PennDOT Reduces Speed Limits on Several Area Roadways

 Pittsburgh, PA – Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several roadways in the region.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

   Allegheny County

1. Interstates 79, 376 (Parkways East and West), 279 (Parkway North), and 579
2. State Route 28

Beaver County

• Interstate 376 (Beaver Valley Expressway)

Lawrence County

• Interstates 79 and 376
• State Route 422

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, 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 1,000 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.

The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.Ready.PA.gov or by downloading the free ReadyPA app for Apple or Android devices. Citizens can also find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the ReadyPA website.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh

HARRISBURG ― Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that Citibank will refund $1,063,041 to approximately 7,000 Citi credit card accounts in Pennsylvania to resolve allegations that it illegally overcharged credit card interest. The settlement was led by Pennsylvania and achieved in partnership with the attorneys general of Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Citi is paying the five states a total of $4.2 million and approximately 25,000 current and former Citi customers will receive refund checks.

“Citi failed to meet its legal obligation to consumers, and charged thousands of Pennsylvanians for bogus interest payments,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “Today, our office got back more than $1 million for those Pennsylvanians who were overcharged. When banks step out of line, we will hold them accountable.”

The investigation arose from Citibank’s failure, from February 2011 to August 2017, to properly reevaluate and reduce the annual percentage rate (“APR”) for certain consumer credit card accounts as required by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act). For more than six years, Citibank failed to follow the law and lower credit card interest rates for certain consumers who were entitled to reductions in their APR. In addition, the PA Office of Attorney General claims that Citibank’s conduct in connection with the APR reevaluation issues violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

The attorneys general will be distributing the settlement to eligible consumers through Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions, Inc., a settlement administrator. Consumers do not need to take any action to receive their funds, which will be sent as checks to eligible consumers in the middle of 2021. Only those Citi credit card customers who meet certain criteria set by the settling states will receive a refund check. Consumers who have questions can call: 855-914-4657.

As explained in detail in a 2018 Consent Order between Citibank and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the CARD Act requires credit card issuing banks to perform a “look back” at least every six months to review whether, for accounts where the bank has increased the APR due to credit risk or other factors, the factors that prompted the increase have changed. When indicated by the look back review, the CARD Act requires the bank to reduce the account’s APR. The CFPB’s Consent Order alleges that Citibank failed to properly implement the CARD Act’s look back requirements from 2011 to 2017.

Today, the PA Office of Attorney General filed an Assurance Voluntary of Compliance with the Court. This multistate investigation was led by Bureau of Consumer Protection Assistant Director Nicholas F. B. Smyth.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The National Weather Service in Moon Twp., Pa. has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Beaver County and the surrounding area starting at 9:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2021. The advisory will last until 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologists are predicting 1 to 2 inches of snow overnight Monday and another 1 to 2 inches of snow during the day on Tuesday.

Below is  a copy of the advisory that was issued:

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
1 PM EST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4
  inches.

* WHERE...Portions of northwest, southwest and western
  Pennsylvania, east central Ohio and northern and the northern
  panhandle of West Virginia.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Please report snow or ice by calling 412-262-1988, posting to the
NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPittsburgh

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania
Turnpike Commission remind motorists to adjust speeds based on
driving conditions as winter weather impacts Pennsylvania
roadways. Visit www.511pa.com for the latest travel, roadway and
traffic conditions.

On Tuesday’s Teleforum program Eddy welcomes Mike Lysakowski of Motorsport
Aspects;  Mike will have a speed week wrapup, including all the local drivers that
participated. Mike will also preview the Clash, taking place for the first time ever on a
road circuit-the Lernerville Speedway general manager joins Eddy in the 11:35  on  AM1230, AM1460, FM99.3 presented by St. Barnabas-Teleforum is heard on
Beaver County Radio.

Tax Time Offers Opportunity to Help Pennsylvania’s Military Families Facing Financial Difficulties
Annville, PA – Individuals filing their 2020 Pennsylvania personal income taxes can help Pennsylvania’s military personnel and their families by donating any amount of their refund to the state’s Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP).

The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), provides grants of up to $3,500 to members of the armed forces and their families who are residents of Pennsylvania and have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. The tax form includes instructions on how to donate.

“Many Pennsylvanians traditionally support our military and their families at tax time by generously contributing to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, and that is greatly appreciated,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and acting head of DMVA. “The simple act of checking the block for MFRAP on your tax form will help to improve the quality of life for a military family facing financial difficulties. During the pandemic, MFRAP contributions are more important now than ever before.”

Examples of how MFRAP grants helped service members in 2020-2021 include:

• The spouse of a Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) soldier deployed overseas was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her unemployment compensation expired, and she was unable to find new employment to help support their family. Unexpected home and car repairs compounded the financial strain. She was awarded a grant of $3,500 to address the needed repairs and other household expenses while she continued her job search.
• A U.S. Navy Reserve petty officer with recent active duty service was experiencing financial hardship from expenses related to a family emergency. The member needed to purchase tires for her vehicle and needed other assistance with travel expenses to make a cross-country trip because of the death of her mother. The petty officer was approved for a grant of $2,000.
• A Pennsylvania Air National Guard sergeant was unaware that his civilian medical insurance had expired while he was serving on active duty orders. His family unknowingly accrued over $8,000 in medical bills after the coverage was discontinued. The sergeant was approved for a grant of $3,500 to assist with the payment of uninsured medical expenses.

Since the program began in 2006, more than $1.94 million has been generously donated by individuals filing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns and through private donations.  

Members of the armed forces who are residents of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance while they are serving on active duty for 30 or more consecutive days with the Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, or the Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard.

All members of the armed forces who were discharged for medical reasons are also eligible to apply for assistance for up to four years after a medical discharge.

In addition, reserve component service members (including Pennsylvania National Guard members) and their families may be eligible for a grant for a period of up to three years after release from a qualifying active duty tour.

The program also applies to certain family members of eligible service members who are Pennsylvania residents. Applicants must show that they have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

In addition to the check-off box on the state Personal Income Tax form, contributions can be made directly by sending a check to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, c/o PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.

Donations are tax deductible to the extent authorized by federal law.

To learn more about this program, visit www.mfrap.pa.gov.

For more information about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

(MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.) For the second time in the last week TSA Agents at Pittsburgh International Airport have found a loaded handgun at an airport security checkpoint.

A Loaded .380 caliber handgun was spotted by a TSA officer on a checkpoint X-ray machine’s monitor. The gun containing 5 bullets was spotted inside the Wexford man’s a carry-on bag.

Allegheny County police were notified and responded to the checkpoint to confiscate the gun and question the man.

He now is facing federal civil penalties.

Trump lawyers blast impeachment trial as ‘political theater’
By ERIC TUCKER, LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for Donald Trump are blasting the impeachment case against him as an act of “political theater” by Democrats. In a brief filed Monday on the eve of the Senate impeachment trial, lawyers for the former president attack the case on multiple grounds. They say it is unconstitutional and must be dismissed. Trump’s historic second impeachment trial is set to start Tuesday with a debate and vote on whether it’s even constitutional to prosecute the former president now that he’s no longer in office. Democrats want to hold the former president accountable for the violent U.S. Capitol siege. And Republicans want it over as quickly as possible.