(Photo courtesy of Congressman DeLuzio’s Office) 

MCKEES ROCKS, PA – Last Friday , Iraq War veteran and former voting rights attorney Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced the second part of his Defend Democracy Agenda, his plan to Strengthen and Expand Voting Rights. This slate of policies provides a roadmap for Congress to protect and expand the sacred right to vote for all Americans. This announcement follows the Congressman’s roll out of the first part of his agenda, which focused on earning public trust. He announced his plan at a press conference at a polling place in McKees Rocks and was joined by local and national voting rights advocates.

“Government of, by, and for the People depends on our foundational right to vote,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio. “Voting rights are under attack, including here in Pennsylvania, and Congress must take urgent action to shore up this sacred, hard-won freedom. Today, I am proud to announce the second part of my Defend Democracy Agenda, a plan to Strengthen and Expand Voting Rights. We can, and must, keep fighting for a government that lives up to our founding ideals, where every eligible American can exercise their freedom to vote. No exceptions.”

“Congressman Deluzio continues to be at the forefront of the fight to defend our democracy and protect our rights,” said Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund. “His Defend Democracy Agenda is a commonsense set of reforms that tackles the most pressing threats against our ability to vote. From protecting youth and student voting, to addressing the challenges facing unhoused Americans, to ending prison gerrymandering, to allowing same day registration, Congressman Deluzio is committed to breaking down the barriers to make our democracy more reflective of the people.”

Congressman Deluzio’s plan to Strengthen and Expand Voting Rights is the second in his three-part Defend Democracy Agenda to defend American democracy from the threat of rising anti-democratic forces. The slate he announced today starts with two comprehensive legislative packages to protect the right to vote: the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. The rest of Congressman Deluzio’s plan includes a wide slate of policies that take more targeted approaches to protect and expand voting rights for all eligible Americans. The final part of Deluzio’s Defend Democracy Agenda is themed on election security and will be released in the coming months.

(File Photo)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning E-ZPass customers about a scam that is targeting users with text messages asking for personal financial information.

The texts say they’re from “PA Turnpike Toll Services” and include “urgent requests” about the accounts’ overdue balance and coming late fees, according to a release from the Turnpike Commission.

Don’t click on the link if you receive a text or email message like that saying it’s from E-ZPass or another toll agency, the commission said. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country in recent days, the statement said.

For E-ZPass customers, there are multiple approved safe methods to check your account — the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.

Customers who get a fraudulent message can report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

The deadline to submit 2023 personal income tax returns is Monday, April 15, 2024

Harrisburg, PA — With the deadline to file 2023 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns approaching, the Department of Revenue is extending its customer service hours for taxpayers to get help over the phone. This will help taxpayers get the assistance they need before the April 15, 2024 filing deadline, Revenue Secretary Pat Browne said today.

“We know from our experience that many of our fellow Pennsylvanians who have personal income tax questions benefit from speaking directly with one of our trained representatives on the phone,” Browne said. “That’s why we make a push during this time of year to offer as much phone support as possible prior to the filing deadline. We also have a number of customer resource options on the Department’s website that provide answers to common questions and will help taxpayers get their returns filed on time.”

Taxpayer Service and Assistance

Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 to connect with the Department of Revenue’s Customer Experience Center (CEC). Beginning Tuesday, April 9, extended hours will be:

• April 9 – 12 | 8 AM – 7 PM
• April 13 | 10 AM to 3 PM
• April 15 | 8 AM – 7 PM

Personal income tax assistance is also available through the Department’s Online Customer Service Center. The Online Customer Service Center contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the Department through a process that is similar to sending an email.

The Department of Revenue’s district offices are also open to provide customer service. Taxpayers are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment and bring their Social Security cards and a photo ID with them to facilitate tax filing assistance. District offices are open 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by selecting the Where’s My Income Tax Refund? link on the Department’s homepage, or by calling 1-888-PATAXES. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.

Use myPATH to File Your State Tax Return for Free

The Department is encouraging taxpayers to electronically file their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns with the Department’s state-only online filing tool available at mypath.pa.gov. myPATH is a free, user-friendly option that allows most taxpayers to seamlessly file the Pennsylvania Income Tax Return (PA-40) and make income tax payments. Taxpayers do not need to create a username or password to perform many functions in myPATH. That includes filing a PA-40 or making a payment, responding to Department requests for information, and checking the status of a refund.

As a reminder, all taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2023 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Monday, April 15, 2024.

Spanish Resources for Filing

myPATH has an option for Spanish-speaking Pennsylvania taxpayers to file the PA Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40). In addition, the Department has an informational video in Spanish with step-by-step instructions on how to use myPATH to file a PA-40 as part of its Revenue411 video series.

(File Photo)

(Scott Twp.,  Allegheny County ) Authorities are reporting that a man and a woman were found dead in a home along Great Oak Road in Scott Twp. around 3 AM this morning.

Allegheny County Police said both the man and the woman suffered gunshot wounds.

The identities of the man and the woman have not been released as County Homicide Detectives continue to investigate.

(File Photo)

(Wampum, Boro, Lawrence County) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to Kay Street in Wampum Boro Lawrence County at 9:00 Pm on April 3, 2024 for a report of vandalism to a vehicle. Troopers reported that when they arrived it was report that an unknown actor damaged a 41-year-old female’s 2016 Chevy Impala as it was parked along Kay Street. The actor broke the driver’s front side window. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at the New Castle barracks at 724-598-2211

(Butler Coumnty ) Dozens of animals were removed from a Butler County home, and a man is facing charges after police found two dead German Shepards in Butler County.

Pennsylvania State Police in Butler said Paul Frederick was arrested Saturday while troopers served a search warrant to remove all animals at his home on Double Road in Connoquenessing Township. PSP obtained this warrant after two dogs were found dead  the day before and removed 50 animals — including cats, dogs, pigs, goats and ducks — from the home. All of the animals were taken to a shelter in Erie.

A criminal complaint alleges a Butler County Sheriff K-9 located two garbage bags containing the dead German Shepards off a parking lot along Whitestown Road in Butler Twp. after the handler let the dog out to urinate. Police observed the dead dogs had matted fur and appeared underweight. Their collars and microchips showed the dogs were registered to Frederick.

Fredrick denied knowing anything about the dogs, then saying he had a dog die a week ago, and his son was supposed to bury it.

Police say Frederick was arrested Saturday because he became “increasingly agitated” while troopers served the warrant and did not comply with orders to leave the home. He is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, obstructing the administration of law and resisting arrest.

(Photos used with permission of Brighton Twp. Police )

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff

(Brighton Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Monday morning Brighton Twp. Police reported that there was no update about a man who was reported missing over the weekend.  Brighton Township Police reported that 36 year-old Brian Posch missing. Posch is reported as a white male that is 5’11” 205LBS. He has hazel eyes, brown hair, both ears pierced, and a tattoo of the word “Posch” on his right rib area. He was last seen on Friday at 11 AM operating a white in color Ford Super Duty PA registration ZTH8685. Brighton Twp. is asking anyone who has seen or talked to Posch to contact them at 724-775-0880.

Below is a photo of the truck Posch was driving when he was last seen:

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the “bathtub” area of westbound I-376 (Parkway East) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, has reopened to traffic.

The “bathtub” area of the Parkway East, located between the Grant Street exit and Fort Pitt Bridge, closed to traffic on Wednesday due to flooding. The roadway was reopened at approximately 11.45 a.m. along with the ramp from Grant Street to westbound I-376 and the ramp from the Boulevard of the Allies to westbound I-376.

PennDOT crews pumped the water and cleaned mud and debris from the area once the river receded prior to the roadway reopening.

FILE – Viewers use special glasses to watch from San Antonio, as the moon moves in front of the sun during an annular solar eclipse, or ring of fire, Oct. 14, 2023. The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 may be weeks away but businesses are ready for the celestial event with oodles of special eclipse glasses for sale, along with T-shirts and other souvenirs. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Monday’s total solar eclipse might become one of the year’s most filmed and photographed events. As the moon passes in front of the sun, plunging a swath of North America into a few minutes of darkness, throngs will take pictures or videos of the moment. But powerful solar rays and drastic changes in lighting pose unique challenges in catching that perfect image. To find the best place to capture the eclipse, use online maps. To help plan your shot, there are smartphone apps that show how close you are to the path of totality, play a countdown to key moments and simulate how the eclipse will look in the sky.