Senator John Fetterman is hospitalized after he reported feeling “light-headed” at a Senate retreat in Washington last night. A spokesperson says staffers drove Fetterman to George Washington University Hospital for an evaluation. His office says doctors did not find any evidence of a new stroke but he was admitted for observation. The 53-year-old junior senator suffered a stroke last May. Doctors performed surgery to implant a pacemaker following that episode.
Nearly a week after a train carrying hazardous materials derailed near the Columbiana County Ohio – Beaver County Pennsylvania line, area residents are being allowed to return to their homes. Evacuations orders had been put in place as crews dealt with toxic chemicals from some of the nearly 50 train cars that derailed last Friday. Officials yesterday, in lifting the evacuation order, confirmed that test results show the air and water in East Palestine Ohio is safe.
A class action lawsuit is pending against the operators of the train that derailed last week in East Palestine [[ pal-eh-steen ]]. It was filed by three residents in the area. In addition to damages, the group is asking the rail company to leave all equipment at the crash site until it can be examined. Roughly 50 freights cars, some carrying hazardous material, went off the tracks last Friday, sparking a fire that was eventually put out with a controlled release of toxic chemicals.
Pennsylvania State Police are continuing their efforts to fight drug crimes across the state. Officers seized 65-million dollars in illegal drugs last year. That amount includes nearly 13-hundred pounds of cocaine, meth and heroin. The department also collected nearly 35-hundred pounds of old medication as part of its Prescription Drug Take Back program.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says now is a great time of the year to test your home for radon. DEP program manager Bob Lewis says houses being closed up during the winter provide optimum testing conditions. He adds that about 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels that are above federal limits because of certain kinds of minerals found in the state’s soil and rocks, which are the source of radon. Home test kits can run around 30 dollars and professionals charge about 150-dollars. The deadly gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer.
One person was taken to the hospital following a two vehicle accident in Mercer County. According to State Police 19 year old Isabella Good of Union City, was traveling south on Mitchell Hill Road in Salem Township when she lost control and struck a vehicle operated by 30 year old James Payne III from Greenville. Police said Payne was taken to UPMC Greenville for treatment. No other injuries were reported.
Good news for those who could use a hot and cheesy slice, it’s National Pizza Day. Shops and retailers across the U.S. are offering discounts and deals in honor of the occasion. Bravo Italian Kitchen is serving pizzas for half off, with Chuck E. Cheese selling large pies buy-one-get-one-free. Sam’s Club is offering a dollar off on their Member’s Mark 16-inch pizzas nationwide. A Franklin man has pled guilty to charges of illegally possessing a number of firearms. 39 year old Phillip John Dechant, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter yesterday. The court was advised that on or about April 22, 2020, Dechant possessed numerous firearms while being a convicted felon. As part of his plea agreement, Dechant agreed to a sentence of forty months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for June 8th