Photo of the scene by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 19, 2022 11:40 A.M.
(Beaver Falls, PA) Firefighters were dispatched to the 1600 block of Seventh Avenue on Wednesday, upon arrival, there was no fire, just smoke that had to be removed from the building. The cause wasn’t reported by Beaver County 9-1-1.
Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is highlighting safe driving tips in conjunction with Winter Driving Awareness Week, which runs through January 21.
As the winter season is underway, drivers should prepare their vehicles for the winter by checking fluid levels, lights, defrosters and windshield wiper blades, in addition to ensuring proper tire air pressure and adequate tread depth. If maintaining the vehicle is a challenge for the owner, these minor checks can be conducted by an auto care professional.
Emergency kits should be replenished each season to keep motorists and their passengers safe in the event they are stuck in the vehicle. Supplies may include non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. Kits can be tailored to the specific needs of the individuals in the vehicle, with items such as baby supplies, extra medication, pet supplies or even children’s games.
Motorists are reminded the law requires drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of the law are subject to a fine of $50. Additionally, motorists can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious injury.
PennDOT also advises drivers to stay in during inclement weather unless it’s necessary to be out. If traveling is necessary, practice the following winter driving tips:
Additionally, when encountering a plow truck on the road, give it plenty of space, staying at least six car lengths behind. There may be blind spots where it is difficult for the plow operator to see the smaller vehicle. Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a “plow train,” and keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle.
To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, visit PennDOT.pa.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
For more PennDOT information, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter.
For regional twitter updates, visit 511PAPittsburgh.
As efforts continue to create a positive, prosperous Commonwealth for Pennsylvania’s future generations, House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) will be hosting a press conference to highlight the vision of the committee and to introduce the deputy policy chairs.
Chairman Kail; Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Cumberland/Adams); Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland); Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana); Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks); and others.
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 23, at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Ryan Office Building Atrium
LIVESTREAM: Barring any technical difficulties, the press conference will be streamed online at www.PAGOPPolicy.com, www.PAHouseGOP.com, www.RepKail.com, www.Facebook.com/RepKail and www.Facebook.com/pagoppolicy.
File Photo
Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) and members of the House Republican Policy Committee will be hosting a hearing titled “Constitutional Amendments – Why We Care” on Senate Bill 1, a joint resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide for a two-year window for victims of childhood sexual assault to file previously time-barred claims, to authorize the General Assembly to disapprove regulations, and require voters to present identification when casting a ballot.
Chairman Kail; members of the committee; Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair/Huntingdon); David Taylor, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association; Grant Gulibon, environmental specialist for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau; and others.
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: House Majority Caucus Room, Room 140, Main Capitol
LIVESTREAM: Barring any technical difficulties, the press conference will be streamed online at www.PAGOPPolicy.com, www.PAHOUSEGOP.com, www.RepKail.com, www.Facebook.com/RepKail and www.Facebook.com/pagoppolicy.
File Photo
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 19, 2022
At Tuesday night’s supervisors meeting it was announced that they are evaluating the current municipal building’s renovation. Bill DiCioccio, chairman, said that the current site plan for the municipal complex is also being evaluated. A tax assessment appeal filed by Kohl’s Department Store has been settled. The value of the building has been updated. The agreement with Potter Township to provide them with police services was also approved.
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 19, 2022
(Pittsburgh, PA) Ashley Mycik, external communications for Duquesne Light reported Wednesday that Kristy Stone has been named chief customer officer (CCO) as of January 3, 2023. she is responsible for further developing DLH’s culture of customer centricity and ensuring that the company’s vision of a “clean energy for all” benefits all communities in the Pittsburgh region. Lisa Davidson was appointed to chief human resources office (CHRO) effective as of January 16, 2023. She oversees talent acquisition, performance management, employee and labor relations, benefits and training, according to Ms. Mycik.
Photos and video of the scene by Keith Walsh – Beaver County Radio
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published January 19, 2022
(Zelienople, PA) Fire departments were called to Timberbrook court in Zelienople last night just before midnight for a fire at a set of townhomes. Multiple residences among the townhomes were severely damaged by the fire. We haven’t learned of any injuries, but the fire is believed to have started from a vehicle parked in a driveway.
RAW VIDEO:
More photos from the scene of the fire:
(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
After many months of the process, the goal line for the property reassessment in Beaver County seems to be in sight.
Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles provided the latest updates at the Commissioners’ weekly work session on Wednesday. “In March, all property owners are going to be getting what’s called a preliminary assessed value of their property,” Fedeles said. “This figure going out in March should be a figure that you believe that your house could sell for.”
Tyler Technologies–the company handling the property reassessment for Beaver County–will have a process available throughout April and May, where anyone with questions or concerns regarding their assessed value can contact Tyler Technologies with their inquiries. “We’re still finalizing where that will be held,” Fedeles added. “Most likely that’s gonna be available to citizens through a multitude of avenues; whether it’s in-person, via phone, or via teams/Zoom calls.”
Fedeles also stated that the final evaluations for the properties will be sent out in July, launching the closing stages of a multi-year process for county government and county citizens.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Beaver County Treasurer Sandie Egley made an inquiry to the Commissioners for them to investigate–and potentially create a resolution for– the allowance for any veteran in Beaver County who is 100% disabled to receive tax-exempt status. Currently, the state code only provides the status for those whose disabilities were the result of combat.
“I can’t imagine there aren’t that many people that this would effect,” Egley stated, “but to that one person, it would mean a lot.” Egley added that the Treasurer’s Association will approach representatives in Harrisburg about the matter, while Solicitor Fedeles said that the Board of Commissioners would look into the matter as well.
Closing out the meeting was a request from Gerry States, the Commander for American Legion Post 641 in Baden. The request was for the Commissioners to donate a portion of the expenses that Post 641 put into a recent donation drive for seniors in Beaver County, at the amount of roughly $8,000. States asked that the donation be “fair”–as in, the Commissioners wouldn’t have to pay for all of it–but Commissioner Dan Camp requested that States would request for a full donation up front, after which the Commissioners would then donate a percentage of that requested amount.
States also informed the Commissioners that the American Flag in the meeting space was in the wrong place–to the left of the Board and to the right of the audience, when it should be to the right of the Board and the left of the audience. Those changes will be made prior to the next work session, which is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 25 at the County Courthouse.
Published by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director
We can expect cloudy skies with a high near 41 and light wind. Showers are likely tonight going down to a low of 36. Some showers could be heavy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
FILE – Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro speaks at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pa., on Jan. 11, 2023. Shapiro will become the 48th governor of Pennsylvania at Tuesday’s Jan. 17 inauguration at the state Capitol, taking the oath of office in the nation’s fifth-most populous on the heels of a blowout win in November’s election. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, on his first full day in office, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that effective immediately, 92 percent of state government jobs – about 65,000 positions – do not require a four-year college degree. As part of that announcement, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2023-03, the first of his Administration, instructing the Office of Administration to emphasize skills and experience in Commonwealth job postings and ordering a review of the remaining 8 percent of state government jobs that currently require a four-year degree, many of which are required statutorily required.
Governor Shapiro also ordered all state agencies under his jurisdiction to take steps to emphasize work experience in their hiring. As part of that order, the Shapiro Administration launched a new website where applicants can easily search among the thousands of open positions that don’t require a four-year degree. That website is now linked from the homepage at www.employment.pa.gov.
“Every Pennsylvanian should have the freedom to chart their own course and have a real opportunity to succeed. They should get to decide what’s best for them – whether they want to go to college or straight into the workforce – not have that decided for them. Today, we are making sure Pennsylvanians know that the doors of opportunity are wide open to those who want to serve our Commonwealth, regardless of whether or not they have a degree” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “I want to make it clear to all Pennsylvanians, whether they went to college or they gained experience through work, job training, or an apprenticeship program: we value your skills and talents, and we want you to apply for a job with the Commonwealth.”
Governor Shapiro was joined at today’s announcement by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver, Beth Christian, and Darice Mayhew – the latter two of whom are Commonwealth employees who have worked their way up in government service without a four-year degree.
“As a long-time Commonwealth employee who does not have a four-year degree, Governor Shapiro’s signing of this Executive Order means so much to me, both personally and professionally,” said Acting Deputy Secretary of Administration Beth Christian. “This Executive Order tells current Commonwealth employees and anyone looking to come work for the state of Pennsylvania, we support you, with or without a degree. Thank you, Governor Shapiro for recognizing the importance of this topic and ensuring that removing barriers for state employment is a priority.”
Getting a four-year college degree is only one path to building skills and expertise in a particular field. According to the Department of Labor & Industry, more than seven million Pennsylvanians do not hold a four-year degree, and millions of Pennsylvanians develop their skills through alternative routes such as two-year degree programs, apprenticeships, military service, job training, and on-the-job experience.
Governor Shapiro has pledged to invest in apprenticeships, vocational training, and career and technical education, saying in his Inaugural Address that “real freedom that comes when we create pathways to new opportunities by investing in vo-tech and job training programs.”