Author: Beaver County Radio

Pennsylvania may pilot virus-tracing app popular in Ireland

Pennsylvania may pilot virus-tracing app popular in Ireland
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A contact-tracing app that was downloaded by one-fifth of Ireland in 36 hours might undergo a pilot project in Pennsylvania that could go live in the coming weeks as part of an effort to more quickly contain coronavirus outbreaks by notifying people who may have been exposed. Lindsey Mauldin, a special assistant to state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, told lawmakers Wednesday that Health Department personnel are working with academic researchers to figure out how to use the app in Pennsylvania. The app is based on technology developed by Apple and Google. A number of states are interested in using the Apple-Google technology for an app, but none has introduced one yet.

Heartbreak of lost football season felt across Division III

Heartbreak of lost football season felt across Division III
By ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer
The coronavirus pandemic has led to the cancellation or postponement of more than 1,800 football games across all three NCAA divisions. More than 1,000 of those are in Division III. Emmett Forde is a star linebacker at Hobart College in Geneva, New York. If the season is not played in the spring, Forde and other seniors in Division III will have to decide if they can afford to return for a fifth season. There are no athletic scholarships in Division III. The full price to attend Hobart is $72,000 a year.

Woodruff dominates as Brewers silence punchless Pirates 3-0

Woodruff dominates as Brewers silence punchless Pirates 3-0
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff allowed one hit and struck out 10 while working into the seventh inning as the Brewers beat the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0. Woodruff retired 19 of 21 batters, including 17 straight at one point. Ben Gamel hit a two-run home run for the Brewers and Keston Hiura added a solo shot. Phil Evans’ infield single in the first served as Pittsburgh’s lone hit. The Pirates are hitting a major-league worst .171 as a team. Relievers David Phelps, Devin Williams and Josh Hader finished the one-hitter for the Brewers.

8 indicted in alleged incidents during May 30 protest

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Eight people face federal charges over alleged actions amid racial justice protests in Pittsburgh two months ago. Jurors indicted people on charges that include throwing objects at officers or into a police vehicle, vandalizing a police vehicle, burning a police vehicle and hitting police horses. The incidents occurred on May 30, as large protests were going on after the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis.  Public safety officials said multiple officers were hurt and three journalists attacked or injured, although the injuries were not deemed to be serious. Damage in downtown Pittsburgh was described as extensive.

Commissioners Openly Discussing Schools Reopening In Beaver County

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Beaver County school districts are within a month or so of their usual return to education for students and administrators alike, but how usual is it going to be?

At the regularly scheduled work session on July 29, the Board of Commissioners spoke about these re-openings amidst the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, and how these administrators are trying to nail down a fluid situation.

“I personally think that the state will come out and say ‘you’re only going to school 50% of the time’ or ‘50% of the students’…whatever it may be,” said Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp. “I think they’re going to get some direction from the state.”

This theory was reiterated by Solicitor Garen Fedeles, who stated that “the state’s mandating them to have a plan in place.” However, Fedeles added that “those plans can be amended at any time by the board.”

Commissioners Tony Amadio & Jack Manning returned to the Courthouse after a few weeks of self-administered quarantine.

House speakers get reprieve from criminal history plaques From Former Speak Turzai

House speakers get reprieve from criminal history plaques
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The portraits of three former Pennsylvania House speakers who went to prison on corruption-related charges have received a reprieve of sorts. In one of his last acts in office, Mike Turzai, a former speaker, ordered the removal of the plaques describing the former speakers’ criminal histories. The plaques were hung in 2014. Pennlive.com reports that House Clerk Dave Reddecliff said Turzai requested the plaques’ removal before he resigned in June. Turzai declined comment to Pennlive. On the Senate side,  criminal history plaque continues to hang beneath the portrait of Robert J. Mellow, a former Senate president pro tempore.

US is expected to report a record-breaking economic plunge

US is expected to report a record-breaking economic plunge
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Having endured what was surely a record-shattering slump last quarter, the U.S. economy faces a dim outlook as a resurgent coronavirus intensifies doubts about the likelihood of any sustained recovery the rest of the year. A huge plunge in consumer spending, especially as people stayed home and avoided shopping, traveling or gathering in crowds as the virus raged, is estimated to have sent the economy sinking at a roughly 32% annual rate in the April-June quarter. That would be roughly triple the previous record economic contraction. On Tuesday, the government will issue its first of three estimates of economic activity for the April-June quarter.

Bars, restaurants challenge virus restrictions

Bars, restaurants challenge virus restrictions
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARC LEVY undefined
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania bar and restaurant owners say they have been unfairly blamed for rising virus case numbers. At a House hearing Tuesday, they challenged the Wolf administration to provide evidence and blasted the Democratic governor over pandemic restrictions they say will drive many of them out of business. Wolf cited rising infection rates in some hot spots when he imposed a new round of restrictions on bars and restaurants two weeks ago. Occupancy was reduced from 50% to 25% capacity, and alcohol can only be served with meals. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections Tuesday for the third time in less than a week.

County Controller Longo Suggests County Saves Money By Self-Insuring Courthouse

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At the Commissioners’ work session on Wednesday, Beaver County Controller Maria Longo brought forth a plan for the Board to consider in regards to their insurance plan.

The current plan that the Courthouse is using, according to Longo, has been largely unused for the last several years, and that the County could have saved $1.5 million by covering their own insurance expenses over the last seven years.

“Looking back [at the numbers]–the risk is low, not that many people use it, and we buy this every year,” Longo commented. “So I would like for you to consider that and the savings for the county as we move forward.”

The Commissioners provided no further comment on the considerations at the work session.

Brighton Rehab and Wellness Responds to DOH Saying They Used Experimental Treatment with out Permission

(Brighton Twp.,Pa.) In response to the State of Pennsylvania stating in a release that Brighton Rehab and Wellness Center used an experimental treatment on residents who had the COVID-19 Brighton Rehab and Wellness said in a release that they  issued a plan of correction on July 7, 2020  to the PA Department of Health. The release states that their plan of correction is prepared and executed  to continuously  improve the quality of care and comply with all state and federal regulatory requirements.  Brighton Rehab and Wellness  can not  receive retroactive written approval  from the PA DOH   for the use of hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with zinc. The facility, according to the response  is no longer administering the drug to medically cleared patients with confirmed consent.

The PADOH will educate the medical director  and clinical leadership on resident’s rights  related to experimental research.

A consultant pharmacist/designee will perform random audits weekly for 4 weeks  thereafter  to assure hydroxychloroquine  in conjunction with zinc is not prescribed.