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Theft of chain saws probed in Liberty Township….Greensboro man arrested for stealing kayak in Hamlin Township…Elk County authorities investigate possible crimes against minors…Two lawmakers propose legislation to prevent train derailments…

McKean County

A theft occurring last fall in Liberty Township remains under investigation by state police at Lewis Run. Thieves stole two  white and orange Stihl chain saws and an orange and white Husqvarna XP chain saw valued at a total of $3940  owned by a 62 year old Shinglehouse man. The equipment was stolen from a building on the Port/Emporium road sometime since November21.

State police at Lewis Run arrested 52 year old David Marcum of Greensboro, PA for theft occurring March 4 on Locust Lane in Hamlin Township. Troopers allege Marcum, stole a fishing kayak and a tow behind inner tube owned by a 51 year old Nottingham Township, PA woman. The equipment is valued at $1,000.

A criminal mischief in Norwich Township is being investigated by state police at Lewis Run. Vandals cut eight feet of wire on the West Valley Road last Friday. Troopers did not explain what kind of wire was involved.

A 57 year old Bradford woman is facing DUI charges after she was pulled over on Campus Drive in the city last Thursday. Troopers claim Tammy Jedrosko was driving her 2011 Honda Civic under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Elk County

Troopers at Ridgway are investigating a Childline Report from an anonymous source that a 14 year old Kersey girl was touched inappropriately by an adult male Tuesday morning in Fox Township.

State police are also investigating a case of an adult man receiving inappropriate photos of a young Jay Township  girl earlier this month.

DUI and summary traffic charges are being filed against a 40 year old St. Marys man after a one-vehicle mishap on Garfield Street in Jay Township Sunday afternoon. The defendant’s 2013 Dodge Caravan went off the road after failing to make a curve and was allegedly found to driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

DUI charges are pending against 29 year old Joshua Gray of Weedville. Troopers allege when they stopped Gray for traffic violations in Sergeant Township they found him in possession of marijuana last Friday afternoon.

Tioga County

A  40 year old Trout Run woman is also facing DUI charges following a one-vehicle crash just before midnight on Route 414 in Morris Township on February 28. State police assert the suspect was driving  a 2022 Subaru Legacy under the influence of alcohol.

Statewide

In the aftermath of the recent East Palestine train derailment that has impacted Western Pennsylvania residents, Beaver County state Reps. Rob Matzie and Jim Marshall, majority and Republican chairs of the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee, respectively, said they are gathering support for legislation to help prevent a repeat of that disaster.

Matzie claims the area  is one of the most heavily traveled in the country for rail traffic, which means that safety problems create a very real and immediate threat for residents right in our own backyards,” “As the recent East Palestine derailment made clear, we can’t rely on federal safety standards to protect us.“We have the power under state law to enhance those standards, and we will soon be introducing legislation to do that. But we can’t afford to wait. With the high volume of trains crossing our region every day, we need better controls in place now, before another potential catastrophe.”

Matzie and Marshall said their legislation, which is currently being drafted, would address the standards, oversight and maintenance of wayside detector systems; provide for additional oversight of railroad company safety compliance; provide for a reporting mechanism if railroad companies are deemed out of compliance with federal regulations; establish minimum safe-staffing requirements; create a reporting system for the transportation of hazardous materials and waste; and restrict unsafe train length.The lawmakers are currently circulating a memorandum to gather co-sponsors for the legislation before it is introduced.