ERIE — The state says more than 200,000 elderly Pennsylvania residents have yet to apply for rebates on rents or property taxes.

Income eligibility for the property tax rebates has jumped from $15,000 last year to $35,000 this year, not counting half of Social Security. The change came when the state earmarked part of its gaming revenue to reduce property taxes. Income eligibility for rent rebates remains at $15,000.

Now, more than 575,000 elderly homeowners qualify for property tax rebates, up from 155,000. But more than 200,000 haven't applied for their property tax and rent rebates, and the state wants to see their applications arrive before the Dec. 31 deadline.

Officials say people may know about the program but think their incomes are too high, unaware that eligibility levels have been raised.

ERIE — A former Erie child-care center worker is accused of taping two three-year-olds to a wall.Erie Police say 25-year-old Keith Holbrook is charged with two counts each of simple assault and endangering the welfare of children.Police say it happened Nov. 6 at Little Wonders Child Care. Holbrook has been fired and is being held in the Erie County Prison.

EVERETT — A state lawmaker will be charged with careless driving for allegedly running over a trooper's foot after a traffic stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, police said.The incident occurred after Rep. Joe A. Petrarca, an attorney who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, was ticketed about noon Monday for driving 75 mph in a 65 mph zone.Petrarca, 46, ran over Trooper John Beaken's foot with the left rear tire of his 2007 Toyota Camry as he "abruptly" pulled away, resulting in a minor injury, police said.Sgt. Richard Bosch, a state police commander, said Petrarca stopped on his own after the incident, spoke briefly with Beaken and then left.The legislator will be issued a summary citation in the mail, Bosch said.Petrarca issued a statement that he would pay the speeding fine but that he had "attempted to explain to the trooper that I didn't believe my tire came into contact with his foot," a Pittsburgh newspaper reported.