Category: News

Gov. Wolf Urges General Assembly to Support Small Businesses

Gov. Wolf Urges General Assembly to Support Small Businesses

Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, Governor Tom Wolf urged the Pennsylvania General Assembly to act on funding small businesses while the body is in session this week.

“Small businesses have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Wolf. “The Small Business Assistance Program has seen immense success, but further support is needed to support our small businesses and strengthen the economy. I am calling on the General Assembly to approve additional funds to support our small businesses. We cannot let another week go by without addressing this need.”

As part of his fall legislative agenda, Governor Wolf called on the General Assembly to provide an additional $225 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in the form of forgivable loans and grants to small businesses in Pennsylvania through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. In addition, the governor proposed $100 million in forgivable loans and grants for the hospitality, leisure and service industries, including restaurants and bars, salons and barber shops.

The COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance funding was developed in partnership with state lawmakers and allocated through the state budget, which included $2.6 billion in federal stimulus funds through the CARES Act, of which $225 million was earmarked for relief for small businesses, including historically disadvantaged businesses.

To date, more than 10,000 businesses were approved for $192 million in grants through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. However, as the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic continue, it is imperative that further funding be allocated to help small businesses that were not awarded in the first two rounds of funding, or that face ongoing hardship.

“So many of Pennsylvania’s small businesses have taken on additional work and costs to do the right thing and keep their employees and customers safe since reopening,” Gov. Wolf said. “They are doing everything right, and they need our help to continue to make ends meet.

“We held back a portion of Pennsylvania’s CARES Act funding so that we could address the commonwealth’s needs this fall. There is a need for additional funding for Pennsylvania’s small businesses right now, and I implore the General Assembly to take action without delay to support our small business community.”

Pennsylvania nears 9M voters at registration deadline

Pennsylvania nears 9M voters at registration deadline
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Monday is the last day in Pennsylvania to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election in which the presidential battleground state is playing a central role in the contest between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. Voter registration in Pennsylvania has hit a record high in this cycle, and as of Friday, the latest statistics available, voter rolls were about 17,000 short of hitting 9 million. That includes nearly 4.2 million Democrats and nearly 3.5 million Republicans. Democrats continue to hold a substantial registration edge, but Republicans have narrowed the gap by about 200,000 from 2016’s presidential election to about 700,000 now.

Some states allow ballots if voters die before Election Day

Some states allow ballots if voters die before Election Day
By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Ballots cast by people who vote early but die before Election Day are sometimes cited as proof of voter fraud, but in many states they’re perfectly legal. Seventeen states prohibit counting ballots cast by someone who subsequently dies before the election, but 10 states specifically allow it. Questions over whether ballots will count if someone votes early but dies before Election Day are especially pressing this year, amid a coronavirus outbreak that has been especially perilous for older Americans. People 85 years and older represent nearly one in three deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S.

Guitars played, partly made by Eddie Van Halen go to auction

Guitars played, partly made by Eddie Van Halen go to auction
By The Associated Press undefined
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Two guitars owned, played and partly designed by the late Eddie Van Halen will be going up for auction. Julien’s Auctions announced Monday that a 2004 EVH Charvel Art Series electric guitar and a customized electric guitar Van Halen built at his home studio with his guitar tech will be among the items for sale at the Beverly Hills auction that starts Dec. 5. Each instrument is expected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000. The auction was already in the works when the guitar legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee died of cancer on Oct. 6 at age 65.

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.