Category: News

AAA: Pennsylvania Gas Prices Continue to Rise

AAA: Pennsylvania Gas Prices Continue to Rise
After increasing by 13 cents last week, the average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is another two cents higher this week at $2.967 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.967
Average price during the week of February 22, 2021                                $2.940
Average price during the week of March 3, 2020                                       $2.662

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

$2.992      Altoona
$2.999      Beaver
$2.999      Bradford
$2.987      Brookville
$2.968      Butler
$2.973      Clarion
$2.972      DuBois
$2.984      Erie
$2.865      Greensburg
$2.998      Indiana
$2.902      Jeannette
$2.985      Kittanning
$2.925      Latrobe
$2.985      Meadville
$2.972      Mercer
$2.888      New Castle
$2.990      New Kensington
$2.996      Oil City
$2.966      Pittsburgh
$2.955      Sharon
$2.985      Uniontown
$2.999      Warren
$2.958      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Gas prices continue to increase, with the national average up nine cents on the week to $2.72. That is a 30 cent increase from the beginning of February, 28 cents more than a year ago and the most expensive daily national average since August 2019.

The latest price jumps are a direct result of February’s winter storm that took 26 U.S. refineries offline and pushed refinery utilization from an average of about 83% down to an atypical low of 68%, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In its latest data, EIA also reported demand at 7.2 million barrels per day. Both utilization and demand rates have not been reported this low since last May.

AAA forecasts the national gas price average to increase in March. However, if refineries resume normal operations, and if crude oil prices show signs of stability, motorists may see some relief at the pump towards the end of the month.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $2.03 to settle at $61.50. Crude prices rose mid-week despite the EIA’s latest report revealing that total domestic crude inventories increased by 1.3 million barrels last week, bringing the supply level to 463 million barrels. For this week, crude prices could rise if the EIA’s next weekly report shows a decrease in total stocks.

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.

Man in Critical Condition After Being Shot Near Station Square

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) An off-duty fire fighter was giving a man CPR when Pittsburgh Police arrived on the scene after a Jeep crashed into a pole under the canopy at a gas station near Station Square early Tuesday morning. The incident took place just after 1:00 AM.  As police investigated they discovered the man had been shot. The White Jeep he was driving also had the rear window shot out. The shooting took place at the American Natural gas station at the intersection of East Carson Street and Arlington Avenue. The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Pittsburgh Police are investigating.

Pro Teams Allowing Fans as Pennsylvania Eases Restrictions

Pro teams allowing fans as Pennsylvania eases restrictions
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Fans will soon return to pro sports venues whose stands have been empty for a year or more as Pennsylvania eases restrictions on large gatherings. State officials said Monday the changes take effect immediately and reflect a sustained slide in new COVID-19 cases. State officials say outdoor venues are now allowed to host events up to 20% of their maximum capacity, while indoor occupancy will be 15% of maximum capacity, regardless of venue size. Separately, the state is doing away with requirements for people who are traveling to Pennsylvania from another state and officials are considering a plan to speed up the vaccination for teachers.

Driver Not Injured in One Vehicle Accident on Pa. Turnpike in New Sewickley Twp.

(New Sewickly, Pa.) A one vehicle accident occurred early Saturday morning on the Pa Turnpike in New Sewickley Township according to Pa State Police in Gibsonia.

Jacob Phillabaum from Cokeburg Pa was traveling Eastbound around mile marker 19.8 at 4:55 AM when he lost control of the 2008 Mazda that he was driving. The vehicle went off the roadway struck the guard rail and then veered across both lanes and off the roadway into the concrete median barrier and came to rest in the left in the left lane. Phillabaum was not injured and is being charged by Troopers with a Violation under code 33091, driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Greg Brown Is Happy With Sunday’s Pirates Victory To Open Spring Training

It could have been a 20-0 loss, and Greg Brown would still be smiling after yesterday’s game. The fact the Pirates won is just icing on the cake.

The longtime Pirates play-by-play man talked with Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County about the feeling of calling a “normal” game for the first time in about a year, and how it felt good to travel with the team and see fans in the stands. Brown also talked about the strong performances of Ke’Bryan Hayes, Gregory Polanco, and Todd Frazier in the Bucs’ spring opener in Sarasota.

To hear the full interview, click on the player below!

Saylor outlines plans to step down as chief justice in April

Saylor outlines plans to step down as chief justice in April
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court plans to relinquish that title to a colleague in a few months but stay on the court until his full retirement at year’s end. Chief Justice Thomas Saylor said Monday the position of chief justice will be filled by Justice Max Baer on April 1. Voters will pick a replacement for Saylor later this year in a statewide election. Baer will become chief justice because Saylor’s departure will make him the court’s senior jurist.

Gov. Wolf Revises Mitigation Order on Gatherings and Lifts Out-of-State Travel Restrictions

(Harrisburg, Pa.) As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and the state’s vaccination plan is amplified, the Wolf Administration announced revised and lifted mitigation restrictions that are effective statewide today.

“Pennsylvania is taking a measured approach to revising or lifting mitigation orders,” Gov. Wolf said. “The reason we are seeing cases drop can be attributed, in part, to people following the mitigation efforts we have in place. Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene are making a difference and need to continue even as we see more and more people fully vaccinated. We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to a robust economic recovery. We are lifting mitigation efforts only when we believe it is safe to do so.”

The revised mitigations restrictions announced today include:

  • Revised maximum occupancy limits for indoor events to allow for 15% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 15% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.
  • Revised maximum occupancy limits for outdoor events to allow for 20% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 20% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.
  • Eliminate out-of-state travel restrictions.  In November, the Department of Health provided an updated travel order requiring anyone over the age of 11 who visits from another state to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or place themselves in a travel quarantine for 14 days upon entering Pennsylvania. Today, this order was rescinded. The current downward trend of cases nationwide and implementation of testing requirements and universal face covering on public transportation and transportation hubs are reducing the risk that interstate travel is a vector of disease transmission.

Along with these changes, there is caution. Reduced cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and the more than 2.3 million vaccinations are good signs, but the CDC advises that now is not the time to introduce expansive loosening of mitigation efforts known to put people at more risk. New cases of variants continue to appear, and some experts warn of a fourth surge in cases.

The state considered broad range of data for today’s announcement and when considering lifting additional restrictions including (all data is as of Feb. 26):

  • Percent of population receiving at least one dose of vaccine: 14 percent of the population under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health has received at least one dose of vaccine; if you remove those under age 16, the percentage increases to 16.9.
  • Percent positivity; this stands at 6.3%
  • The incidence rate per 100,000 residents; this stands at 101.3 over a 7-day period; and
  • Hospital bed capacity (availability) stands at 41%.

Ambridge Woman’s Hearing Postponed in Children’s Murders Last Week

(Beaver, Pa.) Krisinda Bright, 48 of Ambridge was to appear for a preliminary hearing  Monday morning for the  murders of her son and daughter that occurred on Maplewood Avenue in Ambridge last week. The hearing has been postponed until May according to Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier. Bright is charged with two counts of homicide.

Hopewell Township Fire Under Investigation

(File Photo) No Photos taken at the scene at the families request.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) An investigation is being conducted into a house fire  at 1210 Concord Drive in Davidson Heights that occurred Saturday night. Beaver County Radio spoke with a woman at the scene on Monday morning who identified herself as the female victim’s mother. She said that the  fire started in the garage, and everyone escaped without injury. Hopewell Twp. Police Chief Brian Uhrmacher said that just before 7 p.m. on Saturday night Hopewell Police responded with the volunteer fire department and other units from the area to assist. He said occupants heard what sounded like an explosion within the house and were able to escape. The home is extensively damaged and a state fire marshal is investigating the cause. Hopewell Fire Chief  Mike Wasik wasn’t available for comment.