Man Killed While Fleeing from Police
Harlonsburg – A New Castle man is dead following a crash that happened while fleeing from police in Lawrence County. Authorities did not elaborate on why Alex Appod was fleeing from the New Castle, Shenango Township, and Pennsylvania State Police when his vehicle collided with a bridge abutment on State Highway 956 at high speed on Wednesday the 13th. Appod was killed instantly by the crash, and a passenger in his car, 59-year-old William Holmes was hospitalized with severe injuries. Some sources claim Appod had been involved in two other police pursuits before.
Bicyclist hit by Truck
Spartansburg – A cyclist was hospitalized at UPMC Hamot after being hit by a pickup truck in northern Crawford County. Crash scene investigators have not released the identity of a person who was struck by a pickup in Sparta Township as they were crossing Route 77 at the intersection with Britton Run Road at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday night. The cyclist crossed the state route in front of the pickup and was clipped on the rear tire as they were trying to get through the intersection. Investigators are citing the cyclist for ignoring stop and yield signs.
A 19-year-old Amish man was stopped by authorities and charged with DUI after ignoring signals to stop at the scene of the accident.
High Court Halts Counting of Ballots
Harrisburg – Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has ordered several Pennsylvania Counties to stop counting mail-in ballots with improper or no date on their external envelopes. The order comes as election officials are re-tabulating the results of the US Senate race between Bob Casey and Dave McCormick. The number of mail-in ballots with wrong or missing dates could potentially be enough to close the gap of less than 17,000 votes that McCormick leads by. The count was stopped by the court after Republicans in support of candidate Dave McCormick appealed to have the counts halted in order to keep his campaign’s advantage. Two years ago, Republicans appealed to the court to allow the counting of ballots with wrong or missing dates in a bid to support Dr. Mehmett Oz against John Fetterman.
Two Injured in Fire
Erie – Officials are investigating a housefire that injured two people in Erie on Monday night. Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Carol told reporters that two people were injured in a fire on Rosedale Avenue on Monday, one victim suffered second-degree burns and the other some kind of undefined minor injury; both were taken to UPMC Hamot for treatment. The Erie Fire Department was able to contain and suppress the fire and now fire marshalls are investigating what caused it.
LIHEAP Season
Harrisburg – The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for LIHEAP, the Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP can provide as much as $1,000 to help families stay warm through the coming winter season. LIHEAP assistance is available to families whose income is less than 1.5 times the federal poverty level. For more information and to apply contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services online or call or visit your local DHS office.