GM issues 2nd Bolt recall; faulty batteries can cause fires
By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is recalling some older Chevrolet Bolts for a second time to fix persistent battery problems that can set the electric cars ablaze. Until repairs are done, GM says owners should park the cars outdoors and limit charging to 90% of battery capacity. They also should not deplete batteries below 70 miles of range. GM says the Bolts should not be charged overnight, and should be parked outside immediately after they are charged. The second recall comes after two Bolts that had been fixed under a previous recall caught fire. It covers about 69,000 Bolts worldwide from 2017, 2018 and part of the 2019 model year. GM says it’s still working on repairs but it’s likely battery parts will be replaced.

(photos taken by Kevin Taylor of Aliquippa. Used with his permission)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Center Twp., Pa.) Center Township Police and Firefighters were assisted by Monaca Fire Department  in responding  to a three vehicle accident  between Old Brodhead Road and  Herzog’s garage at 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 2021.   According to a report, one of the vehicles crossed the median into traffic. Another vehicle caught fire. There were injuries reported and  the victims were transported to local hospitals by  ambulance. None of the victims were identified in the release.

The cause is under investigation by Center Township Police.

You can see photos of the accident below that were taken by Kevin Taylor of Aliquippa. The Photos and video were used with his permission:

 

 

Live Daniel Tiger Shows Return to Idlewild and SoakZone as Operating Hours Expand

Stage show from beloved kids’ program returns, along with longer weekend hours and
Season Passholder-exclusive events

LIGONIER, PA- Idlewild and SoakZone welcomes back Daniel Tiger, Katerina Kittycat, and more friends to its neighborhood as The Best Kids’ Park in the World launches into a whole new level of fun with one month to go in this summer’s daily operating schedule.

With conditions continuing to improve in this comeback summer, Idlewild’s popular stage show, Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Day, returns to the Raccoon Lagoon section of the Ligonier landmark. Children can enjoy live performances every hour from noon until 4 p.m. Come August 1, an all-new show, Dance! Dance! Dance!, debuts to get every member of the family movin’ and groovin’ to popular tunes. A royal return is also underway: Princess Lily is back in Story Book Forest! Young lords and ladies can meet with the princess, residing at Story Book Forest’s castle. All these new friends create a need for more time for fun, and Idlewild is ready to deliver: on July’s remaining Fridays and Saturdays, the park will remain open until 8 p.m. those nights.

“We are seeing increased demand from our guests to visit our beautiful park and enjoy our family-friendly thrills,” said Idlewild and SoakZone General Manager Brandon Leonatti. “Adding these exciting entertainment options rounds out a great day at the Best Kids’ Park in the World.

Season Passholders have even more reason to celebrate: two exclusive Passholder Appreciation Days were just added to the Idlewild calendar on July 27 and August 10, offering early access to the SoakZone’s Wowabunga Family Wave Pool, Lazy River, and Little Squirts. Plus, special activities and giveaways that morning – what better way to start a day!

For more information on park hours, the new entertainment lineup and to purchase tickets or Season Passes, visit Idlewild.com.

The park continues to seek Team Members for seasonal employment. Rates start as high as  $18.25 per hour.  Interested candidates should apply online at www.idlewild.com/employment.

Court says leaving scene of triple fatal is 1 charge, not 3
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania appeals court says a truck driver who killed three people on an interstate outside Harrisburg can’t be sentenced to three consecutive terms for leaving the scene of the crash he caused while driving drunk. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Jack Edward Satterfield can’t be ordered to serve, one after another, the three terms of three to six years. The 32-year-old man pleaded guilty to three counts of homicide by vehicle and other offenses for the October 2019 crash. Satterfield’s blood alcohol level was found to be 0.15%. He’s serving a 28 1/2- to 63-year term, but now will be resentenced.

(North Sewickley, Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that they were dispatched to the scene of a one vehicle accident on the Pa turnpike in North Sewickley at mile marker 18.6 for a one vehicle accident earlier this week when Dhruvin Bhavsar was operating a 2017 Mercedes c300 and lost control of the vehicle on the wet roadway and hit the Jersey barrier in the middle of the highway. Bhavsar was not injured and was issued a written warning for driving a vehicle at a safe speed.

Route 288 Zelienople Road Improvements Begin Next Week in Franklin Township

Long-term Closure of Route 288 Starts Monday

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the closure of a section of Zelienople Road (Route 288) in Franklin Township, Beaver County, will begin Monday morning, July 26 weather permitting.

A section of Zelienople Road between Lake Road and Old Furnace Road will close to through traffic beginning at 7 a.m. Monday continuously through early November as work begins on the Route 288 realignment project. Improvement work includes roadway realignment, paving, storm sewer installation, grading and subbase work, sign upgrades, guiderail updates, and pavement marking installation. To allow the work to occur, traffic will be detoured. Separate truck and car detours will be implemented.

Posted Detours

Car Detour

West of the Closure

• From Route 288, take Old Furnace Road (Route 1009) westbound
• Turn left onto Hartzell School Road and cross the Connoquenessing Creek
• Turn left onto Route 588
• Follow Route 588 back to Route 288
• End detour

East of the Closure

• Same detour in the opposite direction

Truck Detour

West of the Closure

• Follow Route 288 westbound to Route 65
• Turn left onto Route 65
• Turn left onto Route 588
• Follow Route 588 back to Route 288
• End detour

East of the Closure

• Same detour in the opposite direction

Additionally, Lake Road will close to traffic between Route 288 and Dutch Road from 7 a.m. Monday continuously through early November. Through traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detour

West of the Closure

• From Route 288, take Old Furnace Road (Route 1009) westbound
• Turn left onto Hartzell School Road and cross the Connoquenessing Creek
• Turn left onto Route 588
• Turn left onto Route 19
• Turn left onto Fanker Road
• Fanker Road becomes Lake Road
• End detour

East of the Closure

• Same detour in the opposite direction

The $1.59 million project, sponsored by the Zelienople Airport Authority, consists of realigning Zelienople Road and Lake Road, vertically lowering Zelienople Road, widening Lake Road, pipe and inlet installation, grading and paving, and other miscellaneous work. The overall project is anticipated to conclude in the spring of 2022.  Independence Excavating, Inc. is the prime contractor.

Motorists are advised to use caution, slow down and expect changing traffic patterns.  Work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways 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.

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

Ex-jail medical assistant arrested on sexual assault charges
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A former medical assistant at the Allegheny County Jail is facing charges of institutional sexual assault and indecent assault after three female inmates filed complaints about the man. Shiquille Desesso was arrested Thursday and was awaiting arraignment, Allegheny County Police said. Online court information showed the 29-year-old Desesso initially declined a public defender, but no other attorney information was available on the court website. The department did not name the inmates or release details of Desesso’s alleged conduct, but called it “concerning” and described it as “inappropriate touching.”

Governor says his position on voter ID hasn’t changed
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
LOGANVILLE, Pa. (AP) — With talks on wider election-related legislation at a standstill, Gov. Tom Wolf says his position on expanding Pennsylvania’s voter identification requirements hasn’t changed, and that he’s against anything that would “suppress the vote.” When Wolf vetoed a Republican-penned election bill on June 30, he cited a list of reasons, including imposing additional voter ID restrictions. Hours later, at a news conference, he said, “we can have that conversation” about whether Pennsylvania’s existing voter ID requirements are enough. On Thursday, he said, “I’m willing to have a conversation about voting reform. … But if you’re trying to suppress the vote, that’s just a nonstarter for me.”