Category: News

Biden’s big infrastructure plan hits McConnell, GOP blockade

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that it’s more advantageous to oppose President Joe Biden’s ambitious rebuild America agenda than to lend support. They vow to fight the costly $2.3 trillion undertaking for roads, bridges and other infrastructure investments. Much the way Republicans provided no votes for the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, they plan to sit on the sidelines for this next big White House priority. The tension could mount this week. Biden shows no signs adjusting to satisfy Republican leaders, instead appealing directly to their constituents for support.

Latest attack pushes US Capitol Police further toward crisis

WASHINGTON (AP) — The death of another U.S. Capitol Police officer has exacerbated problems for a department months after the worst moment in its history — the storming of the Capitol by violent insurrectionists — and placed new urgency on lawmakers considering proposals to bolster the agency. The head of the Capitol Police union says officers are “reeling” following the death Friday of Officer Billy Evans, who was rammed by a vehicle driven by a man believed to be suffering from delusions and suicidal thoughts. The chair of the police union says hundreds of officers are considering retirement or finding work elsewhere.

GameStop finally announces a share sale

GameStop says it’s selling up to 3.5 million of its shares, a move that will allow the video-game retailer to take advantage of the big surge in its stock price this year. The company said the shares will be sold through an “at-the-market” offering, which lets a publicly traded company raise capital over time by offering securities into the already existing trading market. GameStop plans to use proceeds for general corporate purposes, to further strengthen its balance sheet and to speed up its transformation process.

Trial in Floyd’s death expected to turn to ex-cop’s training

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death is expected Monday to turn toward the fired officer’s training after a first week dominated by emotional testimony from eyewitnesses and devastating video of his arrest. Derek Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter in the May 25 death of Floyd. Chauvin, who is white, is accused of pinning his knee on the 46-year-old Black man’s neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, as Floyd lay face-down in handcuffs outside a corner market. Police Chief Medaria Arradondo is expected to testify as early as Monday. Arradondo, the city’s first Black chief, fired Chauvin and three other officers the day after Floyd’s death, and in June called it “murder.”

Ambridge Structure Fire Under Investigation

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

Beaver County 9-1-1 received a  call for a structure fire at 511 Glenwood Avenue at 2:30 a.m. Easter Sunday. Firefighters arrived on scene  and were met with heavy fire on the 1st and 2nd floor , and it rapidly advanced to the neighboring homes at 509 and 513 Glenwood Ave., according to Assistant Fire Chief Don Larrick, Jr. He said multiple fire truck lines were put in service  at the front and rear of the structure. Ladder 71 was put into operations for aerial fire suppression. The homes at 507 and 505 received fire damage. Heavy smoke damage resulted  at 503  and 501  Glenwood Avenue, Assistant Chief Larrick reported..

The cause of the fire is being investigated by  Fire Chief Robert  Gottschalk and  the PA State Police Fire Marshal. Ambridge Fire Department thanks  all the Mutual Aid Fire Departments for their assistance.  The chief extended sympathies to the families impacted by the fire.
The Red Cross was notified and the  residents contact information was provided to  them.

Car rams 2 officers at Capitol barricade Killing One; driver shot dead

Car rams into police at Capitol barricade; officer killed
By MICHAEL BALSAMO and COLLEEN LONG Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Capitol Police officer has been killed after a man rammed a car into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol and then emerged wielding a knife. The suspect died at a hospital. Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman did not identify the slain officer or suspect. Authorities said there was no longer an ongoing threat and that the attack did not appear to be related to terrorism. The crash and shooting happened at a security checkpoint near the Capitol as Congress is on recess. It comes as the Washington region remains on edge nearly three months after a mob of armed insurrectionists stormed the Capitol as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win.

HERITAGE VALLEY BEAVER AND HERITAGE VALLEY SEWICKLEY MEDICAL STAFFS OFFER HEALTH CARE SCHOLARSHIPS

Moon Township, PA, (April 1, 2021) – Residents in the Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley service areas, who are pursuing an education in a health care career field, are invited to apply for scholarships of various amounts funded and awarded by the medical staffs of each hospital campus. 

The Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley Medical Staffs support Beaver County and northwest Allegheny County residents in their pursuit of a health care profession. 

Applicants may be in their senior year of high school, high school graduates, or current post-secondary students (ex. nursing school, undergraduate university, etc.).  Students must provide proof of matriculation or current enrollment in order to receive any scholarship monies.

A committee of Heritage Valley Medical Staff physicians at each hospital reviews the applications. Scholarship selection is based upon financial need, academic achievement, involvement in school and community activities, work and volunteer experience and plans for a career in a medical field. The application deadline is May 31, 2021. Scholarships will be awarded by June 30, 2021. 

To download a scholarship application, please visit the Heritage Valley website at http://www.heritagevalley.org/pages/heritage-valley-medical-staffs-scholarship

PUC Continues to Encourage Consumers and Small Businesses to Discuss Affordability Options with Utilities

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission continues to encourage consumers and small businesses who are struggling financially to #CallUtilitiesNow to discuss the options available to address any past-due balances, apply for available assistance programs, and review payment plan options – all focused on keeping households and businesses connected to vital utility services.

 

In a special statement, PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille emphasized that a direct conversation between customer and utility is the best “first step” for any Pennsylvania household or business to #KeepUtilitiesOn, whether your financial difficulties are related to the COVID pandemic or other circumstances.

 

Utilities understand the assistance programs available in their communities – including utility-run Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) for income-qualified consumers, national programs like LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), and various hardship funds operated by utilities and non-profit organizations to #KeepUtilitiesOn. Utilities also can help enroll consumers in assistance programs, guide them to other available resources and discuss new payment plan options to address overdue balances and help consumers move forward.

 

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At-Risk Consumers in Pennsylvania

 

According to the most recent utility reports submitted to the PUC, there are just over 890,000 residential utility accounts at-risk of termination – and while the total number of accounts has gradually declined since a peak in October 2020, when they reached almost 1.1 million, the total dollar amount owed by at-risk households has continued to grow, now topping $856 million.

 

The PUC noted that millions of dollars in financial assistance is currently available from utilities and various supplemental programs, and the Commission encouraged every eligible individual and household to make use of those funds to address their balances and #KeepUtilitiesOn.

 

The households of greatest concern include:

  • Utility customers experiencing financial difficulty for the first time and unaware of the resources available or the process for requesting assistance.
  • Households that did not qualify for assistance in the past, because of higher incomes, but may now be eligible because of the financial impact of the pandemic.
  • CAP customers who have not renewed their assistance plan enrollment for the new year – risking removal from those programs.
  • Households who qualify for LIHEAP financial assistance but have not applied for seasonal or supplemental aid.
  • Individuals who may qualify for “rent and utility assistance” available through counties across Pennsylvania.

 

#CallUtilitiesNow is the best way to identify what help may be available to you, your family and your business.  Also, be sure to call all your utilities: electric, natural gas, water/wastewater and telecommunication because each may have different programs or resources available.

 

Payment Plans & Flexible Income Verification

 

On March 11, 2021, the PUC required all Commission-regulated electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and steam utilities to modify their existing collection policies to provide additional payment plan options for residential and small business customers.

 

Residential customers qualify for payment arrangements to gradually pay down their previous balances over an extended period – with a minimum length of one to five years, depending on their income level (lower income levels qualify for longer payment periods) – and small business customers qualify for payment arrangements with a minimum length of 18 months.

Additionally, utilities and the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services may continue to use flexible means for income verification and business status information – such as over-the-phone or via electronic mail, for the purpose of qualifying customers for payment arrangements and/or universal service programs.
 

About the PUC

 

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

 

Gov. Wolf: Successful Teacher and School Staff Vaccination Initiative is Completed Ahead of Schedule

Gov. Wolf: Successful Teacher and School Staff Vaccination Initiative is Completed Ahead of Schedule

Kingston, PA – After vaccinating more than 112,500 teachers and school staff in only about three weeks, Governor Tom Wolf visited Luzerne County today to announce the special vaccination initiative is a success and was completed ahead of schedule. The accomplishment is an important step to help more students and teachers safely return to classrooms across the state.

“This is a great success, and I am so proud of everyone who made it happen,” said Gov. Wolf. “We know that teachers and students want to be back in the classroom where students can learn, laugh and grow with their friends. Completing our special vaccination initiative is a big milestone for Pennsylvania, one that will better protect schools, families and communities.

“Vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this pandemic, and with the completion of this special initiative, we are one step closer to the end of that tunnel. That is something for everyone in the commonwealth to celebrate.”

The governor held a press conference at Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 and was joined by its executive director, Dr. Tony Grieco, Education Secretary Noe Ortega, PSEA President Rich Askey, Northwest Area Junior-Senior High School teacher Vito Malacari and other legislators and stakeholders.

“As Executive Director of one of the 28 intermediate units across Pennsylvania that hosted vaccination clinics for school personnel, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Governor Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force for providing a plan for Pennsylvania’s school personnel to receive a vaccine,” said Grieco.

“Today is a turning point in the lives of our schools and our students here in Pennsylvania, and PSEA’s members are so excited about what lies ahead,” Askey said. “Some schools are reopening their doors after many months of remote instruction, while many more are expanding their schedules to bring students back into the classroom more days of the week.

“This is happening thanks to everyone who took decisive action one month ago to get vaccines out to those school employees who want them. You have helped ensure a safer environment for in-person instruction in our schools — protecting the health of educators, support professionals, students, and their families.”

Shortly after the federal government approved the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for use, Gov. Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced on March 3 a special initiative to provide a voluntary opportunity for Pre-K to 12 educators and school staff to be vaccinated. The Wolf Administration partnered with the state’s 28 intermediate units to rapidly establish vaccine clinics and conduct outreach to teachers and staff through school districts to schedule appointments.

“In less than one month, communities across Pennsylvania collaborated around the clock to vaccinate thousands of teachers and school staff; a truly remarkable and heroic effort,” said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “I am very grateful to Governor Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force for creating this special initiative, and proud of our Intermediate Units, school leaders, state agency partners, the National Guard, and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare for their extraordinary work to coordinate this opportunity. We are now closer than ever to a safe, full return to in-person teaching and learning.”

The Pennsylvania National Guard and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare swiftly coordinated hundreds of heath care professionals at 28 vaccine clinics across the state to put the shots into arms. Many of the vaccine clinics were held on evenings and weekends so students could continue learning during the school day without interruption.

This week, the Wolf Administration announced several other steps to help create local conditions for schools to return students to classrooms. On Monday, Gov. Wolf announced K to 12 schools will receive nearly $5 billion in federal funds to support classroom learning and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most. Part of the funding will address learning loss and the social, emotional and academic needs of underrepresented students.

On Wednesday, the departments of Health and Education updated recommendations on social distancing in schools to provide for three feet in many instances, which aligns with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and the handling of COVID-19 cases in schools to reduce the number of days for school closures. The recommendations take effect April 5.

Federal REAL ID Enforcement Begins Oct. 1, 2021

Harrisburg, PA – With only six months left until the federal enforcement of REAL ID begins for commercial domestic air travel and other federal purposes, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding Pennsylvania residents who want a REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and photo ID cards to gather their needed documents as soon as possible to ensure they leave plenty of time to get their REAL ID before the federal enforcement date.

To date PennDOT has issued approximately 1.1 million REAL ID products.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building that requires federally acceptable ID upon entry. A federally acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must be used for these purposes on and after October 1, 2021.

There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs.

“Although October may seem far away right now, we encourage our customers who want a REAL ID to get one as soon as possible,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We continue to focus on providing the best possible customer service to all of our customers as the federal deadline approaches.”

Based on data from other states offering an optional REAL ID program, PennDOT projected that 1.3 million of its customers would get a REAL ID prior to the federal deadline of October 1, 2021. Having crossed the threshold of issuing 1 million REAL ID-compliant products in December 2020, PennDOT is well-positioned to reach this target by the federal enforcement deadline.

Since March 1, 2019, PennDOT has processed about 5.4 million customers, with more than 1.1 million individuals choosing to opt into the REAL ID program. The remaining 4.3 million have chosen not to participate or use an alternative federally acceptable form of ID come the October deadline.

PennDOT paused REAL ID issuance in March 2020 due to COVID-19 out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health and resumed issuing REAL IDs in September 2020.

Additionally, the federal Department of Homeland Security postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.

“We want to do everything we can to encourage residents interested in applying for a REAL ID to start the process now and be aware of all the proper documentation needed,” said Gramian. “This will help ensure our customers have their REAL ID well in advance of the October 1, 2021 deadline.”

Customers can obtain a REAL ID by presenting documents for verification and processing at any driver license center. Federal regulations require that to be issued a REAL ID-compliant product, PennDOT must verify the below documents:

  • Proof of Identity: Examples include original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised seal/embossed or valid, unexpired, U.S. Passport;
  • Proof of Social Security Number: Social security card, in current legal name;
  • Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: Examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration or a utility bill with the same name and address; and
  • Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): Examples include a certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name or amended birth certificate issued by the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics. If current name is the same as what is reflected on proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), a customer does not need to show proof of legal name changes.

Customers have three options for obtaining a REAL ID product: Customers may order their REAL ID online if they have been pre-verified and their REAL ID product will be mailed to them within 15 business days; they can visit any PennDOT driver license center that is open for driver license services, have their documents verified and imaged, and their REAL ID product will be mailed to them within 15 business days; or they can visit one of 13 REAL ID Centers and receive their REAL ID product over the counter at the time of service.

For a full list of driver license centers and their services, please visit the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

When a customer gets their first REAL ID product, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee (current renewal fee is $30.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license, and $31.50 for a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won’t “lose” time that they’ve already paid for. After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee, beyond regular renewal fees, to renew a REAL ID product.

REAL ID-compliant products are marked with a gold star in the upper right corner, standard-issue (non-compliant) products include the phrase “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES,” per federal regulations. Sample images can be viewed on PennDOT’s website.

More information about REAL ID in Pennsylvania, including frequently asked questions and information on documents required for REAL ID, can be found at www.penndot.gov/REALID.