(File Photo of Rep. Matzie)

 AMBRIDGE, Nov. 22 – The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority on Thursday approved distribution of more than 9,100 laptop computers to community entities statewide to help connect residents who lack digital technology, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced.

Matzie, who sits on the PBDA board, said that under the Digital Connectivity Technology Program, the Baden-based Prevention Network and CLASS Academy will receive 75 laptops, and the Ambridge-based computer training school Tech2Elevate will receive 25 laptops.

“Having reliable, high-speed internet means having instant access to job openings, training programs, health and safety information, online shopping and so many other resources,” Matzie said. “But too many people still lack these essential connections. Getting these laptops to organizations that can make them available to residents will help us close that digital divide.”
Matzie said that in addition to the laptops going to Beaver County organizations, more than 2,000 laptops will be distributed to 25 Allegheny County organizations, including 200 laptops to the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

Along with the equipment, Matzie said the PBDA will partner with the state Department of Labor and Industry and PA CareerLink® to introduce program participants to SkillUp™ PA, which offers no-cost online job skills training to the public.

The Digital Connectivity Technology Program is funded under the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, which was established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The program aims to increase access to technology where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use. The PBDA will distribute $20 million in devices through a competitive grant process to public-facing community anchor institutions and units of local government.
A second round of laptop applications will open in 2025.

A list of recipients is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/download/covid-19-arpa-pennsylvania-digital-connectivity-technology-program/?wpdmdl=125481, and more on the program is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-arpa-digital-connectivity-technology-program/.

(File Photo)

 Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt released the following statement:

“Following Sen. Casey’s concession announcement yesterday afternoon, his campaign submitted a request to the Department of State to halt ongoing recount efforts.

“Last night, the Department informed county elections officials to cease their recount activities because Sen. Casey withdrew and continuing the recount would not be in the best interest of taxpayers.

“Thank you to all of Pennsylvania’s elections officials for their hard work throughout this election cycle, including counting millions of ballots and continuing to diligently conduct two audits to ensure every eligible vote cast in the Nov. 5 election is accurately counted.”

After the completion of those two audits to ensure the reported outcomes are correct, counties must certify election results by Nov. 25.

(Photo Provided With Release)

CHICAGO – (November 22, 2024) – Next year, McDonald’s is giving customers even more ways to enjoy the food they love, for less. Starting Jan. 7, the Golden Arches will introduce its highly anticipated new value platform, McValue^TM, in restaurants across the country.

McValue will include current fan-favorites like the $5 Meal Deal, exclusive in-app offers, and local food and drink deals – plus, a brand-new Buy One, Add One for $1 offer on popular items for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“When it comes to value, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all. We’ve worked closely with our franchisees to create a new platform that will let our customers define value on their own terms,” said Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA. “From deals on their personal go-to order to universal favorites like the $5 Meal Deal, we’re excited to give fans more ways to save every time they visit one of our restaurants.”

 

 

Buy One, Add One for $1

Customers will be able to customize their own deals, mixing and matching their favorite items, thanks to the new Buy One, Add One for $1 offer. Here’s how it works: buy one full-priced menu item from the McValue menu and add one more item of your choice for just $1.*

McValue Breakfast Buy One, Add One for $1 menu items include:

• Sausage McMuffin®
• Sausage Biscuit
• Sausage Burrito
• Hash Browns

McValue Lunch/Dinner Buy One, Add One for $1 menu items include:

• 6-pc. Chicken McNuggets
• Double Cheeseburger
• McChicken®
• Small Fries

$5 Meal Deal & More

The McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal has officially been extended through next summer and will now be part of the McValue platform. The $5 Meal Deal features the choice of a McDouble® or McChicken® sandwich, small fries, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets® and a small soft drink – all for just $5.**

In partnership with franchisees in communities across the country,*** McDonald’s will continue to offer local deals and in-App offers you can count on as well.

“As local small business owners, my fellow franchisees and I are always listening to what our customers want from their neighborhood McDonald’s,” said Cory Watson, McDonald’s Owner/Operator and National Value Chair for 2025. “No matter the city or the state, they’re telling us how important it is for them to find their favorite meals at affordable prices. And we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we’re committed to continuing to serve up great local deals – from special discount pricing on fan-favorite a-la-carte items to unique meal bundles, you can find great prices on iced coffees, soft drinks, cheeseburgers, chicken McNuggets and more. We have great value for everyone, whether you’re a party of one or feeding the whole family.”

*Valid for item of equal or lesser value.

**Prices and participation may vary. McDouble® meal options may be priced at $6 at select restaurants.

***Local deals and offers will vary, as McDonald’s franchisees are independent business owners who set their own pricing.

(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.”

(File Photo)

(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. 

(File Photo)

(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. 

 

(File Photo)

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.