PepsiCo said Wednesday it plans to close four U.S. bottling plants and lay off nearly 400 workers as part of its efforts to streamline its operations.

The company said the closures will impact 136 workers in Cincinnati; 131 in Chicago; 127 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and fewer than 50 in Atlanta.

The Chicago plant is the only one that will fully close. PepsiCo confirmed that closure earlier this week. The company said sales, delivery and warehouse functions will continue at the other three locations.

Earlier this month, PepsiCo lowered its sales forecast for the year as consumers in the U.S., China and elsewhere pulled back on buying its drinks and snacks after years of price hikes. PepsiCo’s North American beverage sales fell 3% in both the second and third quarters of this year.

PepsiCo’s net income fell 5% to $2.9 billion in the July-September period. The company has repeatedly said it is sharply focused on efficiency and productivity gains.

PepsiCo, which is based in Purchase, New York, said affected employees will be paid and receive benefits for 60 days even though most will not be required to work during that time.

Story by Sandy Giordnao – Beaver County Radio. Published October 31, 2024 10:38 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) On Wednesday afternoon, a press release was issued regarding an individual portraying himself as SGT. Gonzalez requesting funds and Bitcoin. The caller is providing a fictitious badge number and stating if the resident doesn’t pay they will be arrested. Police are telling residents not to accept anything sent by the scammers  or provide them with anything.

[Oct. 31, 2024] — Daylight saving time ends on November 3 and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working.

“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to safely get out,” said Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place. When daylight saving time ends this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.”

Over the past year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help nearly 5,500 people in communities across the commonwealth affected by more than 1,400 home fires. Home fires account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

SMOKE ALARMS When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.
• Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 31, 2024 10:35 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) A 2 vehicle accident with injuries occurred in the area of Lock 6 at 6:45pm Wednesday evening.  According to information from a resident, traffic travelling eastbound on Route 68 was diverted onto Barclay Hill  Road. Route 68 was closed to the oil tanks in Vanport. At this time, we only know that 2 persons were life flighted to the hospital.

(file photo)

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Greene County woman has been convicted of vehicular homicide and related charges for speeding off a roadway and into a mailman, killing him.

On Monday, Tina Phillips, 49, was found guilty of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter regarding the 2021 crash.

The Office of Attorney General presented testimony at trial that Phillips was driving nearly twice the speed limit when her vehicle veered off a road and struck Chad Varner, who was delivering mail on foot.

“This completely preventable tragedy serves as a reminder that reckless and careless driving can have deadly consequences,” Attorney General Henry said. “No one expects to face this kind of danger when they go to work, and there is no good reason to ever drive in such a manner that puts so many people at risk.”

According to testimony, Phillips was driving over 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when she lost control of her vehicle, which veered into a front yard, and struck Varner, who died at the scene.

In her statements to law enforcement, Phillips claimed she could not remember much of the incident.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice and Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing inspection work on I-376 (Fort Pitt Bridge) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County will occur Saturday morning, November 2 weather permitting.

(New Castle, PA) Donating blood is a simple but essential act that saves lives. This November, Vitalant encourages the community to give back by donating blood, with each donor entering the Make a Difference Giveaway for a chance to win one of three $10,000 gift cards.

“The season of giving is here, and an important reminder that illness and emergencies don’t pause for the holidays,” said Maya Santana, Vitalant Communications Manager. “As many of us prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, local patients still face critical health needs and depend on the generosity of donors. By giving blood, you can help ensure that someone’s parent, sibling, friend, or neighbor can share in those cherished moments with the people they love.”

All blood types are essential in preventing delays for patients in need of transfusions. Type O is the most commonly transfused. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

Most people are eligible to give blood. Review eligibility requirements and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Upcoming Blood Drives

Aliquippa

Monday, Nov. 4

B F Jones Library

663 Franklin Ave.

1 PM – 5:30 PM

Baden

Sunday, Nov. 24

Wetzel James III Replenishment

2856 Conway Wallrose Rd.

9 AM – 2 PM

Beaver Falls

Thursday, Nov. 14

Concord UM Church – Bethany Hall

285 Concord Church Rd.

2 PM – 6:30 PM

Ellwood City

Saturday, Nov. 9

Hogue Richard Replenishment – Holy Redeemer Catholic Center, Lunchroom

300 Cresent Ave.

2 PM – 6 PM

New Castle

Friday, Nov. 22

Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, Parish Center

117 N. Beaver St.

11 AM – 4 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 27

Harley-Davidson – Customer Lounge

4655 Rte. 422

2 PM – 7 PM

Friday, Nov. 29

New Castle Fire Department – Multi-purpose Room

10 Margaret St.

1 PM – 6 PM

(Pennsylvania-AP) Pennsylvania is often the subject of election-related misinformation. Social media users have falsely suggested that large numbers of migrants are illegally registered to vote in Pennsylvania, incorrectly asserted that the time it takes to count votes in the state is a smokescreen for fraud, and made baseless claims about foul play involving deceased voters.

A 1996 federal law allows fines and imprisonment for up to a year for noncitizens who vote in federal elections. Violators can also be deported. When people in the U.S. register to vote, they swear under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens.

Under Pennsylvania law, elections officials must wait until 7 a.m. Eastern Time on Election Day before they can begin to process ballots cast by mail and prepare them to be counted.

According to Geoff Morrow, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State, Pennsylvania law allows counties to use information from the health department, published obituaries, and testamentary documents to confirm that a voter has died.

(Pittsburgh, PA) 11 more public bathrooms in the near future will be added to the city of Pittsburgh.

According to the Tribune-Review, some of the places the new bathrooms will be installed include Mellon Square, Allegheny Commons, and the South Side Color Park, among others.

City Council unanimously agree to approve for the new public bathrooms and will allocate $600,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funding. This will work with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership to have the bathrooms cleaned and maintained. 

Three trailer-like public restrooms were brought into Pittsburgh that have running water, heat, and air conditioning last year.