Beaver, PA: M:7 Sports is proud to announce that Shell USA, Inc. has signed a 10-year partnership to gain exclusive naming rights to the first building at M:7 Sports Pittsburgh — a visionary new indoor multi-sport complex in Center Township designed to help local youth realize their full potential both on and off the courts and fields. Anticipated to open by the end of July, the 40,000 sq. ft. training and event space will be known as the Shell Sports Complex. 

The state-of-the-art facility is primed to become a popular all-season destination for athletes, families, and organizations to come for practice, camps, and tournaments. More than that, it will provide opportunities for growth and development outside of athletics, including academic/STEM camps, workforce development initiatives, and community events, such as expos and shows. 

Conveniently located along I-376 in Stefanik Industrial Park at 2267 Todd Rd in Aliquippa, approximately 11 miles north of the Pittsburgh Airport, the complex features 10,500 sq. ft. of premier synthetic grass, three regulation basketball courts that can be converted into four volleyball courts, and 7,500 sq. ft. of flex space for fitness and health partnerships. Offering a holistic developmental approach for its members, it will also include a Body Lab, Youth Psychology Center, and Brand Lab. Construction of a second building for the complex is scheduled to begin by the end of 2024. 

“The opening of M:7 Sports Pittsburgh would not have been possible without Shell, and we’re thrilled to partner with them,” said Jim Christiana, founder and CEO of M:7 Sports Inc. “This is yet another example of Shell’s ongoing commitment to our community. Shell Sports Complex will give young athletes not only a safe, collaborative space to train and play but also other opportunities for growth through educational and workforce initiatives. Knowing that the vast majority of them won’t go on to become professional athletes, it’s important that we provide them with valuable tools to help prepare them for their future lives and careers.” 

Christiana stressed that the complex was designed to benefit everyone, no matter their skill level or financial background, and that Shell’s sponsorship is helping to make that possible. The M:7 Sports Foundation is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit created to help break down the barriers to playing sports and provide equitable opportunities for young athletes, regardless of their circumstances.

“My team and I are excited to work with M:7 Sports to create the Shell Sports Complex in Beaver County focused on serving the local community,” said Emma Lewis, SVP US Chemicals and Products for Shell. “Our shared goal is to create a place where everyone can have access to learn, play, and grow.” 

Shell has several assets in the Greater Pittsburgh area including over a dozen gas stations and Shell Polymers Monaca, a 386-acre petrochemical complex located in Potter Township. 

Christiana added, “I couldn’t think of a better place to open our first M:7 Sports community than Southwestern Pennsylvania, where sports have long been an integral part of our lives and culture. With help from key stakeholders like Shell, we’ve built something truly special here, and we’re pumped about the positive impact this will have on the region, especially youth and families in the area.” 

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Police are investigating why a man with a Pennsylvania address broke into a high voltage electrical vault in the basement of the Connecticut State Office Building, home to the state’s constitutional officers, and turned off circuit breakers.

State troopers discovered the 43-year-old shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday after he activated an alarm. Both police and state officials said the man had broken into the building’s transformer vault from an exterior hatchway and shut down power to some of the building’s systems.

State Police said in a statement that it was “not a targeted incident,” no offices were affected by the break-in and there was no threat to the public or employees in the building. No other unauthorized people were found inside during an overnight search.

The six-story structure, constructed in the early 1930s, is near the Connecticut State Capitol and houses offices for the secretary of state, attorney general, state comptroller and state treasurer, as well as some other state entities.

The building recently underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2020. It was closed on Monday as police conducted an additional sweep and as state vendors and information technology staff worked to get the building’s systems restored.

FILE – This July 8, 2018, file photo shows Tesla 2018 Model 3 sedans sitting on display outside a Tesla showroom in Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowsi, File)

Tesla is recalling more than 1.8 million vehicles because of a hood issue that could increase the risk of a crash.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s Tesla is recalling some 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles because the hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood after it has been opened.

The unlatched hood can fully open when the vehicle is in motion, potentially obstructing the driver’s view and increasing the likelihood of a crash. The company is unaware of any crashes, injuries or deaths related to the issue.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tesla began investigating customer complaints about the issue on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in China on March 25. By mid-April, the automaker had identified the condition impacting vehicles in China as a latch switch deformation.

Tesla has continued to look at the issue and found that the rates of occurrence were higher in China than in Europe and North America, but the reason for that disparity is unknown.

Tesla said that as of July 20 it has identified three warranty claims or field reports for U.S. vehicles that are related to or may be related to the hood issue.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that Tesla has released a free software update to address the issue.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Sept. 22.

Vehicle owners may also reach out to Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 for more information. They may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit to www.nhtsa.gov.

Last month Tesla recalled its futuristic new Cybertruck pickup for the fourth time in the U.S. since it went on sale Nov. 30 to fix problems with trim pieces that can come loose and front windshield wipers that can fail.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 30, 2024 11:47 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, Pa) Bobbie Gacesa, 48, was arrested after he was found sleeping in a public parking lot in Bridgewater. She admitted to the officer that she had been drinking and the odor of alcohol was emanating from her person. State police reported that charges are pending against Gacesa.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 30, 2024 11:44 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Matthew Efaw, 37, was stopped on Constitution Boulevard on Thursday evening July 11, 2024 at 5:40pm for traffic violations. State police said during the traffic stop, the driver was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. No further information was provided by state police.

Gas prices are a penny cheaper in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.742 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                         $3.742
Average price during the week of July 22, 2024                                               $3.758
Average price during the week of July 31, 2023                                               $3.863

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.599      Altoona
$3.838      Beaver
$3.896      Bradford
$3.475      Brookville
$3.641      Butler
$3.671      Clarion
$3.691      DuBois
$3.660      Erie
$3.745      Greensburg
$3.785      Indiana
$3.770      Jeannette
$3.866      Kittanning
$3.827      Latrobe
$3.718      Meadville
$3.926      Mercer
$3.687      New Castle
$3.595      New Kensington
$3.830      Oil City
$3.748      Pittsburgh
$3.701      Sharon
$3.803      Uniontown
$3.898      Warren
$3.703      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Barely budging since June, the national average for a gallon of gas has remained stable over the past week at $3.50. The national average has hovered around $3.50 per gallon since June 26^th, and oil costs are helping keep gas prices steady. In April, a barrel of oil was in the upper $80’s, but today, it is $10 a barrel cheaper. Today’s national average is a penny more than a month ago but 24 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose unexpectedly from 8.78 million barrels per day to 9.45 last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 233 to 227.4 million barrels. Gasoline production rose last week, averaging 10.2 million barrels per day.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate rose 63 cents to settle at $77.59 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 3.7 million barrels from the previous week. At 436.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program has provided more than $8 billion in property-tax and rent relief to Pennsylvanians. (jackfrog/Adobe Stock)
Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Connection

Pennsylvanians are seeing some financial relief with their property taxes and rent. The state expansion of the existing property tax and rent rebate program began distributing rebates this month.

More than 442,000 rebates, totaling $266 million, are in the hands of Pennsylvanians.

Bill Johnston-Walsh, state director of AARP Pennsylvania, said the expansion program helps people age 50+ and 18 years and older living with a disability to stay in their homes and eases the burden of high property taxes and rising costs.

“For this year, it was able to increase the rebate rates, the average rate increase from $650 to $1,000,” Johnston-Walsh outlined. “The income cap for homeowners increased from $35,000 to $45,000. And then also, the income cap increase for renters from $15,000 to $45,000.”

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, income thresholds for rebate eligibility will adjust with the cost-of-living changes, providing a safety net to protect recipients, even as their Social Security benefits rise over time.

Johnston-Walsh noted the deadline to apply for the program has been extended to Dec. 31 and several application options are available, such as online at mypath.pa.gov, in-person, by phone or by mail.

“You also go to the Department of Revenue website and you download the paper application, and then you’d be able to mail it in to the Department of Revenue,” Johnston-Walsh explained. “The third way is in person. The department has revenue offices throughout the Commonwealth.”

Johnston-Walsh added AARP advocated for the program expansion to help more older Pennsylvanians access it. The Keystone State is home to almost 3.5 million people age 60 and older.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing survey activities on I-376 (Parkway West) in the City of Pittsburgh and Greentree Borough, Allegheny County, will occur Wednesday through Friday, July 31-August 2 weather permitting.

Survey activities requiring shoulder restrictions on I-376 in each direction between the Parkway Center Drive on-ramp and the Route 19 North/Route 51 North (Exit 69C) exit toward the West End will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Crews from Surveying & Mapping, LLC will conduct the survey work. Please use caution in the area.