HARRISBURG – Today, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Reps. Aaron Bernstine (R-8), Jim Marshall (R-14), and Robert Matzie (D-16), announced $185,060 in Dual Credit Grant Program funds was awarded by the Department of Education to various school districts in Beaver and Lawrence counties to help encourage students to get a jumpstart on their college education.

“It is important for our students to have access to every advantage they can to better their academic future,” said Vogel. “These investments will help our school districts continue to cultivate relationships with our local colleges as well as allow them to offer beneficial courses to students – giving them a head start with their college course requirements.”

The following school districts will benefit from the Dual Credit Grant Program funds:

• Big Beaver Falls Area School District, $75,000.
• Mohawk Area School District, $75,000.
• Rochester Area School District, $35,060.

“As we continue to examine how we can put our students in the best possible position to succeed, I am pleased to see this investment dedicated to them so our scholars can achieve their educational goals,” said Marshall.

“This is extremely beneficial to our students because dual enrollment allows high school students to take college courses and earn college credit in both academic and career subjects,” said Bernstine. “If they continue to pursue post-secondary education, the students will save tuition money. Colleges and universities often grant college credit to students who successfully complete dual enrollment courses. Unlike Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which award credit based on a test, dual enrollment courses award credit as long as the student passes the class.”

“Dual credit programs are one of the most successful educational initiatives we have in Pennsylvania,” said Matzie. “They allow high school students to get a jump start on the next chapter of their lives by earning post-secondary credits while still in high school. This not only helps with the cost of continued education for those students, but it gives them the opportunity to tangibly start on their career path while still in high school.”

This grant funding will allow school districts to create or expand dual credit opportunities for all secondary school students; and all students enrolled in the school entity, which includes students experiencing educational instability, students enrolled in career and technical education programs, low-income students, and historically underserved student groups.

Effective beginning with the 2022-23 school year, Pennsylvania law requires school entities to enter into agreements with institutions of higher education (IHE) to allow students to earn college-level credit prior to graduating high school. This grant funding is intended to support school entities with meeting these requirements and to increase access to dual credit coursework statewide.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple and Google are teaming up to thwart unwanted tracking through Bluetooth devices that were created to help people find lost keys, keep tabs on luggage or to locate other things that have a tendency to be misplaced or lost. The two companies submitted a proposal Tuesday to set standards for combatting secret surveillance on Apple’s AirTag trackers and similar gadgets. The $30 AirTag has become a popular item since its 2021 release, helping users pinpoint the locations of a wide variety of lost property. But stalkers have also deployed AirTags and similar products to follow people who are unaware.The goal is to have a mutually acceptable plan in place by year’s end.

Tuesday Morning logo from website

Tuesday Morning has announced they are going out of business and closing all stores. The announcment was made on Facebook and their website, stating that a going out of business sale will be in effect at their remaining stores. The sale is starting at 30% off. Customers must use active gift cards by May 13th. The chain has been in business for 49 years, and have filed their second bankruptcy in three years. Tuesday Morning operates stores locally with locations in Leetsdale and New Castle.

This photo provided by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, in South Carolina, shows Jamie Lee Komoroski, on April 29, 2023. Komoroski is charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing death. (Charleston County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a bride leaving her wedding reception was killed when a woman driving under the influence and well over twice the speed limit slammed into the back of a golf cart on a South Carolina beach road. Folly Beach investigators say data retrieved from Jamie Lee Komoroski’s rental car indicated she was driving 65 mph and only briefly hit the brakes before she hit the golf cart around 10 p.m. Friday. Authorities say 34-year-old Samantha Miller of Charlotte, North Carolina, died in the wreck. Three others in the golf cart that was being driven legally were injured. Komoroski is charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing death.

President Joe Biden speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 1, 2023, about National Small Business Week. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will send 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border amid an expected migrant surge following the end of pandemic-era restrictions. That’s according to three administration officials. The troops would be sent to focus on administrative tasks so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can work in the field, two of the officials said. They would not do law enforcement work. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly about the request because it had not yet been approved and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It wasn’t clear when they would be deployed.

FILE – Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers and others strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in a rally at Fox Plaza in Los Angeles’ Century City district on Nov. 9, 2007. Television and movie writers on Monday, May 1, 2023, declared that they will launch an industrywide strike for the first time since 2007, as Hollywood girded for a shutdown in a dispute over fair pay in the streaming era. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Television and movie writers soured by Hollywood’s low pay in the streaming era went on strike for the first time in 15 years on Tuesday, meaning late-night and variety shows would be the first programs to go dark. The Writers Guild of America said that its 11,500 unionized screenwriters would head to the picket lines. Negotiations between studios and the writers, which began in March, failed to reach a new contract Monday. The labor dispute could have a cascading effect on TV and film productions depending on how long the strike goes on.

HARRISBURG – State House Democrats today blocked an effort by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) to drastically expand educational freedom in Pennsylvania.

Bernstine offered an amendment to an education bill being considered by the House that would have ensured all families have equal access and maximum flexibility in schooling options.

If adopted, it would have been one of the most transformative school choice bills in the nation.

Instead, House Democrats used a parliamentary maneuver to block Bernstine’s amendment to House Bill 688 from debate and vote.

Bernstine expressed disappointment in his House colleagues:

“No child should be forced to attend a certain school just because of their ZIP code. Too many kids are trapped in schools that aren’t working for them. Adopting this amendment would have given those kids the resources and schooling options to succeed. I’m beyond disappointed that my Democrat colleagues chose to play partisan games with our kids’ futures by shutting down debate and blocking a vote.

“I firmly believe that parents are the best equipped to make decisions about their children’s education. School choice is not about favoring one school over another, it’s about letting families choose the education that best suits their child. I will continue to advocate for policies that expand school choice options and provide all children with the opportunity to receive an excellent education, regardless of their ZIP code or family income. House Democrats today voted against giving every single child in Pennsylvania the chance to attend a school that fits their needs.”

Idlewild released the following statement in celebration of their 145th Anniversary. They open for the 2023 season May 20th.

On May 1, 1878, William Darlington wrote to Thomas Mellon:

“I will and do hereby agree to grant to the Ligonier Valley Railway Company the right and privilege to occupy for picnic purposes or pleasure grounds that portion of my land in Ligonier Township…”

As the park gets ready to begin Season 146 in less than three weeks, Idlewild is proud to have stayed true to Mr. Darlington’s wishes to maintain the land’s natural beauty.

With park-wide cosmetic improvements on the way in 2023 alongside refurbishments to the Carousel and Loyalhanna Limited Railroad, rediscover Idlewild with unlimited visits all year long for under $100! See you May 20!

Check out some vintage photos on Idlewild’s Facebook page.

Harrisburg, PA – In keeping with Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to serve Pennsylvanians more effectively and efficiently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that over 20 driver licensing and motor vehicle forms are now available for electronic submission to provide faster and more efficient customer service to our residents. This announcement comes just one week after Governor Shapiro signed an Executive Order establishing the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) to improve online services and make it easier for Pennsylvanians to connect with the vital resources provided by the Commonwealth.

“Anything we can do to make our services more convenient for our customers is a win,” said Acting PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “PennDOT is committed to modernizing our operations, shorter wait times and giving customers new ways to complete services from the comfort of their homes – without having to visit a driver license center.”

Over 20 commonly-used driver licensing and motor vehicle forms that require a signature can now be completed, signed, and submitted online, including the self-certification form for commercial driving, the statement of non-operation of vehicles form, several medical forms, and more. Allowing customers to submit these forms electronically will allow PennDOT staff to start processing them more quickly, cutting down on customer wait times.

Forms that are available for electronic submission will be listed on the Forms, Publication and Maps website page with a “DS” suffix in their document number. When these forms are selected, instructions for secure submission will be provided. Printable/downloadable versions of these forms will continue to be available. PennDOT will continue to add more forms for electronic submission as they become available.

Additionally, customers who have a Person with Disabilities Parking Placard have the option to renew, receive a replacement or update their address on their permanent Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard online. Customers with Temporary Person with Disabilities Parking Placards will also be able to update their address and request replacement identification credentials through this online service. To renew a placard online or to obtain additional information on services provided, including how to obtain a placard, please visit the Person with Disabilities Information page on the Driver and Vehicle Services website. Placard holders will continue to receive a renewal form by mail approximately 60 days prior to their expiration.

Below is the full list of documents that are now available for electronic submission:

DL-11CD: Self-Certification Form

DL-17: Statement of Non-Ownership of Vehicle(s)

DL-16LC: Acknowledgment of Suspension/Revocation/Disqualification/Cancellation

MV-221: Statement of Non-Operation Of Vehicle(s)

MV-401: Safety Inspection Category Removal Request

MV-421: County of Residence Verification

MV-450: Application For Waiver of Hours

MV-591: Application for Certification as Official Speedometer Testing & Calibration

MV-700: Application For Refund of Motor Vehicle/Driver License Products

DL-13: Initial Reporting Form

DL-102: Report of Eye Examination

DL-104: School Bus General Psychiatric Form

DL-120: Medical Cardiovascular Form

DL-121: School Bus Seizure Reporting Form

DL-122: Diabetic Form

DL-122B: School Bus Driver Diabetic Waiver

DL-123: General Medical Form

DL-123A: School Bus General Medical Form

DL-124: General Neurological Form

DL-124A: School Bus General Neurological Form

DL-126: Orthopedic Form

DL-126A: School Bus Orthopedic Form
DL-128: Substance Use Form

DL-128A: School Bus Substance Abuse Form

DL-129: Loss of Consciousness

DL-129SB: School Bus Driver Loss of Consciousness

DL-131: Cognitive Impairment Form