A daily look at late-breaking news, coming events and stories that will be talked about in Pennsylvania on Friday:
LIGHTNING CAUSED LEAK, BUT NO FIRE AT SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA NATURAL GAS REFINERY
Markwest Energy Partners say their facility in Chartiers Township, Washington County, was struck Wednesday evening. Despite initial reports of a fire, the company now says it finds no evidence of one. The resulting gas leak prompted officials to evacuate nearby residents as a precaution for more than three hours.
FEDS BUST ALLEGED ’BRICKS R US’ HEROIN RING
Federal prosecutors and the FBI in Pittsburgh say the 44 suspects were brazenly selling heroin in a busy suburban business district wearing T-shirts that read “100 bricks at a time.” A brick is slang for 10 stamp bags - or individual doses - of heroin.
CONGRESSMEN CRITICIZE PITTSBURGH VA WAITING LIST WITH 700 NAMES
U.S. Reps. Tim Murphy, a Republican, and Mike Doyle, a Democrat, say some of the veterans were kept waiting more than a year for medical care. Pittsburgh VA spokesman Mark Ray says officials expect all veterans on the list to be contacted by Friday to schedule an initial medical appointment.
SATURDAY IS 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF CATASROPHIC JOHNSTOWN FLOOD
The flood was caused when a privately owned dam collapsed on May 31, 1889, unleashing floodwaters that killed 2,209 people. The city about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh experienced major flooding in 1936 and 1977, as well.
SIXERS CLOSE TO DEAL ON NEW JERSEY PRACTIC FACILITY
A government official tells The Associated Press the new practice facility and executive offices would be built on the waterfront in Camden, New Jersey. The NBA’s 76ers would continue to play their games in Philadelphia.
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