The image above shows a garage door covered in plastic and boarded up at the scene Friday. It was unclear if this door was involved in the accident. (Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director) Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 27, 2023 10:45 A.M.
(Chippewa Township, PA) The coroner was called to the Bowser Hyundai dealership in Chippewa Township Friday morning. Bernard Hruska, 66, Munhall, PA was pronounced dead due to traumatic asphyxiation. The death was ruled accidental. The man was not an employee, and an attempt is being made to locate his next of kin.
HARRISBURG, PA– Last week, the Shapiro Administration announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be conductingindependent water samplingto closely monitor water contamination risks related to the East Palestine train derailment. On Tuesday, February 21, DEP began proactive outreach to residents and testing of wells within the two-mile radius and in only four days, DEP has successfully collected samples from nearly every private drinking water well within one mile of the Norfolk Southern derailment site.
As of the end of this week, DEP has completed collecting samples from 13 of the 16 known residential wells within a mile radius of the derailment site and is working to schedule testing of wells between one mile and two miles next week. Results from the first round of testing are expected next week.
“The Department of Environmental Protection has been on the scene since the first hours after the Norfolk Southern train derailment, and we will stay in communities like Darlington Township as long as it takes to assure Pennsylvanians their air, water, and environment are safe,” said Acting DEP Secretary Rich Negrin, who visited communities in Beaver County twice this week. “DEP staff is on the ground right now, professionally and efficiently taking independent samples of drinking water near the derailment site so that Pennsylvanians can have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.”
DEP is proactively contacting residents within a two-mile radius of the train derailment site to initiate water testing. Concerned residents who are beyond the two-mile radius are encouraged to reach out to DEP to request testing by calling 412-442-4000.
DEP is using its own laboratories to test for volatile organic compounds that were on some of the train cars, including vinyl chloride, ethylene glycol, butyl acrylates, ethylhexyl acrylate, benzene, and ethanol.
FILE – A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. West Virginia’s water utility says it’s taking precautionary steps following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio. The utility said in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2023 that it has enhanced its treatment processes even though there hasn’t been a change in raw water at its Ohio River intake. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file) Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 27, 2023 10:38 A.M.
(East Palestine, Ohio) East Palestine, Ohio is just across the border of Pennsylvania, and the one entry point located off Route 51, Taggart Road in Chippewa Township is closed to trucks as of Friday afternoon, according to a police official. The February 3, 2023 Norfolk and Southern train derailment and the explosion that followed brought great concerns to the public. Evacuation was ordered and some hesitated, but eventually the evacuation order was abided by all residences.
The Red Cross came in and set up a shelter at the high school on Saturday, February 4, 2023. The shelter remained open until February 9, 2023 when the evacuation orders were lifted. officials said they coordinated closely with local emergency management officials and they reported,” We stand ready if additional support is need One of the Red Cross’s goals that was mentioned they ensure people that they have a safe place to stay, it’s a critical part of their mission
The spokesperson explained that the Red Cross works closely. with emergency management officials to develop plans and during emergencies we continuously coordinate relief services with emergency management. as events occur.
The Salvation Army provided 7,000 cases of bottled water, cleaning and hygiene products, food vouchers, and an assortment of household products.. Captain Angelica Spence said a clinic was set up at the First Church of Christ in Salem, Ohio, and vital signs were checked on those that came to the clinic, and assistance with resident’s prescriptions. Captain Spence said , along with their volunteers, 4 or 5 came from Pennsylvania to assist. with their group
The Quips came out like they do, playing Aliquippa basketball running, great pressure great rebounding and great, defense that’s what they do and its no secret, Shenango was staying with them in the first quarter when it was 10-8 when DJ Walker drove in faked right and went left to make it 12-8 then the Quips got a quick steal shot a three to make it 15-8 and that was as close as Shenango would be. The game did get a little hot as a Shenango player drew a technical foul that drew attention from the head official Anthony Court to warn both benches to calm down. The Quips lead after the first 15-8 and the second they had the lead 31-21. This was the third time these two teams met this year with Aliquippa winning both and it was looking like Shenango was playing as hard as they could but were not a match for the highly ranked Aliquippa team. It was a good game hats off to both teams as they both played well. the game was broadcast on 95.7FM 99.3FM 1230WBVP/1460WMBA and worldwide on Beaver County Radio by Mike Azadian And Bruce Frey, stay tuned tomorrow for the Freedom Bulldogs And the Aliquippa Quips girls playoff match up in the Beaver falls Middle School gym that game will also be broadcast on 95.7FM 99.3FM 1230wbvp/1460 W MBA and worldwide on Beaver County Radio.
“It is our land to grow our food, it is our health, and it is us in ‘we the people’.”
Following three weeks of recovery, questions, political appearances and obtaining the attention of the world at large, many of the citizens of East Palestine in Ohio and several surrounding communities (including in Beaver County) remain left in varying states of confusion. They are wondering what effects the train derailment will have on them from a health standing, and they also wonder what the needle of justice will sew for the small Columbiana County town…if anything.
During this time, a group of lawyers and advocates have teamed to form “East Palestine Justice“, who hosted an instructional seminar at East Palestine High School on the evening of February 24. The seminar was emceed by two of the group’s leaders: Texas-based lawyer Mikal Watts and national environmental advocate Erin Brockovich.
Brockovich’s appearance drew a large crowd to East Palestine, and her dialogue kicked off the evening with an impassioned plea for the citizens to “stay vigilant” in the battle against those responsible for the derailment and subsequent release of vinyl chloride chemicals. “We hope to share information with you that you might want to know,” Brockovich proclaimed. “I’ve learned in communities over and over again…they can handle the truth whether it scares them or they don’t want to hear it, but what they can’t handle is a mistruth being misled, and a lie.”
Despite technical difficulties that featured multiple changes in lighting and audio throughout her speech, Brockovich nary strayed from the flow of her pleas to the citizens of East Palestine: “You have to band together. Don’t expect someone to give you the answers. Unfortunately, this is not going to be a quick fix…this is going to be a long game.”
The majority of the evening, however, was emceed by Watts. He presented the information collected by East Palestine Justice to showcase how Norfolk Southern was responsible for what happened and what may happen as a result of the chemical release performed soon after the initial derailment. “If you are going to ship these kinds of chemicals through populated areas or small towns like this, you damn sure have an obligation to make sure that you don’t jump the tracks,” Watts stated.
The chemicals identified include the now-synonymous vinyl chloride, along with isobutylene, ethylhexyl acrylate, and benzene; all of which are physically harmful if consumed by humans.
Local politicians such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine were applauded for their efforts during the recovery period by Watts; conversely, he warned of the citizens to avoid “red herrings” and “non-issues” being presented by the politically motivated finger-pointing happening between opposing parties and certain members of them.
“Don’t get into the political blame game of who should’ve regulated who,” Watts added. “The law says it is this train company’s responsibility. End of story, full stop.”
Watts also echoed Brockovich’s pleas for vigilance and immediate effort by the citizens of East Palestine, specifically pleading for diagnostic testing to see if any chemicals have already entered the body. Their website contains a list of diagnostic test sites for urine and blood tests within a 50-mile radius of East Palestine.
Due to the informational nature of the presentation, no questions were allowed to be answered legally in a public forum; the group, however, can answer questions through private contact. East Palestine Justice will be holding similar presentations in Pennsylvania in the near future (site and time to be determined) and in East Palestine again on March 2.
Pictures from the evening’s event can be seen below:
