News

Pa. Supreme Court justice defends independence

HARRISBURG — In early May, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice made an unexpected announcement: He was leaving the Democratic Party. In a statement sent by a member of his staff from an official court email, David Wecht said he had changed his party registration to unaffiliated due to some elected officials’ “acquiescence to Jew-hatred.” Wecht’s departure from the party will have little effect on his electoral future, even though the state picks judges in partisan contests. He won another 10-year term last year in a retention election and will be near mandatory retirement ...

Memorial Day travel sees nearly 850 crashes statewide

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania State Police investigated 843 crashes and made nearly 400 DUI arrests during the Memorial Day holiday enforcement period, according to statistics released Tuesday by the agency. During the four-day enforcement period from May 22-25, troopers investigated crashes that resulted in 129 injuries and five fatalities statewide. Police said alcohol or drugs were a factor in 59 of the crashes, including two fatal crashes. State police also arrested 399 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the holiday period. In addition, troopers ...

Speed board installed on Mountain Road

PORT ROYAL — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) placed a radar-controlled speed display board this week on Route 3006 (Mountain Road) in Spruce Hill Township, Juniata County. It is intended to remind drivers to obey the posted speed limit and reduce speeding, a common type of aggressive driving behavior. The board faces eastbound traffic between Matamoras Road and Run Gap Road on a section of Mountain Road with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour. The board utilizes radar to determine the speeds of oncoming traffic and posts them to the lighted section of the ...

State College Regional Airport adds nonstop flights to Charlotte

From the Altoona Mirror STATE COLLEGE — American Airlines will establish nonstop service between State College Regional Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, beginning Oct. 5, the State College Air Service Alliance announced Tuesday. The new route will operate twice daily and give central Pennsylvania residents, businesses and Penn State affiliates direct access to one of the nation’s busiest hub airports, as well as complement American’s existing nonstop service between State College and Philadelphia, officials said in a release. Ralph Stewart, the Centre County ...

BCS graduation

Preliminary hearing rescheduled in newborn death case

LEWISTOWN — A preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday in the case against a McVeytown woman charged in connection with the death of a newborn has been postponed until June, according to court records. The preliminary hearing for Jordyn Lynn Kauffman, 20, before Magisterial District Judge Kent A. Smith, has been continued to 9 a.m. June 19 before Judge Craig A. Weston. Kauffman is being held in the Mifflin County Correctional Facility after bail was denied due to the first-degree murder charge. Pennsylvania State Police alleged the charges stem from the death of a newborn ...