FILE – Democratic National Committee chair attends a DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting Dec. 2, 2022, in Washington. A week after bitter divisions dominated a national Republican gathering, Democrats holding their own meeting are anxious to showcase just how much they agree on. There will be no party chair fight since Harrison isn’t up for reelection until 2025.(AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bitter divisions dominated a recent national Republican Party gathering. And come this weekend, Democrats are holding their own meeting, and they’re eager to showcase just how much they agree on. There’ll be no party chair fight since Jaime Harrison isn’t up for reelection. There’s no candidate jostling for a White House bid since President Joe Biden is expected to seek a second term. And there’s no national reckoning after a surprisingly strong midterm showing. The only real point of contention for the Democratic National Committee is an overhaul of the 2024 presidential primary calendar. But even that’s largely moot because Biden isn’t expected to face a major challenge for the nomination.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking public input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its online survey found at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.

“In 2021, 1,230 people died on Pennsylvania roadways. Many of these deaths could have been prevented simply by buckling up, slowing down, paying attention, and driving sober,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Mike Carroll. “The results from this survey help us better understand the public’s attitude on highway safety, and potentially allow us to adjust our efforts to reduce crashes and fatalities.”

The survey is available on PennDOT’s website through February 28 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous.

PennDOT partners with educational and enforcement grantees to deliver programming each year to help prevent crashes, fatalities, and injuries on our roadways. This survey seeks information on motorists’ behavior behind the wheel to help inform program planning. This voluntary survey covers several topics including seat belt use, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, as well as bicycle, pedestrian, and motorcycle safety.

The survey was first implemented in 2010 as a requirement for federal funding. Though no longer required, the survey helps PennDOT better understand participants’ attitudes on highway safety and potentially allows us to adjust safety activities as we work to reduce crashes and fatalities.

PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests more than $25 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support behavioral safety programs.

For more information on PennDOT’s highway safety efforts visit, www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

For more information on traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries, visit the Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool.

For more information on PennDOT’s plan to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways, read the Pennsylvania Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

PennDOT’s media center offers social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.

The public can join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BeSafePA. Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 2, 2023 12:25 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) At Wednesday night’s council meeting Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane reported that 3 teens under the age of 15 were arrested for possession of stolen guns, he told council, “It’s getting crazy the parents aren’t involved. “Babies are having babies.” Some kids have nowhere to sleep, and there is no juvenile detention center since Allencrest closed several years ago. The teens have been stealing guns, drugs, and money, and there have also been thefts from local stores. Two fatalities were reported where stolen guns were used in the murders, the chief said.
Car doors should be locked and the doors at your home, and any items in the vehicles should not be in view of anyone attempting to break in.
Residents are urged to call 9-1-1 if you see something call Aliquippa Police immediately.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 2, 2023 12:20 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa City Council approved a motion to have Police Chief John Lane seek 3 new police vehicles to replace older model, high usage vehicles. The department has proceeds of over $34,500 from the salvage value of older vehicles, and the damaged vehicle will be replaced.
Council approved a motion to have Fire Chief Dave Foringer look into a lease purchase of a new fire truck. The delivery time may be 2 to 3 years, and he will continue exploring other companies’ proposals.
A Civil Service Board meeting will b beheld on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 7 p.m. to discuss combing the Civil Service Boards for police and firefighters.
The city’s work session is Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7 p.m. Makin Engineers are to b represent to reveal the WAYFINDING signs design and their recommendations.

Photos courtesy of David Novak
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 2, 2023 10:30 A.M.

(Ambridge, PA) Don Larrick, Jr. Ambridge Fire Chief reported Thursday morning that the fire at 1514 Church Street that occurred on Wednesday morning, firefighters were dispatched at 12:50 a.m. It’s 4 unit complex, apartment complex at 1514 Church Street, the lone tenant, a male was able to get out safely.
The fire chief reported that there was heavy fire on the first and second floor hallway. Chief Larrick said it was a quick knock down, but extensive overhaul was needed. The chief said the fire is under investigation and he is working with the PA State Fire marshal.
The chief thanked all of the mutual aid fire companies for their assistance.

This combination of photos shows Missy Elliott, George Michael and Willie Nelson, who are among this year’s nominees for 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (AP Photo)

NEW YORK (AP) — Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Sheryl Crow and the late George Michael are nominees for 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a list that includes a mix of country, soul, hip-hop, metal, pop, rap-rock and grunge. The Cleveland-based institution announced Wednesday the 14 artists and groups being considered for Rock Hall induction, also including Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and Joy Division/New Order. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction.

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Phil’s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — A furry critter in a western Pennsylvania town has predicted six more weeks of winter during an annual Groundhog Day celebration. People gathered Thursday at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned the groundhog from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he has seen his shadow — and they say he did. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early. The annual event in Punxsutawney originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. Meanwhile, New York City’s Staten Island Chuck made his prediction for an early spring during an event Thursday at the Staten Island Zoo.

Middletown, PA – Pennsylvania Lottery Scratch-Off winners claimed $221,726,066 in prizes during January, including one top prize worth $5 million claimed by a player from Philadelphia, and three top prizes worth $1 million claimed by players from Montour, Philadelphia, and Northumberland counties.

Congratulations to the retailer who earned a $10,000 bonus for selling the $5 million-winning ticket, and to the retailers who earned a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning Scratch-Off tickets worth $1 million. They are:

• 7-Eleven, 2301 West Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia ($10,000 bonus);
• Wawa, 1601 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, Montgomery County ($5,000 bonus);
• Saji & Sharvan, 1700 7th Avenue, Altoona, Blair County ($5,000 bonus); and
• Puff Tobacco Products, 1021 Mill St., Danville, Montour County ($5,000 bonus).

Across Pennsylvania, other big prizes claimed during January included:

• Six prizes of $500,000;
• Four prizes of $300,000;
• Eight prizes of $250,000;
• Seven prizes of $200,000; and
• Seven prizes of $100,000.

The monthly winner list is posted in the Winners section of palottery.com. Not included on that list are the many Scratch-Off players who won prizes of less than $1,000.

Scratch-Off games currently offer prizes ranging from a free ticket to $5 million. Before playing any game, players should read and understand the rules, remaining prizes and specific chances of winning at palottery.com. Check tickets promptly and immediately claim winnings. Prizes expire one year from a Scratch-Off game’s end-sale date, which is posted on palottery.com.

Scratch-Offs are distributed at random, meaning the Pennsylvania Lottery and its retailers do not know where winning tickets will be sold. The Lottery learns where winning tickets are sold only after a prize has been claimed.

The overall chances of winning any prize, printed on the back of each ticket, is stated across all tickets produced in a game, not by consecutive tickets sold per pack. Random distribution ensures the Pennsylvania Lottery and retailers do not know where winning tickets will be sold.

FILE – Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., on April 4, 2022. Pennsylvania voters on Tuesday, Nov. 8, will send dozens of new representatives and senators to the Legislature, thanks to a slew of retirements and new district maps that were revamped by the state’s redistricting commission. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans are declaring victory in a special election for a vacant state Senate seat in a heavily Republican district in northern Pennsylvania. The Republican candidate, state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver, led Democrat Patricia Lawton in preliminary returns from Tuesday’s special election by more than a two-to-one margin. Senate Republican leaders say Culver will be sworn in to the Senate in late February and bring the 50-seat chamber to a full complement with a 28-22 Republican majority. Culver is serving her seventh term in the state House of Representatives from Northumberland County. The Senate seat covers Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties, and part of Luzerne County. Her term would last until Nov. 30, 2024.

FILE – Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 136th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Feb. 2, 2022. On Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, people will once again gather at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summon him from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he has seen his shadow. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not, spring comes early. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — It’s Groundhog Day and people are waiting to learn whether a furry critter in a western Pennsylvania town will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter. People will gather Thursday at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summon him from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he has seen his shadow. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early. The annual event in Punxsutawney originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. Officials are hoping the usual crowd of between 10,000 to 15,000 visitors comes out for the event.