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.

(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.

Tourist in deadly vacation rental fight asks to leave Hawaii
By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER Associated Press
HONOLULU (AP) — A Pittsburgh man is pleading not guilty to manslaughter in the strangulation of a college buddy he was on vacation with in Hawaii. Benjamin Fleming is also asking a judge to reduce his $250,000 bail and to let him return to the U.S. mainland. Fleming was staying at a Kailua-Kona Airbnb last month with two buddies he’s known since college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Authorities say they got into a physical fight on their first night on the Big Island. An autopsy determined Abhishek Gupta, also of Pittsburgh, was strangled.

Police: 8 dead in shooting at FedEx facility in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Police in Indianapolis say eight people were shot and killed at a FedEx facility. The shooter then killed himself. A police spokesperson says several other people were injured in the Thursday night shooting. At least four were hospitalized, including one person with critical injuries. Another two people were treated and released at the scene. The shooter has not been identified. Police were still at the scene conducting interviews in the early hours of Friday. It was the latest in a recent string of mass shootings across the U.S. Family members have gathered at a hotel to await word on loved ones. The facility is near the Indianapolis International Airport.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(New Brighton, PA) At the New Brighton Borough Council meeting tonight, one of the first orders of business was the approval of a sale of the property at 909 Harmony Avenue.  The property was originally slated to be demolished until a man expressed his interest in purchasing it from the Repository of Unsold Property at last months meeting.  Next on the agenda was an approved motion to include the City of Beaver Falls into an intragovernmental agreement of cooperation for regional emergency management services.  The council then went on to approve to amend the police department policy and procedure manual to include chapter 21 that includes language in compliance with reporting and testimonial requirements, mandated under the U.S. Supreme Court.  Council also approved a contract for the 2021 Road Paving Program, with a paving company out of Wampum for $146,513.96. This project will repair sections of 2nd street, 14th street, 4th avenue, and 6th avenue.  Another item on the agenda was the approval of a donation to PUSH Beaver County, which will sponsor New Brighton as part of the 2021 Beaver County Boom.  Other items approved at the meeting include a memorial that will be built at Townsend Park to honor Vietnam Veterans, and to allow a Beaver County NAACP Voter Registration event at Townsend Park on April 17th.