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Police: Driver strikes woman on sidewalk twice, killing her

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man driving a stolen vehicle in Philadelphia hit two people on a motorcycle, killed a woman on a sidewalk after hitting her twice, and then stole a second vehicle and hit another pedestrian before he was taken into custody in a suburban community, authorities said. Police said the man hit the motorcycle in central Philadelphia shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday, sending a female passenger to a hospital in stable condition. Police said the vehicle fled the scene and struck two pedestrians on a sidewalk nearby. Police said he drove off, then returned and struck one ...

Transportation funding report could launch years of debate

HARRISBURG (AP) — A transportation funding commission is preparing to recommend how to raise billions more dollars in Pennsylvania for a 21st-century highway system, a report that will land at a politically touchy time and is expected to kick off a debate that could last years. The report, expected this week from the Transportation Revenue Options Commission, was ordered by Gov. Tom Wolf in March to find ways to replace Pennsylvania’s gas tax. It is expected to contain a blend of shorter-term and longer-term recommendations, including corridor tolling, goods delivery fees and ...

Another Pa. man charged in Jan. 6 Capitol breach

HARRISBURG (AP) — A Pennsylvania man who boasted of macing police at the breach of the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection is facing federal charges. Agents detained Samuel Lazar, 37, in Ephrata on Monday, on charges of assaulting police and obstruction of law enforcement, according to court filings unsealed Tuesday. Court records do not list a lawyer for Lazar. In April, LNP/LancasterOnline reported that it had identified Lazar as Suspect 275 from photos issued by the FBI of its most wanted insurrectionists. Online sleuths nicknamed him “Face Paint Blowhard” ...

Man charged in slaying for which another man served 16 years

GETTYSBURG (AP) — Authorities have announced the arrest of a new suspect in a rape and murder more than three decades ago for which another man served 16 years in prison before he was exonerated by DNA evidence. State police and Adams County prosecutors said Tuesday that Chris Speelman, 58, of New Oxford is charged with criminal homicide, rape, robbery and burglary in the August 1987 slaying of 85-year-old Edna Laughman. Lt. Mark Magyar said the arrest was made possible by advances in genetic genealogy and the hard work of investigators. District Attorney Brian Sinnett said a ...

GOP officials decry order to yank vote machines over ‘audit’

HARRISBURG (AP) — Republican elected officials from a small, rural Pennsylvania county urged state officials Friday to reconsider a decision to require new voting machines because a software firm was allowed to inspect the equipment after the election. Stuart Ulsh, chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, argued that the machines were not tampered with or compromised so should be safe for use in November. “The taxpayers of Fulton County don’t deserve to be on the hook for what appears to be a partisan attack from the Department of State on a local Republican ...

Man pleads guilty to kidnapping, killing young Amish woman

LANCASTER (AP) — A man who led authorities to the remains of a young Amish woman in Pennsylvania pleaded guilty Friday to kidnapping and killing her. Justo Smoker, 35, pleaded guilty in Lancaster County to third-degree murder, kidnapping and other offenses in the death of 18-year-old Linda Stoltzfoos, who was last seen walking home from church in the Bird-in-Hand area on June 21, 2020. Smoker was sentenced to 35 1/2 to 71 years in prison. He faces an additional sentence of more than 17 years for violating parole from a previous series of burglaries and robberies. “This ...