Pennsylvania: 750k kids expected to become eligible for shot
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania health officials say about 750,000 children across the state are expected to become eligible for Pfizer’s COVID-19 shot. Health providers in Pennsylvania could begin vaccinating people between the ages of 12 and 15 later this week after a federal vaccine advisory committee signs off as expected. That announcement is expected Wednesday. The state Health Department said Tuesday that vaccine providers should follow their existing policies for vaccinating minors, which requires parental consent in Pennsylvania.

(Wayne Twp., Pa.) Pa. State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were dispatched to an address on Fox Street in Wayne Twp. (Lawrence County) around 8 pm on Wednesday May 5, 2021 for a report of a domestic incident.

Upon investigation Troopers verified the domestic incident and cited 24-year-old Zachary Pounds of Ellwood City with the harassment of a 30-year-old male also from Ellwood City.

Story By Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Hopewell School Board met last night via ZOOM and in person and announced 9 teachers opted to take  the Voluntary Early Retirement  Incentive . The retirements are effective on June 10.2021. The board thanked and congratulated the teachers.

(Chippewa Twp., Pa.) A Fire broke out yesterday evening around 6 PM at the Beaver Falls Cemetery on Darlington Road. Chippewa Twp. Volunteer Fire Department stated on their Facebook Page that the First units on scene reported smoke coming from the maintenance building and crews had to use forcible entry techniques to gain access through the metal doors.
The fire had apparently started in the garage area, spread up the back wall of the office and breached the ceiling area.
Chippewa was assisted by Patterson Twp., Patterson Heights, City of Beaver Falls, and Big Beaver Borough fire departments.
There were no reports of injuries or a cause.

HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee approved a proposal today that would give charter school students the opportunity to participate in dual enrollment programs, according to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).

Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to enroll in concurrent college courses through an institution of higher education, offering an opportunity for students to get a head start toward earning a college degree.

Although dual enrollment programs are available to students who attend traditional public schools, that option is not available to charter school students under current law.

Senate Bill 237 would allow charter schools, regional charter schools, and cyber charter schools to offer similar programs to the students they serve.

“Dual enrollment programs have a proven track record of success in helping prepare students for the rigors of college coursework,” Bartolotta said. “Studies have shown that having access to dual enrollment programs increases the likelihood of students continuing their education after high school, prepares them for academic success in college, and can decrease the cost of college if they have fewer required courses to complete.”

The bill was sent to the full Senate for consideration.

AAA: Western PA Gas Prices Increase; Could Climb Higher with Major Pipeline Shutdown
Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are six cents higher this week at $3.095 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $3.095
Average price during the week of May 3, 2021                                          $3.034
Average price during the week of May 11, 2020                                        $2.106

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

$3.092      Altoona
$3.101      Beaver
$3.099      Bradford
$3.111      Brookville
$3.103      Butler
$3.115      Clarion
$3.089      DuBois
$3.088      Erie
$3.089      Greensburg
$3.099      Indiana
$3.102      Jeannette
$3.075      Kittanning
$3.089      Latrobe
$3.090      Meadville
$3.119      Mercer
$3.067      New Castle
$3.093      New Kensington
$3.096      Oil City
$3.091      Pittsburgh
$3.088      Sharon
$3.097      Uniontown
$3.099      Warren
$3.088      Washington

Trend Analysis:
On the week, the national gas price average jumped six cents to $2.96. If the trend continues, an increase of three more cents would make the national average the most expensive since November 2014 –the last time we saw average prices at $2.99 and higher.

AAA forecasts gas prices to climb this week in reaction to the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which delivers approximately 45% of all fuel to the East Coast. Over the weekend, the Colonial Pipeline announced they were the victim of a cybersecurity attack and, as a precaution, shut down the pipeline, which runs from Texas to New York Harbor. At this time, some lateral lines have reopened, but there is no word of when the mainline, including the gasoline line, will be operational.

This shutdown will have implications on both gasoline supply and prices, but the impact will vary regionally. Areas including Mississippi, Tennessee and the east coast from Georgia into Delaware are most likely to experience limited fuel availability and price increases, as early as this week. These states may see prices increase three to seven cents this week.

The longer the pipeline is offline, the larger the impact on the east coast. However, foreign gasoline imports and other pipelines can supplement Northeastern supply. Other areas of the country will see little impact.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 19 cents to settle at $64.90. Market optimism that crude demand will recover, despite an uptick in coronavirus infection rates, helped to lift prices last week. Prices could continue to climb this week if the market remains optimistic as vaccines continue to rollout. Additionally, prices increased after the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest weekly report revealed that total domestic crude oil inventory dropped by 8 million barrels to 485.1 million barrels. If EIA’s next report shows another decrease in total domestic crude supply, crude prices could climb further this week.

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.

Vatican warns US bishops over get-tough Communion proposals
By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer
The head of the Vatican’s doctrine office is warning U.S. bishops to deliberate carefully and minimize divisions before proceeding with a possible plan to rebuke Roman Catholic politicians for receiving Communion even though they support abortion rights. The strong words of caution come in a letter from Cardinal Luis Ladaria addressed to the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In it he advises the bishops to seek unanimous support for any national policy to avoid a potential “source of discord rather than unity.” The USCCB convenes for a national meeting June 16, with plans to vote on drafting a document on the sensitive issue.