Man charged with homicide after human head found in freezer
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — A  Pennsylvania man faces homicide charges after a human head was found in a freezer at his family’s home and a dismembered body was found in a bed. Thirty-two-year-old Donald Meshey Jr. also faces counts of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and abuse of a corpse. It wasn’t known Thursday if he’s retained an attorney. Lancaster police went to the home Wednesday morning after a woman asked them to conduct a welfare check on a relative. Authorities say Meshey showed officers the head and said later said he had stabbed a body in his father’s bedroom multiple times and then dismembered it.

Calling 8-1-1 Before Starting Any Digging Project is an Essential Safety Step for Contractors and Those Working Around the Home

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today encouraged every Pennsylvanian to consider the importance of safe digging on this 11th day of August, or 8/11 – which is “National 811 Day.”

“Residents, contractors, businesses and utilities all play a role in helping to ensure the safety of excavation projects,” noted PUC Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr. “That begins with ensuring that the Pennsylvania One Call system is contacted before any digging so underground utilities can be located and marked before work begins.”

Calling 8-1-1 before any excavation project is a key step in safeguarding workers and the public,
as well as helping to prevent damage to essential underground utilities.

Digging Safety

Every time an underground utility line is hit, there is a risk to the contractors or homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized to deal with the damage; and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents.

During the first half of 2021, a total of 3,259 incident reports were received by PA One Call, compared to 3,445 for the same period last year – a decrease of about 6%, or 186 reports.

Every reduction in the number of “hits” on underground utility lines helps to make our communities safer.

PA One Call Law

State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.

The Damage Prevention Committee

The PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee (DPC) works to enforce the state’s One Call Law, with a focus on education and public awareness, along with the investigation of violations.

The DPC is a peer-based group, nominated by their industry or affiliated organization and appointed by the PUC. Creation of the committee was authorized by Act 50 of 2017, which enhances Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Line Protection Act – also known as the “One Call Law.”

The DPC meets regularly to review alleged violations of Act 50 and make informal determinations as to the appropriate response including, but not limited to, the issuance of warning letters, mandatory training programs and/or administrative penalties. Summaries of actions taken at monthly DPC meetings are available on the PUC’s website.

HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY, August 12, 2021, TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING….

Heat index values up to 103 expected.
Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Court tosses ruling against Pennsylvania COVID-19 measures
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and CLAUDIA LAUER Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal appeals court has dismissed a judge’s ruling that threw out Gov. Tom Wolf’s sweeping COVID-19 restrictions. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says the issue is now moot because statewide mitigation measures have expired and Pennsylvania voters have since constrained a governor’s emergency powers. The Philadelphia-based appeals court ruled that since Wolf’s stay-at-home order, limits on crowd size and business closures are no longer in effect, there is “no relief that this court can grant.” Wednesday’s order instructed U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV to vacate his ruling that Wolf’s pandemic restrictions were unconstitutional.

Keystone State News Connection

August 12, 2021

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania is launching an online job-training program focused on helping residents looking for a new career get the expertise they need.

SkillUp PA opens to all residents Saturday and will provide teaching on career fields such as accounting, finance, human resources, information technology and more. The initiative comes as federal unemployment benefits are expected to end Sep. 4.

Sheila Ireland, deputy secretary for workforce development at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, said the courses are critical for Pennsylvanians to be competitive in the current employment market.

“If you look at the world of work and the way the labor market has changed specifically because of the pandemic, there’s a real need for digital skills no matter what job you have,” Ireland observed. “You no longer can be a cashier or parking attendant, and not have some digital literacy.”

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate as of June was 6.9%, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the month prior. The national rate was 5.9%.

SkillUp PA, which will be run through the state-managed employment website PA CareerLink, will offer help with searching for jobs and resume assistance.

Lancaster County has offered an online job-training platform since 2011 and expanded with the SkillUp program in 2017. Over the last decade, more than 12,000 people enrolled in training.

Valerie Hatfield, strategic innovation officer for the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board, said she is excited to see the state grow SkillUp, especially since it is a free resource.

“We’re very conscious of how much education costs these days, so we’re really encouraging people to get the education that’s needed for the job they want,” Hatfield explained. “But the fact that this platform is free to everybody really takes away that financial barrier for people.”

People without access to the internet or a computer can visit a PA CareerLink office. Today, PA Career Link is offering job fairs, open houses, and employer talks, at offices across the state.