For the first time, we've heard from the attorney of Jayana Webb, who's accused of running down two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and an Allentown man early Monday morning on I-95 near the Philadelphia sports complex. "She is extremely sad. She is not a violent criminal. She has no criminal past. She has had no prior contact with police whatsoever," says Michael Walker. He says he hopes people withhold judgment and allow the legal process to play out. Troopers Martin Mack and Branden Sisca were killed as was Reyes Oliveras.
A former Roseto councilman has pleaded guilty to killing his former girlfriend’s boyfriend. 68-year-old John Martocci is scheduled to be sentenced June 2. Martocci has been held without bail since being arraigned nearly two years ago. He faces life in prison. Investigators say early in 2020, Martocci became angry that a woman he used to date had gotten back together with her boyfriend, Kenneth Knibiehly and eventually went to the victim's house and shot him to death.
A Bath man is charged with abusing his four-week-old son. 18-year-old Rasheen Miller allegedly told police he deliberately dropped the baby down a flight of stairs twice, dropping the baby to the floor and striking his head on several occasions. Miller reportedly said he did that because the baby wouldn't stop crying. The baby has skull, rib and other fractures and was flown to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Five children and a driver were taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after a school van they were riding in ended up in a ditch. None of the injuries was serious. It happened in Milford Township, just north of Quakertown. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Robert Evanchick says his department is doing what it can to help Ukrainians trying to save their country against a Russian invasion. "Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Capitol Police are sending used body armor that will potentially save the lives of humanitarian workers or Ukrainian police officers," Evanchick says. State Police is donating 90 used, nearly-expired vests that otherwise would have been destroyed. State Capitol Police are likewise sending two dozen vests and another 15 ballistic helmets. All equipment will be sent to the Vermont State Police and if approved by the federal government, shipped to Ukraine.
Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Treasury kicked off an auction of some of the unclaimed property they’ve been holding onto and have yet to connect with the correct owner. Treasurer Stacy Garrity says even if you claim something that's been auctioned off you can get the proceeds. "Every sale is carefully documented. That way, when the rightful owner does come forward that money will be available for the owner to claim," Garrity says. Among the items to be auctioned off? Rolex watches, rings, silver coins and even a gold bar.
Seven of nine Republican candidates for governor will be taking part in a live debate tonight. The forum will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will also be streamed live on the internet. Jake Corman and Doug Mastriano won't be participating due to scheduling conflicts, but all other GOP candidates are expected to attend the event at Cairn University in Langhorne.
Even though the price of gas has gone down a bit in Pennsylvania, prices still remain high but some lawmakers want to change that. Three U.S. House representatives have introduced a bill that would provide Americans with direct payments through the end of the year. As long as the national gas prices averages $4 per gallon or higher, $100 monthly checks would be sent to individuals and $200 would be sent to couples.
A bill in the Pennsylvania House proposes a general ballot vote that could prevent unpopular tax increases. But opponents say the measure would also make it harder for localities or the legislature to boost tax revenues. Rep. David Rowe, a Republican from Union/Snyder, has introduced HB2432. He's written the bill so that if voters reject a tax, the general assembly could override the referendum, but only with a two-thirds vote.
New Jersey will move towards ending coal-fired electricity generation by closing the state's last two plants. On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved a petition filed by the Atlantic City Electric Company to modify power purchase and sales agreements. ACE owns Chambers Cogeneration Limited and Logan Generating Company. As part of the updated deal, ACE will pay a fixed monthly rate until the power purchase and sales agreements expire.