GOP picks Pennsylvania’s first female Senate majority leader
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans who control Pennsylvania’s state Senate voted Thursday to select the chamber’s first female majority leader and promote their majority leader of the past six years. Third-term Sen. Kim Ward of Westmoreland County will replace Sen. Jake Corman as majority leader. Ward, who has chaired committees that handle transportation and gambling issues, was first elected in 2008. Corman, the state Senate’s Republican majority leader since 2015, will fill the empty post of president pro tempore when the Legislature’s new session starts in January. In the House, minority Democrats were voting Thursday to replace their floor leader, Frank Dermody of Allegheny County, who conceded his reelection bid earlier this week.

(left to right) CCBC President Roger W. Davis; Mr. Terry Ruckert, Church Council President; Rev. Martin J. Galbraith; and Mr. Frederick Retsch, Church Member and CCBC Foundation Board Director and CCBC Trustee; celebrate the establishment of the new scholarship at a recent CCBC Foundation Board meeting.

(Photo Courtesy of CCBC)

Monaca, PA  Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) Foundation has established the Dr. Nancy Alberts Health Sciences Endowed Memorial Scholarship in partnership with the congregation at New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Freedom, Pa. 

In recognition of Dr. Alberts’ service as a respected, long-serving medical physican in the Beaver County community, the $10,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student pursuing a career in health sciences fields, starting in the Fall 2021 semester. 

“Dr. Alberts was passionate about serving her community and neighbors,” said Mr. Frederick Retsch, New Hope Evangelical Lutheran church member, CCBC Foundation Board Director and CCBC Trustee. “The scholarship will ensure that her memory and legacy will continue to be shared with others.”  

Prior to her unexpected passing in May 2019, Dr. Alberts was involved in her church through choir, Bible study and as a mentor, in addition to her dedicated work in the medical field. 

CCBC offers top-quality health career programs such as nursing, practical nursing, multiskilled health technician (phlebotomy and nurse aide), and radiologic technology.

To apply for the Dr. Nancy Alberts Health Sciences Endowed Memorial Scholarship by July 1, 2021, visit www.CCBCFoundation.org/scholarships. To contribute to the scholarship fund, visit www.CCBCFoundation.org/donate. 

(Ohio Twp, Pa.) Sean Parnell a Republican Candidate for United States Congress for the 17th District has said that every vote must be counted and Conor Lamb has prematurely claimed victory. The Associated Press called the race  in Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb’s  favor.

Parnell released the following statement on Thursday morning via e-mail:

“It has been a week since Election Day, and despite Conor Lamb and the press prematurely declaring a victory for Lamb, there are over 18,000 provisional and military ballots left to be counted that will impact this extremely close race.

“This election is too important for the people of Western Pennsylvania not to have every legal vote counted. Moreover, as we celebrate the sacrifices made by our military members on Veterans Day, I can speak with firsthand experience the disrespect that many military men and women feel when close races are called before counting their votes. The fact that Allegheny County has been unable to wrap this process up quickly should not affect our timeline of waiting until all votes are counted to declare victory or defeat.

“Our democratic republic is founded on the very important principle that every legal vote must be counted.  I will continue to fight and follow the constitutional process until every legal vote is counted and all legal proceedings are resolved.”

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pennsylvania’s travel advisory that was updated on November 6, 2020 due to COVID-19 is now up to 37 States including neighboring states New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia.

Non-essential travel to and from those states is highly discouraged by the Pennsylvania Health Department.

The Department says that “Given the interconnected nature of Pennsylvania to neighboring states and the region and mode of transport between these states, a recommendation of quarantine for these states is not practically viable,” However, a 14-day quarantine is recommended if you have traveled or plan to travel to the remainder of the states on the travel advisory list, which are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

The Beaver Area School District sent out a notice Wednesday Evening stating that:

Due to a significant rise in the number of students and staff who are required to quarantine or who are presumed or confirmed COVID19 positive, all students will receive their education using the virtual instructional model for the next 14-days, ending December 1st.  All athletics and use of facilities during this 14-day period have also been canceled.

This decision was made based on guidance from the PA Department of Health and the PA Department of Education.  Specifically, in the last 72-hours, we have seen a 350% increase in the number of students required to quarantine and a 200% increase in the number of staff required to quarantine.  Additionally, the number of COVID19 students and staff has nearly doubled over the same period of time.

During the 14-day cancellation of in-person instruction, we will continue to update our COVID19 Dashboard and provide periodic mass notification updates to keep Beaver Area families informed.

For the next two days, Thursday and Friday, we will operate district-wide on a 2-hour delay schedule. Beginning, Monday, November 16th, normal school schedules will be in effect. Each building principal will be posting instructions and expectations for learning on their building’s website.  Students who attend the Beaver County CTC will not attend during this period. They should reach out to their CTC teachers for further instructions.

Finally, if your child or any member of your household is exhibiting symptoms of COVID19 or has had close contact with someone who is COVID19 positive, please contact your PCP for the next steps and notify your child’s school nurse.

The District COVID19 Dashboard can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/BASDDashboard.

Secretary of Agriculture: Pennsylvania Hunters Can Address Local Food Insecurity by Donating Deer

Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Hunger-Free Pennsylvania and Hunters Sharing the Harvest today to encourage Pennsylvania’s more than 850,000 licensed hunters to consider donating a deer to Pennsylvanians in need of food this hunting season.

“In a year of challenges, Hunters Sharing the Harvest is a reliable tradition that offers us some bright light,” said Redding. “It’s a shining example of the good that can happen when public sector support and private sector generosity work together to solve a problem.

“A well-stocked freezer is not universal; more than 2 million Pennsylvanians are at risk for hunger and the simple act of sharing can help to fight that hunger,” added Redding. “If you’ve got more than one tag, consider using your love for the sport to feed others.”

A non-profit organization, Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) coordinates the donation, processing, and distribution of venison to Pennsylvanians facing food insecurity. In 2019, HSH coordinated record donations for the program with more than 160,000 pounds of venison distributed to provide 822,000 meals to Pennsylvanians in need. On average, a single deer donated can provide up to 200 meals.

In 2019, the Department of Agriculture renewed a five-year contract with HSH to provide funding to defray costs of processing the donated venison. Under the contract, the department pays up to $145,000 annually in processor costs.

“Now more than ever, we need the support of Pennsylvanians as we work to feed the growing number of people facing food insecurity,” said Hunger-Free Pennsylvania Executive Director Sheila Christopher. “This partnership with Hunters Sharing the Harvest is critical to maintaining a steady supply of lean, high-protein product that is often difficult for our member food banks to source.”

In 2018, 1.4 million Pennsylvanians, nearly 10.9 percent of the population, didn’t always know where their next meal was coming from. In 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, that number increased by 41 percent to 2 million insecure Pennsylvanians. Even more startling, of the 2 million food insecure, 630,900 are children. That’s an increase of 57.6 percent since 2018.

“Our program is unique in maintaining its effectiveness and recognition of our Pennsylvania hunters’ compassion for others and since 1991,” said Hunters Sharing the Harvest Executive Director John Plowman. “With a 2019 record of more than 160,000 high-protein pounds distributed to statewide food banks, soup kitchens and families in need, we’re shooting for comparably good results for 2020.”

Hunters interested in participating can take their deer to one of the participating deer processors throughout the state and donate any amount of their venison to the program.

For more information on Hunters Sharing the Harvest, becoming a corporate sponsor, or  donating through their Buck for the Pot initiative, visit sharedeer.org.

For more about the Wolf Administration’s efforts related to food insecurity in Pennsylvania throughout the pandemic, visit agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.

(Photo courtesy of House Republican Caucus

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus Tuesday elected its legislative leaders for the 2021-22 Legislative Session.

The leadership team consists of:

·      Speaker-designee Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster).

·      Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin).

·      Majority Whip Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest).

·      Majority Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York).

·      Majority Policy Committee Chairman Marty Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter).

·      Majority Caucus Chairman Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset).

·      Majority Caucus Secretary Martina White (R-Philadelphia).

·      Majority Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland/Columbia/Montour).

On their election, the following members of leadership made statement:

Speaker-designee Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster):

“Our chamber is one of the oldest democratically elected bodies in the world. Over the course of our Commonwealth’s history, our members have pushed our nation forward by always answering the call of our constituents to face ever-evolving challenges. I am honored and inspired to join with these proven, principled and selfless public servants to continue to answer the call to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians and stand humbled and ready to oversee another successful session.”

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin):

“Led by our message of fiscal responsibility, adding common sense to our COVID-19 response, and ensuring government is responsible to the people, the voters of Pennsylvania have returned a significant Republican majority back to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. I am proud to lead our caucus in our ongoing mission to be the true voice of the people and work to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians everywhere.”

Majority Whip Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest):

“Today’s leadership election sends a strong message that we, as a caucus, are poised to use our growing strength in order to confront the challenges facing our Commonwealth in the next two years,” said Oberlander. “Together, we will work toward building a stronger Pennsylvania to put forth good public policy and continue to assert ourselves as a co-equal branch of state government.”

Majority Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York):

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as House Appropriations Committee Chairman for another session. Together, we have held the line on taxes and kept spending restrained. I am confident that our caucus will continue to be leaders in good government reform, private sector job creation and fiscal responsibility next session.”

Majority Policy Committee Chairman Marty Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter):

“I am deeply honored by the continued opportunity to help lead our caucus and our Commonwealth through these very challenging times. Pennsylvania is a diverse state, and in my role as policy chairman, I will focus on building consensus on policies that move us forward as we work to reopen our economy, protect public safety and improve quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.”

Majority Caucus Chairman Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset):

“I am honored to serve our caucus in this new capacity. The ongoing issues surrounding the questionable COVID-19 mitigation efforts put in place by the administration, as well as contentions surrounding the 2020 election cycle, will be our principle workload. This is in addition to continuing to grow our economy and reforming some archaic state regulations. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House on these important matters.”

Majority Caucus Secretary Martina White (R-Philadelphia):

“I am honored to have been chosen to serve in this position and to represent the people of southeast Pennsylvania during leadership discussions,” said White. “I look forward to the additional responsibilities I will be assuming, while continuing to diligently work for the people of the 170th Legislative District.”

Majority Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland/Columbia/Montour):

“I’m honored to garner the support of my colleagues to continue serving in a leadership position within the caucus,” Masser said. “We will continue pushing for policies that promote economic growth while protecting the health and safety of our residents.”