(Ambridge, Pa.) According to Beaver County Emergency dispatchers Police have been called to the scene of a shooting on Maplewood Ave. in Ambridge. No Details have been made available at this time. Stay tune to Beaver County Radio as Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is working on this developing story.
Law enforcement is currently on the scene.
(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police announced on Twitter around noon on Monday that the department’s headquarters in Harrisburg have been evacuated due to a threat.
The 1800 block of Elmerton Avenue in the city is closed to traffic as authorities investigate the incident, according to state police.
Police are asking people to avoid the area.
Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as this story continues to develop.
What is a “Reverse Lent”? Is it real? If not, could it be?
Also, why the majority of those arrested at the Capital Riots are from Pennsylvania…and it may have nothing to do with politics.
It’s A.M. Beaver County with Matt Drzik, weekdays from 6:30 to 9:00 on Beaver County Radio.
If you have any stake in the Pa. unemployment system, Tuesday’s Teleforum is a must listen; a resurgence of rip offs and scams are happening around the unemployment services in the commonwealth-again. The red flags and precautions to avoid getting ripped off, on Tuesday’s Teleforum program with Eddy Crow. (9-noon every weekday)
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved a smaller than requested increase in rates for natural gas distribution services by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc. (Columbia). The order also includes a series of future steps the company must take to address energy affordability, customer assistance programs and outreach to households who may qualify for assistance.
The Commission voted 4-0 in support of an Order and Opinion granting Columbia an annual revenue increase of $63.5 million (11.1%), compared to Columbia’s initial request to increase annual revenues by $100.4 million (17.54%). Additionally, the monthly residential customer charge was left unchanged, at $16.75, rather than increasing to $23.00, as Columbia had proposed.
In a joint statement, PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille and Vice Chairman David W. Sweet emphasized the need for Columbia Gas to address issues raised by consumer advocates about Columbia’s programs to assist struggling customers and outreach to those households.
Today’s Commission order details the following additional steps related to energy affordability and assistance for income-qualified households:
The Commission’s order was by notational vote – with each of the four Commissioners voting individually and separately – because of the quickly approaching deadline for final action in this matter. The results of the notational vote will be recorded at the next PUC public meeting, with the record of the votes cast and substance of the action taken formally entered into the minutes of that meeting.
Governor Wolf Unveils Workforce and Economic Development Plan to Get Pennsylvania Back to Work
Harrisburg, PA – The COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly affected Pennsylvania workers, businesses and communities. To bolster economic recovery efforts and position Pennsylvania for economic growth, Governor Tom Wolf today unveiled his “Back to Work PA” plan.
“Pennsylvania needs a comprehensive, forward-thinking plan to jumpstart our economy and support our workforce,” Gov. Wolf said. “Back to Work PA will make strategic and comprehensive investments to build a stronger and more diverse workforce, support Pennsylvania businesses while attracting businesses to the commonwealth, and assist communities with economic recovery efforts – all of which will help us get back on track and build a brighter future for Pennsylvania.”
Back to Work PA builds on recommendations from the Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center’s annual report, published in January 2020. Refocusing Restore PA, Back to Work PA would be funded by a commonsense extraction tax on the natural gas industry, which would allow for an injection of $3 billion to enhance existing initiatives and create new, innovative programs to address barriers that are holding back our workforce.
Invest in Our Workforce to Support a Fair and Equitable Economic Recovery
To build a stronger and more diverse workforce, the plan would support workers most significantly impacted by the pandemic, address inequities, direct resources to support talent development for high-demand occupations, and focus on high-quality well-paying jobs that lead to careers with family-sustaining wages:
Catalyze Pennsylvania’s Economic Recovery through Strategic Business and Community Support
To support and attract businesses, Back to Work PA would develop a strong reshoring initiative. Supply chain issues have affected businesses across this country, and Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector is poised to compete nationally and globally to address those needs.
Ensure Reliable Broadband for All Pennsylvanians
COVID-19 disruptions have shown that broadband access is a necessity. Back to Work PA would prioritize making high-speed internet access available to all Pennsylvanians by building out this infrastructure in unserved areas of the commonwealth. Pennsylvanians deserve an opportunity for economic vitality and internet access is a fundamental pillar to that opportunity.
“We know that no two jobs are exactly the same, no two workers are exactly the same, and no two businesses are exactly the same. The individualized services in the governor’s Back to Work PA plan connect job seekers to the education or training that will set them up for success in the labor market, while also helping businesses connect to the skilled workforce they need to thrive,” said Department of Labor & Industry Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “By making these smart investments now, we can build up our workforce to make Pennsylvania’s workers the most in-demand in the country as we emerge into the new post-pandemic world.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt our communities and businesses, and we cannot stall on taking bold, strategic action to expedite a faster recovery,” said Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin. “Bolstering our workforce benefits our economy—and by extension, our communities—and Back to Work PA would provide the critical funding necessary to address Pennsylvania’s needs both now and in the future.”
Back to Work PA is part of the governor’s 2021 legislative plan, which prioritizes cut taxes for working families and businesses, while investing more money in education and workforce development.
“Our commonwealth is competing against the world for talent. To hasten Pennsylvania’s recovery, and strengthen its long-term competitive advantage, we must make the shift to people and place-centered economic policies that enhance the pipeline to retain, train, attract, and empower a diverse, talented workforce, which in turn will strengthen our business community. The Back to Work PA Plan would do just that,” said Kevin Schreiber, president of the York County Economic Alliance.
“I’m proud to partner with Governor Wolf and support his plan to invest in working families and get our economy back on track,” said state Sen. John Kane (D-Chester/Delaware). “I was a union plumber for four decades, and I led my union through the Great Recession. I have seen firsthand the toll that this kind of economic downturn takes on working people. This is more than a paycheck. During the recession, I lost members to suicide and overdoses, and those issues have only gotten worse during this pandemic. We need to get our low-wage workers, our workers of color, folks that have been disproportionately impacted, back to work. The governor’s plan would do just that, and I’m proud to stand with him to fight for a Pennsylvania that works for working people.”
“Pennsylvanians continue to face the biggest and most critical challenges of their lifetimes due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said state Rep. Maureen Madden (D-Monroe). “Back to Work PA offers a path to economic stability by imposing a long overdue commonsense tax on natural gas extraction. I fully support Governor Wolf’s diverse initiative to rebuild our infrastructure and get Pennsylvanians back in the workforce.”
Since the start of the pandemic, the Wolf Administration has provided more than $670 million in relief to businesses and non-profits in addition to support programs such as the Paycheck Protection; most recently, $145 million to provide much-needed immediate relief to the hospitality industry.
“Our businesses need the immediate relief that these funds will provide, but we also need long-term solutions,” Gov. Wolf said. “Getting Pennsylvania back on track after the pandemic means investing in the businesses and workers that drive our economy and developing a sustainable solution to support long-term economic recovery. Back to Work PA will foster economic recovery by investing in our businesses, our workers, and our communities.”
(Greene Twp., Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver are reporting that they have charged 39-year-old Jeremiah Benemann of Irwin in District Court for operating a vehicle not properly equipped with an ignition interlock system while possessing an ignition interlock limited license.
State Police pulled over Benemann on US Route 30 and State Route 168 on Thursday February 19, 2021 around 5:40 pm. He admitted to police that he had been drinking alcohol and he was arrested for operating a vehicle not properly equipped with and ignition Interlock System while his BAC was equal to or above .025%.
Benemann was operating a 2013 Infiniti G37 at the time of the incident.
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Beaver County Humane Society’s Thrift Store, which is located at 1900 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls, PA is currently closed due to a broken water pipe that was discovered by the manager early Monday morning.
Upon the discovery water had already brought down ceiling tile and flooded the shopping floor of the store according to a press release.
Executive Director Susan Salyards said in the release that “The manager jumped into action to stop the water and save merchandise from damage, but it is going to take a long time to clean up. We are unsure at this point about the extent of the damage and how long our thrift store will need to be closed,” Salyards said “We hope to be back up and running quickly as the Thrift Store is our largest fundraising initiative for the Beaver County Humane Society animal shelter in Center Township. We also are an important business that many in our community depend on and want to be back operating soon for their sake.”
The staff are still trying to determine the extent of the damage and salvage as much as possible. No shoppers were in the building at the time. BCHS is working to get things back in order so that business can resume.
Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, Governor Tom Wolf signed a fourth renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first proclamation was signed on March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in Pennsylvania.
“COVID-19 vaccinations have begun, but we are still in the early stages of vaccine administration,” said Governor Wolf. “We will continue to prioritize a safe, efficient and equitable distribution process, and expect vaccinations to increase as the federal government makes more vaccine available to states. This renewal will allow the commonwealth to maintain its response and support efforts as we continue testing, contact tracing and vaccination efforts to keep Pennsylvanians safe.”
The emergency disaster declaration provides for increased support to state agencies involved in the continued response to the virus and recovery for the state during reopening. This includes expediting supply procurement and lifting certain regulations to allow for efficient and effective mitigation.
The disaster declaration has allowed for waivers and extensions to continue to provide for Pennsylvanians and businesses under the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic, including the ability to waive the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment compensation, work search requirements, and the registration with PA CareerLink for applicants, and to provide relief from charges for employers; and allowing the commonwealth to suspend numerous training requirements and certification and licensure renewals for health care professionals, child care workers, direct care workers, direct support professionals, among other professional groups who provide life-sustaining services to our children, seniors, and vulnerable residents. It allows the commonwealth to increase the number of vaccine providers and improve vaccine distribution.
Through the disaster declaration, PEMA has been able to mission assign the National Guard to provide various types of support for long term care facilities, including providing direct patient care support, ancillary support, and testing, and at community-based testing sites. It also provides PEMA with the ability to leverage continued federal support such as non-congregate sheltering.
The renewed disaster declaration will continue to support all of these efforts, as well as allow the commonwealth to rapidly scale response efforts and employ new intervention tactics.
The Department of Health’s Department Operations Center at PEMA continues to be active, as is the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center there.
A Proclamation of Disaster Emergency is effective for a 90-day period unless sooner rescinded or extended by official action of the Governor.
Pittsburgh, PA – To reinforce the importance of specific state laws, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) urges drivers to review and obey safety laws that may not be well known among the public as part of Highway Safety Law Awareness Week.
Highway Safety Law Awareness Week, which runs through February 27, brings attention to state laws that are often violated or forgotten by the traveling public. These laws are in place to promote safety and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities due to roadway crashes.
While several safety laws have been included this year, District 11 would like to highlight the following as reminders which may be lesser known:
Highway Safety Traffic Laws are enforced in an effort to keep the public safe on the road; however, everyone must do their part in order to reach this goal. Motorists are encouraged to use this safety week as an opportunity to educate themselves and others on safe road habits.