radioNOVO News for Williamsport: April 13, 2026

 A CONVICTED MURDERER WILL SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE BEHIND THE BARS OF A STATE PRISON.            JUDGE ERIC LINHARDT SENTENCED 35-YEAR-OLD BENJAMIN VILLANUEVA THE THIRD TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR THE 2023 SHOOTING DEATH OF JERMAINE MULLEN.  A JURY FOUND VILLANUEVA GUILTY OF HOMICIDE AND RELATED CHARGES EARLIER THIS YEAR.          VILLANUEVA IS STILL FACING A CRIMINAL TRIAL FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM.  JURY SELECTION IS SLATED TO BE HELD IN JULY.            AN ALLEGED ACCOMPLICE TO VILLANUEVA, 38-YEAR OLD DAVON GRISSOM IS AWAITING TRIAL ON SEVERAL FELONY CHARGES, INCLUDING SECOND DEGREE MURDER.          WILLIAMSPORT CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A TEMPORARY AGREEMENT WITH BARRY ISETT FOR ZONING ENFORCEMENT SERVICES.          MAYOR DEREK SLAUGHTER SAYS THE MOVE IS AN INTERIM STEP WHILE THE CITY CONTINUES RECRUITING FOR A NEW ZONING OFFICER FOLLOWING A RECENT RETIREMENT.          OFFICIALS SAY PERMIT AND ZONING REQUESTS HAVE BEEN BACKING UP, PROMPTING THE NEED FOR SHORT-TERM OUTSIDE SUPPORT.          THE CITY SAYS IT WILL REVISIT LONG-TERM STAFFING OPTIONS IF A QUALIFIED APPLICANT IS NOT FOUND.