Category: News

Juneteenth marks day last enslaved people freed

AP Explains: Juneteenth marks day last enslaved people freed
By TERRY TANG Associated Press
Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free 155 years ago. Now, with support growing for the racial justice movement, 2020 may be the year the holiday reaches a new level of recognition. Juneteenth is a blend of the words June and 19th. It’s the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform the last enslaved black people they were free after the Civil War. Juneteenth celebrations began the next year in Galveston and eventually reached other states. While the coronavirus pandemic is moving many celebrations online, states, cities and companies are moving to make the day an official holiday.

Utility regulators keep moratorium on service terminations

Utility regulators keep moratorium on service terminations
By MARC LEVY and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission is rejecting an attempt to end its three-month-old moratorium preventing utilities from terminating service to non-paying customers while the state fights the spread of the coronavirus. Thursday’s 2-2 vote means the motion failed. Commissioner John Coleman sought to allow electric, water, sewer and telephone utilities to restart termination processes in July. Coleman says courts could end Wolf’s emergency disaster order at any time, and electric utilities are warning that customers are piling up large unpaid bills that will require “aggressive” collection efforts beginning in early August. The commission’s order halts terminations, but not collection activities.

10-month-old hurt in car-buggy crash dies from her injuries

10-month-old hurt in car-buggy crash dies from her injuries
HOPEWELL, Pa. (AP) — A 10-month-old girl who was critically injured when the horse-drawn Amish buggy she was riding in was struck by a car this week has died from her injuries, State police say the crash happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday in Hopewell, when a 56-year-old woman driving uphill rear-ended the slow-moving buggy. The girl and three other people in the buggy, a 3-year-old boy, a 20-year-old woman and another adult, were injured and taken to a hospital, but the car’s driver wasn’t hurt. The girl’s death was announced Thursday. The injured boy is expected to recover from his injuries, while the two adults were treated for undisclosed injuries and released.

3 found shot to death in Wilkinsburg, police seek vehicle and suspect

3 found shot to death, police seek vehicle and suspect
WILKINSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gunfire in western Pennsylvania has left three people dead. The shooting took place early Friday near Coal Street in Wilkinsburg. Police say they found a man and a woman dead near a car and a man was found shot to death in another vehicle. Their names have not been released. Police are searching for a suspect who was seen driving a blue Pontiac G6. No other information was available.

 

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed Today for Juneteenth National Freedom Day

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Juneteenth National Freedom Day

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, June 19, 2020, in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.   Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; and driver license and photo ID duplicates. There are no additional fees for using online services.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 950 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot/.

 

Additionally, COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.

Aliquippa School Board approved a 1 mill tax increase for 2020-2021

Story by Beaver County Radio News correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa School Board approved a 1 mill tax increase for 2020-2021 last night The total budget is $24,991,524.  Real estate tax on buildings will be 40.5 mills, and 258 mills on land, representing a 3 mill increase. All other taxes will remain the same as in previous years, according to Business Manager Debbie Engleman.

The board  renewed a contract   with Seneca Valley School District  for online instruction  for students wishing to take language and other   classes Aliquippa doesn’t offer. Dr. Peter M. Carbone said. The only language taught at the high school is Spanish.  The cost for 2020-2021 is $100  more per student.
Jessica DeMatteis, an elementary teacher ‘s resignation was approved by the board effective June 5, 2020. Dr. Carbone reported that she has taught at   Aliquippa for   over 20 years, and is pursuing another career.
Larita Stewart is the new board president.

Brighton Rehab and Wellness Fined; In a Statement Say They are Proud of Progress.

Story by News Correspondent Sandy Girodano

(Brighton, Twp.) Brighton Rehab and Wellness Center has been fined  following the review of facts that showed they didn’t meet the requirements  for participation as a provider of the Health Insurance program  for the Aged and Disabled (MEDICARE)Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, and  Medicaid , Title XIX of the Act.

A survey of the facility was completed at the facility by the PA Department of Health, Bureau of Li censure and Certification  to determine if the facility  was in compliance with   Federal participation requirements for nursing homes  participating in  medicare and medicaid programs.  As a result of the survey  found the most serious deficiency  to  be one that comprises a pattern that constitutes immediate jeopardy to the health and safety of residents. This was cited under Infection Protection and Control. As a result of the findings Brighton Rehab  had a civil money penalty imposed on them  from May 1  through May 4 in the amount of $14,565 a day totaling $58,260. On May 5 the immediate jeopardy situation was removed.  Effective on May 5, 2020, CMP is reduced to $110.00 a day.  The report stated that the reduced CMP will continue to be enforced until the facility regains compliance. The facility  under state censurer guidelines for long term facilities    failed to prevent the potential for cross contamination of disease  and placed residents of nine of 11 nursing units in  Immediate Jeopardy. Those were Two East, Three East, Four East, Two Main, Two West, Four Main,Groves Two and Three.
On May 14, 2020 , CMS completed a COVID-19Focused Survey at the site  and the survey revealed that the  facility  wasn’t in compliance  with federal requirements  related to implementing proper infection prevention and control practices  to prevent development  and transmission of COVID-19.The facility at that time was asked to submit an acceptable POC.  plan of correction..According to the report the  facility failed to be consistent in maintaining and infection and protection control program which ensured proper cleaning and disinfecting multi-use equipment  for 3 of all residents and staff failed to use proper PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT  perform proper hand hygiene , and store/handle linens in the proper manner to prevent the potential for cross-contamination  and placed the residents in the 9 units in IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY.
Brighton Rehab issued a statement  that they have no  active COVID-19  cases at the facility , and they have closely adhered to   the guidelines set forth by health officials.  Management added that crisis caused by the pandemic is not over , they are proud of the progress  they have made to date  and will fight tirelessly to keep this virus eradicated  from our facility

Route 51 Constitution Boulevard Improvement Work Begins Monday in Beaver County

Route 51 Constitution Boulevard Improvement Work Begins Monday in Beaver County

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing improvement work on Route 51 (Constitution Boulevard) in various municipalities in Beaver County, will begin Monday, June 22 weather permitting.

Beginning Monday morning, restrictions will occur in following locations on Route 51:

  • Route 51 two-lane section between Braden School Road in Chippewa Township and Riverside Drive in Bridgewater Borough. Single-lane alternating traffic will occur weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work in this section will continue through the end of 2020.
  • Route 51 four-lane section between Shenango Road and Braden School Road in Chippewa Township. Single-lane restrictions will occur in each direction weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work in this section will continue through late August.

Weekend work will occur as needed using the same hours listed above.  No work will occur on holidays or the day before and after.

Crews will conduct milling and paving, concrete pavement rehabilitation, bridge preservation, drainage improvements, guiderail updates, curb work, sign and signal improvements, pavement marking installation, and other miscellaneous construction activities.

Lindy Paving is the prime contractor on this $11.78 million betterment job.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 950 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Gov. Wolf: Mask-Wearing is Required, Critical to Stop COVID-19 Spread

Gov. Wolf: Mask-Wearing is Required, Critical to Stop COVID-19 Spread

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today reminded Pennsylvanians that mask-wearing is required when entering any business in all counties in the state in both yellow and green phases of reopening. Masks are considered critical in stopping the spread of COVID, now and in preparation for a possible resurgence of the virus in the fall.

The mask requirement is part of Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel’s Levine’s order, “Directing Public Health Safety Measures for Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-person Operations,” which pertains to all counties regardless of the phase of reopening.

“In yellow and green counties, it is required that masks are worn when visiting businesses to protect employees, employees’ families, and communities as a whole,” Gov. Wolf said. “Mask-wearing has proven to be an important deterrent to the spread of the virus, and as more counties move to green and more things reopen, we need to be vigilant in our efforts to continue our mitigation efforts.”

A recent study from Cambridge and Greenwich universities in the United Kingdom found that cloth masks, “even homemade masks with limited effectiveness can dramatically reduce transmission rates if worn by enough people, regardless of whether they show symptoms.”

Peer-reviewed studies published in scientific journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine corroborate the need for masks and the U.S. Surgeon General said that wearing a mask doesn’t impinge on our freedom – it gives us more freedom from unknowingly spreading COVID-19.

The state’s business guidance outlines mask-wearing requirements and additional safety parameters for both employees and customers.

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

Pa State Police Releases 2019 DUI Arrest Totals

State Police Releases 2019 DUI Arrest Totals
 
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police announced today that troopers made 22,139 driving-under-the-influence (DUI) arrests in 2019, which reflects a 1 percent increase from the total number of DUI arrests (20,143) in 2018. In addition, troopers investigated 4,692 DUI-related crashes in 2019.
“Impaired driving is a serious crime that occurs every day in Pennsylvania, often committed by people who would otherwise consider themselves to be law-abiding.” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “The PSP has a zero-tolerance approach toward DUI, whether a driver is impaired by alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, or another substance. We remain committed to working with our local law enforcement partners to keep our roadways safe through a combination of education and enforcement.”
In Pennsylvania, a driver is guilty of DUI if they are impaired by any substance. Troopers certified as drug recognition experts (DREs) receive specialized training to identify the physiological signs of impairment caused by a wide range of controlled substances. State police DREs conducted 1,044 drug influence evaluations in 2019.
A list of 2019 state police DUI arrest totals, DUI crash investigations, and DRE drug influence evaluations broken down by troop is available here. These figures reflect information from the Pennsylvania State Police and do not include information from other law enforcement agencies in the commonwealth.
State police community services officers regularly speak about DUI prevention and other traffic safety topics at schools, community events, and businesses. Their presentations are offered at no charge and may be requested by contacting your local state police station.
“PSP Community Services Officers staffed more than 2,300 traffic safety presentations in 2019 for a variety of audiences,” said Colonel Evanchick. “Our troopers would rather prevent DUI with age-appropriate, in-person education than arrest an impaired driver; or worse, respond to a DUI-related crash involving death or injury.”
Penalties for a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania are based on several factors, including an individual’s criminal history, blood alcohol content level, and whether injuries or property damage occurred. Potential consequences include thousands of dollars in fines, license suspension, and prison time.