaccine is being stored in the PPE stockpile or at the Farm Show complex; “Those administering vaccines need PPE.”

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

On Wednesday afternoon, Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano was denied access to view the massive PPE stockpile at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

Multiple attempts were made by Senator Mastriano to gain access by contacting Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and PEMA Director Randy Penfield, to no avail.

Mastriano serves on the PA Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

Mastriano inquired after the explosive allegations and photos emerged in “WHISTELBLOWER: COVID-19 Stockpile sits idle while demand for supplies surges”.

Instead, Shannon Powers, Press Secretary for the PA Department of Agriculture sent an email to TalkWilliamsport.com “Just to confirm, a tour of the Farm Show Complex will not be possible today. The complex is closed to the public, and we have not done in-person media interviews of any kind for several months. We plan to host media tours sometime later this year when renovations to the complex are complete, and if health and safety considerations permit.”

When Powers says, “later this year when renovations to the complex are complete, and if health and safety considerations permit”; does that mean the construction crews are not members of the general public?

Does that mean, they too are denied access to the PPE stockpile inside the Farm Show Complex?

Why all the secrecy surrounding the PPE stockpile at the Farm Show Complex by the Wolf administration?

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

Senator Mastriano went on the record exclusively with Todd Bartley of TalkWilliamsport.com after being denied access after waiting nearly two hours for a response from members of the Wolf Administration with oversight of the PPE stockpile as well as the Farm Show Complex.

Sen. Mastriano at PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center.

Messages sent to the press offices of Governor Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam have thus far gone unanswered.

When contacted for this story fellow PA Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee member, State Senator Gene Yaw declined comment; but sent word “we shared your article with our Emergency Preparedness Committee.” 

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

According to a Pennsylvania state employee identified only as WHISTELBLOWER; claims the COVID-19 supply stockpile currently housed at the PA Farm Show complex in Harrisburg, sits idle while demand for supplies surges across the Commonwealth.

If history is any guide, Governor Wolf and his administration of their own admission have been at the forefront of the pandemic response as well as securing an abundance of critical supplies for the medical community.

According to exclusive photos obtained for this story; so well in fact, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of those supplies are stacked in some instances three pallets high inside the PA Farm Show complex.

An estimated 15,000 pallets are currently being stored including body bags, masks, face shield, gloves, hand sanitizer and other PPE supplies.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

The WHISTELBLOWER will appear on the Wendy Bell Radio Show today and will provide granular details beginning at 11:06 a.m., a link is provided here.

At 11:30 a.m., PA State Senator and potential gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano joins Wendy Bell with real time reaction to this developing story.

BACKGROUND

Going back in time to last March 26, 2020, ahead of a press availability at 2 p.m. today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that he will spend up to $50 million in transferred state funding to purchase medical equipment and supplies for hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency workers to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania.

“We need more beds, more ventilators, more personal protective equipment, and so much more and we need it as soon as possible because the virus is here,” Gov. Wolf said. “I am working to get this funding moving as quickly as I can. We need to do everything we can to support our front-line medical workers to protect them and ensure they have the equipment to care for patients. This funding is a step in the right direction.”

The $50 million in funding will be deposited into a restricted account under the governor’s jurisdiction and funds will be used if there are insufficient funds available from the disaster proclamation

“to buy medical equipment and supplies for health care entities to meet urgent patient and

staff needs to address surge demand. Health care entities include hospitals,

nursing facilities and emergency medical services”

according to the legislation – House Bill 1232.

The governor is expected to sign the bill tomorrow.

“As we continue to navigate uncharted waters with COVID-19, it is vital that we provide assistance to the healthcare professionals leading the fight during this public health epidemic,” Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman said. “In Pennsylvania, we worked together to dedicate this money to help those who are waging this extraordinary battle.”

“As this crisis has evolved, our members have heard consistently from workers in need, parents and students with a lack of direction and the healthcare community concerned about a surge in patients,” said House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler. “I hope every resident of our state sees the actions we took to help all of those groups this week and knows their government is working to make sure we will get through this crisis together.”

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

Yesterday, (March 25, 2020) Gov. Wolf announced the COVID-19 Capital Working Access Program (CWCA) to provide $60 million in loans to small businesses. These efforts combined are intended to get funding where it is needed most to save lives and livelihoods.

Pennsylvania is seeing cases of COVID-19 increase exponentially every day and until the curve of cases is flattened, everyone needs to do their part to help.

UPDATE: 3:16 P.M., Thursday, March 26, 2020

Question: Sec. Levine, can you clarify a COVID-19 vaccine compared to current treatment?

Currently there is no treatment for COVID-19, other than supportive treatment. Other than experimental treatments, such as chloroquine that are still be determined as to their effectiveness, there is no treatment. The work for a vaccine will be extremely beneficial, but it will be months, if not a year until that is ready to be used.

Question: Sec. Levine, is a best practice for those (example family of 4) staying at home to practice social distancing (different rooms)?

In many of the cases across the state, if one individual has tested positive in a household, it is likely more most in the household will test positive, unless there are significant measures taken to prevent contracting the disease. It is best to practice social distancing as much as possible, but that is somewhat difficult.

Question: Sec. Levine, how many of the ICU or Ventilator cases outside of the stay at home counties?

We do not have a data breakdown on the number of ICU or ventilator cases that fall outside of the stay-at-home counties at this time.

Question: Did the number of positives spike due to the testing results from a week ago being reported or are these numbers based on more recent tests?

The question about increased cases and increased testing is an interesting one. We know that testing has increased, and we appreciate the fact that commercial labs and academic clinical labs has assisted in this. However, we also know that even with expanded testing, if the virus is not circulating you won’t have more positive cases coming back. So we feel it is a combination of both.

Question: Sec. Levine, can you clarify where the test numbers are coming from and of there any agencies testing that are not reflected in the total, and when those numbers may be included going forward?

Test results are coming back from several commercial labs, including Quest, LabCorp, ARUP, Mayo, as well as a number of clinical academic labs. We also have our public health lab that is providing test results to the department. Positive test results are being reported to the department by all of this as they are received by the laboratories.

Question: On the capacity issue, has PASSHE been contacted about converting college dorms into hospital style rooms? Or other large facilities in the state to help with a potential surge?

We are working through a number of options to prepare to care for individuals should our hospitals be overwhelmed. These discussions are continuing to occur as we plan for a potential surge that could overtop our health care capacity. One step we are discussing is to work with ambulatory surgical facilities on allowing them to take some less serious patients from hospitals.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

March 27, 2020

The governor signed Senate Bill 422, which reschedules the 2020 primary election from April 28 to June 2. and makes other election process changes, including some due to the COVID-19 emergency. The bill provides process improvements to Act 77 of 2019, to allow counties to begin processing and tabulating mail ballots beginning at 7 a.m. on election day, rather than after the polls close at 8 p.m. Additionally, the measure allows counties to temporarily consolidate polling places without court approval and eases other rules regarding location and staffing of polling places for the primary to respond to county concerns about a potential shortage of poll workers and appropriate polling place locations.

“Delaying this year’s primary election as several other states have done is in the best interests of voters, poll workers and county election officials,” said Governor Wolf. “I commend the General Assembly for acting quickly on this critical legislation. The Department of State will continue to work with local election officials to ensure Pennsylvania has a fair and accessible election.”

The governor reminded voters of the new option to vote by mail-in ballot rather than going to a polling place on election day. Already more than 215,000 registered voters have signed up for either a mail-in or absentee ballot, with nearly 78 percent using the commonwealth’s new online application. Those voters do not need to file new applications despite the change in primary date.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

March 29, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today requested a major disaster declaration from the President through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide additional support for state, county and municipal governments and certain nonprofits, as well as individuals who are struggling during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

March 30, 2020

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., March 30, 2020 – Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) (the Company) today announced the selection of a lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate from constructs it has been working on since January 2020; the significant expansion of the existing partnership between the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA); and the rapid scaling of the Company’s manufacturing capacity with the goal of providing global supply of more than one billion doses of a vaccine. The Company expects to initiate human clinical studies of its lead vaccine candidate at the latest by September 2020 and anticipates the first batches of a COVID-19 vaccine could be available for emergency use authorization in early 2021, a substantially accelerated timeframe in comparison to the typical vaccine development process.

March 31, 2020

Governor Wolf: Request for Major Disaster Declaration Approved

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced the approval of part of his request to the President for a major disaster declaration to support state, county and local response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Pennsylvania.

“We are grateful for federal funding that will support all levels of government as we work together to stop the spread, and support those who care for the ill,” said Governor Wolf. “But I remain unwavering in my call for the approval of the rest of my request, which will provide more direct support to our friends and neighbors who are facing financial difficulties that otherwise could be insurmountable.”

Under the major disaster declaration, state, county and municipal governments, as well as eligible private non-profits can receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of eligible expenses related to the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Eligible expenses can include but are not limited to costs associated with paying overtime, or materials and equipment purchases. The declaration also provides direct federal assistance, which provides federal materials and supplies to support state and local response efforts.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

April 8, 2020

Gov. Wolf Signs Order to Provide Targeted Distribution of COVID-19 PPE and Supplies to Hospitals

Harrisburg, PA – Among myriad actions to support Pennsylvania’s health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today signed an order to provide critical aid to hospitals with targeted PPE and supplies distribution.

“Combatting a pandemic means we all have to work together and that means we need to make the best use of our medical assets to ensure the places that need them most have them,” Gov. Wolf said. “Today, I am signing an order that will allow us to transfer supplies and information between medical facilities to both high-population, high-impact areas and lower population areas that might not have as many existing medical resources.”

“This will also prevent sick Pennsylvanians from having to choose which hospital to go to for fear that some have less access to equipment than others and it will help us make use of every ventilator, every piece of PPE, and every medical worker.”

The order will ensure the efficient allocation and effective use of critical medical resources, such as N95 face masks, ventilators, respirators, face shields, safety goggles, disinfectants and other sanitizing solutions by hospitals in the state.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

April 9, 2020

BREAKING NEWS: PMA calls on Gov. Wolf to rescind PPE Executive Order immediately

Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association has issued a response nearly 24 hours after Governor Wolf issued another Executive Order regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The order mandates that private, public and quasi-public health care providers and facilities, as well as manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of PPE, pharmaceuticals and other medical resources located within the commonwealth, submit current inventory quantities of PPE, pharmaceuticals and other medical resources to PEMA within five days of today’s order.

David N. Taylor, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association in response to Governor Wolf’s executive order, dated April 8, 2020, allowing for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with Commonwealth agencies to “commandeer… personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, and other medical resources located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

April 18, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced the creation of the Business-to-Business Interchange Directory to connect organizations and businesses directly to manufacturers producing COVID-19-related products and supplies.

“Over the past month, the Wolf Administration has been working directly with businesses across the commonwealth to identify their capabilities and needs and move products quickly from the manufacturing floor to the marketplace,” said Sec. Davin. “Through this process, we recognized that we can help foster direct business connections to provide Pennsylvanians access to critical supplies expeditiously without a middleman. The creation of the B2B Interchange Directory reflects our commitment to responding to the needs of Pennsylvania’s businesses in a streamlined, easily accessible manner.”

This is the third web application developed by the Wolf Administration to serve the critical supply needs for Pennsylvania.

Recently, Governor Wolf announced the creation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Portal to source the most needed supplies for medical providers, emergency responders, and health care professionals. Following that was the creation of the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal, which builds on those efforts to help manufacturers produce COVID-19-related supplies or retool their operations to begin creation of those supplies.

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

June 18, 2020

DOH Applies for $301 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen COVID-19 Response,

More Than $100 Million for Local Health Departments

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced that the Department of Health has applied for a more than $301 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen state and local public health capacity in Pennsylvania.

“This funding is essential to our future response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “In our application, we earmarked about a third of that funding, more than $100 million, to bolster county and municipal public health departments’ response. We intend to use the balance of the grant funding to expand our testing efforts, case investigating and contact tracing and our data infrastructure to improve our response.”

Photo: COVID-19 relief supplies sit idle inside the PA Farm Show Complex

September 21, 2020

Wolf Admin. Highlights Efforts to Ensure that PPE is Available, Accessible and Plentiful

Middletown, PA — Six months after the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf today highlighted the Wolf Administration’s efforts to respond to the state’s critical need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure that mitigation-related products, from masks and medical equipment to cleaning and sanitation supplies, are available, accessible and plentiful.

“In the early days of the pandemic, this administration took numerous steps to secure sources of PPE to ensure that Pennsylvanians were protected and that our health system was not overwhelmed,” Gov. Wolf said. “Our proactive and ongoing efforts to secure PPE, coupled with the flexibility and ingenuity displayed by Pennsylvania’s business community, helped us secure and allocate PPE. Because of the steps we took, our hospitals were not overburdened, and our medical system was not strained. Now, six months after the virus first appeared in the commonwealth, we can say with confidence that we are prepared to stay safe as we continue to fight this pandemic.”

Among myriad actions to support Pennsylvania’s health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Wolf signed an order in April to provide critical aid to hospitals with targeted PPE and supplies distribution.

The Wolf Administration is also working with eligible organizations that may be experiencing a shortage of respirators to connect them with the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System (CCDS), which provides free decontamination and reuse of N95 respirators as needed during a time of crisis. The system uses a vaporous hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate up to tens of thousands of N95 masks a day.

“At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident that we needed to take definitive steps to acquire and manufacture PPE because we could not solely rely on existing systems to adequately supply the quantities we felt we would need,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “Without the combined efforts of multiple state agencies, strategic investment in Pennsylvania-based manufacturers and strong public-private partnerships, we would not have been able to acquire and distribute the critical PPE needed to protect our front line healthcare workers and first responders.”

The Wolf Administration created several opportunities to connect PPE-producing/distributing businesses to hospitals, medical facilities and other businesses.

The Critical Donations Portal was developed for individuals, corporations, or community organizations to inform the commonwealth of critical medical supplies available for donation.

The Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal was developed to source the most needed supplies for medical providers, emergency responders and health care professionals. This portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform the state of supplies available for purchase and will allow us to more quickly and efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across Pennsylvania.

The Manufacturing Call to Action Portal was developed to match manufacturers and distributors to fill specific supply chain needs to meet increasing demands for medical supplies and related products, assist manufacturers that have workforce needs or gaps and aid them in identifying skilled workers, and identify manufacturers that can pivot or innovate to fulfill the demand for medical supplies and related products.

The Business-to-Business Interchange Directory connects organizations and businesses directly to manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of COVID-19-related products and supplies. This directory is made available to entities that contacted the commonwealth through the portals.

These resources are all available through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

“Our businesses and manufacturers showed us what is best about Pennsylvania throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — our innovation and can-do spirit,” said DCED Sec. Dennis Davin. “Companies stepped up when we needed them, providing products to protect their employees, communities, and the commonwealth as a whole. Today, we thank and applaud them for those efforts.”

The governor and Wolf Administration officials held the news conference at Americhem International, a Middletown-based wholesale distributor of janitorial and sanitizing products that serves a variety of industries, including commercial cleaning, hospitality, healthcare and more.

Americhem, which offers a variety of COVID-related mitigation products, is on the administration’s Business-to-Business Interchange Directory.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com in conjunction with 21-time Emmy Award winning journalist Wendy Bell and the Wendy Bell Radio Show on WJAS-AM 1320.

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.