Category: News

150 years: The Oyster House celebrates its sesquicentennial

150 years: The Oyster House celebrates its sesquicentennial
By DAN GIGLER, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette undefined
PITTSBURGH (AP) — It was Oct. 12, 1870, and the morning edition of the Pittsburgh Daily Post’s front page carried news of the day and ads for dry goods, but not a word about a new Downtown restaurant and saloon where the oysters were a penny and draft beers a dime. The place, now known as the Original Oyster House, is celebrating its 150th anniversary after weathering the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, Prohibition, the Great Depression, fires, recessions and now another pandemic.

Wolf Administration: Join the More than 322,000 Pennsylvanians Who Added Their Phone to the Fight by Downloading the COVID Alert PA app

Wolf Administration: Join the More than 322,000 Pennsylvanians Who Added Their Phone to the Fight by Downloading the COVID Alert PA app

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today encouraged residents to join the more than 322,000 Pennsylvanians who have added their phones to the fight by downloading the COVID Alert PA mobile app.

“I am encouraging everyone to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer on a regular basis,” Dr. Levine said. “I also urge every Pennsylvanian to download the COVID Alert PA so you can get a notification if you have been in close contact with someone who later tests positive for COVID-19, or anonymously notify other residents if you yourself test positive. We all play a part in stopping the spread of this virus, and by uniting together, we can all make a difference.”

COVID Alert PA is a free and voluntary mobile app developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in partnership with NearForm, University of Pennsylvania and MIT Lincoln Laboratory using Apple and Google’s Exposure Notification System. The app’s features include an interactive COVID-19 symptom check-in, alerts for potential exposures to the virus, updates on the latest public health data about COVID-19 in PA and public health guidance for what to do if you have a potential exposure to COVID-19.

The app is designed to ensure privacy of the user. It does not use GPS, location services or any movement or geographical information. It will never collect, transmit or store personal information. It is completely anonymous.

Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa.”

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Virtual 2021 PA Farm Show Offers Competitive Opportunities, Exhibitor Rules and Regulations Modified Amid COVID-19 Pandemic 

Virtual 2021 PA Farm Show Offers Competitive Opportunities, Exhibitor Rules and Regulations Modified Amid COVID-19 Pandemic 

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today expanded on competitive event opportunities for the virtual 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show. More than 20 opportunities are available, with every competition having modified rules and regulations to effectively mitigate against COVID-19.

“Many Pennsylvanians look forward to exhibiting in the PA Farm Show all year long,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Although this year’s competitive events look different, what remains is a showcase of the quality and breadth of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and those who make it thrive.”

The virtual Farm Show will hold the following competitive events:

  • Agriculture Education
  • Apiary
  • Beer
  • Christmas trees
  • Corn and small grains
  • Family Living
  • Jr. Market Cattle
  • Maple syrup
  • Mushrooms
  • Potatoes
  • Vegetables
  • Wine
  • Wool

In additional to these Farm Show staple competitions, new opportunities include a Coloring Contest, Educational Video Contest, Public Speaking Contest, and additional Skill-a-thon contests.

Competitors are encouraged to review the rules and regulations prior to entering, as they feature changes to classes, registration requirements, entry deadline, and method of getting items to the Farm Show Complex.

The virtual 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show is scheduled to take place from Saturday, January 9-Saturday, January 16, 2021. Virtual events will be focused on education and awareness for both the general public and the agriculture industry.

AAA Recognizes National Teen Driver Safety Week

The week of October 18 is recognized as National Teen Driver Safety Week, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The awareness week serves as a time to remind parents across America to have conversations with their teens about the dangers they face on the nation’s roadways, what they can do to stay safe behind the wheel, and to reflect on their own driving behaviors.

According to the latest data available from NHTSA, more than 3,200 teens were involved in fatal crashes in 2017. Moreover, 2,526 were killed in crashes that year, and of that, 229 were killed in distraction-affected crashes.

“Motor vehicle crashes remain as the leading cause of deaths for teens,” says Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “It is our hope that this week serves as a reminder to parents everywhere to talk openly and honestly with their young drivers about the steps they need to take behind the wheel.”

Recent AAA research has found that for every mile driven, new teen drivers ages 16-17 years old are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults. This is largely due to their inexperience, and their likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. According to the new AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index, about 72% of teen drivers aged 16-18 admitted to having engaged in at least one of the following risky behaviors in the past 30 days:

  • Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street (47%)
  • Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway (40%)
  • Texting (35%)
  • Red-light running (32%)
  • Aggressive driving (31%)
  • Drowsy driving (25%)
  • Driving without a seatbelt (17%)

AAA encourages parents to:

  • Talk with your teens. Have open and honest conversations early and often about safe driving habits. Set a time each week to discuss avoiding dangerous behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, impairment and distracted driving. Discuss any concerns, review the teen’s driving performance, and chart progression towards established goals and benchmarks.
  • Lead by example. Your teens are watching how you drive, so be a positive and responsible role model. Teach by example, and minimize risky behavior when driving.
  • Establish ground rules. Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers.
  • Practice makes perfect. Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving with their teen.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 76 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.

Beaver Falls dominates Freedom!!! 50-14

The Tigers traveled to Bulldog stadium for tonight’s match up.  The game started out close with a single score between each team in the first quarter.  Freedom fought hard to prevent Beaver Falls from scoring early in the game.  In the second quarter, things still remained close with Beaver Falls only managing one more touchdown to end the first half with a score of 14 – 7 in favor of the Tigers.  In the second half, Beaver Falls decided to show Freedom what they came to do, which was to win the game.  The Tigers managed to score touchdown after touchdown while the Bulldogs only gained one more.  The game ended with a score of 50 – 14 Beaver Falls.

FBI probing if Russia involved in Hunter Biden email story

FBI probing if Russia involved in Hunter Biden email story
By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is investigating whether emails that were published by the New York Post related to Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, are connected to a possible Russian influence operation. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. The newspaper said that it had obtained a hard drive from Rudy Giuliani containing the emails, and that the messages were found on a laptop that had been left at a Delaware computer repair shop but never retrieved. The unlikely account raised immediate questions about Russian involvement.

Home destroyed in Rochester Township Fire Thursday Morning

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Rochester Twp. Pa.) Rochester Township Fire Chief Mike Mamone III reported that his department received a call 9 a.m. Thursday to respond to a structure fire on Mclean Street.  Upon arrival,  firefighters discovered the 2 story frame home  built in 1995 on fire. Chief Mamone said that the fire’s cause is under investigation. He said the home is a total loss, and that the occupants are staying with family.

Chief Mamone said his department was assisted by Beaver Falls, New Brighton, Daugherty and Pulaski Township Fire Departments.
Chief Mamone praised firefighters  for their efforts in fighting the fire.

Two Trapped in Aliquippa Apartment Fire

(Aliquippa Pa.)  Aliquippa Fire Chief Dave Foringer  said a single story brick apartment building housing  6 apartments in the 600 block of Davis Street was the scene of a fire this  morning.. Firefighters responded to a call at 9 a.m. 2 elderly residents were trapped in their burning apartment  ,Aliquippa firefighters entered through a window and  rescued them , according to Chief Foringer. The apartment was destroyed by the fire.

One person was transported to the hospital  by Medic Rescue, the other  was transported by Economy Ambulance.
Six departments assisted the Aliquippa  Fire Department at the scene.  The fire’s cause is under investigation.

Victim in Thursday Morning Fatal Accident in Fallston Revealed

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Fallston, Pa.) A Beaver Falls man was killed in a 1 vehicle accident  off of Beaver Street in Fallston Thursday morning, according to New Brighton Police Chief Ron Walton.

Chief Walton said the victim was Clark j. Hall, 77 of Beaver Falls. According to sources the accident occurred in a one lane construction zone.  The cause of death hasn’t  been released by the coroner’s office.

Aliquippa Fire Department receives new equipment

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa Fire Department received a  SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS  vehicle through an  $84,000 grant from FEMA, including a $4,000 from the city  recently. Fire Chief Dave Foringer made the announcement last week. He said that the apparatus was a necessity for the department  and was pleased that the funds were made available for the department..