(Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Governor Tom Wolf will visit Aliquippa this morning to see how state investments in the region will encourage job creation and business development that strengthens the regional economy and benefits working families.
Beaver County Radio’s Matt Drzik will have full coverage on the afternoon news today and the morning news tomorrow.
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Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano
(Ambridge, Pa.) A fire that broke out in a house on Lenz Avenue in Ambridge was part of the discussion at Tuesday night’s Council meeting. Fire Chief Robert Gottschalk said that a resident suffered smoke inhalation, a broken wrist, and burns. He was transported to Allegheny General Hospital and is in critical condition. A second man was treated for smoke inhalation .Chief Gottschalk said a home next door received no damage. Firefighters and police were praised by residents attending the council meeting. One resident said the police and firemen protect us and our properties.
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(Brighton Twp., Pa) Pa Crime Stoppers and the Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver need the publics help with the investigation into the murder of 19-year-old Curtis Flowers back on November 25, 2020.
At approximately 4:35 PM on November 25, 2020 Aliquippa Police were dispatched to the area of Wykes and Davis Street for a male suffering a gun shot wound. Flowers died at the scene from his injuries and Aliquippa Police asked State Troopers to take over the investigation.
State Troopers are actively investigating Flowers’ shooting and are looking for any individuals with knowledge of the incident to come forward. Crime Stoppers of Pennsylvania is offering a $10,000.00 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in the case. If you have any information you are asked to call Pa State Police in Beaver at 724-773-7400.
Keystone State News Connection
| August 11, 2021 |
Emily Scott
SCRANTON, Pa. – Community block parties in Scranton this evening are getting some national attention.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten will attend the events as part of a nationwide “Back to School for All” initiative to promote full-time, in-person instruction thishttps://www.sft1147.org/ fall. Each Scranton event features book giveaways, free food and drink, and arts and crafts. Hometown Health Care of NEPA will also administer the Pfizer COVID vaccine to residents age 12 and up.
Scranton Federation of Teachers President Rosemary Boland said making sure everyone is vaccinated is crucial to ensuring a safe, uninterrupted school year.
“I think we have to build trust so that everyone trusts the fact that our children will be safe in school,” she said, “but those children, especially those 12 years of age or older, we’re hopeful that the families trust the science enough to get their children vaccinated.”
Neither Scranton nor Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration currently are enforcing vaccine or mask mandates in schools. Boland’s union has recommended both, for eligible students and teachers.
Tonight’s events are part of a nationwide tour for the “Back to School for All” initiative. The AFT initiative is meant to help ensure kids are ready to return to classrooms after 18 months of uncertainty in the pandemic. Supported in part through the American Rescue Plan, the initiative has included door-to-door canvassing, vaccine clinics, town halls, book fairs and more.
With the Delta COVID variant infecting more children, Boland said she hopes parents send their kids to school with a mask, to keep everyone safe.
“We are confident that the parents will see the value in the children wearing masks,” she said. “We’re hopeful that that message is resonated throughout this nation, and that parents take advantage of something as simple as a mask to protect their young children.”
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(Perry Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police In New Castle are reporting that they conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Jeep Wrangler on Portersville Road in Perry Twp. for a license plate light that was out on August 3, 2021 at 1:51 AM.
Troopers stated via release that during the traffic stop it was determined that one of the passengers of the vehicle Joseph Thomas Shuttleworth had an active warrant for his arrest for a DUI Drug Charge that originated from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office. Troopers also discovered that another passenger in the vehicle, Jeffrey Michael Stetler also had an active warrant for his arrest for failure to appear on possession of drugs charges originating from Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. Both warrants were confirmed and Shuttleworth and Stetler were placed in custody and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Nursing home overhaul bill would boost staffing, oversight
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior Democratic senators are introducing legislation that responds to the ravages of COVID-19 in nursing homes. The bill unveiled Tuesday from a group led by Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania aims to increase nurse staffing, improve infection control and bolster inspections. It’s part of a broader overhaul of long-term care that’s just getting started. Separately, President Joe Biden is asking Congress for $400 billion to expand home and community based alternatives to nursing homes. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities house a tiny proportion of the U.S. population but they’re estimated to account for about 3 in 10 coronavirus deaths.
Nursing home overhaul bill would boost staffing, oversight
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior Democratic senators are introducing legislation that responds to the ravages of COVID-19 in nursing homes. The bill unveiled Tuesday from a group led by Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania aims to increase nurse staffing, improve infection control and bolster inspections. It’s part of a broader overhaul of long-term care that’s just getting started. Separately, President Joe Biden is asking Congress for $400 billion to expand home and community based alternatives to nursing homes. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities house a tiny proportion of the U.S. population but they’re estimated to account for about 3 in 10 coronavirus deaths.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigning over sexual harassment
By MARINA VILLENEUVE Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will resign over a barrage of sexual harassment allegations in a fall from grace a year after he was widely hailed nationally for his detailed daily briefings and leadership during the darkest days of COVID-19. The three-term Democratic governor’s decision, which will take effect in two weeks, was announced Tuesday as momentum built in the Legislature to remove him by impeachment. It came after New York’s attorney general released the results of an investigation that found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women. Cuomo called some of the allegations fabricated and forcefully denying he touched anyone inappropriately.
(Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)
Encourages State Employees to Get Vaccinated with Incentive
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced that commonwealth employees in state health care facilities and high-risk congregate care facilities will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 7, 2021. Individuals who are not vaccinated will be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. Additionally, beginning September 7, all new external hires in these facilities must be vaccinated before commencing employment.
This initiative will affect approximately 25,000 employees working in 24-hour-operated state facilities including state hospitals, state homes for people with intellectual disabilities, veterans homes, community health centers, and state correction institutions.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have learned that the COVID-19 virus thrives in settings where people live in close proximity such as congregate care. These individuals are often our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians who are unable to leave these facilities and rely on the direct care of the staff. We want our residents and their loved ones to have peace of mind that we are doing everything we can to keep them safe,” said Gov Wolf. “It is our responsibility to do our part to protect our most vulnerable neighbors and stop the spread of this highly contagious virus.”
In addition to the ”vaccine or test” requirement, Governor Wolf announced a vaccine incentive for state employees under the governor’s jurisdiction. Starting October 1, 2021, all vaccinated state employees under the governor’s jurisdiction are eligible for an additional 7.5 or 8 hours paid time off. The Office of Administration will work with employees and agencies to develop a mechanism for employees to confirm proof of vaccination.
The Wolf Administration is actively working with state employee unions on implementation of these policies.
“As a leading employer in Pennsylvania, the commonwealth must stand up and provide an example for other businesses to follow,” said Gov. Wolf. “It is vitally important that employees have the confidence that they can safely work and serve their fellow Pennsylvanians. Even more importantly, we hope this incentive will help Pennsylvanians stay healthy and safe from dangerous variants of COVID-19.”
Gov. Wolf was joined by Lancaster General Hospital’s (LGH) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Ripchinski who spoke on the importance of vaccinations and the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. As part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), LGH is working to educate and vaccinate all employees and clinical staff by September 1, 2021, as part of UPHS’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Currently, more than 63% of Pennsylvanians 18 and older are fully vaccinated, with the state ranking fifth among all 50 states for total doses administered.
“Pennsylvania has had a lot of success in our vaccination efforts, but 63% is not the goal,” said Gov. Wolf. “Sixty-three percent still leaves far too many eligible Pennsylvanians unvaccinated, which puts their communities at risk. Vaccines are free, available, and effective. I encourage every eligible Pennsylvanian who hasn’t gotten vaccinated to sign up today.”
All Pennsylvanians ages 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
How drunk are Steeler’s fans, compared to the rest of the league? Not nearly as close to the top as you might think: Find out on Wednesday’s Teleforum program with
Eddy Crow. The program starts at 9a on Beaver County Radio.