Truckers’ bridge blockade forces shutdowns at auto plants
By ROB GILLIES and TOM KRISHER Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — The truck blockade at the U.S. border by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, Toyota and General Motors to shut down plants or otherwise curtail production. The bumper-to-bumper demonstration entered its fourth day Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit. It is disrupting the flow of auto parts and other products back and forth across the border.

(File Photo)

(HARRISBURG, Pa) A new bill introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie would protect nursing home residents and staff from sexual assaults by establishing care and reporting requirements when a registered sex offender is admitted.

Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said H.B. 2341 – which would function as a Megan’s Law for the state’s nursing homes – would establish protections that are needed immediately.

“Right now, when a registered sexual offender is admitted to a Pennsylvania nursing home, the home is not required to disclose this to other residents or staff – or to develop any special plans to ensure their safety,” Matzie said. “The situation has resulted in attacks on residents, and the threat will only grow as thousands of registered sex offenders continue aging and require medical care.

“My bill would put essential protections in place by requiring all Pennsylvania nursing homes to check the sex offender registry before admitting a new resident; develop a care plan to protect other residents and staff when a registered offender is admitted; and notify staff and other residents in close proximity about the plan.”

Matzie’s bill would also require facilities to report the information to the state Department of Health, to create a centralized registry that would function as a Megan’s Law for nursing homes. Currently, there is no such list, so officials have no way of tracking how many registered sex offenders are living in nursing homes or where they are located.

Matzie said the protections – already in effect in some states – are long overdue in Pennsylvania.

“My bill is similar to a law that is already in effect in Ohio – one of at least 10 states that impose requirements when a registered sex offender is admitted to a nursing home. It’s time to get those critical protections in place now, for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents and the staff who care for them,” he said.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The winter season may be coming towards its end, but the frozen stuff on the ground–or in the arena–is still taking center stage in Beaver County.

Tony Caltury, the Parks & Recreation director for Beaver County, joined Matt Drzik on the Febraury 10 edition of A.M. Beaver County to provide an update on the Beaver County Ice Arena, which over the last year has undergone renovations through a grant awarded to Beaver County through the Pittsburgh Penguins’ “Renovate The Rink” contest.

“If you haven’t been there in a few years, I think when you walk in you’ll see a completely new building,” Caltury said. He spoke of the renovations that the County added on to the Ice Arena through their own funding and the Commissioners’ blessings, which include upgraded locker rooms, new paint & ceiling tiles, and a new Zamboni for ice resurfacing.

Caltury also spoke about the return of a Beaver County tradition–the 58th Annual Snow Shovel Riding Championship. The event is slated to take place at Old Economy Park on Saturday, February 19, weather permitting. Caltury hopes that the event can go on without a hitch due to its significance in the Ambridge area.

“I spoke at an Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, and it really hit home how much this event was a family tradition for people of Harmony, Baden, and Ambridge,” Caltury stated, “and I think bringing it back and getting it set up was vital, because this is something these families look forward to…and I think we can make it a bigger and better event for all these participants.”

To watch the full interview with Matt and Tony, click on the Facebook feed below.

By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is hitting the road to begin selling his proposal for what would be the largest-ever increase in aid for Pennsylvania’s public schools, several times over. Wolf appeared in Erie on Wednesday to tout the plan, just over $1.5 billion for instruction and operations, almost a quarter of what the state sends now. Districts that would see the biggest increases include smaller cities with an increasingly poorer tax base and growing suburbs where changing demographics are not fully taken into account by how the state funds schools. Meanwhile, 20 districts — primarily cities with the lowest household incomes — would get more than half of the $1.55 billion.

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.)   Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Division of Gastroenterology, part of the AHN Medicine Institute, will mark national colorectal cancer awareness month by offering patients appointments for colonoscopy on two Saturdays in March at select AHN outpatient locations.

Saturday screenings will be conducted from 7:30 – 11 a.m. by highly specialized AHN gastroenterologists at the following locations. Patients should call 412.515.2723 to make an appointment. Space is limited.

• McCandless Endoscopy Center (March 12)
• Bethel Park Surgery Center (March 12)
• North Shore Endoscopy Center (March 19)
• Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion (March 19)

Colorectal cancer – also commonly referred to as colon cancer – is the second deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., behind lung cancer. To help prevent the disease, a colonoscopy is performed to examine the inside of the colon where tumors or small growths known as polyps can occur. Any detected polyps can be removed before potentially developing into cancer.

Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowered the recommended age to begin screening for colorectal cancer from 50 years of age to 45. According to the task force, the new recommendation is based on data showing that the incidence of early-age onset of colorectal cancer increased annually between 2006 and 2015 among the overall population of average-risk individuals aged 45 to 49 years.

The disease is known to disproportionately affect the black community in which rates of colorectal cancer are highest among any racial/ethnic group in the United States. Notably, actor Chadwick Boseman died of the disease in 2020 at age 43.

Many people with colorectal cancer do not experience symptoms which further highlights the importance of screening, says Gursimran Kochhar, MD, associate division chief and director of interventional endoscopy within the AHN Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

“While colorectal cancer is among the most lethal and progressive forms of cancer, it is also highly preventable through routine colonoscopy. And even if cancer is detected in the colon, it is highly curable if found early enough. The benefits of early screening, detection and treatment can truly be lifesaving.”

“We are extremely pleased to once again offer Saturday screenings during colon cancer awareness month as a more convenient option for those who find it difficult to undergo screening on weekdays,” Dr. Kochhar added.

Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of the screening however patients should check with their provider for specific coverage information. Upon scheduling, patients will receive instructions regarding how to prepare for the outpatient procedure.

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pa Governor Tom wolf shared his final budget proposal on Tuesday, February 8, 2022,  with a focus on taking advantage of a surplus to focus on education.

16th District State Rep. Rob Matzie attended that session and said via e-mail “The Governor’s budget serves as a blueprint, a working framework to be debated and negotiated moving forward. The end product can sometimes look much different than what was presented. At first glance, there are several areas that I can fully support. More money for education at all levels, funding for technology improvements for public safety, increasing opportunities for workers, and investments to make healthcare more affordable are priorities that I share. It also calls for the implementation of new programs and funding to support veterans and active military, which is long overdue. As always, I’ll work with my colleagues on both sides of the isle and ultimately support what best serves Beaver County and the residents of my district. Most importantly, it holds the line on taxes and actually decreases some business taxes.”

In the budget address to a joint House and Senate session, Wolf spoke about progress made in his two terms as Pennsylvania governor. When he took office in 2014, the Commonwealth had a budget deficit of $2 billion to $3 billion, and the Rainy Day Fund was down to its last $231,000. As the first governor since 1987 to turn over a budget surplus to a successor, Wolf wants $1.9 billion to benefit students, from pre-K through college.

Wolf proposed $70 million for high-quality pre-K programs, along with $1.4 billion for K-through-12 public education, with a focus on equitable support for underfunded schools. He also continued his long-standing appeal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25.

Wolf is requesting a minimum wage of $12 an hour by July 1, with annual 50-cent increases to get to $15 in 2028. Senate President Pro Tem Jake Corman, R-Centre, said hearings will begin soon for a final budget by June that, in his words, “meets the needs of the Commonwealth.”

 

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pa Governor Tom wolf shared his final budget proposal on Tuesday, February 8, 2022,  with a focus on taking advantage of a surplus to focus on education.

14th District State Rep. Jim Marshall attended that session and said via text that “The Governor’s budget address is the beginning of the budget process. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on creating a fiscally responsible budget that will lead the Commonwealth on a pathway to success through targeted investments to meet the needs of our residents.”

In the budget address to a joint House and Senate session, Wolf spoke about progress made in his two terms as Pennsylvania governor. When he took office in 2014, the Commonwealth had a budget deficit of $2 billion to $3 billion, and the Rainy Day Fund was down to its last $231,000. As the first governor since 1987 to turn over a budget surplus to a successor, Wolf wants $1.9 billion to benefit students, from pre-K through college.

Wolf proposed $70 million for high-quality pre-K programs, along with $1.4 billion for K-through-12 public education, with a focus on equitable support for underfunded schools. He also continued his long-standing appeal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25.

“Our failure to increase the minimum wage is costing us right now,” he said. “When people are able to earn a decent wage, they can contribute to the economic lives of their communities and the Commonwealth. When they work full-time but still don’t earn enough to pay for bare necessities, taxpayers end up footing the bill.”

Wolf is requesting a minimum wage of $12 an hour by July 1, with annual 50-cent increases to get to $15 in 2028. Senate President Pro Tem Jake Corman, R-Centre, said hearings will begin soon for a final budget by June that, in his words, “meets the needs of the Commonwealth.”