PENNSYLVANIA COURTS ACCUSED OF VIOLATION OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The U.S. Dept. of Justice has filed a lawsuit accusing the Pennsylvania Judicial System of violating federal law, saying several lower court judges have barred defendants from taking their prescribed medication to treat Opioid Use Disorder while in drug treatment courts. The lawsuit comes a week after attorneys from the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division sent a letter to the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. It cited at least three complaints from people being forced off their legal medication by courts in two Pennsylvania counties in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
RATE INCREASE PROPOSED
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted Thursday to investigate the proposed natural gas service rate increase filed by UGI Utilities, Inc. The rate changes proposed by UGI would generate $82.7 million, a 7.8% increase in annual revenues. The commission voted 3-0 to suspend and investigate UGI’s rate increase request. Under the rate increase proposed by UGI, the total average monthly bill of a residential customer could increase from $98.62 to $108.01 per month or by 9.5%. The suspension is set for 7 months while the investigation continues.
UPDATED COVID-19 CASES IN THE AREA COUNTIES
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released new COVID-19 numbers for our area. There were 18 new cases in Union, 17 in Montour, 8 in Northumberland and 4 in Snyder County. In Lycoming County there were 22 new cases. Center added 30, Clinton 8, Tioga 7 and there were 22 cases added yesterday in Columbia County.
PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY LANDS MAN IN FEDERAL PRISON
A Northumberland County man faces charges of producing child pornography. On Thursday, Scott Eric Snyder was indicted and faces upwards of 30 years in a federal prison stemming from incidents on July 7, 2012 and July 13, 2013 in Northumberland County. As reported by the Daily Item, the case began with a state police investigation in 2019, which was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
VETERAN’S DESIGNATION
Nearly 800,000 veterans calling Pennsylvania home, PennDOT is proud to offer services that benefit the nation’s fourth largest veteran population. One service offered to veterans to show pride in their service is through requesting a veteran’s designation on their driver’s license or ID card. There is no charge for the designation; however, applicants must pay any applicable initial issuance, renewal or duplicate driver’s license or ID card fees. To qualify, a person must self-certify and have received a Certificate of Release or Discharge from active duty (DD214) or equivalent for service in the United States Armed Forces, including reserve components or the National Guard. Veterans can further distinguish themselves through a variety of military-themed registration plates identifying their branch of service or depicting certain military honors received during their tour of duty.
HONORING OUR VETERANS LICENSE PLATE
Nearly 800,000 veterans calling Pennsylvania home, PennDOT is proud to offer services that benefit the nation’s fourth largest veteran population. All Pennsylvania vehicle owners can show their support of veterans by purchasing a “Honoring Our Veterans” license plate which was authorized by Act 194 of 2012 and features an image of the American Flag and a Bald Eagle and contains the words “Honoring Our Veterans.” The plate is available for passenger cars and light trucks up to 10,000 pounds, as well as motorcycles and costs $35. Fifteen dollars from the sale of each license plate goes to the Veterans Trust Fund administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
WILLIAMSPORT MAN ARRESTED FOR SUMMER BURGLARY AT SCHMIDT BAKERY WAREHOUSE IN OLD LYCOMING TWP.
Old Lycoming Twp. Police was called to Schmidt Bakery Warehouse on July 25, 2021 after workers discovered damages in excessive of $10,000. Blood from the actor was found on the scene and tested at a lab. Christopher Bradley, a recently terminated employee, was interviewed by police and lab test confirmed the blood was his. On Feb 25th, BRADLEY was arraigned in front of District Judge Solomon on multiple charges including felony burglary and criminal trespass. BRADLEY was committed to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $50,000.00 bail.
