Officers kill man sought in arson at motel where 2 killed

April 3, 2023

WYOMISSING, Pa. (AP) — Law enforcement officers shot and killed a man in eastern Pennsylvania who was wanted in an arson at a New Jersey motel — and being sought for questioning in a double slaying there — and was also wanted in a double shooting in Philadelphia, authorities said. State police in Berks County say troopers were alerted Thursday evening to be on the lookout for a 53-year-old Philadelphia man being sought in Monday’s arson at the Gloucester County, New Jersey, motel. Police said the same person had walked up to a Philadelphia home earlier Thursday afternoon and ...

4th person found dead in factory blast

March 27, 2023

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — A fourth person was confirmed dead and three people remained unaccounted for Sunday, two days after a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory shook a small town in Pennsylvania. West Reading Borough Chief of Police Wayne Holben confirmed the body of a fourth victim was found under debris early Sunday at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in the borough of West Reading, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. Holben asked for continued prayers from the community and vowed that rescuers and officials “will not rest until every single person ...

12 injured in floor collapse near IUP

March 27, 2023

INDIANA, Pa. (AP) — A dozen people were injured in the collapse of a second-story floor inside an apartment complex near a western Pennsylvania over the weekend, authorities said. Seven people were taken to hospitals and five others were treated at the scene after the 11:50 p.m. Saturday collapse at Elm by Traverse Commons about a mile from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, state police told the Tribune-Review. Trooper Cliff Greenfield said the victims had injuries ranging from serious to minor. He said responding troopers found one person lying in the road and others grouped ...

Philadelphia residents warned about chemical spill in river

March 27, 2023

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia residents are being told that they may want to drink only bottled water following a chemical spill into the Delaware River in neighboring Bucks County. Bucks County health officials said Sunday that a leak late Friday evening at the Trinseo Altuglas chemical facility in Bristol Township spilled between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of a water-based latex finishing solution into the river. Officials said it is non-toxic to humans and no known adverse health effects have been reported in the county. Mike Carroll, deputy managing director for Philadelphia’s ...

Woman dies after neighbor’s dogs attack

March 20, 2023

NEW BLOOMFIELD (AP) — A Pennsylvania woman died after she was attacked by a neighbor’s dogs she had gone over to feed while their owner was away, authorities said. State police said 38-year-old Kristin Potter died after she was attacked Thursday evening by the two Great Danes in Centre Township southwest of New Bloomfield. Perry County Coroner Robert Ressler said the victim had gone to the home with her young son, who ran for help when two of the three dogs present attacked. Ressler said emergency responders and police officers were unable to reach the victim until animal control ...

Lights out for Philly’s famous boathouse row, for now

March 20, 2023

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The bright lights of Philadelphia’s famous Boathouse Row are going dark, at least for now. Thousands of lights outline the historic boathouses along the Schuylkill River near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They form one of the most indelible images of the city. Tara Rasheed of Fairmount Park Conservancy calls it “our postcard shot of Philadelphia.” Starting Monday, the lights will be switched off and taken down as work gets underway on a $2.1 million replacement project expected to last eight months. Officials say an upgraded lighting system should be ready ...