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'Get The F--- Out Of My Face,' PA Man Tells Officer Before I-95 Pursuit, Nearly Hitting Officer
A man accused of parking across two handicap spaces without a placard escalated a simple citation into a vehicle pursuit, nearly striking an officer in the process, Lower Chichester police announced Sunday, Jan. 19.
Timothy W. Watkinson, 29, was charged with misdemeanor fleeing or attempting to elude police, summary reckless driving, and summary careless driving, police said.
Watkinson was parked in two handicap spots at 10:08 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, when an officer approached his vehicle to issue a parking violation, police said. The car had darkly tinted windows, was not running, and di…
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About Hmpv
A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China is sparking concerns five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, drawing attention to another respiratory virus circulating in the population.
HMPV, a known virus, usually causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat.
The new rise in cases, particularly among children under 14 in northern China, has officials urging caution as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, a time when travel and gatherings often lead to spikes in illness.
Data from China’s state news agency, Xinhua, shows …
Parade Of Planets: Rare Celestial Lineup Set To Dazzle Night Skies
A rare celestial phenomenon is about to light up the heavens, offering skywatchers a chance to marvel at the dynamic beauty of our Solar System.
This February, a "Parade of Planets" will see all seven of Earth’s planetary neighbors align in a dazzling display.
The main event occurs on Friday, Feb. 28, when Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars will appear in the night sky at the same time.
Stretching in a neat row along the ecliptic, this alignment promises to be a feast for the eyes, with bright Venus and Jupiter taking center stage while the fainter Neptu…
NJ Pastor Not Guilty Of 8-Year-Old Gretchen Harrington's Homicide In PA
Nearly 50 years after 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington was abducted and killed in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, David Zandstra, a former pastor accused of her murder, has been found not guilty.
Court records updated on Saturday, Jan. 18, show Zandstra was acquitted of all charges following a trial on Friday, Jan. 17. The charges included Criminal Homicide, First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, and Third-Degree Murder. Additional charges, including Possession of an Instrument of Crime, were dismissed or withdrawn.
David Zandstra, 83, originally from New Jersey and most recently of M…
PA Man Accused Of Trying To Lure Child Into Truck, Police Seek Other Victims: DA
A Falls Township man is accused of trying to lure an 11-year-old boy into his vehicle, police announced on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
Gene Louis Martin, 54, of Nearwood Lane in Levittown, was charged with a felony count of luring a child into a vehicle or structure, according to Falls Township Police and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
Martin allegedly pulled up next to the boy as he walked south on Pebble Lane at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, and told him, “Hey kid. I live around here. Get in,” before motioning for the child to enter his white Chevy S-10 truck. The boy ran home and…
Man Who Fled Pennsylvania Homicide Captured In Virginia: Police
A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Chambersburg, police announced on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Kelsey Girard Myles, 36, of Clarksdale, Mississippi, was taken into custody by Virginia State Police on Saturday after a warrant was issued for his alleged involvement in a deadly shooting on Walker Road in Chambersburg, according to the Chambersburg Police Department.
Officers responded to the 200 block of Walker Road on Friday, Jan. 17, at 5:08 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found a man suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim succumb…
$1 Million In Medicaid Fraud, Neglect Hidden By Woman's Falsified Docs: PA AG
A Berks County woman who owns shared-care homes is accused of defrauding Medicaid of over $1 million and neglecting vulnerable residents under her care, Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Wednesday, Jan. 16.
Tina Bell, 56, Wernesville, the owner and manager of Superior Health, Inc., an Erie County-based home care agency, has been charged with theft by deception, receiving stolen property, Medicaid fraud, tampering with public records, and neglect of a care-dependent person, according to Henry.
Bell allegedly misrepresented the qualifications of caregivers and billed Medicaid for s…
Tobacco Costs PA Smokers $4.3M Over Lifetimes, New Study Says
Northeast and mid-Atlantic states are among the most expensive in the U.S. for smoking tobacco, according to a new study.
New York topped the 2025 list from WalletHub called "The Real Cost of Smoking by State", with residents losing an estimated $5.4 million over their lifetime. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island were also ranked in the top five.
The study calculated smoking-related costs by combining out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, increased insurance premiums, and missed financial opportunities, such as investing in the stock market instead of …
Jehovah's Witness Sexually Abused Family Member Under 7 Years Old: PA AG (Update)
A former Jehovah’s Witness from Butler County has been convicted of sexually assaulting a young family member over several years, beginning when the victim was just seven, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Friday, Jan. 17.
Shaun Sheffer, 45, was found guilty this week of multiple charges, including rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and corruption of minors, according to the AG's Office.
The assaults took place between 1995 and 2000, during which Sheffer had a close relationship with the victim. Authorities said the abuse began wh…
Infamous 'So I Raped You' Pennsylvania Fugitive Caught In France, Denied Bail
A Gettysburg man extradited from France to face sexual assault charges was denied bail on Friday, Jan. 17, according to court documents.
Ian Thomas Cleary, 31, was charged with Felony Sexual Assault stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred on Dec. 15, 2013, according to a criminal docket filed by the Gettysburg Borough Police Department.
Cleary was extradited from France and considered a significant flight risk, leading to the denial of bail by Magisterial District Judge Tony J. Little, as noted in the court records. According to the docket, "Defendant extradited from France. Consi…
Emaciated Son Found Dead In PA, Parents, Sister Charged
Montgomery County authorities are searching for Vernon Hatchett, who is accused of neglecting and abusing his 21-year-old son, Tylim Hatchett, to death, officials announced Friday, Jan. 17.
Vernon Hatchett also known as Khaliyl Ward, 39, of Glenside, is wanted on multiple charges, including neglect of a care-dependent person and involuntary manslaughter, in the death of his son, Tylim, who was found emaciated and deceased in a Dresher apartment on Sept. 18, 2024, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said.
Tylim, who had cerebral palsy and was entirely dependent on caregivers, …
Homicide: PA Woman Found Buried In Makeshift Grave Was Beaten To Death
A Ligonier woman whose body was found in a makeshift grave in Westmoreland County died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries, authorities said on Friday, Jan. 17.
Amy Shipley, 45, was discovered on Helens Lane in Cook Township on Sept. 18, 2024, five days after she was reported missing, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. Her body had been buried on a property belonging to her boyfriend, Roger Angelo, 48, officials said.
Shipley’s autopsy revealed that she suffered extensive injuries, including multiple broken bones in various stages of healing, Coroner Tim Carson rep…
Husband Seriously Injured In Carjacking Attempt Outside Bethlehem Restaurant; Suspect Convicted
A Bethlehem man who brutally attacked a married couple during a carjacking attempt outside a West Broad Street restaurant has been convicted on all charges, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced on Friday, Jan. 17.
Elon James, 40, was found guilty on Thursday, Jan. 16, after a two-day jury trial. He was convicted of felony aggravated assault, criminal attempt – robbery of a motor vehicle, criminal attempt – theft by unlawful taking, as well as misdemeanor resisting arrest and simple assault, authorities said.
The violent attack happened around 8 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2023, w…
Trump Swearing-In Ceremony, Inaugural Address Moved Indoors
For the first time in 40 years, a presidential inauguration will be held indoors.
Extremely cold temperatures forecast for Monday, Jan. 20 in Washington, DC have resulted in the change.
President-elect Donald Trump announced the move in a social media post at noon Friday, Jan. 17, saying, "There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.
"It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours…
