Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Despite youth incarceration rates falling nationwide in the last few years, major racial disparities remain for kids in Pennsylvania’s detention facilities.

A report from The Sentencing Project revealed nationally, Black youth are more than five times more likely to be placed in juvenile detention facilities as their white peers, as of 2019.

The report showed Pennsylvania closed this gap by more than one-third between 2015 and 2019.

Marsha Levick, chief legal officer at the Juvenile Law Center, said the state’s overall rate of kids in detention custody is still above the national average, and argued there is much more work to be done to better serve young people in the justice system.

“It is beyond time that we really reexamine how we invest resources, and how we think about our kids in the justice system,” Levick asserted. “There’s a significant amount of research that the benefits of keeping children in their communities and closer to home also promote public safety.”

Pennsylvania has also cut the disparity between white and Latino youths in detention by 56% in recent years. Nationally, a Latino young person is 28% more likely to end up in detention than a white counterpart.

Josh Rovner, senior advocacy associate at The Sentencing Project and the report’s author, said one of the first steps in addressing these disparities is to look at the point of contact within the justice system where they emerge.

“The first disparity, the strongest one, is at the point of arrest,” Rovner explained. “And that’s not because youth of color are more likely to commit these offenses. It’s because youth of color live in communities that are vastly overpoliced.”

Some solutions in the report to help divert kids from the justice system included community service and counseling. Both can help young people avoid probation, which can lead to future incarceration.

(Story & Photos by Matt Drzik, additional photos by Mark Benes)

Sometimes, all you have to do is ask.

Eight-year-old Emily Sledzianowkski was asked by her teacher to write a letter to a local politician. She wrote to New Galilee mayor Mark Benes about the possibility of improving the Gilkey Walking Track at New Galilee Park, located on Fairlane Blvd near the junction of Routes 168 & 351. The letter was hand-delivered to Mayor Benes back in June.

Roughly two months later, the letter turned into a reality.

On August 3, the finalization for the paving took place at Gilkey Park, with Sledzianowkski, Mayor Benes, and State Representative Jim Marshall (R-Beaver/Butler) on hand to see through the words in the letter come to life. Beaver County Radio was there as well as the Lindy Paving trucks were making their way around the track.

Sledzianowkski wanted a track where she and her friends could bike safely, which would have been rather fruitless in the track’s old state, given the gravel that was first placed there had since grown over. But her letter went from Mayor Benes to Vice President Dan Ganoe of Lindy Paving, and within two months the plan was put in place to pave over the old trail with a new, smooth surface donated to the community by Lindy,

Not only is this the propelling of Sledzianowkski’s reality come to life, but according to Mayor Benes, it could be the start of something new in the New Galilee area, as the track is now more user-friendly and could attract more walkers and bikers to the borough.

A sign at the entrance of the Gilkey Trail will be created thanking both Sledzianowkski for her ingenuity and pursuance, as well as Lindy Paving for donating their time and resources.

And all it took was a simple letter.

To check out photos from the paving ceremony, take a look below!

(File Photo)

(New Sewickley Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that they were called to the scene of a one vehicle accident at mile marker 24.1 west bound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in New Sewickley Township on Thursday July 30, 2021, at 11:25 PM.

Troopers report upon arriving on the scene and investigating they discovered that a 2013 GMC Terrain that was being driven by 51-year-old Tina Bloom of Boardman Ohio was traveling westbound on the Pa. Turnpike in the right-hand lane when Bloom failed to safely negotiate a slight right hand curve losing control of the vehicle leaving long length skid marks in both lanes of travel. The vehicle then crossed onto the shoulder of the highway and struck an embankment with the right passenger side of the vehicle. After hitting the embankment Bloom’s car traveled 195 feet in the grass overturning multiple times before coming to a final rest. Bloom suffered serious injuries and was air-lifted to UPMC Presby in Pittsburgh. Troopers stated that Bloom showed signs of intoxication and charges are pending lab results. There was no update provided of bloom’s condition and she was charged with not properly driving on the right side of the road.

AAA: Western PA Gas Prices Stable; National Average Increases
Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are steady this week at $3.305 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                 $3.305
Average price during the week of July 26, 2021                                       $3.304
Average price during the week of August 3, 2020                                    $2.443

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

$3.257      Altoona
$3.299      Beaver
$3.359      Bradford
$3.354      Brookville
$3.283      Butler
$3.355      Clarion
$3.279      DuBois
$3.342      Erie
$3.268      Greensburg
$3.298      Indiana
$3.231      Jeannette
$3.301      Kittanning
$3.297      Latrobe
$3.343      Meadville
$3.368      Mercer
$3.244      New Castle
$3.293      New Kensington
$3.359      Oil City
$3.283      Pittsburgh
$3.299      Sharon
$3.292      Uniontown
$3.359      Warren
$3.260      Washington

Trend Analysis:

Americans are paying a pretty penny to hit the road this summer. The monthly national gas price average has increased from $3.00 in May to $3.07 in June to $3.15 in July. The beginning of August will likely be as expensive as July, especially as crude oil prices remain over $70 per barrel. An increase in global crude production is expected this month. However, even with the additional supply, global demand could outpace global supply and keep prices high.

On the week, the national average increased by two cents to $3.17 with a majority of states seeing jumps between two to ten cents. Today’s average is a nickel more than a month ago and 99 cents more than a year ago.

As many travelers take final summer vacations, AAA reminds drivers not to rely heavily on in-dash fuel economy displays. New AAA research found that a vehicle’s “miles to empty” estimates vary significantly and drivers could be taking an unnecessary risk if they over rely on these displays. With more expensive gas prices, motorists may be trying to stretch their tank to empty, but AAA recommends drivers watch their gas gauge and fill up when it reaches a quarter of a tank.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by 33 cents to settle at $73.95. A weaker dollar helped to push prices higher last week, while market concerns surrounding demand recovery continued to grow. Crude prices were also bolstered after the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest report showed that total domestic crude stocks declined by 4.1 million barrels to 435.6 million barrels. For this week, crude prices could climb higher if EIA’s next weekly report shows another decline in total domestic crude supply.

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

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 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.

HARRISBURG – As a part of the most open and transparent congressional redistricting process in Pennsylvania history, Rep. Seth Grove (R-York), chair of the House State Government Committee, announced today that Pennsylvania residents can now submit the boundaries of their communities of interest and comment on the current congressional district map using online mapping tools now available at www.PaRedistricting.com.

“We, as policymakers, want to hear from as many residents as possible about the congressional redistricting process,” Grove said. “These innovative online tools put the process right in their hands, so that the voices of Pennsylvanians can be heard.”

To provide input into the redistricting process, residents should go to www.PaRedistricting.com, and then click on the tab labeled “Provide Input” at the top of the site. From there, they can submit feedback to define their community of interest and comment on the current district map. Users will find informative videos on how to use the tools on the page.

The site is also a source for information on 10 statewide hearings on redrawing congressional districts being held by the House State Government Committee. Video recordings of two hearings that have been held, as well as written testimony, are also on the site. Users can also sign up to receive updates directly from the committee.

Every 10 years, information collected through the U.S. Census determines the number of U.S. Representatives each state is entitled based on population. Once in receipt of that data, states are responsible for redrawing the geographic area of their congressional districts to ensure equal and fair representation, and the physical manifestation of the constitutional principle, “one person, one vote.” This process is commonly referred to as redistricting.

(File Photo)

(Big Beaver, Pa) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they initiated a traffic stop on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL500 being driven by 68-year-old Stanley Diamond from Aliquippa at the intersection of Wallace Run Road and Toll 376 in Big Beaver on Sunday morning at 12:11 AM.

Troopers state via release that during that traffic stop Diamond admitted to drinking Alcohol and was found to be impaired. He was arrested for suspicion of DUI. And charges are pending through District Court.

LAMB ANNOUNCES MILITARY ACADEMY NOMINATION APPLICATION PROCESS FOR PA-17 STUDENTS

(PITTSBURGH, PA) – Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) is now accepting applications from qualified students in Pennsylvania’s 17^th District who seek a nomination to one of the United States Service Academies.  Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021.

The honor of attending a military service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.  Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY.  The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

A Member of Congress may nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to their Congressional District.  To begin the nomination process, applicants should first apply directly to the service academy they wish to attend, and then complete Congressman Lamb’s Military Academy Nomination application form.

Applicants are encouraged to consider applying to multiple military academies. In addition, applicants are also encouraged to apply for all of the nominations for which they may be eligible including, but not limited to, U.S. Senators for Pennsylvania Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, as well as the Vice President of the United States.

To be considered for a nomination, applicants must submit a completed application on Lamb’s website by 5:00 p.m. on October 29, 2021.  A completed application includes the online questionnaire along with the following materials formatted as one document (acceptable document formats listed in application):

• One-page personal statement (500 words or less);
• A recent photo;
• A resume that outlines work experience and extracurricular activities;
• Up to 3 letters of recommendation;
• An official transcript for all high schools, junior colleges, and colleges attended (Note: all high school transcripts must include final junior year grades); and
• Official SAT I or ACT scores.

All application materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. on October 29, 2021.  Applications received after the deadline, and incomplete applications, will not be considered.  Qualified applicants selected for an interview will be notified in November with details on location, date and time.

For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on Lamb’s website, or if you have a specific questions, please call (412) 344-5583.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

WARREN, Pa. — A temporary animal-feeding ban is being proposed for the Allegheny National Forest after a captive deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in nearby Warren County.

The disease, first detected in Pennsylvania in 2012, attacks the brain and causes overall wasting of the affected animal, often deer or elk. The latest CWD case, in May, prompted the state to establish a fifth Disease Management Area (DMA), where feeding is banned for at least five years and deer within and surrounding the area are tested for the disease frequently.

Andrea Korman, chronic wasting disease biologist at the Pennsylvania Game Commission, recommended never feeding wild animals, even if it was not banned.

“We do know it increases transmission of all diseases, not just CWD,” Korman reported. “It changes behavior of deer, it habituates them, it makes them more likely to be struck by a vehicle. They’re also more likely to get parasites and all kinds of other not great consequences, whenever you are feeding them in a non-natural way.”

The U.S. Forest Service will accept public comments on the proposed one-year feeding ban through August 13. The agency expects a decision by the end of the month.

For hunters in the region, it’s recommended any animals be tested for CWD.

Scott Weber, interagency liaison with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Wildlife Futures Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, advised if the test is positive, the meat should not be consumed. He added it is important to dispose of the animal properly, in a landfill, to prevent any further spread of the disease.

“When you see a clinical case identified, it’s really just the tip of the iceberg,” Weber explained. “Because that clinical case at the top of the iceberg is really, essentially, hiding that below it are all these other infections that are going on, that are being undetected until they show these clinical signs.”

The Game Commission has a CWD hotline where the public can ask questions and report sightings of deer or elk that appear to be sick: 833-463-6293.