Pennsylvania
Officers shoot, kill man who fired at them during domestic violence call, state police say
YORK — Law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania shot and killed a man who fired at them during a domestic violence call, including aiming shotgun blasts at an officer forced to dive off a porch to protect himself, a county prosecutor said.
Spring Garden Township police were called to a home shortly after 11 p.m. Friday on a report of an armed man having broken into the home of his estranged wife, York County District Attorney David Sunday Jr. told reporters Saturday evening.
When a township police officer approached the front door and requested entrance, Payden Sells, 34, of Spring Grove, told the officer “to back off” and then fired four shotgun blasts from inside the house “as the officer ran across and dove off the porch to take cover,” Sunday said.
Sells then went to the second floor, and two township officers — including the officer who had been fired at — went into the house to try to obtain the victim’s release. Three more shots were fired by Sells from the bedroom, Sunday said.
The officers talked to Sells from the second-floor landing, and he told them he had plenty of ammunition and to keep out of the bedroom, Sunday said. Police were able to obtain the release of the victim and her two dogs, he said.
Officers from a number of surrounding agencies arrived to help. Tactical officers recommended that the two township officers withdraw because of safety concerns.
Sells fired multiple shots from the second-floor window at officers on the scene, and less than a minute later he came out the front door with two handguns. He was told to drop his weapons but fired at least one shot in the direction of officers, and law enforcement officers returned fire, killing him, Sunday said.
In the home, officers found a shotgun on the kitchen floor and found shotgun damage to the door and window. Discharged casings were found on the floor of the second-floor bedroom along with live rounds, which Sunday said were “consistent with Sells attempting to reload the handguns.”
Sunday, who said he viewed body camera and doorbell camera footage and went to the crime scene himself, said the evidence clearly showed that Sells fired at officers, including the shotgun blasts at the officer on the porch “that amounted to an ambush.”
“Under any definition of justification in the law, the shooting death by law enforcement was absolutely necessary in order for officers to neutralize a threat and protect themselves and others from potential serious bodily injury or death,” Sunday said.
Sunday said the case showed the threat posed by domestic violence offenders to victims and law enforcement, and also the importance of the role of police — especially highlighting the officer who was fired upon multiple times and who then “ran into a home to do everything he could to protect the victim … and in doing so put his life in danger.”
Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
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