NEW CASE OF AVIAN FLU IN LANCASTER COUNTY
As of this writing, there have been 12 affected commercial flocks and a total of 4,082,500 birds affected in Pennsylvania since the start of the avian flu outbreak, according to the USDA. Out of the three new cases in the state, two are in Berks County and one is in Lancaster County. The Lancaster County case is at a Commercial Table Egg Layer and 72,300 birds are affected. The two Berks County cases both deal with ducks, and 61,100 birds are affected. (C/P WHP21)
>>Penndot Says Road Deaths Increased In 2021
(Harrisburg, PA) -- PennDOT officials say traffic deaths increased by nine percent last year. There were 1,230 deaths due to driving statewide in 2020. PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian says crashes involving lane departure incidents accounted for nearly half of highway fatalities. She adds that speeding, impaired, and distracted driving are leading factors in lane departure crashes.
>>Online "Sextortion" Incidents Targeting Boys Are On The Rise
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The FBI in Philadelphia is warning parents about an increase in online incidents involving the sextortion of children. That's where perpetrators contact a young male over a platform and convince him to engage in explicit activity over video. Most of the time the activity is secretly recorded and teens are too embarrassment to come forward. Experts say the production of Child Sexual Abuse Material comes from teens having too much information on social media that can be exploited.
>>Canadian Man Sentenced For Sweepstakes, Lottery Fraud That Targeted Elderly People
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The United States Attorney's Office says a 72-year-old man from Montreal, Quebec has been sentenced to prison for mail and wire fraud. The federal judge in the case says Itcace Abramovici played a leadership role in a telemarketing and money laundering scheme that targeted elderly victims, including some who lived in central Pennsylvania. In addition to two-and-a-half years in prison, Abramovici will need to make restitution to victims for more nearly $462,000.
>>York County Rep. Wants To "Clean Up" Voter Rolls
(York, PA) -- A York County state representative wants to try to clean up the state's voting rolls before the May 17th primary. Republican Seth Grove has proposed that Pennsylvania joins 31 other states to be a part of "ERIC," the Election Registration Information Center. The national database compares death certificates, addresses and personal information to make sure voter registration is accurate.
>>Convicted Bank Robber Indicted On Escape Charges From Dauphin County
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A Harrisburg man has been indicted by a federal grand jury after he escaped from the Capital Pavilion Residential Reentry Center. According to a release from the Department of Justice, Derek Smith had been confined there following his conviction for bank robbery. He was captured and taken back into custody two days later. He could get an additional five years for the escape when he's sentenced.
>> Weiss Markets To Build, Remodel And Expand Stores
(Sunbury, PA) -- A Pennsylvania grocery chain says it's sending about $150 million to improve its stores. The president of Weis Markets announced at a recent shareholders' meeting that new stores will be built and existing ones will see remodeling and expansion. Johnathan Weis says his budget includes four new stores, five major remodels and the addition of eight fuel centers. He also says sales have increased by a little more than 18%.
>>Harrisburg Mayor Tells How She'd Like To Spend American Rescue Plan Funds
(Harrisburg, PA) -- About ten-million dollars would be spent on sprucing up Harrisburg in Mayor Wanda Williams' plans to use the city's American Rescue Plan funds. A little more than nine million would be spent on public safety and 14 and a half million would go toward helping low-income city residents. Mayor Williams says most of that amount would go toward affordable housing. Additionally, she'd like to spend over $9 million on public safety, including a $5,000 bonus for police officers and firefighters.
>>Possible Shooting Being Investigated In York
(York, PA) -- Police are reportedly investigating a shooting in York Wednesday night. According to emergency dispatchers, officers were sent to a location near the intersection of King Street and South Penn for a shooting around 7:30 p.m. Area residents say ambulances also arrived on the scene and it looked like one person was taken to the hospital. Police have given no official word on the reported incident.
>> State Rep. Introduces Bill To Exempt Older Citizens From Jury Duty
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A Pennsylvania State Representative has introduced a bill to exempt people who are older than 70 from serving jury duty. Currently, seniors can apply for exemptions at age 75. The measure has been recently introduced by State Representative Pam Snyder of Greene County.
>>NHL Championship Game Comes Back To Pittsburgh For Game Six Friday
(Pittsburg, PA) -- After a New York Rangers' five-three victory Wednesday night in New York, attention will now be focused on Pittsburgh's Game Six with the Rangers. That will happen Friday night back in Pittsburgh for a home-team advantage. The Penguins lead the series three-two.
>>Annual "High Five" Event Continues In Hershey
(Hershey, PA) -- A decades-long tradition has continued in Hershey Public Schools. On Wednesday, many of the 217 graduating seniors took a victory lap, of sorts, through their school buildings to the cheers of soon-to-be former teachers and fellow students cheering them on. The activity was part of the school's annual "high five" event. Of the upcoming graduates, 26 are considered "lifers," which means they attended Hershey Public schools throughout their educational years. They will formally graduate at the Giant Center on June 12th.
>>Sixers Fighting for Playoff Life
(Philadelphia, PA) -- It will be quite clear what the stakes are for the 76ers when they return to the court tonight, it's win or go home. The Sixers are facing elimination from the 2022 playoffs if they don't pull out a win tonight. Philly was blown out Tuesday night in Miami against the Heat. Tonight's game begins at 7 p.m.