Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania SOTU guest ‘a little disappointed’ by lack of progress on rail safety
A local Pennsylvania official invited as Rep. Chris Deluzio’s (D-Pa.) guest to President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday evening said he’s “a little disappointed” by the lack of progress on rail safety legislation a year after a trail derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Mike Carreon (R), chair of the Board of Supervisors for Darlington Township, Pa., told The Hill in an interview Thursday that since the crash, which occurred in February 2023 just across the Ohio state line, “nothing has changed to prevent it from happening” in the future.
“We don’t know what the future looks like, but there’s legitimate concern over long term health care. We don’t know what the exposure to these chemicals can bring. People are exposed to different levels for different durations,” he said. “So not everybody’s story is going to be the same but there’s definitely been an effect on individuals.”
The derailment of a train operated by Norfolk Southern railroad spilled several cars containing hazardous chemicals, including vinyl chloride, a toxic compound used in production of plastics. While no one was killed or injured in the crash, residents have expressed worries about the possibility of longer-term health problems that may not be immediately apparent.
Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown (D) and JD Vance (R) have introduced railway safety legislation in the wake of the crash, which would tighten rules around cars carrying hazardous materials and require crews of at least two people on cars. Despite the backing of both Biden and former President Trump, the Republican front-runner, it has yet to receive a vote in the Senate.
“I think people understand that you’ve got to move commerce, we’ve got to do it safely, and that the railroads need to have some stricter rules,” Deluzio told The Hill. He pointed to testimony Wednesday by National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy that Norfolk Southern’s controlled burn of the spilled chemicals in East Palestine was unnecessary.
“I think [that] goes to the exact problem here. These railroads can’t be trusted to regulate themselves. They’re going to pursue their profit at the expense of our safety,” he said. “And what we’re saying in a very reasonable way is, you know what, we can do some things to make rail safer.”
Ultimately, Carreon said, there’s ample room for common ground on railway safety reform because it’s an issue that knows no political boundaries.
“The railroads run through Republican and Democratic cities and towns all across the country,” he said.
Rachel Frazin contributed.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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.
-
Seattle, WA27 seconds agoVictim identified in deadly Seattle beer garden shooting on Lake City Way; suspect sought
-
San Diego, CA6 minutes agoSan Diego health officials monitor hantavirus situation as cruise ship passengers return to U.S.
-
Milwaukee, WI12 minutes agoSame name keeps coming up in mock drafts as possible Bucks selection
-
Atlanta, GA18 minutes agoFire at Chamblee apartment complex displaces more than 75 residents, closes businesses
-
Minneapolis, MN24 minutes agoMinneapolis grocer charged in $1.1 million SNAP fraud scheme
-
Indianapolis, IN30 minutes agoMartindale-Brightwood neighbors sue to stall Metrobloks data center
-
Pittsburg, PA36 minutes agoDragon softball sweeps Kansas City Piper
-
Augusta, GA42 minutes agoBrent McMillian named as Augusta University’s new Athletics Director – AOL