No Injuries in Fire
Starbrick – Nobody was reported harmed during a five-alarm fire in Warren County Monday night.
At 7:30 p.m. the call came out for a response from fire departments across Warren County for a structure fire in Starbrick. On top of the local fire department, firefighters from North Warren, Pleasant Township, Wrightsville, and Youngsville also came to battle the blaze. Working together the five departments were able to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the initial burning building and evacuate the only occupant.

Governor Reveals New PA License Plates for 2026
Harrisburg – The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania revealed a new license plate celebrating the 250 year anniversary of the founding of the United States. The new plates that were unveiled yesterday by Governor Shapiro are a white field and feature the Liberty Bell in the center with blue text identifying the license plate number; in red text, the state is identified above the Liberty Bell and the phrase “Let Freedom Ring” below. The new plates will start being released next year with a wider release in 2026. Governor Shapiro said that Pennsylvania is the Birthplace of American Democracy, alluding to the fact that the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and United States Constitution were all ratified in Pennsylvania. 

Prosecutors Mull Over More Charges in Likens Murder
Mercer – Mercer County’s District Attorney, Peter Acker, is unsure if murder suspect DaShawn Watkins can be charged with hate crimes for the killing of 14-year-old Pauly Likens. Over the weekend information about how Pauly identified as transitioning became available to the public, and Watkins himself is an openly homosexual man. The two had allegedly agreed to meet up after contacting each other over a dating app that caters to the LGBTQ+ community.  Earlier this week Governor Shapiro sent his condolences to Pauly’s family and urged lawmakers to vote in favor of a bill offering stronger LGBTQ+ protections that will be discussed later this year.
29-year-old DaShawn Watkins was arrested for the killing of Pauly last Thursday and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for next Wednesday, July 17th.  Police allege that Watkins met with Pauly, took her to his apartment, killed her, and dismembered her before throwing her remains in the Shenango River Reservoir. District Attorney Acker has charged Watkins with the crimes of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence; he has not ruled out further charges.