SCOTUS Upholds Federal Gun Control Law

June 21, 2024 3:41 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has upheld a federal gun control law that’s intended to protect domestic violence victims. President Joe Biden praised the decision, saying that “no one who has been abused should have to worry about their abuser getting a gun,” The justices ruled 8-1 Friday in favor of a 1994 ban on firearms for people under restraining orders to stay away from their spouses or partners. The justices reversed a ruling from the federal appeals court in New Orleans that had struck down the law. It’s the justices’ first Second Amendment case since they expanded gun rights in 2022. The case involved a Texas man accused of hitting his girlfriend and threatening to shoot her.

And…The Heat Goes On…

June 21, 2024 3:40 pm

((AP) – A relentless heat wave continues to bake most of the United States, with numerous areas expected to see record-breaking temperatures. Forecasters were also warning there would likely be little relief through the weekend for most areas. The steamiest conditions on Friday were expected in parts of Ohio and Indiana, where heat indexes were expected to soar past 100 degrees Fahrenheit and remain there most of the day. But the Midwest was not the only area being baked, as heat and excessive heat warnings and advisories has been issued across the northeast, the mid-Atlantic and in some western states. Millions of residents across the country have had their lives disrupted by the heat’s intensity.  (Photo:  AP)

Jewelry Store In Uniontown Robbed

June 21, 2024 12:56 pm

State Police in Uniontown say two suspects got away with $60,000 in jewelry during an armed robbery in South Union Township. The Kay Jewelry store at 201 Walmart Drive was robbed just before 7 p.m. Wednesday. Police say two suspects entered the store one minute before it closed and asked to see a two-karat diamond. One of the suspects showed a store employees a pistol in his waistband, state police said. They had store employees take them to a safe, where they stole 25 LEO diamonds, Neil Lane jewelry and various lab-created diamonds worth about $60,000. Both were dressed in all black, including black ball caps. One suspect had a cap with a broken heart picture with the writing “no love” in red. Anyone with information is asked call State Police Uniontown at 724-439-7111 or PSP Tips at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. All callers to PSP Tips could be eligible for a cash reward.

Israel’s Pledge To Guard Aid Route Falls Flat

June 21, 2024 5:06 am

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has established a corridor for the delivery of aid into southern Gaza but a declared ‘tactical pause’ in its war with Hamas has brought little relief to desperate Palestinians. The United Nations and international aid organizations say a persistent breakdown in law and order has rendered the aid route unusable. Thousands of truckloads of aid are piled up at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Groups of armed Palestinians are regularly blocking convoys, holding drivers at gunpoint and rifling through their cargo. That’s according to a U.N. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Biden & Trump Prepare For Next Week’s Debate

June 21, 2024 5:05 am

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden is beginning an intense period of private debate preparations at Camp David. His trip comes as officials in both parties scramble to set expectations for what may be the most consequential presidential debate in decades. Biden’s team notes he cannot afford an underwhelming performance against Donald Trump Thursday night. Trump’s allies are pushing the Republican to stay focused on his governing plans, but they’re expecting him to be tested by pointed questions about his unrelenting focus on election fraud and his legal baggage. Strategists on both sides agree on one thing: Nearly four months before Election Day, the political stakes could not be higher.

Russia/North Korea Pact Could Dent China’s Influence

June 21, 2024 5:04 am

BEIJING (AP) — China appears to be keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea move closer to each other with a new defense pact that could tilt the balance of power among the three authoritarian states. Experts say the Chinese leadership likely is fretting the potential loss of influence over North Korea and how that could increase instability on the Korean Peninsula. Beijing so far has not commented on the deal and only reiterated boilerplate statements that it seeks to uphold peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and advance a political settlement of the North-South divide.

South Korea Summons Russian Ambassador

June 21, 2024 5:02 am

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a defense pact with North Korea, two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement vowing mutual defense with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on a state visit to Pyongyang. South Korea’s government has denounced the agreement as a threat to the South’s security and said it will consider providing arms to Ukraine to help it fight Russia’s invasion. Earlier Friday, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued a vague threat of retaliation after South Korean activists flew balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border, underscoring rising tensions on the peninsula.

Cecil Pulls Gas & Oil Ordinance Discussion

June 21, 2024 5:00 am

The Cecil Township Planning Commission disappointed approximately 60 residents by pulling an agenda item at the beginning of the meeting. Residents of Lawrence and the Georgetown Estates community came out to have their views heard on a discussion regarding amendments to the township’s Oil and Gas Development ordinance. According to Planning Commission Chairman Jason Krut, Township Supervisors communicated to them that it was their preference to not have the item considered by the commission. When the announcement was made, Cecil Township Assistant Manager Jacque King announced that the planned public hearing on the ordinance on July 1 will be continued and no vote will be taken on the ordinance at the supervisors meeting that night. The Planning Commission did take about an hour of public comment on the ordinance. The main point that residents wished to express was that they would like to have a 2500 foot setback minimum from structures for well pad development in the revised ordinance. Under the current proposal, those communities would be within 1700 feet of two possible proposed pad sites. Township Supervisors Frank Egizio and Darlene Barni attended the meeting. Neither would offer an explanation as to why supervisors did not want the ordinance to be discussed. Supervisors will meet on July 1. It is anticipated that more clarity will be offered on the status of the ordinance at that meeting.

North Franklin To Debut New Municipal Building

June 21, 2024 4:01 am

North Franklin Township will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony today to debut their new municipal building. The new center is located at 345 Franklin Farms Road. The building is a $4 million dollar project that is 7000 square feet. Not only will it house township offices, it will also have a multi-purpose room available for public use. The new building is situated next to the township’s 89 acre waterside park. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11:00 this morning.

Beau Street Accident Injures At Least One

June 20, 2024 5:59 pm

At least one person was reportedly injured in an accident that occurred Thursday afternoon at the height of rush hour.  The accident, which reportedly involved a vehicle and scooter, occurred around four o’clock in the area of Beau Street and Claire Drive.  There’s been no word on the nature of the injuries or how the crash occurred.  The road was closed for a brief period of time and traffic was detoured around the crash.