Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is inviting the public to attend a recruitment event on Thursday, August 24 to learn about winter maintenance position opportunities the department offers in Beaver County.

The recruitment event will be held at PennDOT’s Rochester Maintenance Building located at 155 Stewart Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074 from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 24.

Recruiters will be available to discuss current and future openings within the Commonwealth. On the spot applications and interviews will take place for individuals with their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) license for both permanent and winter equipment operator positions. Individuals without standard transmission experience are welcome to apply as many PennDOT trucks are now equipped with automatic transmissions.

Other permanent and seasonal employment opportunities with the department that don’t require a CDL license are also open for applicants.

Laptops and staff will be available to assist interested participants navigate the new electronic application system.

PennDOT is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer promoting workforce diversity. To learn more about jobs, please visit www.employment.pa.gov.

(New Brighton, PA) In a matter of days, men and women who like to sing can meet at a special  preview session for “Joy of Every Longing Heart,” this year’s Christmas  concert by the Beaver Valley Choral Society. The 7pm preview session  meets on Monday, August 28 at New Brighton Methodist Church, 1033  Sixth Avenue, New Brighton.  

The informal two-hour session is open to the general public as well as BVCS  members, and is under the leadership of BVCS Artistic Director and  Principal Conductor Sharon Burchill. Any interested adult men and  women are encouraged to attend the preview session.  

The first full rehearsal for the Adult Principal Choir and Treble Youth  Chorale begins on Monday, September 11 at 7pm. Selections include the  title piece, “Joy of Every Longing Heart,” written by Lloyd Larsen; “Savior  from on High,” composed by Stephen Paulus; a setting of the poem,  ‘Neighbors on This Frosty Tide,’ from William Bolcum’s “The Wind in the  Willows;” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” for piano four-hands; a special  Christmas bluegrass selection; plus the closing work, Glenn Rudolph’s “The  Dream Isaiah Saw.”.

 

The Choral Society welcomes new singers and musicians to its ranks.  Auditioning is not required, as long as a vocalist can sing tunefully. Orchestra members must be able to read music and play their  instrument proficiently. The chamber orchestra begins rehearsing  Monday, November 7.  

The volunteer 100-plus voice chorus was formed a century ago and  celebrated its Diamond Jubilee this year. Prospective members should  contact BVCS Membership Coordinator Judi Contino, at judirenkin@yahoo.com  

The Beaver Valley Choral Society is a landmark community,  intergenerational, Christian faith-based, non-denominational, not-for-profit  choral and orchestral arts music organization that values excellence, energy  and entrepreneurial spirit. Visit their website at www.bvchoralsociety.org.  

FILE – Norfolk Southern locomotives are moved in Norfolk Southern’s Conway Terminal in Conway, Pa., June 17, 2023. Lawyers and unions who represent rail workers say there is a clear pattern across the industry of railroads retaliating against workers who report safety violations or injuries on the job. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Lawyers and unions representing rail workers say there is a clear pattern across the industry of railroads retaliating against workers who report safety violations or injuries on the job. Often these workers run afoul of managers who don’t want to jeopardize their bonuses. The examples of retaliation discourage other workers from speaking up, out of fear they also could be disciplined or fired. The railroads say they are trying to eliminate the practice by prohibiting retaliation and creating multiple ways for workers to report safety concerns. The number of cases are down over the past five years, but government statistics show whistleblower cases continue to be filed every year.

(Conway, PA) The lower portion of Conway Borough from 5th avenue to Route 65 is under a BOIL WATER ADVISORY due to a water line break. This advisory is in effect until repairs are made and testing has been completed.

Plum, PA – Earlier this week, Governor Josh Shapiro directed the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to launch an investigation into the house explosion in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood of Plum Borough, Allegheny County.

 

Under the Governor’s direction on Monday morning, August 14, 2023, in coordination with local and County authorities, DEP inspectors began conducting a stray gas investigation at the incident site to look for sources of combustible gas near the structure and inspecting nearby natural gas-related facilities and infrastructure under DEP’s jurisdiction. DEP continues to work in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s (ACFM) Office, utility operators, and other county and local emergency service agencies. The ACFM continues its investigation into the cause and origin.

 

“From the moment DEP was called in to investigate, our experts have worked tirelessly alongside county officials and partner agencies to aid in identifying the cause,” said DEP Secretary Rich Negrin. “Our emergency response team, geologists, and members of the Oil and Gas District Operations will continue to have boots on the ground in the days ahead, as we exhaust every relevant resource in our scope of jurisdiction.”

 

DEP inspectors are using handheld gas detectors to take daily readings for the presence and concentration of combustible gas – like methane – in the soil or in structures around Rustic Ridge. Where sufficient volume of gas is measured, inspectors are taking samples for lab analysis. DEP expects expedited results from the first samples collected. Potential methane sources include landfills, sewer lines, active/abandoned/historic oil or natural gas wells and associated pipelines, and coal mines. Analysis of the isotopic signature of the gas can indicate the depth of where the gas originated to aid in DEP’s identification of the source of the gas.

 

DEP staff have already inspected the closest oil and gas well sites near Rustic Ridge and are coordinating with the owners/operators of the wells and associated pipelines. DEP staff have begun inspecting abandoned/historic wells and will continue to search for unregistered oil and gas wells in the area that may also be a source of natural gas.

 

“I am in constant communication with Governor Shapiro, who has expressed his unwavering support for the Plum community and for the use of all available investigative measures. At the Governor’s request, an extensive amount of testing has been completed. I have ordered that the results be expedited. Over the next few days additional testing will be conducted and shared with the public appropriately,” added Negrin. “It is not lost on our agency the tremendous impact this event has had on the Plum community. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and the precious lives lost through this tragic incident.”

 

Media sources have noted the presence of abandoned mine lands in the area. Vast swaths of southwestern Pennsylvania sit atop abandoned underground mines. DEP has assessed the coal seam in the Plum Borough area and found no nearby shafts or drill/bore holes in the vicinity of the incident and determined the likelihood of an abandoned mine-related gas issue to be very low. Two DEP projects to extinguish the nearby Renton abandoned mine fire were successfully concluded in October 2021. Abandoned mine features are not currently part of DEP’s investigation.

In this week’s episode of Highmark Heroes, Jim Roddey conversates with Allegheny Health Network thoracic/cardiac surgeon Dr. Walter McGregor about his top-level work, and then Jim will talk with Todd McGregor, who is the Executive and CEO of the Laurel Highlands Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

“Heroes” is presented by Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the Allegheny Health Network, airing Saturdays at 10:00 AM and Sundays at 12:30 PM on Beaver County Radio. Archived editions of “Heroes” can be heard at the Beaver County Radio Podcast Library.

On this week’s edition of “Wake Up Beaver Valley”, Pastor Dave Grove talks about the “true Israel” within believers and within Scripture, as he uses excerpts from Romans and the Book of Isaiah to reveal the truth.

“Wake Up Beaver Valley” airs every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 10 AM on Beaver County Radio and is presented by the Church of The Redeemed of Beaver Valley. Archived editions of “Wake Up Beaver Valley” can be heard at the Beaver County Radio Podcast Library.

Hosts Jeff Bost and Dr. Joseph Maroon talk about sugars, sweeteners, and what they can do to your body on this week’s edition of “Living Well”.

Dr. Joseph Maroon is a world renown neurosurgeon with extensive experience in neurosurgery. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery to speed recovery for his patients. He is a sports medicine expert and innovator in concussion management, personal fitness and nutrition. Dr. Maroon is also the Pittsburgh Steelers team doctor.

Jeff Bost is a consultant to the St. Barnabas Health System. Bost is also a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Neurosurgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a consultant to the WWE, and Clinical Assistant Professor at Chatham University. He has a special interest in minimally invasive spine and brain surgery and have collaborated on scores of scientific medical papers and books in these areas. Over the last 15 years he has researched, lectured and written on the use of alternative treatment for pain control.

Bost, along with Dr. Joseph Maroon have authored two books on the use of omega-3 fish oil, including: Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory, currently in its forth printing with over 75,000 copies sold and recently, Why You Need Fish Oil. He has given over 100 invited lectures, 24 national posters and oral presentations, 29 coordinated research projects, five workshops presentations, 35 scientific articles and 10 book chapters.

You can rune into “Living Well” every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 95.7 and 99.3 FM, 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, and beavercountyradio.com.

You can also listen to all previous episodes of “Living Well” by going to beavercountyradio.com clicking on the Listen Live Button, Then chose Beaver County Radio and click on Podcasts in the upper right hand corner.

You can also download our free apps by clicking on the proper store icon for your platform of a device:

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced a multi-million-dollar federal investment to the Moon Transportation Authority for reconstruction efforts at Montour Run Road and Market Place Boulevard roadways. He was joined for this announcement by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Moon Township Board of Supervisors Member and President of Moon Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors John Hertzer, and Moon Transportation Authority Executive Director Lynn Colosi.

 

These funds will allow Moon Township to fight traffic and enhance and upgrade state and local roads that will facilitate the next phases of construction on the new Moon Township Marketplace District. This district is a transformative, mixed-use development project that will create jobs, new businesses, commercial areas, and housing in the region.

 

“The people of Western Pennsylvania deserve infrastructure they can count on, that connects communities, and that supports safe transportation in every form,” said Rep. Deluzio. “The Marketplace District marks an exciting new chapter for Moon Township, one with a bold new community and that grows our local economy. As this new development project reaches its final stages, I am proud that $3.5 million in congressional, federal investments will go toward critical road upgrades that will safely connect this new community with the wider region.”

 

The $3.5 million dollars in congressional Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding that Congressman Deluzio announced today will allow Moon Township to upgrade 1.25 miles of both a state-owned arterial (Montour Run) and a locally owned road (Market Place Boulevard) to facilitate private development of Marketplace District. Congressman Deluzio commended his predecessor, former Congressman Conor Lamb, for his support of this project in the last session of Congress.

 

Marketplace District Transportation Improvements is a 1.25-mile reconstruction of Montour Run Road, which includes adding through lanes and turn lanes, and upgrading intersections, and a quarter-mile reconstruction of Market Place Boulevard, which includes road widening, adding turn lanes, and installing sidewalk, all of which are required to enable private development of 700-acres at Marketplace District, Moon Township.

 

• Access– Establishes multimodal access to the 700-acre Marketplace District site especially to the 300-acre Diamond Ridge Master Plan plus an additional 400-acres of land-locked properties.
• Traffic– Through and turn lanes will be added to Montour Run Road to accommodate 13,000 vehicles traveling daily through the Project area and the increase in traffic forecasted from new development.
• Safety– Will implement modern transportation infrastructure and technology to decrease crash rates in the Project area (1.82 crashes per one million vehicle miles of travel), which exceed statewide average rate (1.3-1.7) for similar roadways.

 

The overall economic activity at the new Marketplace District in Moon Township is forecasted to bring back $14 million in taxes every year to local and state governments. The Marketplace District also includes hundreds of new housing units, both in the form of apartments and single-family homes. New businesses and recreation areas are also part of this mixed-use development plan. The Marketplace District is expected to create more than 1,900 direct construction jobs and more than 1,500 ongoing, permanent jobs.

Harrisburg, PA – In keeping with Governor Josh Shapiro‘s commitment to expand Pennsylvania’s workforce and serve Pennsylvanians more efficiently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that a new, modernized commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test will be implemented at all PennDOT Driver License Centers that offer CDL skills tests and at all third-party CDL driving skill testers beginning August 28, 2023. As new technologies emerge, the modernized CDL skills test ensures that CDL drivers have the knowledge and skills to drive safely on the road while waiving outdated requirements that hold workers back.

For example, the Shapiro Administration recognizes school districts have been dealing with the school bus driver shortage since the pandemic and school bus engines have become more complex and modern. That’s why, starting August 28th, PennDOT will waive the “Under the Hood requirement” for school bus drivers, which means that potential school bus drivers will no longer need to take the portion of the CDL test that requires them to identify engine components.

“Governor Shapiro has made it clear that the Commonwealth should help people succeed, not get in the way. Under his direction, PennDOT is working to make our services more accessible and effective for the people of Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “As someone with a CDL, I know that technology in our vehicles has greatly evolved and improved, even in our commercial vehicles. This modernized test is another way PennDOT is enhancing its services to better serve our CDL applicants while still ensuring the safety of school bus passengers.”

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created a long-term waiver extension that allows a state to modify the Commercial Driver’s License test for drivers seeking to obtain a school bus endorsement. PennDOT will implement this waiver granted by FMCSA, and as a result, potential school bus drivers no longer need to take the portion of the CDL test that identifies engine components “under the hood.” Under the current federal waiver, the “under the hood” portion of the test may be waived for school bus driver applicants through November 27, 2024.

“Knowing the components of a school bus engine does not impact a school bus driver’s safe driving skills,” said Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “By implementing this waiver from FMCSA, we hope that more drivers will apply for the school bus endorsement and become school bus drivers.”

As always, the CDL skills test examines an applicant’s knowledge based on vehicle features and focuses on key skills needed to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Now, the skills test has received a much needed update to reflect modern vehicle features. Applicants must pass the full CDL Skills Test – which includes pre-trip inspection, basic control and a road test – to receive their CDL. Prospective applicants scheduled to take the test after August 28, 2023, are encouraged to review and study the updated Commercial Driver License Manual to prepare for each portion of the knowledge and driver skills test.

The Vehicle Inspection (VI) test and the Basic Control Skills (BCS) test were updated during the modernization process. CDL applicants may be asked to identify up to 90 different components on the vehicle and describe what they are looking for to ensure it is safe and ready for use compared to the current requirement of more than 100 items. In addition, a checklist is now authorized to be used as a memory aid for this segment.

The BCS Test will require CDL applicants to demonstrate four maneuvers to demonstrate control:

• Forward Stop to demonstrate an applicant’s ability to judge the front of the vehicle;
• Straight-Line Backing to demonstrate the applicant’s ability to back the vehicle in a straight line;
• Forward Offset Tracking to demonstrate an applicant’s ability to maneuver the vehicle around other objects while moving forward; and
• Reverse Offset Backing to demonstrate an applicant’s ability to offset reverse and park the vehicle.

Applicants who have already completed portions of the skills testing prior to August 28 will need to complete current versions of CDL Skills Testing. These applicants should continue to review and study the current Commercial Driver License Manual to prepare for each portion of the knowledge and driver skills test.

More information on commercial driver licenses and copies of the Commercial Driver License Manuals can be found on the Commercial Drivers page on PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.