Fatalities continue to trend downward in PA thanks to education, innovation, enforcement

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that in 2020, statewide traffic deaths increased to 1,129 from the record low of 1,059 in 2019. Last year was the second-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded and overall fatalities continue to trend downward.

“Even one life lost is one too many, and Pennsylvania is committed to moving toward zero deaths,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Our biggest priority continues to be safe travel regardless of the mode you use, and we continue to work with our partners to decrease fatalities through educational outreach, the latest innovations, effective enforcement and low-cost safety improvements.”

Pennsylvania roadway deaths were up about 6 percent in 2020 despite an approximate 20 percent reduction in traffic counts statewide last year when compared to 2019. This increase is in line with a recently released report from the National Safety Council, showing preliminary data estimates national motor-vehicle deaths are up 8 percent.

“We cannot definitively say why fatalities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic even though it certainly had an impact on traffic volumes statewide,” said Gramian. “Over the long term, traffic fatalities are still trending down, but we must continue to work together to make our roads safer for all drivers.

“Motorists are our most important partners in road safety – we can only get to zero fatalities with your help. We urge all Pennsylvanians to always wear their seat belts, never drive impaired or distracted, and always follow the speed limit.”

While the overall number of highway deaths increased last year, decreases in fatalities were noted in crashes involving drivers aged 65 or older, head on/opposite direction side swipes, crashes involving distracted drivers, and pedestrian crashes. Fatalities in drivers 65 years old or older dropped from 281 in 2019 to 243 in 2020. Head on crashes/opposite direction side swipe fatalities also decreased from 158 in 2019 to 128 last year. There were 47 fatalities in 2020 crashes involving distracted drivers compared to 62 in 2019.

Additionally, the year-to-year longer-term trends also continue to decrease. For example, compared to 2016, there were 59 fewer total traffic deaths, 86 fewer deaths in lane departure crashes, and 60 fewer fatalities involving unrestrained occupants in crashes.

The following crash types saw fatality increases in 2020:

• Crashes involving single vehicle run-off-the-road – 506 fatalities, up from 447 in 2019;
• Crashes involving local roads – 224 fatalities, up from 186 in 2019;
• Crashes involving motorcycles – 217 fatalities, up from 174 in 2019; and
• Crashes involving speeding – 188 fatalities, up from 162 in 2019.

According to national data, over 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior. For this reason, PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests $18 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support these behavioral safety programs.

In addition to behavioral safety, PennDOT focuses on infrastructure improvements to roadways in an effort to further reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Approximately $477 million in Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds has been invested in 444 unique safety projects from 2015 to 2019. During that same timeframe, another $50 million of state funds was invested in low-cost safety improvements at approximately 3,000 locations. Examples of low-cost safety countermeasures include centerline and edge-line rumble strips and signing and pavement markings.

For more information on reportable crash data, visit PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool (PCIT) website, www.crashinfo.penndot.gov. Under “Crash Downloads,” the “Reportable Crash Fatality Statistics” spreadsheet is updated with 2020 fatalities; 2020 crash statistics and suspected serious injury statistics are not yet available. The “Custom Query Tool” and additional crash downloads will be available later this month.

For more information on the department’s highway safety initiatives, visit PennDOT.gov/safety.

PennDOT’s media center offers resources for safety organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders. Social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving and distracted driving can be found online at www.PennDOT.gov in the “Media Center” under the “About Us” footer.

Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews, like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot.

(Monaca, PA)  Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) today announced that President Dr. Roger Davis and Associate Dean Dr. Chester (Chet) Thompson, have been named New Pittsburgh Courier Class of 2021 Men of Excellence Award recipients. This honor recognizes Dr. Davis’s and Dr. Thompson’s many distinguished professional and philanthropic achievements. 

The New Pittsburgh Courier bestows this prominent award annually to accomplished men who inspire others through their vision, leadership and dedication to the community. 

CCBC President Dr. Roger Davis

Dr. Davis is the ninth president of CCBC and the College’s first African American president. Under his leadership, Dr. Davis has transformed the College’s culture and strengthened its status as one of the region’s most respected community colleges. Notably, his strategic leadership of the CCBC Foundation has resulted in more than $8 million in grants and gifts. 

“I am proud and humbled to be named among the Class of 2021 Men of Excellence,” said Dr. Davis. “It is truly a privilege to be included among this group of exemplary individuals who do so much for our community. To be recognized by the New Pittsburgh Courier, one of the most historic and prestigious black newspapers in the country, is incredibly special.”

An active community member, Dr. Davis serves as a board member for many local organizations including Beaver County’s March of Dimes, Chamber of Commerce, Educational Trust, the United Way and The Franklin Center. He also serves as a committee member for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and as a board member for EntreEd.

Dr. Davis earned a doctoral degree in Urban Educational Leadership from Morgan State University; a Master of Science degree in Adult Education with Honors from Coppin State College; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In 2020, he published the book “The 30 Most Powerful Words in the English Language.”

Dr. Chester (Chet) Thompson

Dr. Thompson joined CCBC in 2019 to help lead the School of Business, Arts, Sciences, and Technology. He also is Chair of the college’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. A successful, highly motivated academic, business, and civic-minded professional, Associate Dean Thompson has extensive experience educating and mentoring students, and has received multiple awards and recognition for outstanding business, education, and community performance. 

“There is no greater honor and privilege than receiving the respect of the Community College of Beaver County’s (CCBC) colleagues, students, constituents and the Pittsburgh community at large,” said Dr. Thomson. “I am very grateful to the New Pittsburgh Courier for this honor and recognition.”

Dr. Thompson’s extensive community service includes serving as a committee member of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Big Brother through the Mark Twain School’s Big Brothers Program, a Board Member for the Beaver County YMCA, a Trustee of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Vice Chair of the Franklin Center of Beaver County and, most recently, as a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Pittsburgh African American Alumni Council. 

Dr. Thompson earned a Doctor of Science degree in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University; a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Maryland. 

“We are delighted to award Dr. Davis and Dr. Thompson as New Pittsburgh Courier Class of 2021 Men of Excellence,” said Rod Doss, editor and publisher, New Pittsburgh Courier. “Each of the men selected excel at encouraging others through their leadership, making achievements professionally, in and outside of the board room, as well as positively impacting their communities. These exemplary men are lauded as role models for the next generation of excellence and are our business leaders, husbands, fathers, mentors and community champions.”

Dr. Davis and Dr. Thompson, along with their fellow Men of Excellence awardees, are featured in the New Pittsburgh Courier’s April 14, 2021 Men of Excellence Commemorative Edition, and they also will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony on Friday, May 21, 2021.

The New Pittsburgh Courier is one of the oldest and most prestigious Black newspapers in the United States, with a rich and storied history. 

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they have charged 52-year-old Brian Mathews of Beaver Falls with Driving Under the Influence after a traffic stop at the intersection of 8^th Avenue and 13^th Street in Beaver Falls on April 17, 2021 at 2:55 AM

Troopers didn’t report why Mathews was stopped while driving a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze but stated via release that during the stop it was determined that he was under the influence. Charges are pending at the local Magistrate Office.

(Photo provided by Phipps)

Pittsburgh, PA —  Starting Sat., May 1, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens invites guests on a magical adventure at Summer Flower Show: The Hidden Life of Trolls. This immersive, interactive exhibit is unlike anything Phipps has displayed before and is sure to delight guests of all ages with massive, one-of-a-kind displays that offer a glimpse into the mysterious lives of the mythical creatures inspired by Scandinavian folklore and popular culture.

As guests enter the show, two friendly animatronic trolls will prepare them for the adventure ahead, introducing each unique troll to come and giving tips for how to handle the most mischievous, starting with a six-eyed topiary troll in Palm Court. Standing at 6 feet tall and made of grasses and dried plant materials, this garden guardian holds a flickering lantern as he emerges from his troll hut.

In the Victoria Room, an island planted with buttonwood trees, willow trees and a variety of flowers and grassy plants floats atop a pond. This seemingly calm feature will come alive upon closer inspection as it is revealed to be a troll living under the water! Guests can interact with this troll and watch him growl and shoot water in the air.

The whimsical troll in the South Conservatory is taking forest bathing to a new level as he washes up in a pond in the forest. Four massive muddy footprints lead to the bank of the pond, where the troll sits at 12 feet tall, scratching his back with the broken-off branch of a nearby tree. His body is made of dried plant materials sourced from Phipps’ gardens, while fluffy ferns create his hair and beard.

The adventure continues in the Serpentine Room as guests pass under a rustic, ivy-covered stone bridge where an animatronic troll crouches by a fire, asking riddles which guests must answer before allowing them to pass. This troll has stored trinkets throughout the room, and clever guests may notice that the answers to the riddles are hidden among the treasures.

All of the trolls in this show are completely unique to Phipps — imagined and created by Phipps staff and local manufacturers, and brought to life with plant material from Phipps’ own gardens. Interactive elements and massive original displays combine to create an immersive fantasy experience beyond compare that can’t be found anywhere else.

Summer Flower Show: The Hidden Life of Trolls, designed by Associate Director of Exhibits Jordyn Melino, opens Sat., May 1. Visit Phipps’ website for daily hours. Timed tickets must be reserved in advance and all guests must follow safety protocols. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit phipps.conservatory.org/Tickets.

(Wayne Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they have charged 24-year-old Ryan Hayes of Sharon with theft by deception for an incident involving a Wayne Twp. man.

Troopers said via release that the 43-year-old victim sent Hayes $500.00 for a shed as a deposit and was going to give Hayes the remainder of the money for the shed to Hayes when he picked the shed up. The victim told Troopers that Hayes agreed to the terms of the agreement and then stopped answering the victims phone calls once he received the $500.00.

Troopers made contact with Hayes and he refused to return the money to the victim or to proceed with sale of the shed.

Charges were filed through Magistrate Jerry Cartwright’s Office.

(Photo Courtesy of AHN)

PITTSBURGH (Monday, April 19) – Plastic surgeons at Allegheny General Hospitl (AGH), the flagship academic medical center of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), are now among the first in the region to perform innovative breast and colorectal reconstruction procedures utilizing the da Vinci Xi surgical system. The minimally-invasive, robot-assisted technology is the latest advancement in the field of reconstructive procedures aimed at rebuilding areas of the body often affected by aggressive cancer therapies.

The majority of patients in need of specialized reconstruction surgeries are either currently undergoing cancer treatment or are cancer survivors who have previously undergone significant chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgical treatments. For example, more than 100,000 women each year undergo mastectomy procedures to treat or prevent breast cancer, and the removal of the breast tissue often leaves many to consider subsequent surgeries such as breast reconstruction. For colorectal cancer, a colectomy – or removal of part or the entire colon – may be prescribed as a similar course of treatment.

Daniel Murariu, MD, FACS, director of Microsurgery and Lymphatic Surgery at AHN, is the first plastic surgeon in the region to offer the reconstruction procedures using the robot. Most recently, alongside Richard Fortunato, DO, FACS, colon and rectal surgeon, who performed the oncologic resection, Dr. Murariu reconstructed the perineal area with the rectus abdominis muscle which included a skin paddle, a first using the robot.

Using the da Vinci Xi surgical system, which includes robot-assisted technology, Dr. Murariu targets the precise incision point that was utilized to remove cancerous tissue, and in some instances, creates only one or two additional minor incisions. Through the sole entry point, the appropriate muscle tissue is taken from the abdomen and used to rebuild the portions of the breast or colon and rectum.

“This minimally-invasive procedure virtually eliminates the need to make big cuts into a patient’s abdomen or back to utilize tissue that can be used for the reconstruction. The ability to use robotic technology allows us to centralize any discomfort to an incision that is often less than .8 centimeters long,” explained Dr. Murariu. “It’s an exciting advancement in the field of plastic surgery as it minimizes patient discomfort, lessens the risk of surgical complications and alleviates an intensive recovery process.”

Traditionally, breast reconstruction has been performed through an open approach, either implant-based or an autologous tissue flap. In a 2020 study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (“Robotic Surgery: A Novel Approach for Breast Surgery Reconstruction” doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002578), plastic surgeons from the University College London reported robot-assisted surgery is superior to the laparoscopic technique with improved three-dimensional visualization, dexterity and range of motion to guide around the curvature of the breast. The study noted a reduction of scar length, shorter hospital stays and lower complication rates with robotic surgery compared to the traditional open flap procedure.

Widely recognized as a pioneering technology in the field of laparoscopic and minimally-invasive surgery, the da Vinci Xi robot is used across many disciplines including cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, urology, gynecology and more. AHN surgeons have been leaders in the development and utilization of the da Vinci system across these various specialties over the past two decades.

“Very few surgical programs in the country have developed the expertise to perform reconstructive surgery with the da Vinci system, and the application of this technique is already extending beyond breast and colorectal procedures,” continued Dr. Murariu. “We’ve also used the method for perineal hernias and vaginal reconstruction, and we look forward to bringing even more innovative applications for the technology in the near future for head and neck reconstruction which will improve the overall surgical experience and recovery of patients, especially cancer survivors.”

AHN patients who undergo reconstructive procedures as a result of cancer treatments are cared for by a compassionate, multidisciplinary team of oncologists and other caregivers from the AHN Cancer Institute. Clinicians from various cancer disciplines, including medical, surgical and radiation oncology, work together closely to determine the most effective course of treatment to meet a patients’ long-term health goals and needs.

For more information on the AHN Cancer Institute or to learn more about the AHN Plastic Surgery division, visit ahn.org.

AAA: Western PA Gas Prices Steady; National Demand on the Rise
Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are stable this week at $3.002 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $3.002
Average price during the week of April 12, 2021                                       $3.000
Average price during the week of April 20, 2020                                       $2.122

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.959      Altoona
$3.067      Beaver
$3.102      Bradford
$2.917      Brookville
$3.039      Butler
$2.934      Clarion
$2.974      DuBois
$3.066      Erie
$2.926      Greensburg
$3.066      Indiana
$3.011      Jeannette
$3.011      Kittanning
$2.997      Latrobe
$3.088      Meadville
$3.099      Mercer
$2.827      New Castle
$3.068      New Kensington
$3.099      Oil City
$3.021      Pittsburgh
$2.837      Sharon
$2.982      Uniontown
$3.099      Warren
$2.853      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Despite gasoline demand mostly increasing this month, the national gas price average has hovered steadily around $2.87. This, despite demand reaching its highest measurement in more than a year—8.9 million barrels-per-day for the week ending April 9.

 

Refinery utilization is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, and with gasoline stocks building in the last month amid lower crude oil prices, motorists are benefitting from mostly flat gas prices. However, crude prices are on the rise this week, which could translate to increases at the pump by the end of April.

 

At 85%, refinery operations are at their fullest capacity since the week of March 23, 2020, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. Should this trend continue, it could help offset increases in demand and help the national average stay under $3/gallon.

 

On the week, the majority of states saw little fluctuation at the pump: 27 state averages held steady while another 16 saw pump prices increase or decrease by only one or two cents.

 

Today’s national average is $2.87. Compared to a year ago, gas prices are very expensive as mid-April 2020 was prime quarantine time across the country. While the national gas price average is $1.05 more than last year, it is on par with averages from April 2019.

 

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

 

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Medical ruling: Capitol cop Sicknick died of natural causes
By MICHAEL BALSAMO and COLLEEN LONG Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington, D.C., medical examiner’s office says Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick suffered a stroke after confronting rioters on Jan. 6 and died of natural causes. Investigators initially believed the officer was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, based on statements collected early in the investigation. They later thought Sicknick may have ingested a chemical substance — possibly bear spray — that may have contributed to his death. But the determination of a natural cause of death means the medical examiner found that a medical condition alone caused his death. The determination is likely to significantly inhibit the ability of federal prosecutors to bring homicide charges in Sicknick’s death.

Walter Mondale, Carter’s vice president, dies at 93
By DOUG GLASS Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Vice President Walter Mondale, a liberal icon who lost one of the most lopsided presidential elections after bluntly telling voters to expect a tax increase if he won, has died. He was 93. Mondale’s family says he died Monday in Minneapolis. Mondale served Minnesota as attorney general and U.S. senator. He followed the trail blazed by his political mentor, Hubert H. Humphrey, to the vice presidency, serving under Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. Mondale’s own try for the White House, in 1984, came at the zenith of Ronald Reagan’s popularity. On Election Day, he carried only his home state and the District of Columbia.