Backyard Broadcasting

Shawn Carey speaks with New York Times feature writer and Clinton County native Steven Kurutz, author of his latest book, "American Flannel: How A Band Of Entrepreneurs Are Bringing The Art And Business Of Making Clothes Back Home," published by Penguin Random House. During our conversation, Steven was traveling back home to Pennsylvania for the holiday weekend.  On Saturday May 25, 2024...

In Touch this past Sunday, Soap Box Derby Williamsport, PA has started their season, preparing drivers for the big race down Market Street on June 8th.  Volunteer Mike Barclay talks with Freddi Hammer about the need for new volunteers, not just for race day, but for planning during the year, too! Soap box derby families in Williamsport never pay a fee to participate in the events, so supporting ‘S...

A volunteer fire company in Maryland is scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars, a sloth turns 54 and the Orcas are at it again, all on this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Luxury gym Equinox is launching a health program that will set members back $40,000 per year, a Massachusetts woman won $1 million twice in ten weeks and chickens were on the loose in Brooklyn!  These stories and more, this week in The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Rosa Yoo, a Forest Health Manager for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), gives an update on the Spongy Moth population in Pennsylvania and what they are doing, in coordination with other agencies, to suppress the Spongy Moth caterpillars that have emerged this spring.  The goal of the DCNR Spongy Moth suppression program, through ground crew analyzation and aerial sprayin...

Local non-profit group Girlz in the Hoodie, in conjunction with The Bar on Market and New Trail Brewing Company, is excited to host Rehab in its first ever Benefit Concert Series. The concert will be held at The Side Bar in downtown Williamsport on Sunday May 12 – Mother’s Day. Rehab, best known for the song “Bartender Song (Sittin’ at a Bar)”, is currently on a national tour and stopping in Willi...

A Florida man has been arrested for throwing pasta in a road rage incident, a London mother turned green after mixing multiple self-tanning products and a Philadelphia man is asking for help to find his emotional support  alligator ...these stories and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

There will be a Health and Resource Fair May 22nd 10a-1pm at Sojourner Truth Ministries at 501 High Street in Williamsport.  Pastor Angelique invites the community to the fair and showcases the agencies that will support this unique hands-on event with appropriate resources for the non-reading community and others in need of support.  Join in on Wednesday, May 22nd and network with other members o...

The JV Brown Library in Williamsport has an 8-week Summer Learning Program that begins on June 15th.  Get your free library card and choose from a variety of free activities all summer, including field trips to swim, hike, and play in Lycoming County.  Freddi Hammer talks with Programming and Youth Services Director for the library, Nicole Rader, and CEO and Director, Amy Resh, about the all benef...

It's the 4th episode in 2024 of the Backyard Business Spotlight with Shawn Carey and Jason Fink (President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce).    Jason reveals details on the multi-million dollar baseball/softball project on the former Susquehanna Supply property, a big announcement from The District at Lycoming Valley, an update on the Maynard Street Wawa construction in Williams...

The 2024 West Branch Susquehanna Home Builders Association Home Show is this weekend at Liberty Arena in downtown Williamsport, and invites all who have dreams of home ownership, repair, or a new look or addition for your home, to the three day show April 26th through the 28th. Laura Krieger tells Freddi Hammer about the vendors who will fill up the 35 thousand square feet of the home show, and if...

A Madisonville, Kentucky man was arrested after claiming to being chased by an "invisible man", police in Washington are looking for a woman dubbed "The Kissing Thief", a newlywed was horrified by the gift of a sculpture made from her new husband's nail clippings and more, this week in The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

An organization formed in Watsontown to help feed pets in need called Arthur’s Pet Pantry, is having a fundraiser festival on April 20th starting at 11am. Families and leashed dogs are invited to the Bone Hunt – like an Easter egg hunt for dogs with treats inside provided by MADS Doggo Bistro.  Freddi Hammer talks about their biggest fundraiser of the year with the secretary of Arthur’s Pet Pantry...

The Geisinger Jersey Shore Level IV Trauma Team will host their 2nd Annual Agricultural Safety Fair on Saturday, April 13th at the Clinton County Fairgrounds from 10am until 1pm.  Geisinger Trauma Team Manager, Amy Swarthout talks about the specialized agencies who will provide demos and training about important safety topics, including stop the bleed training, grain silo rescue, firearm safety an...

Veterans, First Responders, Law Enforcement and Gold Star Families are welcome to learn about Camp Freedom, near Carbondale, PA.  A facility dedicated to help those dealing with trauma or transition heal, by offering outdoor activities and camaraderie at an over 2,300 acre camp for free. 

You may soon be able to open display cases in stores with your phone, a church in Barcelona, Spain will soon be completed, 100 years after its designer died, a horse is rescued after taking a dip in a swimming pool in Georgia and more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Our third Backyard Business Spotlight of the year, with Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, has new information on the 2024 Grand Slam Parade, an update on airline service returning in May to the Williamsport Regional Airport, plus recaps on recent new business ribbon-cuttings and the upcoming April PM Exchanges.  

Girlz in the Hoodie is a non-profit organization that raises money to provide warm hoodies for women during their mastectomy recovery or chemotherapy treatment, as well as for scholarships for students who have lost a mother figure to breast cancer.  Girlz in the Hoodie will have a golf tournament in June and will raffle off their custom 1974 Volkswagen bus in October, but they really hope you can...

The U.S. research agency DARPA is looking to build a railroad on the moon, an English woman woke up and began to speak with a Welsh accent, the heaviest blueberry has been grown in Australia and more, in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange & Deranged!

A Florida man has been arrested after joking about having a bomb while in line to board an airliner, Peter Kessner has reportedly seen and logged 10,000 species of birds and 2 stories about a man named "Deez Nuts"...plus much more in this week's episode of The Files Of The Strange and Deranged!

Take steps toward recycling and sustainability by attending the Central PA Vintage Fest to find beautiful clothing, décor and collectibles that are from days gone by. Thrifting saves money and the environment, and all the vendors filling the booths at Central PA Vintage Fest as well as those participating in the Makers Market downstairs at the Pajama Factory next Saturday from 10 till 5, can help...

Soap Box Derby Williamsport, PA has started their season, preparing drivers for the big race down Market Street on June 8,  2024!  Volunteer Mike Barclay talks with Freddi Hammer about the need for new volunteers, not just for race day, but for planning during the year, too! Soap box derby families in Williamsport never pay a fee to participate in the events, so supporting Soap Box Derby Williamsp...

The “Newberry Community Partnership” will be included in over 350 non-profit groups during this month’s Raise the Region – a 30 Hour Online Fundraiser.    Freddi Hammer talks with Bob Woodley, board member of the Newberry Community Partnership, who says they work together every year to beautify Newberry and support community activities and residents.

An Irish woman had her injury claim tossed after it was discovered she participated in and won a Christmas Tree-throwing contest, authorities have arrested a teenager in connection with the theft of nine luxury vehicles, the classic video game Tetris turns 40 years old this year and more, on this week's edition of The Files Of The Strange & Deranged.

Shawn Carey is joined by Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce to recap their annual meeting and recognize this year's award winners.   Plus, we get a construction update of the Wawa project on Maynard Street in the city, news on a business that has opened in downtown Williamsport that can help new businesses, and we recap with a look ahead to what will be...