Man Escapes Hospital in Jailbreak
Franklin – An inmate from Venango County Jail made an escape attempt on Friday but was caught not long after. Bruce Miller was taken to the hospital from Venango County Jail so he could be treated for lacerations to his head and while there he assaulted a guard and took off into the woods. Miller was apprehended by the Pennsylvania State Police less than 12 hours later, but no details about his capture have been released.

Independence Health System
Butler – Butler Health System, which operates Clarion Hospital, announced its merger with Excela Health on New Year’s Day. Yesterday they revealed a new name; Independence Health System. Independence Health employs over 1,000 physicians and 7,300 support staff which makes it the third largest in Western Pennsylvania.

Senate Mulls Student Teacher Pay
Harrisburg – Pennsylvania’s Senate Education Committee will soon be discussing the future of a bipartisan bill that they hope will entice more people to become teachers. The bill would create a stipend of $10,000 for student teachers and was authored by Democrat Vincent Hughs and Republican Ryan Aument.