A man is now facing charges in connection to a deadly pedestrian crash last year in Moon Township. That crash happened on November 7th when Tyler Drake was hit and killed while working with a tree-cutting crew on University Boulevard. Police say Hampartsoum Nazarian was speeding when he traveled near a portion of the road that was closed for tree-cutting and ultimately hit Drake. Nazarian is facing several charges, including homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.
Charges have been filed against members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club after a reported incident Sunday at a Beaver County hotel. Officers responded to the Big Beaver Ramada Inn on word that a man had been beaten and his firearm stolen. Five members of the group, considered by the government to be an outlaw motorcycle gang, were arrested. Four were charged with felonious assault and the fifth with possessing the stolen gun. The extent of the victim’s injuries has not been reported.
The Pennsylvania Senate has passed two fiscal code bills that lawmakers say will help the budget process move along. Senate Republicans said Wednesday that they placed some of the more controversial fiscal issues — including another try to pass a school voucher program — in Senate Bill 757. However, House Bill 13-Hundred contains items that were not as controversial. Those include 50-million dollars in hospital stabilization funds, Medicaid reimbursements for nursing homes and emergency responders and 11-million in school safety grants. The House bill also authorizes funds to pay for new state troopers. It also allows 20-million dollars in oil and gas lease money to be transferred to the Clean Streams Fund.
A new survey conducted in Pennsylvania shows Governor Josh Shapiro isn’t being blamed for the budget delays. The new Franklin and Marshall poll suggests voters are more likely to blame lawmakers, especially Senate Republicans. Thirty-two percent of respondents say Senate Republicans are responsible for the delay, while 20 percent say it’s the House Democrats’ fault and another 20 percent say it’s the governor’s fault. Even so, the poll found that just under half of those surveyed said Shapiro is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as governor.
Charges are pending against a Pittsburgh man following a one vehicle accident in Mercer County. State Police report 22 year old Matthew Bender was traveling north on Interstate 79 in Muddy Creek Township when he traveled off the roadway struck a guard rail and rolled over. Bender was not hurt. Police arrested Bender for driving under the influence.
State Republican Representative Jim Gregory is introducing a bill that would authorize anyone posing as a minor to be able to catch online predators. The measure would help groups that track on-line predators through sting operations and lure them out for arrests. Gregory, who is a child sexual abuse survivor, says law enforcement is stretched thin with limited resources and often doesn’t have the time to devote to online stings. But others say such activity might be unconstitutional. Current state law only allows victims to be an actual minor or law enforcement members who are posing as a minor.
Area health experts are recommending vaccines and boosters ahead of the start of flu season. Doctor Brian Lamb with Allegheny Health Network says the return to school and increased travel are contributing to a rise in COVID-19 cases and other respiratory illnesses. Lamb is recommending that individuals take the latest RSV and flu vaccines. Disease experts expect an updated COVID booster to roll out in late September or early October as well.
The new Pennsylvania state budget includes nearly 21-million-dollars to increase ambulance Medicaid reimbursement rates, but E-M-S agencies say that’s not nearly enough. Officials with the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania say their companies are unlike other first responders because they rely entirely on billing reimbursements and fundraising. Residents generally don’t pay up-front costs for their services. The 21-million was included in the new state budget signed in early August but further legislative action is needed for the state to actually spend the funds. A state commission has approved a huge disability and retaliation settlement for a person who says they weren’t provided reasonable work accommodations at a state agency. State officials say the person who brought the action against the unnamed agency is identified only by the name “Stokes.” They will receive 155-thousand-dollars in the settlement