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03/21/2023

Local News 3/21/23
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has issued a warning about a new scam that targets state residents who get public assistance. The scam involves unsolicited calls or texts that ask for information about EBT cards or Medicaid/SNAP data. The agency also says the messages are sent randomly and will sometimes target people who aren't on receive public assistance. The messages often say that the recipient's EBT card is blocked and ask for information. Officials say the real Department of Human Services will never ask for information about EBT cards, SNAP, Medicaid, or any other programs through random calls or texts.

Authorities with the West Hills Regional Police Department confirmed to WTAC TV that they are investigating an alleged video that appears to show a teenage boy strangling and killing a duck in Cambria County.
The video appeared on Snapchat over the weekend, before circulating on social media. Police have not identified the teen shown in the video but say that they are investigating the incident in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Cambria County District Attorney confirmed that his office is aware of the incident but says that he cannot provide further comment at this time due to the incident involving a possible juvenile.

Authorities in Somerset County say two dogs and five puppies were killed Monday morning in a house fire in Lincoln Township.

WJAC TV reports that 911 officials say first responders were dispatched to the blaze, located along Northfork Road, around 10:30 a.m.

First responders say the residents made it out of the home but one person was transported by private vehicle.

Officials say the home was deemed a total loss and the Red Cross has been called in to assist the family. A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.

The State Attorney General says the city manager for DuBois who is also executive director of the DuBois Area United Way was arrested and charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

WTAJ Tv Reports 62 year old John “Herm” Suplizio, allegedly committed over $620,815 in fraudulent transactions involving city/public accounts to pay his personal credit card bills, make political donations, and gamble according to the state attorney generals office.

The majority of funds allegedly came from accounts that were set up and connected with DuBois Community Days, an annual summer event presented by the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, that Suplizio and his secretary were said to be the sole signatories of, according to the release from the Attorney General.

Suplizio was charged with five counts of theft by unlawful taking, one count of conflict of interest, one count of misapplication of entrusted property, and eight counts of fraudulent return.

Suplizio was released with unsecured bail set at $100,000. His current status with the City of DuBois and United Way is unknown at this time.

03/21/2023

03/20/2023

Local News 3/20/23
The Logan Township Police department in Blair County is asking for your help in solving a theft case.

WJAC TV reports police are investigating a theft after two males robbed a Planet Fitness in Altoona last Tuesday.

Police say several vehicle keys and wallets were taken from lockers in the locker room. Police say the individuals then used the credit cards that were in the wallets at the Altoona Walmart and Target for multiple transactions on loadable $100 debit cards.

Photos of the suspects are on the Logan Township Police Department page. If anyone has any information you are asked to contact the police.

Governor Josh Shapiro wants lawmakers to pass legislation to get rid of state taxes on cell phones. The request came up yesterday as part of the governor's first budget proposal. Administration officials say Shapiro, a Democrat, wants to eliminate both the sales and use tax and the gross receipts tax on cell-phone services. He claims those measures would save Pennsylvanians about 124-million dollars year.

Gas prices are down again throughout the Keystone State. As reported by Triple-A, the average price for a gallon of regular fell last week in Pennsylvania to three dollars and 61 cents, as the national average also declined to about three-46 a gallon. The lowest gas prices continue to be in Mississippi, where the statewide average fell slightly to just under three dollars a gallon. California drivers are currently paying the most

A therapeutic horse riding program in Frankstown Township has received a $1 million state grant that will enable it to expand services for its emotionally and physically troubled clients. The Altoona Mirror reports the Local Share Account-Statewide funding will allow Dreams Go On to build a barn on Turkey Valley Road in the township, so that it can move out of a nearby rented barn.

The nonprofit hopes to build a 12-stall barn with an indoor ring, observation seating, hayloft, office and restroom on 14.5 acres along Turkey Valley Road that the group purchased several years ago.

Local Share Account money is authorized by the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 for projects in the public interest or that improve quality of life in communities.

The organization currently serves 50 to 60 riders during the season that runs from March to October, The proposed expansion will require adding staff, recruiting more volunteers and increasing the number of horses.

03/18/2023

Pens vs. Rangers Tonight at 7:30pm

03/17/2023

Local News 3/17/23
State officials say they're encouraging rural fire companies to apply for grants to help control wildfires. Volunteer fire companies often join Bureau of Forestry crews in battling those kind of fires and officials say the grants will help get them get more equipment. They add that the money can also train firefighters to do the specialized work. Local companies can receive grants up to 12-thousand-500-dollars.

A review of state records shows anxiety disorders are the leading reason Pennsylvanians get a medical ma*****na card. Spotlight PA's analysis of more than a million certification records shows doctors created more than 385-thousand medical ma*****na certifications in 2021 and anxiety disorders were a factor in 60 percent of them. For now, state doctors are the only ones who can determine who can legally use ma*****na - it's not legal yet in Pennsylvania for recreational use.

- A state Senate bill to allow certain SUV drivers to take their doors off their vehicles is closer to becoming a law. Senate Bill 298 passed in the Senate Tuesday. Similar proposals for allowing doorless driving for vehicles like Jeeps and Broncos have become law in all other states. Those laws still require drivers to have side view mirrors and seatbelt protections, however. Currently, it is illegal to drive without doors on Pennsylvania roads, except for off-roading. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

The Pennsylvania Lottery stopped by Forest Hills Pharmacy in Saint Michael Cambria County to present a $2 million check to St. Michael Nine group.

WTAJ TV repports the “St. Michael Nine” is a group of lottery players who have been playing together weekly for the past decade. They each put in four dollars to buy a ticket for the Powerball or Mega Millions drawing.
The group had the PowerPlay option and the multiplier was two, making the ticket worth $2 million ticket, when it would’ve been worth $1 million. After taxes, each member gets $162,066. The owner of Forest Hill Pharmacy receives $10,000 for selling the ticket. The group doesn’t plan to stop playing the lottery anytime soon.

Thanks for sharing!Very interesting!Thanks for the update!

03/16/2023

Local News 3/16/23
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman reportedly might remain in the hospital as much as two more weeks. Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on February 16th to be treated for clinical depression. CNN reports that the first-term Democrat's doctors say he's making progress in his recovery and could leave the hospital in the next two weeks. The 53-year-old Fetterman suffered a stroke last May, shortly before winning Pennsylvania's Democratic Senate primary.

Congressman John Joyce visited the Kulp Family Dairy Farms in Martinsburg to promote the Dairy Pride Act.

WTAJ TV reports the Dairy Pride Act is a bipartisan bill prohibiting milk alternatives or plant-based products to be marketed or misbranded in a similar way to regular dairy products. It would also protect the integrity of what’s considered a dairy product.

Under FDA law, it defines dairy products as being from a dairy animal. However, there’s a gray area and it’s allowing the terms “milk,” “cheese,” and “yogurt,” to be used incorrectly.

This law would take action against any food products that are making inaccurate claims and are considered “misbranded.” Joyce is confident this will pass the House of Representatives and hopes this will move forward in the Senate.

Dairy Farmer Phil Kulp says he is hopeful this new bill would raise dairy farmers marketing abilities.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman may be released from the Walter Reed Military Hospital soon. CNN reports that the first-term Democrat's doctors say 53 year old Fetterman is making progress in his recovery from clinical depression and could leave the hospital in the next two weeks.

An Altoona city woman has been charged with leaving a 3-month-old baby unsupervised in an unlocked, idling car while she was inside of a store playing PA Skills machines.

The Altoona Mirror reports 38 year old Erin Marie Hipp, claimed she was trying to win money to buy diapers. Police report however she is also being charged as a fugitive from justice. Hipp has an active warrant out of Baltimore County, Maryland, for second-degree child abuse.

Hipp was arraigned earlier this week on a felony charge of endangering the welfare of children. Hipp was placed in the Blair County Prison as she was not able to make her $25,000 bail.

A state lawmaker is pushing an effort in Pennsylvania for term limits in the U.S. Congress. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie is sponsoring a resolution in Pennsylvania for such a proposal convention. The U.S. Constitution deems that state legislatures can team up for a convention to propose congressional term limits. The resolution was introduced in the state House Friday with nine sponsors. Twenty-five state lawmakers have signed a term limits pledge promising to vote in support of the measure.

03/16/2023

Pens vs Rangers Tonight at 6:30pm

03/15/2023

Local News 3/15/23
Authorities in Blair County say a Roaring Spring man is behind bars after he was accused of trading for "s*xual favors" from multiple underage girls.
WJAC tv reports Roaring Spring police began investigating 45-year-old Marlin Wilson III last summer after a 17-year-old girl reported witnessing several underage females at his home. Upon further investigation, police learned that Wilson allegedly forced the girls to perform "s*xual favors" in exchange for "anything they wanted."
Wilson was arraigned Monday afternoon on multiple charges he is being held at the Blair County Prison, on $250,000 bail.

The Altoona City Council allocated $1 million in federal grant money to create six apartments for people threatened with homelessness.
The Altoona Mirror reports the funds Authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act and funneled through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME program, will pay for the Durbin Companies to construct a modular building with six two-bedroom apartments on a vacant lot on the 100 block of Lexington Avenue.
Last year, Family Services Inc. turned away 2,478 people from its 16-bed shelter, and there are currently 230 people either on the street, at imminent risk of homelessness.
The Altoona City council says six apartments will not fix the problem but they feel it is a step in the right direction.

State Police in Indiana County have announced charges against a woman for stealing over 50-thousand dollars from the United Band Boosters Club.
WJAC TV reports that police say 55-year-old Lara Brown, who served as the booster club's treasurer, is accused of stealing the money from 2019 to 2022. As a result of the alleged thefts, the United Band nearly missed out on its planned trip to Disney World. According to online court records, Brown was arraigned on various theft-related charges and is being held at the Indiana County Jail, on $100,000 bail.

Country music icon Willie Nelson is hitting the road again this summer for his Outlaw Music Festival Tour where he will be making three stops in Pennsylvania.
The tour will also be a celebration of his 90th birthday year.
WTAJ TV reports Nelson’s second to last stop of the tour will be on Aug. 12 where he will perform at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown just outside Pittsburgh. His first performance in the Keystone State will be in Hershey on Aug. 4 before he travels to Philadelphia on Aug. 5. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 17 at 10 a.m

03/14/2023

Local News 3/14/23
State Representative Scott Conklin has introduced legislation that he says would help save lives of domestic abuse victims. His proposal called "Traci's Law" would allow electronic monitoring of people who've had Protection from Abuse orders filed against them. He says the bill builds on Act 79 of 2018, which requires a person subject to a PFA to relinquish their fi****ms. Representative Conklin says that nearly half of the other states in the country have similar laws.



The Pennsylvania Senate has recently approved a bill to ban the social media app TikTok from all state-owned devices and networks. Sponsor Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill says she introduced it due to concerns over security risks. The app may be involved with potential cyber-espionage and surveillance of government parties, in addition to collecting sensitive personal information. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration





State police in Bedford County say a New York woman is behind bars after she allegedly attempted to impersonate an employee of a doctor's office in order to try and purchase a "Schedule II" narcotic from a local pharmacy.

WJAC TV reports that State troopers identified the woman as 26-year-old Jenny Javier, who told authorities that she was attempting to pick up a prescription and was denied.

According to online court documents, Javier was arraigned on several charges and she is being held at the Bedford County Jail on $100,000 bail.



Authorities with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General say a California man is behind bars after he allegedly traveled across the country to meet with a teenage girl in Blair County.

WJAC Tv reports According to the lengthy affidavit, Altoona police were investigating a complaint from the victim's mother who reported that the girl had been communicating with a 40-year-old man online, and that, in January, the man had reportedly broke into their home, through a second-floor window, to meet with the child.

Authorities were able to trace the man's IP address to a residence in California, where 41-year-old Don Robison reportedly resides. Officials say Robison is listed as a registered s*x offender under California Megan's Law.

The victim says their correspondence began with tthrough the online game Roblox.

Robison was arraigned over the weekend on multiple charges and is was placed in the Blair County Prison and his bail was denied.

03/14/2023

Pens vs. Canadians Tonight at 6:30pm.

03/09/2023

Local news 3/9/23

Amy Mearkle
Wed, Mar 8, 7:44 PM (8 hours ago)
to me

President Joe Biden is coming to the Commonwealth on Thursday. Biden is set to release his budget proposal in Philadelphia at a union hall. Budget roll outs are usually done at the White House but Biden's team says the president has chosen to release the plan while physically on the ground with voters in Pennsylvania.

Several state lawmakers will soon submit three different proposals to legalize recreational ma*****na and let the state reap tax benefits from the industry. Analysts say legalized pot is a potential billion-dollar industry for the state. Two co-sponsorship memos circulating in both the State House and Senate propose selling ma*****na in state-owned liquor stores and restricting its possession and use to adults who are at least 21. Another measure would provide social justice to those with low-level ma*****na convictions.

Governor Josh Shapiro revealed his state budget this week and he says he is looking to lose one tax that most Pennsylvanians have to pay.

WTAJ TV reports Shapiro,is looking to do away with Pa’s cell phone taxes. Right now, cell taxes in Pennsylvania are over 16% of your monthly bill.
Shapiro says in today’s world, practically everyone has a cell phone – and being connected to the rest of the world is critical to economic stability, safety, family, and success.

State Senator Judy Ward is inviting residents to participate in a telephone town hall meeting that she is hosting on Monday, March 13 at 6 p.m.
WTAJ TV reports. Senator Ward will provide updates about state government and issues impacting families and communities in the district. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, and Senator Ward will answer as many as possible during the event. Residents in the 30th District can sign up to participate by visiting Senator Ward’s website

Today: Partly Sunny today a high of 49
Tonight Partly cloudy a low of 27
Friday Colder with periods of snow mixing with rain a high of 35
Got it.Thanks!Got it, thanks!

03/09/2023

Pens vs. Islanders Tonight at 6:30pm