(File Photo of Duquesne Light Crews working in Beaver Falls in 2020. Taken by Frank Sparks)

WEXFORD, Pa. (AP) —Authorities say two Duquesne Light Company employees were rushed to hospitals after being injured while working in McCandless Twp. yesterday. Duquesne Light Company said the line workers were doing work on a utility when they were injured. The company didn’t specify the cause of the injury but township officials told WPXI-TV that the two were shocked by a power line. A neighbor reported seeing a nurse performing CPR and police using a defibrillator. Duquesne Light said both employees were taken to local hospitals “and we’re continuing to monitor their conditions.”

(Photo provided with story)

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

In Pennsylvania, April is one of the months with the highest risks of wildfires. As the weather warms and more residents go camping, state officials are asking people to be mindful of woodland fire danger.

Among all recorded wildfires in the Keystone state, 99% are caused by people.

Mike Kern, chief forest fire warden for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), said spring and autumn months often produce drier conditions with low relative humidity. He added we still have some time to go until we have full green leaf cover throughout the state.

“That allows the dormant vegetation that we call the fuels to dry out faster,” Kern explained. “They’re more exposed to sunlight and wind. With a little bit of breeze, that can allow the fuels to burn more easily, essentially.”

Thousands of acres of state woodlands are burned by wildfires each year. Debris burning, equipment use, power lines and campfires are the most common causes of wildfires in Pennsylvania. Kern recommends residents planning to start a fire check the DCNR website on the day you intend to burn, to see if there is an elevated fire risk, or burning restrictions in your area.

Kern pointed out there are precautions residents can take to ensure their fire is contained. He emphasized from the beginning, it is important to clear the area to ensure there are no combustible items within 10 feet of the fire.

“Before you get started, have some water on hand, have a shovel, so that if it does get away you can put it out, or when you’re done with your fire you can put it out easily,” Kern advised. “Without some water around, it’s going to be tough to extinguish your campfire.”

Kern said before leaving a campsite, make sure all the ashes are completely out and cool to the touch. If a fire gets out of control, the DCNR recommended people immediately call 911.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At the weekly work session for the Beaver County Commissioners on Wednesday, Parks & Recreation Director Tony Caltury addressed the issue forthcoming regarding ice usage at the Beaver County Ice Arena in Fallston. The summer season usually means a down period for the user groups at the Ice Arena, and it potentially could mean a shift in revenue.

“There’s been years we’ve closed the ice and started melting it at the end of April,” Caltury said. “I met with our user groups…last year we saw not a lot of contracted usage during the month of May.” Caltury said that the major issue lies in the seasons ending for groups like the Beaver County Badgers and local high school hockey teams. The only major group that uses the ice in the summer is the figure skating club, for which “it’s an important time for them” as Caltury stated at the work session.

“If we could get 15 contracted hours per week, it would make sense to remain open during May,” Caltury said. “Right now we only have seven contracted hours per that week…if we don’t get to that number, my recommendation would be to stop on May 15.” He did state, though, that the search to reach the quota of 15 hours per week minimum is still being sold to user groups of interest.

(AP Photo)
By ZEKE MILLER and DAVID KOENIG Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has announced it will extend through May 3 the nationwide mask requirement for airplanes and public transit as it monitors an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The order was set to expire April 18, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday extended it by two weeks. The administration had been hoping to roll out a more flexible masking strategy this week to replace the nationwide requirement. In a statement Wednesday, the CDC said it will take the time to “asses the impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity.”

(File Photo of current Lt. Governor of Pa. John Fetterman from Pa. Media Services) 
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania government agency may soon get more flexibility about what to do with the former official residence of the lieutenant governor, located on a military facility. A bill passed unanimously Tuesday by the state House would change the mandate that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs use the State House at Fort Indiantown Gap as a veterans’ outreach center. Because that would be too costly, the bill would let the agency find another use for it and establish a veterans’ center in a more practical location. Current Lt. Gov. John Fetterman declined to move into the home when he was elected about three years ago, proposing it be put to some public good.

(File Photo of Pa State Rep. Josh Kail during Rappin with the Reps on Beaver County Radio)

Story By Frank Sparks, News/ Program Director 
(Harrisburg, Pa.)  Pennsylvania lawmakers voted after a tense debate to approve a bill designed to prohibit transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports. All but one Republican and four Democrats voted for the proposal Tuesday. It would restrict players on K-12 school teams, college sports, intramurals and club teams sponsored by school entities to male or female teams based on their reproductive organs, biology or genetics at birth. It would prevent “students of the male sex” from playing on athletic teams designated for women or girls and provide a way for students and schools to sue, including against athletic organizations.

Pa State Representative (15th) Josh Kail released a statement about why he voted for the bill. Kail said via release that  “Title IX was designed specifically to create a level playing field. Right now, the integrity of women’s sports is jeopardized because biological males, who transition to female, are allowed to compete in women’s sports. From physiological to hormonal differences, males hold a significant athletic advantage over women.

“Lia Thomas, a biological male who shattered women’s swimming records at the University of Pennsylvania, competed on the university’s men’s team for three years before eventually transitioning to a female. Most recently, Thomas won a Division I national championship in the 500-yard freestyle, squandering the hopes and dreams of biological women who looked to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“Athletes who aspire to compete at the highest level could be overlooked for scholarships, as well as life-changing opportunities and results, simply because of this imbalance. While a student can file legal challenges for damages over lack of athletic opportunities among other reasons, it should never come down to that.

“I am pleased to see my colleagues join me in saying enough is enough and support protection of women’s sports. I commend the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Barbara Gleim of Cumberland County, for bringing this important legislation forward.”

The bill goes to the state Senate for its consideration, and faces a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

(Photo of Beaver Falls Middle School taken by Frank Sparks)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) A fire that was reported at Beaver Falls Middle School early Wednesday morning was in a fluorescent light fixture in the school’s gym ceiling, according to Beaver Falls Fire Chief Mark Stowe.  The chief said the fire was discovered by  a janitor and there was a lot of smoke in the gym. According to Chief Stowe the janitor  used a fire extinguisher until firefighters arrived. Fire crews ventilated the building and no injuries were reported.

(File Photo taken by Frank Sparks in 2020)

(Center Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Beaver County Humane Society (BCHS) has expanded its high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinics for cats to three days each week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Susan Salyards executive Director of the Humane Society said in a release “In this tough economy, we are excited
to be able to offer low-cost spay and neuter surgeries valued at hundreds of dollars at a discounted rate, making altering cats easy and affordable.”

Just one un-altered female cat and her mate can produce 11,801 kittens within five years, due to frequent breeding cycles that can start as early as five months of age. During “kitten season,” animal shelters and rescue groups are inundated with far more animals than there are potential new homes. Spaying or neutering is the best way to reduce the number of unwanted and stray animals, and the right thing to do for the cats. In addition to the behavioral benefits of spaying/neutering—reducing or eliminating spraying, incessant howling, aggression, fighting, and other undesirable (and often stressful) behaviors.

The procedure can also help cats live a longer, healthier life by virtually eliminating the risk of reproductive organ cancers and disorders.
Salyards said that “Spay and neuter is good for you, your pet, and our community” “We are committed to saving animals’ lives through spay/neuter. This endeavor is an important part of our mission to help significantly reduce the overpopulation of pets.”
For owned cats, packages range from $65 to $150 per cat to perform feline spay/neuter surgery (including all care and basic vaccinations). Feral cat spay and neuter packages range from $50 to $115 per cat.
Donations that BCHS receives from private individuals and organizations typically cover 60% of the clinic expenses, enabling BCHS to offer this low-cost service to the public as well as area animal rescue groups at reduced rates.
People with cats who wish to take advantage of the low cost spay/neuter surgeries do not need to be residents of Beaver County; however, they must schedule an appointment online and pay in advance. For more information on this program or to schedule appointments, please visit:
https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/tnr-and-owned-cat-surgery-prices/ or call 724-775-5801 extension 192.