A Beaver County man was sentenced to eight years in prison for selling drugs that led to an overdose death. 36 year old Zachary Cymbalak of Freedom, was sentenced in U.S. District Court following his conviction on several drug charges. In January of 2019 police found a deceased individual under circumstances suggesting that the death was caused by an overdose, which was later confirmed by the Beaver County Coroner’s Office. An investigation led to the arrest of Cymbalak as the individual who sold the drugs that led to the death.
According to this week’s Triple-A East Central Gas Price Report, prices are seven cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.75 a gallon. In New Castle the average price is 3.69 a gallon while motorists in Sharon are paying 3.79. OPEC’s announcement last weekend that it will cut production by over a million barrels per day took the oil market by surprise. In response, crude immediately surged well above $80 a barrel, although it has since struggled to stay above that mark. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose 10 cents since last week to hit $3.60. The national average is 13 cents more than a month ago but 51 cents less than a year ago.
The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about recent scam attempts. Officials say they have gotten multiple reports of an individual making calls, claiming to be Lieutenant Plunkard and wishing to discuss a legal matter. The sheriff’s office says Lieutenant Plunkard is employed there but he has not been making any calls of that nature. They say it is likely a common scam attempt where an individual is looking for payments in gift cards or for access to personal banking information from victims.
Governor Josh Shapiro is trying to gather support from lawmakers on proposed funding increases for Pennsylvania’s fire and EMS departments. He says the 36-million-dollar increase in his proposed budget would address staffing shortages and equipment needs. The increase would bring funding up to 127-million-dollars altogether for fire and EMS. Governor Shapiro says county 9-1-1 centers would receive 50-million-dollars separately to address their own staffing shortages.
One person was flown to the hospital following an accident in Butler County. State Police report 51 year old Christian Degutis of Valencia, was on Dufford Road in Forward Township, when he traveled off the roadway and struck an embankment. Dufford was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey is running for re-election next fall. Casey made the announcement Monday morning through an statement that said he wants to continue working for Pennsylvania families and taking on China. The 62-year-old has served three terms since first being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. He is the longest serving Democratic U.S. Senator in state history.
The Pennsylvania Treasury is auctioning off unclaimed property this week. Officials say over 42-hundred items ranging from jewelry to comic books will be placed up for sale tomorrow and Thursday. Treasurer Stacy Garrity says proceeds from the sales will be tracked and the money will be available to the rightful owner for years, or even decades, from now.
Kennywood amusement park will open for the season on April 22nd as scheduled. Park leaders made the announcement on Monday after a meeting with representatives of the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. D.A. Steven Zappala had previously said he would challenge the park’s opening if Kennywood failed to comply with his office’s suggested security changes. Three people were injured in a shooting incident at the park last September.
State Police in Mercer County report a one vehicle accident in East Lackawannock Township. According to police 51 year old Michael Shanklin of Chicago, was traveling on Interstate 80, when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a ditch causing the vehicle to roll over. No injuries were reported.