Category: News

Gov Wolfe to Hold Press Conference at 3:30 PM Today. Sources Say to Announce More Restrcitions

(Pittsburgh,Pa) Today, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine will provide an update on COVID-19 in the commonwealth. They will be joined via Skype by Dr. David Rubin, a general pediatrician and director of PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, whose team developed a unique COVID-19 tracking and projection model, which sheds light on the risk of a COVID-19 resurgence in Pennsylvania. They will discuss the recent surge in cases and outline how the commonwealth can mitigate them.

Beaver County Radio, 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, and 99.3 FM  will carry Live Coverage of the Press Conference

Sources have said the Governor will also be adding restrictions of more mitigation efforts for the state of Pennsylvania targeting restaurants, bars and nightclubs as a result of rising COVID-19 cases, according to sources.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as details continue to develop

Judge halts execution amid claims inmate isn’t mentally fit

Judge halts execution amid claims inmate isn’t mentally fit
By MICHAEL BALSAMO and MICHAEL TARM Associated Press
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — A U.S. judge has halted the execution of a federal death row inmate whose lawyers argue suffers from dementia. Wesley Ira Purkey was slated to be the second inmate executed by the government after a nearly 20-year hiatus ended this week. But a judge in Washington, D.C., imposed two injunctions Wednesday. The Justice Department is appealing in both cases. Purkey’s lawyers say he can no longer grasp why he’s slated to die. Purkey, of Lansing, Kansas, was convicted of the 1998 killing of a girl in Kansas City, Missouri, and was scheduled for execution at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. Another man, Daniel Lewis Lee, was put to death there Tuesday.

ViacomCBS drops Nick Cannon, cites ‘anti-Semitic’ comments

ViacomCBS drops Nick Cannon, cites ‘anti-Semitic’ comments
By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — ViacomCBS says it’s cutting ties with Nick Cannon because of what the media giant called his ‘hateful speech” and anti-Semitic theories. The company’s move came in response to remarks made by Cannon on a podcast in which he discussed racial bias with a former Public Enemy member, Richard Griffin. Cannon produced “Wild ‘n Out,” a comedy improv series for VH1, the ViacomCBS-owned cable channel. He’s been a regular part of TV on shows unconnected to the company, including as the former host of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and host of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”  In a online post before ViacomCBS’ decision, Cannon said he doesn’t condone hate speech.

Trump administration rescinds rule on foreign students

Trump administration rescinds rule on foreign students
By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer
BOSTON (AP) — The Trump administration has rescinded a rule that would have required international students to transfer schools or leave the country if their colleges hold classes entirely online this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was announced at the start of a hearing in a federal lawsuit in Boston brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The announcement brings relief to thousands of foreign students who had been at risk of being deported from the country, along with hundreds of universities that were scrambling to reassess their plans for the fall in light of the policy.

Wolf Administration Grants Third Extension to License to Carry Firearm Permits

(File Photo)
 
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police announced today that Governor Tom Wolf has granted an additional extension to license to carry firearms permits. Permits expiring on March 19, 2020 or later are now valid through September 30, 2020. The previous extension was set to expire on July 31.
The extension of license to carry permit expiration dates is necessary due to the closure of some county courthouses and sheriff’s offices, as well as other ongoing COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
In Pennsylvania, an individual 21-years-old or older may apply for a license to carry firearms by submitting a completed application to the sheriff of the county in which they reside or, if a resident of a city of the first class, with the chief of police of that city. The sheriff has 45 days to investigate and determine an individual’s eligibility to be issued a license, which is valid for five years.
A license to carry firearms is required to carry a firearm concealed on one’s person or in a vehicle. Any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person except in his place of abode or fixed place of business without a valid and lawfully issued license commits a felony of the third degree.
For more information on carrying a firearm in Pennsylvania, visit psp.pa.gov.

Monaca Borough Meets Via Zoom to Discuss New Municipal Complex and Other Projects

Story by News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Monaca, PA.) Borough Manager Mario Leone will be in Harrisburg tomorrow to meet with the Deputy Secretary of PA DCED  to seek funding for a new municipal complex in the borough. Leone said the proposed site  will be located on  Pacific Avenue    in the vicinity of the railroad tracks. DESIGN SCREEN  of  Pittsburgh is the architect for the project. The project cost is estimated to be $3 million.

The borough is waiting for Duquesne Light  concerning the 10-13th Street corridor project, Leone said the project is moving slowly, Another project in the works  is 17th Street.  Penn DOT  is negotiating with engineers so the project can move forward.

Highmark Health Has Been Named a “Best Place to Work” for Individuals with Disabilities

PITTSBURGH (July 15, 2020) — For the sixth consecutive year, Highmark Health has been named a “Best Place to Work” for individuals with disabilities in the Disability Equality Index® (DEI®), a national benchmarking survey administered jointly by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN®.

For its comprehensive efforts to attract, develop and retain people with disabilities in its workforce, national blended health organization Highmark Health has earned a top score of 100 percent in the most comprehensive disability inclusion assessment tool designed and embraced by both business leaders and disability advocates. This year’s recognition measures culture and leadership; enterprise-wide access; employment practices, including benefits, recruitment, employment, education, retention and advancement, and accommodations; community engagement; and supplier diversity.

“Supporting a diverse workforce is a vital part of getting health care right for our customers,” said Dr. Lonie Haynes, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Highmark Health. “When our workforce reflects the diverse communities which we serve, we are able to develop more innovative solutions and ultimately deliver a differentiated health care experience with greater value. We are honored to be named a 2020 ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ – a distinction which recognizes our organization’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, community engagement, and competitive employment inclusive of people with disabilities.”

Among those practices earning Highmark Health the “Best Place to Work” recognition are programs and partnerships that help to recruit people with disabilities, including the Rooney Rule; a centralized accommodation process; support and leadership of organizations in the community that advocate for people with disabilities; executive sponsorship of the business case for recruiting, hiring and developing people with disabilities; supplier diversity and provider diversity programs; and enterprise-wide support of business resources groups through which employees with disabilities get involved in workplace, marketplace and community-wide programs.

“The best way to attract, retain and grow talent with disabilities is to create an accessible, inclusive workplace. This year’s top scoring Disability Equality Index companies are demonstrating their commitment to many of the numerous leading disability inclusion practices featured in the DEI, recognizing that there’s still room for improvement,” said Jill Houghton, president and chief executive officer, Disability:IN. “We are proud to have developed strong partnerships with corporate allies who are committed to advancing disability inclusion and equality across their businesses in the United States and around the world.”

Highmark Health’s Abilities Business Resource Group (BRG) raises awareness about the needs of, and offers support to, people with disabilities and their caregivers in the workplace, marketplace and community. The Abilities BRG encourages workplace inclusion, equality of opportunity and best practices in recruitment. Its members also build community partnerships through educational-to-career experiences for students with disabilities, advocate accessibility to Highmark Health facilities, act as a champion for customers with disabilities, and serve as a voice for those who care for or support people with disabilities.

Pa House of Representatives Acts to Give Pennsylvanians Voice in Emergencies

Bill would give voters option to change declaration procedures, prohibit racial discrimination

HARRISBURG – After months of taking action to carry the voices of Pennsylvanians concerning the governor’s response to COVID-19, today the House voted to give the people of Pennsylvania the opportunity to decide for themselves how they wish to be governed during times of emergency.

Senate Bill 1166 would amend the constitution to limit an emergency declaration by the governor to 21 days, unless otherwise extended in whole or in part by a majority vote of the General Assembly.  The legislation would also provide constitutional protections against racial discrimination.

“Time is of the essence to get these two important issues before the people of Pennsylvania,” Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) said. “Amending our state Constitution is not something we should take lightly; however, we believe doing so is necessary. Our communities should decide for themselves how they wish to be governed.”

While current law states emergency declarations can last up to 90 days, a recent court ruling blocked the Legislature’s ability to end emergency declarations without the consent of the governor.

“We believe the power of our Commonwealth truly rests with the people. Pennsylvania is not a dictatorship, and the voters should ultimately decide,” Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said. “We are a co-equal branch of government and have tried at every turn to work with the administration, including asking to join a multi-branch, bipartisan task force to manage this crisis. The governor turned us down, deciding instead to go it alone for months on end.”

The constitutional amendment now advances to the Senate for further consideration. It must pass both chambers of the General Assembly in consecutive sessions before it can be placed on the ballot for voters to consider.

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Bernstine Announces Funding For New Business Park on Site of Former Stonecrest Golf Course

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced the Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded a $2 million Business in Our Sites grant and a $3 million Business in Our Sites loan for the development of the Stonecrest Business Park located in New Beaver Borough, Lawrence County.

The Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC), in cooperation with Stonecrest Business Park (SBP), plans to develop a former golf course into the Stonecrest Business Park. The site consisting of 213 acres, 110 acres of which is developable, is accessible to Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike and is 30 minutes north of the Shell Cracker Plant.

“The development of the Stonecrest Business Park in the southern part of the county will build upon other developments already happening in Beaver County and around the Pittsburgh International Airport,” said Bernstine. “This will create more businesses and a significant amount of new jobs, which adds up to strengthening the economy. Approximately 3.3 million Pennsylvanians, including thousands from our area, find themselves looking for work due to the coronavirus pandemic. This project will help the unemployed tremendously. It is anticipated this will result in the creation of more than 1,000 jobs.”

SBP plans to develop up to 1.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial space. In addition, Business in Our Sites loan funds will be used for site excavation, grading construction of roads, streets and engineering. The grant funds will be used to bring utilities to the site. The total cost of the project is almost $7.5 million.

“By building a local hub for businesses to grow, we can expand our tax base and lessen the burden on homeowners,” said Bernstine. “This is a model we can duplicate for all of our communities across the 10th District.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority Business in Our Sites funding empowers communities to attract growing and expanding businesses by helping them build an inventory of ready sites. This program is for speculative projects only. Funds cannot be used for projects that are primarily residential or recreational. Sites must be previously used property or undeveloped property that is planned and zoned for development.

 

Block House Run Bridge to Close Indefinitely

(New Brighton, Pa.) New Brighton Borough announced yesterday via e-mail that the bridge on Cemetery Road in Pulaski Township, between Grove Avenue and Blockhouse Run Road, will be closed indefinitely on Friday, July 31, 2020 to all traffic. The Bridge which was originally built in 1940 as reported on bridge reports dot com, is known by many people as the Blockhouse Run Bridge and for years has been a short cut to get to Valley Ave and Grove Ave. to avoid the traffic by the New Brighton Middle School. The e-mail said the closure is due to hazardous conditions noted in the most recent Bridge Safety Assessment Report prepared by a PennDOT consulting engineering firm.  Pulaski Township officials will place signs to alert motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists of the bridge closure.