PITTSBURGH, PA (June 23, 2020) – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced the schedule for its mobile testing unit through Friday, June 26. The vehicle will be at the following locations from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week:

• Tuesday, June 23 – City Hall Building in Clairton (551 Ravensburg Boulevard)
• Wednesday, June 24 – Hazelwood Family Health Center in Hazelwood (4915 Second Avenue)
• Thursday, June 25 – AHN Canonsburg Hospital in Canonsburg (100 Medical Boulevard)
• Friday, June 26 – Alma Illery Medical Center in Homewood (7227 Hamilton Avenue)

To undergo COVID testing at the AHN mobile clinics, patients should either be experiencing symptoms consistent with the virus – including fever, cough and shortness of breath – or believe they are at risk due to contact with someone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.  A physician’s order IS NOT required for an appointment at AHN’s mobile clinic, but an appointment is encouraged to minimize wait times.  Patients can make an appointment by calling AHN’s 24/7 Nurse On Call-line (412-NURSE4U – or 412-687-7348).

What to expect when arriving at the mobile testing site:

• Patients will walk or drive through a secured, marked area.
• No outdoor restrooms will be available at the collection locations.
• The sample is collected via a nasal swab and the process typically takes less than 30 seconds, not including any wait times.
• Testing results for the coronavirus typically take 5-7 days, depending on regional test volume. Individuals will be contacted directly with their results.  As volumes increase, wait times for results may be longer.
• While waiting for their test results, individuals should stay at home. Those who receive positive COVID-19 test results may be issued additional care orders or self-isolation orders.

AHN also continues to make COVID-19 testing available at the following community locations:

• AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion, 12311 Perry Highway, Wexford PA 15090
• AHN Bethel Park Health + Wellness Pavilion, 990 Higbee Dr., Bethel Park PA 15102
• 4220 William Penn Highway, Monroeville PA , 15146
• AHN West Side Health + Wellness Pavilion, 4247 Ridge Road, Erie PA 16506
• AHN Braddock Urgent Care, 501 Braddock Ave., Braddock PA 15104
• The former Divine Providence/Kindred Hospital, 1004 Arch St., Pittsburgh PA 15212
• Heights Plaza Shopping Center, 1828 Union Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065

More information on the testing locations can be found at https://www.ahn.org/coronavirus/where-to-go-for-help/testing.

Pennsylvania Reduced Prison Population by Record-Setting 3,471 since March 1 

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced today that since March 1, the population of those in state correctional facilities has been reduced by 3,471 individuals, the largest multiple-month decrease ever experienced by the Department of Corrections and one that likely helped the department reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in facilities.

“When COVID-19 arrived, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections met the challenge of keeping the general public safe while protecting its inmate population from this easily transmissible disease,” Gov. Wolf said. “The department has been successful at keeping COVID-19 from spreading widely in the congregate settings of correctional facilities.”

In the three-plus months since COVID-19 was first identified in Pennsylvania, less than 1 percent of the state prison population has tested positive. Ultimately, the inmates inside state correctional institutions have proven so far to be more secure from COVID-19 than the general population, where the mortality rate is 90% higher than it is in the state’s correctional facilities as of today.

The population reduction includes furloughing paroled individuals from centers to home plans; working with the parole board to maximize parole releases; reviewing parole detainers for those in county jails and state prisons; expediting the release process for anyone with a pending approved home plan; reviewing and releasing inmates who are beyond their minimum sentences; and implementing the temporary reprieve program that has allowed Gov. Wolf to issue reprieves to 159 inmates during the pandemic.

These releases are in addition to preexisting criminal justice reform efforts that have reduced Pennsylvania’s prison population from 48,881 inmates when Gov. Wolf entered office at the beginning of January 2015 to 41,738 inmates today. That 7,143 decrease in population in under five years has allowed the state to reduce taxpayer costs by closing facilities while enabling more Pennsylvanians to resume their lives – all without an increase in the state’s crime rate.

“The Department of Corrections takes pride in its ability to keep inmates safe and will continue to prioritize health and wellness during the COVID-19 crisis,” DOC Sec. John Wetzel said. “We will continue to seek improvements in our criminal justice system that minimizes the number of incarcerated individuals while providing the highest degree of safety to every Pennsylvanian.”

Pennsylvania has taken a bipartisan approach to criminal justice reform and in recent years has:

• Passed Justice Reinvestment 2 addressing the high cost of incarceration in the state, strengthening support for county probation programs and fixing inadequate sentencing guidelines, and reforming the post-trial criminal justice system.
• Created a Fair-Chance hiring policy for state agencies that removes the criminal conviction question, otherwise known as “banning the box,” from non-civil service employment applications for agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction.
• Signed the “Clean Slate” bill, the first of its kind in the nation, to help those who have committed low-level offenses and have paid their penalty get back on the path to a blemish-free record, removing potential roadblocks to jobs, housing, health care, and education.
• Signed Act 95 of 2018, eliminating driver’s license suspensions for non-driving infractions.
• Signed Act 146 of 2018, extending the time a convicted individual has to file a post-conviction relief action to one year, from what was 60 days under current law.
• Signed Act 147 of 2018, updating Pennsylvania’s DNA testing law to reflect significant advances in technology and the lessons learned by criminal justice professionals since 2002. The legislation removes the supervision requirement that only people serving a sentence can apply for DNA testing.
• Signed Act 148 of 2018, a victim protection bill regarding housing options and emergency transfers.

Find more information on Pennsylvania’s response to COVID-19 here.

Find more information on Gov. Wolf’s Process to Reopen PA here.

Governor Wolf Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Climate Change, Provides Update on RGGI Process  

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf reaffirmed his commitment to combat climate change by providing the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with a six-week extension to develop a proposed rulemaking to allow Pennsylvania to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Initially, the governor through executive action instructed DEP to develop a plan to present to the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) by July 31, 2020. Under the amended executive order, the deadline has been extended to September 15, 2020.

“Addressing the global climate crisis is one of the most important and critical challenges we face. Even as we continue work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we cannot neglect our responsibility and our efforts to combat climate change,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “Amending this order will provide DEP with more time to develop a strong plan without impacting our over goals for implementing the regulation.”

“Given the feedback from members of our advisory committees and the general public comments, and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we plan to continue our conversations and outreach among the environmental justice community, affected communities, and general public throughout this summer,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Gathering additional feedback prior to promulgation will allow us to strengthen the regulation and work with affected communities and will not affect the ultimate timeline for the regulation go into effect.”

RGGI is a market-based collaboration among 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating economic growth. Governor Wolf issued an Executive Order in October 2019 instructing DEP to begin the regulatory process of participating in RGGI.

The RGGI states have reduced power sector CO2 pollution by 45 percent since 2005, while the region’s per-capita GDP has continued to grow. Through its first six years of existence, RGGI investments were found to return $2.31 billion in lifetime energy bill savings to more than 161,000 households and 6,000 businesses that participated in programs funded by RGGI proceeds, and to 1.5 million households and over 37,000 businesses that received direct bill assistance.

Pennsylvania exports nearly a third of the electricity it produces, and the cost of RGGI compliance for exported electricity will be paid by electric customers in the states where that electricity is ultimately used.

Reducing CO2 emissions as part of combatting climate change is a top priority for the Wolf Administration. In January 2019, Governor Wolf signed an executive order to set Pennsylvania’s first statewide climate goals, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2025 and by 80 percent by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

Joel Schumacher, director of ‘St. Elmo’s Fire,’ dies at 80
By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Joel Shumacher, who shepherded the so-called”Brat Pack” to the big screen in “St. Elmo’s Fire” and directed two 1990s-era “Batman” films, has died. A representative says the director died Monday at 80 after a year-long battle with cancer. Schumacher’s credits included “The Lost Boys” and “Batman Forever,” “Batman & Robin,” “A Time to Kill” and “Flatliners.” Though Schumacher’s “Batman” films were trashed by critics and have been endlessly mocked, they’ve achieved cult status in later years as entertaining, self-aware, and playful offshoots of the Batman mythology in the spirit of Bob Kane.

AAA: Pennsylvania Gas Prices Jump This Week; Demand Ebbs Nationwide
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is nine cents higher this week at $2.440 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Weekly increases were minimal for the majority of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, with the exception of Delaware (+10 cents), West Virginia (+9 cents) and Maryland (+5 cents). For motorists filling up in the region, they can expect to find state averages fluctuating from a low of $1.92 in Virginia to a high of $2.36 in Pennsylvania.

Nearly one million barrels of gasoline were used from inventory in the region, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data for the week ending June 12. Regional gasoline stocks sit at 74.1 million barrels, and refinery utilization dipped just under 50%. AAA expects the region to see gas prices continue to increase in the weeks ahead, especially as more Americans feel comfortable traveling.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.440
Average price during the week of June 15, 2020                                       $2.354
Average price during the week of June 24, 2019                                       $2.884

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

$2.398      Altoona
$2.407      Beaver
$2.453      Bradford
$2.453      Brookville
$2.444      Butler
$2.451      Clarion
$2.437      Du Bois
$2.444      Erie
$2.433      Greensburg
$2.460      Indiana
$2.455      Jeannette
$2.447      Kittanning
$2.451      Latrobe
$2.451      Meadville
$2.491      Mercer
$2.392      New Castle
$2.434      New Kensington
$2.454      Oil City
$2.422      Pittsburgh
$2.434      Sharon
$2.430      Uniontown
$2.461      Warren
$2.419      Washington

On the National Front
This week, 30 states only saw an increase of a penny or two, causing the national average to push more expensive by three cents to $2.13 since last Monday. The national rise in gasoline prices has slowed, which can be partly tied to decreasing demand. Measuring at 7.87 million b/d, gasoline demand saw a small week-over-week decline and continues to be significantly lower (21%) compared to this week last year.

Today’s national average is 19 cents more expensive than a month ago, but remains significantly cheaper – 53 cents – than a year ago.

At the end of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by 91 cents to settle at $39.75 per barrel. Domestic crude prices increased at the end of last week amid increased market optimism regarding trade relations between the U.S. and China and greater focus on compliance with the production reduction agreement between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its partners, including Russia, which has worked to cut global crude production by 9.7 million b/d since May 1, 2020. It remains unclear if OPEC’s agreement will extend into August; it is currently set to expire at the end of July.

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.

Cutler Elected Speaker of the House

Only third speaker to hail from Lancaster County, first in nearly a century

HARRISBURG – Following a confirmation by the majority of members, Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) is the Speaker of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives.

In remarks from the rostrum upon his confirmation vote, Cutler told his fellow members, “As we each carry the torch for the next generation, let me be the first to pledge to you what I hope you will pledge with me: First, let us treat each other, other elected leaders, and our constituents, with respect. Second, let us not ask someone else to do something that we ourselves would not do. And finally, when our term of service is concluded, let us leave things better than the way we found them. And let us do our work together.”

Cutler was first sworn in to represent the 100^th district in Lancaster County in 2007, making his 13 years of service to the speaker’s chair the shortest tenure since 1967.

Cutler is only the third member from Lancaster County to serve as speaker in the chamber’s history, and the first since Rep. Aaron Hess was speaker in 1929. He replaces the Hon. Mike Turzai of Allegheny County who retired from the House earlier this month.

“My entire mission in public service has been to give back to the community that gave so much to me and my family,” Cutler said. “Carrying the voices of the 100^th district has been the honor of my life, and I will continue to carry the values and lessons my community gave to me in my new role.”

Cutler previously served as House majority leader and the majority whip. A lawyer and former x-ray technologist, he’s made health care reforms a cornerstone of his extensive impacts in Harrisburg. His time in the Capitol is defined by finding bipartisan solutions to some of the state’s most pressing issues, including authoring Pennsylvania’s most comprehensive election reforms in the last 80 years and a statewide overhaul of the Affordable Care Act, both of which were signed into law this session.

“Our chamber, one of the oldest democratically elected bodies in the world, has never shied away from finding solutions to countless issues facing mankind,” Cutler added. “This importance of this moment in history is not lost on me, and I give my word to all Pennsylvanians that the sincerity and fairness with which I serve will never be in question.”

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Josh Shapiro today said consumers who purchased misleading investment publications from the Baltimore-based Money Map Press LLC have the option to get their money back following a $150,000 settlement with the company.

Shapiro said Money Map sold investment publications that exaggerated the profit potential and benefits to consumers in various government programs. One publication, “Big Tobacco MUST Pay. The Complete Handbook for Collecting Thousands of Dollars a Month, Tax-Free, from Master Settlement Payments,” misrepresented the investment opportunities available to consumers through the 1998 Tobacco Settlement with the states.

“This company ripped-off consumers with false claims of profit windfalls and now it must pay,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “With this settlement, people who purchased bogus investment publications will be able chart their way back to the money they lost. My Bureau of Consumer Protection will make sure this happens, starting today.”

The settlement, which marks the conclusion of a joint investigation conducted with Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, alleges Money Map Press engaged in a broad range of misconduct, including misrepresenting offers as free when they were not, using false testimonials and failing to disclose the material terms and conditions relating to its subscription billing practices.

When the Office of Attorney General intervened, Money Map Press stopped selling certain publications and agreed to make comprehensive changes to its business practices to comply with Pennsylvania’s Consumer Protection Law. It also agreed to pay $75,000 as refunds for affected consumers, $50,000 in civil penalties and $25,000 in costs. To be eligible for restitution, consumers have 60 days to file a complaint with the Attorney General.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Amy L. Schulman of the Pittsburgh Regional Office filed the settlement in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed settlement in her state.

DEP Launches Expanded Online Permitting Options to Assist Businesses 

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a new online permit application tool that will help permit applicants submit their permit applications electronically. The new tool, OnBase-DEP Upload Form, will allow applicants to submit applications for all DEP authorizations.

“Online permit applications will allow for faster processing and more focus on parts of the permit application that relate to the environment and public health,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Paper applications will still be accepted, but applicants are strongly encouraged to use this new electronic permit application submission tool to improve the efficiency of the permit application submission and review processes as DEP employees continue to telework to help control the spread of COVID-19.”

DEP had previously developed several online permit applications in its e-Permitting system under the Wolf administration and has reduced the backlog of permits under review by nearly 90 percent. Payment for application fees is not a part of the tool, and applicants will still need to submit payment under separate cover. Applications for permits that are included in DEP’s e-Permitting system should only be submitted in the e-Permitting system.

“As we begin to recover from the impacts that COVID-19 has had on Pennsylvania, improving the permit application process will help businesses get back on their feet and people back to work,” said McDonnell. “Electronic permitting is an important new tool for applications, and will continue to allow DEP staff still under telework orders to efficiently review applications.”

Benefits of the online tool include:

• Lower costs for DEP and applicants – no paper and mailing envelopes
• Better efficiency for DEP staff; applications can more easily be moved between staff to prevent backlog
• Allows DEP staff to continue to process applications without going into an office, ensuring continued operations through pandemic conditions

“These applications will still be scrutinized for impacts to the environment and public health – but we can cut down on needless back and forth letters between DEP and applicants over missing information or incorrectly submitted applications,” said McDonnell.

Guidance for the new permit application tool can be found here.
Instructions for applicants to submit permit fees can be found here.

More information on the online permitting tool can be found here: https://www.dep.pa.gov/DataandTools/Pages/Application-Form-Upload.aspx

2 dead, 7 wounded in shooting at North Carolina block party
By SARAH BLAKE MORGAN Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Police say two people were killed and seven others were wounded early Monday when multiple people fired into a crowd at an impromptu celebration in North Carolina. Five others were hit by vehicles. Police say the shooting happened at an impromptu block party in Charlotte that was a continuation of Juneteenth celebrations. About 400 people were gathered when someone in the crowd was struck during a hit-and-run accident, prompting the arrival of an ambulance and first responders. Police heard shots fired when they arrived. No motive was immediately clear, and no one was in custody by late Monday morning.