Local News-Wednesday, Sept. 6th

The family of a young man who died in a weekend biking accident is looking for help. Joshua Frantz died in Blythe Township Sunday after his bike crashed while riding with a friend. A Frantz family member told WPPA/T-102 News that Frantz was a volunteer firefighter, and one day aspired to become a paid fireman. In order to aid the family in their time of grief, contributions are being accepted by the Bartashus Funeral Home, Water and Kimber Streets in New Philadelphia. Frantz will be laid to rest Friday.

Pennsylvania's next state budget includes rebates to consumers who purchase hybrid-electric vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis. The rebates total $3-million-dollars, with enough funding to provide 6-thousand rebates of $500-dollars each to Pennsylvania residents who purchase one of these energy efficient, low-emission vehicles in the current state budget year. State Senator Mike O’Pake further explains the program:

O'PAKE Audio Cut

To be eligible to receive the $500 rebate, state residents must submit a completed rebate application form to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) no later than six months after the purchase of a qualifying vehicle.

Two people were injured in a crash Saturday in Frailey Township. Frackville state police are now reporting that 49-year-old Edna Perhach of Elizabeth, PA was driving south on Interstate 81 during a rainstorm. Her car hydroplaned and she lost control. The car went approximately 165 feet down an embankment, striking several trees and came to rest at the bottom of the hill. The extent of Perhach's injuries is not known. Her passenger, Ruth Ryan, had an injured leg. Perhach will be cited for traveling at an unsafe speed for conditions. The crash happened after 5:30pm.

If the new school year sees your child moving up to high school from middle school, you should be prepared for new challenges. And a specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says you should expect boys and girls to handle those challenges differently. Gary Abdullah reports from Penn State:

ABDULLAH Audio Cut

A weekend dispute in Tennessee has left a former Shenandoah man dead. Reports from Dunlap, Tennessee indicate that a possible dispute with a neighbor resulted in the stabbing of 32-year-old Kris Pukiewicz. He was pronounced dead Saturday morning at a hospital in Sequatchie County. The Pottsville Republican reports that Justin Rainey was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. He is incarcerated at the Sequatchie County Jail without bail. The investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing are ongoing, but a verbal dispute got out of control, led to the confrontation and eventual stabbing.

A Pottsville man is dead following a truck crash yesterday in Lebanon County. Jonestown State Police say that John Howells the second was killed after his dump truck crashed on Route 422 in Jackson Township, Lebanon County around 9am Tuesday. Troopers say that Howells was westbound when he had to brake suddenly, losing control of the truck. The truck reportedly slid sideways, went off the road and struck a large tree. The tree fell over and caused the truck to catch fire. Howells was trapped in the truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.