The New Castle News is reporting a man whose body was found Wednesday among rubble from the Jan. 7 Days Inn fire has been identified as someone reported missing early last month. New Castle City Police said the body was that of 33 year old Jeff McMahon who’s family last spoke with him on January 6th. His body was discovered inside a southern, first-floor wing of the burned out Days Inn hotel in downtown New Castle. The investigation is ongoing.
Senator John Fetterman is being treated for clinical depression. That’s according to a statement from the Democrat’s chief of staff. Fetterman is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland receiving inpatient care. A statement notes Fetterman has dealt with depression throughout his life, but it “became severe in recent weeks.” He was just released from the hospital after feeling lightheaded during a Senate Democratic retreat. Fetterman’s health has been in the spotlight after he suffered a stroke last year.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan was accompanied by Ohio EPA officials and other leaders Thursday as he toured the community of East Palestine. The village of East Palestine in Columbiana County was the site two weeks ago of a nearly 50-car train derailment. Some of those cars contained hazardous materials and residents have expressed concerns about the safety of their community. Following his visit to the area yesterday, Regan said the community has questions, and they deserve answers.
Pennsylvania Senators are joining leaders from neighboring Ohio in demanding answers after a potentially dangerous train derailment. Democrats Bob Casey and John Fetterman from Pennsylvania have cosigned a letter along with Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance from Ohio pressing the EPA and NTSB. The joint effort comes nearly two weeks after a train carrying multiple hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine [[ pal-eh-steen ]], Ohio, about 50 miles from Pittsburgh. The senators are pushing for more resources for residents of the surrounding areas to ensure their safety.
The death penalty won’t be used as long as Josh Shapiro is Governor of Pennsylvania. That’s what the Democrat tweeted out Thursday, saying he’ll sign a reprieve every time an execution warrants is sent to his office. He also wants lawmakers to send him a bill that permanently gets rid of the death penalty in the commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is again suing an independent media group. This time, it’s in an attempt to keep information private about how patients obtain a medical marijuana card. Spotlight PA says it’s seeking information about doctors, not the names of patients. The Wolf administration took the media group to court previously after the state Office of Open Records ordered the department to release data showing the reasons why patients qualify for the state’s medical pot program. With the latest lawsuit, the health department reportedly doesn’t want to show how often physicians approve patients for the medical program.
Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey is recovering at home after surgery for prostate cancer. His spokesperson says the procedure Tuesday was successful and that the senator shouldn’t need to have any further treatment. She also says Senator Casey and his family appreciate the well-wishes and support from people all over the Commonwealth and that he looks forward to getting back to work after some time off for rest.
State officials have launched a lottery that promises to give winners the chance to purchase rare bottle of whiskey. More than 800 bottles, some of vary rare varieties, are included as part of the event run by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Three separate drawings will be held…one for bottles from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, one for each of ten bottles of Michter’s Straight Bourbon Limited Release 20 Year Old, and the last for over 300 bottles of Blanton Straight From The Barrel Bourbon. Lottery registration ends at 5 p.m. today. More info can be found at www.finewineandgoodspirits.com.