The New Castle News is reporting a city man was arrested after local narcotics agents executed a search warrant yesterday morning. 27 year old Scier Jackson was wanted on two active warrants from Mercer County and an active warrant in Ohio. Agents found eight loaded handguns and two assault rifles along with suspected drugs. Jackson faces a number of charges including prohibited possession of a firearm. He was arraigned and bond was set at 50 thousand dollars.
A criminal referral related to the Norfolk Southern train derailment near the Pennsylvania border with Ohio is under review. The referral was forwarded last month by Pennsylvania environmental regulators to the attorney general’s office. A criminal referral typically recommends investigations or prosecutions. A spokesperson for the A-G’s office says they’re evaluating options. The state of Ohio has reportedly sued the rail company to ensure it pays to clean up hazardous materials and pay residents following the derailment.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced plans for his administration to maintain a long-term, physical presence in Darlington Township, Beaver County to continue assisting residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine. Starting on Thursday, March 23, staff from the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Health will be onsite at the Darlington Township Building, every Thursday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. to meet with residents. Additional staff will be available through video conferencing during that time.
Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.73 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. In New Castle the average price is at 3.60 a gallon while the price in Sharon is at 3.58 a gallon. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell three cents over the past week to $3.44. This is three cents more than a month ago but 84 cents less than a year ago. Meanwhile, the global oil price plunged into the low to mid $60 per barrel, a level not seen since August 2021.
Nearly 700-thousand-dollars in grant funding has been given for nursing apprenticeships across the state. Department of Labor and Industry Acting Secretary Nancy Walker says the money will be distributed through three Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship programs. They’re part of a COVID-19 Nursing Workforce Initiative that’s been funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act. Officials say the apprenticeships will help address many nursing workforce challenges in areas that have been most impacted by the pandemic.
Pennsylvania lawmakers want to make child identification kits available to all parents for free. The Child Reunification Act would create kits that have inkless finger printing materials, DNA collection swabs and other information that could be prepped and given to law enforcement officers if a child ever goes missing. State Senator Scott Martin says the kits would be distributed by school districts to families of first-graders and the parents would keep all of the information. The program, if approved, would begin with the new school year this fall.
Authorities in Butler County are investigating a reported shooting. Law enforcement and medical crews responded to the North Washington Rodeo grounds around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. A police spokesperson said the incident was isolated and there was no remaining threat to the public. Additional details on the shooting have not yet been released.
TSA officials at Pittsburgh International are reported more firearms recovered at the property. They say a Munhall man is facing charges after going through a security checkpoint with a loaded nine-millimeter pistol last Friday. Authorities report a woman who works at the airport was found with a handgun on Saturday. Her employee ID was confiscated, according to security officials.
State Police in Butler County report a one vehicle accident in Fairview Township. According to police 23 year old Madison Reef of Chicora lost control of her vehicle on Fairmont Road, traveled into a front yard and overturned. Reef was taken to UMPC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.