(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano

(Koppel, Pa.) PA State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were called to the scene of a fatal accident involving  motorcycle shortly after 7:00 AM on Monday morning at the intersection of Route 18 and 351 in Koppel. The accident was in front of the Al’s corner, a popular eatery.

Troopers have not said what happened at this point and have not released the names and/or conditions of the victim or victims involved in the accident.

A State Police Spokesperson said more information will be released as the investigation continues.

(Pa State Troopers Martin F. Mack III (Left) and Brandon. T. Sisca (Right) were killed in the line of duty early Monday morning while assisting a pedestrian on I-95 in Philadelphia. Photos courtesy of Pa. Media Services.) 

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Commissioner Robert Evanchick confirmed today that Trooper Martin F. Mack III, 33, and Trooper Branden T. Sisca, 29, were struck and killed by a driver earlier this morning on I-95 south in the area of milepost 18 in Philadelphia City, Philadelphia County. A male pedestrian was also struck and killed at the same time.
The troopers were dispatched after receiving reports of a man walking on I-95 south. As they were helping him into the back of their cruiser, the female suspect attempted to drive past the scene. She fatally struck all three and the cruiser just before 1:00 a.m. and remained at the scene. “Our department is heartbroken with the tragedy that occurred early this morning in Philadelphia,” said Colonel Evanchick. “We ask our fellow Pennsylvanians to keep the families of our troopers and the
pedestrian in their thoughts. This is an extremely difficult time.”
Mack enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in November 2014 and graduated as a member of the 141st cadet class. Sisca enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in February 2021 and graduated as a member of the 161st cadet class. Both troopers spent their entire careers assigned to the Patrol Section of Troop K, Philadelphia.
Governor Tom Wolf ordered the commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds fly at half-staff to honor Trooper Mack and Trooper Sisca. The commonwealth flag shall be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Friday, March 25, 2022, as well as on the day(s) of their funerals which have not
yet been announced. The United States flag is to remain at full-staff through this tribute. All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that occurred while these troopers were protecting and serving,” said Gov. Wolf. “This mournful incident is a stark reminder of the risks—and sacrifices—our law enforcement officers undertake every day to keep us safe. My heart goes out to their families and the communities they lived in
and served.”

Story by Sandy Giordano

(Beaver Pa.) Beaver Police reported that a tractor trailer lost control in industry at 9 :50 a.m. striking the awning at JR”s Pizza  Police and paramedics were on scene. One person was sent to the hospital for evaluation,  Route 68 east and westbound is closed while crews clear the  scene.

By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer
The Pittsburgh Penguins have shored up their depth at defense by acquiring Nathan Beaulieu from the Winnipeg Jets to open the NHL’s final day of trading. The Jets acquired a conditional seventh-round pick in this year’s draft for Beaulieu, who is in the final year of his contract. The Penguins sit third in the Metropolitan Division standings and made the move with an eye on the playoffs. Beaulieu is sidelined by a lower-body injury sustained earlier this month and will remain on long-term injured reserve.

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(Chippewa Township, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they have charges 34-year-old Raymond Cox of Industry with Driving under the Influence of a controlled substance after an incident that took place at the Get Go in Chippewa on Thursday, March 11, 2022.
Troopers said via release that Cox backed the 1995 Ford F-350 truck he was driving into a 2020 Hyundai Sonata that was sitting at a gas pump while 81-year-old Gerard Sommer was pumping gas into it causing major damage to the side and rear of the vehicle. Cox then fled the scene in an unknown direction. No Injuries were reported and no further information was released about the incident.

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(Pittsburgh, Pa.) PennDOT is announcing inspection activities on the ramp that carries traffic from the Fort Duquesne Bridge to northbound Route 65 in the City of Pittsburgh will occur today from 9 AM to 3PM.
To allow the inspection to occur, a traffic shift will occur on the southbound Route 65 ramp to northbound I-279 below the ramp.

The Larson Design Group will conduct inspection activities. Both ramps will remain open to traffic during the inspection

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(Pittsburgh, Pa.) PennDOT is announcing lane restrictions on Route 65 in Conway and Economy boroughs that will occur today through Wednesday, March 21-23 weather permitting.

Single-lane restrictions will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on Route 65 between 11th Street and Economy Way. One lane in each direction will remain open during the work. Crews from Team Fishel will conduct subsurface utility location work.

Motorists are advised to use caution, allow extra time, and expect changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area.

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(Pittsburgh, Pa.) A federal judge has denied the request for a change of the venue for the trial of Robert Bowers who is accused of killing 11 people at the Tree of Life, in Squirrel Hill in 2018.
Bowers attorneys filed a nearly 3,900-page change of venue motion alleging that media coverage of the attack and other community rallies would make it impossible to pick an impartial jury for Bowers and that he wouldn’t get a fair trial.
A seven-page opinion from U.S. District Judge Robert Colville denied the request saying that it has been more than three years since the attack and media attention has lessened.

(File Photo of Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro appearing at a press conference last week. Pa Media Services File Photo)
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrat Josh Shapiro is rolling out the first tax proposal of his candidacy for governor. Shapiro said Friday he would use surplus state cash and federal pandemic aid to eliminate 11% state taxes on cell phone bills, send payments to car-owning households and expand Pennsylvania’s rent and property tax rebate program. Shapiro’s plan comes out as high gas prices have made cutting gas taxes a hot topic. Shapiro says households could get a $250 payment for each passenger vehicle. Shapiro’s proposal to expand the property tax and rent rebate program would roughly triple the cost, by an estimated $424 million, and possibly expand the number of applicants by about 60%.