>>Judge Still Hasn't Ruled on Viability of York Mayor
(York, PA) -- It's been about two months since a probe into York mayor's oath began and there's still no ruling from the judge involved. In April, eighteen voters, including several former elected officials, filed a lawsuit asking the presiding judge to disqualify York Mayor Michael Helfrich from holding office and make an appointment to fill the position. Helfrich's opponents say he didn't take the mayoral oath in person shortly after being re-elected. The mayor claims he was not required to because he had already taken it when he was first elected.
>>Local Restaurant Chain Again Raises Minimum Wage
(York, PA) -- York-based Rutter's Restaurants have increased their starting wages again. The company announced Monday it will pay new employees $17 per hour. Full-time employees earning that much will make over $35,000 per year. Company officials say it's the sixth time Rutter's has increased starting wages in the past two and a half years.
>>New Retail Option Gives Turnpike Drivers A Way to Pay with Cash
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says it has come up with a way to give drivers a way to pay toll payments with cash. The state agency has partnered with the KUBRA Cash Payment Network to provide the service. Customers can select the "pay" option when accessing their account online or via the PA TOLL PAY app. After generating a pay slip, the customer can then stop at one of the displayed retail locations to make a toll payment in cash.
>>Convicted Felon Gets 15 Years for Possession of a Firearm
(Harrisburg, PA) - A 25-year-old man from Harrisburg will spend the next 15 years of his life in prison. Kshawn Carter was sentenced Monday to 180 months by a U.S. District Court judge for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Because Carter had three prior felony drug convictions, under federal law, his possession of a gun mandated the 15-year sentence.
>>Governor Tom Wolf Tests Positive for COVID Again
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has tested positive a second time for COVID-19. The governor announced through social media on Monday that his symptoms are mild. He credits the mild cast due to receiving a second vaccine booster. The governor also says he'll be isolating at home in observance of CDC guidance.
>>Harrisburg Holds Second Public Meeting on State Street Project
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The City of Harrisburg has held its second public meeting on the State Street construction project. City officials say constructive comments were shared Monday night with some of the discussion centering around the bicycling community wanting to have protected bike lanes and neighborhood residents wanting to maintain parking spaces. Engineers now will take the input and assemble a final draft concept for the project.
>>Dauphin County Sheetz Store To Close For Summer Renovations
(Swatara Township, PA) -- The Sheetz at the Tecport Business Center near Harrisburg Mall is now closed for the summer. Company officials say the Altoona-based chain is temporarily shutting down its store at 3695 Paxton Street in Swatara Township to accommodate a major renovation. The new store design will include self-service kiosks and restaurant-style seating both inside and outside. The store is scheduled to reopen in the fall.
>>Police Arrest VA Man After 72-year-old Woman Injured in Home Invasion
(Lancaster, PA) -- Lancaster police are holding a Virginia man in custody after he allegedly broken into an elderly woman's home and assaulted her. The 72-year-old woman told police a man climbed into her home through an unlocked window, forced her to the ground and repeatedly rammed her head into the floor. Daniel L. Crews, fled after a neighbor heard the struggle and confronted him. Crews was arraigned and taken to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of a half a million dollars in bail.
>>Krasner: Pennsylvania Lawmakers Should Boycott NRA Donations
(Philadelphia, PA) -- Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has called for Pennsylvania legislators to boycott National Rifle Association donations and lobbyists. His plea comes after three people were killed in a shooting on Saturday night. The incident left 11 others injured. The NRA has come under increasing criticism after a string of high-profile mass shootings across the country. Opponents say the organization has funneled millions of dollars to mostly Republican politicians over the past ten years.
>>Man Arrested for Threatening His Neighbor with a Gun Over Loud Music
(Reading, PA) -- A Reading man has been arrested on charges that he threatened his neighbor with a gun over loud music. Dennis M. Lessig, who is 64, was taken into custody Friday night at his home in the 1000 block of Meade Street. He's out on bail facing charges that include making terrorist threats, disorderly conduct, and harassment.
>>Berks County Taking Public Comment on Broadband Service
(Reading, PA) -- Commissioners in Berks County are looking for feedback from residents about broadband service. They have launched an online survey to review overall broadband accessibility throughout the county. The first part asks about current internet needs and satisfaction with service. The second part features a test that measures the actual strength of the connection used. The survey can be found at countyofberks.com/broadband.
>>County M.E. Identifies Drowning Victim in Blue Marsh Lake
(Penn Township, PA) -- The Berks County medical examiner has identified a person who drowned in Blue Marsh Lake Sunday. Albert L. Castro Beato was pronounced dead at the scene. A news release from state police says he went under in the portion of the lake at Route 183 and Old Church Road and did not resurface. The 20-year-old man was from Lebanon.
>>New Amtrak Bus Connection Service Has Begun
(Reading, PA) -- A bus that connects Reading and Pottstown to Amtrak trains in Philadelphia has now begun service It features two daily round trips from the bus stop on Hanover Street in Pottstown, across the railroad tracks from the Charles W. Dickinson Transportation Center, as well as Reading's BARTA Transportation Center at 701 Franklin St. The bus service is designed to connect Amtrak train riders and the rail service's national network via Philadelphia.
>>Adoption Fees Waived Saturday
(Lancaster, PA) -- A pet appreciation fee-waived adoption event is happening this weekend in Reading and Lancaster. Humane Pennsylvania is waiving the costs to adopt Saturday, June 11th at the Freedom Center for Animal Lifesaving, 1801 N. 11th Street in Reading, and the Lancaster Center for Animal Lifesaving at 2195 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster. All potential adopters are required to go through a screening process and approval is not guaranteed. You can stop by the shelters to see available pets or go to humane-p-a dot-org to see them online.
>>Pottstown Explosion Investigation May Take Months to Complete
(Allentown, PA) -- State officials on the case of the Pottstown home explosion say their investigation of the blast may take months to complete. A news release from the Pennsylvania Utility Commission's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement says their probe is complex and may require extensive analysis, lab testing and technical studies that could take up to a year. The blast on May 26th leveled a home, killed five people, and injured two others.
"Greatest Little-Leaguer Ever," Dies At 75
(Williamsport, PA) -- The man widely considered "The Greatest Little-Leaguer Who Ever Lived" has died. Art "Pinky" Deras, who led Hamtramck, Michigan to the Little League World Series championship in 1959, died at a Detroit hospital early Sunday morning at the age of 75. The "Detroit News" reports Deras and Hamtramck dominated all season long in 1959, but particularly in South Williamsport for the Little League World Series. His statistics include an 18-0 pitching record and ten no-hitters.
>>South Street Shooting Update
(Philadelphia, PA) -- District Attorney Larry Krasner is vowing to punish the individuals responsible for the deadly South Street shooting. Krasner announced yesterday that police have arrested an 18-year-old and a 34-year-old, both men, in connection to the gunfire episode. Authorities said there was one more shooter involved in the Saturday night incident, but that person has not been identified. The officer that fired his weapon at one of the suspects is on administrative leave during the investigation.