Category: News

Man Shot and Killed in Aliquippa, State Police Asking For Help

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) A man believed to be in his 20’s was shot multiple times and killed after midnight  outside the Valley Terrace Housing Complex on Superior Avenue.  The state police are investigating and asking for the public’s help to find the suspect or suspects responsible.  Please call them at 724-773-7400 if you have information.

National Radio Day on Teleforum

Friday is National Radio day and suprise special radio-related guests are slated and ready for Friday’s Teleforum! And because it’s Friday, it’s a visit from Norm-Norm Mitry of Heritage Valley Health systems will be a guest. You won’t wanna miss this show! Teleforum happens every weekday from 9 till noon on AM1230WBVP,  AM1460WMBA, and 99.3FM presented by St. Barnabas.

Was Biden handcuffed by Trump’s Taliban deal in Doha?

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and his national security team say the Trump administration tied their hands when it came to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The argument that President Donald Trump’s February 2020 deal with the Taliban set the stage for the weekend chaos that unfolded in Kabul has some merit. But it’s far from the full story. Trump’s agreement for the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was conditions-based. As U.S. officials made clear at the time, the failure of intra-Afghan peace talks to reach a negotiated settlement would have nullified the requirement to withdraw. Then again, renegotiating would have been difficult.

Afghans protest Taliban in emerging challenge to their rule

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan protesters have defied the Taliban for a second day, waving their national flag in scattered demonstrations. The fighters again responded violently Thursday as they face down growing challenges to their rule. A U.N. official warned of dire food shortages and experts said the country was severely in need of cash while noting that the Taliban are unlikely to enjoy the generous international aid that the civilian government they dethroned did. In light of these challenges, the Taliban have moved quickly to suppress any dissent, despite their promises that they have become more moderate since they last ruled Afghanistan with draconian laws. Many fear they will succeed in erasing two decades of efforts to expand women’s and human rights and remake the country.

Police probing report of explosive in truck near Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police are investigating a report of a possible explosive device in a pickup truck outside the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill and have evacuated the area around the building. That’s according to two law enforcement officials who’ve spoken on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. U.S. Capitol Police say officers are “responding to a suspicious vehicle near the Library of Congress.” The building is near the Capitol and the Supreme Court. Police have also evacuated the Cannon House Office Building. The law enforcement officials say investigators on the scene are working to determine whether the device is an operable explosive and whether the man in the truck is holding a detonator.

Department of Human Services Urge Pennsylvanians Not to Wait to Apply for Rental Assistance

Bethlehem, PA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead today joined Sue Wandalowski and Robyn Barbosa from Northampton County’s Department of Human Services to urge Pennsylvanians at risk of eviction or utility shutoffs because of COVID-19 to apply for assistance available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). ERAP can help people who are facing eviction pay past due and upcoming rent or pay utility bills or other costs necessary to help them be safely housed.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an eviction moratorium through October 3, 2021, in counties experiencing substantial and high levels of community transmission of COVID-19. Pennsylvanians experiencing housing instability or at risk of eviction should begin their ERAP application as soon as possible and not wait until the eviction moratorium ends.

“ERAP is an unprecedented investment in stability, wellbeing, and economic recovery for tenants, landlords, and utility providers as well as entire communities across the commonwealth. Evictions and housing insecurity will affect our economic recovery, our workforce, our schools, and all parts of our society. ERAP makes evictions preventable, and they should be an absolute last resort,” said Acting Secretary Snead. “For nearly 18 months, Pennsylvania and the nation have endured the instability, anxiety, and dangers of a global pandemic. Eviction bans were established to help people stay safely housed if they were unable to pay rent due to lost jobs or reduced hours connected to COVID. But because the eviction moratorium is time-limited, it is critical that people take advantage of help available to protect themselves and apply for ERAP now.”

Households may be eligible for up to 18 months of assistance to cover past-due or future rental and/or utility payments. The amount of a household’s monthly rent or utility bills does not preclude eligibility, but the amount of ERAP assistance provided to a household is determined by program administrators at the county level. Assistance can be provided to a tenant for future rental payments, and for unpaid rental or utility arrears that were accrued on or after March 13, 2020 on a residential rental property. Counties may choose to provide additional assistance to eligible households if funds remain available.

Either tenants or landlords can apply for this assistance, but a tenant does not need a landlord’s permission to apply and use this assistance. This program is an opportunity to help ease circumstances for both parties, so landlords and tenants are strongly encouraged to work cooperatively to secure this stabilizing assistance. ERAP is overseen by DHS at the state level but administered locally by county and municipal partners. Pennsylvanians can learn how to apply in their county of residence online at www.dhs.pa.gov/ERAP.

To qualify for assistance, a household must be responsible to pay rent on a residential property and meet each of the following criteria:

  • One or more people within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had a decrease in income, had increased household costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic; AND
  • One or more individuals in the household can show a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; AND
  • The household has an income at or below 80 percent of area median income, which varies by county. Income limits by county are available on the DHS website. Resources (like bank accounts and cars) are not relevant to ERAP eligibility.

Applicants will need to provide the following information: head of household’s personal information; income information for all household members 18 and older; rental lease and amount owed; landlord’s name and contact information. If applying for utility assistance, applicants must provide utility expenses and utility provider information.

The Wolf Administration established the ERAP in partnership with the General Assembly through Act 1 of 2021 to distribute $569 million to Pennsylvania households through partnerships with local leaders. An additional $278 million in rental assistance was directly allocated to Pennsylvania’s largest counties by the federal government, making a total of $847 million available to support renters and landlords feeling the strain of this economic insecurity across Pennsylvania. Counties are reporting data on the Act 1 distribution of funds monthly to DHS that are available online here. Counties and localities that received a direct allocation report on this funding to the United States Treasury, which is reporting data here. In total, $133 million has been distributed to more than 30,500 households in Pennsylvania as of June 30, 2021.

Funding for ERAP comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and further rental assistance funds included in the American Rescue Plan Act were appropriated in Act 24 of 2021 signed earlier this month by Governor Wolf. These resources will be available to support renters soon.

For more information on ERAP, promotional materials, state allocation program data, and to learn how to apply, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/erap.

FAA Fines Against Unruly Passengers Reach $1M

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed another $531,545 in civil penalties against 34 airline passengers for alleged unruly behavior, bringing the total for 2021 to more than $1 million. Since Jan. 1, 2021, the FAA has received approximately 3,889 reports of unruly behavior by passengers, including about 2,867 reports of passengers refusing to comply with the federal facemask mandate.

Today’s fines are part of the agency’s Zero Tolerance campaign against unruly passenger behavior. Earlier in August, the FAA sent a letter (PDF) to airports requesting they coordinate more closely with local law enforcement to prosecute egregious cases. The FAA does not have criminal prosecutorial authority. The letter also requested that airports work to prevent passengers from bringing “to-go” cups of alcohol aboard the aircraft.

The FAA launched a public awareness campaign to engage with airline passengers, flight attendants, pilots and travelers on this issue. Campaign items to discourage unruly behavior include the FAA Kids Talk PSA and other content across its social media platforms.

The new cases announced today are:

  • $45,000 against a passenger on a May 24, 2021, jetBlue Airways flight from New York, N.Y., to Orlando, Fla., for allegedly throwing objects, including his carry-on luggage, at other passengers; refusing to stay seated; lying on the floor in the aisle, refusing to get up, and then grabbing a flight attendant by the ankles and putting his head up her skirt. The passenger was placed in flexi-cuffs and the flight made an emergency landing in Richmond, Va.
  • $42,000 against a passenger on a May 16, 2021, jetBlue Airways flight from Queens,  N.Y., to San Francisco, Calif., for allegedly interfering with crewmembers after failing to comply with the facemask mandate; making non-consensual physical contact with another passenger; throwing a playing card at a passenger and threatening him with physical harm; making stabbing gestures towards certain passengers; and snorting what appeared to be cocaine from a plastic bag, which the cabin crew confiscated. The passenger became increasingly agitated and the crew equipped themselves with flex cuffs and ice mallets to ensure the safety of the flight if his behavior worsened. The flight diverted to Minneapolis, Minn., where law enforcement removed the passenger from the aircraft.
  • $32,500 against a passenger on a Jan. 2, 2021, Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando, Fla., to Kansas City, Mo., for allegedly assaulting passengers around him because someone in his row would not change seats to accommodate his travel partner. He told his travel partner he would need to bail him out of jail for the physically violent crimes he threatened to commit. The captain returned the flight to the gate where law enforcement met the passenger. Southwest banned him from flying with the carrier in the future. The FAA does not put passengers on no-fly lists.
  • $30,000 against a passenger on a Jan. 3, 2021, Frontier Airlines flight from Atlanta, Ga., to New York, N.Y., for allegedly interfering with the flight attendants’ deplaning procedures upon arrival. He attempted to gain entry to the flight deck by physically assaulting two flight attendants, threatening to kill one of them, and demanding them to open the door. The captain called for law enforcement to meet him after exiting.
  • $29,000 against a passenger on an April 12, 2021, jetBlue Airways flight from Boston, Mass., to Orlando, Fla., for allegedly interfering with crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate. She also shouted obscenities at the flight crew, and intentionally bumped into a seated passenger on her way to the lavatory. When the seated passenger objected to this behavior, she punched the passenger in the face. Law enforcement met the aircraft at the gate.
  • $25,500 against a passenger on a March 11, 2021, Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando, Fla., to Providence, R.I., for allegedly repeatedly kicking the aircraft bulkhead; screaming obscenities at the passenger next to her; locking herself in the lavatory for 30 minutes; yelling obscenities at the flight attendant after they informed her through the lavatory door that the captain turned the fastened seatbelt sign on and she must return to her seat; throwing corn nuts at passengers and shoving both her middle fingers in the flight attendant’s face when they instructed her to stop throwing the nuts. The passenger was issued a “red card” notice, and in response, she again put both her middle fingers in the flight attendant’s face. Law enforcement removed her from the flight upon arrival.
  • $19,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 11, 2021, American Airlines flight from Miami, Fla., to Nashville, Tenn., for allegedly interfering with crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate; ignoring the fastened seatbelt sign; and pushing a flight attendant into another passenger with his hip.
  • $17,530 against a passenger on an April 16, 2021, jetBlue Airways flight from San Diego, Calif., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for allegedly interfering with crewmembers after failing to comply with the facemask mandate; vaping on the aircraft; and drinking alcohol not served by the airline. Law enforcement met him at the gate.
  • $17,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 28, 2021, Republic Airlines flight from Key West, Fla., to Charlotte, N.C., for allegedly interfering with crewmembers after failing to comply with the facemask mandate; drinking alcohol not served by the airline; and attempting to use a vape pen. The aircraft returned from the gate and she was removed from the aircraft.
  • $16,700 against a passenger on a Jan. 21, 2021, Allegiant Air flight from Lexington, Ky., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for allegedly smoking in the lavatory.  In addition, on a Jan. 24, 2021, Allegiant Air flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Lexington, Ky., the passenger allegedly physically and verbally assaulted other passengers, and shouted obscenities at the crew members after they moved her to a different seat.
  • $15,000 against a passenger on a May 12, 2021, jetBlue Airways flight from Queens, N.Y., to Kingston, Jamaica, for allegedly striking a flight attendant in the nose. When asked about this behavior, he said she tried to kiss him and stole his money and that he would hit her again if he saw her. The flight returned to Queens, N.Y.
  • $15,000 against a passenger on a Dec. 2, 2020, Frontier Airlines flight from Las Vegas, Nev., to Denver, Colo., for allegedly drinking alcohol that the airline did not serve to him. He did so in front of the flight attendants while they told him it was against federal regulations to drink his own alcohol. Law enforcement met the passenger at the gate.
  • $15,000 against a passenger on the same Dec. 2, 2021, Frontier Airlines flight from Las Vegas, Nev., to Denver, Colo., for allegedly drinking alcohol that the airline did not serve to him. He did so in front of the flight attendants while they told him it was against federal regulations to drink his own alcohol. Law enforcement met the passenger at the gate.
  • $13,000 against a passenger on a Jan 29, 2021, Frontier Airlines flight from San Diego, Calif., to Las Vegas, Nev., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate and drinking alcohol that the airline did not serve to her.
  • $13,000 against a passenger on the same Jan. 29, 2021, Frontier Airlines flight from San Diego, Calif., to Las Vegas, Nev., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate and for drinking alcohol that the airline did not serve to her.
  • $13,000 against a passenger on the same Jan. 29, 2021, Frontier Airlines flight from San Diego, Calif., to Las Vegas, Nev., for allegedly refusing to comply with the facemask mandate and drinking alcohol that the airline did not serve to her.
  • $13,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 2, 2021, Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland, Calif., to Las Vegas, Nev., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to comply with flight attendant instructions to turn off her phone during takeoff; wear her facemask; and stop drinking alcohol that the airline did not serve to her.
  • $10,500 against a passenger on an April 29, 2021, Allegiant Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Covington, Ky., for his alleged interference with flight crewmembers after failure to comply with the facemask mandate and subsequently urinating on the lavatory floor, which leaked into the galley area.
  • $10,500 against a passenger on an April 17, 2021, Alaska Airlines flight from Portland, Ore., to Las Vegas, Nev., for disrupting the attention of flight attendants when he repeatedly yelled obscenities at his travel companion and shoved her multiple times. The flight returned to Ore., where it was cancelled upon arrival because the pilots would be over their duty time if they flew back to Nev. Law enforcement met him at the gate.
  • $10,500 against a passenger on an April 2, 2021, Endeavor Airlines flight from Atlanta, Ga., to Jackson, Miss., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate; he was also combative with flight attendants after walking to the lavatory while the fastened seatbelt sign was on.
  • $10,500 against a passenger on a March 29, 2021, Allegiant Air flight from Des Moines, Iowa, to Las Vegas, Nev., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate. Law enforcement met him at the gate.
  • $10,500 against a passenger on a Feb. 22, 2021, jetBlue Airways flight from Orlando, Fla., to Windsor Locks, Conn., for allegedly refusing to comply with the facemask mandate. The captain returned the plane to the gate and had the passenger removed from the aircraft.
  • $10,315 against a passenger on a Feb. 7, 2021, Allegiant Airlines flight from Orlando, Fla., to Pittsburgh, Penn., for allegedly vaping in the aircraft cabin during the boarding process. The passenger and his father yelled at flight attendants about his refusal to stop vaping. Upon being escorted off the aircraft, the passenger said “I hope this plane [expletive] crashes.”
  • $10,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 9, 2021, Alaska Airlines flight from Chicago, Ill., to San Francisco, Calif., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after failing to comply with the facemask mandate. He also acted as though his hand was a gun and made a “pew, pew” noise as if he was shooting a fellow passenger; after the doors closed but prior to pushback from the gate, he repeatedly pushed the call light button during a PA announcement by the captain and, when the flight attendant responded, he gestured at the PA system and responded in nonsensical babble. He then refused to deplane, which resulted in the removal of all passengers from the aircraft.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 7, 2021, Allegiant Air flight from Orlando, Fla., to Pittsburgh, Penn., for allegedly disruptively arguing with his wife during the boarding process; arguing with flight attendants who told his son to stop vaping; and yelling at the flight attendant “imagine all of you in body bags” as he was being escorted off the aircraft.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 18, 2021, Alaska Airlines flight from Denver, Colo., to Seattle, Wash., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate; hiding a flight attendant’s jacket under his seat; punching the aircraft window; and punching a tray table. Law enforcement escorted him off the aircraft.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 14, 2021 Allegiant Air flight from Grand Island, Neb., to Las Vegas, Nev., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after failing to comply with the facemask mandate. She used profane language when speaking to flight attendants and was met by law enforcement upon landing.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 20, 2021, Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Long Beach, Calif., for his alleged refusal to comply with the crew instructions to wear a facemask.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 5, 2021, Allegiant Air flight from Swanton, Ohio, to Clearwater, Fla., for interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to wear his facemask and yelling at other passengers during a maintenance diversion in Kentucky. Airport police removed him from the aircraft in Kentucky.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a Feb. 21, 2021, United Airlines flight from San Francisco, Calif., to Houston, Texas, for her alleged failure to comply with the facemask mandate.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a Jan. 29, 2021, United Airlines flight from Denver, Colo., to Flagstaff, Ariz., for allegedly interfering with flight crewmembers after refusing to comply with the facemask mandate. Law enforcement met him at the gate.
  • $9,000 against a passenger on a March 26, 2021, Endeavor Airlines flight from Atlanta, Ga., to Gainesville, Fla., for allegedly interfering with crewmembers after failing to comply with the mask mandate. Ground personnel escorted him off the flight after returning to the gate.
  • $8,000 against a passenger on a March 25, 2021, American Airlines flight from Knoxville, Tenn., to Chicago, Ill., for her alleged interference with flight crewmembers after refusal to comply with the facemask mandate.
  • $7,500 against a passenger on a March 6, 2021, jetBlue Airways flight from Boston, Mass., to Miami, Fla., for allegedly threatening to kill a passenger seated in front of him. Law enforcement escorted the passenger off the flight upon landing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reminded the traveling public on May 14 that if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States. Masks are also required in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

Federal law prohibits interfering with aircraft crew or physically assaulting or threatening to physically assault aircraft crew or anyone else on an aircraft. Passengers are subject to civil penalties for such misconduct, which can threaten the safety of the flight by disrupting or distracting cabin crew from their safety duties. Additionally, federal law provides for criminal fines and imprisonment of passengers who interfere with the performance of a crewmember’s duties by assaulting or intimidating that crewmember.

The passengers have 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency. The FAA does not identify individuals against whom it proposes civil penalties.

Pennsylvania teachers unions: Schools should require masks

Pennsylvania’s two statewide teachers unions are urging K-12 schools to require masks in school buildings, a measure that state officials have been encouraging but have not mandated. The Pennsylvania State Education Association and AFT Pennsylvania cite the threat of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. Infections and hospitalizations are spiking across the state and nationally, including among children. PSEA President Rich Askey said Wednesday that “masking up is essential to keeping in-person learning going all year.” The state Health Department is urging school districts to follow federal guidance and require masks for all students, teachers and staff, but says a statewide mandate is not under discussion.

Pennsylvania may use taxpayer dollars for major golf events

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania officials have held out the potential for taxpayer-paid subsidies to help entice the U.S. Golf Association to bring more Opens and elite amateur events to two courses in the state. The USGA last week announced that it will bring nine more Opens for men and women to Oakmont and Merion over the next three decades. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration officials are describing the USGA’s announcement as a “partnership.” Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman told PennLive that the state’s financial commitment “is more of a handshake right now” and that state officials will assess how the state can help with funding when the USGA requests financial assistance.

Ceremony Marks Change to Milk Date Requirement in PA

From Senator Elder Vogel’s Office:

Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Elder Vogel (R-47) participated today in a ceremony marking the enactment of his legislation updating “sell by” and “best by” date labeling for pasteurized milk.

Prior to enactment of  Senate Bill 434 now (Act 62 of 2021), Pennsylvania required milk to be labeled for sale within 17 days of pasteurization.  Only two other states have similar “fixed code” dates for milk regulations, thus putting Pennsylvania-produced milk at a competitive disadvantage in the retail sale of milk.

Act 62 allows milk processors to apply for Department of Agriculture approval to exceed the 17-day limitation by moving to a science-based “open code” format.  The new law sets testing requirements and standards, including dairy laboratory criteria, bacterial testing of samples and continued periodic testing, which must be met for milk processors to receive Department approval.

“Act 62 levels the playing field and will enable Pennsylvania dairy farmers to be more competitive with those of other states. The 17-day requirement in Pennsylvania is not realistic when it comes to milk’s actual shelf life,” said Senator Vogel. “In addition, most consumers rank freshness, as determined by the date code indicated, as the most important attribute when purchasing milk.”