(File Photo)
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Republican primary for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat is turning personal, as real estate developer Jeff Bartos slammed rival Sean Parnell for allegations related to his contentious divorce and child custody dispute. Parnell, the Trump-endorsed candidate, accused Bartos of lying and demanded he drop out of the race. Bartos launched the attack by bringing up restraining orders sought by Parnell’s wife in 2017 and in 2018 during divorce proceedings that are still ongoing. Parnell’s campaign disputed the notion that the temporary orders — granted prior to a hearing involving both parties — were evidence of any wrongdoing. Neither lasted more than a matter of days.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — With the expanded unemployment benefits from the American Rescue Plan ending last week, a new report from the Keystone Research Center showed Pennsylvania and the federal government are at a crossroads and have a chance to implement policies that can build a stronger economy.

The report took a deeper look at the impact COVID-19 had on jobs and the economy over the last 18 months, which showed Pennsylvania had 360,000 fewer jobs in July 2021 than in Feb. 2020.

Stephen Herzenberg, executive director of the Center, said increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour could boost needed support for Pennsylvania workers.

“For years, Gov. (Tom) Wolf has been proposing, ‘Let’s get on the same track as our neighbors in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, in terms of raising the wages of low-wage workers,'” Herzenberg explained. “Our Pennsylvania lawmakers need to get off the dime and get in line with what our surrounding states have already done.”

The Pennsylvania and federal minimum wage are both $7.25. According to the report, about two million Pennsylvania workers take home an estimated $3 billion less each year due to the state’s low minimum wage.

Among other federal policy solutions that the report suggests enacting include passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. The PRO Act would protect workers’ rights to unionize and bargain collectively.

Herzenberg pointed out the legislation could also help to address the ways in which companies contribute to climate change.

“Real worker rights again in this country to unionize are both a way to create an economy that works for all and a way to create the kind of social unity we need as a team to reduce carbon emissions,” Herzenberg asserted. “Because the globe is in deep trouble.”

The PRO Act passed the House of Representatives in March and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Matzie: Nearly $400,000 awarded to educate, protect Beaver County kids from opioid risks
Additional $2.65 million awarded to Allegheny County programs

AMBRIDGE, Sept. 8 – More than $390,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will keep Beaver County students learning about the risks of opioids and help families develop the skills to keep kids safe, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding includes $370,805 to Community Health Challenge of Southwestern Pennsylvania to continue the Beaver County Opioid Prevention Project – one of five pilot programs statewide that team counties with school districts, local nonprofits and the community.

“The Beaver County programs are teaching students in the Aliquippa, New Brighton and Rochester Area school districts how to recognize and avoid the dangers of opioid abuse,” Matzie said. “The programs are also helping families develop skills to protect kids from the risks of substance abuse and other factors that can lead them into trouble.

“The programs have already helped many students and families in our district over the past two years. Securing this funding will allow them to continue for another year.”

Matzie said that a second grant of $22,313 to The Prevention Network will fund the Project Towards No Drug Abuse, which supports at-risk youth.

Both grants were recommended by the PCCD’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee and are supported by federal State Opioid Response funds.

In addition to the Beaver County funding, Matzie said an additional $2.65 million was awarded to Allegheny County programs aimed at preventing and reducing violence and combating opioid abuse.

The grants are part of a package awarded to programs statewide. More about PCCD and the commission’s funding is available here.

(Photo taken by Frank Sparks in Beaver County Radio’s main studio. Mark Peterson(Left) and William Day (right) )

Story by Beaver County Radio Program Director/News Director Frank Sparks

(Beaver Falls, Pa. ) Beaver County Radio Station Manager and Owner, Mark
Peterson and St. Barnabas President and CEO, William Day joined show host Eddy Crow on Teleforum Wednesday morning, September 9, 2021 to make a special announcement that St.‭ ‬Barnabas Broadcasting has entered into an agreement to acquire 1230 WBVP AM/99.3 FM and 1460 WMBA AM and soon to be 95.7 FM,‭ ‬owned by Sound Ideas Media,‭ ‬LLC.‭ ‬The joint agreement was entered into by William V.‭ ‬Day,‭ ‬President of St.‭ ‬Barnabas Health System and Mark Peterson,‭ ‬President of Sound Ideas Media,‭ ‬LLC.‭ ‬Mark Peterson will remain with the organization and all employees have been retained.‭ Peterson and Day joined Crow for the second half of the show. They talked about the purchase and moving forward what St. Barnabas will be doing with the stations. At one point Peterson was asked what he was going to do and he said he will still be with Beaver County as a St. Barnabas employee. Mr Day chimed in “We want Mark with us. He is Mr. Beaver County and we need him”

‭You can watch and listen to the 90 minute announcement and appearance of Mark Peterson and William Day by clicking below to see it as it streamed live on the Beaver County Radio Facebook Page:

AAA: Western PA Gas Prices Steady; Some Gulf Refineries Still Offline
Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are stable this week at $3.321 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                 $3.321
Average price during the week of August 30, 2021                                  $3.323
Average price during the week of September 8, 2020                              $2.569

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

$3.299      Altoona
$3.359      Beaver
$3.359      Bradford
$3.366      Brookville
$3.296      Butler
$3.356      Clarion
$3.323      DuBois
$3.343      Erie
$3.297      Greensburg
$3.299      Indiana
$3.278      Jeannette
$3.305      Kittanning
$3.358      Latrobe
$3.347      Meadville
$3.354      Mercer
$3.276      New Castle
$3.273      New Kensington
$3.359      Oil City
$3.328      Pittsburgh
$3.299      Sharon
$3.268      Uniontown
$3.357      Warren
$3.279      Washington

Trend Analysis:

Following Labor Day weekend and the remnants of Hurricane Ida, the national gas price average has stabilized at $3.18, which is just 3 cents more expensive on the week. The storm took about 13% of U.S. refinery capacity offline and while there are no firm re-start dates, refineries are expected to be back online this month. For now, the downed production could put pressure on crude supplies and prices as the recovery and restoration process unfolds in the region.

Gasoline stock levels are currently at 227.2 million barrels, which is a healthy level. However, stock levels could tighten until refineries resume normal operations. Typically, a limitation on stocks would mean higher gas prices, but with demand expected to decrease going into the fall, price fluctuation should be minimal. Today’s national average is the same as last month, but 96 cents more than a year ago.

Historically, gas demand starts to decline in the fall as schools reopen and summer road trips end, which leads to less expensive gas prices. Despite the dip in demand, the national average may remain above $3 per gallon especially as crude oil continues to price on the higher end.

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.

(North Sewickley Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that they were dispatched to the scene of a tractor trailer accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Sunday morning, September 5, 2021,  at 5:11 AM.
Upon arriving on the scene and investigating Troopers reported that 63-year-old Edward Hicks from Schertz Texas was operating a 2016 Peterbilt semi-truck traveling eastbound on the Turnpike in North Sewickley Twp.  when he was having a right front brake issue which caused the truck to leave the roadway and into a grassy embankment where it came to a final rest. Hick’s was transported to UPMC Passavant in Cranberry for suspected minor injuries. Troopers charged Hicks with not driving properly on roadways laned for traffic.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT is announcing lane restrictions on the McKees Rocks Bridge (Route 3104) in Stowe Township, Allegheny County will occur Wednesday and Thursday, September 8-9 weather permitting.