Move To Up Penalty For Boating Under The Influence

June 10, 2020 3:57 am

PITTSBURGH, Penn. (AP) – Pennsylvanians caught boating under the influence could face stiffer penalties as support for stricter laws grows in the state Legislature. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that the House and a Senate committee passed a measure that would make the penalties for people driving a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs similar to those imposed for driving a car under the influence. The legislation particularly focuses on those boating with minors on board. If the legislation passes, boating under the influence with a minor on board would carry a fine ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both.

Handgun Found In Carry-On At Arnold Palmer Airport

June 9, 2020 4:48 pm

(WPXI) – A Latrobe man was arrested on Sunday for having a 9 mm handgun in his carry-on bag at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe. A Transportation Security Administration agent spotted the weapon on the checkpoint’s X-ray machine monitor, according to a news release. The gun was unloaded, but there was a magazine also in the bag that was loaded with four bullets. This is the first gun to be caught at that airport this year. Last year, four guns were found at the airport’s security checkpoint.

Pointer Sister Bonnie Dies

June 9, 2020 4:19 pm

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Anita Pointer says if it weren’t for her sister Bonnie, we never would have had the chance to hear the Grammy-winning group. Anita says her younger sister broached the idea of her family giving up singing at church – and trying to make it in as a pop group. First, Bonnie and her younger sister June formed a duo. Then Bonnie got her two older sisters Ruth and Anita to join the group – even though they were married and had kids – and the Pointer Sisters were born. Bonnie Pointer has died. Her publicist says it was cardiac arrest. She was 69.

Cedar Point Amusement Parks Set To Reopen

June 9, 2020 3:57 pm

Cedar Fair, the owners of Kings Island and Cedar Point amusement parks, announced the reopening dates and safety plans amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Kings Island, located in Mason, will reopen to season pass holders only July 2 through 11. Starting July 12, the park will be open to both season pass holders and daily ticketholders, the amusement park announced in a media release Tuesday morning. Cedar Point, in Sandusky, will follow a similar reopening plan, with the park opening up for only for pass holders, including the season, gold and platinum levels, July 9 and 10. Starting July 11, the park will be open for Cedar Point Resort guests, as well as the pass holders. In an effort to maintain a limited capacity, both parks are requiring guests to schedule a reservation through an app prior to their visit. A guest will also be required to submit to a health screening through the app 24 hours prior to visiting either park. Touchless temperature checks will be conducted for both guests and employees before they enter the park. Face coverings will be required at all times at both parks for guests, employees, and vendors.

Trump Pushes Conspiracy Theory On Elderly Protester

June 9, 2020 1:47 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is pressing his “law and order” message and siding with police over protesters by advancing an unfounded conspiracy theory about a 75-year-old protester in New York who was pushed down by officers. He’s tweeting without evidence that the confrontation may have been a “set up.” Trump is attempting to cast doubt on video showing Buffalo police shoving the man, Martin Gugino, who fell backward and hit his head on the sidewalk. Two Buffalo police officers have been charged with assault for the incident and have pleaded not guilty.

Recreation Returns In Peters Twp

June 9, 2020 4:29 am

As Western Pennsylvania entered the green phase of reopening last week, Peters Township took steps to get its residents the recreational activities they have been missing for nearly three months. Township Manager Paul Lauer alerted Peters Twp. Council that all parks, playgrounds and athletic fields are now open and girls softball and boys baseball leagues are now back to playing games. The library is taking its reopening in phases. Books are being recycled using curbside pickup and delivery currently but beginning next week the library will be opening the building section by section so that in about four weeks the library will be in full operation once again. Lauer credited Parks and Recreation Director Michele Harmel for researching methods to be able to keep the popular Concert In The Park and Movies In The Park series for the year. Dedicated circles will be applied to the ground to allow families to gather together and still maintain the social distancing guidelines suggested by the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health. Lauer also stated that the Community Recreation Center will reopen on June 15.

U.S. Recession Began In February In Face Of Coronavirus

June 9, 2020 4:01 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy entered a recession in February, a group of economists declared Monday, ending more than a decade of steady if slow growth. The economists said employment peaked in February and fell sharply afterward, marking the beginning of the downturn. A committee within the National Bureau of Economic Research, a trade group, determines when recessions begin and end. It defines a recession as “a decline in economic activity that lasts more than a few months.” The committee acknowledged, however, that in this case the depth of the economic downturn so far also played a role in its decision.

Dem’s Propose Police Overhaul; Trump Criticizes

June 9, 2020 4:00 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats in Congress are proposing a far-reaching overhaul of America’s police procedures and accountability. It is a sweeping legislative response to the mass protests denouncing the deaths of black Americans in the hands of law enforcement. However, the political outlook is deeply uncertain in this polarized election year. The “Justice in Policing Act” would overhaul legal protections for police, create a national database of excessive-force episodes and set new standards for police training. President Donald Trump is conflating it with outside efforts to “abolish the police” and says the Democrats have “gone crazy.” At the Capitol, Democrats read the names of George Floyd and others who died in police hands and then knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

Key Democrats Spurn Push To Defund Police

June 9, 2020 3:58 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Key Democrats, including presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden, are rejecting liberal calls to “defund the police” as President Donald Trump and his allies point to the movement as a dangerous example of Democratic overreach. The Republican president is struggling under the weight of mounting national crises that threaten his reelection. Supporters of the “defund the police” push say it’s a symbolic commitment to end systemic racism and shift policing priorities rather than an actual plan to eliminate law enforcement agencies. But confusion over the proposal has created a badly needed opportunity for Trump, who has struggled to navigate the delicate debate over racial justice.

Lindsey Graham Facing 3 Republican Challengers

June 9, 2020 3:57 am

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is taking on three little-known GOP challengers in the next step of a race already on pace to become the most expensive in South Carolina history. Tuesday’s primary election is the last marker ahead of an expected general election face-off with Democrat Jaime Harrison. Graham faces fellow Republicans Duke Buckner, Michael Lapierre and Joe Reynolds. Buckner is an attorney and former Walterboro city councilman. Lapierre is a retired corporate executive from Pickens. Both have argued that Graham isn’t conservative enough. Reynolds is a Merchant Marine engineer from Charleston. He has said new leadership is needed in Washington. Graham is seeking his fourth term.