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What a new federal rule banning funny roadway signs means for Pennsylvania

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What a new federal rule banning funny roadway signs means for Pennsylvania


Have you ever noticed the electronic sign “Don’t Drive Star Spangled Hammered” on the Parkway West and chuckled?

Well, that and other similar quirky messages are going away in a couple years. They will be banned in 2026.

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has given states two years to implement all of the changes outlined in its new manual released last month, including rules regarding signage and other traffic control devices, as reported by the Associated Press.

Funny signs will be banned on highways and freeways across the country in 2026. They could be misunderstood or distracting to drivers, according to AP.

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The agency said signs should be “simple, direct, brief, legible and clear” and only be used for important information such as warning drivers of crashes ahead, adverse weather conditions and traffic delays, the AP reported.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reviewing the new guidance, according to Jennifer Kuntch, deputy communications director at PennDOT.

PennDOT began utilizing creative messaging in 2022 in addition to its more traditional scheduled safety messages, Kutch said.

Examples of creative messaging used by PennDOT include:

  • “No matter how far, no matter whose car, buckle up.”
  • “Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Drive sober or plan a ride.”
  • “Just buzzed, nice try, That’s a DUI.”
  • “Only Rudolph should drive lit. Plan a sober ride.”
  • “The power to slow down is in your right foot.”

The Pennsylvania Turnpike, on the other hand, has not used humor in its messaging.

Crispin Havener, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Western Regional Office, said safety is a top priority, and the commission uses Dynamic Message Signs to warn drivers of crashes, weather, delays and more.

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Megan Swift is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1204 or mswift@triblive.com.



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Wind advisory for part of Pennsylvania for Friday and Saturday – winds gusting up to 50 mph

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Wind advisory for part of Pennsylvania for Friday and Saturday – winds gusting up to 50 mph


On Thursday at 1:38 a.m. a wind advisory was released by the National Weather Service valid from Friday 8 a.m. until Saturday midnight for Westmoreland Ridges, Fayette Ridges and Higher Elevations of Indiana as well as Mercer, Venango, Forest, Lawrence, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, Beaver, Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, Greene, Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties.



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Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro’s neighbor accuses him of stealing land in ‘outrageous abuse of power’

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Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro’s neighbor accuses him of stealing land in ‘outrageous abuse of power’


Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s neighbors are suing the Democrat, accusing him of stealing a slice of their land to erect an eight-foot-high security fence around his private residence in an “outrageous abuse of power.”

The neighbors, Jeremy and Simone Mock, are currently duking it out with the governor in court over a 2,900 square foot parcel of land located between their two homes in Abington, Montgomery County, court papers show.

The Mocks alleged in a lawsuit filed last month that Shapiro and his wife, Lori, unlawfully seized the stretch of land after initial negotiations to buy it from them went up in flames.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s neighbors have accused the Democrat of stealing a slice of their land to erect an eight-foot-high security fence around his private residence. Josh Shapiro / Facebook

Shapiro claimed in a countersuit that he owns the disputed land due, citing an “adverse possession” loophole that makes it his because he has maintained the sliver of property for decades.

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The land-grab tit-for-tat kicked off last year when the Shapiros first sought to erect the huge fence and upgrade security following an arson attack on the governor’s official residence in Harrisburg while they were all sleeping inside on April 13.

Shapiro initially offered to pay the Mocks for the 2,900-square-foot section of land, which he for decades had believed was his, to be able to build the fence, the suit said.

The negotiations, however, fell through when the neighbors couldn’t agree on a price.

The Mocks allege that’s when Shapiro and his wife unlawfully claimed ownership of the property — even planting trees and having State Troopers stationed there.

“What followed was an outrageous abuse of power by the sitting Governor of Pennsylvania,” the Mocks’ lawsuit argues.

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The neighbors claim Shapiro had State Troopers stationed on the property after unlawfully claiming ownership, the lawsuit states. Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Shapiro initially offered to pay the Mocks for the 2,900 square foot section of land, which he had believed for decades was actually part of his own property, but the negotiations fell through, according to the suit. Eastern District of Pennsylvania

“To begin, the Shapiros suddenly claimed, without evidence, they owned the Mock Property through ‘adverse possession’ despite their previous acknowledgments that the Mock Property was owned by no one other than the Mocks and despite having never been awarded the Mock Property through adverse possession by a court,” the court filing states.

The law allows for an occupant to legally acquire the title of someone else’s property if they’ve occupied the area for over 21 years.

The Shapiros purchased their home in 2003 and long believed the disputed 2,900 square foot section of land was part of their property, meaning they had maintained it for more than the required 21 years, their countersuit claims.

As the issue continues to play out in court, Shapiro’s office suggested the entire saga was a political stunt.

“The Governor looks forward to a swift resolution and will not be bullied by anyone trying to score cheap political points, especially at the expense of his family’s safety and wellbeing,” his office told NBC when the dueling suits were filed.

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

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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.

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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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