Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 11, 2023 11:19 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) The School to Work program is in place at the Hopewell  Township Municipal Building.  Twenty year old Gianni Rubino is shown in the photos with his Job Coach Amy and  Program Specialist Jessica at a luncheon at the township building last week. Also joining the group for lunch was Township Manager Jamie Yurcina, and Community Outreach Coordinator Nora Janicki and Police Chief Donald Sedlacek, and several employees.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced today the number of firearms purchase denials and subsequent investigations for the first quarter of 2023.

The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police of first-class cities, and licensed firearms dealers to determine an individual’s legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer. When an individual attempts to provide false information on a state or federal form, an investigation is initiated, and an investigation referral is sent to a law enforcement agency.

According to Pennsylvania law, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive the seller, licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer. During the PICS process, some individuals are identified as having an active warrant for their arrest.

In the first quarter, the following investigations were initiated by the PSP Firearms Division and referred to PSP Troops, municipal police departments, or the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Table 1: First quarter PICS statistics

Source: Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Records and Identification, Firearms Division, April 2023

For more information on PICS and carrying firearms in Pennsylvania, visit psp.pa.gov.

Annville, PA – Pennsylvania veterans and their advocates should be aware of scammers looking to poach their military pensions, warns the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Pension Poaching is financial exploitation often targeting veterans who are age 65 or older, or veterans who are disabled and may be receiving monthly pension payments from the DMVA and\or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Older veterans may be the prime target for scammers, but all veterans and their advocates should be vigilant when seeking assistance with benefits earned through military service,” said Joel Mutschler, director, DMVA Bureau of Veterans Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration and Outreach. “The best way to avoid being scammed is for veterans to use an accredited veteran service officer when applying for benefits. These trusted counselors do not charge for their services, and always look after the best interest of veterans.”

Veteran pension poaching occurs when scammers, unscrupulous players or dishonest financial planners charge veterans or their advocates for assistance in applying for or submitting applications for military pensions. The scheme often involves financial maneuvers such as advising claimants to hide their assets in trusts or annuity products sometimes resulting in lost investments and lucrative fees paid to the advisor.

Mutschler said veterans and advocates should be especially vigilant now about PACT Act-related scams. The new PACT Act law expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

Here is how veterans and advocates can protect against PACT Act scams:

• Do not provide personal, medical, financial or VA benefit information online or over the phone. Federal agencies will not contact you unless you make a request.
• Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seems suspicious.
• Look for “https://” at the start of website addresses; that means they’re more likely to be legitimate. Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts, if possible.
• Never share your VA login information or deposit VA benefits directly into a third-party bank account unless the person is court appointed or a VA fiduciary.
• Work with veterans service providers you already know.
• Report any suspected fraud to ftc.gov.

Mutschler said he wants to make clear that veterans or their advocates should never pay for the following:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and/or PA DMVA forms
• Pension application fees
• Restructuring assets in order to “qualify”
• The promise of eligibility for a pension
• Lump sum payment on a pension

There are approximately 200 veteran service officers in Pennsylvania who work within organizations such as the DMVA, county veterans affairs offices and several veterans service organizations.

Contact information for County Directors of Veterans Affairs as well as contact information for Veteran Service Officers can be found on DMVA’s website.

Experienced or suspect a pension scam? Call (717) 783-1944, email PAvets@attorneygeneral.gov, or submit a complaint online at www.attorneygeneral.gov. You can also report any VA-related scam to the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000.

To learn more about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

The image above shows Congressman Chris Deluzio speaking at the event (Curtis Walsh)
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published April 11, 2023 10:50 A.M.

(Monaca, PA)  Beaver County Chamber of Commerce members, along with numerous other guests and sponsors met at the Monaca Hilton Garden Inn Tuesday Morning for a congressional breakfast with Congressman Chris Deluzio.  Chamber President , Donna Lee Siple kicked off the event handing over the mic to Heritage Valley Health System CEO, Norm Mitry, for some opening remarks before Scott Monit introduced the Congressman.

When Deluzio took to the podium, he gave a roughly 15 minute speech on progress in the county.  The congressman had a focus on bringing more jobs back to the county, saying that Beaver County is a place to work, raise families, and retire. One of his goals is to complete the task is producing more apprenticeship and skill teaching programs to enable more union jobs.  Other talking points for Deluzio included helping nonprofits, universities, and small businesses, as well as broadband connectivity and railway safety.  Deluzio stated that congress is working on holding Norfolk Southern accountable along with regulating two person train staffs in addition to changing classification rules for hazardous trains and adding transparency to what is being hauled on the trains moving through our communities.

The congressman spent the rest of the event fielding questions from attendees. When asked about school and gun violence, he stated political moves in Harrisburg and Washington will hopefully result in gun reform with a focus on mental health.  Norm Mitry of Heritage Valley asked about money that is being taken back from health systems following the Covid pandemic. Deluzio expressed interest in talking with him further on the subject.  The final question was in regards to Tik Tok, and what approach the Congressman had on the subject. He said he wants to make sure Tik Tok isn’t an espionage tool, stating that there is a bipartisan interest overall on antitrust with tech and bigtech companies.

More photos from the event:

Harrisburg, PA –The Shapiro Administration today announced the availability of nearly $504,000 in grant funding to boost the ranks of nurses in communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship career model. The Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership program in Pennsylvania is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and supported by Sen. Maria Collett’s Nursing Workforce Initiative (NWI).

“Pennsylvania’s healthcare industry continues to face significant and ongoing challenges, particularly with an unprecedented shortage of nurses,” L&I Acting Secretary Nancy Walker said. “This grant program is a commonsense solution to not only help address critical workforce shortages, but it will help create equitable access to opportunities that build meaningful careers and contribute to a strong economy, while eliminating barriers to quality, family-sustaining employment.”

In February 2023, the Shapiro Administration awarded $700,000 in first-round grants to three Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership programs. With this second round of Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership grant funding, local workforce development boards can continue to offer in-demand training for individuals interested in becoming home health aides, certified nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses. The department is seeking partners to create a new apprenticeship model specifically designed for and targeting underserved populations.

The deadline to apply for grant funding is May 10, 2023. More information about the Pennsylvania Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership grant availability is available on L&I’s website.

Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership Program

Pennsylvania hospitals are grappling with maintaining adequate staffing levels for qualified nurses. A December 2021 survey by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), updated in February 2022, revealed high vacancy rates across various nursing occupations, illustrating the continued need for urgent action.

In September 2021, Sen. Collett introduced the NWI initiative to support and retain nurses across the Commonwealth amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. L&I dedicated ARPA funds to the NWI initiative, allowing the department’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) to administer funding to registered apprenticeship and industry partnerships within underserved communities across the Commonwealth.

Competitive grants up to $250,000 will be awarded per application for programs with a single-county or localized reach, while grants up to $350,000 will be awarded per application for programs with a statewide or multi-county reach (three or more counties). Priority consideration will be given to programs developed in and provided to low- or moderate-income communities. This opportunity is 100% federally funded with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds established under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Apprenticeship and Training Office

Established in 2016, L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) is responsible for guiding and promoting the expansion and compliance of all registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth. The ATO currently supports 868 unduplicated program sponsors and 1,580 occupation-specific registered apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth, with 16,362 registered apprentices currently active. Governor Shapiro’s budget proposes an investment of $2.5 million for apprenticeships that will support the creation of at least 20 new programs serving about 1,200 apprentices.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

BUTLER, PA (March 28, 2023)… Paul and Meghan Sweeney, father and daughter McDonald’s franchisees from Cranberry, granted almost $153,000 in tuition assistance to her student employees last year through Archways To Opportunity.

McDonald’s exclusive education program, Archways To Opportunity offers employees $2,500 per year to assist with tuition at a trade school, community college or traditional four-year college. To apply, students must have worked for McDonald’s at least 90 days with an average of 15 hours per week.

“We’re grateful to our people and want them to achieve their dreams. That’s why we provide flexible schedules, competitive pay and valuable tuition support,” said Meghan Sweeney.  “Our commitment to education is one way we support the people who play a crucial role in our journey to build a better McDonald’s.”

As one of the largest employer brands, McDonald’s is committed to providing restaurant employees with numerous occasions to learn, grow and succeed. Archways To Opportunity is a comprehensive education strategy with multiple offerings that help employees reach their full potential – no matter where they are on their journey. ATO programs can help employees:

• Improve English skills;
• Earn a high school diploma;
• Work toward a college degree; and
• Get help making an education and career plan with advisors.

Since it launched in 2015, Archways to Opportunity has provided more than $165 million in high school and college tuition assistance and increased access to education for nearly 75,000 people in the U.S.

To work with the Sweeneys, text “APPLY” to 38000 or go to www.mcdonalds.com/careers.

For more information about local McDonald’s restaurants, go to the local Facebook and Instagram pages:  McDonald’s of Three Rivers.

HARRISBURG – As part of a comprehensive statewide review of universal service program design, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is now accepting public comments on improving coordination of universal service programs among all jurisdictional fixed utilities – with an in-depth analysis into ways to streamline enrollment as well as improve the verification and re-enrollment processes for income-qualified customers.

“This proceeding enables the Commission to consider improvements to consumer enrollment and retainment in the universal service programs overseen by the PUC, with the goal of making the processes as efficient as possible for the consumer and utility as well as maintaining proper diligence and verification for eligibility,” said PUC Vice Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank.  “We seek efficiencies in these programs and are trying to make allocated dollars go as far as possible.”

At the Commission’s Public Meeting of March 16, 2023, the Commission voted 3-2 in support of Vice Chairman DeFrank and Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss’ joint motion which seeks to gather public comments for consideration on a series of topics about  customer assistance programs (CAPs).  This effort includes, but is not limited to, identifying any current barriers to greater coordination and sharing of information between multiple utilities and between utilities and state social service agencies; looking at the option of administering CAPs on a statewide basis rather than utility-by-utility; pursuing additional consumer education and outreach to income-qualified consumers; and examining whether or not the PUC’s CAP Policy Statement should be amended to include jurisdictional water utilities.

“A review of the current status of universal service program design is important to ensure that we have simple, efficient, and stream-lined processes in place to assist low-income customers enroll and stay enrolled in beneficial programs for which they qualify,” Commissioner Zerfuss stated. ”We welcome comments from all interested parties to aid in our consideration of  improvements and efficiencies to existing programs, including those that may be considered in the context of a future rulemaking proceeding.”

On March 27, 2023, the Commission issued a Secretarial Letter, published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Saturday, April 8, 2023, initiating its review of all jurisdictional fixed utilities’ universal service programs and providing for a 60-day comment period.  Interested parties may now submit written comments through Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in response to 14 articulated questions regarding how the Commission’s regulations, policies and procedures on universal service programs could be revised with a particular focus on the following areas:

1. Increasing program coordination among all utilities.
2. Streamlining the eligibility and enrollment process.
3. Improving both the verification and re-enrollment processes for universal service programs to help eligible consumers avoid losing low-income benefits.

Comments to this Secretarial Letter may be filed electronically through the Commission’s eFiling system.  An eFiling account may be opened and used through the Commission’s website. If the filing is over 250 pages, one original signed copy of comments must also be filed with the Commission’s Secretary.

If you choose not to eFile, mail your comments to:

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

Commonwealth Keystone Building – 2nd Floor

400 North Street

Harrisburg, PA 17120

All pages of filed comments, with the exception of a cover letter, must be numbered.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today invited qualified food banks, pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens that offer emergency food assistance to apply for $1.6 million in The Emergency Food Assistance (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants. The grants are just one element Governor Josh Shapiro’s Administration’s commitment to increasing food security and access to healthy food for children and families across Pennsylvania, wherever they live.

The grants aim to expand access to emergency food assistance in isolated or underserved rural or low-income communities.

“No one should go hungry in a state with the wealth and bounty we have in Pennsylvania,” Secretary Redding said. “But far too often families do not know where their next meal is coming from and they need our help. Expanding the capacity of local agencies to supply fresh, healthy food to families in need is just one part of a much broader Shapiro Administration strategy to work toward a healthier, more secure Pennsylvania.”

Grants are available to organizations distributing TEFAP through contracts with the state, county, or a county-designated Lead Agency. Nonprofits that provide food assistance and are interested in becoming TEFAP distribution agencies can contact their county Lead Agency to learn more.

Funded projects may include expanded cold storage, warehouse space and equipment, delivery vehicles for food distribution, and materials to publicize availabilty of TEFAP foods.

Full grant guidelines are published in the April 1 edition of the PA Bulletin.

Apply online through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Single Electronic Application. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 26, 2023.

According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, in 2022, more than 1.1 million Pennsylvanians, or 8.9% of everyone in the state, and 13% of our children, may not know the source of their next meal. Tackling food insecurity through partnerships among state and federal agencies, and Pennsylvania’s charitable food system is a top priority of the Shapiro Administration, building on past administrations’ work detailed in the 2022 Governor’s Food Security Partnership report.

Governor Shapiro has proposed:

• New state investment in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), raising the minimum monthly benefit by 50 percent to help families, and the state’s food banks, pantries and soup kitchens stressed by recently discontinued federal emergency benefits,
• A $2 million investment in the Fresh Food Financing Initiative that will improve access to PA-grown, processed, and produced foods, including fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products, and meat products in communities of color and other underserved areas,
• $4.5 million invested in the department’s Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) which reimburses Pennsylvania producers for the cost of harvesting, processing, packaging and transporting donations of surplus foods, reducing food waste and getting safe, wholesome foods to families in need,
• $20 million to fund the State Food Purchase Program, the largest program of its kind in the nation, providing state funds toward emergency food assistance for low income Pennsylvanians,
• Free school breakfast for every child in Pennsylvania public schools,
• And a comprehensive array of initiatives and programs to reduce hunger in Pennsylvania and unite communities in addressing our greatest challenges.

Find foodbanks, pantries and other resources in your area, plus information on food insecurity and what you can do to help or find help at agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.

Gas prices are seven cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.757 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.757
Average price during the week of April 3, 2023                                                 $3.683
Average price during the week of April 11, 2022                                               $4.249

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Beaver County is $3.742   

Trend Analysis:

OPEC’s announcement last weekend that it will cut production by over a million barrels per day took the oil market by surprise. In response, crude immediately surged well above $80 a barrel, although it has since struggled to stay above that mark. Meanwhile, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose 10 cents since last week to hit $3.60.  Today’s national average is 13 cents more than a month ago but 51 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased slightly from 9.15 to 9.3 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased substantially by 4.1 million barrels to 222.6 million barrels. Increased demand amid tighter supply has contributed to pushing pump prices higher.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by 10 cents to settle at $80.61. Oil prices declined slightly due to market concerns that a recession could occur this year. Earlier in the week, crude prices spiked after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, including Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, announced it would cut production by 1.6 million barrels starting next month for the remainder of 2023. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories decreased by 3.7 million barrels to 470 million barrels last week.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.