>>Governor To End PA School Mask Mandates In January
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Governor Tom Wolf says school districts can modify or eliminate mask mandates for K-12 students in January. But the requirements will remain in effect for childcare facilities and early learning programs. The mandates have been in place since September. In making the announcement Monday, the governor said it is time to prepare for "a transition back to a more normal setting." The lifting of the mandate comes as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for children ages five to eleven has begun in Pennsylvania.
>>Senator Casey's Ideas Incorporated in Pres. Biden's Build Back Better Framework
(Washington, DC) -- Some ideas from Senator Bob Casey to invest in the state's children have made their way into the framework of President Biden's Build Back Better proposal. The aspects involve concepts from Senator Casey's Five Freedoms bill and include expanding the Child Tax Credit, school meals and high-quality early childhood education. Though the infrastructure part of the president's act already has received approval, other remaining parts of the proposal on social and environmental issues will be decided upon in the coming weeks.
>>State To Get Billions Under Federal Infrastructure Deal
(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Pennsylvania is going to get billions of dollars under President Joe Biden's bipartisan infrastructure deal that Congress approved last Friday. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm tells KDKA-TV that Pennsylvania is going to get over a billion and a half dollars for bridge and road repair. Other big-ticket items include nearly three billion for public transit, another a billion and a half to provide safe drinking water and $355-million for airport upgrades. She added that there is also a lot of funding coming Pennsylvania's way for home weatherization and for capping abandoned oil and gas wells in addition to upgrading the power grid.
>>Gov. Wolf Signs Bill Extending Liquor License Abilities for Licensees
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Governor Tom Wolf has signed a bill into law that's geared to help give more flexibility to those businesses that have a liquor license. House Bill 425 will allow restaurants and other licensees to extend the area in which they are licensed to serve alcohol to a seating area within one-thousand feet of their main location. It also gives the state liquor-licensing board the ability to issue eligible licensees unlimited off-premises catering permits and allows a licensee that closes permanently to sell their liquor and wine to another business with a liquor license.
>>Drivers Who Don't Stop For School Buses Continue to Increase
(Lower Allen Township, PA) -- State officials say the number of people who don't stop for school buses continues to grow. In this year's Operation Safe Stop for a single day in October, PennDOT and Lower Allen Township police say the violations more than doubled last year's totals when many schools weren't even in session. The officials also warn that with darker conditions due to Daylight Saving Time ending, it's even more important to be on the lookout for students and buses that are running in near-dark conditions. Drivers are supposed to stop at least ten feet away from a bus that's extended its stop sign arm and is flashing its red lights.
>>Last Remaining World War II Helldiver Pilot Honored
(Coatsville, PA) -- Residents of Freedom Village at Brandywine in Coatesville have hosted a surprise birthday celebration to honor a resident who is the last remaining World War II Helldiver pilot. They feted Jack Freemann and celebrated his 100th birthday with a tribute to his service as a Naval fighter pilot on the USS Hancock early last week with recognition by Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan. She mentioned his bravery and service in a speech and presented Freemann with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. She said it was especially important to recognize Freemann's service in light of Veteran's Day coming up this week.
>>Police Looking for Witnesses to School Bus Crash Into Pennsylvania Creek
(Easton, PA) -- Police are looking for witnesses of a school bus crash that ended up in a creek near Easton Monday. The driver and eight students were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Police said they have dash-board video that shows a car right behind the bus on Bushkill Drive. After both vehicles travel under the Route 22 overpass, the bus rounds a curve in the road and appears to go onto the shoulder, then swerves and travels into the other lane and through a guardrail. Two cars are seen stopping at the scene until another bus drives up and stops to assist.
>>State Police, Lebanon Co. D.A. Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting
(Union Township, PA) -- Pennsylvania State Police and the Lebanon County District Attorney's office are investigating an officer-involved shooting from over the weekend. It happened Sunday night on Ridge Road in Union Township when troopers were trying to arrest a man for violating a protection order. They had tried to get him to get out of his car to take him into custody, but he reportedly drove the car over one trooper and dragged him. After trying to use a Taser, another trooper then shot his gun and struck the man. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. Pennsylvania State Police and the Lebanon County District Attorney's office are investigating the shooting.
>>Sen. Casey Takes Neutral Stance On Scranton Teachers' Union Strike
(Washington, DC) -- Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey is taking a neutral stance in speaking about the teachers' strike in Scranton. In a statement this week, the senior senator urges both sides to redouble efforts to ensure students can continue to learn, especially since the pandemic has already been so disruptive to their lives. Even though he acknowledges educators have been working without a contract and without a raise for five years, he still urges both sides to keep working until the issues are resolved. The strike is in its sixth day, as of Tuesday.
>>York Salvation Army Leader Worries About Meeting Kettle Goal
(York, PA) -- Officials with the Salvation Army in York say they're worried about meeting their Red Kettle campaign goals this year. Major Tom Babbitt is worried about whether the organization will meet its goal of collecting 200-thousand dollars in donations because he says a lot of people are out of work and not able to give. He's also worried that the supply-chain problems will affect their toy distribution. Money from the kettle campaign supports the Salvation Army's holiday assistance program, which goes toward toys, food, and clothing.
>>Small Earthquake Felt All Over Berks County
(Reading, PA) -- If you felt a small change in the atmosphere or rumble on Sunday afternoon, you weren't imagining things. State officials say a small earthquake hit in Berks County about 1:45 p.m. The 1.7-magnitude earthquake was centered west of Sinking Spring. Residents in Reading, Wernersville and Lancaster reported feeling it. No damage was reported.
>>Allentown Diocese Bishop Tests Positive for COVID
(Allentown, PA) -- Bishop Alfred Schlert is quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Allentown Diocese. Authorities there say the bishop is continuing to do his duties remotely as he stays home for ten days with mild symptoms. The Diocese says the bishop wrote in a letter that he was exposed to the virus at a recent confirmation and that steps are being taken to notify anyone he may have met. The bishop also asks for prayers for the coming days.
>>Former Nurse Allegedly Stole Narcotics On The Job At A Union County Hospital
(Lewisburg, PA) -- A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a former nurse who allegedly stole narcotics while on the job at Evangelical Community Hospital. Alexander R. Neiman, of Renovo, is accused of stealing drugs on more than 60 occasions when he worked there, beginning in May of 2021. The hospital contacted state police in August and a felony charge plus several misdemeanors were filed against him last week at the office of District Judge Jeffrey A. Rowe.
>>New Skate Park Opens, With Help From Legend Tony Hawk
(Allentown, PA) -- Allentown is celebrating the grand opening of a new skate park, made possible in part with financial help from legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. The project was nearly five years in the making. Mayor Ray O'Connell says it offers something special for young adults who aren't into team sports. Plans are in the works to connect the park by a trail to downtown Allentown.
>>Chronic Wasting Disease Remains Issue in Pennsylvania
(Harrisburg, PA) -- State officials are warning hunters to be on the lookout for deer that might have Chronic Wasting Disease, also known as Zombie Deer Disease, as hunting season gets underway. While there is no evidence that it can be spread to humans and there have been no reported cases of infections in people, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding says hunters can protect themselves and their families, or those they've donated venison to, from risks associated with the disease. You can place your deer's head in a PA Game Commission collection container to submit it for CWD testing. You should also report any sightings of sick or abnormal-acting wild deer or elk to the PA Game Commission.