Eleven days after 57-year-old Anthony Talotta arrived at a Pittsburgh jail, he died from what his family says was a treatable and preventable infection from a foot wound. Talotta, who had autism and developmental disabilities, had been brought to the jail after a fight with a staff member at the group home where he lived.

In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, Talotta’s family alleges doctors and medical staff at the Allegheny County Jail provided substandard care. The lawsuit claims jail policies prohibiting prisoners with mental illness or developmental disabilities from being housed in the medical unit violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by creating a system that makes it harder for them to get adequate medical care.

The lawsuit also notes that at least 17 people died at the medically understaffed jail in a two-and-a-half year timeframe from March 2020 to September 2022, the majority of whom had mental health or chronic medical needs.

“This lawsuit is intended not only to find full and fair justice for Anthony, but it is also intended to find justice for the individuals who came before him and took their last breaths at the Allegheny County Jail as well and to protect those who enter that jail after them with the same or similar chronic care and mental health needs,” said Alec Wright, an attorney representing Talotta’s family along with attorneys at the Abolitionist Law Center.

The lawsuit names the Allegheny Health Network, which is the contracted jail medical care provider; Allegheny County and Medical Director Donald W. Stechschulte. The lawsuit also names Wilson Bernales, a doctor who dismissed or went against hospital recommendations in his treatment of Talotta and who, at the time of his employment with Allegheny Health Network, had had his medical license revoked or suspended in eight states. The lawsuit also names the unknown staffing agency that screened and hired Bernales.

The lawsuit alleges negligence in hiring Bernales without thoroughly researching his license issues in other states. It also alleges denial or delay of medical care, lack of supervision and training, wrongful death and discrimination.

A message was left for Allegheny Health Network seeking comment. A spokesperson for Allegheny County declined to comment on an open lawsuit.

Bernales, who is now living in Nevada, said he has never had any malpractice issues and called the medical license issues in other states “administrative concerns.”

Attorneys for Talotta’s family said the jail’s medical staff was aware of both Talotta’s injury, which included fractures, a torn ligament and blistering from burns, and that because of his autism and intellectual disabilities he was unable to communicate his medical needs or care for himself.

Jeff Lagrotteria, Talotta’s cousin, said Anthony called him from the jail but never mentioned his injury.

“He just said he was scared and asked how he was going to get out of that place… so that’s what we were working on,” Lagrotteria said, adding that no one from the group home or the jail told him about the injury from the fight either. “For years, he was taken care of by the group homes, and there were no issues. As soon as he gets into the jail, he got treated so horribly he died within days.”

Luciana Randall, president of Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, works with families all over the state who have incarcerated family members with developmental disabilities. But she said there are no comprehensive numbers of how many people incarcerated in the state have autism or developmental disabilities because jails do not screen for them.

“Then, since jails are designed to punish, the people who work there are generally not willing to or able to support people with disabilities like this. I hear most often from those employees: Why are they here? They don’t belong here. Isn’t there somewhere else they can go?” Randall said, adding that there are no diversionary programs designed for people with these disabilities, but she believes there should be.

Talotta was taken to a hospital two times as his injuries worsened, according to the lawsuit. He was ordered not to put weight on his foot, but jail staff removed a walking boot and took away his crutches because those devices were not allowed in the mental health unit.

The hospital also prescribed antibiotics and daily dressing changes and wound care. But the antibiotics were never provided, jail staff confiscated the medical supplies given to him by hospital doctors and jail medical staff never performed any wound care, the lawsuit alleges.

On Sept. 20, Talotta was found clutching his chest and unable to speak, from what attorneys assert was sepsis. Bernales gave Talotta a Benadryl for allergies and sent him back to his cell, where he was found a few hours later frothing at the mouth and unresponsive, according to medical records cited in the lawsuit. He was taken to the hospital where he died the next day.

Speaking to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Bernales challenged that narrative and the medical records, saying Talotta was allowed to keep the wound care supplies. He said the boot and crutches were taken away because no prisoners are allowed to have them since they could be made into weapons.

“I had planned to do the dressing changes all in house. He went to the hospital twice to receive care,” Bernales said. “It’s not like a hospital. I can’t just go to the patient’s cell and provide care. If the corrections officers say we don’t have enough staff to bring him out of his cell to get care, then I have to listen.”

Talotta did not have any brothers or sisters, and his parents spent most of their lives making sure he would be taken care of when they died, setting up a trust so his needs were met. He spent his time with all of his cousins in their big Italian family, becoming the official sausage tyer when they would gather to stuff homemade sausages. He also enjoyed going to the zoo or to the movies, getting most excited about the popcorn.

“Nothing can bring Anthony back,” said cousin Tina Talotta. “But I just feel that if my aunt Lena was still here, she would want other people taken care of, that this never happen to anyone else.”

(Dee-Ann Durbin/AP Business)

Reese’s may be in violation of state and federal laws with its new sweepstakes offer currently advertised on packs of peanut butter cups.

The promotion on two-cup packages reads “You could win $25,000” and, in smaller print, “See details inside.” But only after consumers have bought and opened a package can they see the small print: no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes.

The Reese’s contest was first reported Monday by Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and former assistant attorney general in Massachusetts, who runs the Consumer World website.

Sweepstakes are primarily governed by state laws, which require that no purchase is necessary to participate. A contest that requires a purchase is a lottery, which is subject to different rules.

Three federal agencies — Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Postal Service — also enforce laws governing sweepstakes depending on the type of promotion. The Postal Service requires mailed sweepstakes offers to make clear that no purchase is necessary, for example. The FTC doesn’t govern sweepstakes specifically, but has broad laws prohibiting “unfair and deceptive acts.”

Hershey Co., that Pennsylvania candymaker that owns the Reese’s brand, said late Monday that its website contains full details of the promotion. It also said some packages have QR codes that link consumers to more information.

“As with all of our promotions, we place great care and diligence to ensure they are compliant with all regulations,” Hershey said in a statement.

The company also said in-store displays showed abbreviated rules for the sweepstakes, including how to enter without making a purchase. But Dworsky said a spot check of candy displays in multiple states, including California, Virginia and Washington, found no such signs.

Packages purchased by an Associated Press reporter at a Michigan drugstore didn’t contain QR codes, and the store had no signage explaining the promotion.

The FTC said Monday that it can’t comment on the practices of particular companies outside of an investigation. It wouldn’t confirm or deny an investigation against Hershey.

Dworsky noted that Reese’s ran a similar promotion earlier this year that ended in April using the same packaging. Some of those packages are still for sale, even though the sweepstakes code has expired, he said.

Dworsky said he’s concerned that the packaging could lure consumers into thinking they need to buy it.

“You never have to pay to play. All these packages should be recalled,” he said.

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

Aliquippa police responded to a 911 call Monday morning, to a home on Irwin Street when 39-year-old Raphael Johnson locked his girlfriend out of the house and wouldn’t let her back in. Aliquippa police responded to the scene, and the county’s ESU was called in when Johnson wouldn’t leave the residence.  

Aliquippa High School and Aliquippa Elementary School were placed on lockdown, according to a district spokesperson.

DA David J. Lozier said tear gas and a battering ram were used, but Johnson didn’t budge. It wasn’t until the use of a robot, along with a phone call asking him to leave, that Johnson was peacefully and successfully evacuated from the home and into police custody.

Lozier said Johnson was evaluated by medical personnel and had to be decontaminated from the tear gas, before being taken to the Beaver County Jail.

Cooler weather and shorter days mean more deer are now gracing Pennsylvania’s roadways. The number of deer-vehicle collisions increases during October and peaks in November and December. With insurance claim expenses for deer-damaged vehicles on the rise, AAA East Central cautions motorists to be especially vigilant on the road to avoid costly and potentially dangerous crashes.

“More collisions between vehicles and deer occur now than any other time of the year,” says Jonathon King, vice president of Insurance sales, AAA East Central. “One of our top claims as winter approaches is for vehicles that have been totaled from hitting animals, and the costs can be staggering.”

In 2022, there were more than 5,848 deer related crashes in Pennsylvania, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Moreover, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 1 million car accidents with deer each year that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries, and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage.

AAA’s Recommendation: Check Your Coverage.
AAA Insurance reports that its average deer-related claim in the region is about $5,600, though costs can be much higher depending on the damage to a vehicle. This year’s average is more than $600 higher than last year.

Collision coverage pays for damage to a vehicle that results from a collision with an object (e.g., a telephone pole, a guard rail, a mailbox), or because of flipping over. AAA East Central recommends motorists opt-in for comprehensive coverage, which is for damage to vehicles covered by disasters “other than collisions” (in this case, contact with animals).

“While adding comprehensive coverage may add a small amount to your premium, it could save you money down the road,” continued King.

To help prevent a crash or to reduce damage from an animal collision, AAA suggests motorists:

• Pay attention to road signs. Yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer indicate areas with high levels of deer activity.
• Keep focused on the road. Ditching distractions is one of the easiest ways to be ready if a deer comes out of nowhere.
• Be especially attentive in early morning and evening hours. Many animals, especially deer, are most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., prime commuting times for many.
• Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic. Animals can be spotted sooner and the light reflecting off their eyes will often reveal their location.
• Slow down and watch for other deer to appear. Deer rarely travel alone, so if there is one, more are likely nearby.
• Resist the urge to swerve. Keep both hands firmly on the wheel and don’t change lanes. Swerving away from animals can confuse them so they don’t know which way to run. It can also put motorists in the path of oncoming vehicles or cause the vehicle to crash into something.
• If the crash is imminent take your foot off the brake. During hard braking, the front end of a vehicle is pulled downward which can cause the animal to travel up over the hood towards the windshield. Letting off the brake can protect motorists from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side of the vehicle or over the top of the vehicle.

In the event of a deer strike, AAA recommends:

• Call the police.
• Avoid making contact with the animal. A frightened or wounded animal can hurt people or further injure itself.
• Put the vehicle’s hazard lights on, whether it’s light or dark outside.
• If possible, immediately move the vehicle to a safe location, out of the roadway, and wait for help to arrive.
• Motorists should contact their insurance agent or company representative as quickly as possible to report any damage.

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) On Tuesday October 17, 2023 Tom Young from 1st Consultants, Inc. in Beaver will join Eddy Crow on “Teleforum” and co-host a guest segment on 99.3 FM and 1230 WBVP to discuss “The Secret Single Product” That Avoids Taxes and Government Confiscation. This is information everyone needs to be able to make great money decisions. Tune in to find out the answers to your questions. The special show starts at 9:10 A.M. as part of an ongoing monthly series of multi media forums.

Change your mindset and you change the future.

Tune in on Tuesday, October 17, 2023,  the special multi media presentation  begins at 9:10 A.M. on Beaver County Radio

You can participate in the show by calling 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888. You can also ask your questions on Facebook Live.

Click the picture below on Tuesday’s showtime of 9:10 A.M. to be directed to the WBVP and WMBA Facebook page where the special multi media simulcast will be streamed on Facebook Live.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published October 16, 2023 10:34 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, Pa) A new policy on what books are allowed in the Blackhawk School District has been posted to the District website. The Policy draft states that “resource materials available in the District’s library media centers should implement, enrich, and support the educational programs of the district, with age-appropriate content that reflects the District’s educational philosophy and aligns with Board policies.”.
As part of the policy, students and parents with concerns with material found in the district should first submit a written request of reconsideration to the principal of the building. Within 10 days, the principal shall meet with the Reconsideration of Resource Material Review Committee. If the issue remains unresolved, Board will determine a final resolution. According to the policy, access to the challenged material will be restricted during the reconsideration process.
The policy states that books in the district libraries should be free from information and images that are obscene, harmful to minors, and/or constitute child pornography.

The Borough of New Brighton released the following statement:

(New Brighton, Pa) Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania customers in parts of Daugherty Township and Pulaski Township are temporarily without natural gas service. Columbia Gas shut down service as a safety precaution after Columbia Gas technicians identified an issue with natural gas introduced into the system by a third-party upstream gas supplier.

Columbia Gas has taken this measure out of an abundance of caution. The restoration of service is expected to take several days.

A full list of streets affected by the outage and updates on the status of the outage can be found at www.ColumbiaGasPA.com/services/alert-center.  A new update will be at posted at 1:00 PM this afternoon, October 16, 2023.

Columbia Gas is working with the American Red Cross and local emergency management officials to open a warming center today at 12:00 Noon with refreshments and cots/blankets for affected customers who may want overnight accommodations.  The center is located at the Conway Borough Municipal Building, 801 First Avenue, Conway, PA  15027.

Once the flow of natural gas into the system is restored, Columbia Gas crews will go door-to-door to perform safety checks and relight natural gas appliances. Homes where service has not been restored yet are asked to keep their porch lights on.  To learn more about the relight process, please visit www.ColumbiaGasPA.com/relight.

All Columbia Gas employees and contractors wear a company-issued ID badge with their photo on it.

For customers not home during the service restoration process, door hangers will be left at their homes informing them of the outage and requesting they call Columbia Gas at 1-888-460-4332 for a service technician to be dispatched to restore service to their homes.

(Beaver County, Pa) For the first time in years, a new Beaver County non-profit organization has been added to the  United Way of Beaver County’s (UWBC) Member Agency list. The United Way has historically  provided funding to the Women’s Center of Beaver County which assists homeless women and  children but had not funded any organizations in Beaver County that assisted homeless men. With the June 2023 opening of the Men’s Shelter in Vanport, the United Way recognized that it  was time to make a change and Board of Directors voted unanimously at its August meeting to  include The Cornerstone of Beaver County as a UWBC Member Agency.   
 
Executive Director Marie Timpano (pictured on the left in the photo with Mary Lou Harju, UWBC Executive Director)

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 16, 2023 8:46 A.M.

(Economy Borough, Pa) Economy Borough Mayor, JoAnn Borato, reported Monday morning that Columbia Gas’s Use Response Team shut gas meters down at every residence affecting about 4,000 customers Sunday night.
She said crews worked throughout the night, and it is expected that the process will take 3-4 days. The cause has been determined, and it was too few BTU’s of gas from one of the suppliers.
Mayor Borato said, “It’s been a long day, and a warming center is being set up at the Conway Borough Building”.

(Photos and Videos taken by Beaver County Radio Staff)

Story By Frank Sparks, General Manager Beaver County Radio
(East Rochester, Pa.) Saturday was the Re-Grand Opening celebration of the East Rochester Shop N’ Save after the store under went a remodel that saw a total transformation that included adding a True Value Hardware.
Beaver County Radio was on hand to help celebrate the day and to broadcast and stream the Reopening celebration on our social media pages. The opening ceremony emcee was Beaver County Radio’s Mike Romigh. JD Turco, Senior Vice President of St. Barnabas spoke first and talked about the job that was done to make the whole project a success. Turco praised store management, Jarret and Brittany Safran for their role in spearheading the remodel. Dignitaries including officials from True-Value Hardware, Shop N Save, and the Beaver County Commissioners all spoke during the ceremony.

After the ceremony there was a ribbon cutting with all of the above dignitaries participating as Jarrett and Brittany cut the ribbon.

The Fire Department was there handing out hats and water bottles and other public servants were on hand as well. There was a rib-fest later in the day  followed by the Mudslinger band playing live.
The Beaver County Radio Prize Wheel was also on hand giving away Shop N Save gift cards and free groceries. Check out the pictures below of all of the fun.