U.S. health officials are investigating whether electronic cigarettes can trigger seizures in some people who vape. The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it is reviewing 35 reports of seizures among e-cigarette users, particularly young people. Regulators say it’s not yet clear whether vaping is responsible, but seizures and convulsions are potential side effects of nicotine poisoning.

The House Judiciary Committee has approved subpoenas for special counsel Robert Mueller’s full, unredacted Russia report. The committee voted to give Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler permission to issue subpoenas to the Justice Department for the final report, its exhibits and any underlying evidence or materials prepared for Mueller’s investigation. Nadler has not yet said if he’ll send the subpoenas.

Seaman Dakota Parson from New Castle recently talked to children at Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington about the construction of ‘Old Ironsides’ during Wilmington Navy Week. Wilmington is one of the selected cities to host a 2019 Navy Week, a week dedicated to raising U.S. Navy awareness through local outreach, community service and exhibitions.

At perhaps the longest work session of 2019, the County Commissioners had no shortage of topics and discussions to go through with each other.

First off, Commissioner Sandie Egley had good news in regards to the recent discovery that Aliquippa (since 2012) and South Heights (2006) had not submitted any building permits in several years:

Then Chairman Dan Camp, who recently went to Capitol Hill to speak on environmental issues, talked about the experience to his counterparts and those in attendance. Commissioner Egley had her reservations in regard to communication protocol, and this led to a contested dialogue among all three Commissioners. The full conversation:

 

Next, it was District Attorney David J. Lozier that spoke on behalf of the county in regard to cameras at traffic intersections used for crime solving; in particular, the cameras purchased and being used by New Sewickley Township police:

And Beaver County Humane Society sponsorship manager Mike Romigh came forth, announcing that the BCHS was presenting the County with a $10,000 check through the Roethlisberger Foundation for new K9 services:  

The Commissioners’ next work session is on April 10 at 10:00 AM.

Pennsylvania lawmakers, criminal justice reform advocates and rapper Meek Mill are pushing for changes to state and county probation rules, House Democratic Whip Jordan Harris on Tuesday announced he will soon introduce a bill designed to result in fewer people on probation and for shorter periods of time. Harris and Mill spoke at an event in Philadelphia to promote a change in state law that Harris is pursuing in the Legislature.

Democrats are claiming victory in a special election for a vacant state Senate seat in politically divided suburban Pittsburgh where the sides tested some national themes ahead of 2020’s presidential election. Tuesday’s contested pits Republican D. Raja against Democrat Pam Iovino for a seat largely controlled by Republicans the past half-century, but the district is viewed as increasingly friendly to Democrats. Iovino claimed victory shortly before 10 p.m.

A road in New Sewickley Township remains closed this noon, more than 15 hours after a tractor-trailer crashed Tuesday afternoon. The crash was reported just before 4 p.m. Tuesday on Freedom Crider Road, a 4-mile stretch of which was closed at one time. The closure is in place between Route 989 and Crows Run Road. Officials said the closure was needed after a tractor-trailer crashed off the road, taking out part of the guide rail and sliding down a hillside. No one was injured in the crash. Officials say the road will likely not reopen until later today, once crews from PennDOT can assess the situation.