Columbus police fatally shoots Black teen swinging knife
By FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Body camera video shows a Columbus officer fatally shoot a Black teenage girl who swung at two other people with a knife. A black-handled blade resembling a kitchen knife or steak knife appeared to be lying on the sidewalk next to her immediately after she was shot and fell. The girl was identified as 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, according to Franklin County Children Services, which said in a release that she was under the care of the agency at the time of her death. Police say Bryant was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. It’s unclear if anyone else was injured. The quick release of the footage is a departure from police protocol but comes amid heightened tension between Columbus police and the community they serve.

Man pumping gas at convenience store killed, shooter dead
UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a gunman took his own life after fatally shooting a man who was pumping gas and wounding another person at a convenience store in eastern Pennsylvania. Officials were trying to determine a motive for the shooting on Wednesday at the Wawa store in Upper Macungie Township. Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin says a man fatally shot a truck driver pumping gas, and shot and wounded the driver of a Jeep. Martin says the gunman then killed himself. The same man shot at the vehicle of another woman before opening fire outside the Wawa. She was not injured.

UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. (AP) — People on a morning run to a convenience store in Pennsylvania on Wednesday encountered a series of seemingly random shootings that left one dead, one wounded and a gunman taking his own life, officials said.
A man shot and killed a truck driver who was pumping gas at a Wawa store in Upper Macungie Township, a suburb of Allentown. He also shot and wounded a man in a Jeep in the parking lot, Lehigh District Attorney James Martin said on Wednesday.
The same man shot at the vehicle of another woman before opening fire outside the Wawa, Martin said. She was not injured.
The district attorney said the shooter fled on foot and then took his own life.
Authorities were trying to determine a motive and Martin said the preliminary investigation indicated the shootings were “indiscriminate” and unrelated.
The shootings drew a large police presence and the search for the gunman extended to a day care center several miles away. Nearby businesses and a school closed.
The injuries to the man in the Jeep who was wounded were not considered life-threatening, Martin said.
Authorities did not release the names of the victims or shooter.
Officials said a Wawa employee took several customers to safety.
Arthur Sanchez, a security guard for a nearby business, told The Morning Call that he parked next to a car that had bullet holes and shattered windows on its passenger side. He had stopped at the Wawa before work.

HARRRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has added to his responsibilities for the 2021-22 session by being appointed to the Subcommittee on Small Business under House Commerce Committee Chairman Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie).

The subcommittee will be looking at ways to better enhance opportunities for employers and small businesses.

“When I first took office in early 2017, the economy was growing stronger, and we were looking forward to a more prosperous future in Western Pennsylvania,” said Bernstine. “Then came COVID-19 and many of our gains in recent years were wiped out with a shutdown that has lasted far too long. To help us bounce back, I am continuing to focus my efforts on improving the economy by helping our small businesses and creating much-needed jobs.”

The House Commerce Committee is responsible for originating legislation and overseeing implementation of programs which affect Pennsylvania companies. The committee has primary jurisdiction over corporate governance through the business corporation law, as well as regulation of offers of sale and credit through such statutes as the Goods and Services Installment Sales Act, the Unfair Sales Act, and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

“During the first few months of the new session, I have prioritized economic growth and supported several bills to not only reignite our economy but to allow Pennsylvania’s businesses to do what they do best – expand their products and services and create family-sustaining jobs,” said Bernstine. “The coronavirus continues to present many challenges for us. The unfair shutdowns have wreaked havoc on businesses across the Commonwealth, which has negatively impacted our hard-working employees. It is time to pick up the pieces and work toward building a better, more prosperous Pennsylvania.”

(Enon Vallay, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they went to 171 State Street in Enon Valley at 1:00 AM this morning to serve and active bench warrant for 49-year-old David Lindner of Evon Valley.
Troopers reported via release that while Lindner was being take into custody he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. Lindner was transported to Lawrence County Jail relative to the active bench warrant. The controlled substance that Lindner was in possession of is being sent to a lab for analysis and weight. Charges are pending analysis of the substance.
The report did not state what the original bench warrant was for.

AP source: Garland to announce Minneapolis police probe
By MICHAEL BALSAMO and AMY FORLITI Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to announce the Justice Department is opening a sweeping investigation into policing practices in Minneapolis after the guilty verdict in George Floyd’s death. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The announcement comes a day after ex-officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s 2020 death, setting off a wave of relief but also sadness across the country. Bystander video showed Floyd handcuffed behind his back and gasping repeatedly, “I can’t breathe,” as Chauvin pressed his knee on or close to Floyd’s neck for several minutes. The Black man’s death prompted mass protests.

Gov. Wolf Orders Flags to Half-Staff to Honor
Former Vice President Walter Mondale 

Harrisburg, Pa. – In honor of former Vice President Walter F. Mondale, Governor Tom Wolf has ordered all United States and Commonwealth flags on the Capitol Complex and Commonwealth facilities throughout the state lowered to half-staff immediately. Mondale passed away yesterday at 93 years of age.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to the Mondale family, and to all those grieving the loss of former Vice President Mondale,” said Gov. Wolf. “He was a giant in American politics, one who transformed the nature of the vice presidency and reminded all of us that government should be a force for good in the lives of the American people.”

The United States Flag shall be lowered to half-staff and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been announced. The Commonwealth flag has flown at half-staff since Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and should continue to fly at half-staff until further notice.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.

Ex-cop guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd case
By AMY FORLITI, STEPHEN GROVES and TAMMY WEBBER Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, the explosive case that triggered worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S. The jury deliberated about 10 hours over two days in a city on edge against another outbreak of unrest. Floyd died last May after Chauvin, a white officer, pinned his knee on or close to the 46-year-old Black man’s neck for about 9 1/2 minutes.

Governor Tom Wolf received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
at the Family First Health Center in downtown York on Monday afternoon.

Dr. Asceline Go, vice president of Medical Services at Family First Health, administered the vaccine.

“I was happy to wait until every Pennsylvanian who wants a vaccine was eligible to get my own, and I was really pleased to get my first dose today at Family First Health, a federally qualified health center,” Gov. Wolf said. “I hope my vaccination sets an example for those who might still be considering getting a COVID-19 vaccine and encourages them to make the decision to make an appointment today to get vaccinated.”

The governor had his second dose appointment scheduled while at Family First Health today. To schedule an appointment, visit the provider map here.
To date, more than 7.1 million vaccine doses have been administered in Pennsylvania and the state ranks 10th among all 50 states for first doses administered

Fatalities continue to trend downward in PA thanks to education, innovation, enforcement

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that in 2020, statewide traffic deaths increased to 1,129 from the record low of 1,059 in 2019. Last year was the second-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded and overall fatalities continue to trend downward.

“Even one life lost is one too many, and Pennsylvania is committed to moving toward zero deaths,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Our biggest priority continues to be safe travel regardless of the mode you use, and we continue to work with our partners to decrease fatalities through educational outreach, the latest innovations, effective enforcement and low-cost safety improvements.”

Pennsylvania roadway deaths were up about 6 percent in 2020 despite an approximate 20 percent reduction in traffic counts statewide last year when compared to 2019. This increase is in line with a recently released report from the National Safety Council, showing preliminary data estimates national motor-vehicle deaths are up 8 percent.

“We cannot definitively say why fatalities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic even though it certainly had an impact on traffic volumes statewide,” said Gramian. “Over the long term, traffic fatalities are still trending down, but we must continue to work together to make our roads safer for all drivers.

“Motorists are our most important partners in road safety – we can only get to zero fatalities with your help. We urge all Pennsylvanians to always wear their seat belts, never drive impaired or distracted, and always follow the speed limit.”

While the overall number of highway deaths increased last year, decreases in fatalities were noted in crashes involving drivers aged 65 or older, head on/opposite direction side swipes, crashes involving distracted drivers, and pedestrian crashes. Fatalities in drivers 65 years old or older dropped from 281 in 2019 to 243 in 2020. Head on crashes/opposite direction side swipe fatalities also decreased from 158 in 2019 to 128 last year. There were 47 fatalities in 2020 crashes involving distracted drivers compared to 62 in 2019.

Additionally, the year-to-year longer-term trends also continue to decrease. For example, compared to 2016, there were 59 fewer total traffic deaths, 86 fewer deaths in lane departure crashes, and 60 fewer fatalities involving unrestrained occupants in crashes.

The following crash types saw fatality increases in 2020:

• Crashes involving single vehicle run-off-the-road – 506 fatalities, up from 447 in 2019;
• Crashes involving local roads – 224 fatalities, up from 186 in 2019;
• Crashes involving motorcycles – 217 fatalities, up from 174 in 2019; and
• Crashes involving speeding – 188 fatalities, up from 162 in 2019.

According to national data, over 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior. For this reason, PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests $18 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support these behavioral safety programs.

In addition to behavioral safety, PennDOT focuses on infrastructure improvements to roadways in an effort to further reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Approximately $477 million in Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds has been invested in 444 unique safety projects from 2015 to 2019. During that same timeframe, another $50 million of state funds was invested in low-cost safety improvements at approximately 3,000 locations. Examples of low-cost safety countermeasures include centerline and edge-line rumble strips and signing and pavement markings.

For more information on reportable crash data, visit PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool (PCIT) website, www.crashinfo.penndot.gov. Under “Crash Downloads,” the “Reportable Crash Fatality Statistics” spreadsheet is updated with 2020 fatalities; 2020 crash statistics and suspected serious injury statistics are not yet available. The “Custom Query Tool” and additional crash downloads will be available later this month.

For more information on the department’s highway safety initiatives, visit PennDOT.gov/safety.

PennDOT’s media center offers resources for safety organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders. Social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving and distracted driving can be found online at www.PennDOT.gov in the “Media Center” under the “About Us” footer.

Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews, like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot.