PA court upholds conviction, sentence for man involved in 2017 Somerset Co. double-murder

 Posted on May 2, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  232 words  |  Christie Applegate

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — One of three men involved in a 2017 double murder case in Somerset County has had his conviction and sentence upheld by the state Superior Court. Samson Washington received a life sentence after being found guilty of 1st degree homicide and criminal conspiracy in the deaths of Damian Staniszewski and James Smith. Authorities say their bodies were found dumped along Ligonier Pike, in September of 2017. [Read More]

PennDOT to resume issuing REAL IDs at Driver License Centers across Pennsylvania

 Posted on May 2, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  209 words  |  Delta Gatti

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced today that it has resumed issuing REAL IDs at reopened Driver License Centers that offer driver license services throughout the state. PennDOT previously paused the issuing of REAL IDs throughout the state in March out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Homeland Security postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from Oct. 1, 2020, to Oct. [Read More]

PSU announces retirement of long-time fencing coach Wes Glon

 Posted on May 2, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  97 words  |  Christie Applegate

University Park, PA (WJAC) — On Thursday, Penn State announced the retirement of long-time fencing coach Wes Glon after nearly 40 years with the university. Glon began his tenure at Penn State as an assistant coach in 1985 and was named head coach in 2013. In recent years, Glon has been at the center of controversy after two former fencing team members filed lawsuits against him, claiming sexual abuse and harassment. [Read More]

District Attorneys Weigh in on COVID's Impact on the Rule

 Posted on May 1, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  356 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

BLAIR COUNTY/CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa — The coronavirus wreaked havoc on many elements of our society...and that includes the court system. The backlog of cases from COVID tested Pennsylvania Rule 600...the right to a speedy trial...in a time when trials weren’t happening. The prosecution has 180 days to bring incarcerated defendants to trial, and 365 days for those not incarcerated...but the backlog of cases is making that difficult. Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says there are some serious penalties for missing that timeline. [Read More]

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office fires deputy involved in fatal Air Force Airman shooting

 Posted on May 1, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  835 words  |  Christie Applegate

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WEAR) — The Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputy involved inthe fatal shooting of Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson has been terminated following the completion of an administrative internal affairs investigation. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Friday afternoon, saying the investigation determined Deputy Eddie Duran's use of deadly force "was not objectively reasonable and therefore violated agency policy." The fatal shooting of the 23-year-old Fortson took place on May 3 at an apartment complex on Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach. [Read More]

Poppy Wall of Honor returns; USAA reminds Americans about true meaning of Memorial Day

 Posted on May 1, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  542 words  |  Christie Applegate

(TND) — USAA has brought its Poppy Wall of Honor back to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as a way to honor our fallen service members and educate the public on the true meaning of Memorial Day. The 133-foot-long display can be seen through Sunday at the base of the Lincoln Memorial between the Reflecting Pool and Korean War Memorial. USAA said the wall honors the more than 600,000 Americans who gave their lives in service to our country since World War I. [Read More]

This weeks recalls: BMW

 Posted on May 1, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  215 words  |  Brenda Moya

In case you missed it: Vehicle recalls that came across our desk during the past week. Materials for this recap are received via email from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) copied directly from the www.safercar.gov website. 2017 BMW X5, X6 Units Affected 24 BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with 21-inch tires, however the Tire Information Label states that the vehicles are equipped with 20-inch tires. [Read More]

Trio led police on chase along PA Turnpike; reached speeds of 120 mph

 Posted on May 1, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  120 words  |  Brenda Moya

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Authorities say three men are behind bars in Somerset County after an alleged high-speed chase Monday morning on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Officials say around 9:30 a.m. Monday, police arrested Davontae Clayton, Qumarri Curry and Pharoah Sewell in Somerset Township following a 10-minute pursuit. Police say that during the chase, speeds reached more than 120 mph, and a stolen firearm was thrown from the vehicle. Authorities recovered the gun, which was allegedly altered to shoot fully automatic. [Read More]

Victim of Paint Township fatal crash identified

 Posted on May 1, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  208 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

Somerset Co., PA (WJAC) — UPDATE | The victim in Saturday's fatal crash in Paint Township has been identified, state police said. According to a press release, Aubrey Horner, 37, was riding in the backseat of the convertible traveling south on Horn Road just before 10 a.m. State police said the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. The press release states that Horner and a front seat passenger were not wearing their seat belts and were ejected from the vehicle. [Read More]

'Cutest race ever:' PA fair holds inaugural 'baby race'

 Posted on April 30, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  229 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

Elizabethtown, PA — It's being dubbed as the cutest race ever, and it happened Tuesday at a fair in Pennsylvania. "Ready, set, go!" Don't let their young age fool you, these are serious competitors. "My husband was really excited about it, so we registered and got him a costume and here we are,” one parent said. Twenty-nine babies, between the ages of 6 months to one year, attempted to crawl their way to the finish line at Elizabethtown Fair’s first baby race; albeit some got a little distracted. [Read More]