THREE MISSING TEENS LOCATED IN LANCASTER CITY
State Police say three teens who went missing from a residential program in Lancaster County have been safely located. Terra Mae Braun, Shylah Searfoss, and Kyra Carrie McFadden left Hopes Haven on December 28. Police had originally believed that the three teens were heading to Baltimore, MD. All of the individuals were in good health when they were taken into custody on January 1, according to State Police. (LOCAL 21)
Dauphin County, PA - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) reminds drivers that a toll increase announced earlier this year is set to take effect just after midnight Sunday.
In July, the PTC approved a 5% toll increase for all E-ZPass and PA Turnpike Toll By Plate rates for the entire system except the Southern Beltway (PA Turnpike 576) west of Pittsburgh.
This is the first time in six years that the annual increase has been less than 6%.
Here are a few examples of rate changes customers will see this weekend:
The most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for Toll By Plate customers.
>>Number of Flu Cases Dramatically on the Rise
(Allentown, PA) -- The flu is back this winter and with a vengeance. Pennsylvania state health officials say networks serving the Lehigh Valley confirmed more than 16-hundred cases, nearly half of last season's statewide total. The total of confirmed cases statewide this year is just under 17 thousand as of December 25th, according to the state Department of Health website. Officials say the difference is that fewer people are masking up, more people are attending large gatherings and social distancing is less prevalent. The good news is that only a handful of cases have required hospitalizations, but officials say that if the current high rate of COVID-19 spread is any indication then it's probable that flu will also continue to spread at a high rate.
>>Restrictions Ease for Utilizing Substitute Teachers in Pennsylvania
(Harrisburg, PA) -- New authorizations for utilizing substitute teachers are now in effect in Pennsylvania. State lawmakers have seen the need for doing this with the rise in COVID cases as well as with teacher shortages in some areas. The hiring changes are now in place and include retired teachers now being eligible to fill teacher vacancies on an emergency or short-term basis. A second change includes districts being able to use eligible college students and recent graduates of education programs to serve as substitute teachers. Also, teachers with inactive certificates may substitute for 180 days instead of ninety per school year. Another change is that educators with active Pennsylvania certificates and those with comparable out-of-state certificates can service as day-to-day substitutes for 20 days or longer under certain circumstances.
>>School District Of Lancaster Closed Today Due To Holiday COVID-19 Surge
(Lancaster, PA) -- The School District of Lancaster is closed for today, January 3rd, due to what officials say is a high incidence rate of COVID-19 stemming from the holidays. But spokesperson Kelly Burkholder says school offices will be open and teachers will be on site. Parents should still notify the school on Monday if their child is ill or has been exposed to the virus. Lancaster County CTC students will report to the CTC. Transportation will be provided according to a normal schedule. According to an email that was sent to families, the district expects all students to return to in-person classes on Tuesday, January 4th.
>>Witnesses Say Crash Victim Only Slightly Hurt after Car Caught Fire, Overturned
(Ephrata, PA) -- One person is recovering at home after he was injured in a crash in Ephrata that overturned the car and caught it on fire. Officials say it happened during the early morning hours of Sunday, January 2nd on US 222 South, just north of the Ephrata US 322 exit. Ephrata Police Sergeant Ken Lockhart says the Toyota sedan 23-year-old Wilkin Valeral was driving left the road and rolled over several times into a wooded area. The vehicle came to a stop on its roof, where it then caught fire. Witnesses say Valera, who is from of Lancaster, was able to crawl out of the burning car and only sustained minor injuries. He was still taken to the hospital. Sgt. Lockhart says an investigation into the crash is awaiting additional information.
>>State Lottery Player Becomes 'Powerball's First Millionaire Of The Year
(Chester County, PA) -- A Chester county resident's new year is off to a really good start after being selected on national TV as the winner of a million-dollar prize. It was awarded to Brian Mineweaser just after midnight on January 1st. A news release states Mineweaser was announced the random winner of a special Pennsylvania Lottery online prize drawing that gave him a shot to win the million dollars. Mineweaser says the money will help put his four kids through college. In addition to the grand prize, he was awarded a little over two-thousand dollars for winning the Pennsylvania Lottery online prize drawing. He also received an at-home New Year's Eve party package that included 10-thousand dollars, among other prizes.
>>Two Rochester Residents Arrested, Held in Lycoming County on Pot Distribution Charges
(Williamsport, PA) -- Two people from Rochester, New York have been arrested in Pennsylvania after police allegedly found over 30 bags of marijuana in their car during a traffic stop. Officials say the car was pulled over because it didn't have a bumper or license plate as it traveled through South Williamsport. Ten baggies of pot were found upon the initial search of the car and more than 20 others were found after it had been impounded and further searched. Crystal Jackson and Sammie Lee Griner, both of Rochester were charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and lesser charges for intentional possession. Their formal arraignments are set for late January.
>>Proof Of Vax To Dine-In
(Philadelphia, PA) -- Proof of vaccination is now something that will be required for everyone to dine-in at their favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. The new mandate will begin today as a grace period allowing businesses to also accept a negative COVID-19 test instead of the proof of vaccination. But come January 17th, only vaccinated people may enjoy a meal at a food serving establishment. This also applies to movie theaters and arenas.
>>Eagles Secure Another Win
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Philadelphia Eagles are inching closer to the playoffs. Philadelphia did just enough yesterday to earn another road win against the Washington Football Team, 20-to-16. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was efficient with the football passing for 214-yards while the offense racked up 118-yards on the ground. Philly's defense made it difficult for Washington by forcing a Taylor Heinicke interception and sacking the quarterback three-times. Philly will finish the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys in a special Saturday night game at The Linc.