Photo obtained from connectbeavercounty.com

(Beaver County, Pennsylvania) The Connect Beaver County Broadband Program announced that its two Early Action Projects (EAP) are complete, and new broadband service is now available to more than 250 Beaver County homes previously without reliable service.

Municipalities with locations in the new service areas include Hanover Township, now receiving connection through Armstrong, and Darlington Township, South Beaver Township, and Big Beaver Borough, now receiving connection through Kinetic by Windstream.

Keystone State News Service – Danielle Smith

A proposed pumped-storage hydroelectric facility for Cuffs Run near the Susquehanna River in York County has been challenged by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The foundation filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is considering granting a preliminary permit to build a 1.8-mile-long dam for the project.

Harry Campbell, science policy and advocacy director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said they are working to stop the project in order to protect the unique Cuffs Run area and its ecological benefits for future generations.

“If approved, this project would destroy it about 580 acres of prime farmland, fields and forests, some of which have not been disturbed in about 100 years,” Campbell pointed out. “Those farms, fields and forests exist harmoniously with and in support of a plethora of plant and animal life.”

The foundation is circulating an online petition and encouraged Pennsylvanians to provide comments before Sunday.

The stream is home to naturally reproducing brook trout. Advocates worry the $2.5 billion project would also be harmful to the Susquehanna River. Campbell noted about 40 families would be displaced.

“For those who call Cuffs Run home, it’s more than just a place to live. It’s their heritage and they want it to be part of their legacy,” Campbell asserted. “This project just simply is the wrong idea in the wrong place. In order to honor that heritage and that legacy, we need to preserve this area.”

Campbell emphasized the Cuffs Run project is about 993 acres of land draining into a 2.5-mile unnamed tributary. He added in terms of stream habitat, the rocks, pebbles and woody material have been identified as among the best in the region for supporting critters living in the water.

Harrisburg, PA – As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) conducted its Easter holiday enforcement over the weekend and today released the results of the annual initiative.

From Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31, PSP investigated 407 crashes resulting in six fatalities and 90 injuries. Intoxicated driving was a factor in 46 of those crashes, two of which were fatal.

Troopers arrested 358 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and issued 17,168 traffic citations, including:

• 5,285 for speeding
• 557 for failing to wear a seatbelt
• 90 for not securing children in safety seats

Table 1: Easter 2024 Weekend Crash Data

Source: Pennsylvania State Police, 2024

Table 2: Easter 2024 Weekend Enforcement Data

Source: Pennsylvania State Police, 2024

(New Brighton, Pa) Artist Gadi Leshem will demonstrate his earthenware clay sculpture techniques on April 11, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Merrick Art Gallery, 1100 5th Avenue, New Brighton, Pa.  

Gadi is a sculptor based in Mars, PA, with a deep passion for classical figurative sculpture and portraiture. His work explores the capture of expression, character and emotions through a combination of life studies and imaginative creations. His primary medium of choice is earthenware clay. Gadi is an active member of several local and national artists organizations. His sculptures are on display at different venues in the area.

Along with the demonstration, Members of Beaver Valley Artists are asked to bring their entries for the Annual Members show which will be juried the weekend of April 13.  The show will begin April 23 with a public reception on April 28 at the gallery.  The show will remain on exhibit till May 9 at 7:00 p.m. When the juror, William Kofmehl, will conduct a critique of the works in the show. Kofmehl teaches art at the college level. He has a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA from Yale University. He is based in Pittsburgh with a focus on sculpture, and has exhibited his work nationally and internationally.

• Use Pennsylvania 811 by calling 811 or 1-800-242-1776 (for out of state callers) at least three (3) business days before the planned start of digging;
• Peoples and other utility companies serving your home will be notified, and send locators out to mark the location of any underground lines;
• During the project, respect the markings and excavate with due care; and
• In the event of any damage to pipelines, line markers, locator wires or warning tape, promptly notify the appropriate utility.

Distracted driving continues to be a danger to everyone on U.S. roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 30,000 motorists died in distracted-driving crashes between 2012 and 2021. In 2021 alone, more than 360,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes. AAA East Central reminds motorists that no life is worth losing to distraction and encourages everyone to remain focused on the road ahead to save lives.

“Distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous risks on the nation’s roads, endangering not only the distracted motorist, but also passengers, pedestrians and other motorists,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “Any distraction, whether it’s texting or talking to a passenger, takes a motorist’s attention away from the road and can have deadly consequences.”

Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated. is AAA East Central’s ongoing initiative to end distracted driving. The campaign reminds motorists that the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving and distracted driving can be equally as devastating. While many may think distractions are limited to cell phones, they also include eating, changing music, adjusting the navigation, talking to other passengers and other distractions that take attention away from driving.

Many motorists are guilty of a “double standard” when it comes to distracted driving. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s 2022 Traffic Safety Culture Index found that while 93% of motorists believed it was very or extremely dangerous to text or email while driving, nearly four out of 10 drivers admitted to doing so within the previous 30 days.

To avoid distractions while driving, AAA East Central recommends that motorists:

• Put aside electronic devices. Put smartphones away, turn them to airplane mode or activate “do not disturb” call/text blocking features.
• Prepare for the drive. Set vehicle systems like GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road.
• Groom before leaving the house. Don’t use time behind the wheel to fix hair or makeup. This can be a deadly decision.
• Stay focused. Be sure to actively scan the road, use mirrors and watch for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Secure items. Properly secure items, children and pets that can move around the vehicle and become a distraction.
• Be mindful of passengers. If there are passengers in the vehicle, enlist their help as a “designated texter.” Ask them to answer calls, respond to texts and program the navigation.
• Be a good passenger. Offer to assist the driver, and don’t distract them.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 1, 2024 11:25 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) A Hopewell township Road closure has been announced. Beginning, Monday, April 15, 2024 Laird Drive will be closed from the park entrance to Kane Road. Culvert repairs and much needed improvements on the roadway will take place, according to a press release issued by the road department. The closure is to be in effect until the beginning of June.
The township park will remain open and is accessible from Brodhead Road.

FILE – Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 138th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announced that Phil and his wife Phyllis, have become parents of two groundhog babies on Wednesday, March 27. Phil is credited by many with predicting whether an early spring is coming based on whether he sees his shadow on Feb. 2 each year. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

Start handing out those groundhog-size cigars: Punxsutawney Phil is a father. The Pennsylvania group that handles the spring-predicting groundhog and his groundhog wife Phyllis says the couple became parents on Saturday. A member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was bringing fruit and vegetables to Phil and Phyllis on Saturday when the heads of two babies popped up as well. No word yet on their gender or names.

LIGONIER, PA: March 28, 2024 – Idlewild & SoakZone is gearing up for its 2024 season with a massive improvement project across the park’s beloved Story Book Forest. The Best Kids Park in the World is also unveiling an expanded operating schedule, thrilling special events and entertainment and much more for its 147^th season.  

Story Book Forest, which features character scenes from fairy tales and nursery rhymes along a winding path through a real forest will delight guests with several improvements and returning elements this upcoming season, including; 

·         The multi-year paving project has continued with a large portion of the path being paved creating better accessibility for strollers and wheelchairs and improving the overall guest   experience for everyone visiting Story Book Forest 

·         Rub-a-Dub-Dub Three Men in a Tub will splash back on the scene with the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker in a brand-new tub; 

·         Jack and the Beanstalk will sprout again in the lineup with the original characters along with a new beanstalk and pea pods;  

·         Restoration and improvements including a new roof for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs cottage and new wood siding on the Good Ship Lollipop; and  

·         The lake is getting refreshed to ensure it remains as picturesque as its surroundings, along with motion returning to the Windmill and waterwheels in the center.   

“The upcoming Idlewild season will be full of reasons to visit, with Story Book Forest’s multiple improvements and additions, brand-new concepts for our special events plus several other upgrades throughout the park,” said General Manager Tim Heger. “We take great pride in being Pittsburgh’s Best Amusement Park for Kids and Families and strive to elevate the fun and playfulness every year for our guests.” 

Story Book Forest is just one part of the improvements throughout The Best Kids Park in the World. Also new in 2024, Skooters is adding all-new bumper cars, more than doubling the ride’s capacity and offering more options for families to enjoy throughout their visit. Others include the continuation of a multi-year restoration project of the park’s Carousel in Olde Idlewild. The carousel horses, which date back to 1931, were stripped down to bare wood and carefully hand-painted to restore this timeless classic to its original beauty. The SoakZone Gift Shop is also being upgraded from top to bottom, offering guests an enhanced shopping experience. New floors, new wall units and beautiful displays to complement all-new park merchandise are in store for this coming season. 

The 2024 Idlewild season will feature new elements and enhanced entertainment for its popular event Kids Fest, plus the Halloween favorite, HALLOWBOO!. This fall event will have its longest run yet beginning on September 14 and running weekends through October 27. Idlewild will open its gates for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 18 with SoakZone opening on Saturday, May 25.  

Families can take advantage of the full season lineup of events and enjoy the enhanced Idlewild experience throughout the entire season with a Season Pass on sale now with savings of up to $30 off. A Season Pass provides the best way to visit the park, offering unlimited admission, discounts on food and retail, Bring a Friend Day discounts, plus much more. 

For more information about the 2024 Idlewild expanded season and to purchase tickets or season passes, please visit Idlewild.com.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today unveiled PSP Tips, a new way for the public to share information related to active investigations, cold-cases, the apprehension of wanted persons, or locating missing persons.

“Assistance from the public is often vital to solving crimes or locating missing or wanted individuals,” said Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Deputy Commissioner of Operations. “The social media platforms, the toll-free number, and the online tip form are all easy ways to send us information that may solve a case or get a dangerous individual off the streets.”

PSP Tips includes information on nearly 100 cold case homicides, missing persons, and other unsolved crimes. New cases will be added frequently.

Featured cases include the 1973 homicide of an 8-year-old girl in Greene County, the unsolved killing in 1977 of a high school junior in Blair County, the 1981 disappearance of a Lackawanna County teenager, and the search for the children of Susan Reinert, a Montgomery County teacher found murdered near Harrisburg in 1979.

Your tip could provide investigators with a long-awaited breakthrough that will finally bring closure and justice for the victim’s families.

All information submitted to PSP Tips can be provided anonymously, if desired.