A New Castle woman has pleaded guilty to federal pornography charges and an Ellwood City man is scheduled to face trial. The New Castle News reports 35 year old Tamara Kreitzer pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct through a cell phone. She’s scheduled to be sentenced in June. 63 year David Bates is facing a three-count indictment of attempted production, production, receipt and distribution of material depicting the sexual exploitation of children. His trial is set for September 18th.
A woman has been charged in an assault that led to a man’s death a year-and-a-half ago in Beaver County. Authorities say 25-year-old Kijana Lowe faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and related offenses in the death of Ayo Genes in September, 2021. The alleged incident occurred in the parking lot of the Paris Grill. Genes died almost two weeks after the incident.
Police in Beaver County continue their search for a suspect in a weekend shooting in Aliquippa. The shooting occurred Saturday night. Police say they found the victim on Irwin Street, suffering from gunshot wounds, There’s no word on the victim’s current condition or the cause for the shooting.
Governor Josh Shapiro wants lawmakers to pass legislation to get rid of state taxes on cell phones. The request came up yesterday as part of the governor’s first budget proposal. Administration officials say Shapiro, a Democrat, wants to eliminate both the sales and use tax and the gross receipts tax on cell-phone services. He claims those measures would save Pennsylvanians about 124-million dollars year.
A measure proposed by Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Bob Casey would create a new fund to provide financial assistance for first responders caught in hazardous material disasters. Senator Casey, along with Senator John Fetterman and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, have introduced the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act. The lawmakers said in a statement that the fund would be financed through payments by companies that ship and carry hazardous materials. Money would be used to help first responders replace equipment, pay overtime and meet other costs.
A rollover crash in Mercer County sent one person to the hospital. The accident took place on Hartford Road in South Pymatuning Township, shortly before 6 p.m. One person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. WKBN-TV reports Police said the crash is under investigation as it’s unknown what the cause was.
Those looking for unique eats in Butler County are in luck with the return of restaurant week. More than 30 establishments are offering special menu items and deals today through Sunday. Participating restaurants are featuring a wide selection of fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This year’s deals are for dine-in only. Details are available by searching visit-butler-county-dot-com.
A state senator from Reading and Berks is behind a proposed measure that would provide higher penalties for people who violate churches and other sacred spaces. Senator Judy Schwank has called her legislation “Save Our Sacred Spaces.” It will classify the damages to a church, synagogue or mosque not only as institutional vandalism, but also as a hate crime. She says the legislation will be referred to either the Senate Law and Justice Committee or the Judiciary Committee once it’s assigned a bill number.
Comprehensive dental, vision and hearing could be covered under Medicaid and Medicare plans if an act by Senator Bob Casey is approved. The Pennsylvania Democrat is sponsoring the measure along with Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland. The Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act would expand Medicare to ensure coverage for routine exams and other preventive care, as well as coverage for items like dentures, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. The legislation also encourages states to provide these optional services to Medicaid recipients by increasing the associated Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rate to 90 percent.