Pennsylvania lawmaker names bill after teen who died in school van accident
The bill, authored by Rep. Andrew Kuzma, has been named 'Samantha's Law' in dedication to Samantha Kalkbrenner, a fifteen-year-old student of Allegheny County who was killed while traveling in a school passenger van. The van that Kalkbrenner was riding in was hit by a racing driver.
'My bill will ensure that this finding is enshrined into the Fair Share Act so that any ambiguity on the question is eliminated,' Kuzma wrote. 'This will make the law more fair for plaintiffs seeking to recover damages when they are in no way at fault and remedy any potential legal confusion for courts.'
Kuzma's legislation would codify the recent Pennsylvania Superior Court decision in Spencer vs. Johnson, which held that the defendants are held joint and severally liable for all damages when a plaintiff, such as Klakbrenner on the school van, is 0% negligent. Under the current law, the Fair Share Act does not address any share of an award, such as money, if a plaintiff is 0% negligent.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Damned if they'll be shortchanged;' Mass. studies equity of payments towns get for state-owned land
How much is cleaner air worth? What's the dollar value of flood control? Local food? How about the value of hiking and hunting and boating? It's in the billions, but for generations, the state's been paying Western Massachusetts cities and towns a pittance in PILOTs – payments in lieu of taxes – that compensate for hosting state parks and forest lands that aren't on the tax rolls, but nonetheless impose costs on communities. 'We have the land out here. Our communities want to steward it,' state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, said in an interview Monday. 'They'll be damned if they'll be shortchanged.' Last week, Gov. Maura T. Healey announced that a new commission will work on the issue of payments in lieu of taxes for state-owned land. The panel is expected to advise Healey on potential reforms to the PILOT program that could include the economic benefit for conservation and the value added by helping the state reach its carbon-reduction goals. 'We are calling it ecosystem services,' said state Rep. Natalie M. Blais, D-Deerfield. Comerford and Blais introduced legislation in 2023 and again this year to change the formula based on the recommendations of a 2020 report by former state Auditor Suzanne M. Bump. Blais and Comerford welcomed Healey's move, saying in interviews Monday that it follows up on legislative changes they've advocated for years. The PILOT issues cropped up for decades, with calls for change gaining steam with Bump's report on how the formula for determining PILOTs puts rural communities in Western Massachusetts at a disadvantage compared to towns in affluent areas. Since Bump's report, the state has been budgeting more money to make PILOT payments. But who gets how much of that fund is still determined by the market value of area real estate. In the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires, where property values go up more slowly or not at all, this means towns get less money. The average PILOT on state-owned land paid by the Commonwealth to a town in Hampden County was $59 an acre as of 2024. In Berkshire County it was $33 an acre and in Hampshire County, $61. In Worcester County, the average was $85 an acre. But the numbers go up as one heads east. In Suffolk County, which includes Boston, the payment was more than $5,000 an acre, Blais and Comerford said, based on state statistics. In the town of Warwick, in Franklin County, the PILOT amount was $13 an acre for each of 11,870 acres. That's half of Warwick's landmass, Blais said. Hosting public lands costs towns, said Donald F. Humason, town administrator in Chester and a former mayor of Westfield who also served as a Republican state senator and state representative. 'We still have to provide fire protection and police protection for the parkland within our town,' Humason said. 'We have to respond if there are trees down. Our municipal services are used, but it's not paid for.' In May the Chester Volunteer Fire Department tracked down two lost hikers near Sanderson Brook Falls, a popular recreation spot in the Chester-Blandford State Forest. Chester also gets a similarly small payment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as compensation for the presence of the Knightville and Littleville dam properties partially in the town. Massachusetts freely promotes outdoor recreation as a positive, which it is, Humason said. 'We end up being the hosts.' Blais and Comerford cited towns that turn down land conservation projects because they can't afford the lost revenue when privately owned land goes off the tax rolls. That's a problem because there are a number of large-scale preservation efforts underway, including the Kestrel Land Trust buying timber property from W. D. Cowls. Comerford said meeting the state's climate and environmental goals will require contributions from Western Massachusetts and its land resources. 'Natural habitat, carbon sequestration, outdoor travel,' Comerford said, ticking off assets in the region. 'You name it, Western Mass. is holding it down for the Commonwealth.' Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Boston Globe
10 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Massachusetts is getting a new state flag. Will it erase Native American history?
Write to us at . To subscribe, . TODAY'S STARTING POINT A jovial drawing of a Cod fish. A puppy sporting a tag that reads 'small state, big heart.' And lots (and we mean LOTS) of drawings of pine trees. Residents across Massachusetts tapped into their creativity when they submitted ideas for a new state flag, which comes after a multi-year push to replace Massachusetts' current controversial state seal that depicts an Algonquin warrior with a bow and arrow standing beneath a raised broadsword held by a disembodied arm. Around the figure, a Latin motto roughly translates to: 'By the sword we seek peace, but peace under liberty.' But the state's decision to replace the flag has sparked a heated debate about the erasure and sanitization of history. On one side, critics say the placement of the broadsword above the Native American figure valorizes the violence inflicted on Native American populations. But others, including some from Massachusetts' indigenous communities, call it a true depiction of what happened to Native Americans in the state and said that removing the seal allows the Commonwealth to forget about past atrocities committed against this group. Advertisement Some of the submissions show the current Massachusetts seal — with the broadsword removed. Advertisement 'Please do not erase my ancestors from the flag/seal. Doing so would be disrespectful and racist,' one submitter wrote, in lieu of submitting a design. Some submissions deviate from the current state flag's depiction of relations between Native Americans and early European settlers in what would later become Massachusetts. In addition to replacing the flag and seal, the state invited the public to submit ideas for new state mottos. This is the Commonwealth's second try in five years to replace the emblems. The state first established a special commission to look into replacing the state's seal and motto in 2021, but the group In a report the commission submitted to lawmakers, it said the new seal and motto should be 'aspirational and inclusive of the diverse perspectives, histories, and experiences of Massachusetts residents.' It did not offer concrete ideas on how to represent this inclusivity. The group said the decision should be left in the hands of a working group under the Secretary of State. The legislature proposed a new commission, and in commission solicited submissions from the public. At the end of the submission period, which closed in June, it had received about 1,000 flags, 300 seals, and 400 mottos. The commission has since pared the numbers down to about 50 flags, 20 seals, and 30 mottos. It needs to submit a final recommendation by Dec. 15. Several redesigned flag proposals, like the one on the left, feature lighthouses. Others feature mayflowers, the official state flower, like the proposed redesign for the state seal and motto on the right. Some submitted designs are minimalist, with just a star or flower against a blue background. Others get more complicated, with a lighthouse or flock of birds adorning the middle of the flag. As the commission moves forward, combing through the submissions, it is scoring each submission in categories on a scale of 1 to 5. For seal submissions, the categories include aesthetics, symbolism, reproducibility, size, and cultural sensitivity, officials said Advertisement After narrowing the submissions down to three flags, seals, and mottos, the commission will hold public hearings, starting next month, to receive public feedback before submitting its final recommendations. The submissions reflect a wide range of artistic styles, media, colors, and designs. 'It's an opportunity to ensure that every community sees itself in our story,' said Kate Fox, the Co-Chair of the Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission, in a You can see all the submissions — including a few tongue-in-cheek ones, like a flag with a dinosaur holding a Dunkin' coffee and a redesigned state seal that includes the phrase 'Wicked Smaht' — . 🧩 1 Down: 75° POINTS OF INTEREST Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan is seen on police body camera video in Newport last week. Newport Police Department Boston mayor's race: Josh Kraft, Mayor Michelle Wu's main challenger, accused her of violating campaign finance laws by Blue Line woes: The MBTA closed part of the line for 'critical revitalization work' this month. It reopened yesterday — only to run into signal problems Lawsuit: A former child resident of the Community of Jesus Inc. Advertisement Pulling rank: A Rhode Island special assistant attorney general Karen Read: Her lawyers formally asked a court to Hurricane Erin: The storm will bring What's in a name? The liberal cable network MSNBC is rebranding to MS NOW (short for 'My Source for News, Opinion, and the World') as part of a corporate spinoff. ( 'Ketamine Queen': The dealer who sold the drugs that killed 'Friends' star Matthew Perry will plead guilty. She faces up to 45 years in prison. ( Newsmax settlement: The right-wing news network will pay $67 million to settle a defamation suit from Dominion Voting Systems, which accused Newsmax of falsely claiming that its voting machines were rigged to help Joe Biden win in 2020. ( Texas: Republicans had law enforcement shadow returning Democrats, aiming to stop them from fleeing the state again over a GOP redistricting plan that would benefit its congressional candidates. ( BESIDE THE POINT 🚍 Massive transit fans: These local teens made a Advertisement 🍕 Boston's best pizza: Santarpio's, Pizzeria Regina, and Picco are fixtures. Kara Baskin explains why Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's Young Family Café 👠 Back in vogue: Two elder millennials' high school clothes — denim miniskirts, lettered sweatpants — have become cool again. It sent them into a midlife crisis. ( 🐢 The Big Day: His marriage proposal began 🗞️ Fourth Estate: Kids largely get their news from social media and memes. But when these Massachusetts high schoolers created their own student newspaper, 🤷🏻♀️ A Miss Conduct classic: She was pregnant. Her friend had a miscarriage. ☕ Made to order: In a town known for black iced coffee, Boston baristas may raise an eyebrow at your triple-shot iced mocha latte with extra chocolate powder. Still, Thanks for reading Starting Point. This newsletter was edited by Hillary Flynn, ❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can 📬 Delivered Monday through Friday. Jessica Ma can be reached at
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Kaylee Turner sentenced after pleading guilty in Seth Wallace murder case
Correction: The initial version of this article said Turner plead guilty to first-degree murder. She pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as a principal in the second-degree. WAYNESBORO – Kaylee Turner was sentenced to an active prison term of 11 years and six months after pleading guilty to first-degree murder as a principal in the second-degree on Aug. 15 Turner, 21, was arrested in October 2024 in connection with murder of Seth Wallace on May 25, 2024. Turner, of Timberville, was initially charged as a principal in the second degree to second-degree murder, and being a principal in the second degree to use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. She was not the only person charged – Dustin Dove was sentenced to life in prison in Waynesboro during an earlier hearing on Aug. 15. A jury found Dustin A. Dove, 23, guilty of first-degree murder in April. Turner, Dove's girlfriend, did not go to trial, but agreed to a plea deal, which was administered during the Aug. 15 hearing. Waynesboro Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Eduardo Garza gave an overview of the evidence the commonwealth would have brought against Turner if the case would have gone to trial. Text messages between Wallace and Turner's phones were obtained by investigators. They showed the parties agreeing to do drugs together. Wallace sent his address to Turner. Five minutes later, Turner's phone texts Dove's - 'I got the actual address.' At 2:29 a.m., the two phones connected over FaceTime. At 3:40 a.m., Turner texts Wallace that she is 30 minutes away. Evidence presented at Dove's trial showed she drove herself and Dove from Rockingham County to Wallace's location in Waynesboro. At 4:07 a.m., Wallace tells Turner there is a motorcycle and SUV in front of the residence. At 4:17 a.m., there was an outgoing call from Wallace's phone to Turner's. It's unclear if the call was answered. According to forensics, Dove shot Wallace between 4:18 and 4:20 a.m. Defense Attorney Gene Hart said, despite the texts coming from Turner's phone, it would be difficult for the prosecution to prove the text messages were not sent by Dove from Turner's phone. At 5:14 a.m., Turner texts Wallace, 'Help, he has me at gunpoint.' Garza said investigators believe this was an attempt to cover for her actions. Turner told officers Dove got back in the vehicle before she could drive away, but security footage shows Turner then taking Dove to a gas station. Dove left the vehicle, went inside, and returned while Turner waited for him. At 8:13 a.m., Turner sent her mother a selfie of herself and Dove smiling together. Wallace survived for two weeks, until he ultimately died from infections emerging from the nine gunshot wounds he sustained. Over the course of May 24, Turner heard Dove say he was going to kill Wallace, but she told officers she thought he meant he would only assault him. Turner told the officers she was not aware Dove intended to bring a gun to Wallace until he put it in the car. Turner pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as a principal in the second-degree on Aug. 15. 'I'm very sorry,' Turner said. 'I apologize for my actions in this situation.' Hart said the deal was 'a true compromise' between the prosecution and the defense. Turner's cooperation with the investigation lead to the discovery of the murder weapon and enough physical evidence to convict Dove. While she did not testify, Turner was also on standby to testify against Dove if she had been called. Judge Paul Dryer expressed dissatisfaction with the plea deal, saying he did not see any signs of remorse for what happened outside of the apology Turner gave during the Aug. 15 hearing. He also said that some family members were also dissatisfied with the plea deal. After hearing the commonwealth's summary of the evidence, Dryer said there are times where he must hold his nose and approve something he doesn't like in order to convict someone. The plea deal will see Turner serve 11 years and six months incarcerated, with 18 years and six months suspended. After release, she will be on probation for five years. Should she violate probation, she could be sentenced to the rest of the partially suspended 30-year sentence. More: Dustin Dove sentenced to life in prison for killing of Waynesboro man More: Where can I get water in Staunton? City opens distribution sites during boil advisory Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to lbordelon@ Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Turner sentenced after pleading guilty in Seth Wallace murder case
