Legislature
Pa. may raise legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/pa-may-raise-legal-age-to-buy-tobacco-from-18-to-21.html
Work begins on $2.6 million project to improve Route 796 intersection in Jennersville
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/work-begins-on-million-project-to-improve-route-intersection-in/article_50b23270-470a-11e9-b201-6b2618f16ada.html
Second Chance Expo outlines state’s Clean Slate Law
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190314/second-chance-expo-outlines-states-clean-slate-law#
Bills aim to improve access to addiction treatment across Pa.
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190314/bills-aim-to-improve-access-to-addiction-treatment-across-pa
Troubling trend in school costs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/troubling-trend-in-school-costs-1.2457540
Editorial: Open-government laws should be strengthened
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-open-government-laws-should-be-strengthened
PA shouldn’t be worried about clock
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2019/03/pa-shouldnt-be-worried-about-clock/
Senator Yaw Selected as Co-Chair of Pennsylvania Public Television Caucus
https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/govt/senator-yaw-selected-as-co-chair-of-pennsylvania-public-television/article_3864fcd1-c9a9-5bdd-a171-379880eafd3e.html
Administration
Pittsburgh-area educators welcome Wolf’s proposal to change compulsory school age
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/03/14/Pennsylvania-Tom-Wolf-students-school-age-requirement-Allegheny-County-Pittsburgh/stories/201903070125
Business
Shell’s Falcon ethane pipeline enters construction phase
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190314/shells-falcon-ethane-pipeline-enters-construction-phase
Chester County Commissioners upset with redacted Sunoco pipeline statement
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chester-county-commissioners-upset-with-redacted-sunoco-pipeline-statement/article_98e3d60e-469f-11e9-9753-ebae132d27fb.html
Crime/Punishment
Ex-prison guard pleads no contest to official oppression in sex abuse case
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/ex-prison-guard-pleads-no-contest-to-official-oppression-in-sex-abuse-case-1.2457442
8 indicted Reading gang members were part of a violent drug ring, Berks and federal authorities say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/8-reading-residents-indicted-on-federal-drug-charges
Ex-State trooper guilty of sexually abusing women, girls is again accused of sexual contact with teen
https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2019/03/ex-state-trooper-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-women-girls-is-again-accused-of-sexual-contact-with-teen.html
Education
Kids encouraged to seek help when faced with a bully
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/kids-encouraged-to-seek-help-when-faced-with-a-bully-1.2457609
Audit finds Allentown School District has under-budgeted for programs
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-school-board-20190314-story.html
Auditor general: Scranton School District can legally cancel bus contract
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/auditor-general-scranton-school-district-can-legally-cancel-bus-contract-1.2457392
Patent office to Penn State: ‘Happy Valley’ can’t be trademarked
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/happy-valley-penn-state-cannot-be-trademarked-patent-office-20190314.html
Wilkes University to host pain, addiction summit on April 12
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-university-to-host-pain-addiction-summit-on-april-12-1.2457636
Wilkes University launching online MBA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-university-launching-online-mba-1.2457656
Sculpture on natural gas drilling industry damaged at Keystone College
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/sculpture-on-natural-gas-drilling-industry-damaged-at-keystone-college-1.2457397
Business owners share with Albright students the mindset and skills needed for successful entrepreneurship
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/entrepreneurs-give-tips-to-albright-students
Admissions Scandal
Feds bust wife of former Vandergrift High, NFL player in college admissions scandal
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/feds-bust-wife-of-former-vandergrift-high-nfl-player-in-college-admissions-scandal/
Penn had admissions scandal months before current bribery case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/03/14/Penn-had-admissions-scandal-months-before-current-bribery-case/stories/201903140178
Students target top colleges in a lawsuit over the admissions scandal
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/03/14/college-admission-scandal-students-class-action-lawsuit-bribery-Stanford-Yale/stories/201903140193
Donald Trump Jr. mocks college admission scandal, despite his past at Penn
https://www.philly.com/education/college-admission-scandal-trump-donald-jr-university-pennsylvania-wharton-kushner-20190314.html
Elections/Politics
Absentee ballot application deadline nears
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/absentee-ballot-application-deadline-nears/
Gaming
Bethlehem Sands casino buyer wins first planning victory
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-sands-buyer-sign-20190314-story.html
Health Care
UPMC starts work on new vision and rehabilitation hospital in Uptown
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/03/14/UPMC-vision-rehabilitation-hospital-Uptown-Mercy-Romoff/stories/201903140113
Court fast tracks attorney general complaint against UPMC
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/03/14/Court-fast-track-attorney-general-Shapiro-complaint-UPMC-Highmark-consent-decrees/stories/201903140123
Pitt study finds it’s better to wait longer before getting flu vaccine
https://triblive.com/local/regional/university-of-pittsburgh-study-finds-waiting-to-get-flu-vaccination-is-better-but-getting-one-is-most-important/
Local News
Gifts a hot topic at W-B council meeting
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/gifts-a-hot-topic-at-w-b-council-meeting-1.2457642
Wyoming mayor alleges irregularities in police car purchases
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736647/wyoming-mayor-alleges-irregularities-in-police-car-purchases
Councilman worried street-sweeping deal could take WB to the cleaners
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736640/councilman-worried-street-sweeping-deal-could-take-wb-to-the-cleaners
Stormwater fee, possible Park & Lock project dominate Butler Twp. Meeting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736616/stormwater-fee-possible-park-lock-project-dominate-butler-twp-meeting
Sanitary, stormwater fee bills due to WVSA today
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sanitary-stormwater-fee-bills-due-to-wvsa-today-1.2457643
First responders honored for saving lives during opioid epidemic
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/first-responders-honored-for-saving-lives-during-opioid-epidemic-1.2457768
Downtown group plans to bring businesses to city
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/downtown-group-plans-to-bring-businesses-to-city-1.2457626
ScrantonMade launching online store, ending involvement in some arts events
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scrantonmade-launching-online-store-ending-involvement-in-some-arts-events-1.2457526
Carbon Co. commissioners mourn recorder of deeds
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-co-commissioners-mourn-recorder-of-deeds-1.2457632
First phase of Ohiopyle construction on schedule, set to be completed by Memorial Day weekend
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/03/14/First-phase-of-Ohiopyle-construction-on-schedule-set-to-be-completed-by-Memorial-Day-weekend/stories/201903140168
Doylestown mom ‘stunned’ after Inquirer reader pays miscarriage bills
https://www.philly.com/health/miscarriage-cost-medical-debt-hospital-bills-paid-reader-20190314.html
Mayor Wally Scott calls developer ‘the Devil’ after article about church redevelopment
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/mayor-wally-scott-calls-developer-the-devil-after-article-about-church-redevelopment
Second poll finds majority of Berks voters oppose selling Berks Heim
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/second-poll-finds-majority-of-berks-residents-oppose-selling-berks-heim
New blankets at Hope Rescue Mission make clients feel at home
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/new-blankets-at-hope-rescue-mission-make-clients-feel-at-home
Greenville makes Act 47 exit plan: Borough must leave economic distressed status by 2022
https://www.sharonherald.com/news/greenville-makes-act-exit-plan-borough-must-leave-economic-distressed/article_06049514-46ca-11e9-9fd4-c3a0febfbceb.html
Marijuana
Medical marijuana evaluation office to open in Kittanning
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/medical-marijuana-office-comes-to-kittanning/
Michael Rosfeld Trial
All-or-nothing defense a risky strategy for Michael Rosfeld, experts say
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/thomassey-wants-jury-to-only-consider-1st-degree-murder-charges-against-rosfeld/
National News
Bill to change electoral vote allocation gets final approval in Delaware
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/delaware-electoral-college-popular-vote-presidential-election-20190314.html
Ohio governor wants nearly $1B for Lake Erie, waterways
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/ohio-governor-wants-nearly-1b-for-lake-erie-waterways/
Opioid Crisis
Officials report drug, opioid overdoses increasing in Chester County
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/officials-report-drug-opioid-overdoses-increasing-in-chester-county/article_ce24efee-470b-11e9-b187-73c121a1e1ce.html
Philly
Met ticket sales net thousands for Philly school district
https://www.philly.com/education/met-tickets-philadelphia-school-district-donation-20190314.html
Philly probation violators are finally getting real hearings. Many are being released.
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-probation-larry-krasner-macarthur-court-criminal-justice-reform-20190315.html
A Philly teacher’s brutal stabbing death has experts at odds: Was it a murder or suicide?
https://www.philly.com/crime/a/ellen-greenberg-death-suicide-homicide-philadelphia-mystery-20190316.html
Sheriff Jewell Williams is getting his face out there and the city controller wants to see the receipts | Clout
https://www.philly.com/politics/clout/philadelphia-sheriff-jewell-williams-soda-tax-local-dougherty-20190315.html
Police: Masked gunman shot to death by store owner in West Philly
https://www.philly.com/news/store-owner-masked-gunman-west-philadelphia-20190315.html
Held in a cold, dark Philly home smelling of feces: What happened when a Good Samaritan called it in
https://www.philly.com/business/cold-dark-philly-home-smelling-feces-good-samaritan-called-it-in-20190316.html
Philly man found guilty of killing Temple grad in random Haverford Township murder
https://www.philly.com/news/derrick-rollins-haveford-township-murder-john-le-verdict-guilty-20190315.html
Pitt
County: Send state money for transportation, or let us raise it ourselves
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/03/14/County-Send-state-money-for-transportation-or-let-us-tax-ourselves/stories/201903140161
Ex-student claims he was sexually assaulted by teacher at St. Bernard school in Mt. Lebanon
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/14/Ex-student-claims-sexually-assaulted-teacher-St-Bernard-elementary-school-Mt-Lebanon/stories/201903140118
Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto meets with Dalai Lama during vacation in India
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-mayor-bill-peduto-in-india-to-meet-with-dalai-lama/
Punch Bowl Social Pittsburgh first tenant at former Civic Arena site
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/punch-bowl-social-pittsburgh-first-tenant-at-former-civic-arena-site/
State News
Old-time tradition may end with a Saturday start to deer season
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/outdoors/2019/03/14/Pennsylvania-deer-hunting-Saturday-Game-Commission-herd/stories/201903140055
A national white supremacist group quietly met up at Delco bowling alley, leaked chats show
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/white-supremacist-group-identity-evropa-neo-nazi-meeting-delaware-county-pa-20190314.html
Trout stocking may return to Turtle Creek
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/outdoors/2019/03/14/Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania-trout-stocking-Turtle-Creek-Fish-and-Boat/stories/201903140061
Pennsylvania slaps hefty fine on energy firm for employing rapist as door-to-door salesman in Bucks
https://www.philly.com/business/energy/puc-fines-electricity-supplier-failure-criminal-history-salesman-20190314.html
Harm reduction movement pushes addiction advocacy, needle exchange in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/harm-reduction-movement-pushes-addiction-advocacy-needle-exchange-in-westmoreland-county/
Mental health advocate says sufferers typically are victims, not violent perpetrators
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/mental-health-advocate-says-sufferers-typically-are-victims-not-violence-perpetrators/
Two state historical markers added in Washington County
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/two-state-historical-markers-added-in-washington-county/article_75cc7b5c-467d-11e9-adb2-3b6f60feace3.html
Second $10,000 state Leopold award offered to farmers, foresters
https://triblive.com/local/regional/second-10000-state-leopold-award-offered-to-farmers-foresters/
CSA collaboration could lead to more produce choices
https://triblive.com/local/regional/csa-collaboration-could-lead-to-more-produce-choices/
Pennsylvania collects thousands of ticks for study to combat Lyme
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-collects-thousands-of-ticks-for-study-to-combat-lyme/
State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit recognized for its work
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-attorney-generals-medicaid-fraud-control-unit-recognized-for-its-work/
Report: Mushroom industry a huge economic driver in Chester County
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/report-mushroom-industry-a-huge-economic-driver-in-chester-county/article_f5592c5a-465d-11e9-9cc4-ab88bc11542b.html
Military moves toward treatment study on base chemicals
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190314/military-moves-toward-treatment-study-on-base-chemicals
Transportation
Pavement markings added to make WB railroad crossings safer
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736635/pavement-markings-added-to-make-wb-railroad-crossings-safer
‘Futurama is happening’; Readers react to Philly-Pittsburgh hyperloop study
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-cross-state-hyperloop-readers-react-20190315-htmlstory.html
PennDOT commits money to Amtran
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/03/penndot-commits-money-to-amtran/
Washington
Toomey joins Republican defectors in vote to reject Trump’s border emergency
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/03/14/Senate-rejects-Trump-border-emergency-as-Republicans-defect/stories/201903140122
World News
49 dead in mass shootings at New Zealand mosques; 1 man charged
https://triblive.com/news/world/witness-many-dead-in-new-zealand-mosque-shooting/