>>Republicans in State House Refuse Vote on Weapons Ban
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The state House of Representatives voted 111 to 87 Wednesday against an effort to ban certain weapons, in light of the school shooting in Texas. Democrat Danielle Friel Otten of Chester County wanted the house to take up the bill that would ban owning, selling or making high-capacity, semi-automatic firearms. But it went nowhere Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff argued it should have to go through a committee first. However, the measure has spent more than a year in the Judiciary Committee, where most proposals to restrict guns remain in limbo.
>>Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Crackdown Underway
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The annual Memorial Day seat belt enforcement campaign is now underway in Pennsylvania. The Department of Transportation and its law enforcement partners are reminding motorists to buckle up in connection with the "Click It or Ticket" Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization. It started Monday and runs through June 5th. Hundreds of municipal law enforcement agencies and other states are also taking part in the campaign.
>>American Red Cross Hosts Blood Drive Thursday in York
(York, PA) -- The American Red Cross is set to host a blood drive today (Thursday, May 26th). It will take place at the York Jewish Community Center from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. To donate, you can sign up for an appointment online - or call 1-800-RED CROSS for availability. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
>>State Officials Order Recount in Republican U.S. Senate race
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Pennsylvania's Acting Secretary Of State Leigh Chapman has ordered a statewide recount. It has been prompted by results of the May 17th Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat. Chapman made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday. Dr. Mehmet Oz is leading Dave McCormick by fewer than a thousand votes in the race.
>>DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell To Leave Office
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A top official in Governor Tom Wolf's administration is stepping down soon. The governor's office has announced Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell will leave his position July 2nd. His departure ends his six-year run heading the agency and culminates a 25-year career with the state. DEP Executive Secretary of Programs Ramez Ziadeh will serve as the acting secretary after McDonnell steps down.
>> Federal Program Will Cover Cost of School Meals Affected by COVID Pandemic
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Families whose children's school meals were affected by COVID-19 should soon see some economic relief soon. The state Department of Human Services has announced that federal funding has recently been approved for a program that will cover the costs of school meals during the pandemic. The initiative helps eligible families cover the costs of breakfasts and lunches for kids at a free or a reduced price through the National School Lunch Program in schools or childcare facilities.
>>Bill Allowing Fentanyl Test Strips Passes House Committee
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A bill amending Pennsylvania's controlled substance law to allow for the use of personal testing equipment has passed a house committee. The measure, including Fentanyl test strips, unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee this week. Republican State Rep. James Struzzi says his proposal would help prevent overdose deaths by allowing people who are addicts to possess and use test strips to assure their own safety. The state logged over 52-hundred drug overdose deaths last year, according to official records.
>>Firefighters Battle Sawmill Fire In Providence Township
(Providence Township, PA) -- Investigators are trying to find the source of a two-alarm fire Wednesday at Beiler's Sawmill in Quarryville. Fire department officials say more than three dozen emergency units were called to the scene on Route 272 shortly after 9:00 p.m. There's no word yet on whether anyone was injured. The company website says the lumber mill employs about 30 people.
>>Reading Man Charged With Murder Of Missing Cab Driver From Last Year
(North Heidelberg Township, PA) -- Police say they have arrested a Reading man for murder after finding the body of a cab driver who had been missing since last summer. Darlyn De La Rosa-Abreu went missing August 8th while driving his cab. On Friday, police said evidence had led them to discover human remains in the area of Old Church Road, which are believed to be those of the driver. Police arrested Johnny Palaguachi of Reading in the case. He is believed to have been De La Rosa-Abreu's fare at the time of his disappearance.
>>Lancaster Man Accused in Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Turns Himself In
(Manheim Township, PA) -- A Lancaster man who had been accused of selling fentanyl-laced heroin to a person who later died of a drug overdose has turned himself in. Manheim Township Police say Javonne King is charged with drug delivery resulting in the death in 2019. An arrest warrant was issued for King in 2020, following an investigation of the victim's death.
>>Worker Who Died at Lancaster Country Club Identified
(Lancaster County, PA) -- The Lancaster County coroner has identified a Delaware County man who was killed in a construction accident at Lancaster Country Club earlier this week. Dr. Stephen Diamantoni says 26-year-old Christopher Chizauskie died from pressure on his chest wall that prevented him from being breathing. His death was ruled accidental. The Dogwood-Highlands course at the club remains closed due to the police investigation.
>>Holiday Speeding Clampdown Already Effective in Berks County
(Exeter Township, PA) -- Exeter Township police have already been kept busy in a recently launched state Click It or Ticket campaign. Officials say they've already written nearly 150 citations since Monday when the campaign kicked off. One-hundred-five of those tickets were for speeding; officers clocked one driver doing 107 miles-per-hour. The speeding and seatbelt campaign runs through June 5th.
>>International Baby Formula Shipment Arrives in PA
(Upper Macungie Township, PA) -- Parents who've been in need of baby formula will soon be getting relief. A shipment of 100,000 pounds of infant formula arrived Wednesday evening at a Nestle distribution center in Upper Macungie Township. Company officials say they'll get the product distributed as soon as possible to retailers, hospitals and WIC programs. The shipment was part of the international response to the baby formula scarcity emergency in the United States.
>>Lebanon VA Medical Center Changes COVID-19 Protocols
(Lebanon, PA) -- The Lebanon VA Medical Center has new COVID-19 protocols, as health officials say cases have increased slightly. The facility is now at a high health protection level. That means that masks are required once again, visitors will be asked about their symptoms, and social distancing is also required. Visitors must also be approved by a patient's care team.