Powerful winds have left some Beaver County residence without electricity in their homes this Thanksgiving. Beaver County radio news intern Alex D’Itri has more…

 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The legal age to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products in Pennsylvania is increasing to 21, although there’s an exception for veterans and service members who are at least 18. Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed a pair of bills that make the age limit also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping products. Pennsylvania joins 18 other states in making 21 the minimum age. The new age takes effect July 1.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s governor has signed a law that permits hunting on three Sundays per year, but it won’t take effect until early in 2020. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill on Wednesday, just three days before the start of rifle deer season in the state. The legislation permits Sunday hunting on one day during rifle deer season, one during statewide archery deer season and a third day the Game Commission will pick.

A local movie theater wanting to show the new Mr. Rogers movie has been told no, according to the theater’s owner. Paul Looker, who runs Penn Hills Cinemas, claims Sony Pictures will not allow the new film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — which focuses on Pittsburgh-native Fred Rogers — to be shown at that theater because it won’t make money. Looker says that makes no sense to him since the film was shot in parts of Penn Hills and highlights the community he lives and works in. Looker is hoping to start showing the new move starting sometime in December.

The state legislature is attempting to pass a bill that would ban hand-held cell phone usage while driving. Jay Costa, the ranking Democrat in the Pennsylvania State Senate would like to see the passage of a bipartisan bill in the house that would ban the use of hand-held cell phone while driving. Costa says cell phone companies have lobbied against previous bills in the house. This is why Pennsylvania is one of 24 states that don’t prohibit hand-held cell phones for all drivers. According to the National High Traffic Safety Administration, between 2013-2017, there were 227 distracted driver fatal crashes in Pennsylvania. Those included phone usage and wearing headphones. Drivers in Pennsylvania could drive and talk on their phone but once they cross the border into Ohio or West Virginia, they’d be breaking the law. Despite the bipartisan efforts to pass a ban in the State House of Representatives, political analysts says chances of passing appear dim this session.

The emergency room and inpatient services at the Ellwood City Medical Center is temporarily shut down. This comes months after employees at the hospital said they had not received paychecks on multiple occasions. Borough officials say a CT scanner isn’t working properly, which caused the closure. The nearest hospitals are 30 minutes away.

All Beaver County, state and federal government offices are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. Banks and post offices are also closed today. Mail will not be delivered. State liquor stores will be closed, as will all PennDOT driver license and photo centers. Many large retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving before reopening for Black Friday sales.

With the Christmas season now officially underway, Kennywood’s winter spectacular is also in full swing. The ninth season of the West Mifflin park’s Holiday Lights opened last weekend. And new this season, guests can enjoy a new immersive movie at Kennywood’s 4-D Theater. Kennywood’s public relations director Nick Paradise explains…

Also new this year…Paradise says Kennywood is partnering with a local food pantry to help those who are in need…

Holiday Lights includes a dazzling lights display highlighted by a 100-foot Christmas tree, the tallest in Pennsylvania. For dates and times, www.Kennywood.com/HolidayLights.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 28

 

TODAY – CLOUDY. TEMPS NEARLY STEADY IN THE
UPPER 30‘S.

TONIGHT – CLOUDY. LOW – 31.

BLACK FRIDAY – SOME MORNING CLOUDS…FOLLOWED BY
SOME AFTERNOON SUNSHINE. HIGH – 42.

SATURDAY – CLOUDY SKIIES. SOME SLEET OR FREEZING
RAIN POSSIBLE. HIGH AROUND 40.

SUNDAY – RAIN SHOWERS BOTH MORNING AND
AFTERNOON. HIGH – 55.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials say President Donald Trump was briefed on the whistleblower complaint about his dealings with Ukraine before the White House released nearly $400 million in military aid to Kyiv. The revelation sheds new light on events that triggered the impeachment inquiry. Trump was told about the complaint in late August in a briefing by White House lawyers, according to two officials who were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.