Pennsylvania
What a new federal rule banning funny roadway signs means for Pennsylvania
Have you ever noticed the electronic sign “Don’t Drive Star Spangled Hammered” on the Parkway West and chuckled?
Well, that and other similar quirky messages are going away in a couple years. They will be banned in 2026.
The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has given states two years to implement all of the changes outlined in its new manual released last month, including rules regarding signage and other traffic control devices, as reported by the Associated Press.
Funny signs will be banned on highways and freeways across the country in 2026. They could be misunderstood or distracting to drivers, according to AP.
The agency said signs should be “simple, direct, brief, legible and clear” and only be used for important information such as warning drivers of crashes ahead, adverse weather conditions and traffic delays, the AP reported.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reviewing the new guidance, according to Jennifer Kuntch, deputy communications director at PennDOT.
PennDOT began utilizing creative messaging in 2022 in addition to its more traditional scheduled safety messages, Kutch said.
Examples of creative messaging used by PennDOT include:
- “No matter how far, no matter whose car, buckle up.”
- “Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Drive sober or plan a ride.”
- “Just buzzed, nice try, That’s a DUI.”
- “Only Rudolph should drive lit. Plan a sober ride.”
- “The power to slow down is in your right foot.”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike, on the other hand, has not used humor in its messaging.
Crispin Havener, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Western Regional Office, said safety is a top priority, and the commission uses Dynamic Message Signs to warn drivers of crashes, weather, delays and more.
Megan Swift is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1204 or mswift@triblive.com.
Pennsylvania
8 Grocery Outlet stores closing in Pa., NJ
Some shoppers across the Philadelphia region may have to change where they get their groceries.
Grocery Outlet announced that it is closing dozens of stores for good soon.
The chain explained that the changes in SNAP benefits are driving away their main customer base.
Eight stores are shutting their doors from Chester County all the way down to Cape May County.
Grocery Outlets closing in New Jersey
- 4004 Route 130, Delran
- 401 Harmony Road, Gibbstown
- 190 Hamilton Commons Drive Mays, Landing
- 3174 Route 9, Suite 5, Rio Grande
- 677 Berlin Cross Keys Road, Sicklerville
Grocery Outlets closing in Pennsylvania
- 345 Scarlett Road, Kennett Square
- 2017 West Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia
- 2524 Welsh Road, Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Cause determined for plane crash that killed school board president in Chester County
Friday, March 6, 2026 7:13PM
WEST CALN TWP., Pa. (WPVI) — Investigators have revealed the cause of a plane crash that killed a Chester County school board president two years ago.
The National Transportation Safety Board blamed it on inadequate preflight inspection.
There was a loss of engine power because the fuel was contaminated with water from a recent rainfall, the NTSB said.
The plane crashed shortly after takeoff in West Caln Township on February 1, 2024.
Octorara Area School District School Board President Sam Ganow was killed when a small plane crashed Thursday in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The pilot, Sam Ganow, was the only one onboard.
He was the Octorara Area School District board president.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania man arrested for allegedly feeding pet parakeet marijuana and beer
A Pennsylvania man was arrested on animal cruelty charges for allegedly feeding marijuana and beer to his pet parakeet after bringing the injured feathered friend to a bar, according to reports.
Timothy Grace, 40, was busted on Feb. 21 after carrying his wounded pet budgie named “Blue Skies” in his pocket to Callaghan’s Bar in Greensburg, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
“The caller’s a bartender. She says there is a white male at the bar with a parakeet,” a dispatcher reported on the police radio transmissions obtained by the outlet.
“The patron was bragging to other people that were inside the bar that he feeds the parakeet marijuana and has it drink beer on a daily basis,” Detective Sergeant Justin Scalzo told the outlet.
Grace “appeared extremely intoxicated” when police showed up to the bar and found the pet bird in distress, according to court documents obtained by the outlet.
“Its leg appeared to be broken,” Scalzo said, according to WTAE. “Its foot was actually facing the wrong direction.”
Grave was initially arrested for public intoxication and now faces charges including aggravated cruelty to animals and transporting animals in a cruel manner, the outlet said.
The pet bird was brought to PEARL Parrot Rescue in the Pittsburgh area, which rushed him to an emergency care facility.
Blue Skies spent four days in the hospital and was later taken in to be fostered by Teri Grendzinski, the president of PEARL. The injured parakeet is still breathing hard, remains on antibiotics, and has to wear a splint on his right leg, CBS reported.
“They realized his leg was broken. He also had some respiratory issues going on,” Grendzinski told the outlet. “He was also very, very skinny.”
“The leg was broken badly enough there is a chance they’re going to have to amputate the leg if it doesn’t heal correctly,” she added.
If Blue Skies is eventually put up for adoption, he will require specialized care, the outlet said.
“When we got that call, it was horrifying. Why would you do that to a bird?” Grendzinski said.
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin5 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Maryland6 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida6 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
