A Lehigh County woman was found dead at a Dominican Republic resort at which a Maryland couple also died. Whitehall Township's Miranda Schaup-Werner reportedly died from cardiac arrest at the Bahia Principe Bouganville hotel on May 25th, only five days before Edward Holmes and Cynthia Day allegedly died at the nearby Bahia Principe La Romana hotel. Their deaths remain under investigation. Bahia Principe released a statement Wednesday stating the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic has announced the deaths should be considered isolated cases.
Gov. Tom Wolf says an expansion by a medical business in Northampton County will mean the creation of nearly 80 new jobs. Orthopedic device manufacturer Tyber Medical LLC is expanding its operations in Hanover Township. That means 79 new jobs will be coming.
Police in one Northampton County community are trying to figure out who's behind ten incidents involving explosives that have occurred over the past three months. Since March 24th, Washington Township police have been investigating either explosions or the discovery of unexploded devices. There haven't been any related injuries, but officials say the explosions could certainly cause damage to a person if within range. Police, who admit that the rural nature of the township makes it easy to hear the booms but hard to trace them, say anyone spotting a suspicious device should stay away and call 911 immediately.
A Republican state representative is introducing legislation requiring all Pennsylvanians present some form of ID when they vote in every election. Rep. Jeff Wheeland says House Bill 1579 would allow for photo and non-photo options, like a current utility bill or bank statement. Voters who couldn't produce a valid photo ID would need two forms of non-photo ID under this measure.
Gov. Tom Wolf's signature is all that remains for a bill to create a CPR curriculum for high school students in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 115 has been approved, putting Pennsylvania in line with 38 other states in providing education on up-to-date CPR procedures. The governor is expected to sign the bill.
A measure to set the age of 18 to get married in Pennsylvania is moving forward after succeeding in the state House. Wednesday's vote was unanimous and now the bill will go before the Senate. Gov. Tom Wolf has already expressed he will sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk. Currently, there is no minimum age to get married in Pennsylvania, making us one of 27 states without one.
A rally at the Capitol calling for raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's backing the idea. "I've been to all 67 counties recently. This isn't a red issue. This isn't a blue issue. This isn't a rural issue or urban issue. This is a basic human dignity issue and we in Pennsylvania need to join the rest of the states that surround us," Fetterman says. Those against the idea say it'll lead to people losing their jobs if companies can't afford to hike their employees' pay.
The iconic Maple Grove Raceway is for sale. The 111-acre property was listed for sale Tuesday at an asking price of $8 million. The Berks County drag strip opened in 1962. Events will continue at the raceway until a new owner comes forward.
A report says the Hershey Company cannot guarantee its chocolates are produced without using child labor. The Washington Post reports that Hershey, as well as Mars and Nestle, cannot identify the farms where the cocoa comes from as well as if child labor is used in processing it. The Hershey Company reportedly can trace less than half of its cocoa produced. In a statement, Hershey says it has taken steps to reduce child labor.
More than 300 vehicles either seized by police or no longer used by state agencies are going up for auction next Tuesday. The event at Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania in Grantville begins this weekend with the vehicles available to be viewed Friday through Monday. The vehicles may be purchased starting Tuesday at the auction using cash or certified funds.
A Somerset County policeman is charged with driving drunk while on the job. Franklin Township policeman Matthew Ellery was issued a DWI summons on April 15th for an incident that took place on April 7th. The incident allegedly happened while Ellery was signed in for a shift and it took place at a bar that belongs to his family. The Franklin County Police Department has not confirmed or denied any of the charges made against Ellery.
An assemblyman from the Jersey Shore is introducing a bill that would require school districts to include water safety instruction in gym class. Republican Sean Kean of the 30th Legislative District is sponsoring legislation that would make such instruction part of the state's Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. Among the points that would be stressed for students in grades K through 12 include the correct use of flotation devices, how to contend with rip currents, the importance of lifeguards and how to monitor water conditions.