[April 8, 2024] — During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross asks donors to help protect the blood supply by making and keeping blood or platelet donation appointments in the weeks ahead. Donors of all blood types – especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets – are needed now to keep the blood supply strong enough to support critical patient care this
spring.
The Red Cross depends on thousands of volunteer blood donors to collect about 12,000 blood donations every single day. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential in transfusion care. Blood drives and donation centers also depend on the generosity and valuable time of those who make it possible for the Red Cross to help people in need.
Spring into action – book a time to give lifesaving blood or platelets now by visiting
RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Those who come to give April 8-28, 2024, will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered to win a $7,000 gift card. There will be two lucky winners. See RedCrossBlood.org/Spring for details.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass ® to complete their pre- donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at
the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood
Donor App.

(File Photo of Senator Vogel)

(Cranberry Twp., Butler County)  In addition to his Beaver County Senior Expo, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr.  will now be hosting another senior expo in Butler County, which will be Friday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Discovery Church, 170 Scharberry Lane in Mars.

It is encouraged to pre-register for this event which can be done here.

Representatives from various state and local organizations will be present to offer helpful information concerning healthcare, government services, and more to attending seniors.

Additionally, there will be refreshments, door prizes, and free health screenings.

Should seniors be unable to attend this senior expo, Vogel’s Beaver County Senior Expo will be held on Friday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Community College of Beaver County, 1 Campus Drive in Monaca.

For further information, contact Vogel’s Cranberry District Office at 878-978-2575.

(Photo courtesy of Congressman DeLuzio’s Office) 

MCKEES ROCKS, PA – Last Friday , Iraq War veteran and former voting rights attorney Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced the second part of his Defend Democracy Agenda, his plan to Strengthen and Expand Voting Rights. This slate of policies provides a roadmap for Congress to protect and expand the sacred right to vote for all Americans. This announcement follows the Congressman’s roll out of the first part of his agenda, which focused on earning public trust. He announced his plan at a press conference at a polling place in McKees Rocks and was joined by local and national voting rights advocates.

“Government of, by, and for the People depends on our foundational right to vote,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio. “Voting rights are under attack, including here in Pennsylvania, and Congress must take urgent action to shore up this sacred, hard-won freedom. Today, I am proud to announce the second part of my Defend Democracy Agenda, a plan to Strengthen and Expand Voting Rights. We can, and must, keep fighting for a government that lives up to our founding ideals, where every eligible American can exercise their freedom to vote. No exceptions.”

“Congressman Deluzio continues to be at the forefront of the fight to defend our democracy and protect our rights,” said Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund. “His Defend Democracy Agenda is a commonsense set of reforms that tackles the most pressing threats against our ability to vote. From protecting youth and student voting, to addressing the challenges facing unhoused Americans, to ending prison gerrymandering, to allowing same day registration, Congressman Deluzio is committed to breaking down the barriers to make our democracy more reflective of the people.”

Congressman Deluzio’s plan to Strengthen and Expand Voting Rights is the second in his three-part Defend Democracy Agenda to defend American democracy from the threat of rising anti-democratic forces. The slate he announced today starts with two comprehensive legislative packages to protect the right to vote: the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. The rest of Congressman Deluzio’s plan includes a wide slate of policies that take more targeted approaches to protect and expand voting rights for all eligible Americans. The final part of Deluzio’s Defend Democracy Agenda is themed on election security and will be released in the coming months.

(File Photo)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning E-ZPass customers about a scam that is targeting users with text messages asking for personal financial information.

The texts say they’re from “PA Turnpike Toll Services” and include “urgent requests” about the accounts’ overdue balance and coming late fees, according to a release from the Turnpike Commission.

Don’t click on the link if you receive a text or email message like that saying it’s from E-ZPass or another toll agency, the commission said. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country in recent days, the statement said.

For E-ZPass customers, there are multiple approved safe methods to check your account — the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.

Customers who get a fraudulent message can report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

 

The deadline to submit 2023 personal income tax returns is Monday, April 15, 2024

Harrisburg, PA — With the deadline to file 2023 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns approaching, the Department of Revenue is extending its customer service hours for taxpayers to get help over the phone. This will help taxpayers get the assistance they need before the April 15, 2024 filing deadline, Revenue Secretary Pat Browne said today.

“We know from our experience that many of our fellow Pennsylvanians who have personal income tax questions benefit from speaking directly with one of our trained representatives on the phone,” Browne said. “That’s why we make a push during this time of year to offer as much phone support as possible prior to the filing deadline. We also have a number of customer resource options on the Department’s website that provide answers to common questions and will help taxpayers get their returns filed on time.”

Taxpayer Service and Assistance

Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 to connect with the Department of Revenue’s Customer Experience Center (CEC). Beginning Tuesday, April 9, extended hours will be:

• April 9 – 12 | 8 AM – 7 PM
• April 13 | 10 AM to 3 PM
• April 15 | 8 AM – 7 PM

Personal income tax assistance is also available through the Department’s Online Customer Service Center. The Online Customer Service Center contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the Department through a process that is similar to sending an email.

The Department of Revenue’s district offices are also open to provide customer service. Taxpayers are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment and bring their Social Security cards and a photo ID with them to facilitate tax filing assistance. District offices are open 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by selecting the Where’s My Income Tax Refund? link on the Department’s homepage, or by calling 1-888-PATAXES. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.

Use myPATH to File Your State Tax Return for Free

The Department is encouraging taxpayers to electronically file their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns with the Department’s state-only online filing tool available at mypath.pa.gov. myPATH is a free, user-friendly option that allows most taxpayers to seamlessly file the Pennsylvania Income Tax Return (PA-40) and make income tax payments. Taxpayers do not need to create a username or password to perform many functions in myPATH. That includes filing a PA-40 or making a payment, responding to Department requests for information, and checking the status of a refund.

As a reminder, all taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2023 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Monday, April 15, 2024.

Spanish Resources for Filing

myPATH has an option for Spanish-speaking Pennsylvania taxpayers to file the PA Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40). In addition, the Department has an informational video in Spanish with step-by-step instructions on how to use myPATH to file a PA-40 as part of its Revenue411 video series.

(File Photo)

(Scott Twp.,  Allegheny County ) Authorities are reporting that a man and a woman were found dead in a home along Great Oak Road in Scott Twp. around 3 AM this morning.

Allegheny County Police said both the man and the woman suffered gunshot wounds.

The identities of the man and the woman have not been released as County Homicide Detectives continue to investigate.

(File Photo)

(Wampum, Boro, Lawrence County) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to Kay Street in Wampum Boro Lawrence County at 9:00 Pm on April 3, 2024 for a report of vandalism to a vehicle. Troopers reported that when they arrived it was report that an unknown actor damaged a 41-year-old female’s 2016 Chevy Impala as it was parked along Kay Street. The actor broke the driver’s front side window. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at the New Castle barracks at 724-598-2211