Suspect in New Mexico kidnapping, double-murder was arrested after carjacking Uber driver

 Posted on June 13, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  481 words  |  Christie Applegate

ABILENE, Texas (KVII) — New details were revealed about a suspect connected to a double-murder and a child abduction in eastern New Mexico. Alek Isaiah Collins, 26, is accused of killing Samantha Harley Cisneros and Taryn Allen on Friday at at New Mexico park. Police said he also shot Cisneros's 5-year-old daughter and kidnapped her 10-month-old daughter Eleia Maria Torres. He was arrested Monday in Abilene, Texas. According to court documents obtained by KVII, Collins shot Allen multiple times and Cisneros once. [Read More]

Dozens in Altoona without power until Saturday night

 Posted on June 12, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  139 words  |  Christie Applegate

2nd UPDATE: ALTOONA, Pa (WJAC) — Penelec/West Penn Power is now reporting that most customers affected will not have power restored until about 10 p.m. Saturday night. Customers in the Frankstown Township area should expect power to be restored around 6:30 p.m. at the earliest. UPDATE:According to the outage map, hundreds of customers are still without power in Altoona and surrounding areas. Power is now expected to be restored around 3 p. [Read More]

Ebensburg Borough closes municipal building to public due to Cambria County COVID-19 surge

 Posted on June 12, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  78 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

EBENSBURG, Pa. (WJAC) — Ebensburg Borough officials say they’re closing the municipal building to the public because of Cambria County’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases. Cambria County reported 30 new coronavirus cases Wednesday. According to the borough’s Facebook page, staff will still be working, and payments may still be dropped off onsite in the mail slot. Officials say general inquiries can be directed to 814-472-8780 or eburg@ebensburgpa.com. Tax Office inquiries can be directed to 814-846-4764 or taxoffice@ebensburgpa. [Read More]

Former gang member

 Posted on June 12, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  104 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WJAC) — A former member of a gang that terrorized the State College area nearly 10 years ago was resentenced Tuesday in Centre County Court. Investigators say Dmitriy Litvinov and several others staged nearly 40 robberies and burglaries, most of them at gunpoint, some with gang members carrying military assault rifles. In 2010, Litvinov was sentenced to at least 39 years in prison. But due to a U. [Read More]

Pennsylvania's new signs urge tourists to pursue happiness

 Posted on June 12, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  76 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania is hoping tourists will pursue happiness. New welcome signs with the slogan "Pennsylvania. Pursue Your Happiness" are going up on the state's interstates and major highways. They'll be replacing ones that have been in place since 1997. The first of the 37 signs were installed on Interstate 80 in Monroe County and the other was placed on I-78 in Northampton County. Officials say they want to promote a positive image of Pennsylvania. [Read More]

PSU trustees expected to make 'big decision' on next phase of Beaver Stadium project

 Posted on June 12, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  333 words  |  Delta Gatti

University Park, PA (WJAC) — A "big decision" is expected this week on the future of Penn State's Beaver Stadium. The university's trustees are slated to vote on a renovation plan that's expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and there are already questions about where Penn State is going to come up with that kind of money. Beaver Stadium’s current construction zone is work that is being funded by a $70 million allocation approved by the Penn State trustees last year. [Read More]

'It's a big deal!' 3 area bowlers qualify for Western PA Bowling Regional Championships

 Posted on June 11, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  421 words  |  Brenda Moya

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — Last weekend, many local bowlers put their skills to the test in the Western Pennsylvania Wildcard Singles, but a trio emerged at the top and those three bowlers will now be headed to the Western Pennsylvania Regional Championships. Greater Johnstown’s Lexington Tanaka is one of three local bowlers whose high score qualified for the regional championships that will lead to the state championship. Tanaka says it feels good for a sport that flies under the radar to get recognition. [Read More]

Baylor names State College native Matt Rhule as new football coach

 Posted on June 11, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  124 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

WACO, Texas - Matt Rhule is the new coach at Baylor, where he takes over a beleaguered Big 12 Conference program after winning 20 games over the past two seasons at Temple. Rhule, a State College native and former Penn State linebacker from 1994-97, becomes the full-time replacement for two-time Big 12 champion coach Art Briles. Briles was dismissed after a scathing report over the university's handling of sexual assault complaints, including some against football players. [Read More]

Bill to keep noncitizens from the ballot box in DC now up to the US Senate

 Posted on June 11, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  374 words  |  Christie Applegate

(TCS) — Twisted with irony, North Carolinians in Congress were part of the delegation deciding legislation that could potentially prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia. Thursday’s passage in the House of Representatives, 262-143, makes House Resolution 192’s next hurdle the Senate. If party lines are crossed, as happened in the lower chamber, the legislation would be able to overcome the split of 48 Democrats, 49 Republicans and three independents caucusing with Democrats. [Read More]