Tax Time Offers Opportunity to Help Pennsylvania’s Military Families Facing Financial Difficulties
Annville, PA – Individuals filing their 2020 Pennsylvania personal income taxes can help Pennsylvania’s military personnel and their families by donating any amount of their refund to the state’s Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP).

The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), provides grants of up to $3,500 to members of the armed forces and their families who are residents of Pennsylvania and have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. The tax form includes instructions on how to donate.

“Many Pennsylvanians traditionally support our military and their families at tax time by generously contributing to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, and that is greatly appreciated,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and acting head of DMVA. “The simple act of checking the block for MFRAP on your tax form will help to improve the quality of life for a military family facing financial difficulties. During the pandemic, MFRAP contributions are more important now than ever before.”

Examples of how MFRAP grants helped service members in 2020-2021 include:

• The spouse of a Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) soldier deployed overseas was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her unemployment compensation expired, and she was unable to find new employment to help support their family. Unexpected home and car repairs compounded the financial strain. She was awarded a grant of $3,500 to address the needed repairs and other household expenses while she continued her job search.
• A U.S. Navy Reserve petty officer with recent active duty service was experiencing financial hardship from expenses related to a family emergency. The member needed to purchase tires for her vehicle and needed other assistance with travel expenses to make a cross-country trip because of the death of her mother. The petty officer was approved for a grant of $2,000.
• A Pennsylvania Air National Guard sergeant was unaware that his civilian medical insurance had expired while he was serving on active duty orders. His family unknowingly accrued over $8,000 in medical bills after the coverage was discontinued. The sergeant was approved for a grant of $3,500 to assist with the payment of uninsured medical expenses.

Since the program began in 2006, more than $1.94 million has been generously donated by individuals filing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns and through private donations.  

Members of the armed forces who are residents of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance while they are serving on active duty for 30 or more consecutive days with the Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, or the Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard.

All members of the armed forces who were discharged for medical reasons are also eligible to apply for assistance for up to four years after a medical discharge.

In addition, reserve component service members (including Pennsylvania National Guard members) and their families may be eligible for a grant for a period of up to three years after release from a qualifying active duty tour.

The program also applies to certain family members of eligible service members who are Pennsylvania residents. Applicants must show that they have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

In addition to the check-off box on the state Personal Income Tax form, contributions can be made directly by sending a check to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, c/o PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.

Donations are tax deductible to the extent authorized by federal law.

To learn more about this program, visit www.mfrap.pa.gov.

For more information about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

(MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.) For the second time in the last week TSA Agents at Pittsburgh International Airport have found a loaded handgun at an airport security checkpoint.

A Loaded .380 caliber handgun was spotted by a TSA officer on a checkpoint X-ray machine’s monitor. The gun containing 5 bullets was spotted inside the Wexford man’s a carry-on bag.

Allegheny County police were notified and responded to the checkpoint to confiscate the gun and question the man.

He now is facing federal civil penalties.

Trump lawyers blast impeachment trial as ‘political theater’
By ERIC TUCKER, LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for Donald Trump are blasting the impeachment case against him as an act of “political theater” by Democrats. In a brief filed Monday on the eve of the Senate impeachment trial, lawyers for the former president attack the case on multiple grounds. They say it is unconstitutional and must be dismissed. Trump’s historic second impeachment trial is set to start Tuesday with a debate and vote on whether it’s even constitutional to prosecute the former president now that he’s no longer in office. Democrats want to hold the former president accountable for the violent U.S. Capitol siege. And Republicans want it over as quickly as possible.

(BEAVER, Pa.) The coroner was called to the scene of a crash between an SUV and a Pedestrian in the 1400 block of 3rd Street in Beaver around 7 pm on Friday. The road was closed most of Friday evening as police investigated.
Beaver Police chief Dan Madgar reported Monday that an older male was struck by a vehicle between the 13-1400 block of Third Street  on Friday night  between 7:30- and 8:p.m.. According to the chief ,a female driver was travelling west on Route 68  when the pedestrian was struck and killed. No charges have been filed, and the accident  is under investigation.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Residents and associates at the Elmcroft Senior Living facility in Chippewa will be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on February 9 at their facility on 104 Pappan Business Drive.

It will be one of three different vaccine distribution clinics created to ensure that all who receive the vaccine will be getting both shots. The drive is in cooperation with local pharmacies and national chains (such as CVS and Walgreens) in order to provide proper distribution.

“The vaccine is just one piece of the solution in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Elmcroft executive director Theresa Rhyal. “Eclipse communities will continue to take our standard precautions until the U.S. public health officials let us know they are no longer necessary.”

More information on their vaccine distribution can be found here.

Motorists Are at Risk for Dead Car Batteries 
Amid freezing temperatures, AAA recommends getting out the door early tomorrow

With temperatures below freezing, AAA advises motorists to prepare for the potential of a dead battery. Dead batteries are the number one roadside assistance call during the winter months. In fact, according to data from last winter, AAA East Central contractors responded to 66,548 battery-related calls and replaced 14,198.

“There’s usually an influx of dead battery calls during these cold snaps,” says Jim Garrity, manager of public and legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “The hot summer sun breaks down the internal components of a battery, and that damage manifests when temperatures dip below freezing. Motorists should get out the door early tomorrow to avoid running late to work because of a dead battery.”

In addition to allowing plenty of time getting out the door, AAA advises motorists also check:

• Wiper Blades: Unless conditions are very windy, consider leaving wiper blades elevated overnight to prevent freezing to the window. A long sock can also make a good barrier between the blade and the window.
• Washer Fluid: Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components.
• Coolant Levels: If your engine coolant level is low, add the recommended coolant to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability.
• Tire Pressure: Typically, tire pressure decreases 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that the temperature drops, putting owners at risk for a flat tire. The proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb. (Don’t forget to check the spare!)

The full AAA Winter Car Care Checklist can be found here.

AAA East Central advises motorists visit a AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility this winter to have their entire charging system and battery tested, especially if the battery is more than three years old. AAA members can request battery service on-the-spot as part of their membership. This includes battery testing and, if need be, replacement with a competitively-priced AAA battery. Service can be requested by calling 800-AAA-HELP.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  Past news releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Trump impeachment trial to open with sense of urgency, speed
By LISA MASCARO and HOPE YEN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial is opening this week with a sense of urgency. Democrats want to hold the former president accountable for the violent U.S. Capitol siege. And Republicans want it over as fast as possible. It’s scheduled to begin Tuesday, just over a month since the deadly Jan. 6 riot. Senate leaders are still working out the details, but it appears there will be few witnesses, and Trump has declined a request to testify. The House impeached him Jan. 13 on the charge of inciting insurrection.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver, Pa.) John Broman, 41 is expected to appear in court Monday morning at 8:45 a.m.  for his hearing on escape charges.  Broman escaped from the county jail  on January 7 ,  2021 and was located at a home on  Lexington Drive in Hopewell Township on January 8, 2021. Hopewell Police were assisted by Aliquippa police, the  Beaver County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beaver County Detectives.  Broman  remains in the Beaver County  Jail at this time. Broman escaped after being booked on other charges, his bond  is $1 million for those charges, and  $1 million on the escape charges.

Fetterman makes it official: He’ll run for US Senate in 2022
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s larger-than-life lieutenant governor, the 6-foot-8, bald and tattooed John Fetterman, will run for U.S. Senate. He’s making the announcement Monday after kicking off an exploratory fundraising campaign last month that raised over $1 million. The plainspoken 51-year-old Democrat may ultimately see competition for his party’s nomination in what could become the most competitive Senate race of 2022. On the Republican side, a number of names are circulating, including former Trump administration figures. Fetterman is by far the highest-profile name in Pennsylvania politics to show interest in running for the seat, which is opening with the departure of two-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.