Photo above shows the Mobile Health Center that was stationed in the Darlington Municipal Building following the February train derailment (Curtis Walsh)

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Norfolk Southern Corporation, at his request, sent $1 million directly to communities in Western Pennsylvania to assist with community relief following the company’s February train derailment. This comes as a key part of the multi-million dollar commitment Governor Shapiro secured from Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, including the first $1 million the company already repaid to Pennsylvania fire departments and first responders.

Darlington Township has received $660,000 and Lawrence County has received $340,000 to use for community relief. Local leaders in Darlington Township and Lawrence County will determine how this funding will be directed to benefit their respective communities.

“Every step of the way, my Administration has made clear that we are focused on delivering the help our communities need and holding Norfolk Southern accountable,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “We will continue to follow through on our promises and support the people and communities that have been impacted. This critical funding will help Darlington Township and Lawrence County build back better than before, and my Administration will continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any and all impacts on our Commonwealth.”

This funding from Norfolk Southern is part of the commitment Governor Shapiro secured from the company to pay for millions in damages to Pennsylvania and impacted residents. Governor Shapiro continues to deliver on his promise to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any and all impacts to the Commonwealth, as well as support Western PA communities in their ongoing recovery.

“At the direction of Governor Shapiro’s office, Norfolk Southern has issued a payment of $660,000 to Darlington Township. We will be depositing these funds into an account to help us walk down the roads of recovery and prevention,” said Darlington Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Carreon. “To the residents of Darlington Township, know this is not a settlement, but a small step forward. We continue in discussions with Norfolk Southern in an effort to address both our short- and long-term concerns. We would like to thank all federal, state, and local officials who continue to support us as we move forward.”

In addition to securing critical funding for Darlington Township and Lawrence County, Governor Shapiro has led the way to ensure that Pennsylvanians are receiving reimbursements for losses they incurred as a result of Norfolk Southern’s train derailment. In March, Governor Shapiro announced that Norfolk Southern had completed $1 million in reimbursements to replace damaged equipment for first responders and Pennsylvania fire departments who responded to the derailment.

Individuals who were impacted by the derailment and want to apply for reimbursements should visit this link to learn how to apply as the Shapiro Administration continues working to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and secure funding for all damages to our Commonwealth.

“The Lawrence County Commissioners appreciate receiving these funds and thank the Governor and the company for their efforts,” said Lawrence County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dan Vogler. “We will be earmarking these dollars for the municipalities in our county who were in the closest proximity to the derailment along with an agency that can assist other businesses and residents throughout the county who may have been impacted.”

The Shapiro Administration is committed to delivering help for Western Pennsylvanians and ensuring communities and businesses have the resources they need to rebuild. Recently, Governor Shapiro, PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Rich Negrin, and PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) Secretary Russell Redding visited the Shapiro Administration’s small business resource fair in Darlington Township and met with small business owners, farmers, and residents who have been impacted by the derailment.

The Shapiro Administration continues to conduct environmental testing in the area impacted by the train derailment to ensure the safety of the people, plants, and animals in the region. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced two weeks ago that samples from crops in Beaver and Washington Counties show no contamination stemming from the train derailment. Area producers requested testing of plant tissue to understand the full impact of the derailment on their agricultural products. Complete plant tissue test results appear along with final sample results from DEP’s soil and water testing on the interactive map launched in April on DEP’s website. Pennsylvania agencies continue to see no contamination in Western PA related to the February Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine.

Visit the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s (PEMA) dashboard for more information about resources available to Pennsylvania residents.

After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage. When a donor makes and keeps an appointment to give blood or platelets in the weeks ahead, they can help ensure trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment, and people with lifelong blood disorders can get the blood they count on. 

Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors. Donors of all blood types can schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

The Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. for the theatrical release of Meg 2: The Trench to celebrate a summer of sharks and help stave off a summer blood and platelet shortage. All who come to give through Aug. 12 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Those who come to give throughout the month of August will also get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.

How to donate blood 

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!   

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we approach the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters. 

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 24, 2023 12:39 P.M.

(Homewood Borough, PA) Checkpoint statistics were released from a Traffic Safety Initiative on Big Beaver Boulevard, Homewood Borough on the night on June 30. The checkpoint resulted in 4 DUI arrests, 20 Traffic Citations, 8 Warnings, and 2 Misdemeanor Drug Arrests. The report was issued on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 24, 2023 12:36 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) The TAN was approved in the event the state budget is not passed in time  to cover the district’s 2023-24 expenses.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that the Environmental Mitigation Community Fund steering committee has finalized the protocol to allocate $5 million in funding for community projects in Beaver County. The protocol establishes the basic outline of how the Environmental Mitigation Community Fund will be distributed and what entities are eligible to apply for funding.

The Shapiro Administration secured the $5 million, one of the largest funds in Pennsylvania history, as part of its settlement of air quality violations by Shell Chemical Appalachia, LLC (Shell) during the commissioning of the company’s cracker plant in Potter Township.

Projects that provide environmental, health, or quality of life benefits in Beaver County may be eligible for funding. The protocol includes that at least one funded project should provide for regular, independent, testing of the air quality in the vicinity of the facility, and at least one funded project should focus on meaningful community education and engagement that fosters civic participation to design strategies seeking to improve the health and/or quality of life of the communities near to the facility.

“The Consent Order and Agreement includes a strong recommendation to fund a project that provides additional and independent air monitoring. We’re encouraged by the community feedback we received supporting that and the steering committee incorporated it in the final protocol,” said DEP Secretary Rich Negrin.

Organizations designated as a 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or that partner with a 501(c)(3), including as a fiscal sponsor, located within Beaver County or partnering with a Beaver County organization, may apply. Projects that lobby, engage in advocacy against public, private, or government organizations; support litigation or potential legal action; or promote or enable hate, discrimination, or violence are ineligible for funding.

The 17-member steering committee, primarily comprised of representatives from organizations serving Beaver County, was created to ensure that decisions on how the mitigation funds are invested benefit the impacted community. The May 24, 2023, consent order and agreement (COA) required the development of a protocol within 60 days, or by Sunday, July 23, 2023.

“I applaud the steering committee for ensuring that community feedback was meaningfully integrated and crafting this protocol in a timely and efficient manner said DEP Secretary Rich Negrin.  Funds like this one reflect our new commitment to using our enforcement efforts to maximize resources that are returned to communities. This protocol forms the foundation for what we can do in the future.”

The steering committee now embarks on crafting a protocol implementation plan to further detail the process for how project proposals should be submitted, evaluated, and selected. This plan will also establish the financial entity that will serve as the trustee and the process to distribute the funds. A separate, yet-to-be-formed, advisory board will be selected to receive, evaluate, and approve projects.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but this process just proved that a community-driven, collaborative process can work if we do it in an open and transparent fashion,” said DEP Special Deputy Secretary for OEJ, Fernando Treviño.

Information on the community fund, permitting, and compliance information is available on DEP’s community information webpage for the facility: dep.pa.gov/Shell.