Latest news with #WTAJNews
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tariffs impact automotive market ahead of New York International Auto Show
(WTAJ) — Some of President Trump's tariffs went into effect nearly two weeks ago but automotive experts said they've already seen a shift in the market as a result. The New York International Auto Show opens to the public Friday. Brands across the industry will debut their newest models. WTAJ News caught up with Nik Miles, an automotive analyst, ahead of the show to talk about current market trends ahead of the show opening. Trump says he's in 'no rush' to end tariffs as he meets with Italy's Meloni Miles said there's been a 20% increase in automotive sales over the last month. While that uptick an sales has not translated to every brand, it has impacted both standard gas-powered and electric vehicle sales. 'It's really hard to understand because we're in this really weird window right now. We know tariffs are coming. Americans have been rushing to dealerships and buying vehicles, and electric vehicles are actually discounted quite a lot right now,' Miles said. But he cautioned that the boost in sales could be short-lived. 'It's not a true cadence of what's going on in the market, just purely because Americans are trying to insulate themselves against tariffs and they're trying to get the vehicles they want now in case they go up,' Miles said. Miles also said that it is getting harder for buyers to find some of the vehicles they are looking for due to short supply. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
20-year search for missing district attorney not over yet
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WTAJ) — It's been 20 years since Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar disappeared and, to this day, not much is known about his disappearance. Despite a search spanning the last two decades, Gricar has never been found and investigators are still looking for leads. On April 15, 2005, Gricar was skipped out of work early, and took a drive through the Centre Hall area. It was only months before the D.A. of 20 years was supposed to retire. While on the road, he called his girlfriend, informing her of where he was. This was the last time she — or anyone — reports speaking to Gricar as he never returned home. Later that night, Gricar was reported missing and the next day, his car and cell phone were found in the parking lot of an antique store in Lewisburg, an hour away, near the Susquehanna River. His county-issued laptop was discovered in the river by fishermen a few months later in July. Thwarted State College school attack meant to coincide with Columbine anniversary There's very little evidence to support any theory, giving rise to a plethora of theories about what happened. Many people believe Gricar had been murdered, but some have held out hope that he is still alive and is in hiding. Back in 2015, 10 years after Gricar disappeared, WTAJ News spoke with Tony De Boef, a former Centre County Assistant District Attorney who worked under Gricar in the 90's. 'He was extremely close to his family, in particular, his daughter. And the fact that he had not communicated with her after he disappeared seemed very, very odd to me,' De Boef said. There was an ongoing belief by many that Gricar was in hiding, possibly part of the witness protection program, a rumor perpetuated by alleged sightings. In July 2011, a man in Utah with a shocking resemblance to Gricar was found. He was detained for over three weeks, refusing to tell police who he was. Investigators later identified him as someone else and a few days later, Gricar was officially declared dead. But when WTAJ News spoke with his daughter, Lara Gricar, back in 2011, she said that for her, the case didn't end there. 'My heart always jumps. Still I think when I get a phone call from, you know, one of the family or someone else involved in the case, you know, if it's, if they have that sound in their voice like somethings coming up or something,' Ms. Gricar said. A search of Gricar's recovered belongings showed no evidence of foul play, leading many to believe Gricar took his own life. 'A lot of that just doesn't make sense. I mean, to me, at the time, I would bet the farm that, you know, he committed suicide,' former Centre County Sheriff Denny Nau told WTAJ News in 2015. To this day, State Police continue to search for Gricar, never having found his remains. 'Our investigation is ongoing and active and never stops,' said Trooper Jacob Rhymestine, Public Information Officer for Pennsylvania State Police Troop G. 'This case is never closed until we're able to get to a final conclusion to the matter.' Rhymestine said no matter how small a tip may seem, it could still lead to answers as to where Gricar went. He's asking anyone with information to reach out to State Police. There is still a $5,000 reward for information that leads to solving this case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lakemont Park to remain closed for second summer
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — The rides at Lakemont Park will not reopen again for the upcoming summer. Managers of the park and Blair County Commissioners aren't commenting on the closure or what needs to be done to reopen the rides. But in an email to WTAJ News, Commissioner Dave Kessling called the park unsustainable and said there is ongoing discussion about the future of Lakemont Park. The park was given to the county decades ago, and the estate that gifted them the park spelled out in specific terms what the property could and could not be used for. But according to Kessling, due to the age of the document, the interpretation of the property's use could be open for debate. Johnstown airport approves study to bring more passengers; add third location He went on to say that while multiple managers have tried to keep Lakemont Park open, their efforts have not been enough to sustain the park. He pointed to the park having to close last year due to the costs associated with operating the county owned park. Lakemont Park happens to be home to Leap the Dips, the oldest roller coaster in the world. This second year of closure has roller coaster enthusiasts and historians concerned for the beloved ride. 'It would be a tremendous loss to not just the enthusiasts like ourselves, but to history in general. This is how our great, great, great grandparents spent a summer afternoon going to an amusement park. It was a totally different type of sensation and we're lucky that this ride got to survive this long,' said David Hahner, Historian for American Coaster Enthusiasts. Built in 1902, Leap the Dips is the last coaster of its kind and was declared a national historic landmark in 1999. Skyliner, which towers over the outfield at Altoona Curve games will also not be in operation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Senate passes bills aimed at eliminating car emissions testing
(WTAJ)– The state Senate on Monday approved two bills sponsored by Senator Wayne Langerholc aimed at reforming Pennsylvania's vehicle emissions testing program. Senate Bill 35 would remove Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the annual emissions testing program. Senate Bill 149 would exempt all vehicles within the five most recent model years from the tests as well, but statewide. 'Quick and convenient' Pa. bill could change beer, wine delivery services In an interview with WTAJ News on Thursday Langerholc said these bills are common sense and would help save Pennsylvanians money. 'Emissions testing is the most outdated, unnecessary, and nonsensical way to address this,' Langerholc said. 'It has no impact. If you look at the cars that are tested the pass rates are ridiculously high. I think this is completely unneeded.' Both bills will now head to the state house of representatives for approval. Langerholc said that he will continue to lobby house lawmakers to consider the bills and is optimistic that they will pass. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
