>>Susquehanna Township School District To Change Mascot
(Susquehanna Township, PA) -- The Susquehanna Township School District is putting a committee together to find a new mascot. School board president Jesse Rawls announced at a meeting yesterday that the district will be retiring its current mascot, "The Indians." The decision was made after months of discussion amongst students, members of the Cherokee Nation and Nez Perce tribes and school board officials.
>>Body Found In Susquehanna River At York Haven Hydroelectric Station Plant
(York Haven, PA) -- Authorities are launching an investigation after a dead body was found in the Susquehanna River in York County. The body was discovered yesterday morning at the York Haven hydroelectric station plant. An autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death is expected to be done tomorrow.
>>Pittsburgh Steelers Legend Rocky Bleier To Speak At Carlisle's Memorial Day Ceremony
(Carlisle, PA) -- Vietnam War veteran and Pittsburgh Steelers legend Rocky Bleier is going to be speaking at Carlisle's Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will start at ten-in-the-morning on May 31st and has been moved from the Veterans Memorial Courtyard on the Square in downtown Carlisle to the U.S. Army's facility in Middlesex Township. Bleier was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service in the Vietnam War. He was also the Steelers' fourth all-time leading rusher at the time of his retirement in 1980.
>>Couple In Cumberland County Accused Of Child Abuse
(Lower Mifflin Township, PA) -- A Cumberland County couple is being accused of abusing a child. Shelley and David Noreika were arraigned over the weekend on charges of felony strangulation, felony endangering welfare of children, aggravated harassment, and misdemeanor simple assault. Police say both of them allegedly used a plastic whiffle ball bat to hit the child as punishment, and David also reportedly choked and struck the victim with a closed fist.
>>Man Convicted For Connection To 2019 Shooting In Lancaster
(Lancaster, PA) -- A man is going to be spending more time behind bars after he was convicted for his involvement in a 2019 shooting in Lancaster. A judge found Chapell Williams guilty yesterday of aggravated assault, firearms carried without a license and person not to possess a firearm. While Williams was previously sentenced to seven-and-a-half to 15 years last July for the shooting on East Chestnut Street two years ago, the judge sentenced him to serve nine to 18 years in prison yesterday as well.
>>Kutztown University Receives Grant To Help Build New Wells-Rapp Center
(Kutztown, PA) -- Kutztown University is getting some help to build its new Wells-Rapp Center. The Presser Foundation rewarded a Capitol Support Grant worth 250-thousand-dollars to the university recently. The Wells-Rapp Center is going to be used by students to research mallet percussion and will provide rooms dedicated to collections of rare marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, bells and chimes. Officials say the center is expected to be completed by mid-2022.
>>Santander Performing Arts Center In Reading Announces Upcoming Performances
(Reading, PA) -- The Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading is revealing dates for a few upcoming performances set for later this year. The center announced four new shows yesterday. Christian rock singer Zach Williams will perform on October 17th, Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is on November 10th, the Disney Princess Concert will be on November 27th and comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood will have a show on December 19th. You can find more information by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
>>Lowe's Holding National Hiring Day Today In Berks County
(Exeter Township, PA) -- Those looking for work in Berks County are being invited to attend Lowe's National Hiring Day today. The company recently announced that it is looking to fill 50-thousand positions nationwide, which means the locations in Caernarvon, Exeter, Muhlenberg, Spring and Tilden townships will be participating. A variety of seasonal, part-time and full-time positions are available, and if you are interested, you can visit any of the Berks County Lowe's stores to have an interview.
>>Lancaster Man Accused Of Indecent Exposure
(Lancaster, PA) -- A man accused of touching himself in public in downtown Lancaster is now behind bars. Authorities announced recently that Christian Ventura-Torres was taken into custody last month, and he is facing several charges including three counts of indecent exposure, three counts of open lewdness and disorderly conduct. Anyone with more information on him is being asked to contact Detective Jessica Higgins of the Lancaster City Police Bureau.
>>Lawmakers, Restaurant Workers Calling For Minimum Wage Boost
(Harrisburg, PA) -- State lawmakers and restaurant workers are calling for a boost in the minimum wage. Many restaurant servers and bartenders are being paid around two-dollars and 83-cents an hour and survive off tips, but workers say that is not enough to survive today. Department of Labor and Industry officials say the ridiculously low tipped wage grants managers an unprecedented power to reward or punish workers with shifts, tables and tasks that can make or break bank accounts. They added that this has fostered an environment where racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination can flourish. The workers and officials are demanding that every worker in the state be paid at least 12-dollars an hour.
>>Help Is Available For Renters Struggling To Pay Bills
(Harrisburg, PA) -- There is still help available for Pennsylvania renters that are struggling to pay utility bills. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available right now to those who pay rent on a residential property and who are struggling to afford electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal and other utility bills. Department of Human Services officials say the program is designed to help people dig out of what may be some very deep holes after a global pandemic and economic crisis. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to apply at compass.state.pa.us as soon as possible as funds are being distributed on a first-come first-served basis.
>>One-Third Of Pennsylvanians Fully Vaccinated
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Pennsylvania is making progress toward herd immunity. Officials say as of yesterday, more than four-million Pennsylvanians are fully vaccinated from COVID-19, that's nearly one-third of all state residents. Nearly 50-percent of state residents have received at least one-dose of the vaccine.
>>Little League World Series Returns This August
(Williamsport, PA) -- The Little League World Series is returning to Pennsylvania this August. However, officials say the 2021 tournament will only feature U.S. teams while there will be a limited amount of spectators allowed. Staff will also be required to show proof of vaccination. Last year, the tournament was canceled due to the pandemic, which was the first time in the 75-years the league has been around. Officials have yet to determine how many spectators will be allowed this year, but it will be finalized and announced at a later date.
>>Nurses, Lawmakers Pushing For Change In Hospitals
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Nurses and lawmakers are pushing for legislation to change hospitals. Many nurses and some lawmakers gathered at the state Capitol yesterday for a vigil in honor of Pennsylvanians who died from COVID-19. Nurses say the pandemic has exposed a broken health care system, and it led to devastating consequences. They added that decisions for patient care were determined by algorithms and financial factors rather than medical knowledge, equipment shortages and low staffing levels. State Representative Tom Mehaffie says some hospitals in the state have recorded record profits throughout the pandemic. They are urging lawmakers to pass two bills that would ensure adequate hospital care including minimum nurse-to-patient staffing levels.