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(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Gas prices are a penny lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.309 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                $4.309
Average price during the week of March 21, 2022                                   $4.311
Average price during the week of March 29, 2021                                   $3.010

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$4.297      Altoona
$4.332      Beaver
$4.392      Bradford
$4.299      Brookville
$4.279      Butler
$4.308      Clarion
$4.319      DuBois
$4.281      Erie
$4.284      Greensburg
$4.299      Indiana
$4.283      Jeannette
$4.307      Kittanning
$4.326      Latrobe
$4.294      Meadville
$4.339      Mercer
$4.275      New Castle
$4.293      New Kensington
$4.299      Oil City
$4.309      Pittsburgh
$4.299      Sharon
$4.291      Uniontown
$4.398      Warren
$4.315      Washington

Trend Analysis:

With the cost of crude oil hovering near $110 per barrel, volatility at the pump has slowed. After hitting $4.33 on March 11, today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $4.24, which is one cent less than a week ago, 63 cents more than a month ago, and $1.38 more than a year ago.

Domestically, gasoline demand is defying seasonal trends and has dipped for the second straight week, perhaps due to higher pump prices and consumers altering their driving habits. The drop in gas demand is contributing to steadier prices. However, elevated oil prices have slowed that decline, and if prices continue to rise, pump prices will likely follow suit.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by $1.56 to settle at $113.90. Crude prices climbed after EIA’s weekly report revealed that total domestic crude stocks declined last week by 2.5 million barrels to 413.4 million barrels, approximately 18 percent lower than the level in mid-March 2021. The current inventory level highlights tightness in the market, contributing to rising oil prices.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced that his office is accepting requests for Community Project Funding (CPF) for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Appropriations grants for qualified local non-profits, organizations and local governments in PA-17.

“After successfully securing more than $4.2 million last year to invest in high-impact local projects, I hope that more communities will look at this opportunity to leverage federal investment and apply for funding this year.  I will work to secure every dollar possible for western Pennsylvania,” said Lamb.

The House Appropriations Committee intends to fund community projects on a limited basis in the FY23 Appropriations bills.  Therefore, CPF requests that provide a significant public good and have wide community support are more likely to be included.  The CPF request process is highly competitive, and applicants should be advised that not every request submitted by a Member of Congress will be included in the FY23 appropriations bills.

Only eligible CPF requests that meet all the guidelines established by the Appropriations Committee will be accepted and considered.  Visit Lamb’s website to review the guidelines established by the House Appropriations Committee and to submit a request.  For-profit entities are not eligible for CPF grants.

All materials for FY23 Community Project Funding requests must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 15, 2022.  Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

(WASHINGTON, DC) – US Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced on Tuesday that the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will receive $77 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to construct new lock chambers at the Emsworth Locks and Dams. This will allow large cargo ships to reliably and efficiently pass through the Upper Ohio River system, mitigating landside congestion and facilitating the timely delivery of goods.  This is another crucial federal investment to repair the Upper Ohio navigation lock and dam system.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested millions of dollars in southwestern PA to rebuild our aging infrastructure,” said Lamb.  “This is another a huge win for our region, for creating jobs, and for ensuring that our economy continues to grow.”

Lamb has long worked to secure funding necessary to fix the entire system, including the Emsworth Locks and Dams.  Today’s announcement builds on years of bipartisan efforts to secure funding to repair and rebuild the Upper Ohio navigation lock and dam system.  In January 2022, Congressman Lamb announced $857.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would complete reconstruction of the Montgomery Locks and Dam.

In 2021, Congressman Lamb secured $22 million for USACE to finish its pre-construction engineering and design.  In 2020, Lamb announced that the Upper Ohio project received $7.7 million in initial funding for the engineering and design.  He also led a bipartisan letter in 2019 with colleagues from the region, and testified at the Energy and Water Appropriations subcommittee highlighting the importance of the project.

“Today’s announcement by Congressman Lamb is more great news about infrastructure investment in our region,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.  “Our system of locks and dams are an integral part of our transportation system, and our economy as cargo moves along our rivers at a surprising rate.  This investment also allows us to look towards additional improvements, including hydropower, to build upon the uses of our rivers.  I am extremely grateful to Congressman Lamb for his advocacy for this project.”

“The Port of Pittsburgh Commission applauds the work Congressman Lamb continues to do in funding infrastructure on the inland waterways in the Pittsburgh region.  Not only are our waterways critical to the movement of freight in the region, but also the quality of life throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.  His leadership helped us secure full funding of $858 million for the Montgomery facility and having the additional funding for Emsworth will allows us to be competitive and ensure we can all enjoy the attributes of these rivers,” said Mary Ann Bucci, Executive Director, Port of Pittsburgh Commission.

“I want to thank Congressman Lamb and other members across the region that supported the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  This announcement of funding for the Emsworth Lock & Dam – on the heels of the unprecedented $857 million for the complete construction of the Montgomery Lock & Dam – is a testament to the leadership of our elected officials and key infrastructure stakeholders across the region in championing the improvements vital to our region’s success.  Our inland waterways are critical to the movement of our goods and products, global competitiveness and quality of life.  We look forward to continuing our efforts to reconstruct the Upper Ohio Navigation System Project at the Montgomery, Emsworth and Dashields locks & dams,” said Matt Smith, President, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Lamb will continue to work to rebuild the entire Upper Ohio navigation system, including advocating for funding with which to repair the Dashields Locks and Dam.  According to USACE, more than 15 million tons of commodities pass through the Upper Ohio River system annually, supporting thousands of jobs and companies.

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(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Local organization Pressley Ridge has received its largest donation ever of $10 million thanks to Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife, Mackenzie Scott.

Pressely Ridge, which has a location in Beaver Falls, provides mental health, foster care, and special education services to local families and children.
They are planning to use the money to serve the community.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

Pennsylvania is receiving more than $3 million in federal funding for watershed restoration projects.

Conservation groups said it will help the state get back on track to meet its Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint goals.

The funds will go toward restoration plans for both the Pequea and Halfmoon Creek watersheds, to reduce nutrients and sediment impairing creeks and streams.

Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania science policy and advocacy director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said the influx of resources will play a role in closing a $324 million annual state shortfall in its plan to reduce pollution ending up in the bay.

“This will help the folks that live within those watersheds get the resources to help design and implement these high-priority best management practices,” Campbell explained. “Ultimately going toward improving the streams to the degree to which they become non-impaired and then functional, for things like fishing, swimming, and all those other opportunities.”

The Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint has set a deadline for watershed states to have pollution-reduction practices in place by 2025. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., helped secure the funding through the omnibus spending package signed by President Joe Biden this month.

Campbell noted through ongoing state budget negotiations, he also hopes to see Pennsylvania use $250 million in unallocated American Rescue Plan dollars to address farm pollution in waterways.

“Half of that would go toward establishing an agricultural cost-share program,” Campbell pointed out. “That would help the 50-plus thousand farmers in Pennsylvania, to help design and implement those conservation practices that keep soil and nutrients on the land instead of in the water.”

Within the Pequea Creek Watershed, the money will support cover crops, no-till agriculture, riparian buffers and more, to help keep soil out of waterways. For Halfmoon Creek, it will go toward reducing sediment, land preservation and restoration, and fostering stewardship of the watershed.

More than 80% of the state’s remaining bay pollution reductions must come from agriculture.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press
U.S. regulators are allowing people 50 and older to get another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration’s decision aims to offer extra protection to the most vulnerable in case the virus rebounds. The FDA said Tuesday that age group can seek a fourth dose at least four months after their previous booster. With COVID-19 cases currently low, it’s not clear if they should rush out and get one. There’s limited evidence to tell how much benefit another booster could offer right now. The FDA ruled without input from its independent advisers.

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By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Republican proposal to prevent transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports is advancing in the Pennsylvania Legislature. The measure was passed on party lines Tuesday by the Pennsylvania House Education Committee. The “Save Women’s Sports Act” bill would restrict players to male or female teams based on their reproductive organs, biology or genetics at birth. The bill says athletic teams designated for women or girls may not be open to “students of the male sex.” It would give students a route to sue if they feel harmed by violations of that rule. It covers K-12 school teams, college sports, intramurals and club teams sponsored by school entities.

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
By TALI ARBEL AP Business Writer
The Federal Trade Commission is suing TurboTax maker Intuit, saying its ads for “free” tax filing misled consumers. The consumer protection agency said millions of consumers cannot actually use the free tax-prep software option because they are ineligible for it. The agency says Intuit has for years focused on the word “free” in its ads, running them during major events like the Super Bowl. The FTC has asked a federal judge to order Intuit to stop what it said were Intuit’s deceptive ads during the rush of tax season. Intuit did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

(Photo provided by Hopewell Police Chief Don Sedlacek)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Hopewell Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Officers Joe Daransky and Brian Marvich responded to a 9-1-1 call  on Wednesday, March 2 at 9:28 p.m.  for an elderly woman who fell and possibly not breathing , according to Police Chief Don Sedlacek. The officers arrived on scene along with Sgt. Ron McMasters  began to perform CPR   on the female who was lying on the kitchen floor. They performed CPR  for an extended period of time  to free up time for EMS personnel  to complete other lifesaving measures on the female.  Chief Sedlacek said they assisted EMS  with   loading the patient into the ambulance.