>>Harrisburg City Leaders Hear Public Input on School Violence
(Harrisburg, PA) - Harrisburg school leaders have gotten to listen to scores of people who participated in a town hall on school gun violence event. Speaking Wednesday night, Superintendent Eric Turman says these kinds of incidents are upsetting and many are caused in conjunction with truancy issues. He says security cameras will soon be installed soon starting at the John Harris Campus where a threat was recently made.
>>PA Gets Federal Boost To Kick-State Electric Charging Network
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Pennsylvania leaders are discussing ways to implement and fund a new electric car- charging station network in the state. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the network plan last year at a cost of about five billion dollars. State officials say Pennsylvania will be getting just under 26 million in federal dollars for electric voltage infrastructure. PennDOT is hosting host a public meeting on the issue, as well.
>>PA Legislators Urge Approval Of System That Would Track Rape Kits
(Harrisburg, PA) -- House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton and state Senator Katie Muth have introduced legislation that would create a statewide system for tracking rape kits. The medical collections are used as evidence in rape cases to confirm the account of what happened to a victim. McClinton and Muth are trying to get their legislation out of committee and released for votes. If it becomes law, victims will be able to track their evidence and know what's happening with their cases.
>>Bench Warrant Issued for Former Pennsylvania Attorney General
(Norristown, PA) -- A Montgomery County judge has issued a bench warrant for former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane. Once the warrant is served, a judge could send Kane back to prison to finish the sentence of her prior conviction. She's facing new DUI charges after she allegedly crashed her car into another vehicle in Scranton in March. The charge puts her in violation of her probation from when she was convicted of perjury and official oppression in 2016.
>>New Poll Shows Voters' Biggest Concerns in May Primary Elections
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A new Monmouth University poll conducted right before last week's senate candidates' debate shows topics that seem to be priorities for voters. The two biggest concerns among Republicans in the poll were inflation and illegal immigration. Also, 51 percent said the question of Dr. Mehmet Oz's residency "bothered them" either a lot or a little.
>>Former PA Judge Has Now Lost Law License After Convictions
(New Bloomfield, PA) -- A former Perry County magisterial district judge who has been disbarred now has also lost his law license. Fifty-nine-year-old Michael Schechterly was suspended from the bench when he was sentenced in February on two separate cases. The charges involved official oppression and corruption of minors. Since then, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel has reviewed his actions and has now disbarred him. Schechterly is also barred from ever holding judicial office again and has had to forfeit any pension benefits.
>>Remembrance Ceremony For Holocaust Held At State Capitol
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Governor Tom Wolf has joined Jewish leaders to denounce anti-Semitism. The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition invited him to take part in their 38th annual remembrance ceremony for the Holocaust on Wednesday at the state capitol. The ceremony included the recognition of Holocaust survivors, as well as the children and grandchildren of survivors. According to state police data, hate crimes have increased dramatically in Pennsylvania over the past two years.
>> City Leaders Urged To Preserve Proposed Bike Lanes
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Bicycle safety advocates have urged city council members to preserve a long-proposed bike lane along State Street. City leaders say the plan changed when work began on a project to turn it into a two-way street and add three roundabouts. The idea now is to make room for the bike lane, reportedly by taking away one car lane during non-rush hour times and one parking lane during rush hour. Some residents voiced concern at a meeting Tuesday night, however. They fear that there won't be enough travel lanes during snow storms if the plan moves forward.
>>Six of 10 State Governor Candidates Show Up at Forum in Hershey
(Hershey, PA) -- Six of the ten gubernatorial candidates have let more than 3,000 local government officials get to know them at forum in Hershey. Their appearance came Wednesday at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' Conference. Republicans participating included Nche Zama, Melissa Hart, Charlie Gerow, Bill McSwain, Jake Corman, and Lou Barletta. The candidates responded to questions submitted in advance and pledged to work in partnership with local governments.
>>Lawmakers Call For Additional Funding To Battle Avian Flu
(Lancaster County, PA) -- A Republican state lawmaker from Lancaster County is asking the legislature for $2 million more to battle avian flu. In Representative Mindy Lee's request, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also would be given broad authority for response and preparedness related to the virus. On Tuesday, an avian flu outbreak was found at a fifth Lancaster County farm. More than three million birds have been culled to try to prevent further spread.
>>Report: Ron Vogel Decides Not To Drop Out Of Sixth District Congressional Race
(Reading, PA) -- Ron Vogel has reportedly decided to reverse his decision to drop out from a run for the 6th Congressional District. On Wednesday, a representative of Vogel's campaign confirmed to the 'Reading Eagle' that Vogel had changed his mind about suspending his campaign and would continue running. He had previously said he'd quit came after social media attacks against him had escalated and reportedly brought threats to him and his family.
>>Neighbors Coax Dog to Safety in Berks County House Fire
(Fleetwood, PA) -- The people were not home but their pets still were when a fire broke out at a Fleetwood residence mid-morning on Wednesday. Fire officials say neighbors heard the dog's cries and coaxed him as he jumped out of a second-floor window to safety at 6 West Jackson Street. Firefighters found one cat after they entered the home and hoped that another one was hiding from the commotion. The two-alarm blaze left the home a total loss. The family, including three school-age children, is living with relatives for now.
>>Two-Alarm Fire Displaces Two People in Reading
(Reading, PA) -- Two people are looking for a new place to live after a two-alarm fire at a Reading row-house Wednesday. The occupants of the home in the 100 block of Hudson Street told fire officials they called in the incident when they started to smell smoke. The two residents, a woman, and her son, escaped along with a guest and were not hurt. The fire marshal has estimated damage at 30-thousand dollars.
>>Lancaster Man Identified as Victim of Fatal Hit-and-Run
(Lancaster, PA) -- Officials say a 43-year-old scooter-rider from Lancaster is the victim of a fatal hit-and-run incident. Police in West Lampeter Township responded early Wednesday morning to the 1,800 block of Rockvale Road to find Samuel S. King, of Lancaster unconscious. Police found the suspected vehicle a few hours later but have not identified any suspects so far.
>>Dorney Park Parent Company Hit With Class Action Lawsuit
(Allentown, PA) -- A federal court in Ohio has ruled that a class action lawsuit against Dorney Park's parent company can proceed. The suit was filed over reimbursement for COVID-related closures. Plaintiffs who were season ticket holders say they should receive pro-rated refunds for 2020 season passes that largely could not be used because of pandemic shutdowns. Cedar Fair contends that disclaimers on its websites, that all ticket sales are final, are sufficient to make consumers aware that no refunds would be issued.
>>Regional Leaders Take First Steps in Getting Amtrak Service Back
(Allentown, PA) -- Commissioners in three counties have voted to authorize the creation of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority. The action is considered to be the first step in restoring passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia. The commissioners in Berks, Montgomery and Chester counties voted last week to authorize the creation of the governmental authority. The votes were held after each county held a public hearing. Amtrak service was suspended in the region in 1981.
>>PA Disability Advocates File Suit to Challenge Guardianship Laws
(Allentown, PA) -- Disability advocates and Independent Living Centers in Pennsylvania have filed an Amicus Brief with the state Supreme Court. It centers on long-term care services for people with disabilities. The brief objects to an alleged overuse of guardianship under state law for disabled and older individuals, including a failure to apply alternatives to guardianship. Advocates say the issue affects every Pennsylvanian that may be at risk of having their rights restricted or removed due to age or disability.
>>Eagles Enter NFL Draft with Pair of First Round Picks
(Philadelphia, PA) -- Eagles fans are anxious just hours ahead of tonight's NFL Draft where Philly enters with a pair of first-round picks. The Eagles are set to select at pick number-15 and again at number-18. Philly is coming off a year where they finished with a 9-and-8 record and lost early in the playoffs. Tonight's draft begins at 8 o'clock.