HARRISBURG – Veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard who own their own business could have a valuable new marketing tool under a bill approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this week.

Senate Bill 455, sponsored by Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46), would authorize the creation of special logos to promote veteran-owned businesses. The proposal mirrors a successful program currently being utilized in the state of Wisconsin.

Bartolotta said the bill would help create new opportunities for members of Pennsylvania communities to support the brave men and women who have served in the military at a time when that support is desperately needed.

“There is an eagerness in our communities to support the businesses our heroes create when they return to civilian life,” Bartolotta said. “Nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of our veterans and servicemembers not only shows our thanks, but also helps the economy by supporting new jobs and business opportunities at a time when they are needed most.”

The bill also includes protections against using the logo fraudulently to ensure that an individual who falsely holds him or herself out to be a veteran for the purpose of obtaining this designation would be held accountable.

The bill was sent to the full Senate for consideration.

(Butler, Pa.) Pa State Police are looking for a Slippery Rock Women who has been missing since she left her Slippery Rock Residence around 6 pm last Saturday, March 20, 2021.

Troopers said Regina “Jeanne” Fornadley is approximately 5’04” tall and weighs approximately 180 pounds. She has brown wavy hair, and brown eyes.

The release said that Regina may become combative and she is believed to have left on her own. She drives a 2016 Honda CR-V, dark in color, with PA registration: LLW7985. She may be heading to the North Carolina. Anyone with information is asked to Contact PSP Butler at 724-284-8100

Child sex abuse lawsuit ‘window’ amendment clears Pa. House
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are done with a new first round of approvals for a constitutional amendment giving victims of child sexual abuse the power to file what would otherwise be outdated claims. After passage in the state House by a wide margin on Wednesday, the soonest the proposed amendment could take effect is early 2023. Supporters say a two-year “window” to file lawsuits over older claims of abuse is needed to give victims a path to justice, taking into account more recent revelations about molestation by Roman Catholic clergy or involving other institutions. Many victims lost the right to sue when they turned 18 or were young adults, depending on Pennsylvania state law at the time.

Highway construction firms oppose PennDOT’s bridge toll plan
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A highway construction trade association is against a state plan to toll up to nine major bridges around Pennsylvania in need of repairs, although Gov. Tom Wolf’s top transportation official disputes its criticisms. The Associated Pennsylvania Constructors’ executive vice president, Robert Latham, told the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday that the cost of private financing would drive up project costs. Latham also said relying on tolling to cover construction costs is risky. However, Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian said she expects the projects to be financed with lower-cost municipal bonds. In addition, she says financing the reconstruction projects is less risky because the bridges have stable daily traffic flows.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa School District Superintendent Dr. Peter M. Carbone  said  yesterday that 2  positive cases of COVID-19 at the JSHS necessitated the  return to virtual learning today and Friday..

Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Child and maternal health advocates urged Pennsylvania to take advantage of an opportunity to extend coverage for new mothers on Medicaid.

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates of any industrialized country.

But Medicaid usually only provides postpartum coverage for 60 days after the birth of a child.

That has been extended to a full year during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now a provision in the recently passed American Rescue Plan allows states to continue that extension when the Public Health Emergency lapses at the end of this year.

Kari King, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said the extension covers a critical period when most maternal deaths occur.

“Between 2013 and 2018, 58% of maternal deaths in Pennsylvania occurred between six weeks to one year after babies were born,” King reported.

She explained the state Department of Human Services needs to file a plan with the federal government which, once approved, would allow the extended coverage to continue.

Factors contributing to maternal deaths include postpartum depression, pulmonary embolisms and blood clots, but with regular care they can be treated.

King stressed without the extension, Medicaid postpartum coverage will revert to only 60 days.

“I really am concerned that you’ll see those maternal deaths spiking because you’re not getting as many women in to those postpartum visits, because you’re not seeing that extension of coverage happen,” King remarked.

She added Black women in Pennsylvania are three times more at risk of pregnancy-related death than are white women.

Ensuring access to postpartum health care for new mothers also benefits the rest of the family.

King noted research shows for kids to be healthy, moms need to be healthy.

“It’s really critical that we get this message out and that the state takes action in the next few months,” King emphasized. “It really does mean that kids are going to be healthier because moms are going to be healthier.”

She added extending postpartum maternal Medicaid will benefit about 10,000 women a year in Pennsylvania.