Breaking News

PA News

PUC increases penalties in FirstEnergy case tied to winter shutoff death

From staff reports HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has approved increased penalties against FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company following a 2021 incident in which electric service was improperly shut off at a Westmoreland County home. The commission voted 5-0 to modify a proposed settlement, doubling financial penalties after determining the original agreement did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the case. The incident occurred Dec. 14, 2021, when service was terminated at a residence in Vandergrift during the PUC’s winter moratorium, ...

AG Task Force seizes firearms, makes arrests ahead of NFL Draft

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced several arrests and the seizure of six firearms, along with ammunition and accessories, following three recent search warrant operations carried out by the Allegheny County Gun Violence Task Force. The warrants were executed March 18 and March 19, about a month before the NFL Draft was scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh, an event expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans to the region. The Office of Attorney General-led task force, working with Allegheny County agencies and police departments in Pittsburgh, ...

Officials warn of text phishing scams targeting drivers

HARRISBURG — State transportation and law enforcement officials are warning Pennsylvanians about a rise in text phishing scams that falsely claim to be from government agencies and threaten penalties over unpaid fines or tolls. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said the messages often warn recipients their driver’s license or vehicle registration will be suspended unless immediate payment is made. Officials emphasized the messages are fraudulent and urged residents not to click on links or provide ...

State launches initiative aimed at reducing veteran suicide

From staff reports ANNVILLE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has launched a statewide initiative aimed at reducing suicide among veterans, service members and their families. The effort is supported by a $143,947 grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program. State officials said the funding will expand suicide prevention efforts and increase outreach to service members, veterans and their families across the commonwealth. “This funding allows us not only to continue, but to ...

Lancaster teens ordered to pay restitution in morphed image case

HARRISBURG — Two Lancaster County teenagers have been ordered to serve probation, complete community service and pay restitution after admitting to creating manipulated nude images of other minors. Attorney General Dave Sunday said the 16-year-old boys were adjudicated delinquent Wednesday in Lancaster County juvenile court on charges including felony sexual abuse of children for manufacturing child sexual abuse material, conspiracy and a misdemeanor count related to obscene material. Leonard G. Brown III, president judge of Lancaster County, ordered each juvenile to serve six ...

Two companies charged in Beaver County hazardous waste case

HARRISBURG — Two western Pennsylvania companies are facing criminal charges for allegedly storing and disposing of hazardous waste improperly at a Beaver County facility, resulting in a multimillion-dollar cleanup. Attorney General Dave Sunday said One Brewery Place Inc. and M. Ultra Investment Group LTD were charged this week with a felony count related to the unlawful management of hazardous waste, along with multiple misdemeanor offenses. According to investigators, the companies stored chemicals for years at a former Pool Doctor facility in Rochester. Authorities said the ...