Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania man returns home after detainment in Turks and Caicos for ammo in his luggage
A Pennsylvania man arrived at the Pittsburgh airport Friday night after he was released from custody on the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), where he had been detained for having ammunition in his luggage.
Bryan Hagerich — a 39-year-old husband, father of two and former professional baseball player — is one of five Americans arrested and detained on the islands since February for having stray ammunition in their luggage, a crime punishable up to 12 years on the islands.
The other detained Americans are Ryan Watson, 40, of Oklahoma; Sharitta Grier, 45, of Florida; Tyler Wenrich, 31, of Virginia; and Michael Lee Evans, 72, of Texas.
“Its just amazing how, just in the matter of 12 hours, looking at 12 years to now,” Hagerich told reporters Friday night after he landed in Pittsburgh. “My biggest concern is coaching my kids’ baseball games tomorrow, and that is such a relief.”
PENNSYLVANIA DAD DETAINED IN TURKS AND CAICOS TO RETURN HOME AFTER PAYING FINE FOR HAVING AMMO IN LUGGAGE
Hagerich said his detention was the “hardest time of my life” being separated from his family.
“As a father, as a provider, and to not be that figure in my family’s life, it’s a very tough pill to swallow,” he said.
He said the conditions of his detention were “tough” and the “darkest days” of his life. And while he said he is thankful to be home, he stressed that there are other Americans still in detention on the islands who he said “will be home soon.”
A Turks and Caicos judge issued a suspended 52-month sentence Friday morning to Hagerich, who pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition on the islands. He was also ordered to pay a $6,500 fine.
Hagerich told Fox News Digital on Thursday that he and his attorneys “made a very, very strong case” in his defense after he pleaded guilty.
Several lawmakers applauded the move to release Hagerich from custody on the islands, allowing him to return to his family in Pennsylvania. A bipartisan congressional delegation had visited TCI on Monday to urge government leaders to release the Americans detained for having stray ammunition in their bags.
AMERICANS ARRESTED IN TURKS AND CAICOS BUNK, PRAY TOGETHER WHILE AWAITING SENTENCINGS: ‘A BIG FAMILY’
“This is great news,” U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said in a statement. “Bryan is coming home to his family. It was an honor to meet Bryan and the other detained Americans in TCI this week.”
“When we met with TCI officials a few days ago, they made clear they wanted this situation resolved,” Fetterman continued. “They recognized that Bryan and the other detained Americans are not gunrunners — they are just people who made a mistake. I’m grateful that the judge recognized that the right thing to do was to send Bryan home. I’m also grateful to the U.S. State Department which has been a critical partner in bringing Bryan home.”
Fetterman also said he is hopeful that TCI expedites the other cases of detained Americans so they can also be released soon and return to their families.
Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler said while he is “overjoyed” to see Hagerich is returning to Pennsylvania and reuniting with his wife and children, “this terrifying situation should have never happened to him, or the four other Americans still awaiting sentencing.”
“As the Turks and Caicos government works to handle future cases, the British territory must ensure the safety and wellbeing of U.S. tourists. I won’t rest until Americans can once again set foot on their islands without putting their livelihoods at risk,” the congressional representative said.
FLORIDA WOMAN BECOMES 5TH AMERICAN DETAINED IN TURKS AND CAICOS FOR CARRYING AMMO
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Hagerich said Friday night he is “forever grateful” for lawmakers’ efforts advocating for his release, including the delegation that visited the islands.
“Never in a thousand years did I expect that kind of support,” Hagerich said.
The cases of the five Americans have slight differences, but all five were arrested while traveling home after security detected ammunition in their luggage.
Hagerich had stray ammunition from a previous hunting trip in one of the compartments of a large suitcase his family had loaded their belongings into for a family vacation.
Watson had stray ammunition, also left over from a hunting trip, in the lining of his carry-on bag. Grier had stray bullets in the lining of her bag after she recently purchased a firearm for her own protection.
Wenrich has similarly said he had no intention of bringing bullets onto the islands and had no idea he had two bullets in his travel backpack until security found them.
Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
Pennsylvania
103-year-old WWII veteran credits soda and dark chocolate for his longevity as he celebrates birthday
A Pennsylvania World War II veteran celebrated his 103 birthday earlier this month, calling it the greatest day of his life, while he shared the secret of his extraordinary longevity.
Frank Pugliano Sr., dressed in his WWII veteran jacket and hat, enjoyed the birthday festivities along with his family and friends at Boyce Park, outside of Pittsburgh, PA. last weekend where tables were decorated with tiny American flags.
“The greatest day of my life,” he told WTAE. “I never thought I’d be here at 103, going from what I went through. You never know. A lot of my friends never made it, but I made it.”
Pugliano credits Coca-Cola and dark chocolate as the reason he made it to 103, he told the outlet.
The Italian-born soldier immigrated to the US when he was only 6 years old and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1942, according to the Tribune-Review.
Pugliano enlisted in the US Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater, where he survived a Japanese torpedo attack while he was deployed on a convoy mission to Luzon in the Philippines.
He says he saw a lot of young men lose their lives during the attack.
Pugliano was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.
Following his return home, Pugliano married his high school sweetheart, Mary Strough, and the couple were married for 65 years until she died in 2011.
He became a diesel mechanic after his military service, specializing in heavy equipment.
At the time of his centennial milestone, Pugliano credited “good Italian genes” and staying active as the reason he reached triple digits.
“The doctor told me, ‘Whatever you’re doing, do it,’” Pugliano told the newspaper, boasting about his excellent health except for bad knees.
“His health is remarkable and he doesn’t look his age. His frame of mind, everything … it’s absolutely incredible,” Pugliano’s son, Frank Pugliano Jr. said at his father’s 100th birthday.
The 103-year-old says he cuts his grass and maintains his home to keep active.
The Greatest Generation member still keeps up with the times, using his iPad daily and running his own Facebook account.
“That’s how I keep in touch with my relatives,” Pugliano said.
He most recently worked at a 55-and-over residential community, maintaining the clubhouse until he was 98 years old.
Pugliano said his favorite dishes include three eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and coffee at Kings Family Restaurant and pasta fagioli at his favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden, according to the Tribune.
In March, Vincent Dransfield, a former New Jersey volunteer fire chief and great-grandfather of seven turned 110.
Dransfield is one of the few men in the group of 110-plus-year-olds and has lived a healthy life all those years with just some knee pain to complain about, according to “Today.”
He lives alone with no home aide or extra help, cooks simple food for himself, walks up and down his three-level house and drives “pretty good” daily with no issues.
Pennsylvania
404 – Page Not Found
The page you are looking for can’t be found.
- The story, page, or video you were trying to access may have been moved.
- There might have been a typo in the link you used to get here.
search PAhomepage.com
Before you go, weigh in with your opinion in this survey.
Pennsylvania
Heat advisory issued for Pennsylvania for Tuesday
On Sunday at 3:47 a.m. a heat advisory was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. for Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties.
“Heat index values up to 103 degrees expected,” states the weather service. “This is the start of a prolonged period of excessive heat with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s through the week. The early season heat combined with the prolonged nature of the heat may cause heat related impacts that exceed anticipate heat illnesses or on heat sensitive infrastructure normally associated with a Heat Advisory.”
“Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events,” says the weather service.
Hot weather safety: Weather service tips for staying safe and healthy
- Stay hydrated: Remember to drink plenty of fluids.
- Seek shelter: Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room to keep cool.
- Avoid sun exposure: Avoid direct sun exposure, protect yourself and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.
- Child and pet safety: Never leave young children and pets unattended in hot vehicles – car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
- Caution outdoors: Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.
- Optimal timing: If possible, move strenuous activities to early morning or evening for more favorable conditions.
- Recognize heat-related issues: Recognize the warning signs and familiarize yourself with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Dress comfortably: Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.
Additional tips for outdoor workers:
- For outdoor workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
- If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
- In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
These NWS heat safety recommendations are vital for your well-being during periods of high temperatures. Stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others from the heat’s potentially dangerous effects.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
-
News1 week ago
Israel used a U.S.-made bomb in a deadly U.N. school strike in Gaza
-
World1 week ago
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 833
-
Politics1 week ago
George Clooney called White House to complain about Biden’s criticism of ICC and defend wife’s work: report
-
Politics1 week ago
Newson, Dem leaders try to negotiate Prop 47 reform off California ballots, as GOP wants to let voters decide
-
World1 week ago
‘Bloody policies’: Bodies of 11 refugees and migrants recovered off Libya
-
Politics1 week ago
Embattled Biden border order loaded with loopholes 'to drive a truck through': critics
-
World1 week ago
Dozens killed near Sudan’s capital as UN warns of soaring displacement
-
World1 week ago
Video: U.S. Official Responds to Israeli Strike on a U.N. School in Gaza