Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Hopewell School Board approved a new Three year contract for Superintendent Dr. Michelle Miller at last night’s meeting. Dr. Miller, in a statement this morning said she has been serving the district for 5 years.   Since becoming superintendent  she said there have been safety and security upgrades throughout the district, a school resource officer was hired, and the hiring of exceptional staff and teachers, and becoming 1:1 with technology devices.

Potholes Damage Can Be a Black Hole for Your Wallet

American drivers spend $3 billion each year on pothole damage

While tire-hungry potholes are typically a sign of spring, this winter’s temperature intense winter conditions have taken an early toll on the Nation’s roadways – and drivers are paying a steep price. With “Pothole Season” upon us, AAA East Central advises motorists to take proactive steps to avoid costly repairs caused by hitting potholes.“

Not only do potholes pose a safety risk to motorists, they can really leave a dent in your wallet,” says Mike Hoshaw, vice president of automotive services at AAA East Central. “The problems range from tire punctures and bent wheels to more extortionate repairs like suspension replacements.”

Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface. The moisture expands and contracts when temperatures go up and down. This breaks the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing cars, results in a pothole.

Video courtesy of AAA

To minimize vehicle damage from potholes, AAA East Central offers the following tips:

 

• Inspect your tires: Properly inflated tires can act as a “cushion” when hitting a pothole.
• Look ahead: Make a point of scanning the road ahead for potholes so you can react in time to avoid hitting a pothole.
• Slow down: If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely without abrupt braking.
• Beware of puddles: Puddles often disguise deep potholes.
• Recognize noises/vibrations; A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage the tire or wheel, and even break suspension components.  Any unusual noises after a pothole hit should be inspected immediately.
• Check for a spare: Many newer cars do not have spare tires. Check to see if your vehicle is equipped with a spare, and make sure to regularly check its PSI.

Motorists should identify a repair shop they trust to help keep their vehicle in good shape. AAA Approved Auto Repair network consists of more than 7,000 facilities that have met AAA’s high standards, including, technician certifications, ongoing training, financial stability, facility cleanliness, insurance requirements, rigorous inspections and customer satisfaction. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a nearby facility.

 

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 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.

AAA: Gas Prices Stabilize in Pennsylvania
Increases at the pump have come to a halt in Western Pennsylvania, with this week’s average dipping by three cents to $3.036 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $3.036
Average price during the week of March 15, 2021                                     $3.065
Average price during the week of March 23, 2020                                    $2.358

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

$2.995      Altoona
$3.081      Beaver
$3.097      Bradford
$3.001      Brookville
$3.087      Butler
$2.958      Clarion
$3.015      DuBois
$3.066      Erie
$2.966      Greensburg
$3.086      Indiana
$3.096      Jeannette
$3.025      Kittanning
$3.002      Latrobe
$3.088      Meadville
$3.099      Mercer
$2.849      New Castle
$3.084      New Kensington
$3.099      Oil City
$3.065      Pittsburgh
$2.932      Sharon
$3.038      Uniontown
$3.099      Warren
$2.991      Washington

Trend Analysis:
After weeks of seeing almost daily increases, the national gas price average is showing signs of stability, holding steady at $2.88 for the last 5 days. Today’s average is the highest price since May 2019 and is more expensive on the week (+2 cents), month (+25 cents) and year (+74 cents).

A decrease in demand and a simultaneous increase in supply and refinery utilization has contributed to slower movement in gas price increases. In its latest weekly reports, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows demand decreased from 8.7 million b/d to 8.4 million b/d, and gasoline supply increased from 231.6 million barrels to 232 million barrels.

Also, crude oil prices have decreased. At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate settled at $61.41. Prices declined on the week largely due to market concern that demand may stumble as some countries restart coronavirus restrictions to curb growing infection rates.

In the week ahead, motorists can expect fluctuation at the pump. However, with crude prices moving lower, large increases at the pump are not likely.

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

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 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.

Police: 10 people killed in Colorado supermarket shooting
By PATTY NIEBERG, JAMES ANDERSON and COLLEEN SLEVIN Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Police say 10 people have been killed in a shooting at a Colorado supermarket, including a police officer. Boulder police Chief Maris Herold said at a news conference Monday night that a suspect is in custody and is getting medical treatment. Police say they’re still investigating and didn’t have details on a motive. The officer who was killed was 51-year-old Eric Talley. He had been with Boulder police since 2010. Identities of the other nine victims were not disclosed Monday night as police were still notifying their family members.

Senate GOP won’t fast-track child sex abuse lawsuit ‘window’
By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State Senate Republicans have killed a proposal to employ an emergency process to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to give victims of child sexual abuse a two-year window in which to file civil lawsuits. Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward announced Monday that the Wolf administration’s failure to advertise a proposed constitutional amendment doesn’t justify using the emergency amendment process. She says the Republican majority plans to start over, using the conventional amendment process. The Department of State announced six weeks ago it had failed to arrange the mandatory advertisement for a conventional constitutional amendment last year. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa accused Republicans of delaying justice “over a clerical mistake.”

US: AstraZeneca may have used outdated info in vaccine trial
WASHINGTON (AP) — American federal health officials say results from a U.S. trial of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine may have included “outdated information” and that could mean the company provided an incomplete view of efficacy data. A spokesman from the drug company said Tuesday it was “looking into it.” AstraZeneca reported Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection among adults of all ages in a long-anticipated U.S. study, a finding that could help rebuild public confidence in the shot around the world and move it a step closer to clearance in the U.S.

Pennsylvania eases mask mandate for vaccinated people
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is easing its mask mandate to allow people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to gather with other vaccinated people without masks or social distancing. State health officials said Monday the new rules also apply to vaccinated people gathering with people from a single household who have not been vaccinated but who are considered at low risk of severe disease from the coronavirus. The health secretary revised the state’s existing masking order to to align with recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Keystone State News Connection

March 23, 2021

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday the biggest solar-energy commitment ever undertaken by any government in the United States.

Known as Pennsylvania PULSE, the power-purchase agreement will result in construction of seven large solar arrays in six counties; enough to produce nearly half of the electricity used by state government.

Robert Routh, public policy and regulatory counsel for the Clean Air Council, said the solar arrays will generate a total of 191 megawatts of electric power, and are scheduled to go into operation on Jan. 1, 2023.

“Cutting pollution, creating hundreds of jobs, bringing millions of dollars in investments to local communities,” Routh outlined. “It’s great news all around, and it’s important to build on this progress.”

The project is part of the governor’s “GreenGov” initiative to help meet clean-energy and energy-efficiency goals established by executive order two years ago.

The order calls for a 26% reduction from 2005 levels of greenhouse-gas emissions statewide by 2025, and an 80% reduction by 2050, but Routh pointed out the PULSE project will reduce emissions by only a small fraction of that amount.

“There are still many other tools that we need to make use of, and many other policy steps we need to achieve those goals,” Routh explained.

The solar arrays will eliminate almost 158,000 metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions each year, but total annual statewide emissions are about 233 million metric tons.

Pennsylvania is pursuing other ways of reducing carbon emissions.

Routh said one of the most significant will be finalizing the regulations required for the state to become part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

“Once those regulations are in place, it is projected to reduce 188 million tons of carbon from power plants in Pennsylvania by the end of the decade,” Routh confirmed.

Eleven other Northeastern states are currently members of RGGI. Pennsylvania is expected to become a member early next year.

The Beaver School Board held a virtual voting session tonight where board members voted on a couple of  pandemic related motions.  The first motion was for the district to return to full 5 day in class instruction.  The board voted unanimously against it.  The district will continue having 4 days of in class instruction, while partaking in what they refer to as “Virtual Wednesdays”.  On Wednesdays, students attend virtual sessions for instruction and help for classes.  Teachers are also able to take advantage of these virtual sessions to make sure students that are attending class in person and students that have opted to be virtual full time are all on the same page. 91% of the teachers were said to be opposed to 5 day instruction. The board then went on to vote on a motion to remove plastic dividers and barriers from the district buildings with the exception of lunch areas.  Some members of the board argued that the plastic barriers are unnecessary because the students remain 6 feet apart and wear masks, and some said they would like to give the teachers the opportunity to decide for themselves.  Ultimately, the motion was shut down during the vote.  The board also voted yes to not require masks for spring sports unless players are in close proximity, such as in a dugout, as well as allowing indoor practices in the event of poor weather conditions.