HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania state official says a judge for years misclassified civil claims over unpaid bills as theft. As a result, hundreds of people have undeserved criminal records. The auditor general said Thursday a review of cases handled by the former district judge in the city of Corry found over 800 theft-of-services convictions for offenses that are not crimes. They included unpaid fines for overdue library books. The auditor general wants to see the records expunged at no cost to those involved.

House Bill 1276, signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf in June, gives eligible Pennsylvania children in foster care a waiver on tuition and fees at undergraduate colleges and universities in the state. Andrea Sears reports…

A coalition of environmental groups wants presidential candidates to explain how they will address pollution in the Great Lakes. Andrea Sears reports…

EASTON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania woman who caused a fatal car crash after falling asleep at the wheel has been sentenced to serve six months to two years in prison. The (Allentown) Morning Call reports that Susan Queen spent most of Wednesday’s hearing at the Northampton County Court in Easton crying at the defense table. The 71-year-old Walnutport woman was convicted in March for involuntary manslaughter in a 2017 head-on crash in Lehigh Township that killed 22-year-old Alana Hein.

THE OFFICER OF THE YEAR HAS BEEN NAMED FOR HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS MORE…

Undated (AP)- A Maryland man is admitting he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl after DNA and new fingerprint technology helped solve the 1999 crime. Timothy Nelson Jr. pleaded guilty Thursday in the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, federal courthouse and agreed to a deal that will likely result in a 30-year sentence. The 50-year-old from Cumberland, Maryland, is admitting he abducted the girl in Pennsylvania, took her to West Virginia and assaulted her.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Leaders of a small Arkansas city are planning to draft an ordinance next month addressing a problematic rooster that has been attacking pedestrians. Jasper Mayor Jan Larson said something has to be done about the rooster that chases people as they walk in the street. The rooster Larson called “vicious” began patrolling the sidewalk and street in front of a house nearly a month ago, chasing people who walked by. Animal experts note that running away from roosters only encourages them their pursuit. The Police Chief Michael Henderson said there have been lots of complaints about the rooster, but so far no injuries. The rooster has been a major topic of discussion at the City Council’s last two meetings.

Should we move Halloween? An online petition proposing to move Halloween to the last Saturday of October has garnered thousands of signatures and growing support. More than 60,000 people signed the Change.org petition as of Thursday evening. The goal is 75,000 signatures. The Halloween & Costume Association, which started the movement, called for a “Safer, Longer, Stress-Free Celebration.” The company claimed that there are 3,800 Halloween-related injuries each year and 70% of parents don’t accompany their children when they go trick-or-treating. It was not immediately clear how moving the date for the holiday would help solve that problem, but the petition noted that the switch would allow for a full day of celebration rather than “rushed evening weekday hours.” Halloween is currently celebrated on Oct. 31.

DENVER (AP) — Colorado police say a driver tried to replace a broken tail light with a red sports drink. Denver news station KMGH-TV reported that Longmont police stopped a driver Monday who placed a red-colored bottled drink where his car’s rear light should have been. Authorities say the driver was on his way to get the tail light fixed when officers stopped him in Longmont, 38 miles (61 kilometers) north of Denver. Officials say officers didn’t ticket the driver, who was seen repairing his car later that day. Police say tail lights prevent crashes and “while we appreciate the ingenuity of this taillight, this is not a permanent solution.” Authorities say vehicles must have a red tail light that can be seen at least 100 feet (30 meters) away during the day.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR FRIDAY, JULY 26TH, 2019

 

TODAY – MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 85.

TONIGHT – A CLEAR SKY. LOW – 64.

SATURDAY – MOSTLY SUNNY. A STRAY SHOWER OR
THUNDERSTORM IS POSSIBLE. HIGH – 86.

SUNDAY – PARTLY SUNNY. A STRAY SHOWER OR
THUNDERTORM IS POSSIBLE. HIGH – 87.