Category: News

Woman Rescued by Police After Leaving Notes That She was Being Held Against Her Will

(File Photo)

(Scott Twp., Pa.) 38-year-old Corey Brewer of Pittsburgh is facing sexual assault and unlawful restraint charges after employees at a Scott Twp. Wal-mart found a note indicating that a woman was being assaulted and held against her will. They turned the note over to police who rescued the woman after she left a note at a second location.
The note at the Walmart stated that the woman had been sexually and physically assaulted and was being held against her will. She said Brewer had a knife and that whoever reads this should call 911.
A second note from the same woman asking for help was found in the women’s bathroom at Fallingwater Museum in Mill Run, Pa..

Police went to their home, after being told they were on vacation in New York after checking on the woman’s first note, for a second time with a SWAT team, and arrested Brewer and saved the woman, who had been held since May 1. She told authorities that Brewer threatened to kill her and her family if she left.

Pennsylvania Says it Counted 500K Duplicate COVID-19 Shots

(Photo Courtesy of Pennsylvania Media Servics)

Pennsylvania says it counted 500K duplicate COVID-19 shots
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has reduced the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses that had been administered by about 500,000, saying the numbers were duplicates. The figures, released Friday evening without explanation, also showed an increase of about 60,000 in the number of people who are counted as fully vaccinated. The numbers include 66 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. They do not include Philadelphia, which is its own vaccine jurisdiction. For all 67 counties, the percentage of people 18 and over who are vaccinated was 61%. Asked about the changed figures, a Department of Health spokesperson said agency staff had been working to link both first and second doses to individual residents.

Police looking for white van; shooting at Harmony Dwellings in Beaver Falls

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Beaver Falls, PA) Police are looking for a white van that was in the area of Harmony Dwellings as of 10:10 pm after a multiple-person shooting took place tonight in Beaver Falls. Two medi-vac helicopters were called to the scene to transport two individuals. Ambulances, police, and fire departments from multiple county first responders are also on scene. Multiple people were reportedly shot and the number of shooters or if anyone has been detained has not been confirmed. The coroner was reportedly called to the scene.

 

 

 

Pa. Work Search Requirements Resume This Week for Unemployment

Training opportunities and other resources available to help unemployed Pennsylvanians rejoin the workforce
 
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier today reminded Pennsylvanians receiving unemployment benefits that work search requirements will resume the week of July 11. Because claimants always file for benefits the week after they are unemployed, individuals will start certifying they looked for work beginning July 18.
“As many Pennsylvanians explore new career options and employers are eager to hire skilled workers, we want people to connect with job training and other resources that can help them to start good jobs and successful careers,” said Secretary Berrier. “PA CareerLink® offices across the commonwealth can help job seekers bridge the gap by providing high quality, individualized assistance free of charge to Pennsylvanians who are unemployed and looking for a job.”
L&I strongly encourages job seekers to register on the PA CareerLink® website or reach out to their local PA CareerLink® office directly to learn about the free programs and resources that are available, including:
  • Job search and training assistance;
  • Adult education classes and workshops;
  • Résumé assistance; and
  • Referral services to partners.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) also provides employment and training programs that support job seekers specifically within low-income populations.

Employment and training programs and assistance are available for people who qualify for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). These programs work closely with participants in identifying interests, goals, and opportunities for job training or education to help them find a fulfilling career. They also focus on mitigating barriers to success in employment like access to child care, transportation, mental health services, and ongoing mentorship bonds after starting a job.

Individuals receiving Medicaid can take advantage of the Medicaid Work Supports system, which connects participants to local employment and training resources with a goal of supporting people in finding long-term employment and achieving financial independence. People who receive SNAP or TANF can enroll in the Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS), or the Employment, Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) programs to obtain employment skills, earn valuable certifications, and sustain good jobs. Individuals receiving TANF can also take part in the Work Ready program, which helps put the people DHS serves on the path to economic stability and independence. The SNAP 50/50 program is also available for people receiving SNAP, which allows them to gain hands-on paid work experience.
More information on these employment and training programs can be found at www.dhs.pa.gov. Applications for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Those who prefer to submit paper documentation can pick up an application at their local County Assistance Office (CAO), where social distancing protocols are in place, or they can print from the website or request an application by phone at 1-800-692-7462.  They can then mail it to their local CAO or place it in a CAO’s secure drop box, if available. Individuals can also apply for SNAP and Medicaid over the phone by calling 1-866-550-4355. Applicants do not need to know their own eligibility in order to apply. While CAOs remain closed, work processing applications, determining eligibility, and issuing benefits continues. Clients should use COMPASS or the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app to submit necessary updates to their case files while CAOs are closed.
For help with finding a child care location or assistance paying for child care, visit: COMPASS HHS Provider Search Home (state.pa.us)
More information about work search requirements, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found on L&I’s unemployment compensation website at www.uc.pa.gov.
Training opportunities and other resources available to help unemployed Pennsylvanians rejoin the workforce
 
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier today reminded Pennsylvanians receiving unemployment benefits that work search requirements will resume the week of July 11. Because claimants always file for benefits the week after they are unemployed, individuals will start certifying they looked for work beginning July 18.
“As many Pennsylvanians explore new career options and employers are eager to hire skilled workers, we want people to connect with job training and other resources that can help them to start good jobs and successful careers,” said Secretary Berrier. “PA CareerLink® offices across the commonwealth can help job seekers bridge the gap by providing high quality, individualized assistance free of charge to Pennsylvanians who are unemployed and looking for a job.”
L&I strongly encourages job seekers to register on the PA CareerLink® website or reach out to their local PA CareerLink® office directly to learn about the free programs and resources that are available, including:
  • Job search and training assistance;
  • Adult education classes and workshops;
  • Résumé assistance; and
  • Referral services to partners.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) also provides employment and training programs that support job seekers specifically within low-income populations.

Employment and training programs and assistance are available for people who qualify for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). These programs work closely with participants in identifying interests, goals, and opportunities for job training or education to help them find a fulfilling career. They also focus on mitigating barriers to success in employment like access to child care, transportation, mental health services, and ongoing mentorship bonds after starting a job.

Individuals receiving Medicaid can take advantage of the Medicaid Work Supports system, which connects participants to local employment and training resources with a goal of supporting people in finding long-term employment and achieving financial independence. People who receive SNAP or TANF can enroll in the Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS), or the Employment, Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) programs to obtain employment skills, earn valuable certifications, and sustain good jobs. Individuals receiving TANF can also take part in the Work Ready program, which helps put the people DHS serves on the path to economic stability and independence. The SNAP 50/50 program is also available for people receiving SNAP, which allows them to gain hands-on paid work experience.
More information on these employment and training programs can be found at www.dhs.pa.gov. Applications for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Those who prefer to submit paper documentation can pick up an application at their local County Assistance Office (CAO), where social distancing protocols are in place, or they can print from the website or request an application by phone at 1-800-692-7462.  They can then mail it to their local CAO or place it in a CAO’s secure drop box, if available. Individuals can also apply for SNAP and Medicaid over the phone by calling 1-866-550-4355. Applicants do not need to know their own eligibility in order to apply. While CAOs remain closed, work processing applications, determining eligibility, and issuing benefits continues. Clients should use COMPASS or the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app to submit necessary updates to their case files while CAOs are closed.
For help with finding a child care location or assistance paying for child care, visit: COMPASS HHS Provider Search Home (state.pa.us)
More information about work search requirements, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found on L&I’s unemployment compensation website at www.uc.pa.gov.

Pfizer to Discuss COVID-19 Vaccine Booster with US Officials

Pfizer to discuss COVID-19 vaccine booster with US officials
By HOPE YEN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer says it plans to meet Monday with top U.S. health officials to discuss the drugmaker’s request for federal authorization of a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine. President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser is acknowledging “it is entirely conceivable, maybe likely” that booster shots will be needed in the coming months. Last week, Pfizer asserted booster shots would be needed within 12 months, drawing a rebuttal from U.S. health officials saying booster shots were not needed “at this time.” While Dr. Anthony Fauci isn’t ruling out the possibility, he says it’s too soon for the government to recommend another shot.

Butler County Couple Charged After Pa. State Troopers Find Their Three Young Children Home Alone

(Concord Twp., Butler County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they went to a home on Oneida Valley Road in Concord Twp., Butler County on Friday, July 9, 2021, at 8:55 PM, to notify the occupants that their dog was in the roadway.

Troopers are reporting via release that upon arriving they found three children ages 8,6, and 3 home alone. When Troopers questioned the children, they did not know how long their parents had been gone.

The release stated that Troopers were able to make contact with the children’s mother, 32-year-old Mandy McCall who they arrested on the scene for child endangerment, and Reckless Endangerment. The father 39-year-old Jacob Fowler was also cited for the same charges.

Troopers say the case is open and being investigated by Pa State Police in Butler.

Man Refuses to Pull over for Baden Police and Leads Officers on Chase Through Several Communities

(File Photo)

(Baden,Pa.) Police in Baden tried to pull over a vehicle on Route 65 being driven by Christerfer Freed on Saturday night. Freed would not pull over for the officer and he lead police on a car chase through several communities.
Officers used spike strips along Toms Run Road to try and stop him and as his vehicle came to a stop he then exited his car near Emsworth and jumped into the Ohio River. Officers then used a boat to catch him. Freed was wanted on a parole violation and is now being held in the Beaver County Jail facing multiple charges.

Line Painting Operations Continue In Beaver, Lawrence, and Allegheny Counties this Week

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that line painting operations on various roadways in Lawrence, Beaver and Allegheny counties will occur Monday through Friday, July 12-16 weather permitting.

Work to repaint lines will occur each day in the following locations:

Lawrence County (8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

  • I-376 in various municipalities
  • Route 422 from Business 422 in Shenango Township to Butler County

Beaver County (8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

  • Route 588 in Merion and North Sewickley townships

Allegheny County (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

  • Route 50 from Carnegie Borough to Bridgeville Borough
  • Route 65 from the McKees Rocks Bridge in the City of Pittsburgh to Beaver County
  • Route 65 in the City of Pittsburgh (spot painting as needed)
  • Route 2048 (Business 22) in the Municipality of Monroeville, Wilkins Township, and Churchill Borough
  • Route 2060 (Aber Road) in the Municipality of Penn Hills
  • Route 791 (Rodi Road) in the Municipality of Penn Hills and Churchill Boroug

Roadway line painting is an important part of PennDOT’s highway safety initiatives. Paint lines provide direction, delineation, and guidance to motorists.

Motorists who accidentally get paint on their vehicles should immediately wash the paint off with a high-pressure water stream and detergent.  Dried paint can be removed with de-natured alcohol and a soft cloth.  Generally, PennDOT is not responsible for paint on vehicles.

Motorists should use caution and be aware of changing traffic patterns when driving through the area.

PA Pilot Program Expands ATV Trail Connector Access

Keystone State News Connection

July 12, 2021

PA Pilot Program Expands ATV Trail Connector Access

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — North Central Pennsylvania will soon have 70 miles of new roads open to all-terrain vehicles, connecting the existing Potter and Tioga trails.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) said the pilot program will launch on July 16 and run through Sep. 26. It’s opening state forest roads, snowmobile trails, and PennDOT roads previously not designated for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), in response to growing demand in the state for riding opportunities.

Wesley Robinson, press secretary for the DCNR, said the pilot will make longer ATV rides more accessible.

“There are a lot of people who have ATVs and might have to travel several hours to use them legally,” Robinson explained. “That was a big reason behind this, because there’s just a high level of interest in folks wanting to ride ATVs in the state.”

The DCNR acknowledged environmental and noise concerns accompany the use of ATVs. Robinson pointed out during the pilot, they will conduct environmental monitoring to gauge its impact.

Sarah Corcoran, conservation program manager for the Sierra Club Pennsylvania chapter, said she hopes the agency examines the effects of illegal riding that could occur.

“It’s going to be tough for folks to not be on those trails after the pilot’s over,” Corcoran cautioned. “I want to know what their enforcement practices are going to be during the pilot program, to make sure that folks are only riding where they’re allowed to be riding.”

She added the public comment period should open lines of communication to ensure concerns are addressed.

Henry Sorgen, president of the 1,500-member Central Mountains ATV Association in Clinton County, thinks improving ATV access can help support the local economy.

“That’s what the pilot program is to prove to PennDOT, to DCNR, to Harrisburg,” Sorgen argued. “That we can do this and bring in tourism and boost the sales of gas and food, and hotel and campground stays, in our region.”

The pilot will reconvene in May 2022 for a second round, and will include a connector to the Tiadaghton State Forest and the Haneyville ATV Trail System in Lycoming and Clinton counties.