PennDOT, PA Turnpike announce planned road restrictions ahead of winter weather

 Posted on May 27, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  319 words  |  Christie Applegate

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WJAC) — The Pennsylvania Department of transportation and the PA Turnpike say they are planning to restrict trucks and cars on certain roadways Thursday in response to winter weather throughout much of the state. Below you’ll find what they have planned, although they say they may be adding further restrictions depending on the conditions. Effective at 1:00 AM on Thursday, February 18, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan: [Read More]

Sen. Bob Menendez traded power for gold, cash, prosecutor alleges

 Posted on May 27, 2024  |  6 minutes  |  1084 words  |  Brenda Moya

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal jury was alternately introduced to Bob Menendez as a bribe-taking U.S. senator who betrayed his country and an American patriot Wednesday as a prosecutor and defense lawyer delivered contrasting visions of the once-powerful Democrat at the start of his New York corruption trial. Central to the openings from both the government and the senator's advocate in Manhattan federal court was Nadine Menendez, a woman he began dating in early 2018 before marrying her two years later and moving into her Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home. [Read More]

Sheetz new campaign benefits the Special Olympics

 Posted on May 27, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  229 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

ALTOONA, Pa (WJAC) — Sheetz announced Thursday that they will be participating in a new fundraising campaign in support of the Special Olympics. Throughout the month of October, customers will have the opportunity to donate to the nonprofit organization, either by adding donations to their purchase at the point of sale, or by dropping money into donation boxes that will be placed near the registers, according to a company release. At the end of the month, the store that raises the most money will then receive a " [Read More]

Jaylen Warren becomes 2nd undrafted Steelers player to eclipse 1K total yards in a season

 Posted on May 26, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  139 words  |  Delta Gatti

Pittsburgh (WJAC) — Pittsburgh Steelers running-back Jaylen Warren made history on Saturday, becoming just the second undrafted player in the franchise's history to eclipse 1,000 total yards in a season. Warren's performance in Saturday's victory over the Bengals propelled him over the 1,000 scrimmage yards mark. The only other undrafted player to tally 1,000 total yards in a single season was Willie Parker, who accomplished the feat in three straight seasons, from 2005 to 2007. [Read More]

Kennywood's Steel Curtain roller coaster to remain closed

 Posted on May 26, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  134 words  |  Brenda Moya

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania amusement park says its newest and biggest attraction will remain closed with no timetable for opening. Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh says crews "are continuing work on some adjustments" to the Steel Curtain, which has been closed since Saturday. The 4,000-foot-long coaster contains nine inversions, which park officials say is the most in North America, and the world's tallest inversion at 197 feet. [Read More]

New mural being installed in downtown Bellefonte

 Posted on May 26, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  93 words  |  Delta Gatti

Bellefonte, PA (WJAC) — Downtown Bellefonte is getting new artwork. A one-thousand-square-foot mural, located along the 100 block of Allegheny Street, next to the Waffle Shop is nearly complete. The mural was done by "Key Detail," from New York City, who have installed murals across the world. According to Downtown Bellefonte Incorporated, the mural pays tribute to “National Air Mail and Bellefonte’s role in that rich history.” The city also says that the mural will be officially dedicated, in a public ceremony, on June 28th, at the mural unveiling block party downtown. [Read More]

Reproductive rights rally held outside Johnstown Planned Parenthood

 Posted on May 26, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  142 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

Johnstown, PA (WJAC) — Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last week, many have spoken out nationwide, both for and against the decision. In Johnstown, a protest was held outside the Planned Parenthood Thursday afternoon. Crowds grew outside the building on Franklin Street with people carrying homemade posters and making their voices heard, fighting “for” and “against” women’s abortion rights. "Why did they overturn it? We worked and after all of these years, the 1960s, 1970s: I was always in those rallies everywhere, across the country. [Read More]

Snubbed? Rams DT Aaron Donald beats out Steelers' TJ Watt for NFL DPOY

 Posted on May 26, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  170 words  |  Delta Gatti

Despite leading in every major statistical category, Steelers' linebacker TJ Watt was NOT named as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Saturday night during the league's annual awards show. Instead, the award went to the LA Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a former University of Pittsburgh product. This is the third time that Donald has won the award, joining Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor and Watt's brother JJ as the only players to win it three times. [Read More]

Woman hanging from side of kayak rescued from Quemahoning Reservoir

 Posted on May 26, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  84 words  |  Delta Gatti

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — A woman is recovering following a water rescue in Somerset County. Authorities say the woman was found hanging off the side of a kayak in a reservoir. According to Somerset County dispatch, the incident happened at the Quemehoning Reservoir sometime around 1:30 p.m. Monday. Authorities say the woman was in the water for about an hour after a wave hit her, causing her kayak to take on water. [Read More]

GOP lawmaker cheers closure of University of Wyoming's DEI office: 'Artificial and biased'

 Posted on May 25, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  388 words  |  Brenda Moya

LARAMIE, Wyo. (TND) — Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., on Tuesday cheered the University of Wyoming’s (UW) decision to close its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) office in a statement to The National Desk (TND). University officials made the announcement Friday after a “working group” appointed by President Ed Seidel recommended changes to the school’s diversity approach. Seidel formed the group after the state legislature withheld $1.73 million from the school’s budget and noted it would not provide state dollars for DEI efforts. [Read More]