Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro signed executive orders reestablishing five Governor’s Advisory Commissions – including the Commissions on African American Affairs, Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs, Latino Affairs, LGBTQ Affairs, and Women – and established a new Commission on Next Generation Engagement.

The Governor’s Advisory Commissions make recommendations to the Governor on policies and legislation that impact the Commonwealth and help ensure the communities they represent have a voice in state government. The newly established Commission on Next Generation Engagement recognizes that Pennsylvanians between the ages of 16-26 make unique, diverse, and valuable contributions to Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro knows that next generation Pennsylvanians make important contributions to the Commonwealth and is committed to ensuring that this generation’s voice is heard in his Administration to address the issues that matter most to them.

“No matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to – you have a place here in Pennsylvania. These advisory commissions will ensure all Pennsylvania communities have a seat at the table of progress in my Administration,” said Governor Shapiro. “Moriah, Razin, Ruby, Anette, Olga, and Henry are dedicated public servants ready to serve the Commonwealth and ensure that all Pennsylvanians see themselves reflected in state government – and I’m proud to appoint them as we continue working to build a better future for our Commonwealth.”

Each commission will allow for up to 30 members representing diverse backgrounds, careers, regions, and political affiliations. Led by the executive directors, the commissioners bring unique perspectives to their work to ensure that all Pennsylvania communities are represented in the Shapiro Administration and to improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians.

Read more about the executive director of each commission below.

Moriah Hathaway, Commission on Women

Moriah Hathaway has been the executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women since July 2020. In this position, Moriah works with the commissioners, stakeholders, and legislators from across the state to advocate for women and girls at the executive level. She previously served as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as the Executive Assistant to Governor Wolf’s Regional Directors. She graduated in 2019 from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in political science and serves on the Shippensburg University Alumni Board of Directors. Moriah is from Carmichaels, Pennsylvania in Greene County and currently resides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her wife, Bailey, and son, Emerson.

Razin Karu, Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs

Razin Karu serves as the Executive Director for the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs. He was born and raised in India and has been living in the United States since 2013. He received his associate’s degree with honors in history from Bucks County Community College and received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science, with minors in global studies and economics from Temple University. He most recently served as the Executive Director of the Muslim Society of Delaware Valley where he directed all programs and activities for the Muslim Youth Center of Philadelphia and the Islamic Cultural Center of Willow Grove and led the organization’s strategic planning. Prior to that, Razin served as the outreach coordinator at ICNA Relief PA where he worked on programs focusing on a diverse set of community needs, including refugee services, hunger prevention, disaster relief, educational empowerment and more. Razin serves as a member of the Bucks County New Americans Advisory Commission and is an active member of the Indian community in Bensalem.

Ruby Mundok, Commission on Next Generation Engagement

Ruby Mundok serves as the Executive Director of Governor Shapiro’s Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement. After volunteering as a chapter lead with Students for Shapiro during the 2022 election, she understands the importance of youth engagement in government first-hand. Prior to this role, Ruby served on Governor Shapiro’s Inaugural Committee and was an intern in the Digital Strategy Office of the Governor. In addition to her work within the Shapiro Administration, she is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in media arts production with a minor in Political and Governmental Affairs at Millersville University. Ruby was born and raised and currently resides in Lancaster, PA.

Anette Nance, Commission on African American Affairs

Anette Nance is a community-engaged leader, decorated veteran, and master’s-level social worker. Now residing in Pittsburgh, she is from Auburn, GA and of Haitian descent. Anette served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years, including an Operation Enduring Freedom deployment, and holds a master’s degree in social work with a focus on community organization and social action and a certificate in Human Services Management from the University of Pittsburgh. Her advocacy work within the veteran space has earned her recognition at local, regional, and national levels, including being a finalist for the 2020 Student Veteran of the Year award. Anette actively serves on nonprofit boards and served as Commissioner on Governor Wolf’s Commission on African American Affairs. Her contributions to the Pittsburgh region have been widely celebrated, with honors such as Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP’s 40 Under 40 award and the Rising Star Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is a woman of faith, a wife, and a devoted mother of two.

Olga Negrón, Commission on Latino Affairs

Olga Negrón was the first elected Latino Councilwoman in the City of Bethlehem, and when elected, she was the only woman of color in City Council. She is no stranger to community organizations and to the people of Pennsylvania from decades in public service on numerous boards, commissions, and committees, including the Pennsylvania Crime & Delinquency Commission’s Crime Prevention & Community Revitalization Advisory Council, appointed by former Governor Edward G. Rendell; member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Public Library, appointed by Governor Tom Wolf; and Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Latino Convention. Olga has worked as a community organizer and executive director for several non-profit organizations, Neighborhood Coordinator for the City of Allentown, and as the Legislative Assistant for a State Representative. Olga is happily married to Magisterial District Judge Nicholas E. Englesson.

Henry Sias, Commission on LGBTQ Affairs

Henry Sias is Governor Shapiro’s Executive Director of the Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. A civil rights lawyer in Philadelphia for over a decade, Henry co-founded a nonprofit that has provided thousands of free expungements for low-income Philadelphians. He began working on pro-bono projects benefiting the LGBTQ community during his first semester of law school, when he assisted professors working on a brief in Lawrence v. Texas. Henry has been working on projects to advance that cause ever since, from decriminalizing LGBTQ relationships to promoting marriage equality and fighting discrimination. An out transgender man, Henry brings his decades of experience to the cause of transgender equality, fighting to protect children from bullying and workplaces from discrimination while maintaining and expanding freedom and security for the entire LGBTQ community. Henry graduated from Western Michigan University in 1998 and Yale Law School in 2005 and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced three settlements — totaling more than $90,000 — against telemarketers that allegedly violated Pennsylvania’s “Do-Not-Call” Law and contacted people on the no-call list.

According to the Office of Attorney General’s investigation, American Automotive Alliance, LLC, of Florida, and Delaware-based AM Protection, Inc., along with its owner Mariam Nasrati, marketed auto warranties in the pre-recorded calls. Ohio-based Mammoth Marketing Group, LLC, made calls marketing Medicare benefits to senior citizens.

“My office is committed to fighting back against telemarketers that call Pennsylvanians who make it clear they do not want unsolicited calls,” Attorney General Henry said. “These settlements send a stern message that telemarketers who break the law are not welcomed here.”

In Pennsylvania, telemarketers are required to register with the Office of Attorney General and provide a surety bond of $50,000 – this bond will ensure the telemarketing agency is bound by state telemarketing laws. Telemarketers are prohibited from placing solicitation calls to consumers who register their telephone numbers on the “Do-Not-Call” list. The investigation revealed that none of the three companies had registered as telemarketers with the Office of Attorney General.

Some consumers reported that the calls appeared on their caller IDs as calls being made from a local number, even though they originated out of state. That deceptive practice, called “spoofing,” intends to trick the consumer into answering the phone; it is on the rise nationwide.

As part of the terms of the settlement agreements, or Assurances of Voluntary Compliance, all three companies are required to comply with the Pennsylvania Telemarketer Registration Act, including not calling residents with phone numbers on the “Do-Not-Call” List.

If you are on the Pennsylvania “Do-Not-Call” List and you receive unwanted and unsolicited calls from telemarketers, you should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection at Do Not Call Verification – PA Office of Attorney General or contact the Bureau at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

The Assurances of Voluntary Compliance were filed in Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Erie County Courts of Common Pleas, and were handled by Deputy Attorney General Merna Hoffman.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 7, 2023 9:26 A.M.

(Midland, PA) Dan Leroy, Director of Writing and Publishing at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in  Midland announced the winners of the 17th annual Writing Awards Ceremony on May 24, 2023. The event took place in the Black Box Theater. He told those in attendance .”This is one of the oldest traditions at Lincoln Park, and it’s also one of the best.” The program’s success gave them the ability to this caliber of judges, year after year, he added.  He was joined in Alumni Hall by Writing and Publishing Instructor Cindy West. They each presented a variety of awards to students, including a pair of awards for West’s middle school students. Original work was presented in six different categories, their work Leroy said, was sent anonymously to professionals in the relevant fields. Winners and runners-up in each literary genre. Winners received cash prizes.

Lincoln Park’s Writing Award winners and judges for 2023 were:
Fiction winner was Ivanna Smith judged by Frederic S. Durbin, Runners-up were: Mary Bartels, Mia Clemons, and Ava Lockette. Poetry winner was Taylor Hill judged by Malcolm Friend, Runner-up was Jade Davis, Creative Nonfiction winner was Felicity Portoulas, judge was Carol Silvis. Runner-up was Kathryn Dew, Honorable Mention was Mia Clemons. Screenwriting  winner was Zoe Gianfresco and runner-up was Emma Giammanco. They were judged by Eileen Enwright Hodgetts. Academic Essay winner was Frances Huffman and runner-up was Mary Bartels, they were judged by Dr. Courtney Druzak. Rookie of the Year Award winners were: Mary Bartels Felicity Portoulas.

The Atom Atkinson Award was presented to Curtjuan Moore, Commitment to the Craft Award, Taylyn McCray, Community of Writers Award was presented to Lydia Young, Jim Daniels Award was presented to Grace Anderson. SIREN AP Stylin’ Award winners were Grace Anderson and Jade Davis. BatCatPress Award Zoe Gianfresco and Frances Huffman. Shel Silverstein Award was presented to Elias Abell.

The Evie Adams Award winner was Emma Giammanco.
Prior to the awards presentation, nine senior members of  the Writing and Publishing Department participated in the annual  Senior Reading , where each soon-to-be graduate read original work.

Volume 17 of Pulp, Lincoln Park’s award-winning student literary journal was released. The journal is a collaboration between the Writing and Publishing and Media departments, Mr. leroy said. Several short student films were screened in the Black Box Theater as well, and student art was on display in the atrium.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director with contributions by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio News Correspondent. Published June 7, 2023 6:55 A.M.   

(Rochester Township, PA) Fire crews responded Tuesday to an abandoned railroad trestle in the woods of Rochester Township. The large trestle that stands approximately 100 feet high had been commonly referred to as the “art bridge”, due to the amount of artwork that had been painted on the bridge by explorers over the years.
Fire reports came in shortly after 7pm Tuesday. Crews appeared to have it under control by around 8:30pm. Flames and smoke could be seen coming from a section of the trestle.
The trestle formerly served as part of the former railroad lines that ran between New Brighton and Rochester. The property is owned by Pennsylvania Lines and Norfolk Southern.
UPDATE 6/7/23 10:46am: Beaver County 9-1-1 reported that crews were called to  Cleveland Street at the site of a railroad trestle in the township at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night. Upon arrival, they realized that there was a brush fire on a trestle behind Sherwin Williams. No injuries were reported. Norfolk Southern Railroad was notified, and they have not returned a request for comment.
Additional photos/video of the fire:

FILE – An historical marker at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., is seen on Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday overwhelmingly approved a bill to increase the state’s property tax and rent subsidy for seniors and people with disabilities, plus raise the income eligibility cap to expand the program. The bill passed 194-9 and goes on to the state Senate. The legislation aims to follow through on one of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposals, increasing the maximum rebate for seniors from $650 to $1,000, plus bumping the income cap to $45,000 for renters and homeowners.

(AP Photo)

SPRINGDALE, Pa. (AP) — A blast of air and dust from the implosion of two smokestacks at a shuttered coal-fired power plant in western Pennsylvania last week caused damage to nearby homes. But the demolition company is vowing full repairs. The implosion was Friday at the Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale. KDKA-TV reports that Controlled Demolition said one chimney’s steel liner “focused air pressure as it collapsed.” A county emergency official says the air blast broke windows, blew dust into homes and caused a power surge that damaged electrical appliances. The company says repairs of minor damage are underway and “will be fully completed to the satisfaction of each property owner affected.”

Mike Romigh speaks to Donnie Iris during a past broadcast.
Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published June 6, 2023 11:58 A.M.

An announcement made by representatives of Donnie Iris revealed that shortly after his sold out 80th birthday show in March, it was discovered he had cancer. His team says he has the best care, and everyone is very optimistic for his full return to health. They add that he recently had surgery and his prognosis is good but as a result of his recovery, he will not be able to perform in Youngstown at The Foundation Amphitheater on June 21 with REO Speedwagon.
He is looking forward to resuming a regular schedule though, beginning July 24 at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls with Foreigner and Loverboy.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published June 6, 2023 10:41 A.M.

(Monaca, PA) A Monaca man is healing with over 20 broken bones after he was hit by a car Saturday night in Monaca. Christopher Alexander was reportedly crossing the street near the American Legion on a Pennsylvania Avenue crosswalk shortly before 10 pm. Alexander was flown to UPMC Pittsburgh. As of this time, we have not received any further details from Monaca Police. It is currently unclear if any charges are being filed in the incident.