Girl Scouts tweet, then delete post about Amy Coney Barrett
By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer
A tweet by the Girl Scouts congratulating new Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett drew such outrage from Barrett’s critics that the youth organization swiftly deleted it. That then sparked a new backlash from Barrett’s supporters. The original tweet was posted Wednesday evening. It said, “Congratulations Amy Coney Barrett on becoming the 5th woman appointed to the Supreme Court since its inception in 1789.” The post featured an image of Barrett; along with the other four women who have been justices on the high court. The post was quickly attacked by critics who view Barrett, a conservative, as a potential threat to civil liberties and women’s rights.

Supreme Court issues flurry of last-minute election orders
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting in lawsuits involving absentee ballot deadlines in three battleground states, the Supreme Court has allowed extensions for ballots in North Carolina and Pennsylvania to remain in place. But it has refused a plea for a relaxed deadline in Wisconsin. In each case, Democrats backed the extensions and Republicans opposed them. All three states have Democratic governors and legislatures controlled by the GOP. At first blush, the different outcomes at the Supreme Court seems odd because the high court typically takes up issues to harmonize the rules across the country. But elections are largely governed by states, and the rules differ from one state to the next.

Pennsylvania Reminds Voters How to Safely Cast Their Ballots on Election Day

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians to make a plan to vote and to stay safe if they will be voting at their polling place on election day.

“With the election less than one week away, voters should make a plan now for voting in person at their polling place if they have not already opted to vote by mail ballot,” said Secretary Boockvar. “I want to assure all Pennsylvanians that the commonwealth is doing everything it can to ensure that in the midst of COVID-19, voters are safe when they go to the polls.”

Voters who plan to vote at their polling place on election day should wear a face covering and follow social distancing guidelines. Voters will not be turned away if they are not wearing a face covering, but we urge all voters to wear a face covering to protect themselves, other voters and poll workers.

The Department of State is supplying counties with masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, floor marking tape for social distancing and other supplies for polling places so Pennsylvanians can safely exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 emergency.

County election officials and poll workers will manage the health and safety protocols for polling places to ensure the safety of everyone on election day. Poll workers and county officials in polling places are required to follow the requirements of the Department of Health’s Universal Face Covering Order including wearing face coverings in the polling place and when interacting with voters in line to vote outside the polling place, unless they fit one of the exceptions included in Section 3 of the Order.

“It is essential that everyone who is headed to a polling place to vote on election day wear a mask that properly covers their nose and mouth,” Dr. Levine said. “My mask protects you and your mask protects me. Masking, washing hands, social distancing and downloading the COVID Alert PA app are essential steps to protecting yourself as you cast your ballot.”

The Department of State today updated its guidance related to poll watchers and authorized representa​tives to specify that poll watchers and authorized representatives must comply with the following Pennsylvania COVID-19 orders and requirements:

• Poll watchers and authorized representatives must follow the requirements of the Department of Health’s Universal Face Covering Order at all times while within the polling place and in locations where the pre-canvass and canvass of ballots is occurring, unless they fit one of the exceptions included in Section 3 of the Order.
  • Any poll watcher or authorized representative refusing to wear a face covering shall be asked to leave the polling place by the Judge of Elections in that polling place and shall be asked to leave the pre-canvass or canvass meeting.
  • County election officials will notify the candidate, party or political body the poll watcher or representative represents if the individual is asked to leave a polling place or a pre-canvassing or canvassing meeting, for violating masking orders or health and safety protocols. The candidate, party, or political body will have an opportunity to replace the removed watcher or representative with one wearing a face covering.

• Poll watchers and representatives must maintain social distancing practices and ensure they are at least 6 feet from others at all times.
• Poll watchers must follow county and poll worker instructions regarding health and safety protocols in the polling place.
• The guidance is available here.

“By following just a few simple steps, we can all make sure that we are keeping each other safe while exercising our constitutional rights,” Secretary Boockvar said.

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

Harrisburg, Pa.  – With Election Day just five days away, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar are again urging voters to immediately hand-deliver mail ballots to their county election office, drop box, or other designated location. By returning their own ballot now, Pennsylvanians can be assured their vote will be counted.

“At this point, voters should hand-deliver their ballots to be assured their vote will be counted,” said Gov. Wolf. “We strongly urge you not to return your voted ballot in the mail with only five days left before Election Day. Do not wait. Now is the time to take your ballot to your county’s designated ballot return location and you will have peace of mind that your voice will be heard in this election.”

Voters who applied for and received a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at the polls must bring their entire mail ballot packet with them to be voided, including both envelopes. They may then vote on their county’s voting system.

If a voter applies for a mail ballot but does not return it and no longer has the mail ballot and envelopes, they may vote by provisional ballot at the polls on Election Day. Their county board of elections will then verify that they did not vote by mail before counting their provisional ballot.

Additionally, if a voter’s absentee or mail‐in ballot is rejected for a reason other than their qualification or eligibility to vote, such as a missing signature or naked ballot, they may vote by provisional ballot.

Pennsylvania has prioritized election preparedness by implementing new, secure voting systems in every county; implementing the Interagency Election Preparedness and Security Workgroup along with local, state and federal partnerships to monitor for disruptions and coordinate responses, and providing counties with supplies to keep polling places clean and safe, for both poll workers and voters during the pandemic.

“Pennsylvania is ready for Election Day,” said Secretary Boockvar. “Voters should cast their ballots knowing that the commonwealth is doing everything it can to protect their rights while keeping them safe.”

Governor Wolf and Secretary Boockvar also reminded Pennsylvanians to make a plan for voting at their polling place on Tuesday, Nov. 3. If you plan to vote on Election Day, check your polling place location. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 3. If a voter is in line at 8 p.m., they may still vote.

Voters who plan to vote at their polling place on Election Day should wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. The Department of State is supplying counties with masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, floor marking tape for social distancing and other supplies for polling places so Pennsylvanians can safely exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 emergency.

In addition, voters planning to vote at a polling place on Election Day should be aware of their rights. Voter intimidation and discriminatory conduct are illegal under federal and Pennsylvania law. Any activity that threatens, harasses or intimidates voters is illegal – including any activity that is intended to, or has the effect of, interfering with any voter’s right to vote, whether it occurs outside the polling place or inside the polling place.

Anyone who suspects voter intimidation or who believes they are the victim of voter intimidation should report the incident to their county board of elections and county district attorney immediately. They may also contact the Pennsylvania Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

(Baden, Pa.) Baden Council met last night at the Baden Legion  due to an anticipated large crowd  concerning police consolidation /contracting services. Last week, the meeting was abruptly cancelled because of a large crowd. that wished to express disapproval to make changes to the department. The borough secretary reported  this morning the room was full with social distancing in place and wearing of masks. Some residents left the meeting, allowing others to speak.  Talks were discontinued regarding police consolidation/contracting services , the secretary reported.

Zeta barrels northeast after battering storm-weary coast
By REBECCA SANTANA and KEVIN McGILL Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A fast-moving Zeta weakened to a tropical storm as it ripped through the South on Thursday morning, killing at least two, knocking out power to more than 2 million across the region and prompting a rare tropical storm warning for Atlanta. And officials say life-threatening conditions will last into the day. Zeta weakened over central Alabama but its strong winds continued across portions of the state and the Florida Panhandle early Thursday. The storm was west of Asheville, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Zeta was moving quickly toward the northeast at 39 mph.

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa will not have Trick or Treat tonight,  Thursday October 29, 2020  due to the inclement weather!!  The annual event  will be held Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. . Council made the decision at last night’s work session.  Councilman Matt Mottes said he and his wife bought plenty of candy for the trick or treaters who stop by his Christine Drive home..

(Beaver County, PA) October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Women’s Center of Beaver County has partnered with Beaver County Radio to produce and publish a four part series on issues associated with Domestic Violence.

One of the most significant ways to combat domestic violence is by making people more aware of the resources that are available to them in their community. The Women’s Center of Beaver County has traditionally been that safe haven and advocate for the victims of domestic violence.  Ann Colella-Murray from the Women’s Center of Beaver County remarked in a recent discussion, that one of the key ways that her organization combats domestic violence is by making a full time helpline available to victims, and the people involved in the support process.

The final segment in this series will be published later this week and explore the topic of  “Counseling Versus Therapy”.

For more information, call the Women’s Center Of Beaver County at 724-775-0131.