State Police in Lawrence County report a New Castle man was taken to the hospital following a one vehicle accident in New Beaver Boro. According to police, 58 year old James Todd traveled off the roadway on route 168 into a ditch, then struck several trees and overturned. Todd was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment. There was not report on his medical condition.
A Beaver County man is facing charges after allegedly pointing a gun at two women and trying to enter an Ambridge church on Sunday. Authorities say 38-year-old Jeffrey Harris appeared to be ready for a standoff with law enforcement as he was wearing a camouflage vest as he attempted to enter the Greater Dominion Church on the corner of 4th Street and Melrose Avenue, which is a predominately Black church. Harris was later located by police on Merchant Street, where he pointed his gun at an officer. When he was taken into custody, police say they found a 12 gauge shotgun and 25 shotgun rounds in his possession. He is facing several charges, including aggravated assault and terroristic threats.
An Ellwood City woman was taken to the hospital following an accident yesterday morning in Wayne Township. State police report 21 year old Katya Sosnowski lost control of her vehicle on route 351 and traveled off the roadway struck an embankment and overturned. Sosnowski was transported to UPMC Jameson Hospital for treatment.
The state’s Republican-led Senate is set to reconvene today to tackle several pieces of unfinished business on the state budget. The bulk of the 2023-24 spending plan was signed earlier this month but lawmakers still have to decide on adopting code bills for remaining measures. Additional debates over school choice, spending cuts and new programs are expected.
A former resident of Monaca, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal narcotics law. U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan announced 36 year old Martinis Lee, possessed with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing heroin, along with fentanyl in July of 2022. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years in prison, a fine not to exceed ten million dollars. The DEA and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
The requirements needed to be met for Western Pennsylvania residents and others around the state who want to join the Pennsylvania State Police are changing. Governor Josh Shapiro and State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris on Monday announced that a college credit requirement for those wanting to pursue a career with the force is being dropped. Paris says the elimination of the college credit requirement will open the door to a rewarding career for many who would make exemplary troopers but would not have otherwise had the opportunity. More details on employment opportunities with the state police can be found at psp-dot-pa-dot-gov.
Republican leaders say they hope lawmakers from the State House will choose to reconvene early. They aren’t due back in Harrisburg before September 26th. As it stands, Democratic Speaker Joanna McClinton hasn’t scheduled an early return. The lower chamber is deadlocked at an even 101-101 majority split for control of the House. A September 19th special election in blue Allegheny County could decide the balance in the chamber for the rest of this fall.
A House Democratic lawmaker plans to unveil a bill that would require municipalities to detail plans for confronting homelessness. State Representative Napoleon Nelson of Montgomery County says right now, counties have the responsibility for providing homeless assistance but don’t have the authority to launch projects. In a co-sponsor memo, Nelson says that figures from last year showed there were just under 13-thousand homeless people in Pennsylvania with about 13-percent being unsheltered.
The National Weather Service has confirmed a second tornado touched down in Fayette County this past Friday. The first tornado was ranked an EF-2 while the second twister was an EF-1. The first tornado left six people injured while no one was hurt by the second tornado.