Ohio House speaker, 4 others arrested in $60M bribery case
By JULIE CARR SMYTH and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The powerful Republican speaker of the Ohio House and four associates have been arrested in a $60 million federal bribery case connected to a taxpayer-funded bailout of Ohio’s two nuclear power plants. FBI agents also raided Speaker Larry Householder’s farm. U.S. Attorney David DeVillers says the ploy was probably the largest bribery scheme ever perpetrated against the state of Ohio. Householder was one of the driving forces behind the nuclear plants’ financial rescue, which added a new fee to every electricity bill in the state. The bailout also directed over $150 million a year through 2026 to the plants near Cleveland and Toledo.

Michael Folmer Sentenced to 1-2 Years for Possessing Child Pornography

HARRISBURG―Attorney General Josh Shapiro today said former Lebanon County state Sen. Michael Folmer was sentenced this morning to a total of one day less than one year to two days less than two years in prison, eight years probation, and 15 years as a registered sex offender for possessing child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility.

“This was a public official whose constituents trusted to do what’s right, but he failed. He engaged in the sexual exploitation of children,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “No one is above the law, including those who make the laws. I will continue to work to protect children and hold those who abuse them accountable.”

Folmer, who was sentenced by Judge Joseph Madenspacher in the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas, was charged in September 2019 as a result of a CyberTip reporting that an electronic service provider, Tumblr, discovered that a user had uploaded an image of child pornography using their application.

The investigation led to Folmer’s home in Lebanon. The Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section, Lebanon City Police Department, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant and found images of child pornography on the defendant’s phone.

Governor Wolf Appoints Lucas M. Miller as State Inspector General

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced today the appointment of Lucas M. Miller, the current Acting State Inspector General, to serve as the State Inspector General of Pennsylvania.

“Lucas Miller brings over 20 years of public service experience to the role of State Inspector General,” said Gov. Wolf. “In his acting capacity, he has already proven to be a capable leader, and I know that he will continue to ensure that state government is responsible to Pennsylvanians through ethics, integrity and accountability.”

Governor Wolf recently created the Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission within the Office of State Inspector General, and Miller will help lead this initiative to ensure accountability within commonwealth law enforcement.

Miller has held nearly every position within the Office of State Inspector General, beginning as a Claims Investigation Agent in 1999. With an attention to ethics and integrity, Miller was repeatedly promoted within the agency, first as a Welfare Fraud Investigator Supervisor, then as Operations Manager, as three separate bureau directors and as the Deputy State Inspector General. Throughout his career, Miller has focused on improving government efficiency, eliminating waste and ensuring accountability. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Miller lives with his family in Hampden Township.

“Governor Wolf has tasked the Office of State Inspector General with ensuring the accountability of Pennsylvania state government,” said Miller. “I am humbled and honored that the governor has entrusted me to help lead this effort, and I look forward to this latest chapter in Pennsylvania’s integrity agency.”

Miller is replacing former State Inspector General Bruce R. Beemer, who became a judge at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Miller assumed the role of Acting State Inspector General on January 2, 2020.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.) Assistant Fire Chief Don Larrick, Jr. provided an update  via e-mail stating that Fire Chief Robert Gottschalk gathered information for the in house fire report on  the SUKUP Steel  Structures plant fire  that occurred early Saturday morning, July 18, 2020. Larrick said in the e-mail that the information was turned into an emergency reporting system. The insurance company for the   steel company  is providing their own fire investigator to investigate the cause and origin of the building’s fire. Chief Gottschalk said in an e-mail report that all parties have been working together  and will continue to work together as they move forward.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell, Pa.) The Hopewell School Board  revised the 2020-2021 school calendar at last night’s meeting and students will now return to school on  Tuesday, September 8, 2020 instead of August 27, 2020.  The board approved  a resolution  declaring the COVID-19  pandemic an emergency  and Supt. Dr. Michelle Miller  was authorized to develop alternate instructional plans  to employ in-person, virtual, and distance learning as she deems appropriate  in accordance with the PA School Code.

Human Services Provides Update on SNAP Online Grocery Purchasing, Encourages Retailers to Join

Harrisburg, PA –Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today reminded Pennsylvanians of the ability to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds to purchase groceries online through select retailers. This flexibility allows SNAP recipients to purchase groceries from home, which can help limit trips out of the home as Pennsylvania sees rising cases of COVD-19. Last month, DHS launched the pilot program overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allows SNAP recipients to purchase groceries online through participating retailers approved by the USDA.

“We are pleased that Pennsylvanians have the ability to purchase groceries online using their SNAP benefits, and we encourage any SNAP recipients to use online purchasing when possible to support social distancing and help keep themselves and their family safe from COVID-19,” said Secretary Miller. “This pilot has been a success so far, and I would encourage retailers to reach out to Food and Nutrition Service to join this program to provide even more opportunities for Pennsylvanians to purchase groceries online using SNAP.”

The pilot program currently includes four approved retailers: Amazon, the Fresh Grocer, Shoprite, and Walmart, and since the program’s launch, these retailers saw about $6.5 million in online purchases by Pennsylvanians. Retailers that are interested in participating in this program must contact the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and review the requirements. Retailers that do not wish to join the pilot program can still offer delivery or pick-up flexibility options for SNAP recipients by using mobile EBT processing equipment that would allow customers to pay with SNAP when groceries are delivered or picked up. Farmers’ markets may be able to receive this processing equipment at no cost through a grant opportunity provided by DHS. Online grocery transactions made up only 1.5 percent of total SNAP purchases during the month of June, equating to nearly 87,000 total online food transactions. Walmart (63 percent) and Amazon (29 percent) had the majority of the purchases, while ShopRite and Fresh Grocer experienced transaction activity of over half a million dollars combined.

Only eligible food items normally paid for by SNAP may be purchased from these retailers online with SNAP benefits. Delivery fees, driver tips, and other associated charges may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. This initiative does not include the ability to transact Cash Assistance benefits using the EBT card; therefore, individuals will need to use another method of payment, such as a pre-paid debit card, to cover non-allowable fees. More information on the online program, including a list of locations of participating retailers, can be found here.

Applications for SNAP and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Those who prefer to submit paper documentation can print the application from the website or request an application by phone at 1-800-692-7462 and mail it to their local County Assistance Office (CAO) or place it in a CAO’s secure drop box, if available. While CAOs remain closed, work processing applications, determining eligibility, and issuing benefits continues. Clients should use COMPASS or the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app to submit necessary updates to their case files while CAOs are closed.

For more information about food assistance resources for people around Pennsylvania impacted by COVID-19 and the accompanying economic insecurity, visit https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Food_Security/Pages/default.aspx.

(Center Twp., Pa.)  The Center Twp. Supervisors held a meeting on Monday July 20, 2020 and Center Manor Trailer Park was the main topic of discussion. Two residents of the park complained to supervisors about increased traffic and out of state vehicles being parked there. The residents said they pay taxes and their rent  at the park was increased by the owner. The park is zoned residential. Township chairman Bill DiCioccio, Jr.  asked Solicitor Nick Urick to expedite in filing a judgment against the park owner so a hearing  in District Justice Joe Schafer’s  office can be held.  The residents said the vehicles that are  parking there  are mainly workers from the Shell plant.

In other business supervisors approved the Stefanik Industrial Park Land Development Plan. It will be located  on Todd Lane near the entrance to I-376.

St. Louis couple charged for pulling, waving guns at protest
By JIM SALTER Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis’ top prosecutor has charged a husband and wife with felony unlawful use of a weapon for displaying guns during a racial injustice protest outside their mansion. Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced the charges Monday against Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who are white. Both are personal injury attorneys and in their 60s. The McCloskeys’ actions during the June 28 protest drew praise from some who said they were legally defending their $1.15 million home, but scorn from others who said they risked bloodshed. Several hundred protesters were marching to the mayor’s home, just a few blocks away.

• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.