State Police in Mercer County report a fatal accident from Tuesday night. According to police 30 year old Brittany Strickland of Youngstown, Ohio slid into the path of an oncoming car on a curve along State Route 318 in East Lackawannock Township. The oncoming car broadsided Strickland’s car, pushing it about twenty feet. Strickland died in the crash. No other injuries were reported.
Officials of the Ohio community where 50 train cars, some carrying hazardous chemicals, derailed earlier this month are answering questions from residents. East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway and Congressman Bill Johnson were among those that fielded questions from 300 people in attendance. Norfolk Southern declined to send a representative to the event, noting recent physical threats against company employees.
An Indiana County woman is facing charges after the overdose death of her husband last summer. Investigators report that Lauren Bingaman purchased the drugs that caused the death of Daniel Carl Bingaman. Lauren Bingaman is facing multiple charges including drug delivery resulting in death.
Officials at UPMC Children’s are launching a new rehabilitation unit at the hospital’s main campus. The space has been relocated from the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, offering care for kids and young adults who have experienced brain and spinal injuries, and other serious nervous system issues. The unit features a dozen private rooms for patients, exercise equipment, and an area for families. UPMC Children’s President Diane Hupp says the hospital is one of only a few in the state that has dedicated pediatric rehab facilities.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says more than $84 million was wagered on the Super Bowl through retail and online sportsbooks. With the Philadelphia Eagles playing in the big game, the gaming control board says the $84.3 million dollars wagered this year was a 19% increase from last season’s Super Bowl. After payouts, the revenue is expected to be nearly 30 million dollars, up more than $25 million from last year.
A veteran police officer is announcing a bid for magisterial judge in Butler County. Penn Township Officer Jack Ripper says he plans to file for both the Republican and Democrat tickets in the upcoming primary elections. Ripper has worked in law enforcement for nearly three decades, with the Penn Township department since 2001. He says his experience in handling disputes among citizens and his many observations in the court room make him qualified to take over for the retiring Judge Sue Haggarty.
Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators say the federal government will provide 75-million dollars to remove contaminants known as PFAs from the state’s drinking water. According to a release from Casey’s office, the Environmental Protection Agency will put up money for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to conduct water testing and treat polluted water. Fetterman said in a statement that the money from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a “massive step forward” in addressing so-called “forever chemicals” in the state’s drinking water.
Richard Rapone has announced his candidacy for re-election to another four-year term as Lawrence County Treasurer. The Ellwood City Ledger reports the 62 year old Rapone has served as treasurer since 2008. His name will appear on the Democratic ballot in the May primary election.