>>More COVID-19 Cases in Pennsylvania
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Positive COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Health added over 8,500 new cases to its COVID-19 dashboard yesterday. The total number of cases in the state is now over 622,000 and there are currently more than 6,000 people hospitalized because of the coronavirus.
>>Susquehanna Valley Restaurants Ordered to Close
(Susquehanna Valley, PA) -- The Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety is ordering about 16 Susquehanna Valley restaurants to close for violating COVID-19 restrictions. Inspectors announced yesterday that they have closed down a total of 33 restaurants after completing almost 400 inspections last week and 16 of those were from the Susquehanna Valley. One restaurant was in Cumberland County, two were in Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, but the most closures came out of Lancaster County with eleven. Governor Wolf's in-door dining ban is supposed to end January 4th.
>>York Organization to Host Virtual NYE Show
(York, PA) -- An organization in York is going to host a virtual New Year's Eve show for residents tomorrow. The Parliament Arts Organization announced yesterday it will be holding a celebration Thursday on Facebook to welcome in the new year. There will be a taped video streamed online that will feature local musicians in different places around York. It will also feature a light show that will be displayed on the Rupp Building on Two West Market Street. The event is expected to start at 10:30 p.m.
>>Harrisburg-Area Man Wins Third at World Series of Poker
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A man from the Harrisburg area is coming back to Pennsylvania a lot richer. Michael Cannon from Lower Paxton Township competed in the World Series of Poker tournament and earned third place yesterday. Cannon won over 529-thousand-dollars in a payout. Before his third-place achievement, his total earnings at the tournament were just above 11-thousand-dollars.
>>Lancaster County Police Searching for Teen Accused of Christmas Shooting
(Lancaster, PA) -- Lancaster County Police are searching for a teenager who is being accused of shooting another teenager on Christmas Day. Seventeen-year-old Shane McCracken is being charged as an adult with criminal attempt homicide and aggravated assault. Anyone with information on McCracken's whereabouts is being asked to contact the Lancaster Bureau of Police.
>>CDC: PA’s Total Deaths Up At Least Eight Percent This Year
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Officials with the CDC say Pennsylvania’s total number of deaths are about eight percent higher than an average year. There are some concerns that due to delays in reporting deaths in PA, that percentage could rise or even double. State health department officials say there have been over 15-thousand deaths in PA related to COVID-19 complications this year.
>>Police: Suspect Accused Victim Of Violence Prior To Deadly Steelton Shooting
(Steelton, PA) -- Investigators say a woman accused in the death of a man in Steelton last September had previously accused him of violence. Shnasia Peterson, who is facing first- and second-degree murder charges with Mason Quailes for the death of Ismail Lewis, had previously told Dauphin County dispatch the 39-year-old had snapped on her and started throwing things at her. When police arrived, Pennlive reports they found no visible injuries. Lewis was shot and killed on the 500-block of North Front Street September 2nd.
>>Cops Investigate Armed Robbery At Lancaster Pizza Hut
(Lancaster, PA) -- Police in Lancaster are investigating an armed robbery at a Pizza Hut last week. It happened on the 700-block of Manor Street when investigators say a man with a handgun entered last Wednesday night and demanded cash. He left on food and headed toward Fifth Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
(Undated) -- Here is the latest news: The New Year's Eve firework display at Pagoda is being canceled this year. Reading City Hall is not going to be open any time soon. Lancaster Police are investigating a stabbing attack that killed one man.
>>New Year's Eve Fireworks at Pagoda Canceled
(Reading, PA) -- The New Year's Eve firework display at Pagoda is being canceled this year. Reading City Council announced on Monday that it will be canceling the firework and live music event due to state restrictions made by Governor Wolf. Other New Year's events in Berks County is also being canceled, like the Boyertown bear drop and the Womelsdorf cigar drop.
>>Mayor Eddie Moran Extends Reading City Hall Closure
(Reading, PA) -- Reading City Hall is not going to be open any time soon. Mayor Eddie Moran announced yesterday that he was extending the closure for another two weeks for everyone except essential employees. The building is expected to re-open to the public on January 19th.
>>Fatal Stabbing in Lancaster
(Lancaster, PA) -- Lancaster Police are investigating a stabbing attack that killed one man. The stabbing occurred yesterday morning at a home in the first block of South Ann Street. Police say the suspect who was accused of the murder stayed on the scene and was questioned before he was released. Anyone with any information on the incident is being asked to contact Lancaster City Police.
>>Man Shot on Thun Trail in Berks County
(Cumru Township, PA) -- A man in Cumru Township is recovering at the hospital after a shooting on Thun Trail. The shooting happened yesterday afternoon on a section of the trail that is behind Service Caster Corporation. Police say it was an attempted robbery gone wrong when the 42-year-old victim fought back, but he was shot in the lower abdomen. He was a taken to the hospital in stable condition. The investigation is still ongoing.
>>Berks County Quarantine Open Mic Page Calling for Creative People
(Berks County, PA) -- A Berks County-based Facebook page is providing a virtual space for musicians and storytellers. Berks County Quarantine Open Mic page welcomes creative people to join the group and share their talents. The page was created in March when the pandemic began and is setting up a line-up for New Year's Eve tomorrow.
>>Lehigh Valley Health Network Promising Free COVID-19 Vaccinations When Available
(Lehigh, PA) -- Lehigh Valley Health Network is planning to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public when doses are available. LVHN President and CEO, Brian Nester, says they believe it is essential that all citizens have an opportunity to receive a vaccination and cost should not be a barrier. The health network will offer the doses free of charge to the community to ensure the safety of the public health and end the pandemic. Under the state's current distribution plan, the general public is not slated to start receiving doses of the vaccine until spring of 2021.
>>City Of Scranton Mourning Death Of Young Firefighter
(Scranton, PA) -- The City of Scranton is lowering flags to half-staff for the next month as the community mourns the death of a young firefighter. Officials say 28-year-old Private Stephen Sunday died yesterday, just a few weeks before completing his first year with the Scranton Fire Department. No word was said on how he died as results of an autopsy are still pending. Scranton Fire Chief John Judge says Sunday's passion and drive to be a firefighter was apparent to anyone who knew him and this profession was truly his calling as he loved the job tremendously.
>>Business Owners Worried Of Possible Extension On Restrictions
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Business owners are worried about a possible extension on the current restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms and more as the deadline approaches. State health officials are still discussing whether or not to lift the restrictions on January 4th as they say COVID-19 cases are down slightly since they implemented the ban on indoor dining and other measures earlier this month. Business owners say the news is heartbreaking because they've suffered enough amid the pandemic and invested thousands-of-dollars for plexiglass and trained staff to handle the situation. Some even reported business being down by 70-percent this year compared to last year. Restaurants are hoping the state makes a decision soon and not last minute, so they don't order too much food and have it go to waste if restrictions continue.