Trump bids farewell to Washington, hints of comeback
By JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — His term at an end, President Donald Trump has said farewell to Washington. Trump has arrived in Florida in the last hour of his presidency, skipping Joe Biden’s inauguration. Before departing, Trump spoke to supporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he walked across a red carpet and boarded Air Force One. He said: “So just a goodbye. We love you.” And the 45th president added, “We will be back in some form.” . Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived in Florida just as the inauguration ceremony was getting underway at the Capitol.

Biden takes the helm as president: ‘Democracy has prevailed’
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has sworn the oath of office to become the 46th president of the United States, declaring that “democracy has prevailed.” He takes the helm of a deeply divided nation and inherit a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors. But there were comforting signs of tradition for the hallowed American democratic rite now underway at a U.S. Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. On a chilly Washington day dotted with snow flurries, a bipartisan trio of ex-presidents along with the elite of nation’s government gathered for the ceremony.

The County Commissioners met Wednesday morning at the courthouse for their weekly work session.  The leading issue being discussed was the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine.  Commissioner Jack Manning vented his frustrations about speed of distribution in our area compared to other nearby states, where they are following a different process. Manning said, “I just feel frustrated, that particularly here in Beaver County, we haven’t had the doses to put in peoples arms as quickly”.  The commissioners also clarified that they do not have control in determining who receives the vaccine.  Commissioner Dan Camp stated “the hospitals are the ones who administer these vaccines, not the county”.

Listen to their statements here:

 

Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that Knoll, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of workplace and residential furniture with a longtime presence in the commonwealth, is relocating a manufacturing line from Michigan to Pennsylvania and expanding its footprint in the commonwealth. This project will create at least 138 new, full-time jobs and will position the company for future growth in the state.

“Knoll’s move and expansion plans demonstrate its continuing commitment to maintaining a presence in our commonwealth,” Gov. Wolf said. “I’m pleased that Knoll has recognized the talent that our workforce has to offer and has chosen to continue its growth in Pennsylvania.”

Knoll is taking a three-step relocation approach in its expansion effort, which was initiated in 2020 and is continuing through 2021. First, the company has relocated its textile team from East Greenville to a new 57,000-square-foot facility in Quakertown. Next, the company has relocated a manufacturing line from its Michigan facility to its East Greenville facility. Finally, it will relocate and expand its Allentown mixing center facility to a site close to the East Greenville location. Knoll expects to grow its mixing center from 300,000 square feet to 500,000 square feet within the next three years.

“Since our founders established our first manufacturing operations in East Greenville during the 1940s, Knoll has been committed to this area and the skilled workforce it offers,” said Chris Baldwin, COO & President, Knoll Workplace. “We are pleased to partner with Governor Wolf and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to expand our presence once again.”

Knoll received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $425,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $276,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and $82,800 in funding for job training. The company has pledged to invest at least $6.8 million into the project and has committed to creating at least 138 jobs and retain an additional 920 jobs over the next three years.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

Knoll works with architects and designers, as well as commercial, education, health care and government organizations worldwide to create inspired modern interiors. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes open plan and private office furniture, ergonomic and lounge seating, modular storage, textiles, and accessories.

For more information about the Governor’s Action Team or DCED, visit dced.pa.gov, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

President Donald Trump has followed at least one presidential tradition.

The White House says the Republican president left behind a note for his successor, Democrat Joe Biden.

Deputy press secretary Judd Deere declined to reveal what Trump wrote to Biden or to characterize the sentiment in the note, citing privacy for communication between presidents.

Trump has refused to publicly concede to Biden and did not mention the Democrat by name in a pair of farewell addresses.

Trump interrupted many traditions of the presidency, including by not attending Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. Trump also did not invite Biden to the White House for a meeting after Biden was declared the winner of November’s presidential election

Trump left the White House for the final time as president on Wednesday morning, saying, “It’s been a great honor, the honor of a lifetime.”

Trump pardons ex-strategist Steve Bannon, dozens of others
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ERIC TUCKER and JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned former chief strategist Steve Bannon as part of a late flurry of clemency action benefiting nearly 150 people, including rap stars and former members of Congress. The pardons and commutations for 143 people, including Bannon, were announced after midnight Wednesday in the final hours of Trump’s White House term. Trump did not pardon himself, despite speculation that he would, in the face of potential federal investigations. He had previously asserted that he had the authority to do so. He also did not pardon his children or his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Center Twp., Pa.) A mobile home park owner  in Center Township  has appealed the zoning hearing board’s decision  concerning issues at the park that have been ongoing.  Solicitor Nicholas Urick told the supervisors at Tuesday night’s meeting  the case now goes to trial  in Beaver County Court in April.

Biden’s first act: Orders on pandemic, climate, immigration
By The Associated Press undefined
In his first official acts as president, Joe Biden is signing executive orders on a broad range of issues, from the coronavirus pandemic to climate change and immigration, to fulfill campaign promises. He’ll require that masks be work in federal buildings to try to slow the spread of coronavirus. He’s directing the U.S. to rejoin the World Health Organization and the Paris climate accords. And he’s stopping construction of the border wall and reversing President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration. Biden will sign the executive orders Wednesday after taking the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol.

AAA: Gas Prices Jump in Western Pennsylvania This Week
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is 10 cents higher this week at $2.708 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.708
Average price during the week of January 11, 2021                                  $2.605
Average price during the week of January 21, 2020                                  $2.838

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.750      Altoona
$2.759      Beaver
$2.802      Bradford
$2.795      Brookville
$2.678      Butler
$2.721      Clarion
$2.670      DuBois
$2.756      Erie
$2.635      Greensburg
$2.762      Indiana
$2.644      Jeannette
$2.705      Kittanning
$2.574      Latrobe
$2.783      Meadville
$2.711      Mercer
$2.508      New Castle
$2.720      New Kensington
$2.799      Oil City
$2.678      Pittsburgh
$2.679      Sharon
$2.759      Uniontown
$2.798      Warren
$2.587      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Since the beginning of the year, the national gas price average has increased 13 cents. Today’s average is $2.38. That is a nickel more than last week. However, still cheaper year-over-year by 17 cents.

The last time the nation saw a substantial January pump price increase was in 2009. That year, the national gas price average jumped 23 cents inside of the first 3 weeks of the year. At that time U.S. gasoline demand and supply were lower and crude oil prices had been increasing, similar to today.

Gas prices have been rising this year as crude oil prices continue to increase — last week pricing as high as $53/barrel. The latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports show gasoline demand remains low at 7.5 million b/d, which contributed to a 4.4-million-barrel increase to gasoline supply, for a total of 245 million barrels.

The higher price of crude oil is outweighing sustained low gasoline demand and a build in inventory. Should these trends continue, motorists can expect to see prices continue to climb through at the least the end of the month.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

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.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.