(HARRISBURG, Pa.) Governor Tom Wolf today called on lawmakers to support legislation drafted by state Reps. Rob Matzie and Kevin Boyle that would invest $2 million to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Pennsylvania.

Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the soon-to-be-introduced legislation would allow the commonwealth to fast-track aid to thousands needing it immediately.

“America defends freedom. We have always welcomed those fleeing danger and oppression,” Matzie said. “Pennsylvania has the second-largest population of people with Ukrainian ancestry in the U.S. My district alone has three communities – Ambridge, Baden and Harmony – in the top 20% of folks whose families originally came from Ukraine. We have several Ukrainian churches. This is not some crisis affecting strangers on the nightly news. These are our neighbors’ families. This is local. This is real. This is touching our communities.

“The $2 million will get immediate aid flowing to these displaced families. We will be able to help them with housing, food, and clothing, and work with relief organizations to set up longer-term support.”

Pennsylvania Democratic House Finance Committee Chair Kevin Boyle said, “Many thanks to my colleague Representative Matzie for helping put this legislation together; I’ll be advocating that it’s heard in committee, but it’s ultimately up to the majority at this point how quickly we can get the bill advanced. We know we must act fast, because this will only worsen until people all over the world step in and help the refugee crisis.”

The lawmakers noted that the $2 million amount matches a recent federal infusion of funds to support Afghan refugees. Pennsylvania has welcomed Syrian and Afghan refugees in the past, and those efforts have expanded local resettlement partners’ capacity to serve more refugees. Previous funds have been exhausted, however, and need to be replenished.

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are tumbling on Wall Street Monday as another big leap for oil prices threatens to squeeze inflation’s grip on the global economy. The S&P 500 fell 2.1% after a barrel of U.S. oil surged to $130 overnight on the possibility the U.S. could bar imports from Russia. Stocks around the world slid even more sharply earlier in the day, also taking their cue from oil’s movements, though their losses moderated as crude receded toward $120 per barrel. Gold and a measure of nervousness on Wall Street were also higher, though not by quite as much as when oil prices hit their peak.

(Photo provided by Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier at the time of Joshua Diegdio’s arrest) 

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Beaver, Pa.) Last Friday, March 4, 2022 at 2 p.m. Beaver County  District Attorney David J. Lozier announced that the jury couldn’t come to a unanimous decision on whether Joshua L. Diegdio should face the death penalty or if he should spend the rest of his life in jail. Because of the hung jury in the penalty phase by law he will be sentenced to life in prison after he faces other charges that led to the death of Latrell Parker.  Diegdio along with Patrick Haynes are accused of  a home invasion that occurred on September 5, 2020 in a 5th Avenue Apartment in Beaver Falls. He is charged with , drug charges and robbery in the murder of Parker . He also shot Parker’s girlfriend  Alessandra  Briggs.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will not take up the sexual assault case against comedian Bill Cosby. The announcement Monday leaves in place a decision by Pennsylvania’s highest court to throw out his conviction and set him free from prison. The high court declined prosecutors’ request to hear the case and reinstate Cosby’s conviction. A Cosby spokesperson thanked the justices and criticized the prosecutor and judge in the case. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last year threw out Cosby’s conviction. It said the prosecutor was bound by his predecessor’s agreement not to charge Cosby. The Supreme Court did not say anything in rejecting the case.

(Photo of gas prices at the Speedway in New Brighton taken at 5:30 AM Monday morning by Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks)

(Beaver County, Pa.) Gas prices are on the rise again as a barrel of oil topped $115.00. Gas prices in Beaver County have risen another 20 cents a gallon to $4.29. Just in the last five days we have seen an increase at the pumps of over 50 cents a gallon. The average price for a gallon of gas here in Beaver County according to AAA East Central is $4.06 a gallon breaking the old record of $4.05 a gallon set back in 2008.

We saw gas prices this morning at the Speedway in New Brighton at $4.39/gal. We checked on line and Get-Go and Sheetz locations throughout the county are reporting prices at $4.19/gal as of 10 AM Monday Morning.

AAA East Central is reminding motorists about ways to improve fuel efficiency. Adopting responsible driving practices can contribute to significant savings at the pump and ease the financial strain of higher gas prices.

“One of the simplest ways to keep your fuel costs lower is to slow down, as speeding drastically decreases how efficiently your vehicle burns fuel,” Garrity continued.

To improve vehicle gas mileage, AAA recommends the following tips.

The Daily Drive

• Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
• Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible. Combine errands, and possibly aim to get all of your errands done on one day of the week. Also, consider using the more fuel efficient vehicle in your household more often.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling, and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.
• Take advantage of fuel savings programs. AAA members have access to savings when filling up at Shell gas stations. More information is available at AAA.com/Shell.

Ownership, Maintenance, and Repairs

• Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflation reduces fuel economy, but more importantly, tires low on air affect handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blowout.
• Maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular maintenance will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
• Make all necessary repairs. Take the vehicle to a trusted repair facility as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on.

(File Photo)

(Wayne Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle have charged 46-year-old James Raisor of New Castle with harassment with no legitimate reason for an incident that occurred on March 3, 2022 at4:22 PM On Pittsburgh Road in Wayne Twp. Lawrence County .
Troopers reported via release after investigating that on the above date and time Raisor was harassing  his 37-year-old ex-girlfriend.
He was charged accordingly and no other information was released.

(Photo of AHN Wexford provided with release)

(WEXFORD, Pa.) Since opening last fall, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Wexford Hospital has been lauded for its high quality, close-to-home care for patients north of Pittsburgh. Now, the state-of-the-art, 345,000-square-foot facility and those who helped bring it to life are being recognized with a 2021 Building Excellence Award from the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA). Gilbane/Massaro served as the project’s contractor, and HKS Architects & IKM Incorporated as the architects.

The MBA Building Excellence Awards are the highest and most sought after annual commercial construction industry awards in Western Pennsylvania. AHN Wexford was recognized in the category for new construction projects over $25 million. The hospital’s president, Allan Klapper, MD, and representatives from the partnering construction organizations were recently presented with the award at a ceremony held in Pittsburgh.

“It was a great honor to work alongside so many talented and dedicated individuals over the last several years to help design and build Wexford Hospital, including the project’s contractors, engineers, architects and laborers, as well as AHN health care professionals at every level,” said Dr. Klapper. “On behalf of all of our caregivers and staff, we congratulate Gilbane/Massaro, HKS and IKM on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for delivering a world-class facility from which we now have the privilege of providing world-class care to our patients.”

Located along U.S. Route 19 in Pine Township and connected to the AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion, AHN Wexford includes a 24-bed emergency department with pediatric-capable rooms and dedicated pediatric hospitalists; state-of-the-art operating rooms with minimally invasive robotic surgery capabilities; cardiac catheterization lab and hybrid OR for advanced surgical procedures; short-stay observation unit; adult intensive care unit; advanced diagnostic imaging; and more.

The all-private, 160-bed hospital brings a full range of high-quality, innovative health care services to residents of communities north of Pittsburgh, including comprehensive women’s and infants’ care and the only labor & delivery unit based in northern Allegheny County. AHN Wexford has proudly welcomed more than 400 babies since opening. The hospital also offers specialty care in cancer, neurology, bariatrics, breast surgery, plastic surgery, general and colorectal surgery, cardiology, radiology, gastroenterology, interventional radiology, urology, rheumatology, endocrinology and orthopaedics, among other disciplines. To learn more, visit www.ahn.org/wexford.

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 is announcing roadway improvement work on Business Loop 376 (Route 3160) in Moon Township, Allegheny County will begin Tuesday night, March 8 weather permitting.

(File Photo of PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro provide by Pa Media Services)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Attorney General Josh Shapiro today issued an advisory to car dealerships in Pennsylvania warning of unfair and deceptive practices that violate the Commonwealth’s Consumer Protection Law.

“We’ve seen a large increase in demand for new and used cars here in Pennsylvania, and while the vast majority of dealerships are following the rules, there has also been an increase in complaints from consumers noticing bad practices.” said AG Shapiro. “We are putting these dealerships on notice: shift gears and be sure that you are following the law and treating consumers fairly.

Under the Commonwealth’s Consumer Protection Law and regulations, AG Shapiro advised that both new and used car dealerships must:

• Represent and advertise goods or services at their actual price, comply with the terms of warranties given to the buyer; and not engage in fraudulent or deceptive conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding.
• Honor the terms of any contract with a consumer regarding the lease of a vehicle, including a consumer’s right to purchase the vehicle under the specific terms of the contract.
• Sell a motor vehicle under the terms or conditions, including price or warranty, which a motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer has advertised or otherwise represented.
• Disclose any hidden charges in any advertised price of a vehicle, as well as the expiration date of any advertised price.
• Not increase the price of a motor vehicle after the contract has been accepted by the dealer or an authorized representative, unless the increase is due to a change in the law which requires the addition of new equipment or increases transportation costs or existing taxes.

Consumers who believe that a car dealership has violated the law should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555.