(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved additional consumer protections today that are championed by PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank as part of a plan which is designed to connect more income-eligible Duquesne Light customers with utility bill assistance.

The PUC’s action clears the way for Duquesne Light to automatically enroll certain participants in the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) into its Customer Assistance Program (CAP), while requiring new safeguards to protect customers from costs that are unexpected and ensuring access to payment arrangements that are reasonable.

These changes are aimed at addressing a persistent challenge that many Pennsylvania households face: thousands of consumers who qualify for utility assistance programs never enroll, despite experiencing ongoing affordability challenges and carrying past-due balances on their accounts.

According to a release from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, here is more information about this action:

• Under Duquesne Light’s proposal, certain customers who participate in LIHEAP data sharing and have qualifying past-due balances would be automatically enrolled in the utility’s CAP unless they choose to opt out.
• CAPs are designed to help income-qualified households maintain essential utility service through reduced bills and debt forgiveness opportunities. LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to help eligible households pay home heating costs during the winter months.
• As part of today’s action, the Commission adopted provisions requiring Duquesne Light to strengthen customer protections before implementing the automatic enrollment program.
• Among the new requirements are as follows:
• Customers who are automatically enrolled in CAP and returned to utility default service cannot be left responsible for early termination or cancellation fees charged by a competitive electric generation supplier (EGS).
• Duquesne Light must reimburse any such charges that may occur and cannot pass those costs on to other ratepayers.
• The utility must formally commit to offering payment arrangements on CAP arrearages for automatically enrolled customers who leave the CAP program, with terms that are no less favorable than those previously required under Pennsylvania law for non-CAP customers.
• Customers must receive clear notice explaining the availability of payment arrangements and the utility’s obligation to reimburse any supplier-related fees.
• Duquesne Light must update its Universal Service and Energy Conservation Plan and supplier tariff to clearly reflect these protections and responsibilities.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Sheetz)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Sheetz announced today that it will thank veterans and active-duty military personnel for their service by providing them with a free car wash and a free meal on Veterans Day.

Sheetz is inviting these former and present veterans on Wednesday, November 11th to enjoy a free half turkey sub and a fountain drink that is regular size at any of its over 850 store locations.

This offer includes extras and add-ons to the sub.

Participating Sheetz locations will also offer a free car wash to veterans and active-duty military personnel.

The offer is valid for Sheetz’s car wash option worth $9.99 and it is available only at stores that are equipped with a car wash.

Proof of military service is required to redeem this offer.

Sheetz customers are also encouraged throughout the month of November to donate their loyalty points to the United Service Organizations (click here to donate), which is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting U.S. service members and their families.

Every 100 loyalty points donated through the Sheetz app will equal a $1 contribution to the USO.

You can visit the “Find a Sheetz” tab at www.sheetz.com and select the car wash filter to find your nearest Sheetz location with a car wash.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is asking for donations for its annual fund to support things like giraffe conservation.

The zoo’s Masai giraffe, Lewis, relies entirely on the zoo and construction is now underway on its state-of-the-art Giraffe Care Center.

This facility will provide enhanced care year-round care for the giraffes, as well as guest engagement experiences, and conservation opportunities that are expanded.

Additionally, populations for wild giraffes have dramatically declined in what conservationists are describing as a nearly “silent extinction.”

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s efforts for conservation and education regarding giraffes in Pittsburgh and across the world and so wildlife can thrive in the future.

The zoo also helps its guests understand the behavior of giraffes, the challenges that these animals face, and the actions from individuals that can assist in protecting wildlife every day.

The Giraffe Center will be building on this work to help the giraffes to inspire the generations to come.

You can donate to the zoo’s annual fund by clicking here.

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that restrictions on northbound Interstate 79 in Marshall Township and Franklin Park Borough in Allegheny County will occur tomorrow night, weather permitting.

The following restrictions will occur from 7 a.m. tomorrow through 5 a.m. on Saturday morning for saw cutting operations in preparation for the next phase change of the project that invovles this work, according to a release courtesy of PennDOT District 11:

• Northbound I-79 will have a single-lane restriction between the off and on-ramps at the Route 910/Wexford (Exit 73) interchange
• The on-ramp from Route 910 to northbound I-79 will be placed in a stop condition instead of a yield movement. Traffic must stop before entering the interstate when it is safe to do so.

(File Photo of a Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced drilling work along Routes 989, 2001 in Harmony Township and Ambridge and Baden boroughs will begin on Monday, November 9th, weather permitting.

Crews from ECS Limited will conduct drilling work requiring single-lane restrictions, which will occur from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. weekdays, as needed, through mid-November in these following locations, according to a release courtesy of PennDOT District 11:

• Route 989 (Duss Avenue) between 8^th Street and 21^st Street
• Route 2001 (Duss Avenue, State Street) between Harmony Road and Schiller Street

BEAVER COUNTY RADIO

BEAVER FALLS — The Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls has embarked on a bold restoration plan in the past year, replacing treads on its grand staircase, adding air conditioning to select rooms and repairing the boiler system.

The circa-1903 library’s iconic stained glass windows carefully were removed to undergo a cleaning, with upcoming projects also including the addition of two Americans With Disabilities Act restrooms and the expansion of event spaces.

Helping pay for those improvements will be the annual Novel Noel fundraiser set for Dec. 4. The event lasts from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

This year’s festivities, titled “A Novel Noel: 250 Years of Christmas Traditions,” will feature live music from James Tobin & The Dewey Decimators, plus raffles and a progressive dining experience catered by Donna Marie’s Cucina. Tickets cost $50 for adults; $15 for children ages 8 to 14.

Tickets and more info is at CFLBF.org or by calling 724-846-4340.

(File Photo of the Borough of Ambridge Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(File Photo of Deer Approaching Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Weather that is cooler and days that are shorter mean that more deer are now gracing the roadways across the country.

According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS), more than a third of deer-vehicle collisions happen during October and November. This study examined animal-related crashes in the United States from 2020 through 2024 using national crash databases.

During that time, over 1.7 million police-reported crashes involved animals, which is about 350,000 per year, resulting in nearly 50,000 injuries and close to 300 deaths.