Pennsylvania

Update: Be prepared for strong thunderstorms in Union and Snyder counties Sunday evening

Published

1 year ago

June 23, 2024

Update: Be prepared for strong thunderstorms in Union and Snyder counties Sunday evening

An updated weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 7:44 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 8:15 p.m. for Union and Snyder counties.

Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 55 mph.

“At 7:43 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Snyder-Middleswarth State Park, moving east at 45 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Selinsgrove, Shamokin Dam, Hummels Wharf, Middleburg, McClure, Kreamer, Port Trevorton, Penns Creek, Beaver Springs, Richfield, Mount Pleasant Mills, Kratzerville, Paxtonville, Troxelville, Weikert, Meiserville, Snyder-Middleswart State Park, Fremont, Beavertown and Freeburg.

The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. for central Pennsylvania.”

Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

1. Lightning safety plan:

When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

2. Indoors safety measures:

Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

3. Wait for the all-clear:

After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:

Beware of rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

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.

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Pennsylvania

Man in critical condition after argument turns to shooting in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Published

5 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Man in critical condition after argument turns to shooting in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Investigators say the dispute escalated into gunfire.

Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:03PM

Man critical after argument turns to shooting in Lansdowne

LANSDOWNE, Pa., (WPVI) — An argument between two groups turned violent late Friday night in Delaware County, leaving one person fighting for their life.

The shooting happened around 10:45 p.m. along the unit block of South Wycombe Avenue in Lansdowne.

Investigators say the dispute escalated into gunfire, striking one individual who was rushed to the hospital and is now listed in critical condition.

Police recovered a firearm at the scene, but so far, no arrests have been made.

Authorities have not released the identity of the victim or any details about what sparked the confrontation.

Detectives are continuing to investigate and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

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Pennsylvania

Vallejo man suspected of fatally shooting wife arrested in Pennsylvania

Published

17 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Vallejo man suspected of fatally shooting wife arrested in Pennsylvania

A man suspected of fatally shooting his wife at their Vallejo home was tracked to Pennsylvania and arrested, authorities said.

The Vallejo Police Department said in a press release that officers responded to a missing person report on Tuesday evening on the the 1000 block of Oakwood Avenue. A friend had reported her coworker had not shown up for work, and the friend was worried about her well-being after a recent argument with her husband. The friend told officers her friend had recently gone to a mutual friend’s residence after her husband had threatened to kill her.

Police conducted a welfare check at the missing person’s apartment, but no one answered the door, police said, and none of the neighbors reported any disturbances from the residence. An automated license plate reader indicated that her vehicle was last seen traveling in West Vallejo, and attempts to contact both the missing person and her husband by phone were unsuccessful, police said.

On Wednesday evening, a maintenance worker at the apartment complex entered the missing person’s residence and found her unresponsive and he called 911. Officers arrived and found she had been shot to death at the scene, police said. The woman’s husband, 45-year-old Vallejo resident Zheer Queja Malassab of Vallejo, was identified as the suspect.

Zheer Queja Malassab

Vallejo Police Department

A search for the victim’s vehicle led to the discovery that it traveled to Pennsylvania, and detectives contacted the Pennsylvania State Police, informing them of a be-on-the-lookout alert and the vehicle’s last known location.

Pennsylvania State Police located the vehicle and and tried to pull it over in snowy conditions, but the driver sped away, police said. Due to the conditions, the driver was ultimately forced to stop and surrender. Zheer was arrested without incident, and he admitted to shooting his wife after he was read his Miranda rights, police said.

Zheer is currently waiting to be extradited to California, where he will face charges of murder and will be booked into the Solano County Jail.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Detective Stephanie Diaz at (707) 648-5430 or at Stephanie.Diaz@cityofvallejo.net, or Detective Zach Horton at (707) 648-5425 or Zach.Horton@cityofvallejo.net. Anonymous tipsters can call the tip line at 800-488-9383.

It was the city’s 17th homicide of 2025.

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Pennsylvania

These new 2026 health care laws are taking effect in Pa., N.J. and Del.

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

These new 2026 health care laws are taking effect in Pa., N.J. and Del.

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

This past year, lawmakers in the Delaware Valley pursued changes to health care policies and regulations that will expand access to prescription drug savings, ensure coverage for breast cancer imaging, reaffirm lead testing requirements, increase breastfeeding support in prisons and more.

Here are some new health care laws coming to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware that will be in place or take effect in 2026.

Pennsylvania

Medicaid coverage for weight loss medication

The Pennsylvania state budget increases funding in several areas, but will cut costs by limiting coverage for glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound for people in the Medicaid insurance program beginning Jan. 1.

The state’s Medicaid program, called Medical Assistance, will no longer cover GLP-1 drugs solely for obesity and weight loss, but will continue to do so for people with diabetes and other health conditions.

Pennsylvania started paying for GLP-1 drugs for obesity in 2023. But the cost to the state rose as an increasing number of enrollees obtained prescriptions.

The commonwealth spent $650 million for GLP-1 drugs in Medicaid, for all reasons, in 2024, according to state officials. Lawmakers estimate it would soon cost over $1 billion annually.

Naloxone distribution by emergency responders

Emergency responders like emergency medical service workers can leave packages of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, with families and caregivers at the site of a 911 call or other treatment response.

The law codifies an executive order signed by former Gov. Tom Wolfe in 2018, which established a standing order allowing emergency responders to not only use naloxone to reverse an overdose, but to leave additional doses with others at the scene.

However, executive orders are temporary and can expire or be reversed by a sitting governor. The new law now makes this policy permanent and strengthens protections for EMS workers.

The legislation also increases transparency in prescription prices and costs. When asked by a customer, pharmacists must disclose the current retail price for band name and generic versions of any medication being picked up.

They also must help customers and patients figure out their out-of-pocket costs for brand-name and generic options.

All parts of the law will be in effect by July 2026.

Prescription savings programs for seniors

Seniors who save money on their prescriptions through state assistance programs will get to stay in those programs even if their annual incomes go over the eligibility limits because of a bump in their Social Security payments.

A law passed this year ensures that Social Security cost-of-living adjustments will not disqualify someone from participating in the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier program.

The moratorium on Social Security cost-of-living adjustment income increases will last from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2027.

“The PACE and PACENET programs play an important role in supporting older adults and offering tremendous savings by helping them pay for their prescription medications,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich said in a statement. “This new law will allow older Pennsylvanians to remain eligible for this benefit which provides them with lifesaving medication and a cost savings to their fixed incomes.”

Diagnostic mammogram and breast cancer imaging

A new law requires insurers to cover follow-up testing for women who need additional imaging after an abnormal mammogram, including an MRI or ultrasound.

While annual mammograms are fully covered by insurance, additional diagnostic testing can come with high costs, which cancer activists say can delay an early diagnosis of breast cancer.

The expanded coverage will apply to insurance plans and policies that are issued or renewed starting summer 2026.

“With early detection and diagnostic imaging, we have the tools to limit the harm caused by cancer and the suffering it brings to families across the Commonwealth,” Donna Greco, Pennsylvania government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said in a statement.

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