[naviga:h2]Turnpike stretch has cashless tolling[/naviga:h2]

BEAVER — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has begun using cashless tolling on a stretch of highway known as the Beaver Valley Expressway.

The stretch of Interstate 376 runs from Interstate 80 near Sharon, south to the main Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Beaver Valley exit.

Motorists who drive the road won’t have to stop and pay tolls. They can use E-ZPass — an electronic toll-reading service that automatically takes money out of an account they maintain — or Toll-By-Plate. That system uses cameras that take a picture of a license plate then mails an invoice to the car owner’s home, so they can pay the toll by mail.

The new system took effect Sunday.

The Turnpike commission said no toll takers are being laid off under the pilot program.

[naviga:h2]Possible hunting accident probed[/naviga:h2]

WEXFORD — A nonfatal shooting in the suburbs may be related to spring gobbler season.

The shooting was reported just before 6 a.m. today near a residence in Marshall Township.

The spring turkey season began Saturday and runs through May 31.

Northern Regional Police didn’t immediately return a call seeking additional information.

Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said paramedics were sent to the scene.

[naviga:h2]Absentee ballot deadline nears[/naviga:h2]

HARRISBURG — Officials are urging Pennsylvania voters who want an absentee ballot for the primary election not to wait until the last minute.

Secretary of State Pedro Cortes is reminding people that the application deadline is May 9 to be able to vote in the May 16 primary.

Completed ballots have to be received by county elections offices by Friday, May 12, and it’s not enough to have it postmarked by that date.

[naviga:h2]Reaction to flag results in charges[/naviga:h2]

BETHLEHEM — Police have cited a man for disorderly conduct for “freaking out” when he saw a Confederate flag displayed in a Pennsylvania hotel window — as part of a Civil War-themed wedding.

Bethlehem police didn’t immediately release the name of the man charged with making the disturbance at the Hotel Bethlehem on Saturday.

Police Chief Mark DiLuzio said the flag was flown next to the American flag. The married couple met during a Civil War re-enactment and their wedding followed that theme, with people in period uniforms and dresses.

The chief said the couple “just wanted their them to be of the Civil War era. There was no political message.”

The man was cited for “freaking out, screaming and yelling” and creating a “very aggressive and disorderly scene.”