Pennsylvania

Pa. Senate passes bill encouraging school districts to ban students' phone use

Published

2 years ago

July 5, 2024

Pa. Senate passes bill encouraging school districts to ban students' phone use

Pennsylvania’s Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to encourage school districts to start a pilot program that effectively bans students’ use of cellphones during the school day in an effort to improve their mental health and academic performance.

The bill, which passed 45-5, would authorize grants to school districts to buy locking bags after the district creates a policy requiring students to leave their phones in such bags for the whole school day. It now goes to the state House for consideration.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Sen. Ryan Aument of Lancaster, said he hopes that limits on phone use will result in improvements in students’ mental health and academic performance.

“Kids spend so much time on social media and using their smartphones that it’s taking a toll on them mentally, emotionally and academically. Smartphone restrictions have proved successful in reversing these trends,” Aument said.

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Pennsylvania

Funeral arrangements set for Pa. state trooper shot and killed in Chester County

Published

5 hours ago

March 11, 2026

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Funeral arrangements set for Pa. state trooper shot and killed in Chester County

The funeral arrangements for Corporal Timothy O’Connor, who was shot and killed in Chester County on Sunday, have been announced.

The viewing for O’Connor will be Tuesday, March 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church located at 338 Manor Avenue in Downingtown, Pa., according to the Parkesburg Police Department.

The funeral will be held at the same location on Wednesday, March 18, at 11 a.m., police said.

O’Connor was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Honey Brook on Sunday night. The suspect, Jesse Nathan Elks, took his own life after shooting O’Connor.

O’Connor was a 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police who leaves behind a wife, Casey, and a 6-year-old daughter, according to police.

Pennsylvania State Police

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Pennsylvania

Fire crews try moving burning barge to shallow water in Delaware Bay

Published

17 hours ago

March 10, 2026

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Fire crews try moving burning barge to shallow water in Delaware Bay

Delaware, Pennsylvania, and federal agencies have been responding to a barge fire in the Delaware Bay.

The barge, which is carrying salvage metal, is being moved to shallow water so it can be secured, allowing on-scene responders to extinguish the fire and complete salvage operations, according to a March 10 statement from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

No injuries have been reported as of 1:15 p.m.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is on scene to perform air monitoring, the statement said.

Responding agencies include the Wilmington Fire Department, Good Will, Leipsic Volunteer, Bowers and South Bowers fire companies. Also there are Delaware State Police, DNREC, New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, Kent County Department of Public Safety, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was enroute.

This is a developing story. Check back with delawareonline.com for more information.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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