Governor Wolf Appoints Lucas M. Miller as State Inspector General

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced today the appointment of Lucas M. Miller, the current Acting State Inspector General, to serve as the State Inspector General of Pennsylvania.

“Lucas Miller brings over 20 years of public service experience to the role of State Inspector General,” said Gov. Wolf. “In his acting capacity, he has already proven to be a capable leader, and I know that he will continue to ensure that state government is responsible to Pennsylvanians through ethics, integrity and accountability.”

Governor Wolf recently created the Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission within the Office of State Inspector General, and Miller will help lead this initiative to ensure accountability within commonwealth law enforcement.

Miller has held nearly every position within the Office of State Inspector General, beginning as a Claims Investigation Agent in 1999. With an attention to ethics and integrity, Miller was repeatedly promoted within the agency, first as a Welfare Fraud Investigator Supervisor, then as Operations Manager, as three separate bureau directors and as the Deputy State Inspector General. Throughout his career, Miller has focused on improving government efficiency, eliminating waste and ensuring accountability. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Miller lives with his family in Hampden Township.

“Governor Wolf has tasked the Office of State Inspector General with ensuring the accountability of Pennsylvania state government,” said Miller. “I am humbled and honored that the governor has entrusted me to help lead this effort, and I look forward to this latest chapter in Pennsylvania’s integrity agency.”

Miller is replacing former State Inspector General Bruce R. Beemer, who became a judge at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Miller assumed the role of Acting State Inspector General on January 2, 2020.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.) Assistant Fire Chief Don Larrick, Jr. provided an update  via e-mail stating that Fire Chief Robert Gottschalk gathered information for the in house fire report on  the SUKUP Steel  Structures plant fire  that occurred early Saturday morning, July 18, 2020. Larrick said in the e-mail that the information was turned into an emergency reporting system. The insurance company for the   steel company  is providing their own fire investigator to investigate the cause and origin of the building’s fire. Chief Gottschalk said in an e-mail report that all parties have been working together  and will continue to work together as they move forward.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell, Pa.) The Hopewell School Board  revised the 2020-2021 school calendar at last night’s meeting and students will now return to school on  Tuesday, September 8, 2020 instead of August 27, 2020.  The board approved  a resolution  declaring the COVID-19  pandemic an emergency  and Supt. Dr. Michelle Miller  was authorized to develop alternate instructional plans  to employ in-person, virtual, and distance learning as she deems appropriate  in accordance with the PA School Code.

Human Services Provides Update on SNAP Online Grocery Purchasing, Encourages Retailers to Join

Harrisburg, PA –Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today reminded Pennsylvanians of the ability to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds to purchase groceries online through select retailers. This flexibility allows SNAP recipients to purchase groceries from home, which can help limit trips out of the home as Pennsylvania sees rising cases of COVD-19. Last month, DHS launched the pilot program overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allows SNAP recipients to purchase groceries online through participating retailers approved by the USDA.

“We are pleased that Pennsylvanians have the ability to purchase groceries online using their SNAP benefits, and we encourage any SNAP recipients to use online purchasing when possible to support social distancing and help keep themselves and their family safe from COVID-19,” said Secretary Miller. “This pilot has been a success so far, and I would encourage retailers to reach out to Food and Nutrition Service to join this program to provide even more opportunities for Pennsylvanians to purchase groceries online using SNAP.”

The pilot program currently includes four approved retailers: Amazon, the Fresh Grocer, Shoprite, and Walmart, and since the program’s launch, these retailers saw about $6.5 million in online purchases by Pennsylvanians. Retailers that are interested in participating in this program must contact the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and review the requirements. Retailers that do not wish to join the pilot program can still offer delivery or pick-up flexibility options for SNAP recipients by using mobile EBT processing equipment that would allow customers to pay with SNAP when groceries are delivered or picked up. Farmers’ markets may be able to receive this processing equipment at no cost through a grant opportunity provided by DHS. Online grocery transactions made up only 1.5 percent of total SNAP purchases during the month of June, equating to nearly 87,000 total online food transactions. Walmart (63 percent) and Amazon (29 percent) had the majority of the purchases, while ShopRite and Fresh Grocer experienced transaction activity of over half a million dollars combined.

Only eligible food items normally paid for by SNAP may be purchased from these retailers online with SNAP benefits. Delivery fees, driver tips, and other associated charges may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. This initiative does not include the ability to transact Cash Assistance benefits using the EBT card; therefore, individuals will need to use another method of payment, such as a pre-paid debit card, to cover non-allowable fees. More information on the online program, including a list of locations of participating retailers, can be found here.

Applications for SNAP and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Those who prefer to submit paper documentation can print the application from the website or request an application by phone at 1-800-692-7462 and mail it to their local County Assistance Office (CAO) or place it in a CAO’s secure drop box, if available. While CAOs remain closed, work processing applications, determining eligibility, and issuing benefits continues. Clients should use COMPASS or the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app to submit necessary updates to their case files while CAOs are closed.

For more information about food assistance resources for people around Pennsylvania impacted by COVID-19 and the accompanying economic insecurity, visit https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Food_Security/Pages/default.aspx.

(Center Twp., Pa.)  The Center Twp. Supervisors held a meeting on Monday July 20, 2020 and Center Manor Trailer Park was the main topic of discussion. Two residents of the park complained to supervisors about increased traffic and out of state vehicles being parked there. The residents said they pay taxes and their rent  at the park was increased by the owner. The park is zoned residential. Township chairman Bill DiCioccio, Jr.  asked Solicitor Nick Urick to expedite in filing a judgment against the park owner so a hearing  in District Justice Joe Schafer’s  office can be held.  The residents said the vehicles that are  parking there  are mainly workers from the Shell plant.

In other business supervisors approved the Stefanik Industrial Park Land Development Plan. It will be located  on Todd Lane near the entrance to I-376.

St. Louis couple charged for pulling, waving guns at protest
By JIM SALTER Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis’ top prosecutor has charged a husband and wife with felony unlawful use of a weapon for displaying guns during a racial injustice protest outside their mansion. Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced the charges Monday against Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who are white. Both are personal injury attorneys and in their 60s. The McCloskeys’ actions during the June 28 protest drew praise from some who said they were legally defending their $1.15 million home, but scorn from others who said they risked bloodshed. Several hundred protesters were marching to the mayor’s home, just a few blocks away.

• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.

AAA: Pump Prices Dip in Pennsylvania; Demand Steadies Nationwide
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is two cents cheaper this week at $2.458 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

On the week, North Carolina (-3 cents), West Virginia (-2 cents), and Maine (+2 cents) saw the largest swings at the pump in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states. All other regional state averages increased or decreased by a penny, while others saw no change at all. Gas prices in the region range from $2.00 in Virginia to $2.43 in Pennsylvania.

Stock levels declined for a third week, this time by 1.3 million barrels. At 71 million barrels, total stocks are at their lowest point since May. However, levels are at an 11.5 million barrel year-over-year surplus, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. Regional refinery rates have averaged about 50% since early May, which is helping to keep stock levels at very healthy levels and yielding minimal gas price fluctuation.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.458
Average price during the week of July 13, 2020                                        $2.473
Average price during the week of July 22, 2019                                        $2.975

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

$2.493      Altoona
$2.434      Beaver
$2.498      Bradford
$2.482      Brookville
$2.446      Butler
$2.470      Clarion
$2.476      DuBois
$2.486      Erie
$2.402      Greensburg
$2.499      Indiana
$2.439      Jeannette
$2.445      Kittanning
$2.441      Latrobe
$2.490      Meadville
$2.508      Mercer
$2.372      New Castle
$2.460      New Kensington
$2.497      Oil City
$2.446      Pittsburgh
$2.485      Sharon
$2.423      Uniontown
$2.499      Warren
$2.344      Washington

On the National Front
The national gas price average held steady on the week at $2.19 as one-third of states saw gas prices decrease and only 10 states saw gas prices increase by two to four cents. State averages saw minimal fluctuation as demand roughly held steady over the last four weeks.

At 8.6 million b/d, the EIA measures demand at a 1% decrease week-over-week, 9% increase month-over-month and a 6% decrease year-over-year. Meanwhile, gasoline stocks measure at a 1% weekly decline, a 3% decrease month-over-month, but a 7% increase compared to last year.

At the end of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by 16 cents to settle at $40.59 per barrel. Domestic crude prices fell after the EIA’s weekly report revealed that total domestic crude inventories decreased by 7.5 million barrels to 531.7 million barrels. Decreasing crude stocks could mean that crude production is beginning to meet demand, which could help stabilize crude prices 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 78 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.

Benninghoff Urges Wolf to Sign Grove Transparency Bill

 HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) Monday urged Gov. Tom Wolf to sign House Bill 2463, legislation that passed the General Assembly unanimously to require state agencies to respond to Right-to-Know Law requests during a disaster declaration. Last week, despite the unanimous passage by the General Assembly, Gov. Wolf said he would veto the legislation.

In response, Benninghoff made the following statement:

“Gov. Wolf should do the right thing and sign House Bill 2463, a critical transparency bill that won unanimous support in both chambers of the General Assembly.

“Throughout this pandemic, government overreach, secrecy and lack of transparency has been perpetuated at an alarming rate. There is no justification for denying access to public records.

“Over the years, the General Assembly has successfully updated our transparency laws to make them some of the best in the country and, right now, Pennsylvanians need transparency to be restored to their government. This administration needs to be held accountable to the people of Pennsylvania.”

This bill was prime sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover), who held a virtual press conference about this legislation this morning.

Following the press conference, Rep. Grove released a statement, which said in part:
“Favoring transparency is more than words. It means providing the public with a view of not just what is happening, but why. That is what makes the governor’s threat to veto this emergency RTK legislation so concerning,” Grove said. “State government has successfully demonstrated its portability during the COVID-19 pandemic as many aspects of it smoothly transitioned when asked to work from a remote location. With today’s technology, RTK requests can be asked and answered quickly and flawlessly without exposing confidential information.”

With tears, Congress honors Lewis, ‘conscience of the House’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has honored the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis with a moment of silence. The civil rights leader died Friday after a battle of several months against advanced pancreatic cancer. He was beloved by members of both parties, and some grew emotional as the House reconvened Monday. Speaker Nancy Pelosi choked up during a TV interview as she recalled Lewis and their last conversation the day before he died. Pelosi said Lewis “always worked on the side of the angels and now he is with them.” When she gaveled the House to order, Pelosi called on everyone to rise “in a moment of silence in remembrance of the conscience of the Congress.”