An 11-year streak of price hikes on the Pennsylvania Turnpike continues as of Jan. 6, 2019

The increase applies to both E-ZPass and cash tolls.
The most common toll will rise from $1.30 to $1.38 for E-ZPass and from $2.10 to $2.25 for cash. If you’re taking a longer trip, the difference really adds up.
To go across the state, starting at the Warrendale Toll Plaza and exiting at the Wyoming Valley Toll Plaza, it will cost E-ZPass holders $41.70 and $58.10 for those paying with cash, according to the toll schedule.
Tolls have increased every year since 2009. Turnpike officials say the annual hikes are needed to meet funding obligations, and for maintenance and improvements to the turnpike system.

The turnpike commission says it is legislatively mandated to offer $450 million in funding to PennDOT each year under the terms of Act 44, a state law enacted in 2007.

Looking to score tickets to see the Broadway musical “Hamilton” in Pittsburgh in January? There’s hope.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has been quietly releasing more batches of seats available via the official TrustArts.org retailer according to TribLIVE .

Trust spokeswoman Robin Elrod told TribLIVE the additional availability is a piece of the tour’s strategy to combat scalping.

It’s suggested you periodically check the website and sign up for the trust’s email newsletter for updates.

South Buffalo Fire Chief Randy Brozenicksaid said they have decided not to search Friday for missing Armstrong County man 70 year old Kenneth Himes.

During the searches Wednesday and Thursday, a Civil Air Patrol airplane and two state police helicopters flew searches that included use of heat-seeking and special radar before the ground search teams began to slog through the mud and brambles of the Armstrong County countryside.

“We are always hopeful, but six search dogs separately led us to a pond,” said State police Sgt. Rocco Russo. “We’re not leaving until we know.”

Himes, who suffers from dementia, was last seen at his brother’s home on Cadogan Slate Lick Road in South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County, around 11 p.m. Tuesday when his family put him to bed.

State police are asking any property owners or hunters with trail cameras in the area of Cadogan Slate Lick Road near Ford City to check them for evidence of Himes.

Anyone with information should call 724-543-2011.

The Westmoreland County sheriff who has has faced charges that he had his staff do campaign work while on the clock, now has two teenage sons facing charges of armed robbery and grand theft in Florida.

According to police, the victim had set up a Snapchat purchase. He claims the teens pulled up in a minivan, and one of the sheriff’s sons pulled a gun on him demanding money & anything else he had on him. The victim handed over his wallet and cellphone and ran, according to police.

Police tracked down the teens and took them to a juvenile facility.

Florida’s laws are different than Pennsylvania’s, so the juvenile’s names and mugshots have been released. Ryan Tutera, Sheriff Jonathan Held‘s attorney says “They’re children. They’re teenage children, and they have privacy rights that should be respected,”.

The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa announced a 20-percent rate hike for sewer customers, effective Jan.1. The average residential customer uses 11,000 gallons of sewage per quarter and will see thir bill go up from
$78.25 to $93.00

A state required corrective action plan to reduce overload conditions is what authority officials say is to blame for the increase. The additional revenue will go towards those required projects.

There is now an official title for the upcoming biopic starring Tom Hanks as Mister Rogers.It will be titled “A Beautiful Day in the Neighboorhood.” Filming was done in Pittsburgh earlier this year.

According to Sony Pictures, the film will be in theaters October 2019.

70 year old Kenneth Himes, who suffers from dementia, was last seen at his brother’s home on Cadogan Slate Lick Road in South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County, around 11 p.m. Tuesday when his family put him to bed. On Wednesday morning, they noticed he was missing.

Police spent much of Wednesday searching for him, but called off their efforts for the night at 5 p.m.

When the search resumed Thursday morning, the search area was expanded to include Northpointe and the river. Authorities are also working at a pond near where Himes was last seen.

State police are asking any property owners or hunters with trail cameras in the area of Cadogan Slate Lick Road near Ford City to check them for evidence of Himes.

Anyone with information should call 724-543-2011.

According to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, Statewide, gasoline is about five cents cheaper in Pennsylvania. Nonetheless, the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region remains one of the most expensive regions in the country this week. Prices are about $2.60 per gallon in Pittsburgh & Beaver

On the National Front
Nearly 20 percent of states are currently enjoying prices below $2.00 per gallon.
Heading into 2019, gasoline demand is expected to dwindle during the month of January, an expected change following the busy holiday travel season. At the same time, OPEC will begin production cuts on January 1, with hopes that the shift in global supply will push oil prices higher. The effectiveness of the cuts will not likely be known until later in the first quarter.

WEATHER FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018

TODAY: Periods of rain. High 58F.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy skies. Low 47F

SATURDAY: Sunshine and some clouds. High 52F

SUNDAY: Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 47F.