NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Fire Broke out early this morning in a New Castle Home on East Lutton Street. The Fire is reported to have started in the kitchen. A woman who lives at the home had to be rescued from the second floor after she got out of the house safely and then reentered the house to rescue her pets. The woman was transported to a local hospital and there was no word on her condition.
Berríos, Twins win 5th in row, top Pirates after drone delay
By MIKE COOK Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — José Berríos pitched six innings, Nelson Cruz had three hits and the Minnesota Twins beat Pittsburgh 7-3 for their fifth straight win. Minnesota improved to 9-2 for the second time in the team’s 60-year history. The other was 2001. The Pirates lost their fifth in a row and have baseball’s worst winning percentage at .182. The game was delayed for nine minutes in the fifth inning and players were pulled off the field when an unauthorized drone flew over center field at Target Field. A few pitchers in the bullpen threw balls at the drone but missed.
Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing inspection activities on the southbound Route 65 ramp to Pleasant Street in Rochester Borough, Beaver County will begin Tuesday, August 5 weather permitting.
Traffic shifts will occur on the ramp that carries traffic from southbound Route 65 to Pleasant Street weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Monday, August 10 as crews from the Larson Design Group conduct bridge inspection work. Additionally, single-lane restrictions will occur on Route 65 under the ramp.
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.
Wolf ed head takes new job as schools grapple with reopening
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s top education official is leaving the job as schools grapple with plans to develop and implement pandemic reopening plans. The board of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster on Tuesday hired Education Secretary Pedro Rivera to be its next president. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says he plans to nominate one of Rivera’s top deputies to succeed him. Wolf says he’ll nominate Noe Ortega, the deputy secretary for post-secondary and higher education. Rivera has been part of Wolf’s cabinet since the start of his first term more than five years ago.
Trump signs $3B-a-year plan to boost conservation, parks
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation that will devote nearly $3 billion annually to conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands. The Great American Outdoors Act authorizes spending about $900 million a year, double current spending, on the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund. It would authorize another $1.9 billion a year to be spent to make improvements at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and range lands. Supporters call it the most significant conservation legislation in nearly half a century. Opponents say the spending is not enough to erase an estimated $20 billion maintenance backlog.
‘A line in the sand’: Both sides dig in on virus relief bill
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Progress is coming slowly as lawmakers craft another major response to the coronavirus pandemic. Negotiators on the huge relief bill met Monday in the Capitol as issues like food for the poor and aid to schools moved to the forefront. The White House is seeking opportunities to boost President Donald Trump, like more $1,200 stimulus payments. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants big money for state and local governments. All sides predict a long slog ahead despite the lapse of a $600-per-week expanded unemployment benefit at the end of July. Several more days of talks are expected.
LAMB URGES FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT AT BRIGHTON FACILITY IN BEAVER COUNTY
(WASHINGTON, DC) – In a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) requested a full investigation into the oversight by the Pennsylvania Department of Health of the COVID-19 outbreak at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center (Brighton) in Beaver County and the use of hydroxychloroquine at the facility.
Lamb sent a letter on May 7 requesting an immediate investigation into the management’s performance. CMS subsequently completed an inspection of Brighton on May 14, which resulted in a series of fines.
In a follow-up letter sent on August 3, Lamb wrote: “That inspection found Brighton was not in substantial compliance with Federal requirements related to implementing proper infection prevention and control practices to prevent the development and transmission of COVID-19. As you are aware, residents at Brighton have been seriously exposed to COVID-19 with at least 332 residents testing positive and at least 82 resident deaths linked to the pandemic, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health data.”
The letter also raises the issue of recent media reports that Brighton gave 205 of its 435 residents hydroxychloroquine with zinc without State approval.
“These findings were included in a State inspection report and directly violate State nursing home regulations that prevent experimental research or treatment without approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and from each resident after full disclosure,” added Lamb.
“At this point, the Pennsylvania Department of Health does not appear to have imposed any accountability or punishment on Brighton for the use of hydroxychloroquine without permission. For this reason, I request you investigate the State’s response to this unnecessary tragedy at Brighton,” urged Lamb.
Lamb has advocated for many provisions for senior and long-term care facilities throughout the COVID-19 public health crisis. Lamb was joined by Representative Mike Doyle in a letter to CMS urging additional oversight of nursing homes and senior care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lamb also advocated for additional protections for seniors in an April 15 letter calling for the Department of Health and Human Services and CMS to collect and publicly report facility-level data on the number of long-term care residents affected by the COVID-19. Lamb also joined other Members of Congress to request that a portion of the $25 billion emergency funding appropriated by Congress in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act be allocated to states specifically for the development, purchase, administration, or provision of COVID-19 diagnostic tests for long-term care facilities.
(File Photo)
(Beaver, Pa.) Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier announced via press release that his office filed a criminal complaint Tuesday, August 4, 2020, charging 18 year old Michael J. Allen Barbuto with Criminal Homicide in the July 15, 2020 death of his older brother Vincent Shawn Barbuto.
The statement said that a joint investigation was conducted between the Beaver County Detectives Bureau and the Hopewell Twp. Police Department.
At about 10:53 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Hopewell Township Police Officers responded to a call at 2412 West Main St., for a male unresponsive in the residence. Vincent Shawn Barbuto was declared dead at the scene by the Beaver County Coroner‘s office. The cause of death was homicide by multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, Vincent Shawn Barbuto, aged 29, was a resident of Hopewell Township. Michael Barbuto, is a resident of Center Township.
In the Press release the District Attorney’s office states that an arrest warrant has been issued for Michael and investigators are in contact with his attorney to schedule for his surrender and arraignment. No bail or bond will be permitted by statute as the charge is Criminal Homicide.
Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio for more on this developing story.
Harrisburg – August 3, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware), Maria Collett (D-Bucks/Montgomery), Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) and Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held an online public hearing on strategies for schools to safely reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Reopening our schools will be a very complex and difficult challenge,” Collett said. “This hearing was aimed at helping us learn how state government can help encourage, coordinate and support teachers, school administrators, school boards and families as they plan for how they will operate this year.”
Kearney added, “It’s crucial that state and federal agencies readily provide our schools with reliable and dependable information so they can tailor their educational plans in the safest and most effective way.”
“AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Pennsylvania members want to be back in the classroom. We recognize the harm that social isolation can do to our students and that kids generally thrive more with in-person instruction,” Arthur Steinberg, President of the American Federation of Teachers in Pennsylvania, said. “However, the lack of a coordinated response by our federal government to provide for universal testing, comprehensive contact tracing, adequate PPE, or even a mask mandate has resulted in the deaths of over 150,000 Americans. Asking teachers, students, parents, and communities to resume school as if none of this is happening is irresponsible.”
Dinniman, who serves as Democratic chair of the Senate Education Committee, said, “Holding classroom instruction this year will require a great deal of planning, innovation, and flexibility. For those that have already opted to go 100 percent online, we must work together to make online learning work for every student. As state lawmakers, we need to do all we can to provide helpful resources, equipment and support.”
Farnese noted, “Schools face unprecedented challenges and will need to act and react quickly to the pandemic spiking or receding in their community. We also need to help provide funding for computers and other online resources for schools that have to limit instruction to hybrid or cyber learning.”
Senator Lisa Boscola (D- Lehigh/Northampton), who chairs the committee, said, “It is more important than ever that we share ideas, coordinate strategies, and prepare contingency plans to find the best possible way to get our kids back in classrooms as quickly as possible because we all want kids in school. We all want to see kids in classrooms, high school sports, dances and so many other great activities that make school so fulfilling and memorable.”
“We should leave it to health experts to tell us when the time is best to open school buildings and listen to educators and administrators to shape how we do it,” Dr. William Keough of the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said. “Ideally, local school leaders, public health experts, educators and parents can work together to decide how and when to reopen schools. These decisions must take into account the spread of COVID-19 in the local community, as well as whether their schools can make in-person learning safe.”
Dr. Keough also said that in addition to being vigilant about stopping the spread of COVID-19, parents must also keep up with their children’s regular immunizations for things like chicken pox, measles and polio. Vaccinations in Pennsylvania decreased 60% since the coronavirus pandemic hit, said the doctor.
Brian Durand, a social studies teacher in the Abington School District, said that it is his personal health experiences of surviving cancer and a heart attack that are guiding his views on reopening the school that he teaches in, “I’m here to advocate for the unfortunately large number of students and teachers in our commonwealth who suffer from asthma, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and any other number of ailments that still want to teach and learn, but also don’t want to find ourselves back in a hospital, or worse.”
Boscola said the school issue has been further complicated by emerging evidence that many people who recover from COVID-19 will face serious, and sometimes permanent health problems. Joseph Brennan, a cardiologist at the Yale School of Medicine, recently stated that many patients who recover could suffer long-term damage, including lung scarring, heart damage, and neurological and mental health problems.
“While it is tragic to not see friends and teachers in person, it would be even more tragic if there is a death in a school district or of one of our family members due to COVID-19. I value my life, the lives of my classmates, my teachers, and my family as well as those of students and teachers across the state,” rising Pottstown High School Senior, Kishan Patel, said. “Life cannot be replaced.”
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee has hosted numerous hearings related to COVID-19, including the impact on nursing and veterans’ homes, food supply chain disruptions, the disproportionate impact on the African American Community, pandemic-related funding for childcare centers, and assuring that protective equipment and other support is accessible for frontline workers.
Senators Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware), Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks), Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia), John Blake (D- Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe), Pam Iovino (D- Allegheny/Washington), Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny) also participated in the hearing today.
The following testified:
A full recording of this hearing, and links to all previous hearings, is available at senatorboscola.com/policy.
AAA: Gas Prices Dip in PA; National Average Unaffected by Tropical Storm
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is a penny cheaper this week at $2.433 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average $2.433
Average price during the week of July 27, 2020 $2.447
Average price during the week of August 5, 2019 $2.924
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.455 Altoona
$2.450 Beaver
$2.497 Bradford
$2.468 Brookville
$2.396 Butler
$2.448 Clarion
$2.448 DuBois
$2.481 Erie
$2.358 Greensburg
$2.498 Indiana
$2.431 Jeannette
$2.441 Kittanning
$2.357 Latrobe
$2.489 Meadville
$2.502 Mercer
$2.317 New Castle
$2.392 New Kensington
$2.499 Oil City
$2.414 Pittsburgh
$2.449 Sharon
$2.422 Uniontown
$2.499 Warren
$2.288 Washington
Trend Analysis:
On the week, the national gas price average held steady at $2.18, as most state averages saw minimal changes. Apart from a few states – Florida (+10 cents), Utah (+10 cents) and Idaho (+5 cents) – averages either decreased by less than four cents or increased by no more than two pennies.
Gas prices are trending cheaper despite an increase in demand. Up 3% over last week, gasoline demand measured at 8.8 million b/d – the highest reading since the pandemic started. However, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), year-over-year demand is down about 8%.
Today’s national average has been largely unaffected by Tropical Storm Isaias. The storm, according to the National Hurricane Center, is likely to regain hurricane strength before reaching the coast between northeastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina later today. Given lower than normal U.S. gasoline demand and healthy stock levels, gas prices nationally are not likely to be impacted by Isaias.
At the end of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by 35 cents to settle at $40.27 per barrel. Domestic crude prices increased after the EIA’s latest weekly report revealed that inventories decreased by 10.6 million barrels, bringing the current total to 526 million barrels. The price increase, amid increasing gasoline demand, could mean that the domestic crude market is meeting demand and production is stabilizing as coronavirus infections continue to increase worldwide. If crude supplies continue to decline alongside rising demand, domestic crude prices could continue to increase this week.
Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 78 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.