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Pennsylvania State Troopers have seized more than $49 million worth of heroin, marijuana and other prohibited drugs in the third quarter of 2014. State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan says besides the 49 kilos of heroin and more than 800 pounds of marijuana, they picked up more than 4,000 prescription pills and three pounds of methamphetamines, valued at more than $173,000, and 24 kilos of cocaine with an estimated value of $2.4 million. He says the amount of heroin is already more than double what they seized last year. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A nationwide manhunt is underway for Eric Matthew Frein, the suspect in the fatal shooting of Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Bryon Dickson II. State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan held a news conference a short time ago and said Frein should be considered extremely armed and dangerous; he is a trained survivalist; and has made statements about killing law enforcement officers and committing mass acts of murder. Anyone who sees him is urged to call the tipline at 866-326-7256. 9-1-1. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Local police departments being able to use radar was the topic of a Senate Transportation Committee hearing this morning in Harrisburg Currently, only state police are allowed to use radar. Police Commissioner Frank Noonan says he wants that to change, and also said the issue of where the money from fines would go is irrelevant at this point. Noonan says the bottom line is radar saves lives. Pennsylvania is third in the country -- behind California and Texas -- in the number of automobile fatalities related to speeding. He says fee structures can be worked on and changed, if needed. Committee Chairman John Rafferty said the bill likely will not come up for a vote during this session because lawmakers will be concentrating on budget issues until the budget is finalized. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three State Troopers have received the Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers’ Association Heroism Award for rescuing another trooper who was shot while executing a search warrant in Jefferson County last September. Corporal Dennis Ulery, Corporal Joseph Alessandro and Trooper Dustin Sosak were presented with the award, which has been given out only three other times in 25 years. On September 26, 2013, a Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team was assisting the Troop C Vice Unit and the Jefferson County Drug Task Force with the execution of a drug search warrant just outside of Brockway. The suspect’s father shot Trooper Bradley Wilson twice in the upper chest and neck area. As troopers and officers from the Jefferson County Drug Task Force used suppression fire, the other troopers pulled Wilson away from the line of fire and moved him to a secure location. State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said, “Had it not been for the actions of these three men foregoing the...

Harrisburg – State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan today released the following statement regarding the fatal crash that took the life of a Pennsylvania State Trooper this morning: “It is with a very heavy heart and a deep sense of sadness that I announce the tragic death of Trooper First Class Blake T. Coble of Troop D, Beaver Station.” “While on patrol today just after 10 a.m., Trooper Coble was involved in a motor vehicle crash at SR 168 and Blackhawk Road in South Beaver Township, Beaver County. He was transported to the Heritage Valley Beaver hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Trooper Coble, age 48, had been a member of the Pennsylvania State Police since Nov. 1, 1988. Trooper Coble has two children and his wife, Brenda, is a Police Communications Operator at Troop D, Beaver Station.” “His untimely death left two children without a father and a wife without her husband, plus countless friends and family members grieving. He died serving the people of the Commonwealth ...