It appears a Lehigh County property housing two trucking companies is a complete loss thanks to an overnight fire. The fire was reported just after 1 this morning at the property along Kernsville Road in the Orefield area. That property includes Doctor Diesel and OCS Transport. Fire officials say there was a large amount of diesel fuel involved, making putting out the fire extremely challenging. The fire has engulfed entire buildings there and several vehicles. There are no injuries reported.
A 69-year-old woman is dead after a tree fell on her camper Saturday evening at Quakerwoods Campground in Milford Township, Bucks County. Cynthia Cousins was killed when a large tree fell and crushed the vehicle with her inside.
A motorcyclist was flown to the hospital after a Sunday afternoon crash in Lehighton. The crash occurred just after 3:30 on Route 902 near Gypsy Hill Road. There's no word yet on the victim's condition or what may have led to the crash. Lehighton Police are investigating the crash.
Palmer Township police say they were notified Saturday night of skimming equipment placed on ATMs at a Wawa. According to police, the equipment was placed on two PNC Bank ATMs at the 631 S. 25th St. location.
As the beginning of Passover arrives at sundown, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro tells CBS' 'Face the Nation' his administration is doing its best to stop threats and attacks against Jews and those of other faiths. "We continue to work closely with law enforcement and community leaders to do everything we can to take down the temperature, to address the rise in anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of hate. There should be no place for that here in Pennsylvania," the governor said. Shapiro notes that Pennsylvania was founded as "a place of tolerance, and welcome and peace."
Pennsylvania lawmakers say they're worried about pharmacy deserts. The Senate Democratic Policy Committee listened to questions about parts of the state that are not served by chain-pharmacies. State senator Katie Muth says the problem is that America's big insurance companies have signed deals with the big pharmacy chains, and that's pushing smaller pharmacies out of the market. Pennsylvania defines a pharmacy desert as any place where people have to travel more than five miles to find a pharmacy to fill their needs.
The House Finance Committee has approved legislation that will let teachers claim tax credits for expenses spent on classroom supplies. House Bill 528 had originally offered a $500 tax credit for non-reimbursed items but in committee, the amount was changed to 50 percent of the federal tax deduction offered. That amount is currently $150. In a cosponsor memo, the bill's author says teachers estimate they spend over $800 a year on classroom supplies.
A House measure has passed a Pennsylvania Senate Committee that would oversee planned merger deals. It gives the state attorney general power to investigate companies that attempt to engage in monopoly-like practices. It also would increase state civil penalties for antitrust violations, especially for health care providers. The bill requires that the attorney general receive a prior notification of any planned mergers. Supporters say it would end Pennsylvania's notoriety as being the only state without its own antitrust law. Opponents believe the complex bill deserves a public hearing.