Latest on hazardous material train derailment

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Airdate: February 17, 2023

The derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials earlier this month has prompted environmental concerns and chemical fears for residents in East Palestine, Ohio –near Ohio’s border with Pennsylvania.

Twenty cars of the 150 rail cars were hauling hazardous materials. In order to avoid a catastrophic explosion, officials evacuated residents and intentionally burned off some of the chemicals.

However, some residents that have returned to their homes report odors, headaches, eye irritation and nausea. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has accused the train operator Norfolk Southern of not being forthcoming.

Reid Frazier, Energy Reporter for the Allegheny Front/StateImpact Pennsylvania provided an update on Friday’s The Spark.