Backyard Broadcasting

When life-changing hardships happen to families, often, children who need the most support can fall through the cracks.  But the Favors Forward Foundation was established in Lycoming County to serve children and adults working their way past hardships like a death in the family, military service, domestic violence, even divorce and separation.  Find out more from Beth McMann, President and Founder...

Freddi Hammer talks with Jackie Kaiser-Rist, a treatment specialist from Allenwood Penitentiary, about the Battle Buddy Team and their inaugural event; The Veteran and Military Resource Fair, Thursday, December 19th from 10a til 3p. Allenwood staff can take advantage of information about services available, but it’s also for the public involved in law enforcement, retired veterans, and military fa...

The Central PA Food Bank is fighting hunger, improving lives, and strengthening communities – this is their mission:  to end food insecurity for the thousands of people who struggle in the 27 counties in Pennsylvania that they serve. Freddi Hammer talks with Joe Arthur, the CEO of the Central PA Food Bank, and he explains how individual monetary donations from Pennsylvania residents help so many h...

It's the November Backyard Business Spotlight with Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).  Shawn and Jason discuss the $10 million dollars that have been earmarked for select businesses and future ventures in Lycoming County, including New Trail Brewing Company and Fam Vest Partners, who currently have the former Lycoming Mall property, now known as The District at...

Grief affects each person differently.  Feelings of loss and sadness can show up without warning, even many years after losing someone you love.  The holidays, with traditions, events, group meals and difficult family time, can heighten or reignite these intense feelings of loss.  Freddi Hammer will go over 10 strategies of coping with intense feelings and grief over the holidays with a grief coun...

Kip Winger from the rock band Winger took some time to speak with WZXR's Freddi Hammer about the band's upcoming show with Dokken at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport on Saturday, November 23rd.

The Salvation Army has just kicked off their Red Kettle Campaign and are looking for volunteers this season to ring the bell!  You can also help by visiting the decorated Festival of Trees display at 33 West Third Street in Williamsport and vote for your favorite decorated Christmas tree for just $1 per vote! Freddi Hammer Talks with Major Shirley Hershey of the Salvation Army Williamsport about t...

Keith Kitchen recently talked with Gary Allan, who is coming to The Community Arts Center in Williamsport on Friday, November 15th.  They discussed his current tour and why it called "The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years The Hard Way", the new album that he is recording, his recent marriage and what we can expect from his show.

The owner of an Alabama coffee shop believes a "ghost soldier" is a regular customer, an Alabama couple's home security system caught a bear taking out the trash, police in Australia recovered $26,000 in stolen Bluey Dollarbucks and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged.

4-H is a lot more than just farming and animals, it’s a program for kids 5-18 to gain leadership and communication skills, enhance their interests in STEM and complete projects in the fields they’re most interested in.  Alex Armstrong is a Penn State Extension 4H Educator in Lycoming County and talks with Freddi Hammer about how children learn by doing alongside adult volunteers within, and beyond...

It's the October 2024 edition of the Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.   We get the latest on the construction projects on Maynard Street in Williamsport with Wawa and Chik-Fil-A.  There's a look ahead to more exciting ribbon cuttings in November as businesses open up, including the Dream Big Box Foundation....

Albright LIFE has centers for eligible seniors in Lycoming County to get medical care and personal services, along with meals and quality social activities, to remain at home longer and give family members peace of mind. Phoebe Watson and Chris Miller, administrators with Albright’s Outreach and Enrollment, speak with Freddi Hammer about an Open House coming up November 13th and encourage all to f...

A 74-year old man who recently passed away is "God's problem now" according to his obituary, an Ohio man cancelled his bank card to cancel his gym membership, a Greek man was arrested for sniffing his neighbors' shoes and more in this week's Files Of The Strange and Deranged.

A camera caught an image of a man dressed as Cookie Monster speeding through an intersection in Germany, a Frontier Airlines passenger had an insane meltdown, a man with a stomach bug had a rude surprise and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged.

A French man was renovating his cellar when he discovered a 1,000 year old grave site, a woman with the name "Marijuana Pepsi" is refusing to change her name, the giant grizzly "Grazer" has won the title of "Fattest Bear" for the 2nd year in a row and much more in this week's episode of "The Files Of The Strange and Deranged"!

The African Children’s Choir is making a stop in Williamsport Friday October 18 at City Church on East 4th Street.  The group is made up of 7-10 year old singers and dancers from impoverished areas of Uganda and other African countries. Freddi Hammer speaks with Tour manager and Chaperone Jim Luzzay, who shares the details on a typical day on tour with the Choir.  He shares  how much the organizat...

The American Red Cross is mobilizing volunteers to be trained and deployed as Disaster Action Team Members to help clean up damage and flooding in the southern states that have been ravaged by Hurricane Helene. Sherry Nealon-Shrive ,   the executive director of the American Red Cross, North East Pennsylvania Chapter, talks with Freddi Hammer about the American Red Cross’ volunteer effort in Pennsy...

A woman was arrested for shooting her neighbor with a water gun, a man attempted to snort his stash of cocaine wile being pulled over by police, a couple was arrested for trying to trade their 2-month-old baby for a six pack of beer and a thousand dollars and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged.

Live United in Music IV is coming to the Community Arts Center Friday in Williamsport October 18th!  Come be a part of the Lycoming County United Way’s biggest fundraising event of the year! Freddi Hammer talks with Ron Frick, President and CEO of the Lycoming County United Way about Grammy and Tony nominated musician, Michael Cavanaugh, who will be back with Walt Straiton’s Live United in Music P...

It's the September 2024 episode of the Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.   We look ahead to an exciting list of October ribbon cuttings as businesses open up, including Jackass Brewing Company in downdown Williamsport plus the new Muncy branch of Service 1st Federal Credit Union.    Also, there are updates o...

In advance of his concert appearance at the Community Arts Center on Friday, September 27th, Ted Bennett chats with Josh Turner about the ups and down in his life, the songs he turned down over the years plus we get his reaction to his friend John Anderson's future induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

A Georgia man was issued a 1.2 million dollar speeding ticket, we may be seeing mugshots of "Florida Boy", two men were arrested after capturing a baby alligator with plans to eat it and more on this week's episode of "The Files Of The Strange and Deranged".

Schick Elementary students from pre-K thru 5th grade will take part in their annual SOCK WALK, Friday, September 27th to raise funds for teacher appreciation, educational programs and school activities this school year. Jackie Lindsay, President of the Schick Elementary PTO, describes the fun morning that students and their families experience by walking together to support the school and hopefull...

A stove exploded after someone left a loaded gun in it, a dime worth nearly $500,000 will go to auction, the world's smallest functional vacuum cleaner has been built and more, on this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

River Valley Health is hosting an Eat Around the World event at the Genetti Hotel September 19th to raise money for unmet patient needs. Freddi Hammer talks with Brittany Fisher, the Marketing and Community Engagement coordinator at River Valley Health, and Dave Yost, the chef at the Sojourner Truth Ministries soup kitchen, who is preparing food from Canada, and joins 7 other chefs creating a deli...