PITTSBURGH, PA – Charges have been filed against Scott Playford of Renfrew, PA, after a firearm was found in his backpack at Pittsburgh International Airport. The incident occurred at 2:29 PM on May 21, 2024, when Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport’s main security checkpoint detected the handgun and promptly alerted Allegheny County Police.
Playford, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen residing legally in Pennsylvania, was identified as the backpack’s owner. He does not hold a concealed carry permit and now faces a misdemeanor charge for carrying a firearm without a license. Following the discovery, the firearm was seized, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified of the incident.
The Transportation Security Administration warns that passengers who bring firearms to airport security checkpoints could face federal civil fines up to $10,000, with fines for repeat offenders reaching as high as $13,910.
- Woman accused of drugged driving crash that shattered victim’s ribs and spleen jailed in Pennsylvania
Troopers say cocaine THC and drug paraphernalia were found after violent head on collision
GREENSBURG, Pa. — A Pennsylvania woman accused of driving under the influence of narcotics crossed the center line and slammed into another vehicle in a violent crash that left a motorist with severe injuries, according to state police.
Pennsylvania State Police said 27-year-old Breah Gonzalez of Derry Township is facing multiple felony charges tied to the December 2025 crash on Cameo Lane in Hempfield Township.
Investigators charged Gonzalez with aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, manufacture delivery or possession with intent to deliver, and multiple traffic violations.
According to troopers, Gonzalez was allegedly under the influence of drugs when she crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into another vehicle.
Police said the other driver suffered serious injuries including a ruptured spleen and broken ribs.
During the investigation, troopers reported finding a glass smoking device along with cocaine and marijuana inside Gonzalez’s vehicle.
Authorities said toxicology testing later revealed cocaine and multiple forms of THC in Gonzalez’s system shortly after the crash.
Investigators also said Gonzalez did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the collision.
Court records show Gonzalez was arraigned on $75,000 bail and has remained incarcerated in the Westmoreland County Prison since January.
The charges were announced through CrimeWatch on May 21.
All charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Breah Gonzalez faces DUI and aggravated assault charges after a Pennsylvania crash
- Troopers said the victim suffered broken ribs and a ruptured spleen
- Police reported cocaine marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle
- Retired Navy veteran nearly collapses after scratching off $1M Pennsylvania Lottery jackpot
Bedford County winner said he thought someone might need to call an ambulance after the shock set in
SAXTON BORO, Pa. — A retired U.S. Navy veteran from Bedford County said he was shaking, flushed, and struggling to believe what he was seeing after scratching off a Pennsylvania Lottery ticket that revealed a $1M top prize.
Pennsylvania Lottery officials presented a ceremonial check Thursday to 58-year-old Kenneth Bilger, known as JR, after he claimed the winning Triple Red 777 Scratch-Off ticket sold at Martin General Stores in Saxton Borough.
Bilger, who has lived in Pennsylvania since 2002, said his previous biggest lottery win was just $1,500, making the sudden seven-figure payday almost impossible to process.
“I was floored. It was a trip,” Bilger said in a statement released by lottery officials. “This is a lot more money than I’m accustomed to.”
According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, Bilger purchased several scratch-off tickets at Martin General Stores on May 9 before uncovering the $1 million top prize on his final ticket.
Photo: firearm discovered at pittsburgh airport security checkpoint, charges filed “I had to check the ticket three or four times,” he said. “I was shaking and flushed. A guy walking out thought he was going to have to call an ambulance for me.”
Bilger said he stepped outside to his truck in the parking lot to process the moment before returning inside to tell the store manager.
The retired veteran said his wife and older daughter initially did not believe the news when he called them.
Bilger officially claimed the prize at the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Clearfield office two days later.
Lottery officials said the Bedford County winner plans to use the money to help his wife retire, make upgrades to their home, and continue restoring old trucks, one of his longtime hobbies.
Martin General Stores, located at 533 Main St. in Saxton Borough, will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Pennsylvania Lottery officials noted that Triple Red 777 is a $30 scratch-off game featuring top prizes worth $1 million.
Key Points
- Retired Navy veteran Kenneth Bilger won a $1M Pennsylvania Lottery jackpot
- The winning Triple Red 777 ticket was sold in Bedford County
- Bilger said the shock of the win left him shaking inside the store
- Lucky York County grocery store sells $150K Powerball ticket after triple boost payout
A Power Play ticket turned a routine lottery buy into a six-figure Pennsylvania win
WEST YORK, Pa. — One Pennsylvania Lottery player is holding a Powerball ticket worth $150K after a winning ticket from Wednesday night’s drawing was sold at a grocery store in York County.
Lottery officials announced the winning Powerball with Power Play ticket for the May 20 drawing was purchased at Bravo Supermarket, located at 1200 West Market St. in West York Borough.
The ticket matched four of the five white balls drawn — 10, 28, 30, 46, and 57 — along with the red Powerball number 25.
Officials said the ticket initially carried a $50,000 prize, but the player added the $1 Power Play option, which tripled the payout to $150,000 after a Power Play multiplier of three was selected during the drawing.
Bravo Supermarket will receive a $500 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Pennsylvania Lottery officials said winners are not identified until prizes are officially claimed and tickets are validated. Players have up to one year from the drawing date to redeem Powerball prizes.
More than 16,000 additional Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball tickets also won prizes during the same drawing, including thousands purchased with the Power Play and Double Play options.
The Powerball jackpot has since rolled to an estimated annuity value of $131 million, with a cash option estimated at $57.5 million for the next drawing Saturday night.
Powerball tickets can be purchased online through the Pennsylvania Lottery or at licensed lottery retailers across the state.
Key Points
- A $150K Powerball ticket was sold at Bravo Supermarket in West York Borough
- The winner added the Power Play option, tripling the original $50K prize
- The winning ticket matched four white balls and the Powerball number