Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano
(Beaver, Pa.) Angela Denise Hunt is lodged in the Beaver County Jail after her arrest on a charge of criminal homicide after she stabbed her husband, The murder occurred in . their Aliquippa home causing his death just before midnight Monday.
We analyzed each state’s intent to play a prank on April Fools’ Day and then ranked them in order, with the results revealing that the people of Utah are America’s biggest pranksters. They were closely followed by Vermont in second, and Wisconsin in third. If you want to avoid April Fools’ shenanigans then you’d be wise to visit Mississippi, with the state ranking last, just behind Georgia.
Our survey revealed that 64% of Americans plan to play a prank on April Fools’ but what pranks will we be playing exactly? There was a three-way tie for the most popular prank with mind games, scare tactics, and telling some sort of a lie all capturing 17% of the vote. Prank phone calls are still popular, as is messing with people’s food.
It seems our motto for being on the receiving end of a prank is “accept it or get even”. These were the two most overwhelmingly popular reactions to April Fools’ pranks, with 45% of people saying that they react by smiling and saying “that was a good one” while 31% said their reaction is to prank them back. At the other end of the spectrum, 2% of people said they are likely to terminate the friendship and never talk to that person again.
When it comes to who we choose to prank, there was a two-way tie between our spouse or significant other and our friends. We are more likely to prank mom than our dad and we are least likely to prank our enemy.
Overall, Americans are feeling pretty good about April Fools’ Day, with 83% of people expressing some kind of positive emotion towards the tradition. On the other hand, 3% of people said that they hate it.
TOP Data surveyed 1,000 Americans on their April Fools’ plans, habits, and attitudes.
(Oakland, Pa.) The University of Pittsburgh is moving to the Elevated Risk level for COVID-19 following an increase in positive cases among students. The University ordered a shelter-in-place period that started at 9 p.m. last night.
During the shelter-in-place period, students should only leave their rooms or apartments to attend classes, labs, or clinicals in person; pick up food; exercise safely; work when necessary; and shop for essentials and medical needs. Group work for classes and student activities should be held virtually.
Campus dining will be available via takeout only beginning this morning. Residence hall lounges, recreation rooms and kitchens are also now closed.
By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER Associated Press
HONOLULU (AP) — Police say a tourist from Pittsburgh has been charged with manslaughter after a deadly fight at a Hawaii vacation rental. Big Island police say a second tourist from Boston who had been arrested was released with no charges filed. Police were called to the Kailua-Kona vacation rental earlier this week when a 30-year-old man wasn’t breathing. Benjamin Fleming of Pittsburgh and Alexander Germany-Wald of Boston were arrested. Fleming was later charged while Germany-Wald was released. Fleming’s defense attorney asked to postpone his preliminary hearing and noted his client has no criminal history. A man who answered at a number for Alexander Germany-Wald declined to comment.
Biden announces huge infrastructure plan to ‘win the future’
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, KEVIN FREKING and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — President Joe Biden has outlined a huge $2.3 trillion plan to reengineer the nation’s infrastructure over the next eight years. He’s billing it as a “once in a generation investment in America” that will help the U.S. compete with China, create millions of jobs and promote tax fairness — and still not balloon the national debt. Skeptical Republican lawmakers are unlikely to embrace the plan without big changes. A major part of paying for it would come from undoing former President Donald Trump’s big corporate tax cuts.
(Harrisburg, PA.) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s shut-off ban is over, The ban expired at midnight last night and utility companies are saying anyone behind on their bills should call them and either sign up for an assistance program or set up a payment plan.
According to the PUC, 890,000 accounts statewide are in danger of termination, and regulated utilities are owed a combined $856 million.
April is National Sexual Abuse Awareness Month, and as part of a campaign to raise awareness, Jodie McGovern, a Women’s Center of Beaver County Therapist, will be a special guest on A.M. Beaver County with host Matt Drzik. Jodie will speak about the various therapeautic services and help available from the Women’s Center of Beaver County to sexual abuse vidtims For more information call the Women’s Center Of Beaver County at 724-775-0131.
Board OK’s renovating governor’s offices in state Capitol
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The group that oversees maintenance and construction in the Pennsylvania Capitol is authorizing a nearly $1.5 million contract to renovate the governor’s suite. The Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday for an overhaul of the 10-room suite. It’s expected to be finished by year’s end. The work will include painting, marble cleaning, flooring, as well as removal of a wall to return the area to conditions when it was built in 1906. New heating and air conditioning is being installed separately. It’s the last part of the Capitol that hasn’t been extensively renovated in recent decades.
The Teleforum program is typically fairly busy on Thursdays, and the trend continues; at 11 you can hear the Best of Beaver County with host Mike Romigh, at 11:30 Scott Tady from the Beaver County Times will be the guest, but before that Eddy will be joined by Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy-Tony is on at 10. Teleforum is every weekday til noon on am1230, am1460, and fm99.3 presented by St. Barnabas.
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health (DOH) in conjunction with the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force today announced the start of the special initiative to vaccinate targeted industry workers and to accelerate the vaccination timetable for those in Phases 1B, 1C and 2. All Pennsylvanians will be eligible to schedule vaccination appointments beginning April 19.
“The vaccine landscape continues to evolve as the federal government is increasing allocations to more retail pharmacy chains across the country,” Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said. “To ensure that vaccine continues to get to people efficiently and equitably, Pennsylvania is adapting its plan to allow workers in targeted industries to access any of the three vaccines available at providers throughout the state, and to accelerate our eligibility for remaining phases of the state’s vaccination plan.
“Pennsylvania’s vaccine providers have dramatically stepped up the pace of vaccinations to an average of 83,000 per day, moving the keystone state higher and higher in the rankings with other states. As we complete Phase 1A vaccinations, it’s time to open eligibility to more Pennsylvanians so providers can continue to fill appointments and efficiently, effectively and equitably vaccinate more people every day.”
Pennsylvania will begin the following accelerated phased rollout:
“It is important to remember that eligibility does not guarantee an immediate vaccination appointment,” Beam said. “Vaccine providers are ready and eager to get a shot in the arm of every person who wants one while we continue to aggressively advocate for more vaccine.”
COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force members discussed the benefits of the accelerated plan.
“President Biden has asked us to make every adult eligible for vaccination with the vaccine he is providing,” said Sen. Art Haywood. “We can do it, we can make the change. We can get more vaccine to Southeast PA and across the commonwealth and target vaccine, so no one is left out.”
“Due to the successful implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force’s revised strategic plan, along with an increasing supply of vaccine doses from the federal government and the tremendous work of our provider network, Pennsylvania is now in a position to pursue an aggressive timeline to ensure any Pennsylvanians who wants to be vaccinated is eligible to do so by April 19,” said Sen. Ryan Aument. “As we expand eligibility, we must not forget about our seniors and our commitment to prioritize them and others in Phase 1A, as well as our frontline workers such as law enforcement and first responders in Phase 1B.”
“We can meet President Biden ‘s request with the amount of vaccines he is providing,” Rep. Bridget Malloy Kosierowski said. “Pennsylvania has done the work to make this a reality. I have said time and time again that this will get better, and it is. Our dedicated providers, who are on the ground every day, Governor Wolf’s administration, and our task force have collaboratively worked together in prioritizing the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians.”
“Today is a day of hope and optimism,” said Rep. Tim O’Neal. “Earlier this month, we announced plans to prioritize our essential workers and first responders by offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to them in the coming weeks. We have now done that today. In addition, we have set a timeline so that anyone who wants the vaccine will get able to begin scheduling their appointment at the latest by April 19. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter every day.”
Residents should continue to use the Department of Health’s Vaccine Provider Map to find a vaccine provider nearest them. The department will continue to update the map as the federal government increases the number of pharmacy chains receiving vaccine through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership.
People without internet access can contact the Health Hotline by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).