(Conneaut ,Ohio) A Pittsburgh Fire fire fighter who was on a weekend vacation with his family in Conneaut Ohio drowned in Lake Erie Saturday. 38 year-old Lee Weber a was trying to get his son to safety when he got got caught along a break wall and went under the water. His body was found in less than an hour by a helicopter about 200 yards from where he was last seen. Weber was city of Pittsburgh firefighter” for the last five years and an Army Veteran. A GoFundMe page that was created to raise money for Weber’s wife and their two sons. Sunday night, there was about $30,000 in donations.

Keystone State News Connection

July 26, 2021

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A petition signed by 19 mayors from across Pennsylvania urges the state’s congressional delegation to pass the Parks, Jobs, and Equity Act.

The bill would provide $500 million in public park investment nationwide and, its backers said, would also help address racial and class inequity in terms of access to public space. The legislation reserves half the funding for low-income populations that historically have not had easy access to neighborhood parks.

Owen Franklin, Pennsylvania director of The Trust for Public Land, the group that organized the petition, said the funding is needed in Pennsylvania, with so many more people spending time outdoors since the pandemic.

“It’s a very intuitive argument to make,” Franklin contended. “To say to leaders of our cities and towns across the Commonwealth that investments in parks and open space are needed from Congress, in order to ensure that the benefits that we’ve all prioritized over the past year and a half more than ever before can endure, and provide for generations.”

Nine in 10 Pennsylvanians said they participated in outdoor activities during the pandemic, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

In Duquesne, in Allegheny County, there are 900 abandoned properties and vacant lots in the city’s 2.5 square miles. It’s considered a financially distressed community under Pennsylvania’s Act 47.

Nickole Nesby, mayor of Duquesne, said investing in parks could benefit the city.

“We are hoping that once this legislation is actually funded, that monies could be used to improve the quality of life,” Nesby explained. “For not only our children, our next generation, but also for our seniors.”

Nesby added the city needs funds to improve playgrounds and for a community space for older residents.

Investing in outdoor space could have important psychological impacts, too.

Steve Stroman, public policy advocate for the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, believes COVID-19 proved parks are essential for public health.

“If you live in a city, and you’re on the 14th floor of an apartment building, you’re home with your kids, those urban parks have been tremendous places, for both your kids and for parents as well,” Stroman asserted.

The Parks, Jobs, and Equity Act was introduced in the U.S. House in March, and the Senate in June.

(Photos taken by David Novak. Used with permission)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.)  A Pennsylvania State Fire Marshal has been called in by Hopewell Fire Department to determine the cause of a house fire that occurred on Davidson Lane at 2:35 p.m.  Wednesday afternoon. The five alarm fire, according to a police spokesman  brought numerous fire departments to the scene,  Firefighters remained on scene until after 6 p.m. . No injuries were reported and the home is a total loss.

Photos of the scene taken by David Novak. Used with permission

(Photos by David Novak. Used with Permission)

(West Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa Fire chief Dave Foringer reported on Friday morning that his department with assistance from 3 other local Fire Departments were called  to the scene of a fire in the 300 block of River Avenue late Wednesday night. The structure was an abandoned wood frame building. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.

Photos of the scene taken by David Novak. Used with permission.

GM issues 2nd Bolt recall; faulty batteries can cause fires
By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is recalling some older Chevrolet Bolts for a second time to fix persistent battery problems that can set the electric cars ablaze. Until repairs are done, GM says owners should park the cars outdoors and limit charging to 90% of battery capacity. They also should not deplete batteries below 70 miles of range. GM says the Bolts should not be charged overnight, and should be parked outside immediately after they are charged. The second recall comes after two Bolts that had been fixed under a previous recall caught fire. It covers about 69,000 Bolts worldwide from 2017, 2018 and part of the 2019 model year. GM says it’s still working on repairs but it’s likely battery parts will be replaced.

(photos taken by Kevin Taylor of Aliquippa. Used with his permission)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Center Twp., Pa.) Center Township Police and Firefighters were assisted by Monaca Fire Department  in responding  to a three vehicle accident  between Old Brodhead Road and  Herzog’s garage at 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 2021.   According to a report, one of the vehicles crossed the median into traffic. Another vehicle caught fire. There were injuries reported and  the victims were transported to local hospitals by  ambulance. None of the victims were identified in the release.

The cause is under investigation by Center Township Police.

You can see photos of the accident below that were taken by Kevin Taylor of Aliquippa. The Photos and video were used with his permission:

 

 

Live Daniel Tiger Shows Return to Idlewild and SoakZone as Operating Hours Expand

Stage show from beloved kids’ program returns, along with longer weekend hours and
Season Passholder-exclusive events

LIGONIER, PA- Idlewild and SoakZone welcomes back Daniel Tiger, Katerina Kittycat, and more friends to its neighborhood as The Best Kids’ Park in the World launches into a whole new level of fun with one month to go in this summer’s daily operating schedule.

With conditions continuing to improve in this comeback summer, Idlewild’s popular stage show, Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Day, returns to the Raccoon Lagoon section of the Ligonier landmark. Children can enjoy live performances every hour from noon until 4 p.m. Come August 1, an all-new show, Dance! Dance! Dance!, debuts to get every member of the family movin’ and groovin’ to popular tunes. A royal return is also underway: Princess Lily is back in Story Book Forest! Young lords and ladies can meet with the princess, residing at Story Book Forest’s castle. All these new friends create a need for more time for fun, and Idlewild is ready to deliver: on July’s remaining Fridays and Saturdays, the park will remain open until 8 p.m. those nights.

“We are seeing increased demand from our guests to visit our beautiful park and enjoy our family-friendly thrills,” said Idlewild and SoakZone General Manager Brandon Leonatti. “Adding these exciting entertainment options rounds out a great day at the Best Kids’ Park in the World.

Season Passholders have even more reason to celebrate: two exclusive Passholder Appreciation Days were just added to the Idlewild calendar on July 27 and August 10, offering early access to the SoakZone’s Wowabunga Family Wave Pool, Lazy River, and Little Squirts. Plus, special activities and giveaways that morning – what better way to start a day!

For more information on park hours, the new entertainment lineup and to purchase tickets or Season Passes, visit Idlewild.com.

The park continues to seek Team Members for seasonal employment. Rates start as high as  $18.25 per hour.  Interested candidates should apply online at www.idlewild.com/employment.

Court says leaving scene of triple fatal is 1 charge, not 3
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania appeals court says a truck driver who killed three people on an interstate outside Harrisburg can’t be sentenced to three consecutive terms for leaving the scene of the crash he caused while driving drunk. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Jack Edward Satterfield can’t be ordered to serve, one after another, the three terms of three to six years. The 32-year-old man pleaded guilty to three counts of homicide by vehicle and other offenses for the October 2019 crash. Satterfield’s blood alcohol level was found to be 0.15%. He’s serving a 28 1/2- to 63-year term, but now will be resentenced.