>>York Hospital One of Two in State Getting FEMA Staffing Help
(York, PA) -- WellSpan York will receive help from FEMA team members for 30 days to help its overwhelmed staff with the latest COVID-19 omicron strain. A news release states the hospital system will also receive 30 medical and surgical beds for COVID-19 patients. The added help stems from a request from Governor Tom Wolf for members of federal "strike teams" to provide additional critic help as the pandemic surges. Governor Wolf's Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter says Pennsylvania also asked FEMA for one-million rapid at-home coronavirus tests.
>>Man Charged in Harrisburg Woman's Death
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A 36-year-old man is facing homicide charges in the death of woman found shot in her Harrisburg home on Tuesday evening. Harrisburg Police says Brian McCullough has been charged in the case. It's believed the shooting may have stemmed from a domestic dispute in which McCullough entered the home in the 18-hundred block of Boas Street and shot Erika King several time. Police believe her daughter witnessed the shooting. McCullough was taken into custody as he was trying to leave. The relationship between McCullough and the victim has not been made public.
>>Lower Paxton Township Police Looking for Man Missing for Six Days
(Lower Paxton Township, PA) -- The Lower Paxton Township Police Department is asking the public for help in finding a missing man. Sixty-one-yea -old Stephen Salazar has not been seen or heard from in six days. He is believed to have been involved in a car crash last Thursday evening in the area of the I-83 2nd Street exit. Salazar is described as a white male standing at five-foot-eight, with a heavy build, blue eyes, and black hair. Anyone having information on Salazar is asked to contact the police department or submit a tip through the Lower Paxton Township Police Crimewatch program.
>>Missing Teen Found Safe
(Carlisle, PA) -- Police in Carlisle, Cumberland County are sharing some good news about a missing teen. The 15-year-old girl for whom they've been looking for the past day has been found. Hailey Sydney had left her home around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. She was located and returned home Wednesday morning, police said.
>>Newville man Charged in Harassment, Assault in Domestic Dispute
(Newville, PA) -- A 26-year-old Newville man is facing several charges connected to threatening a woman during a domestic dispute. Michael Jehn has been charged with misdemeanor simple assault, harassment, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person. The domestic dispute happened at a home in the first block of East Main Street in Newville on December 15th. Police said Jehn had threatened a woman with a knife before running away from the scene. He was arraigned December 27th and is in the Cumberland County Prison.
>>Mechanicsburg, Lower Allen Still Doing New Year's Eve drops
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Many annual New Year's Eve events in the area have been canceled because of the latest COVID-19 surge, but some communities are saying they'll go ahead and host their usual festivities. In Mechanicsburg, the annual Wrench Drop will still take place at the Washington Fire Company on East Main Street. The event begins at 9 p.m. with a 10-and-a-half-foot lighted wrench to be dropped at midnight. Lower Allen Township will host the Lowering of the Yellow Breeches instead of a party this year at The Barn in Lower Allen Township Park. Also back this year is the annual raising of the Hershey's Kiss as well as live music in Derry Township.
>>Lebanon Co. Commissioner Dies Of COVID-19 Complications
(Lebanon Co., PA) -- The Lebanon County Commissioner's Office is announcing the death of Commissioner William "Bill" Ames. He died on Tuesday of COVID-19 complications. The statement said Ames has served with "a desire to confront fiscal and social issues that challenge counties on a daily basis," and he "will be greatly missed." He had been in office since 2012.
>>Reading Schools To Go Virtual For Week Because Of COVID Concerns
(Reading, PA) -- The Reading School District will switch to live virtual learning for all students during the week following winter break due to COVID-19 concerns. District officials say the transition to virtual learning will take place from January 4th-to-7th for students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Full, in-person instructions is expected to start again on January 10th.
>>Karns Foods To Partner With Local Cattle Farmers
(Chester Co., PA) -- Grocer Karns Quality Foods is teaming up with local cattle farmers in a first-of-its-kind program. Store leaders say they'll offer locally owned, sourced, and processed beef to help deal with supply chain issues. So far, 15 farmers in Cumberland and Lancaster counties have signed up to be a part of the program. The local beef is expected to hit Karns shelves in May.
>>Univest Financial Corporation Enters Lancaster Market
(Lancaster, PA) -- Insurance brokerage company Univest has expanded its business lines with the acquisition of Lancaster County-based Paul I. Sheaffer Insurance Agency. The deal that closed earlier in December includes nearly four million dollars in cash. Sheaffer is based in Intercourse and was formed in 1950. The brokerage represents more than 40 insurance companies to thousands of businesses and families in Central Pennsylvania. Paul I. Sheaffer the second, whose father founded the firm, will continue with Univest. The deal leaves Univest with more than one billion dollars in loans and half a million dollars in deposits in Central Pennsylvania.
>> New Year's Eve Events Will Go on in Lancaster, Lebanon Counties
(Lancaster, PA) -- Many annual New Year's Eve events in the area have been canceled because of the latest COVID-19 surge, but some communities are saying they'll go ahead and host their usual festivities. Lancaster and Lebanon Counties are two of them. In Elizabethtown, there'll be a Star Raising. It'll take place at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church at the church at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks. Lebanon's Bologna Drop celebration will take place on South Eighth Street with the main bologna drop will take place at midnight. Following the event, the bologna will be donated to the Lebanon Rescue Mission.
>>PA Supreme Court Rules in Allentown Case; Pot Odor Alone Not Enough Reason to Search
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that the smell of marijuana alone isn't enough reason for police to search a vehicle without a warrant. Their decree Wednesday overturns a lower court decision in an Allentown case. Chief Justice Max Baer said in his opinion filed Wednesday the odor of marijuana may only be considered as a factor in examining the totality of the circumstances. The Supreme Court remanded the case back to the Lehigh County Court. The case stems from a 2018 traffic stop in which state police smelled marijuana in a car in which Timothy Barr the Second of Heidelberg Township was a passenger. Marijuana and a gun were found in the car after the search.
>>Sixers Looking to Keep Streak Alive
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Philadelphia 76ers will be looking for their third-straight win tonight as they take on the Brooklyn Nets up in New York. Philadelphia enters the game at 18-and-16, and they've also won three-consecutive road games. The Sixers won't have to worry about Kyrie Irving who doesn't play home games because of New York's COVID-19 restrictions. Tipoff is set for 7 o'clock from the Barclays Center.