Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Connection

As the November 7 municipal elections fast approach, there’s a push for voter education in the Keystone State.

The Commonwealth is home to more than 1.7 million K-12 students in 500 school districts.

Amy McGahran is a volunteer with the League of Women Voters Central Bucks County. She said five seats are open for the school board race, and 10 people are running.

She said the district is facing challenges – based on policies that have been put in place by a majority of the existing school board that don’t fairly represent the community and, as she said, are “discriminatory” and hurtful to the students.

“One of those policies being a library-book restriction policy,” said McGahran, “which is basically a book ban, to remove books from our library that have already been selected and on the shelves by our library staff.”

McGahran pointed out they also have a censorship policy that limits what can be taught in classrooms.

Therefore, she said the League – along with other advocacy groups – are hosting a webinar on censorship in schools and the actions that Pennsylvanians can take in their communities. It’s Tuesday at 7 p.m.

McGahran said they want to bring common sense and compassion back to the school board. She added they are also concerned with what she calls “wasteful spending” by the Central Bucks County school district.

“Based on the book-ban policy, the school district hired a PR firm,” said McGahran, “And also based on the ACLU complaint, there was a Philadelphia lawyer hired, a very expensive Philadelphia law firm that did a report for the school district that cost the taxpayers over $1.4 million.”

She said the Pennsylvania American Civil Liberties Union – acting on a complaint – has taken legal action, and filed a suit with the Pennsylvania Department of Education against the Central Bucks School District for discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ students.

Elizabeth Downing chairs the educational advocacy committee for the League of Women Voters of Bucks County.

She said recent decisions by the school board have led to the removal of sex-education programs, leaving students without vital information and resources.

She emphasized the importance of civic engagement, stating – “Your vote counts.”

“The super number one thing we are telling everyone is please, please, please vote,” said Downing. “And even more importantly, be an informed voter – go to VOTE411.org and other information sites that will tell you where your candidate stands on these sorts of issues.”

The last day to register to vote in the General Election is October 23.

October 31 is the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. These ballots must be received by the county board of elections by 8 p.m. on election day.

As the cold wintry months approach, AAA braces for an increase in Roadside Assistance calls for dead batteries. According to data from 2022, AAA East Central contractors responded to 270,985 battery-related calls and replaced 53,847.To avoid potential breakdowns, especially during the colder months, vehicle owners should consider having their batteries tested sooner rather than later.

“Our number one service call during the winter is assisting members with dead batteries,” says Mike Hoshaw, vice president of automotive services, AAA East Central. “In addition to addressing a car’s fall and winter maintenance needs, we advise motorists to focus on the health of their battery today, not when it’s too late.”

October is AAA Car Care Month, and it’s the perfect time for vehicle owners to ensure their batteries are ready for winter. Batteries often work under huge temperature extremes and stand up to constant shock and vibrations. Intense summer heat can cause corrosion and fluid evaporation, leaving a vehicle’s battery more vulnerable to the rigors of winter. Even the tiny amount of power required to maintain clocks, alarm systems, and computer memories will gradually discharge a battery over time.

AAA East Central advises motorists visit a AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility to have their entire charging system and battery tested, especially if the battery is more than three years old. AAA members can request battery service on-the-spot as part of their membership. This includes battery testing and, if need be, replacement with a competitively-priced AAA battery. Service can be requested by calling 800-AAA-HELP.

Other items on AAA’s Car Care Month Checklist include:

• Tire Type and Tread: In areas with heavy winter weather, changing to snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction. Testing tire’s tread is easy: insert a quarter into a tread groove with the top of George Washington’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.
• Tire Pressure: Typically, tire pressure decreases 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that the temperature drops, putting owners at risk for a flat tire. The proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb. (Don’t forget to check the spare!)
• Wiper Blades: Replace blades that leave streaks or miss spots. Consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade in a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow buildup.
• Washer Fluid: Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components.
• Coolant Levels: If your engine coolant level is low, add the recommended coolant to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability.  

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lighting operations on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in Hopewell and Brighton townships and the City of Aliquippa, Beaver County are underway.

Single lane restrictions will occur on I-376 at the Brighton (Exit 36), Aliquippa (Exit 45), and Hopewell/Route 151 (Exit 48) interchanges weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday, October 13 as crews from Duquesne Light install new light fixtures at the interchanges.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 2, 2023 10:35 A.M.

(New York, USA) Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos akak Lucas, 33, has been arrested, and in a complaint unsealed September 29, 2023 in the Southern District of New York, is charged with making hoax bomb threats to more than 150 school districts, synagogues, airports, and locally, the Beaver Valley Mall, between September 15 and 21, 2023. The threats spanned multiple states, including PA, New York, Connecticut, Arizona, and Alaska. His actions resulted in massive disruptions in the targeted communities, including the evacuation of thousands of school children, a hospital lockdown, and flight delays. 24 PA school districts were disrupted by the hoaxes. His message said, “I placed multiple bombs in all of your schools in your school districts. The bombs will blow up in a few hours.”, “I’ll gladly smile when your families are crying because of your deaths.” Santos is also charged with attempting to induce a 15 year old girl to take and send him nude photos and sexually explicit photos, he allegedly sent the bomb threats in retaliation against her and other minors after they refused his requests for child pornography.

(New Brighton, Pa) From the borough of New Brighton: Leaf collection will begin in New Brighton Borough on Monday, October 9, in Daugherty Township on Monday, October 16, and in Pulaski Township on Monday, October 23.   All leaf collection programs will continue through December 1, as weather permits.

Borough and Township residents should place their raked leaves along the edge of the street for collection. Leaves that are bagged or that contain any tree branches, brush, stones, garbage/rubbish, grass clippings, or garden debris will not be collected.

Leaf collection in New Brighton Borough will follow the posted street sweeping schedule.

Leaf collection in Daugherty Township will follow the following schedule:

Mondays: William Penn Way & Crescent Heights Plan, Rt. 65 (from Valley Avenue to Stuber Road), North Avenue, Franklin Plan, and McGuire Street.
Tuesdays: Gulbranson Heights Plan, Daugherty Highlands Plan, and Hillcrest Drive.
Wednesdays: Mercer Heights Plan, Klein Plan, Stuber Road, McCreary Plan, Cardinal Drive, Robin Trail, and Rt. 65 (from Stuber Road to Wises Grove Road).
Thursdays: Allendale Road, Wallace Drive, Harold Street, Inman Drive, Hogue Drive, and John Street.

Call the Daugherty Township Municipal Building at (724) 846-5337 to schedule a collection on state routes not listed above.

Leaf collection in Pulaski Township will follow the following schedule:

Mondays: New England Hill and Blockhouse Run Road area.
Tuesdays: Sunflower Road – North to 36th Street.
Wednesday: West Side of Rochester Road from Sunflower Road to 52nd Street.
Thursdays: East Side of Rochester Road from Sunflower Road to 52nd Street.
Fridays: Tree branches will be collected that have fallen from storms.  Branches must be tied together into manageable bundles and not contain any other type of lawn debris.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published October 2, 2023 7:42 A.M.
Photo taken at groundbreaking in May 2023.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Beaver County Property records show that 72 Steel has closed on their deal with Chuck Betters to purchase land used by the former J&L Steel Mill to build a new steel facility on the property. The Brooklyn, New York based Chinese-American company held a groundbreaking at the site in May, with hopes to have the new steel mill operational by 2025. 72 Steel says they will be investing 218 million dollars into the mill and be able to produce hundreds of thousands of tons of steel per year using the newest and most advanced steel technology and environmentally friendly equipment.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

For the third consecutive year, the Beaver County Drug Abuse Coalition held a Recovery Celebration for those struggling with substance abuse and continuing their lifelong path to cleanliness. It was held for the first time at John Antoline Park in Monaca after previously being held at the Brady’s Run Walking Trail.

The Recovery celebration is held annually in honor of National Recovery Month, which honors those struggling with drug addiction, substance abuse, and the various interpersonal and socio-economical repercussions that come with it. Many different local outreach programs had information stations set up to help those who are–or knows someone who is–struggling with abuse.

The event featured guest speakers Cicero Lassiter and “Jeff”, who spoke about their dedication to recovery and the power that addiction can have on struggling lives. Yoga was provided by Sangha Wellness in Beaver, and the luncheon was provided by One-5 BBQ & Catering. District Attorney David Lozier and Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning were also in attendance.

Pictures from the event can be seen below:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A senior adviser to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro who abruptly resigned this week had been accused earlier this year of sexual harassment by a coworker who said his behavior forced her to quit her job in the governor’s office.

Mike Vereb, who served as Shapiro’s secretary of legislative affairs until his resignation on Wednesday, was accused in the woman’s complaint to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission of subjecting her to lewd, misogynistic and unwanted sexual advances during her brief stint working in the governor’s administration.

Vereb didn’t immediately respond to a message left on his cellphone Thursday.

A former state lawmaker, Vereb worked closely with Shapiro when he was attorney general. After the Democrat won the governor’s post, Verb assumed the role of shepherding the governor’s agenda through the politically divided Legislature.

In a statement dated March 31 to the state Office of Administration, the woman said Vereb told her that “If you and I decided to enter into a sexual relationship it would be our business” and that he also told her to wear lower-cut tops and skirts with shorter slits.

Shapiro’s spokesperson, Manuel Bonder, said in an emailed statement that he would not comment on a specific personnel matter. But he said the state takes “allegations of discrimination and harassment seriously” and there are procedures to investigate such claims.

The woman’s lawyer, Chuck Pascal, said Thursday he was not able to “confirm the contents or authenticity of any alleged complaint, draft complaint or written statement” from her. “We also cannot at this time confirm the existence of any settlement, agreement, or other resolution of this matter.” Bonder declined to comment on the existence of any settlement.

The woman was offered a position in the governor’s administration about the time Shapiro was taking office in January and resigned in March after she brought forth concerns over Vereb’s behavior, according to her commission complaint. She said the governor’s office did not remedy the situation or protect her from retaliation.

In the statement to the Office of Administration, the woman wrote that she was afraid of Vereb.

“I am scared of what he will do, the rumors he will spread, I am scared for my professional career,” she said. “I am putting this all on the line because I am fearful that he will do this to someone else.”

State Rep. Abby Major, a Republican from Armstrong County, said the woman provided her with the interview and complaint several months ago, at a time when they were talking daily about the matter.

“She lost her livelihood,” Major said, noting rumors were being spread about it. “So I’m sure it was very difficult to try to continue working in this atmosphere and in the sphere of politics where some of the people at the very top are working against you.”

Vereb, a Republican, is a former Montgomery County police officer who was elected to the state Legislature in 2007 and served five terms. He served alongside Shapiro when he also was a Montgomery county state representative. In 2017, Vereb went to work for the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General under Shapiro.

The governor’s office announced Vereb’s resignation on Wednesday and appointed TJ Yablonski to the role, starting Monday.

Shapiro has not issued any public comment on his departure. In a statement Wednesday announcing Vereb’s resignation, Shapiro’s chief of staff, Dana Fritz, credited Vereb for work on the state budget and called him a “key member of a team.”

Today is the final work day for outgoing Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission executive director Greg Sirb, ending the longest tenure of any state athletic commissioner in the nation.

Sirb, a native of Sharon, had held the position since January of 1990, and served under seven different governors in the Commonwealth. Sirb was responsible for overseeing over 2,000 boxing events and 1,100 MMA events over his tenure, including the “Duelo de Siglo” matches held on Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente bridge in 2016.

Sirb was a 2001 inductee to the Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Hall of Fame and is a member of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Edinboro University, where he wrestled in the early 1980s and was named a two‐time all-American. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from Penn State University.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber went deep, Bryce Harper went off on an umpire and was ejected and Trea Turner went from second to home on a stolen base in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.

Schwarber launched his 46th homer, matching last year’s NL-leading total, with a first-inning drive into the second deck. Turner stole third base in the eighth and came around to score on a wild throw by catcher Jason Delay that made it 3-2. Turner became the first player to succeed on his first 30 steal attempts in a season since Carl Crawford in 2009.

But the fireworks in the regular-season home finale came when Harper seemingly held his swing on a full count against Luis L. Ortiz in the fourth inning. Harper started to remove his shin guard when third base umpire Ángel Hernández called out the slugger. Harper became enraged and pointed and shouted at Hernandez as he walked down the baseline.

Harper pointed his finger in Hernández’s face and had to be separated by manager Rob Thomson, then stormed back to the dugout and tossed his helmet over the protective netting and into the stands.

“I understand you have to live up to a certain big-leaguer mentality,” Harper said. “You have to act like it, you have to show that, so I understand that. But at the same time, when there’s a call that bad, or something happens, it’s just wrong. For everyone.”

The helmet was recovered by 10-year-old Hayden Dorfman, of Voorhees, New Jersey. The helmet was retrieved by team personnel and later returned to the child signed by Harper.