>>Severe Storms Bring Flash Flooding, Downed Trees
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Flash floods across the region stranded cars and tore down trees yesterday ahead of excessive heat that has descended on the area. A fallen tree blocked the right lane of Interstate 81, and downed trees were reported near Colonial Park. Much of the area was under a severe thunderstorm watch that has since expired.
>>Life-Threatening Heat Grips Area, Heat Warning Issued
(Harrisburg, PA) -- An excessive heat warning that brings with it life-threatening heat has been in effect since yesterday morning. This means the heat index could peak between 104 and 110. Temperatures are expected to fall during the weekend. The Swatara Township Emergency Management Agency has opened a cooling station at the city's municipal building. The cooling station will be open today and tomorrow from noon until 4:30.
>>Home Depot Changes Mask Policy As New Cases Spread
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Home Depot is the latest business to change its mask policy as new cases of COVID-19 increase. The company is requiring all employees and vendors to wear masks indoors. Customers will also be asked to wear masks indoors. Home Depot is offering masks to anyone who does not have one as they enter the store.
>>Competition Grows For 10th Congressional Seat From Pennsylvania
(Harrisburg. PA) -- The race for the next person to represent Pennsylvania from the tenth congressional seat has just grown larger. Republican Brian Allen has formally declared his candidacy to challenge incumbent Scott Perry in next year's primary. Allen has scheduled a campaign launch for Labor Day at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park.
>>Thousands Of Model Trains To Be Auctioned In Harrisburg
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A collection of two-thousand model trains is set to go on sale Monday. The collection belongs to a man from Palmyra who collected model trains for 65 years. Officials with Estate Auction Company say some of the trains were available only to dealers and some were made before the Second World War. It will be conducted in-person and online through Estate Auctions' website.
>>School Districts Reconsidering Requiring Masks
(Lancaster, PA) -- The School District of Lancaster is among districts in the area which are reconsidering requiring masks in classrooms. The rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant is the reason they are taking another look at what had been only recommending wearing a mask. Some parents say they are worried about their kids getting sick and spreading the virus to others.
>>Another Heat Advisory Today
(Reading, PA) -- It will be hot and humid again today, and the National Weather Service has a heat advisory for Berks County. The heat index will be over 100 degrees with temperatures in the 90s. Community pools have been popular for families to cool down.
>>Pennsylvania Officials Approve Landfill Expansion
(Earl Township, PA) -- A Berks County landfill will get bigger. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has given the approval to expand to the Rolling Hills Landfill. The facility is owned by the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, which wants to build higher berms around the 162-acre site. The expansion will extend the landfill's life by over ten years, as it was expected to be at capacity in 2025.
>>Sexual Assault Charges For Berks County Man
(Tilden Township, PA) -- Tilden Township police are charging 45-year-old Axel Sarceno of Hamburg for a sexual assault on a woman last month. Sarceno is charged with harassment, harassment by communication, and indecent assault by force. The 21-year-old victim reported the assault July 16th, saying it happened the day before.
>>More Kids Catching COVID In Pennsylvania
(York, PA) -- Calls for the FDA to approve the COVID-19 vaccine for younger groups are increasing as more kids catch the virus in Pennsylvania. The American Academy of Pediatrics sent a letter to the FDA saying they appreciate the FDA's prudent step to gather more data, but they urge them to carefully consider the impact of this decision on the timeline. The AAP emphasized that the delta variant created a pressing risk to kids under the age of 12. This comes as hospitals in the state reported seeing an increase in kids checking in for COVID, and as of yesterday, children account for about 15% of the state's total cases.
>>Susquehanna Valley Hit With Storms, Flooding
(Dauphin County, PA) -- The damages are being assessed in Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties after a severe thunderstorm swept through the region. Several areas in the region saw about four-inches of rain, causing flash floods and rescue calls as some vehicles were stranded in flooded roads. Trees were downed along with powerlines, leaving at least nine-thousand without power at the height of the storm. Officials say more rain and excessive heat can come in the next few days.
>>Lancaster County Man Facing Homicide Charges After Showing Police Frozen Head
(Lancaster, PA) -- A Lancaster County man is facing homicide charges after showing officers a frozen, severed head. Police say yesterday morning, they were dispatched to a home in Lancaster City after a woman reported seeing the severed head of her loved one in a freezer. When officers arrived, they spoke with Donald Meshey junior, who led officers to his kitchen and presented the frozen head to them. Meshey was then interviewed by investigators where he reportedly admitted to stabbing a cadaver doll that he found, which sounds and looked like his father, then dismembering the body. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and Meshey is facing charges of homicide, abuse of a corpse and more.
>>Jefferson Health Gives Employees Ultimatum
(Philadelphia, PA) -- Employees of Jefferson Health have been given a life-changing decision, get vaccinated or find a new job. Jefferson announced earlier this week that all employees must be vaccinated by October 29th. Officials spoke with the Philadelphia Business Journal and made it clear that anyone who doesn't show proof of vaccination by the requested date will be fired. There will be exceptions for medical or religious reasons, but that plan is still being developed. Several employers are putting together similar mandates for employees as COVID cases continue to rise.
>>Mask Mandates To Impact Eagles Games
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Philadelphia Eagles have made some changes to their health and safety protocols ahead of the season. All fans and staff must wear a face mask while visiting indoor spaces at Lincoln Financial Field. Some prime examples include the team store and the restrooms. This does not impact the thousands-of-fans sitting in the stands on gameday.
>>Eagles Open Preseason
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Eagles will open their preseason by welcoming the Pittsburgh Steelers to Lincoln Financial Field. Fans will be in attendance to watch the team under new head coach Nick Sirianni. All eyes will be on the offense and second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts as he comes in this year as the starter. Kickoff is set for 7:30 this evening.