Austin Boley

Rachel Moser was charged with allegedly helping her son, Royce Moser, dispose of the body of his girlfriend, 18-year-old Karoline Heintz, after police say he stabbed her at his father’s house in North Strabane Township. Investigators allege the mother and son drove separately to California, Pennsylvania, where they abandoned Heintz’s body and car. An AirTag and surveillance footage helped police trace the vehicle and identify Moser wearing latex gloves. Local schools are offering condolences and grief counseling following Heintz’s death.

Penn State Health reported that a person who tested positive for measles was in the main lobby of Golisano Children’s Hospital on August 17 between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., potentially exposing others. People who may have been exposed are advised to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days. Pennsylvania’s measles total has risen to 379 cases, including 181 in Lancaster County, while health officials recommend vaccination and contacting a provider or the state hotline if symptoms develop.

Three people were found dead inside a Lower Swatara Township home after investigators determined that one person used blunt-force violence against two others and intentionally set the house on fire. The suspected assailant also died from fire-related injuries. Firefighters initially found one body but had to leave the structure when the roof began collapsing, with two additional bodies discovered after the fire was controlled. The victims have not yet been publicly identified. Local police, forensic investigators, fire officials, the coroner and the district attorney’s office are continuing the investigation.

Three men were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting on Woodbine Street in Harrisburg. Police are searching for a suspect, have not identified a motive, and say there is no immediate threat to the public. Officers interviewed witnesses at the scene, while residents raised concerns about safety in the neighborhood.

WGAL previews three Pennsylvania high school football teams ahead of the 2026 season. Dallastown enters its fifth season under Levi Murphy after finishing 4-6 in 2025, while Manheim Township is four wins away from 500 program victories following a 10-2 season. Hempfield must replace quarterback Derek Katch, who produced 43 touchdowns as a senior, and will rely on experienced players such as wide receiver Orion Abrams. Football Friday coverage begins August 28.

The former Palace Event Center in Steelton, previously an after-hours nightclub and the site of a deadly shooting, has reopened as the Shawn Rae Art Gallery. Owner Shawn Rae hopes the gallery will provide a safe community space and help revitalize downtown Steelton, with plans to add painting lessons and a coffee and juice bar.

A robbery at the M&T Bank on East Market Street in downtown York was reported around 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday. Police arrested Wesley Casaul after a foot chase and recovered all of the stolen money. Officials said Casaul was unarmed, the amount taken was still unclear, and no injuries had been confirmed.

A man was found dead from an apparent stabbing inside a room at the Days Inn & Suites in Manchester Township, York County. Police arrested 45-year-old William Wright at the scene and charged him with criminal homicide; he was taken to York County Prison and awaits arraignment. Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the community, and the investigation remains active.

Chad Riddle, principal of Rohrerstown Elementary in Pennsylvania’s Hempfield School District, returned to American Ninja Warrior eight years after his previous appearance. He said he was motivated to inspire others after his wife died from Hodgkin lymphoma. Riddle advanced through the first round but fell into the water during the second round, ending his competition, while the Susquehanna Valley community praised his effort.

One person was struck by a vehicle shortly after 10 p.m. in the 5900 block of Lincoln Highway in Hellam Township, York County. Dispatch could not confirm the person's injuries or whether the vehicle remained at the scene. No roads were closed, but the scene remained active as the Hellam Township Police Department and Wrightsville Fire Department responded.

Pennsylvania will raise the minimum size for legally harvesting trout from 7 inches to 9 inches beginning January 1. Anglers may still catch smaller trout but must release them. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission says the change will reduce the share of sampled brook trout eligible for harvest from about 6.5% to less than 1%. The state has nearly 16,000 miles of wild trout streams, almost 5,000 miles of stocked streams, and more than 125 stocked trout lakes.

Zachary Keiser, 36, of McVeytown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to possessing 450 files of child sexual abuse material under a plea agreement and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He had previously been convicted of sexually assaulting children in 2009 and 2013, served prison time and was designated a sexually violent predator in 2019.

A small fire in the coat room at Josephine's Downtown in Lancaster prompted a temporary closure, but the restaurant reopened the following day. The owners expressed gratitude to the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire and first responders for quickly controlling the situation. No injuries were reported.

Gustavo Fernandez-Barbosa will stand trial in Lancaster County after a judge ruled that multiple felony charges, including child rape and sexual assault, will proceed. Investigators say he repeatedly assaulted a young boy in an Ephrata apartment between 2015 and 2016, with the victim disclosing the abuse to school staff in 2024. Fernandez-Barbosa was arrested after his whereabouts became known in April and remains held on $500,000 bail.

At least three tornadoes were confirmed in western Pennsylvania over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Touchdowns occurred in Clearfield, Westmoreland, and Jefferson counties, while video from Clarion County showed storm damage. Survey teams are being sent to the affected areas to determine the full extent of the severe weather.

A Providence Township man received an eight‑ to twenty‑year state prison sentence for driving under the influence and causing a fatal 2022 head‑on crash that killed 86‑year‑old Frank Cascarella and seriously injured his wife. Investigators reported that David Ray Whisman had fentanyl, opioids, and a tranquilizer in his system, along with drug residue and paraphernalia in his vehicle. Family members remembered Cascarella during the sentencing, where Whisman apologized and acknowledged his substance abuse. Crash analysis showed he drifted into oncoming traffic, leaving the victims no chance to avoid impact.

Police responded to a stabbing on Millersville Pike in Lancaster Township, where one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The scene was cleared by the Lancaster Township Police Department, and no information about a suspect has been released.

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi urges lawmakers to reject the Protect College Sports Act, arguing it would restrict athlete earnings and add instability to college athletics. The bill addresses NIL compensation, transfers, health protections, and legal liability. Bendapudi met with Senators Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz, along with other university presidents, to discuss concerns. SEC schools, including Alabama, also issued a joint statement opposing the legislation.

Three women were arrested after forcibly entering a Steelton home, damaging property, and allegedly attempting to ignite a fire while four occupants were inside. Police located the suspects’ vehicle shortly after the incident and detained them with assistance from multiple local departments. Investigators reported extensive damage, smashed cameras and windows, and lighter fluid poured through the kitchen. No injuries occurred, and earlier reports of gunfire were dismissed. All three women face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, while another man initially detained was later released after being cleared of involvement.

Two Lancaster County men received state prison sentences after pleading guilty in separate child abuse cases. Samuel S. Beiler was sentenced to eight to sixteen years for sexually assaulting six girls over several years, with charges including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault. William Gibbs II received two and a half to five years after pleading guilty to charges related to attempting to pay for sex with a 14-year-old during a human trafficking sting. Both cases were unrelated and prosecuted by county authorities.

A two-vehicle crash closed the intersection of South Baltimore Street and Carlisle Road in Carroll Township after a midday emergency call. Several people were transported for injuries, and the roadway remained closed through the afternoon. Carroll Township Police are investigating the incident.

Health officials have identified 11 cases of Cyclospora infection in Allegheny County, prompting a CDC investigation into the source, previously associated with contaminated produce. Symptoms typically appear a week after exposure and include gastrointestinal distress and fatigue. Experts advise thorough cooking or washing of produce, along with standard food safety practices. The infection is treatable with trimethoprim‑sulfamethoxazole, with alternative options available for those with sulfa allergies.

A man was arrested shortly after a robbery at an M&T Bank on Derry Street in Swatara Township. Police said the suspect passed a note demanding cash and fled on foot. Harrisburg City Police located and detained 58-year-old Ramon Sanchez Jr. near 15th and Regina Streets. He was arraigned on a robbery charge and held at Dauphin County Prison on $250,000 bail.

Police in Lower Paxton Township report a rise in scams targeting Facebook Marketplace sellers, in which criminals pose as buyers and claim payments through Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App require creating a business account and sending multiple transactions. Authorities urge caution when selling online and note that peer‑to‑peer payment services do not charge setup fees.

Two Lancaster County teenagers were hospitalized in critical condition after participating in the social media-driven Benadryl challenge, which encourages ingesting dangerous quantities of the medication to induce hallucinations. The teens were transferred from Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health to pediatric intensive care units at other hospitals. Medical officials warn that consuming high doses of Benadryl, far above the recommended adult amount, can cause confusion, hallucinations, overdose, and death, urging immediate emergency and poison control contact in such cases.

An $18 million bankruptcy settlement was announced after a 23andMe data breach exposed genetic information of nearly 7 million people, including 200,000 in Pennsylvania. The state will receive about $492,000 to compensate affected residents. Investigators found the company lacked basic cybersecurity protections, detected the breach too late, and initially blamed customers. The incident spurred lawmakers in Harrisburg to pursue new genetic privacy legislation. Additional scrutiny followed 23andMe’s bankruptcy and sale of consumer data to the TTAM Research Institute, raising further privacy concerns.

A 19-year-old man, Francisco Ramirez Jr., and a juvenile were charged after allegedly firing 12 BB gun shots at a victim in a Hanover parking lot, hitting the person in multiple areas and reportedly striking them with the pistol. The Hanover Borough Police Department filed aggravated assault and related charges based on court documents describing the attack.

Police in Reading confiscated more than 130 illegal fireworks during a targeted enforcement effort over the Fourth of July holiday, responding to 69 incidents as part of a citywide crackdown. Fireworks are prohibited within city limits except for permitted public displays. The mayor warned that illegal fireworks pose serious risks to people and property.

A month-long search for Curtis Williams ended in his arrest after an armed standoff with U.S. Marshals and Pennsylvania State Police in Lewistown. Williams faced multiple charges from incidents in June, including stealing a firearm, firing it during a domestic situation, and fleeing from police. Authorities tracked him to a Lewistown home where he refused to surrender and displayed a weapon before being taken into custody with assistance from a special emergency response team.

Storms across the Susquehanna Valley displaced and injured wildlife, leading to increased call volume and intakes at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Lancaster County. Birds were knocked from nests and animal dens flooded, leaving species such as baby hawks and dozens of baby skunks in need of care. The center urged patience from callers and requested donations including grocery gift cards, puppy food, and basic supplies to manage the seasonal surge.

Rainfall triggered flash flood warnings across the Susquehanna Valley, creating hazardous conditions in areas including Lewistown and northern Lancaster County. Viewer video showed water flowing from an elevated parking lot into a street in Mifflin County, while Storm Tracker 8 provided live visuals of deteriorating road conditions throughout the region.

Jesús Luzardo struck out 11 over seven innings while allowing two hits, leading the Phillies to a 1‑0 win over the Reds. Justin Crawford delivered the game’s only run with an eighth‑inning RBI single. Brady Singer held Philadelphia in check until the eighth, but Cincinnati managed just three hits a day after a power‑filled win. Jhoan Duran closed out the victory for his 23rd save of the season.

Lancaster police are seeking public assistance to locate missing juvenile Joel DeJesus, last seen July 8 on North Queen Street. Police provided his physical description and encouraged anyone with information to submit a tip online or call the department, noting that tips may be given anonymously.

Flash flood warnings were issued for southeastern areas of York and Lancaster counties as thunderstorms produced up to two inches of rain with additional rainfall expected. The National Weather Service warned of flooding in low‑lying and poorly drained areas and listed several communities at risk. Residents were urged to avoid flooded roads amid continued storm activity projected through the evening.

The Philadelphia Zoo opened the Gould and Potter Crossing, an elevated 60‑foot bear trail that is part of the $25 million Francis J. Carey Bear Country exhibit. The new feature connects bears to the Zoo360 trail system for the first time, enhances animal care, and gives visitors expanded viewing opportunities through elevated paths and cave‑like glass areas. The exhibit highlights Andean and sloth bear conservation and is included with general admission and membership.

Republican Congressman Scott Perry criticized the growing use of Flock camera surveillance systems, which capture license plates, detect audio cues, and provide police access to a nationwide network of camera data. Privacy advocates warn the technology resembles a surveillance state, though some consider it valuable for law enforcement. Perry attempted but failed to advance a congressional amendment to halt the system and is urging the public to pressure legislators. Deployment of the cameras is expanding across Pennsylvania, including in Allentown and on Penn State and Temple University campuses.

Police in Carlisle are searching for 14‑year‑old Jayden Rodriguez, who was last seen leaving his home on North Hanover Street around 12:30 p.m. on July 8. He is described as a light‑skinned Hispanic male, about 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, wearing black gym shorts and black slides with no shirt. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Carlisle Borough Police.

Kesha Denine Walker of Wilmington received a two‑to‑four‑year state prison sentence for robbing a Salisbury Township bank and stealing $2,900 in June 2023. Investigators identified her through surveillance images and her vehicle’s Delaware plates, linking her to a similar robbery later that year in Delaware County. She admitted committing both robberies, telling police she sought money for gambling. Judge Dennis Reinaker issued the sentence, which also bans her from the bank she robbed.

THON 2027 launched its Ignite The Fight campaign on July 1, outlining a series of July fundraising challenges designed to motivate student, alumni, and community participation. The schedule includes the DonorDrive Challenge, Self-Donation Day, a Social Media Challenge, Matching Day incentives, and the THON Nation Challenge for non-student supporters. The campaign concludes with the Share Your Spark event on July 30. THON highlights its long-standing mission as the world’s largest student‑run philanthropy, supporting Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Philadelphia marked the historic significance of July 2, the day the Second Continental Congress adopted the resolution for independence, with a gathering of 250 people forming the shape of the Liberty Bell at Independence Mall. Though John Adams believed July 2 would be the nation’s major holiday, July 4 later became the central date. The tribute featured all 53 Miss America 2026 delegates as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.

Paraguay and France are set to meet in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on July 4 in Philadelphia, marking their third World Cup encounter, with France having won the previous two. Paraguay advanced after defeating Germany on penalties, while France progressed with a 3–0 win over Sweden. The match will be broadcast on FOX/Tele/FOX One, and WGAL will provide on‑site coverage.

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1, splitting their four‑game series. Esmerlyn Valdez led the offense with a triple, single, and two RBIs, while Endy Rodriguez and Nick Gonzales added home runs. Strong pitching contributions included Carmen Mlodzinski’s three scoreless innings. Philadelphia initially led through Bryce Harper’s RBI double, but Pittsburgh rallied in the fifth and took control in the seventh. Both teams now prepare for upcoming series against Washington and Kansas City.