(File Photo)

 Harrisburg, PA – With winter approaching and colder weather starting to settle in, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and the Animal Cruelty Unit in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) are reminding pet owners, including those who keep their pets outdoors, that they are required to provide their animals with basic needs, as defined by law, or face potential animal neglect and/or cruelty charges.

“Basic needs include proper sustenance to maintain a healthy body weight, as well as clean, unfrozen water to avoid dehydration,” said Corporal Michael Spada, PSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation Animal Cruelty Officer. “Animals need just as much water in the winter as they do in the summer for their bodies to process food and help keep the natural metabolism working.”

Animals must also have access to an appropriate-sized shelter that provides protection from the weather, keeps them dry, and allows them to retain their body heat. The shelter must be clean and sanitary.

Dogs tethered unattended outside with no shelter can only remain outdoors for 30 minutes when temperatures are below 32 degrees.

Veterinary care must be provided for pets in need of medical attention. Monitor your pets during extreme cold temperatures and contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet is suffering from a weather-related injury or illness.

For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit psp.pa.gov.

Source for Photo: This photo provided by the Pennsylvania State Police shows Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, a 15-year-old from York, Pa., who went missing in 1973. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)

LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — A girl’s remains found under brush and a plastic tarp in the Pennsylvania woods 51 years ago were identified by state police Thursday as 14-year-old Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who was last seen leaving for school in fall 1973.

State police said genetic genealogy helped determine the identity of the decomposed body that was discovered near Fort Indiantown Gap by two game wardens on Oct. 10, 1973. The cause and manner of death of Ruthie, as she was known, have not been determined, police said.

“Just because we identified her today, that doesn’t end our investigation,” Trooper Ian Keck said at a news conference Thursday. “Learning about her everyday life and who she associated with is a key part of this investigation.”

Her body was exhumed from a cemetery in 2016, leading to her identification last month, state police said. Her home in York is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from where her remains were recovered.

A statement from her family members thanked investigators, saying their work provided “some closure on questions that have lingered for the past 51 years.”

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(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Meadville, PA) A small rural town in northwest Pennsylvania is using a combination of state and federal funds to implement “green” projects as part of its Climate Action Plan. Meadville’s plan started in 2018 by measuring its greenhouse gas emissions and setting local goals to reduce them, and to make the community more resilient. Autumn Vogel on the Meadville City Council says an Environmental Advisory Council was created, and government funding has allowed them to open the bidding on a rooftop solar array on the Victor C. Leap Building located downtown. Vogel says it’s been financially feasible due to the Treasury’s “direct pay” program, which will decrease the cost of the solar installation. Meadville is also one of two Pennsylvania communities, along with Reading, to receive support from the Green Building Alliance Resilient Communities Program, a private nonprofit. 

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(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on November 22nd, 2024 at 7:44 A.M.)

(Monaca, PA) The six year agreement is between the school district and the Central Valley Educational Support Professionals beginning in the 2025-26 school year. 

An agreement was approved between the school district and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for a student’s IEP at a rate of $178 an hour. 

The board approved a service agreement  with Global  Wordsmith LLC for language translation and interpreting services, according to  a fee schedule beginning January 1st, 2025 through December 31, 2026. Rates will vary  by language and service type. 

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Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) According to a release from Senator Elder Vogel, Jr., on Thursday, twenty-five devices will be given to Tech2Elevate in Ambridge, while seventy-five devices are going to The Prevention Network & Class Academy in Baden, all provided by the Digital Connectivity Technology Program, with an announcement from The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. This will help with access to technology. Vogel states that funding that is federal totaling twenty million dollars in the Digital Connectivity Technology Program takes care of essential parts of the community, including buildings like schools, non-profits, organization to train employees, libraries, and municipalities. Vogel also hopes that the internet will have a much wider accessibility to the community and furthermore, to develop both training to use skills online and to improve digital literacy.

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(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on November 22nd, 2024 at 7:18 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) The Aliquippa School Board approves their superintendent’s new contract. Dr. Phillip K. Woods was hired by the district in July 2021. The board ratified a new contract  effective  Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the board meeting and ends on  June 30, 2029.  It is subject to a mutual agreement between parties, according to the information  received from the district office.

Renee Bufalini was approved  as the district’s grant manager for the 2024-25 school year. Her salary will be $8,500 for the school year. 

 All junior and senior high coaching staff and their salaries were approved. 

Elementary teacher Pamela Owen will retire effective January 6th ,2025, and fifth grade math teacher Elena Antonucci resigned effective November 15th, 2024. 

In other business, a new sound system upgrade for the junior/senior high school gymnasium was approved and  the cost is $50,630.77 and will be paid for from the Capital Project fund. Score Vision software annual subscription for a new video board was approved at a cost of $6,000.00. The cost will be divided amongst all indoor sports budgets. The first subscription is being paid by the Wilson Group.