AMBRIDGE, June 21 – State Rep. Rob Matzie is encouraging local municipalities, nonprofit groups, libraries and other community organizations statewide to apply to the newly opened Digital Connectivity Technology Program. 

Matzie – who is chairman of the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee and a board member of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority – said the PBDA will be purchasing and distributing $20 million in laptops so communities can make that technology available for residents.

“Everything we’re doing on the broadband authority is focused on one main goal: ensuring folks have quick, reliable, affordable access to the wealth of opportunities available online – from job openings and state programs to telemedicine and shopping,” Matzie said. “We’ve made great progress getting the infrastructure and funding in place for areas that have lacked those high-speed connections, but affording hardware like laptops and computers is still a barrier for some households.

“This program will allow community organizations to obtain laptops and make them available for residents. I’m urging municipalities, libraries, nonprofits – every group eligible – to apply as soon as possible.”

Matzie said eligible applicants include community organizations such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, nonprofit groups and other anchor institutions located in areas where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption.

Applications are being accepted now through August 19. More information about the program is available here: https://www.broadband.pa.gov/pennsylvania-broadband-development-authority-to-open-application-period-for-new-20-million-program-to-provide-laptops-for-libraries-non-profits-community-institutions-across-pennsylvania/.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the reopening of a portion of Darlington Road (Route 4027) in Fallston Borough, Beaver County.

A Pennsylvania couple died on Thursday after they got caught in rip currents off a Florida beach. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office in Florida identified the couple as Brian Warter, 51 and Erica Wishart, 48. Warter and Wishart were vacationing on Hutchinson Island with their 6 teenage children when they got caught in a rip current with two of their kids. The two kids broke away from the current and tried to help their parents, but had to return to shore without them because of the dangerous current. Warter and Wishart were given CPR on the beach before being pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Sheriffs deputies are helping the children as they wait for family members to arrive in Florida.

Duquesne Light Company has released a new estimated timeline for when customers Should expect their power to be back on. Severe storms this week have left hundreds of both Duquesne Light and First Energy customers without power for days. Duquesne Light said that after Monday’s storms, their crews as well as mutual assistance crews from Ohio and West Virginia are working to restore power to 650 customers. All Duquesne Light customers are expected to have power by 9pm on Friday, June 21. A majority of customers are expected to be restored soon, the company said. Customers who remain without power should consider alternate arrangements to stay cool and safe, especially during this historic heat wave, Duquesne light said.

(File Photo)

Gage Hammerle 31 of Aliquippa, was charged after fleeing by foot when he got pulled over by police. After fleeing from police, Hammerle tried to enter an nearby occupied building but was tasered by the police before he could gain entry. He was taken into custody . Hammerle admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking weed. Known contraband was also located in his vehicle.

The Aliquippa Police Department is warning neighbors about a recent string of car break-ins. Police said that there is not a specific area or vehicle model being targeted. The break-ins have been happening city wide. Police are reminding neighbors to lock their cars and take valuable items inside.

As millions of Americans deal with a serious heat wave sweeping across the eastern part of the country, heat index values are predicted in the 100s over the next week. AAA East Central reminds motorists about the dangers of leaving children and pets in a hot car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 900 children have died of heat stroke in the last 25 years after being left or trapped in a vehicle. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a vehicle can heat up by 20 degrees and become deadly.

“A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s and when a child is left in a hot vehicle, the situation could become life-threatening very quickly,” says Terri Rae Anthony, safety advisor, AAA East Central. “As parents, caregivers, and bystanders, we all play a role in ensuring children and animals are protected from these dangerous conditions.”

AAA East Central Urges Motorists To ACT:

• A—Avoid heatstroke by never leaving a child in the car alone, not even for a minute.
• C—Create electronic reminders or put something in the backseat like a cell phone, purse, or briefcase that will be needed when exiting the car.  Always lock vehicles and never leave car keys or car remote where children can get to them.
• T—Take action and immediately call 9-1-1- if a child or pet is found unattended in a car.

When it comes to heatstroke, animals are also at risk. Leaving them in a vehicle while running errands, taking a break at a rest stop during a road trip or for any other reason, can have deadly consequences. Animals left in hot cars can face irreversible organ damage, heatstroke, brain damage and, in extreme cases, death.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs and cats can include:

• Panting
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting
• Reddened gums and tongue
• Rapid heart rate
• Wobbly, uncoordinated movement

Animals are also at a more severe rate of risk when they have factors like age (very young, very old), obesity, poor heart/lung conditioning, are a short-nosed, flat-faced breed, or have a thick hair coat.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 70 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.