Public’s help sought after teen killed at Halloween event
NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. (AP) — Authorities are asking for help from the public in their search for a teenage suspect who opened fire at a popular Halloween attraction in western Pennsylvania over the weekend, killing one 15-year-old youth and wounding another. Allegheny County police said 15-year-old Steven Eason of Wilmerding was shot in the chest and stomach Saturday night at the Haunted Hills Hayride in North Versailles. The other youth is in stable condition. Detectives said Eason and friends knew the other youth casually and went to his aid when they saw him in a confrontation with the 15- to 17-year-old suspect, who drew a handgun and fired three times.

By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Bill McSwain, top federal prosecutor in Philadelphia under former President Donald Trump, will run for governor. He made the announcement Monday, joining a crowded Republican field that may still yet get bigger. McSwain’s announcement was not a surprise. He had written to Trump in July, seeking the former president’s endorsement for governor and, before that, had told party figures that he intended to run. It is his first run for public office. The 52-year-old McSwain lives in Chester County and went back to private law practice after more than three years as the U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Pennsylvania, which included Philadelphia.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary John Wetzel is soon leaving the job he’s held for a more than decade.  Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday Wetzel will be replaced by George Little, a top administrator at the agency. Little has served Corrections as a deputy secretary overseeing community corrections, parole and probation field supervision services, and parole re-entry operations. Wetzel was first named to the job in 2011 by then-Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican. His last day with the state is Oct. 1, and he plans to work in the private sector. Little joined the state prison system as director of community corrections in 2016 before becoming an executive deputy secretary.

Prison guards union asks court to review vax-or-test mandate
By MARK SCOLFORO and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The union that represents corrections officers in Pennsylvania prisons wants a state court to intervene over the governor’s recent mandate that they all get coronavirus vaccines or submit to weekly testing. The six-page Commonwealth Court complaint over a rule Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf announced last month requests that the court issue a preliminary injunction to end mandatory testing unless inmates, visitors and outside vendors are also subject to the requirement. Wolf a month ago announced that about 25,000 employees of Pennsylvania’s prisons and state health care and congregate care facilities would have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 7 or take weekly tests for the virus.

(Scott Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were dispatched to the scene of a one vehicle accident on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, on Rose Point Harlensburg Road in Scott Twp., Lawrence County around 5:54 PM.

Troopers stated via release that upon arriving on the scene and investigating they determined that 24-year-old Kayla Haswell from Ellwood City was operating a 1996 Jeep Cherokee at and unsafe speed around the bend and lost control of her vehicle causing it to roll over and come to rest on its right side facing north.

Haswell was not injured and requested that EMS not respond. She was cited for driving a vehicle at an unsafe speed and her vehicle was towed from the scene.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf is committed to a fair and transparent redistricting process and today signed an executive order creating the Pennsylvania Redistricting Advisory Council. The six-member council, comprised of redistricting experts, will provide guidance to the governor to assist his review of the congressional redistricting plan which will be passed by the General Assembly later this year. In addition, the governor announced the opening of a redistricting website at which members of the public can submit proposed maps, outline communities of interest, and submit comments to help shape the outcome of this critical part of our democratic process.

“We must bring more fairness and transparency to the redistricting process, so every Pennsylvanian is assured their voice is heard,” said Gov. Wolf. “I have long believed that gerrymandering is wrong, and politicians should not use the redistricting process to choose their own voters. Our commonwealth and our nation were founded on the ideals that voters freely select their own elected leaders.

“The decisions that are made through the drawing of new district boundaries will affect every person and community in Pennsylvania for the next decade. It is one of my most important acts as governor and I take that responsibility extremely seriously. That is why I have tasked this advisory council with listening to the people of Pennsylvania and providing their expert advice so that I can better evaluate the maps in the best interest of all Pennsylvanians.”

Executive Order 2021-05 creates the council that will review processes in other states that reduce gerrymandering, develop factors to determine if a plan improves the integrity and fairness and prevents the dilution of a person’s vote and offer recommendations to ensure that districts are compact and contiguous to keep communities together and ensure people are proportionally represented.

The council members have expertise in redistricting, political science and mapmaking:

• Tabatha Abu El-Haj, Ph.D. J.D., professor of law, Drexel University
• Lee Ann Banaszak, PhD., political scientist, Penn State University
• Beth Campbell Ph.D., mathematician, Gettysburg College
• Christopher S. Fowler, PhD., geographer, Penn State University
• John J. Kennedy, Ph.D., political scientist, West Chester University
• Sozi Tulante, J.D., former Philadelphia City Solicitor

The council will engage the public, redistricting experts, and other stakeholders to make holistic recommendations and emphasize integrity and fairness when drawing boundaries for Pennsylvania’s congressional map.

Voters’ voices and opinions should have a key role in redistricting decisions. In order to provide direct opportunities for the public weigh in and have their voices heard, the Wolf Administration today opened a new redistricting website at which members of the public can submit proposed district maps, outline communities of interest they believe should be given special consideration in the redistricting process and submit comments to be considered by the governor and Redistricting Advisory Council.

“As this critically important process kicks off in Pennsylvania, we want to hear from you,” said Gov. Wolf. “Your vote and your voice matter. So please, take some time to share your thoughts with us.”

Gov. Wolf has long fought to modernize our elections to remove barriers to voting and improve the process for citizens and election officials.

In 2019, the governor signed a landmark law with the most significant improvement to Pennsylvania’s elections in more than 80 years. The law created the extremely popular option to cast a ballot by mail without an excuse and provided more time to register to vote, among other enhancements.

During this term, the governor also helped to secure $90 million to counties with purchasing new voting systems with a paper trail and modern security. The Wolf Administration also created the option for people to register to vote or update their registration online for the first time, which more than 3 million people have used.

(Photos Courtesy of CCBC)

Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) proudly introduces CCBC Community Classrooms, a new initiative to support our community members who have been most adversely impacted by COVID-19. Beginning in the Fall, CCBC Community Classrooms will provide personalized concierge-style career and education services to prospective students from Aliquippa and Ambridge. CCBC Community Classrooms will be located at local libraries throughout Beaver County, including B.F. Jones Memorial and Laughlin Memorial Library.

“The stated mission of CCBC is to transform lives through personalized education, dynamic partnerships, and high impact practices,” said Dr. Roger W. Davis, president, CCBC. “In pursuit of this mission, we are pleased to offer this unique learning experience to residents. The word community is in our name. CCBC Community Classrooms activates our mission by providing tailored career and education services to our neighbors who need it most.”

CCBC Community Classroom Offerings

Starting in the second seven weeks of the fall semester, CCBC will offer two three-credit courses, College Success and Writing 101. The 90-minute courses will be held back-to-back simultaneously at Aliquippa and Ambridge libraries on an evening or early Saturday. Both courses will highlight employment opportunities, dream jobs and upskilling within the various lectures and assignments.

“We are happy to be part of this new initiative. We have a strong partnership with CCBC in sharing resources and providing programs,” said Jodi L. Oliver, director, Beaver County Library System. “We are looking forward to working with the College to provide Community Classrooms in our libraries which will give students the opportunity to continue their education in spaces that may be more flexible, comfortable, and convenient for students to access.”

CCBC Community Liaison and Assistant Director of Outreach

Demonstrating the College’s commitment to this program, CCBC hired Anitre Bell as Community Liaison and Assistant Director of Outreach to lead this initiative. She will work collaboratively with a wide variety of administrative and academic departments across the college to support adult learners and other community members experiencing barriers to success including finances, childcare, transportation, and academic and career coaching. She will work with a diverse student body, including traditional learners, adult learners, international students, visiting students, and high-performing high school students to navigate the enrollment process, find the career that is right for them, and provide academic support throughout the term.

 

High Tech and High Touch

Community classrooms students can take advantage of the College’s unique, hybrid format, which is a blend of face-to-face and distance learning. Students have hands-on time with faculty by visiting the Community Classroom once each week, and they also have flexibility by working online.

Access to each library’s computer labs and co-programming such as story hours will also launch throughout the term for students with families.

New Student Orientation

An orientation will be held one week in advance of the first day of class. This will offer students a chance to meet their classmates and instructors, familiarize themselves with the library and the technology it offers, and to practice accessing CCBC email and other CCBC online programs they will need during the term.  

Market Research

CCBC completed substantial market research to help identify the barriers facing potential students in the traditionally underserved communities of Ambridge and Aliquippa in Beaver County, Pa. These findings provided insight into strategies and programs for CCBC to mitigate or remove those barriers. 

During the first step of the research process, CCBC obtained a thorough understanding of the existing demographic make-up of the communities and the details of similar higher education outreach programs nationwide. The second step involved soliciting feedback regarding CCBC, continuing education and adult education from adults residing within the targeted communities. 

Findings indicated that they desire affordability, streamlined application process, specifically designed support services, flexible options that fit their lives, career relevant programs, and a short time to completion. Finances, advances in technology, a sense of belonging, and fear of new teaching and learning formats were cited as barriers.

Biden to survey wildfire damage, make case for spending plan
By AAMER MADHANI and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden will promote his administration’s use of the Defense Production Act to aid in wildfire preparedness during a western swing in which he’ll survey wildfire damage in Idaho and California. Biden is aiming to drum up support for his massive $3.5 trillion spending plan by linking it to wildfires and social programs while visiting those two states and Colorado. Biden’s trek on Monday and Tuesday also coincides with the recall election of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The president is set to appear with Newsom on the eve of Tuesday’s vote.

Tropical Storm Nicholas threatens Gulf Coast with heavy rain
HOUSTON (AP) — Tropical Storm Nicholas is strengthening just off the Gulf Coast and could make landfall in Texas as a hurricane as it brings heavy rain and floods to coastal areas from Mexico to storm-battered Louisiana. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say top sustained winds reached 60 mph. It was traveling north-northwest at 14 mph on a forecast track to pass near the South Texas coast later Monday, then move onshore along the coast of south or central Texas by Monday evening. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says the state has placed rescue teams and resources in the Houston area and along the Texas Gulf Coast. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency.