Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) seized approximately $16 million in cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana and other prohibited drugs during the first quarter of 2023.

Troopers between January 1 and March 31 seized 229 pounds of cocaine, 129 pounds of methamphetamines, 24 pounds of fentanyl, seven pounds of heroin, 1,562 pounds of processed marijuana, and 65,570 pills of assorted narcotics.

The PSP also collected 1,307 pounds of prescription medication in the quarter as part of its Prescription Drug Takeback Program. Sixty-five PSP stations offer boxes for disposing of unused or unwanted medications 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Table 1: Amount and value of prohibited drugs seized by PSP in the first quarter of 2023

Harrisburg – The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania is among the first states approved for funding under a new federal grant program to bolster cybersecurity for state and local governments.

Pennsylvania is eligible for up to $5.2 million in the first year of the State and Local Government Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLGCP). This funding will be used to continue and expand the cybersecurity services available to local governments through partnerships with the Office of Administration. These services, which are currently funded through an expiring election security grant, include security awareness training, anti-phishing exercise capabilities, vulnerability testing, and network intrusion monitoring. Local governments will be able to apply for funding through a competitive grant program administered by the Commonwealth in the second through fourth years of the SLGCP.

“The collaborative relationships that the Office of Administration has built with local governments have put Pennsylvania in prime position to seize this opportunity to invest in strengthening cybersecurity at all levels of government in the Commonwealth,” said Neil Weaver, Secretary of the Office of Administration, which oversees cybersecurity for state agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction. “I want to thank the members of the planning committee for their work to help us develop the statewide cybersecurity plan and identify strategic projects to maximize the impact of this funding.”

“With limited budgets, it is essential that all levels of government in Pennsylvania work together to address ever-growing cyber threats. Counties and the Commonwealth have collaborated for years to establish programs and services to advance cybersecurity and this funding builds on that long-standing partnership,” said Michael Sage, Chief Operations and Information Officer at CCAP. “Continued collaboration is vital and longer-term cybersecurity funding is needed, but this is a great opportunity to enhance the cybersecurity posture of the Commonwealth and protect critical services and programs. We appreciate the partnership with the Office of Administration and other local government organizations to enable the Commonwealth to receive this important funding, and we’re excited for our continued journey together.”

In accordance with the grant requirements, the Commonwealth established a Cybersecurity Planning Committee to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and identify projects that will leverage SLGCP funds. The committee’s membership includes the Governor’s Office of Administration, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania State Police, Department of State, and other state agencies, as well as the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners, Pennsylvania State Boroughs Association, Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, and the Pennsylvania Municipal League.

(Ambridge, PA) Ambridge Borough has announced street sweeping will not occur the week of April 17-21, 2023, due to a Public Works staff shortage. As a result, there will be no ticketing for that week. The regular schedule is set to resume the week of May 1-5, 2023. Ambridge Borough apologizes for any inconvenience.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A truck containing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of dimes was broken into while it was parked overnight at a Philadelphia store. Authorities say the thieves apparently made off with at least $100,000. The theft was reported around 6 a.m. Thursday. Authorities say the tractor-trailer driver had picked up about $750,000 in dimes from the Philadelphia Mint on Wednesday and was planning to transport them to Florida on Thursday. It’s not clear how many people may have been involved in the theft or if they knew what the truck contained. Responding police officers found hundreds of dimes scattered all over the parking lot, and authorities were still trying to determine how much money was stolen. No arrests have been made.

FILE – A makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Pittsburgh, Oct. 29, 2018. The man charged in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history has for years been trying unsuccessfully to avoid having a federal jury decide whether to convict him of shooting to death 11 people during services in a Pittsburgh synagogue, a trial scheduled to get underway with jury selection in less than two weeks. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

The Pennsylvania man charged with killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue tried for years to avoid a federal jury trial. Ultimately those efforts failed, and jury selection is less than two weeks away. The 50-year-old Robert Bowers had offered to plead guilty to the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history only if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table. But the Justice Department rejected that offer. Some argue the death penalty was made for egregious cases like the Tree of Life massacre. But families of some victims wanted the deal, in part to avoid painful testimony when the case goes to trial.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published April 13, 2023 3:04 P.M.

(Brighton Township, PA) A Brighton Township pharmacy is growing fast and working everyday to better serve area residents. Hometown Pharmacy opened in Brighton Township roughly 5 years ago. Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Operations, Ron McDermott RPh, told Beaver County Radio he is happy the business is in a position to grow with special thanks to the help and support of St. Barnabas as well as the great work of their employees. “Now we’re serving residents next door at Beaver Meadows, and in Gibsonia”.

The pharmacy recently moved across the street from the St. Barnabas Tusca Plaza into the former Huntington Bank building on Tuscarawas Road.  McDermott says work isn’t done just yet, as crews are currently installing a drive thru. He says it should be finished by mid-may.  McDermott says they are trying to get the word out that they’ve moved, as customers have still been arriving at their former location. While a new sign is set to be built out front in the near future, new and existing customers can look for the flags waving alongside the road in the meantime. Photos of the new location can be viewed below.

ROCHESTER, PA – In a continued effort to promote beneficial family services, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) will be hosting his 12^th Annual Kids Extravaganza on Saturday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at CCBC – Athletics and Events Center, 1 Campus Drive in Monaca.

While vendors will be present to share information about services they can provide for parents and their children, there will be plenty of fun activities offered for kids to take part in including face painting, a coloring contest, special character performances, a selfie station, and more.

Families are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for a chance to throw a pie at Vogel. The Beaver County District Attorney Dave Lozier will be present with a Drug Take Back box for disposal of expired or unused medications.

“There are many instances where parents aren’t aware of all the services available to them on a local level, which is why I host this event each year.” said Vogel. “It is a great opportunity to see families come together for not only a day of fun activities but a day for parents to gather helpful information to continue to propel their families forward. I look forward to seeing all who can attend this year!”

This event is sponsored by Brighton Hot Dog Shop, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Heritage Valley Health System, Provident Charter School, Riverside Family Chiropractic, Rosalind Candy Castle, and Spokane Orthodontics.

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

Artist rendering submitted by Kennywood shown above
Kennywood released the following statement regarding their partnership with Primanti Bros.:

In the ultimate 412 Day celebration, Kennywood announces a partnership with Primanti Bros. to create the ultimate fan and guest experience with its first-ever theme park-based location. In celebration of Kennywood’s 125^th and Primanti Bros. 90^th birthday, it’s the perfect marriage of two iconic Pittsburgh brands.

The new restaurant will be located in Lost Kennywood and feature the almost-famous Primanti Bros. sandwiches, featuring house-made coleslaw, fresh-cut fries, Italian bread, and your meat of choice.

“I’ve been going to Kennywood and Primanti Bros. for more than 40 years – just like many Pittsburghers,” said Adam Golomb, CEO of Primanti Bros. “So, finalizing this partnership to open Primanti Bros. inside Kennywood has us very excited. And to be able to announce on 412 Day – it’s about as big a yinzsplosion as we can handle. We’ll see you this spring inside the park.”

“As a staple in the Pittsburgh community, we are thrilled to bring another beloved Pittsburgh brand to Kennywood this season as we both celebrate milestone years,” said Mark Pauls, Kennywood General Manager. “There’s no better present for our guests on this 412 Day than to announce this iconic partnership.”

Primanti Bros. Restaurant is expected to open in the park later this spring. Kennywood will open for its 125^th season on Saturday, April 22.