Jurors will resume deliberations today in the final penalty phase of the trial of Robert Bowers. Bowers killed 11 people in a mass shooting in October of 2018 at the Tree of Life synagogue. The jury has already determined that he is eligible for the death penalty. Jurors yesterday asked for, and were given, the opportunity to view the weapons used in the murders. A U.S. marshal provided the panel with information on how the weapons work.
Three communities served by the Ambridge Water Authority are still under a boil advisory. Residents in Ambridge, Baden, and Edgeworth have been unable to safely drink or cook with tap water without sanitizing it since a main break on Sunday night. Utility officials say they hope to have two consecutive days of clear tests that would allow them to lift the boil order on Thursday.
State Police in Butler County report a fatal crash from yesterday afternoon in Summit Township. State police report a Chevy Cobalt that was travelling westbound ran off the road and hit a guard rail, sending it into the oncoming lanes where it was struck by a pickup truck operated by 22 year old Brook Campbell of New Castle. A 32-year-old Kittanning man, who was a passenger in the Cobalt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say that vehicle’s driver was flown to UPMC Presbyterian. Campbell was not hurt.
Fall Fantasy parades are coming back to Kennywood this weekend. The nightly events showcase marching bands from various high schools and universities. Park operators began holding the parades in the 1950s to highlight the talent of local performers. They run this Saturday through August 20th.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a recent uptick in catalytic converter thefts in Butler County. Over the last month, there have been multiple instances of the thefts in the county, including two separate vehicles that had their catalytic converters stolen on Railroad Street in East Butler Borough. Another instance was reported in Connoquenessing Township. Anyone with information on any catalytic converter thefts in Butler County are asked to contact state police.
State education and social services leaders say bills are coming due for their areas that they don’t have the authority to pay. Because of the ongoing budget block in the state legislature, the commonwealth is on track to miss major payments in the coming weeks. These include regularly scheduled payouts to public schools and many county-run services, including child welfare programs. In August, over a billion-dollars in basic education funding for public schools is also expected to be missed. Officials say disbursals for these programs typically follow a two-month lead time, so they say payments for October payments are also already in jeopardy.
– Former Greensburg police chief Shawn Denning will go to trial on charges that he stole drugs from his department’s evidence room. Denning, charged with conspiracy, theft and multiple counts of tampering, waived his right yesterday to a preliminary hearing in the matter. Investigators say that illegal steroids and suspected psilocybin [[ SILL OH SIGH BIN ]] mushrooms were discovered to be missing from an evidence room during an audit back in February and he was later arrested.
Pennsylvania has received a lot of rain, and even flooding, recently, but officials say residents still need to conserve water. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says to help conserve water, you can run dishwashers or laundry machines less often and to make sure they have full loads. They say you can also take shorter showers and avoid watering lawns and outdoor plants when possible. The department says the dry conditions are likely to continue through the summer.
Frito-Lay is recalling an estimated seven-thousand bags of Doritos distributed throughout the State of Pennsylvania. The company reports the affected bags may contain undeclared soy or wheat ingredients from spicy sweet chili tortilla chips. The concern is for those with allergies and sensitivities who could become sick. The recalled Doritos were packaged in one-ounce and 14.4-ounce bags with a guaranteed fresh date of September 26th. They were sold at various stores around the Commonwealth and in vending machines.
The Mega Millions jackpot is climbing again with no winner in last night’s drawing. No one has won the jackpot in the multi-state lottery since April and the top prize now stands at an estimated 1.25-billion dollars. The next drawing is Friday night.