>>The Latest
(Undated) - Here's the latest news: A 28-year-old man from Brecknock Township has been sentenced to prison for at least 35 years for the random killing of a stranger last year in Ephrata. Pottsville has gained a new medical marijuana dispensary, one that its owners say is the only legal medical marijuana outlet for over 20 miles in any direction. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is inviting the public to check out online plans for proposed roadwork in Lancaster County.
>>Man Gets 35 to 80 Years in Prison for Random Homicide in Lancaster
(Lancaster, PA) -- A 28-year-old man from Brecknock Township has been sentenced to prison for at least 35 years for the random killing of a stranger near Ephrata last year while he was high. Prosecutors said during his sentencing hearing Tuesday that Stephen Jones was under the influence of meth in August of 2020 when he used his truck to force a car off the road. He then forced the driver, a 68-year-old man from Delaware, from the truck and shot him. Jones' lawyer says he doesn't have any recollection of committing the crime.
>>Reading Shelter Receives Nearly 20 Animals from Tornado-Ravaged Kentucky
(Reading, PA) -- A shelter in Reading has taken in about 20 animals from the tornado-ravaged areas of Kentucky. Officials at the Human Pennsylvania Freedom Center facility say the dogs and cats were part of an effort to re-home shelter animals throughout Kentucky after parts of the state were hit with five devastating tornadoes last Friday. They add that all the animals will be available for adoption after an assessment period.
>>Pot Shop Opens in Pottsville
(Pottsville, PA) -- Pottsville has gained a new medical marijuana dispensary, one that its owners say is the only legal medical marijuana outlet for over 20 miles in any direction. Beyond/Hello opened Monday at 101 N. Centre Street, in the former Schuylkill Trust Co. building. Owner Jushi [[jew-SHE]] Holdings Incorporated says the dispensary will sell dry leaf, concentrates, tincture , pills and other marijuana products. A licensed pharmacist also will be on staff. The company said it has opened 18 dispensaries across Pennsylvania.
>>Bill To Ban Private Money From Pennsylvania Elections Passes House
(Harrisburg, PA) - The Pennsylvania House has given final approval to a bill to ban private funding of elections. The 113-90 vote was along party lines, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats opposed. A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has said he opposes the bill in its current form. The measure was rooted in Republicans' frustration over how $35 million of private money that flowed into the state to support elections last year reached only 24 of 67 counties. The bill now goes to the Senate.
>>Public Can View Lancaster County Roadwork Plans Online
(Lancaster, PA) -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is inviting the public to check out an online plan regarding the Lincoln Highway intersection safety improvements and resurfacing project in Lancaster County. A news release relays the just over nine-mile project extends from Route 896 to Route 772 in East Lampeter, Leacock, Paradise, and Salisbury townships. Construction work is expected to begin in 2023. The digital version of plans for the roadwork will be available to view online through Jan. 31st, 2022. You can find them at gis-dot-penndot-dot-gov.