On Wednesday’s Teleforum program, host Eddy Crow will talk. The subject may be politics, it may be stupid people, it may be Nestle Strawberry Quik. It may be about the continuing Arizona recount, it may be about magnets. Tune in to find out, you’ll understand at approximately the same time Eddy will understand. (or at least mostly sound like he understands) Teleforum is every weekday from 9 till noon on AM1230, AM1460, and 99.3FM presented by St. Barnabas.
(Harrisburg, Pa) Check your tickets if you played the Cash Five last Friday night, May 28, 2021. One of the two winning tickets were sold at Fischer’s Foodland in New Brighton and the other at the Giant Eagle on Library Road in Bethel Park The two winning tickets split the jackpot worth $500,000.
The winning tickets matched all five balls drawn the winning numbers are 11-13-30-41-43. Each winner will win $250,000 each, less withholding.
Anyone holding a jackpot-winning Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket should contact the nearest Lottery office for further instructions or call 1-800-692-7481.
More than 16,900 other Cash 5 with Quick Cash tickets also won prizes in the drawing. Players should check every ticket, every time, and claim lower-tier prizes at a Lottery retailer.
PUC Reminds Electric Utility Customers of June 1 Price Changes; Urges ‘Checkup’ on Utility Bills, Supplier Contracts
Residential and Small Business Customers Encouraged to Weigh Options, Consider Shopping for Electric Generation as Part of Price ‘Checkup’
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reminded electric customers that all the state’s electric distribution companies (EDCs) are increasing electric generation prices on June 1 for non-shopping customers. Residential and small business customers are encouraged to conduct price “checkups” with their electric bills and, if applicable, review current contracts with their competitive suppliers (suppliers).
Depending on the service territory, on June 1 energy prices are increasing between 2% and 30% for the summer months, and the PUC encourages consumers to be aware of the pending changes and to evaluate their options.
“As summer nears and the cooling season is upon us, consumers may be looking for ways to lower monthly bills by reducing energy usage and supply costs,” said PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille.
The PUC encouraged consumers to carefully review their electric bills and any supplier contracts and understand the rates they will be paying. Detailed information about competitive offers, along with tips for energy conservation and savings, is available on the PUC’s official electric shopping website, PAPowerSwitch.com.
Summer Price ‘Checkup’ on Electric Bills and Supplier Contracts
It is important for every utility customer to understand what they are paying for electric generation supply, either through default service from their electric utility or a contract with a competitive energy generation supplier. Key questions to ask include:
The PUC’s PAPowerSwitch energy shopping website provides consumers and small businesses with valuable information on how to shop for electric supply services – enabling consumers to quickly compare offers from competitive suppliers against the default service rate from their local utility and learn more on switching to a competitive supplier, or returning to default service, should they choose.
Consumers are advised not to sign a contract without knowing the length of the contract, the price, whether it is fixed or variable and if there are any fees. Information on fixed and variable electric rates is available here.
“Price to Compare” Changes for Residential and Small Business Customers
In most areas of Pennsylvania, consumers can choose who supplies their electricity, based on price or other factors, such as renewable energy.
Customers not choosing a supplier continue to receive “default service” from the utility, with the cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) set quarterly or semiannually based on PUC approved electric generation procurement plans. The PUC, however, does not control the price of the generation portion of the electric bill.
Beginning today, EDCs that have adjusted their Prices to Compare (PTCs) for residential default service customers include:
For default service customers not participating in the competitive electricity market, Pennsylvania’s many regulated utilities offer a voluntary Standard Offer Program (Standard Offer) – providing those customers with the option of receiving service from a competitive supplier at a fixed-price that is 7% below the utility’s PTC at the time of enrollment. The Standard Offer price is fixed for one year and can be canceled by the customer at any time with no early cancellation or termination fees.
For small business customers, the PUC notes that most EDCs are also adjusting their prices to compare in their small Commercial and Industrial rate classes. Among the state’s major EDCs, default service rates for small businesses are increasing on June 1 – ranging from increases of 23 to 30% in the FirstEnergy service territories to just a 1% increase in PECO’s service territory.
PUC Continues Encouraging Energy Efficiency & Conservation
The PUC also reminds families to explore energy conservation to help manage bills and reduce energy usage – especially as more people are home, with many working remotely, and the summer cooling season approaches. PAPowerSwitch, as well as the PUC’s website for natural gas shopping, PAGasSwitch.com, have interactive information and tips for saving energy.
About the PUC
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility. “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.
(Slippery Rock Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to the Sheetz Convenience Store on Route 422 in Slippery Rock Township on Thursday May 28, 2021at 1:25 AM for the reported theft of four blue plastic Totes that were stolen from outside the store.
Upon arrival Troopers reported that store surveillance at the store showed that a suspect driving a 2005 Honda stole the totes from the sidewalk of the store. Troopers said via release that charges are pending further investigation.
Individuals who are scheduled to file a biweekly claim the week of May 30 to June 5 must have their filing complete by 9:00 PM Wednesday, June 2 to have their claim processed before the system is taken offline. These individuals can also file for these weeks after the new system comes online but the payment date may be later.
No claims processing will take place during the offline period. The system will be offline for everyone, including L&I staff. However, the UC Service Center will keep the phones and email open. They will still take new inquiries from claimants and place them in the queue for when the system comes online. They will also be able to assist individuals who are experiencing issues and will be able to answer questions about the offline period and the new UC system generally.
The new UC system will be much easier to use, provide faster access to relevant information and streamline the unemployment claim filing process for workers, employers, unemployment program staff, as well as the third-party administrators who will be able to easily access and update more of their information. It will offer a more modern interface for users with formatting similar to user-friendly websites most people use every day. The system will be mobile and tablet-friendly and will enable faster communications between users and L&I staff.
To assist individuals with preparing to use the new system, L&I is continuing to host live workshops, provide video recordings of demonstrations, and offer written and visual walk-throughs of the new system. Scheduled workshops are offered in English and Spanish on a variety of days and times, including evenings and weekends. A full list of scheduled workshops and links to connect to them are here. Recordings of each workshop will be uploaded to this page on www.uc.pa.gov.
Helpful Resources
User Guides:
In addition to the workshops, the following user guides are available to help Pennsylvanians prepare for the new UC system.
Claimant User Guides:
Employer User Guides:
Claimant and Employer User Guides:
Video Tutorials:
The following helpful, easy to follow video tutorials are also available:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Get answers here to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about:
For more information and updates on unemployment benefits programs, visit www.uc.pa.gov or follow L&I on Facebook or Twitter.
(Wayne Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called by a 68-year-old Ellwood City man on Tuesday May 18, 2021 at 10:30 PM to report that someone had thrown a piece of asphalt through his living room window causing the window to break. The home is located on Squaw Run Road in Wayne Township, Lawrence County. The window is valued at $250.00 and State Police in New Castle are asking anyone with information to call them at 724-598-2211
Ag Department to Spray for Spotted Lanternfly Along Transportation Rights-of-Way Prioritizing Human Health, Environmental Safety
Harrisburg, PA – As Spotted Lanternflies hatch across much of the state, PA Department of Agriculture crews have begun to spray an insecticide that kills the insects on contact along railways, interstates and other transportation rights-of-way. Contact spraying is a new element of strategic efforts to slow the spread of the invasive pest, which moves primarily by hitching a ride on vehicles traveling out of infested areas.
The insecticide has been thoroughly researched and found to be safe for use in the areas being treated. However, Pennsylvanians on the hyper-sensitivity registry will be notified prior to spraying in their areas.
“Spotted Lanternflies threaten our quality of life outdoors and destroy valuable products that feed our economy,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “We are working diligently and strategically to control this pest in ways that are safe for the people, pollinators, plants and animals that share the environment it threatens.”
Spraying reaches peak effectiveness when between 75 and 100% of insects are hatched. Spraying has begun in southeast and southcentral PA, where the insect’s hatch is farther along and will be scheduled elsewhere as hatching progresses in areas of the state with known insect populations. The invasive pest will be active and will reproduce and spread until fall frosts.
Contact pesticides containing the active ingredient bifenthrin are being applied using backpack sprayers and truck-mounted spray equipment. These products are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are applied by highly trained, licensed department personnel and contractors strictly following all product label requirements.
Product use will be limited by several factors, including weather, location and the safety of surrounding natural ecosystems. Bifenthrin is known to be toxic to fish, so no spray will be applied near water. Applicators will also avoid spraying flowering plants to protect pollinators.
Research teams and applicator crews are conducting regular environmental sampling throughout the treatment process to monitor impacts on water, soil and sensitive populations to limit any unintended consequences.
Pesticides containing bifenthrin are also available in several brand-name products for purchase by homeowners. Learn more about controlling Spotted Lanternfly on your property on the Penn State Extension website.
There are 34 Pennsylvania counties quarantined to control the spread of the invasive insect. Recently quarantined counties have isolated insect populations, rather than widespread infestations.
Quick, aggressive treatment of newly identified lanternfly populations has been funded through the Rapid Response Disaster Readiness line of Governor Wolf’s Pennsylvania Farm Bill for the past two years. The 2021-22 PA Farm Bill proposes another $3 million to combat Spotted Lanternfly and other invasive species.
Since 2015, the department has received more than $34 million to combat Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania, including $20 million in federal funds and another $14 million in state investment. The department also awarded more than $260,000 in January for four priority research projects.
For more information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit agriculture.pa.gov/
(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 376 East bound near the Aliquippa exit on Tuesday May 25, 2021 at approximately 7:11 AM. During the traffic stop it was discovered that 28 -year-old Jonathan Mills, a passenger in the vehicle who is a felon was found violating the law by possessing a firearm. Mills was carrying a 22-caliber revolver and approximately 10 grams of marijuana. Mills was charged by State Police and taken to the Beaver County Jail.
(Greene Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reported Monday, May 31, 2021, that they were dispatched to the scene of a fatal accident on
Route 30 in Greene Twp. Beaver County at 10:55 PM May 21, 2021.
Troopers said via release that upon arriving on the scene and investigating they were able to determine that 82-year-old Steve Vierik from Brunswick Ohio was killed when the 2015 Chrysler he was driving west on Route 30 crossed the double yellow line and struck 2007 International Harvester 9900 IX being driven east bound by 47-year-old Leonard Bragg from Chester West Virginia head on. Vierik was pronounced dead at the scene and Bragg was not injured according to the release.
(Vanport Twp., Pa.) Milling and paving operations will begin today on Route 68 (Third Street) in Vanport weather permitting.
A traffic shift will occur on Route 68 between I-376 and Buffalo Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day through Friday, June 11. Bi-directional traffic will be maintained on Route 68. Crews from Allison Park Contractors will conduct the milling and paving work.
Milling and paving operations will begin today on Route 68 (Third Street) in Vanport weather permitting.
A traffic shift will occur on Route 68 between I-376 and Buffalo Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day through Friday, June 11. Bi-directional traffic will be maintained on Route 68. Crews from Allison Park Contractors will conduct the milling and paving work.