>>Former Harrisburg City Councilman Pleads Guilty to Felony Child Pornography Counts
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A former Harrisburg City Councilman has pled guilty to 15 counts of felony child pornography. Brad Koplinski entered his plea Monday. A criminal complaint revealed that police received 36 online reports for child pornography from an I-P address in the 22-hundred block of North 2nd Street. When forensics officials searched Koplinski's computer and thumb drives that were found there, they uncovered images of child pornography and child erotica, according to the complaint.
>>Two Department of Corrections Officers Suspended for Shooting Dog
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Two Pennsylvania State parole agents are facing charges for what Mechanicsburg police are calling an unannounced home visit that resulted in a dog being shot. The two agents were reportedly checking out a property on South York Street to determine if it was a good site for a parole-release house. The agents reportedly were surprised by the owner and his dog in the back yard and the dog was shot in its lower jaw, leaving it severely injured. A DOC spokesperson says the agents have been suspended without pay, pending the results of their cases.
>>Lawmakers Draft Plan to Impeach Larry Krasner
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Three Republican members of the Pennsylvania House have announced plans to draft articles of impeachment against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Josh Kail, Torren Ecker, and Tim O'Neal made the announcement in Harrisburg Monday. None of the three represent residents in the Philadelphia area. The announcement comes as Krasner faces continued criticism about his office's handling of gun cases in the city.
>>Fed Report Says Traffic Deaths have Increased in Pennsylvania
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A new study released by federal highway officials shows an increase in traffic deaths in the state last year. Pennsylvania saw a little over 12-hundred traffic deaths in 2021, up more than nine percent from the year before. The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration also says pedestrian fatalities were up 13 percent. Also, motorcyclist and bicyclist fatalities were up nine and five percent, respectively.
>>State Board Approves Updated Science Standards for K-12 Students
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A state regulatory review commission has approved an updated set of K-12 science standards. A State Board of Education official says the new criteria will guide future instruction for Pennsylvania students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, areas. The new procedures will replace ones that were adopted in 2002 and will take effect July 1st of 2025.
>>In-Person Help Available Soon for People with Unemployment Questions
(Harrisburg, PA) -- If you've had an unemployment question you just haven't been able to figure out on your own, the state says you can soon meet a person face-to-face about your problem. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has announced in-person consultations are being offered at certain offices of the commonwealth's employment service regions. Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier said in a news release they're being offered currently in the southwestern and southeastern metro regions but are expected to be expanded in the future.
>>West Reading's New Police Chief Sworn In
(West Reading, PA) -- West Reading has a new chief of police. A swearing-in ceremony for Wayne Holben happened Monday evening at the West Reading Borough Hall. Holben had been a sergeant with 21 years of service in the borough. He replaces Glenn Granitz Junior who resigned in December.
>>Florida Man Extradited to Stand Trial for Siblings' Deaths
(Lancaster County, PA) -- A Florida man charged in a crash that killed two siblings has been extradited to prison in Lancaster County. Cesar Torres was arrested last month after he was charged with vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter in a crash that killed 21-year-old Brandie Kasper and her brother, 18-year-old Lenny last year. After their truck was hit, it overturned and caught on fire. Torres' preliminary hearing is set for July 8th.
>>Man Sentenced for Making Threats Against Child's Mother, County Judges
(Berks County, PA) -- A New York City man charged with threatening to kill two Berks County judges and the mother of his child has been sentenced. Court officials say Tyrel Smith pleaded guilty to four counts of making terroristic threats. He was sentenced to eight to 23 months in the county prison followed by four years of probation. Senior Judge Robert Eby from Lebanon County oversaw the case.
>>Millersville Man Charged With Stealing Pride Flag From Lancaster Porch
(Lancaster, PA) -- The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office is charging a Millersville man with stealing a pride flag from a Lancaster porch. Shawn Gollatz faces one misdemeanor count of theft that reportedly happened in the 700 block of Sixth Street. The incident was caught on home surveillance footage. Later, when police went to the same home for a harassment in progress, they stopped and identified Gollatz, who matched the theft suspect seen in the surveillance footage.
>>Philadelphia Flower Show Opens
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Philadelphia Flower Show is back at FDR Park for its second-year return after COVID. It's only the second time in its 200-year history that the event has been held outdoors. The theme this year is 'In Full Bloom' and features plenty of exhibits, live music, food, tours, and some events for kids. The flower show continues through next Sunday, June 19th.
>> Police Officers May Get Help from Mental Health Workers
(Allentown, PA) -- Social workers would be added to police departments under legislation that will be introduced by a Lehigh County lawmaker. Democratic Rep. Mike Schlossberg wants the state to earmark $100 million in new spending for mental health initiatives. Those include putting social workers in police departments. South Whitehall police Chief Glen Dorney says such workers could help in intervening "before things get bad."
>>Diocese to Sell Stained Glass from Defunct Churches
(Allentown, PA) -- Officials from the Diocese of Allentown say they'll host an event next month to sell off stained glass windows from some of the Lehigh Valley's closed churches. Monday. A news release says there are more than 250 ready-to-hang pieces, with prices starting at 45-dollars. The sale will take place at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Whitehall Township from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16th.