>>House Panel To Vote On Gun Safety Bills This Week
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The House Judiciary Committee has set a vote for this week on a gun safety measure. It would allow parents to be held jointly responsible for gun crimes committed by their children. Its sponsor says up to 90 percent of guns used by minors in suicides, unintentional shootings, and school shootings were found in the child's home or a relative's home.
>>Ben Franklin Technology Partners Raises Largest Fund Amount Ever
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A venture capital company that provides financial coverage for many tech start-ups in Pennsylvania has raised its largest-ever amount of capital. Company leaders at Ben Franklin Technology Partners say the group has secured 28-million-dollars of a 100-million-dollar goal. The initiative, called the GO Philly Fund, is now looking to more than quadruple with its latest efforts. Administrators hope it will also continue to establish Pennsylvania as a hub for innovation. The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority is affiliated with the program.
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>>Middle School Counselor Charged For Having Sexual Relationship with 14-Year-Old Boy
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A Pennsylvania middle school counselor is charged with repeated sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy. Kelly Ann Schutte, who is 35 and from Pennsburg, faces several charges pertaining to an alleged sexual relationship she had with a student that began last fall. The student also admitted to having a romantic and sexual relationship with Schutte, which officials say began in her home. Schutte would also allegedly call the student to her office during school hours and take him out of class to do so. An affidavit goes on to reveal that the relationship continued even after classes were dismissed last summer.
>>Casey Says Manchin's Stepping Down Will be Tough for Democrats
(Harrisburg, PA) -- U.S. Senator Bob Casey is offering his thoughts on fellow Democratic Senator Joe Manchin's decision not to run again. The Pennsylvania elder Senator tells WCAU-TV the West Virginia lawmaker's departure will make a tough year even tougher. Manchin, a Democrat, announced Thursday that he will not run for reelection. He said that he would be traveling the country to gauge interest in creating a movement to "mobilize the middle and bring Americans together." That has fueled talk about him potentially running for president as an independent or under the No Labels party.
>>Fine Collections Increase for Misclassifying Workers
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Governor's Shapiro's promise to crack down on misclassifying workers is apparently holding true. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry says it's collected more than 301-thousand-dollars in fines under the law that bars construction companies from misclassifying workers. The haul represents a 33 percent increase from the same period in 2022. The so-called misclassifications typically happen when companies label employees as independent contractors instead of paying them as full-time employees. They do that to avoid paying benefits and taxes on behalf of people who should be considered employees.
>> Sixers' player Kelly Oubre Junior Injured in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Collision
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Philadelphia Police are investigating a hit-and-run incident involving Sixers' player Kelly Oubre Junior. He was hit in his chest by the mirror of a silver vehicle as he walked near his home in Center City Saturday. Head coach Nick Nurse said during a pre-game media opp that Oubre is okay after suffering a broken rib and injuries to his hip and right leg. The coach says the forward and shooting guard was released from the hospital Saturday night. He'll be reassessed in about a week but isn't expected to miss the rest of the season.
>>Water Rate Hike Proposed for Pennsylvania American Water Customers
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Mechanicsburg-based Pennsylvania American Water wants to hike its rates by over 27 percent for residential customers. The utility says it needs to support one-billion-dollars' worth of investment through mid-2025 for its water and wastewater systems. The clients serve about two-point-three million people in Central Pennsylvania. The hikes would take effect next August but must first pass through an approval process overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
>>York Art Association Buys Former City Church
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The nonprofit York Art Association has bought a former York city church. The asking prices for the property known as the Little Green Church at 591 Linden Avenue was 325-thousand-dollars according to county deed records. The church will serve as the new home of the association, whose current one in Springettsbury Township is being taken by eminent domain due to the planned widening of Interstate 83 in York County. A news release from the group says the York church space will offers double the space for galleries and education but will require some renovation.
>>Senate Passes Bill To Protect Refs From Abusive Fans
((Harrisburg, PA) -- The state Senate has passed legislation that would create a specific criminal charge for harassing sports officials during games. Senate Bill 842, dubbed the Protect the Whistle bill, is intended to discourage abusive behavior by parents and other fans. Sponsor state Senator Jimmy Dillon says the measure has P-I-A-A support as well as backing from the National Association of Sports Officials. Dillion also says the legislation's being promoted as interscholastic sports groups across the country are struggling to recruit enough sports officials to cover the games on their schedules.
>> Hershey Bears Win Again Against Lehigh Valley Phantoms
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Hershey Bears have gotten their second win of the season against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The 2-0 victory came Saturday night in one of back-to-back games between the two teams. This was the Hershey Bears' second win against the Phantoms so far this season. The Bears are now 9-3-0 and remain first in the league.