By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a modest 199,000 jobs last month while the unemployment rate fell sharply, at a time when businesses are struggling to fill jobs with many Americans remaining reluctant to return to the workforce. At the same time, Friday’s jobs report from the Labor Department showed that the nation’s unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to a healthy 3.9%, evidence that many more people found jobs last month. Indeed, despite the slight hiring gain, 651,000 more people reported that they were employed in December compared with November. Wages also rose sharply, a sign that companies are competing fiercely to fill their open jobs.
Author: Beaver County Radio
Speed Limits Restored on Roadways in the Region
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Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT has lifted the speed limit restrictions that were in place on several roadways in the region.
Due to the winter storm impacting the region, speed limits were reduced last evening to 45 mph on all interstates and several other routes in the region. All speeds are restored to their usual posted limits.
PennDOT is continuing to treat roadways in the area and will continue until roads are clear.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/
Man Arrested fir Trying to Abduct 9-Year-Old Girl in Coraopolis at Her Bus Stop
(Coraopolis, Pa.) 40-year-old William Goring of Coraopolis was arrested by Allegheny County Police and charged after he reportedly grabbed a 9-year-old girl at her school bus stop in Coraopolis.
Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of School Street and McCabe Street at about 8:15 a.m. yesterday and upon arriving learned the the 9-year-old girl was grabbed from behind by a man who covered her mouth, grabbed her by the hair and led her away from the bus stop. Police said the girl fought with the man and was able to get away from him as the bus arrived.
Goring was a stranger to the girl. He was quickly found and detained by police.
He was charged with attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault and other charges.
Northbound I-79 Neville Island Bridge Restrictions Saturday in Allegheny County
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Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing northbound lane restrictions at the I-79 Neville Island Bridge in Glenfield Borough and Robinson and Neville townships, Allegheny County, will occur Saturday, January 8 weather permitting.
Northbound Interstate 79 will be reduced to a single-lane of traffic from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday between the Route 51 Coraopolis/McKees Rocks (Exit 64) and Route 65 Emsworth/Sewickley (Exit 66) interchanges. Crews will conduct paint containment removal work. No restrictions will occur in the southbound direction.
Motorists should expect delays during peak travel times.
The $43 million I-79 Neville Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project includes structural steel repairs, full structure painting, bearing and deck joint replacements, deck repairs and overlays, bridge barrier repair, substructure concrete work and drainage improvements. The project also includes concrete roadway reconstruction, guide rail replacement and preservation work on four sign structures. Additionally, preservation work will occur on the I-79 bridge over Deer Run Road, north of the Neville Island Bridge. Motorists will see ramp closures and single-lane and shoulder closures in each direction on I-79 during daylight off-peak and overnight hours. Other traffic impacts include four southbound weekend closures in 2022. The overall project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.
The Trumbull Corporation is the prime contractor.
To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for the I-79 Neville Island Bridge rehabilitation including traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – I-79” in the subject line.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
PennDOT Reduces Speed Limits on Several Area Roadways Including I-376 in Beaver County
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Story published at 5:59 AM, Friday, january 7, 2022
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
Allegheny County
- Interstates 79, 376 (Parkways East and West), 279 (Parkway North), and 579
- State Route 28
Beaver County
- Interstate 376 (Beaver Valley Expressway)
Lawrence County
- Interstates 79 and 376
On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.
Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.
Friday’s AMBC: For King And For State
On the Friday edition of A.M. Beaver County, Frank Sparks will be jumping in the captain’s chair at 7:30 while Matt Drzik heads off to the State of The County address at Geneva College. Frank will be celebrating the upcoming 87th birthday of Elvis Presley with songs and trivia–and your chance to win!
Aliquippa City Council Announces Contractor Hired for Downtown Lighting
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Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Tec Electric, Inc’s. bid estimate to supply new pole lights on the 400 block of Franklin Avenue heading north was approved by council Wednesday night.
Mayor Dwan B. Walker told council it’s about moving the city forward. We need to hire more police officers, install new sidewalks, lighting and façade for the city’s streetscape. The Fifth Avenue Hill grant of $2.5 million is the first round for the city’s infrastructure, he said. The Third Avenue playground will be built. The city is to receive a T Mobile grant for $50,000 on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 2 p.m. at their business in the Aliquippa Shopping Center
Two Beaver County Men in Beaver County Jail After Armed Robbery Outside of Alquippa Pizza Shop
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Thursday, January 6. 2022 at 12:58 PM
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Two Beaver County men have landed in the Beaver County Jail after they were charged following an armed robbery outside of the Villa Di Pizza on Brodhead Road in Aliquippa around 4:30 PM Tuesday.
25-year-old Daivon Skinner of Aliquippa and 33-year-old Tariq Taylor of Rochester are accused wearing ski masks and holding up a man at gunpoint, stealing his phone, four bags of suspected marijuana and cash.
After the incident the two fled the scene and were apprehended moments later by police.
Both men are facing several charges and are being held in the Beaver County Jail.
ELVIS AND NORM ON FRIDAY TELEFORUM!!
Know stuff about the King? Elvis’ birthday is saturday, and friday we’ll celebrate with Elvis trivia-it’s your chance to win a 25$ gift card from Al’s Corner in Koppel. 25$ buys a lot on nanner sammiches! And since it’s friday, it’s a visit from Norm Mitry, the president and ceo of Heritage Valley Health Systems. Teleforum is on every weekday from 9:10 till noon on 99.3 presented by St. Barnabas, 1230WBVP, 1460WMBA, and streaming live on Beavercountyradio.com!
AAA East Central Reveals 2021’s Top Insurance Claims
2021 was a costly year for many motorists due to collisions, weather, and animal related auto insurance claims. While all automobile insurance claims may not be avoidable, most can be by driving defensively, avoiding impaired or distracted driving, and following simple tips. In addition to reducing the risk of a claim, motorists should be aware of the most common claims to avoid paying higher premiums.
“Car crashes are stressful and traumatizing events, and having proper coverage is crucial in providing financial protection and liability coverage,” said Jonathon King, vice president of insurance sales, AAA East Central. “The top three claim categories in our region show that life can be unexpected at times, and you’re best served with add-ons like comprehensive coverage.”
Rear-end collisions/Fender Benders
Even a seemingly minor fender bender can cost more than $7,000 in damages and increase the cost of insurance premiums. Rear-end collisions and fender benders accounted for 15% of all auto insurance claims AAA East Central processed in 2021, with many of the crashes resulting from distracted driving. To avoid being involved in a rear-end collision or fender bender, AAA East Central recommends:
- Put down your phone and stay focused on the road. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your risk for a crash.
- Ask passengers for help or pull over if you need to read or write a text message.
- Activate “Do Not Disturb” settings on your smart phone while driving.
- Take the pledge to end distracted driving by visiting aaa.com/
dontdrivedistracted.
Backing Up
Collisions caused by backing up a vehicle, on average, cost more than $1,800 in damages in 2021. This type of crash made up 12% of all auto insurance claims AAA East Central processed, with many occurring in parking lots or driveways. Motorists should be especially cautious when backing out of a driveway or navigating parking lots. Drivers can follow these tips to reduce their risk of being involved in a backup collision.
- Drive slowly and obey all traffic and directional signs.
- Avoid shortcuts such as cutting across parking lanes and rows of parking spots.
- Watch for pedestrians and other vehicles when slowly backing up and do not rely on backup cameras alone.
- Be extra alert for small children, pets, and parents pushing baby strollers in parking lots.
Animals/Fowl
Collisions involving animals or fowl made up more than 8% of AAA East Central’s automobile insurance claims, with an average damage cost of more than $4,100. Deer collisions can be especially destructive to vehicles and can result in severe injuries to motorists and passengers. To prevent a crash or to reduce damage from an animal collision, AAA suggests motorists:
- Pay attention to road signs. Yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer indicate areas with high levels of deer activity.
- Keep your eyes on the road. Ditching distractions is one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re ready for when an animal comes out of nowhere.
- Be especially attentive in early morning and evening hours. Many animals, especially deer, are most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., prime commuting times for many.
- Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic. You can spot animals sooner. Sometimes the light reflecting off their eyes will reveal their location.
- Resist the urge to swerve. Instead, stay in your lane with both hands firmly on the wheel. Swerving away from animals can confuse them so they don’t know which way to run. It can also put you in the path of oncoming vehicles or cause you to crash into something.
- If the crash is imminent take your foot off the brake. During hard braking, the front end of your vehicle is pulled downward which can cause the animal to travel up over the hood towards your windshield. Letting off the brake can protect drivers from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side of the vehicle or over the top of the vehicle.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 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.