Category: News

Beaver County Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Stop PennDOT From Selling Personal Information

A Beaver County state lawmaker has taken up an effort in Harrisburg to stop PennDOT from selling people’s personal information to third parties for profit. State Representative Rob Matzie says it’s been going on for decades, and it’s made PennDOT millions of dollars.  Some places like insurance companies need the information PennDOT provides in order to issue your car insurance. At issue is the basic information on your license, which PennDOT makes available for $9 a head. PennDOT says there are certain entities that can get the information, and it’s basically your name, address, birthday and driving record. Matzie told Beaver County Radio’s Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning that his bill would stop the release of your information except to insurance companies.

Man Accused Of Throwing Boiling Water On Girlfriend In Aliquippa

Police have charged a Pittsburgh man with aggravated assault for throwing a pot of boiling water on his girlfriend during an argument in Aliquippa. The incident occurred in the 400 block of Superior Avenue. The victim called police after the incident and said her boyfriend – 25-year-old Kellin McBryde – threw a pot of boiling water on her. The woman had blistering burns on her chest, abdomen and legs when emergency crews arrived on the scene. She was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital to be treated at a trauma facility. McBride is in the Beaver County Jail, charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment.

Lawrence County Man Jailed On Criminal Homicide Charges

A Lawrence County man has been jailed on charges he fatally shot another young man during what police are calling a family dispute. 20-year-old Takeo Cox of New Castle faces a preliminary hearing June 8th on charges of criminal homicide and aggravated assault in the death of 26-year-old Victor Ward. New Castle police say Cox shot Ward inside a home about 2 a.m. Monday during what police Chief Robert Salem is calling a “family dispute.” The chief didn’t say how Cox and Ward were related.  Police say they found the semi-automatic rifle believed used in the shooting in the woods near Westview Terrace, a public housing project. Cox surrendered to police about two hours after the shooting. Defense attorney Blaine Jones said his office is still gathering information and investigating the allegations.

Motorists Adjusting To State’s New 70 MPH Zones

Motorists in Pennsylvania are adjusting after the decision was made to increase the speed limit on hundreds of miles of roads. Today, drivers saw 70 mph speed limit signs being installed along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In 2014, PennDOT  and Turnpike officials got clearance to go 70 mph. They initially tested it on about 200 miles of state roads. Now, that’s expanding to cover about 1,000 miles. About 90 percent of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is also making the switch.

Wolf, Pittsburgh-area Officials Ask PUC To Cut Uber Fine

Gov. Tom Wolf and Pittsburgh-area officials want the Public Utility Commission to greatly reduce the record-setting $11.4 million fine against ride-sharing company Uber. The PUC fined Uber last month for operating six months in 2014 without the required approval. The company has said it would appeal. Wolf, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald say that the fine should be cut otherwise it would stifle innovation and technology companies. The PUC hasn’t commented.

Lawmakers Calling For Support of Civics Education

Legislation designed to improve the knowledge of history and civics in the Commonwealth was the topic of a press conference held in Harrisburg on Monday. Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming) is the co-sponsor of House Bill 1858 , which would require high school students to pass a test on basic facts of U.S. history and civics taken from the United states Citizenship Civics Test – the same test all immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship must pass.

Fire Tears Through Home In Moon Township

A fire destroyed a house in Moon Township Sunday. It happened in the 1400 block of Spring Run Road Extension. Reports of the fire came in around 5 p.m. At least one person reportedly escaped. It is not clear if they were injured.