First Lady Lori Shapiro poses for a photo with to Girls on the Run participants and law enforcement at Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Hershey, PA – First Lady Lori Shapiro joined the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) yesterday for an event aimed at helping girls build their confidence, creativity, and decision-making skills.

 

PSP’s Bureau of Training and Education hosted summer campers from a Girls on the Run program for a day of fun and learning at the Academy in Hershey.

 

Yesterday’s event included a look at the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted and K9 units, an obstacle course, and a building entry and clearing drill. Thirty-six participants, all in grades 3 to 8, had an opportunity to interact with female troopers and the First Lady. At the event, the First Lady met a junior counselor who attended Girls on the Run as a camper and enjoyed her time with Girls on the Run so much – including her visit to PSP – that she decided to come back and volunteer as a teenager.

 

“It was an honor to be a part of yesterday’s events hosted by the Pennsylvania State Police and to meet so many inspiring girls,” said First Lady Lori Shapiro. “The Pennsylvania State Police was the nation’s first state police agency to fully integrate female troopers into its regular command structure, and today and every day they set an empowering example for young girls across Pennsylvania. The brave men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police dedicate their lives to ensuring that Pennsylvanians feel supported in their communities, and today’s activities reinforce our commitment to investing in young people. Josh and I thank the Pennsylvania State Police and Girls on the Run for their shared dedication to create meaningful opportunities for young Pennsylvanians to find the resources they deserve to succeed.”

 

Girls on the Run is a program focused on cooperative skills and team building through an encouraging group setting. Through lessons that are both educational and enjoyable, participants learn firsthand how to create positive connections with their families, teachers, peers, and communities.

 

“At the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, our participants see women who look like them in many leadership roles,” said Gillian Byerly, Executive Director, Girls on the Run Mid State PA. “This helps them stretch their vision for their own future and dream a little bigger – and we are grateful that the Pennsylvania State Police and First Lady Shapiro joined us to set an example of empowering leadership and to help our participants build their confidence.”

Guests at Idlewild & SoakZone are in for a grr-ific weekend as Daniel Tiger and friends take over the park! This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Best Kids Park in the World, will be the only place in the WORLD to see ALL FIVE characters from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood during Neighbor Days. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet Daniel, Katerina Kittycat, O the Owl, Prince Wednesday, and Miss Elaina.

Plus, the show’s Executive Producer Christopher Loggins will be at the park throughout the weekend for story time readings to park guests.

Everyone’s invited to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to be a part of the fun, including:

• Meet and greets with ALL 5 characters
• Dance parties with Daniel Tiger
• Make a Daniel mask craft projects
• Nature Discovery Walks
• Photo ops

Harrisburg, PA – This week, Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration marked six months in office while continuing to show up in communities across the Commonwealth and serve the people of Pennsylvania – highlighting how the Administration plans to expand broadband access,  working to keep Pennsylvanians covered amid federal changes to Medicaid, continuing to support Pennsylvania communities after recent flooding, transforming the infrastructure and coordination of services for older Pennsylvanians, and more.

 

This week, Governor Shapiro visited a senior center in Cambria County to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s plans to expand broadband access to help seniors age with dignity. On Sunday, the Governor also visited Bucks County to meet with the local officials and first responders leading recovery efforts after the weekend’s devastating flooding.

 

First Lady Lori Shapiro joined the Pennsylvania State Police’s Bureau of Training and Education and Girls on the Run for an event aimed at helping girls build their confidence, creativity, and decision-making skills.

 

Pennsylvania agencies also announced steps the Administration is taking to improve roads and bridges across the Commonwealth, hold employers that fail to compensate their employees responsible, empower Pennsylvania communities to boost the economy, and more.

 

Read about the Shapiro Administration’s work to make Commonwealth services work for Pennsylvanians this week below:

 

Making Broadband More Accessible: Governor Shapiro Visits Cambria County to Highlight Plans to Expand High-Speed, Affordable Internet Access

 

• Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson visited the Northern Cambria Senior Center in Cambria County to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s plans to expand broadband access across the Commonwealth using more than $1.16 billion in funding through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

 

• Across Pennsylvania, 276,000 households do not have access to the internet while another 52,000 do not have reliable access – and with $1.16 billion in federal funding, the Shapiro Administration has a plan of action to expand broadband access across the Commonwealth and create economic opportunity for unserved and underserved Pennsylvania communities.

 

Supporting Pennsylvania Communities After Recent Flooding: The Shapiro Administration Continues On the Ground Recovery Efforts in Berks and Bucks Counties

 

• The Shapiro Administration continued to support communities across Pennsylvania after devastating flooding hit in eastern Pennsylvania on back-to-back weekends, working with local partners and first responders to keep people safe, provide resources, and help communities recover.

 

• In Berks County, the Shapiro Administration worked with county and local partners to open a Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) for flood survivors. Over the three days it was open, 235 people registered for services from state, county and volunteer agencies. The MARC helped to connect Pennsylvanians to state and local resources, including information about submitting insurance claims, the replacement of vital documents, well water testing kits, and access to crisis counseling services.

 

• The PA Department of Education (PDE) is providing ongoing technical support to Antietam School District, which had a middle school damaged by the flooding, to make sure they have the flexibility they need to help students be successful this year.

 

• Governor Shapiro, PEMA Director Randy Padfield, and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll visited Bucks County on Sunday to thank first responders and meet with Pennsylvanians impacted by the flooding. PennDOT is fully engaged in repairs to roadways impacted by flooding.

 

Protecting Pennsylvania Workers: L&I Announces Legal Action to Get Workers Paid Under the Wage Payment and Collection Law

 

• The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced that it has taken legal action against a Franklin County school and its affiliated entities on behalf of 21 employees allegedly owed more than $250,000 in unpaid wages under Pennsylvania’s Wage Payment and Collection Law (WPCL).

 

• “Workers are entitled to be paid for their labor, and employers that fail to compensate their employees should know that L&I will exercise its enforcement authority to get workers paid under the Wage Payment and Collection Law,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker.

 

Making Government Work: Shapiro Administration Completes 74 Bridge Projects and Improves Nearly 1,200 Miles of Roadway in First Six Months in Office

 

• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll was joined by regional and transportation-industry leaders in Pittsburgh to discuss the importance of transportation investments and provide an update on progress the department and its industry partners have made on roads and bridges across the state.

 

• In just six months in office, the Shapiro Administration has completed 74 bridge projects – including the quick repair to I-95 in Philadelphia in just 12 days – and improved nearly 1,200 miles of roadway.

 

Helping Older Adults Age with Dignity: The Department of Aging Gathers Input on Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults

 

• This week, the Department of Aging hosted its third regional town hall to discuss and gather input on Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults – a 10-year, state-led and stakeholder-driven strategic plan designed to help transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for older Pennsylvanians.

 

• In May, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order directing the Department to develop the plan, which will reflect the needs and preferences of Pennsylvania’s older adult population to live where they choose and access the supports they need to thrive and age in place.

 

Keeping Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid: DHS Continues Statewide Tour to Highlight Shapiro Administration’s Steps to Keep Pennsylvanians Covered

 

• In Philadelphia, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh joined representatives from Independence Blue Cross’ foundation and health plans and community health centers to discuss how the Shapiro Administration is working to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals on time, protect their health, and stay covered.

 

• In June, the Shapiro Administration announced that DHS has completely eliminated the backlog of Medicaid provider enrollment and revalidation applications, paving the way for more health care providers to become part of the Medicaid program, and giving Medicaid recipients more options for care. When Governor Shapiro took over, the backlog was over 36,000 applications long, but within his first five months in office, that backlog has been completely eliminated.

 

Creating Economic Opportunity: Shapiro Administration Announces End of Braddock’s Distressed Municipality Status Under Act 47

 

• This week, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the approval of Braddock’s exit from distressed status under the Municipalities Financial Recovery Program, known as Act 47.

 

• The Allegheny County borough becomes the 24th PA municipality to recover from distressed status as the Shapiro Administration continues to focus on boosting Pennsylvania’s economy and strengthening our communities to make the Commonwealth a better place to live, work, and prosper.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing bridge replacement work on the structure carrying Route 588 (Concord Church Road) over Barris Creek in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County will begin Monday, July 24 weather permitting.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Route 588 will close to through traffic continuously through Saturday, August 26 between Allendale Road and Glendale Road. Crews will conduct bridge replacement work. Traffic will be detoured.

Posted Car Detours

West of the Closure

• Take Route 588 (Concord Church Road) westbound
• Turn right onto Route 65 (Mercer Road)
• Turn right onto Harpers Ferry Road (Route 1012)
• Turn right onto Chapel Drive (Route 1066)
• Follow Chapel Drive back to Route 588
• End detour

East of the Closure

• Same detour in the opposite direction

Posted Truck Detours

West of the Closure

• Take Route 588 (Concord Church Road) westbound
• Turn right onto Route 65 (Mercer Road)
• Turn right onto Route 288
• Follow Route 288 back to Route 588
• End detour

East of the Closure

• Same detour in the opposite direction

Crews from JET Excavating will conduct the work.

(Pittsburgh, PA) One of the most popular and unique attractions at Kennywood, the Raging Rapids is back open. The ride underwent a complete multi-year refurbishment project, to ensure it’ll be around for guests to enjoy for years to come. And, this is the perfect summertime weather to enjoy the fantastic upgraded ride and experience white-water rafting right here at Kennywood.

PITTSBURGH (July 20, 2023) – Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), the flagship academic medical center of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), announced today it has once again received the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Mitral Foundation for a demonstrated record of superior clinical outcomes resulting from evidence-based, guideline-directed degenerative mitral valve repair.

This is the third consecutive year AGH and its AHN Cardiovascular Institute team have been recognized as a Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center since the recognition was established in 2019, placing AHN’s program among the most elite nationwide. To date, only 21 facilities have earned this award across the country and AGH remains the only hospital to receive this recognition in Pennsylvania.

“This award recognizes the commitment of our clinicians and caregivers who provide the highest levels of care to our patients, year after year,” said Walter E. McGregor, MD, lead surgeon of the AHN mitral valve program and director of AHN cardiac surgery at AHN Cardiovascular Institute. “On behalf of the entire Network, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to their tireless work that upholds the AHN Cardiovascular Institute’s longstanding legacy of clinical excellence.”

The mitral valve is in the left side of the heart and works to keep blood flowing properly in one direction from the left atrium to the left ventricle. When the valve doesn’t work correctly, allowing blood to flow backward, the heart can’t pump enough oxygenated blood for the body. Symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation often include fatigue and shortness of breath.

Mitral valve repair is considered the gold-standard therapy for degenerative mitral valves and is generally preferred over mitral valve replacement since valve repair is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications. Valve replacement with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve typically has higher five-to-ten-year complication rates compared to repair.

“We are pleased to recognize Allegheny General Hospital for their commitment to patients who need mitral valve repair,” said Robert O. Bonow, MD, professor of cardiology at Northwestern University and past president of the American Heart Association. “Choosing the right hospital for heart surgery is one of the most important health care decisions that patients and their referring physicians must make to ensure best outcomes. The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center award identifies hospitals with excellent processes and outcomes and gives patients and cardiologists the information necessary to make these important decisions when mitral valve surgery is required.”

The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award was developed to identify, recognize and promote the nation’s recognized medical centers for mitral valve repair surgery. AGH earned the award for demonstrating adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.

“This such a meaningful designation as it is contingent on superb outcomes  – 95% repair rate and less than 1% mortality – in a high volume of patients and verified by the AHA,” said Stephen Bailey, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and Chair of AHN Cardiovascular Institute. “We’re incredibly proud of today’s recognition as it further establishes our program as a nationally recognized leader in managing and treating complex cardiovascular disease.”

 

For more information on the AHN mitral valve program, please call 412-359-8180 or visit ahn.org; for more on the American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award, go to heart.org.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 21, 2023 9:46 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, PA) A representative of Dr. Robert Postupac issued a statement to Beaver County Radio from Dr. Robert Postupac, who announced he plans to file an appeal with the Court of Common Pleas in response to the “accusations and illegal actions” that have been taken against him. Dr. Postupac released the statement shortly before the Blackhawk School Board voted to fire him as superintendent. He said “I have been made aware that this evening, some members of the Blackhawk School Board will deliberately mischaracterize and illegally misuse a document in an attempt to terminate my employment contract, I am innocent and the State Ethic’s Commission did not recommend the filing of criminal charges against me, I have been an educator for decades and have made tough decisions to turn around Blackhawk’s once sinking financial ship”. Dr. Postupac goes on to say that his firing would “further widen the deep-seated political biases that certain board members hold against school leadership”.

A representative of Dr. Postupac noted that under Dr. Postupac’s leadership, Blackhawk rose to the 2nd ranked school in Beaver County and to a top 50 school district in the Pittsburgh region. The district had a $228,485 general fund balance when Dr. Postupac was appointed and that number was $7,300,000.00 on June 30, 2021.

 

 

The photo above shows Tony Bennett appearing live with Chuck Wilson on WBVP in the early 1950s. Photo courtesy of Bobbie Tkacik.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Bennett, the eminent stylist and last of the great saloon singers whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” graced a decadeslong career, has died at 96. His publicist said he died Friday. Bennett often said his lifelong ambition was to create “a hit catalog rather than hit records,” which he accomplished through more than 70 albums. Bennett was praised often by fellow performers, but never more meaningfully than by what Frank Sinatra said in a 1965 Life magazine interview: “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 21, 2023 7:24 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, PA) Members of the Blackhawk School Board voted to fire Dr. Robert Postupac Thursday. Postupac and Moon Area School Board member Mark Scappe violated ethics laws by trading jobs for their children within districts. Postupac has been on paid administrative leave since early June, when Dr. William Pettigrew was named the Acting Superintendent of schools. Postupac is still currently employed as the superintendent of Western Beaver School District.

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will transfer leadership during a Change of Command ceremony Friday, Aug. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh.

 

Colonel Adam Czekanski, commander of the Pittsburgh District since July 2021, will transfer command to Colonel Nicholas Melin during a traditional military ceremony. Major General William Graham, Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters, will preside over the ceremony.

 

The Change of Command ceremony symbolizes the continuation of leadership and unit identity. It represents the transfer of responsibility and authority from one individual to another while continuing the mission. The ceremonial passing of the unit colors from the departing commander to the incoming commander physically represents the transfer of authority.

 

“I had the honor of commanding truly great people who give their best for the betterment of our district,” said Czekanski. “As a commander, I’m thankful for my role in bringing people together for a common goal and earning the trust of those we serve. I’m excited to see the district continue its standard of excellence under new leadership.”

 

Melin comes to the Pittsburgh District following an assignment as the division chief for Oceania, South, and Southeast Asia in the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from West Point, a Master of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from Madras University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science from Oxford University. Melin served in key leadership positions such as commanding a Security Force Assistance Battalion. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Missouri.

 

As commander and district engineer, Melin will lead the Pittsburgh District in delivering integrated solutions that minimize risk and enhance reliability for the region’s water resource infrastructure while improving the environment. The Pittsburgh District covers an area of approximately 26,000 square miles comprising the upper Ohio River Basin and extending into five states: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and New York.

 

The district supports commercial navigation on the upper Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers, operating and maintaining 23 locks and dams. Pittsburgh’s flood-damage reduction mission encompasses 16 multi-purpose reservoirs that have prevented an estimated $866 million in flood damages during 2022. The district’s flood-risk management portfolio also includes more than 80 local flood protection projects, which have prevented more than $5.3 billion in flood damages during their lifetime.

 

Media note:  Members of the media are invited to attend the Change of Command ceremony. No RSVP is required.