Harrisburg, PA – Today, PennDOT opened the public comment period for newly drafted guidelines for the operation of highly automated vehicles (HAVs) on Pennsylvania roadways for the purposes of operations and testing. Draft guidelines establish minimum requirements for the certification and operations of HAVs operated by a driver, present in the vehicle or from a remote location, or without a driver (Driverless Operations).

The draft guidelines were created in consultation with the AV industry and the Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee. The guidelines and instructions for submitting comments can be found on the PennDOT website. Pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S. § 8510.2, the comment period will be open for ten days and close August 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

The HAV Advisory Committee was created in 2018 to advise and consult the Secretary of Transportation on each aspect of highly automated vehicles by developing technical guidance, evaluating best practices, reviewing regulations, and engaging in continuing research. The HAV advisory committee is comprised of state department, state and local elected officials, and industry and non-profit experts.

Act 130 of 2022, signed into law November 2022, advanced Pennsylvania’s position as a national leader in highly automated vehicle (HAV) research and development by providing for the regulation and operation of HAVs. The Act, which took effect in July 2023, provides a path toward commercial driverless operations of highly automated vehicles (HAVs) while providing provisions for certification, regulations, and safety. Act 130 designates PennDOT as the sole regulatory authority and directed the department to develop these guidelines for HAVs in the Commonwealth. The first set of Guidelines implementing Act 130 was completed in December 2023 and updated Publication 950 for HAV Operations with an HAV Driver present in the vehicle. When finalized, these guidelines will update and replace Publication 950.

More information on automated vehicles, operations and testing, regulations and initiatives can be found on the PennDOT website.

Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

AMBRIDGE, Aug. 12 – More fresh fruits and vegetables are coming to grade schoolers in the 16^th Legislative District thanks to $97,020 in grant funding from the Department of Education, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver, said the funding from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program will help schools deliver a healthy supplement to classroom learning.

“Eating healthy helps kids stay focused, learn more easily, and retain more of what they learn,” Matzie said. “The new funding will allow our elementary schools to introduce more produce into the school day, so students reap the benefits of that nutrition, learn to view fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks and gradually begin to make their own healthy choices.”

Matze said the funding includes:

• $36,762 to Aliquippa Elementary School.
• $23,496 to Rochester Elementary School.
• $20,262 to Highland Elementary School.
• $16,500 to State Street Elementary School.

To be eligible for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program. The FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals to give students from low-income families more frequent access to fresh produce.

CARNEGIE, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced that the Beaver Falls Fire Department has received $187,428.57 from the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The goal of this federal funding is to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. Along with meeting the needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations, this grant can fund the purchase of critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources. 

Congressman Deluzio’s office supported the Beaver Falls Department in their pursuit of additional federal funding as well as the effort to regionalize the area’s firefighting resources. This grant will be used to purchase head-to-toe personal protective gear for local firefighters and is one of the first steps to provide matching turnout gear for the departments of what will become the future regional Big Beaver Falls Area Fire District. 

“I am thrilled to announce Beaver Falls Fire Department as recipient of this year’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Our firefighters and first responders show up for all of us in our times of need, and I am grateful this federal funding will give them additional support and equipment as they do their hard and selfless work. I encourage other fire departments in Western Pennsylvania to apply for this award—my office stands ready to support your applications as best we can.” 

“The Regional AFG Grant the Beaver Falls Fire Department received along with the Big Beaver and Koppel Fire Departments will allow us to purchase personal protective equipment to ensure that every member of each department has compliant gear,” said Mark Stowe, Fire Chief & Director of Code Enforcement for the City of Beaver Falls. “This is vitally important to protect our members from the dangers of fire which will allow us to better protect our communities. We thank Congressman Deluzio for his support, and we look forward to working with Congressman Deluzio moving forward as we form the Big Beaver Falls Area Fire District.”

As a condition of this grant, the recipient fire department is required to contribute non-federal funds equal to or greater than five percent of the Federal funds awarded. Many other fire departments in Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District are eligible and encouraged to apply for this grant. Interested departments should review Congressman Deluzio’ office’s one-pager and connect with Emma Dawson, Grants Coordinator, in his Carnegie Office.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published August 12, 2024 12:37 P.M.

(Bridgewater, Pa) State Police were called in to assist Bridgewater Police Department on Thursday, August 8th in the area of Riverside Drive for a shooting that occurred. The investigation revealed that 41 year old David Groman fired off at least one round while looking in the direction of two juveniles who were 12 and 13 years old. It was also reported that Groman physically assaulted one of the teens shortly beforehand on the Bridgewater Rochester bridge. Police conducted a search warrant of Groman’s boat and found a 9mm fireman. Groman was arrested and is housed in the Beaver County Jail.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published August 12, 2024 12:34 P.M.

(Monaca, Pa) At 8:14 am Friday, Monaca Police responded to a call that a man had been shot at a residence in the 2000 block of Marshall Road in the borough.  Officers learned that a suspect left the scene in a red pickup truck, and the victim was enroute to the hospital in a personal vehicle.  The victim, identified as a 43 year-old male  arrived at Planet Fitness in Center Township. Center Township Police assisted until Medic Rescue arrived, and transported the victim to Allegheny General Hospital. The victim was shot in the hand, according to the report. His injuries didn’t appear to be  life threatening when transported.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published August 12, 2024 12:22 P.M.

(Brighton Township, Pa) A Brighton Township man was jailed following a gun incident Friday. Marcus Jones, 46, was involved in a domestic assault with injuries in the area of 3340 Dutch Ridge Road in Brighton Township Friday evening at approximately 7:30pm. When Brighton Township Police arrived on scene, Jones was wielding 2 firearms and officers commanded him several times to drop the firearms. He didn’t comply and started advancing in their direction when the officers discharged their weapons, striking Jones, according to the report. He was given immediate medical attention by police and EMS personnel on scene. Jones was transported by helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital. State Police have taken over the investigation.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published August 12, 2024 10:17 A.M.

(West Aliquippa, Pa) The Beaver County Commissioners released a statement Monday morning that a 41-year old male inmate at the Beaver County Jail, passed away on Sunday August 11, 2024. The release states that the inmate was found unresponsive around 9:15 pm. They say there were no signs of suicide or foul play but an autopsy is being performed to confirm the cause of death.
The inmate’s name has yet to be released until the family has been properly notified.
An investigation into the incident is being conducted by authorities of the County Jail, County Detectives and the Coroner’s Office.