Teleforum holds forth every weekday morning with host Eddy Crow; on Monday he will be talking about the latest news in Beaver county, as well as whatever other lunacy the world serves up over the weekend. These days planning on lunacy is a safe bet, and plan on Teleforum every weekday on am1230WBVP, am1460WMBA, and 99.3fm presented by St. Barnabas.
Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing concrete shoulder patching work on eastbound I-376 in Robinson, Moon, and North Fayette townships, Allegheny County, will occur Friday night through Sunday morning, April 16-18 weather permitting.
Shoulder patching requiring lane closures on eastbound I-376 will occur from 8 p.m. Friday night continuously through 10 a.m. Sunday morning between the Business Loop 376 (Exit 57) and Montour Run Road (Exit 58) interchanges.
Additionally, the following ramp will close to traffic the entire weekend:
Posted Detour
Eastbound I-376 Off-ramp to Montour Run Road
This $7.93 million improvement project includes milling and paving, concrete patching, drainage improvements, guiderail updates, median barrier replacement, sign improvements, pavement marking installation, and other miscellaneous construction activities. Additionally, overnight and weekend work will occur on 13 ramps through the corridor. Overnight and weekend closures with detours will occur on the ramps.
Lindy Paving, Inc. is the prime contractor.
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.
LAMB INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO ENABLE VETERANS TO ADVANCE COVID-19 VACCINATION EFFORTS
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) was joined by Representative Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-At Large), to introduce the bipartisan Supporting Education Recognition for Veterans during Emergencies (SERVE) Act. The legislation will ensure that veterans’ service-connected medical qualifications and expertise are utilized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and civilian health care facilities to meet the challenges of the coronavirus public health emergency. Lamb is reintroducing the bill in the 117th Congress to advance COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
“The race to vaccinate Americans against COVID-19 has been a stark reminder of how unprepared we were for this global pandemic. There is no better group than our veterans to help us fight to the finish,” said Lamb. “Veterans have received the best training available and are eager to contribute when they return to civilian life. This bill removes the obstacles to help veterans better serve our communities, especially as we ramp up the vaccination efforts nationwide to finally defeat COVID-19.”
“The SERVE Act seeks to capitalize on the skills and knowledge acquired by our veterans and use it to assist our country in times of national emergencies. As it has become evident with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we need to maximize every opportunity and asset at our disposal to combat this life-threatening virus. Like my constituents, I am hopeful for the future and longing for a return to normalcy. Still, pandemics and similar emergencies are always a looming threat and we must always be prepared. I am confident this bill places us in a better position to respond to emergencies moving forward. I am proud to be an original cosponsor, alongside my colleague Representative Conor Lamb, and look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to get it across the finish line,” said González-Colón.
The SERVE Act is supported by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the Union Veterans Council (UVC) AFL-CIO and Team Rubicon. These veterans service organizations (VSOs) cite veterans’ willingness to serve their communities again and have called upon Congress to provide improvements to the existing credentialing system to better recognize the medical skills of veterans. To answer this call, the SERVE Act:
“I applaud the bipartisan efforts of Reps. Lamb and González-Colón in introducing this important legislation,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO, IAVA. “The SERVE Act introduction is timely given the need for health professionals during this pandemic. There are hundreds of thousands of veterans with critical medical knowledge and experience. They are an untapped resource and should not be kept on the sidelines.”
“Medical professionals have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for over 14 months now and they need support. We have the ability to unlock a whole new workforce that is eager to serve. There are hundreds of thousands of military veterans with extensive training and experience in emergency medicine who have no way to leverage their skills in a time of crisis,” said Jake Wood, CEO, Team Rubicon. “The SERVE Act creates a pathway to allow these men and women to continue their service in times of need and get into the fight against COVID-19.”
“As veterans, we are wired to serve and are always ready to step up to the plate when our country needs us. This bill not only helps to provide trained individuals to help administer and support the COVID-19 vaccination mission, but it will also provide a sense of service and purpose to so many of our nation heroes,” said Will Attig, Executive Director, Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO.
Click here to learn more about the SERVE Act.
HARRISBURG – The month of April is National Safe Digging Month, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) took the opportunity today to remind consumers, businesses and contractors of the importance of identifying underground infrastructure before beginning to dig – as well as encouraging utilities and municipalities to explore the benefits of closer coordination for infrastructure projects.
“Spring traditionally brings more construction and home improvement activity, which can increase the risk of damage to underground utility lines when proper safeguards are not taken,” said Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr. “Every hit on an underground line poses a danger to contractors, utility workers and nearby residents, along with the possibility of service interruptions, environmental damage and costly repairs to damaged lines – which is why it is essential to contact the Pennsylvania One Call (PA One Call) system by calling 8-1-1 before any excavation work, to ensure that lines are properly located and marked.”
State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.
Commissioner Coleman also encouraged utilities, contractors and municipalities to explore the added benefits of the PA One Call system’s “Coordinate PA” program, which can help better coordinate project schedules, fostering collaboration and potential cost savings.
“Collaboration on projects is a ‘win-win’ for everyone involved,” noted Commissioner Coleman. “For example, if a utility is planning to replace underground lines in a particular area in August, but the local municipality is planning to repave those streets in June, it would be better and more cost-effective for both entities to coordinate their schedules so that construction work is complete before the repaving begins, rather than digging up a new street.”
Closer collaboration and better information about project schedules can also help multiple utilities coordinate their schedules in communities or neighborhoods – avoiding repeated street closures and multiple repairs in the same area, which is not only expensive, but also disruptive to local businesses and residents. Commissioner Coleman encouraged municipalities, utilities and contractors involved in utility work to explore the potential benefits of Coordinate PA.
The PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee (DPC) was created in 2017, when Pennsylvania’s the “One Call Law” was enhanced, with a focus on reducing the number of “hits” on underground utilities. Part of the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, which also includes the Pipeline Safety Division, the DPC was modeled after successful programs in other states. The DPC meets regularly to review alleged violations of the Act and makes determinations as to the appropriate response including, but not limited to, the issuance of warning letters or administrative penalties.
(File Photo)
Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano
(Aliquippa, Pa.) ALIQUIPPA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT DR. PETER M. CARBONE ANNOUNCED THAT THE DISTRICT HAS DECIDED TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO RETURN TO FULL-TIME LEARNING, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021. STUDENTS MAY REMAIN VIRTUAL IF THEY DESIRE. IF YOUR CHILD(ren) CHOSE TO REMAIN VIRTUAL, LET THE HOMEROOM TEACHER KNOW. IF VIRTUAL IS CHOSEN , THIS WILL BE UNTIL JUNE 10, 2021.
(Wayne Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were dispatched to a location on Wurtemburg Road in Wayne Twp. Lawrence County Thursday Morning at 8:20 AM for a report of theft from a motor vehicle.
When Troopers arrived they were told that a man wearing a black hoodie , jeans and a tan jacket entered two unlocked vehicles at the victim’s residences around 4:30 AM yesterday morning. The victim reported that the suspect was driving what appeared to be a silver colored late model Hyundai Elantra.
The victim reported that the suspect stole change , flash drives, and various keys from the vehicles.
Troopers said via release that Ellwood City Police are also investigating a person meeting the same description to be involved in two other incidents of theft from a vehicle that occurred in the same time frame.
Pa State Police are asking anyone with information to call the New Castle Barracks at 724-598-2211
(File Photo)
(Monaca, Pa.) The body of a man who has been missing since January was found in the Ohio River near Monaca Thursday afternoon. Thomas Hughes was reported missing in late January after his van was found with the keys still in the ignition at the entrance to Three Rivers Heritage Trail on the South side of Pittsburgh .
At the time Hughes was reported missing police released a video from a gas station which was the last known time he was alive.
Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is working on getting an update and what the Coroner determines on how Hughes died.
Machado homers, Padres earn split with Pirates in 8-3 win
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Manny Machado hit his third home run of the season, Eric Hosmer added two hits and two RBIs and the San Diego Padres jumped on the Pittsburgh Pirates early in an 8-3 win. Machado took Mitch Keller (1-2) deep with a two-run shot down the left-field line during San Diego’s four-run first. Hosmer added a two-run single in the second. San Diego finished a seven-game eastern road trip 5-2. Keller struggled, giving up seven runs in 3 1/3 innings, a step back after pitching well in a victory over the Cubs last weekend.