Good Morning. Here are some of the top stories from around the region.
WEATHER
It’s a bit little bit foggy out there this morning, but that will burn off once the sun comes up. Expect a humid day with thunderstorms hitting later this afternoon. Expect the high to hit about 78 degrees.
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NEWS
Powerful Pottstown house explosion kills at least 4
An explosion in the 400 block of Hale Street between Butler Avenue and West Street left at least four dead and two people in the hospital Thursday evening. The explosion, which hit just after 8 p.m. was so powerful it was felt blocks away as houses shook and people came out into the streets to find out what was going happening. The scene looked as if a tornado had hit. There was no part of the structure remaining, just shards and pieces and a hole about 20 feet deep.
Downingtown students stage protest over lack of commonsense gun legislation
About 100 students at the Downingtown STEM Academy launched an after-school protest Thursday, calling for commonsense gun legislation in wake of the school massacre in Texas this week that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers. About 100 students held a short protest outside Downingtown STEM Academy Thursday calling for gun reform following the school shooting in Texas which killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School Tuesday. The students stood in school property for 15 minutes chanting “Break the silence, end gun violence,” while a school official monitored from a distance.
Busy travel season expected despite record gas prices
Though gas prices continue to hit all-time highs across the country, more Americans plan to hit the road this holiday weekend and throughout the summer than they did last year, industry analysts say. The Memorial Day weekend is typically the busiest of the summer season, and 47% of those surveyed by GasBuddy said they’d be taking a trip over the next few days, even with the national average for a gallon of unleaded at a record $4.60 on Thursday.
Towamencin board approves sewer sale amid residents’ outcry
In the most consequential, and unsurprising, vote in recent memory, Towamencin’s supervisors have chosen to sell. In a lengthy and at times heated meeting Wednesday night, the board voted four-to-one to approve the sale of the township’s sewer system. “Since day one, everybody’s tried to focus this on the sewer. And if you just look at the sewer, standing alone, it will not make much sense. When you look at the total impact to the residents, it does make sense,” said supervisors Chairman Chuck Wilson.
Delaware County moves to high COVID transmission; reinstates masks at county buildings
As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved Delaware County to high level of COVID transmission, masks are now required – regardless of vaccination status – at all county buildings for employees and visitors. According to Pennsylvania Department of Health statistics, Delaware County has had 98,778 confirmed cases of COVID and 16,045 probable cases. The county has also had 1,875 deaths related to the virus.
SPORTS
Nola pitches shutout ball into 9th, Phillies beat Braves 4-1
Aaron Nola wanted to pitch a complete game but knew he was on a short leash as he walked to the mound to begin the ninth inning. “I always want to throw a complete game, right?” he said. “But I’m glad the more innings I can throw, the better. The win obviously is huge. It’s definitely more important.” Nola struck out 10 while pitching shutout ball into the ninth for his first victory since opening day, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over the Atlanta Braves 4-1 Thursday night.
