Attorneys have been retained to serve as special counsel to Fulton County and the Fulton County Board of Elections as they defend their right to conduct a post-election audit of county voting machines.  Fulton County is appealing the unilateral decision of Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Veronica Degraffenreid to decertify the county’s voting machines in response to the audit, which was requested by members of the state legislature.  Degraffenreid is refusing to make available state funds designated for the county to purchase new election machines.

An area man escaped injury early Wednesday morning in a one-vehicle crash in Huntingdon County.  State Police say 20-year-old Brendan Gorey of Wood, PA was the operator of a Ford F-150 XLT that traveled off the Old Plank Road in Todd Township yesterday just before 2:00 am.  The pickup struck an embankment and overturned.  Gorey was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

In Harrisburg, State Representative Scott Conklin (D-Centre) was recently appointed by House Democrat leadership to serve as the Democrat chair of the House State Government Committee.  The committee primarily reviews legislation on issues ranging from voting and elections to campaign finance reform, and oversees various state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of State.

State Police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in Huntingdon County in the upcoming weeks.  Motorists that encounter the checkpoint will be stopped briefly.  Drivers and passengers may be detained if there is an indication of alcohol or other controlled substances.  The primary focus will be on DUI violations, but all laws will be enforced.

Senator Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) will host a free senior expo today (August 12th).  State, county and local agencies will be on hand to provide information on a wide variety of benefits for older Pennsylvanians.  The event will also include free health screenings, door prizes and light refreshments.  The expo is today (August 12th) from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Lewistown Community Center on Montgomery Avenue.