FILE – (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Powerball is about to match a record for lottery drawings with a stretch of more than three months without a jackpot winner. It’s that string of futility that has enabled Powerball’s top prize to reach $1.23 billion for the next drawing Saturday night. That makes it the 8th largest prize in U.S. lottery history. It’s also a sign that the game is operating exactly as designed, with long odds creating a massive jackpot that entices people to drop $2 on a ticket. It means no one should ever expect to match all six numbers and hit it rich, though it’s likely someone eventually will.

President Joe Biden, aboard Marine One, takes an aerial tour of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Friday, April 5, 2024, as seen from an accompanying aircraft. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

BALTIMORE (AP) — President Joe Biden has gotten a firsthand look at efforts to clear away the hulking remains of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Cranes, ships and diving crews are working to reopen one of the nation’s main shipping lanes. Biden was planning to meet during his Friday visit with relatives of the six people killed in the collapse. The cleanup and rebuild has high economic and political stakes. Though the federal government has provided quick-release funds to start recovery, the White House has called on Congress to approve all that will be needed without seeking a separate, emergency appropriations request. The House Freedom Caucus responded that such funding would have to come with conditions.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced $20 million in investments for Round 1A of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding. Pennsylvania was one of the first states to open a NEVI-funded charging station in December 2023, and the Shapiro Administration is moving efficiently to drive out federal funding and build critical transportation infrastructure ahead of other states. This funding represents another step in the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to combatting climate change and providing Pennsylvanians with transportation options that are cleaner, safer, more affordable, and more reliable.

Twenty-nine projects in 19 counties across the state were selected to fill in gaps on the Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) following NEVI Round 1. Charging stations will expand access to, and the reliability of, electric vehicle (EV) charging within Pennsylvania. The $20 million federal investment is part of the $171.5 million PennDOT will receive and distribute for EV charging infrastructure over five years through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

“Every federal dollar directed toward EV charging is one step closer to a vision of accessible and reliable infrastructure that supports electric transportation,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Pennsylvania, under the leadership of Governor Shapiro, has been among the states leading the charge to distribute NEVI funds to give drivers confidence while promoting sustained environmental benefits.”

Together with Round 1 conditional awards announced in 2023, Pennsylvania has committed NEVI funding to 83 projects across 41 counties. In addition, PennDOT has released priority areas for NEVI Round 1B. The Round 1B Funding Opportunity is designed to fill gaps in the AFCs that remain following Round 1 and Round 1A awards. Additional details regarding the Round 1B Funding Opportunity will be released soon. A map of Round 1B priority areas can be found on the PennDOT website.

The NEVI funds support the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of charging sites. The PA NEVI program is a reimbursement program and recipients are required to provide a minimum 20% match. PennDOT received 86 unique funding submissions requesting nearly $56 million for this round of investments.

Round 1A projects selected for conditional awards:

Adams County

• $652,736 to eCAMION USA, Inc. for a charging station at Perkins in Gettysburg (US-30, Mile Marker 212)

Allegheny County

• $768,310 to EVgo Services, LLC for a charging station at Sheetz in Pittsburgh (I-76, Exit 48)

Berks County

• $852,104 to Wawa, Inc. for a charging station at Wawa in Reading (US-422, Exit 316)

Carbon County

• $451,353 to Universal EV, LLC for a charging station at Hampton Inn in Lehighton (I-476, Exit 74)

Chester County

• $969,304 to CarCharge, LLC for a charging station at Marriot in Coatesville (US-30, Exit 293)
• $667,936 to Landhope Corporation for a charging station at Landhope Farms in Oxford (US-1, Exit 7)
• $907,508 to Wawa, Inc. for a charging station at Wawa in Phoenixville (US-422, Exit 347)

Clearfield County

• $432,950 to BP Products North America, Inc. for a charging station at BP in Clearfield (I-80, Exit 120)

Columbia County

• $797,125 to Reliance 3, LLC for a charging station at Your Choice in Bloomsburg (I-80, Exit 232)

Cumberland County

• $750,000 to Applegreen Electric PA, LLC for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Newburg (I-76, Mile Marker 202)
• $790,000 to Applegreen Electric PA, LLC for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Carlisle (I-76, Mile Marker 219)
• $811,077 to Francis Energy PA, LLC for a charging station at McKinney Station Restaurant and Ice Cream in Newburg (I-76, Exit 201)

Dauphin County

• $650,000 to Applegreen Electric PA, LLC for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Middletown (I-76, Mile Marker 250)

Delaware County

• $831,803 to Wawa, Inc. for a charging station at Wawa in Wayne (US-30, Mile Marker 317)
• $800,870 to Wawa, Inc. for a charging station at Wawa in Upper Darby (US-1, Mile Marker 46)
• $811,434 to Wawa, Inc. for a charging station at Wawa in Media (US-1, Mile Marker 36)

Erie County

• $851,772 to Blink Network, LLC for a charging station at GetGo in Erie (I-79, Exit 184)

Fulton County

• $281,934 to Tesla, Inc. for a charging station at 522 Pit Stop in Fort Littleton (I-76, Exit 180)

Lancaster County

• $672,408 to Francis Energy PA, LLC for a charging station at Sheetz in Columbia (US-30, Exit 257)
• $556,424 to Lancaster Travel Places, LLC for a charging station at Lancaster Travel Plaza in Lancaster (US-30, Mile Marker 273)
• $622,333 to TH Minit Markets, LLC for a charging station at Turkey Hill Minit Market in Denver (I-76, Exit 286)

Lebanon County

• $625,000 to Applegreen Electric PA, LLC for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Lawn (I-76, Mile Marker 259)
• $731,099 to Francis Energy PA, LLC for a charging station at Sheetz in Palmyra (US-422, Mile Marker 276)

Luzerne County

• $399,768 to FLO Services USA, Inc. for a charging station at Sonic in Hazelton (I-81, Exit 143)

Lycoming County

• $737,106 to Sheetz, Inc. for a charging station at Sheetz in Muncy (I-180, Exit 13)
• $794,350 to Wawa, Inc. for a charging station at Wawa in Williamsport (I-180, Exit 28)

Mercer County

• $704,968 to Francis Energy PA, LLC for a charging station at Shell in Mercer (I-80, Exit 15)

Philadelphia County

• $815,120 to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for a charging station in Philadelphia (US-30, Mile Marker 331)

Somerset County

• $281,694 to Tesla, Inc. for a charging station at Wendy’s in Somerset (I-76, Exit 110)

For more information on NEVI funds in Pennsylvania visit the PennDOT website.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that portions of the following state roadways are closed or restricted due to flooding and slides at 10 a.m. Friday:

Allegheny County

• Route 837 (North State Street) between the McKeesport Duquesne Bridge in the City of Duquesne and McClure Street in Dravosburg Borough – Closed
• Route 837 (North State Street) between New England Road in West Mifflin Borough and Curry Hollow Road in Dravosburg Borough – Closed
• Saxonburg Boulevard (Route 1013) south of Berryhill Road in O’Hara Township – Closed (due to a slide)
• Bunola River Road (Route 2001) between River Hill Road and Elkhorn Road in Elizabeth Township – Closed
• Church Hollow Road (Route 2003) between Raccoon Run Road and Elkhorn Road in Forward Township
• Ella Hollow Road (Route 2013) between Guffey Road and Rainbow Run Road in Forward Township – Closed
• Walton Road (Route 3007) between Dale Road and Riverview Road in Jefferson Hills Borough – lane restriction
• University Boulevard (Route 3109) at Stoops Ferry Road in Moon Township – Southbound lanes closed (due to a slide)

Beaver County

• Route 51 (Constitution Boulevard) near the Aliquippa Bridge in the City of Aliquippa – lane restrictions
• Willoughby Run Road (Route 1023) between Route 989 and Zeigler Road in New Sewickley Township – lane restriction
• Raccoon Creek Road (Route 3019) between Mowry Road and Moffett Run Road in Potter Township – Closed
• Shivler Road (Route 3029) between McLeary Road in Greene Township and Gibbs Road in Raccoon Township – Closed
• Darlington Road (Route 4027) between Beaver Street and Par Avenue in Fallston Borough – lane restriction (due to a slide)

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 5, 2024 10:22 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) At the Aliquippa City Council’s Wednesday night regular meeting, council approved the advertising of the ordinance regarding facilities installed within the public right-of-way including authorizing the issuance of permits requiring security and safety precautions, requiring restoration of the work and providing penalties for violations.

Earl Dorsey was promoted to a level 2 street worker in the road department.
Five properties were sold out of the repository based on Code and Zoning Officer Jim Bologna’s recommendation.

Council will hold a work session Wednesday, April 25, 2024 at 7 p.m., and the next regular meeting is Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 7 p.m.

FILE – (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 4, 2024 10:12 A.M.

(Beaver County, Pa) Here is a list of how local Beaver County Schools are handling the Eclipse on Monday, April 8:

Aliquippa School District – Early dismissal. Noon for the elementary school, 11:30 a.m. for the Junior Senior high school. After school activities may proceed following the event.

Ambridge students will have a flexible instruction day learning from home.

Beaver Falls Senior High and Middle School students will be dismissed at 10:50 a.m., elementary students at 11:50 a.m.

Blackhawk High School will be dismissed at 12:14 p.m., 12:45 p.m. for the middle school, and the intermediate school and Patterson Primary School at 1:30 p.m.

Rochester middle and high school students will be dismissed at 11:05 a.m., 11:25 a.m. for kindergarten, elementary walkers at 11:40 a.m. and elementary students that are bussed at 11:45 a.m.

Western Beaver will have early dismissal.

New Brighton will have early dismissal.

Central Valley students will have 1/2 day of classes, Noon for the Junior Senior high, and 1 p.m. dismissal for the elementary schools.

Hopewell students will have normal dismissal times and ISO certified sunglasses will be given to the students in grades 3 and 4. Kindergarten, first, and second graders will observe the event indoors.

Midland will dismiss middle school students at 11:30 a.m. and elementary school students will be dismissed at Noon.

No modified schedule is planned for the South Side School District.

Freedom Elementary will be dismissed 3 hours earlier than normal, and the middle school and high school at 11:40 a.m.

Riverside High school and middle school students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. Elementary students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m.

Beaver County Career and Technology Center is dismissing students in the a.m. classes at 10 :45 a.m.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that portions of the following state roadways are closed or restricted due to flooding and slides at 7 a.m. Thursday:

Allegheny County

• Route 8 at Saxonburg Boulevard in Shaler Township – Northbound lane restriction
• Long Run Road (Route 48) at Cool Springs Road in White Oak Borough – Closed
• University Boulevard (Route 51) at Stoops Ferry Road in Moon Township – Southbound lanes closed (due to a slide)
• Route 837 (North State Street) between the McKeesport Duquesne Bridge in the City of Duquesne and McClure Street in Dravosburg Borough – Closed
• Route 837 (North State Street) between New England Road in West Mifflin Borough and Curry Hollow Road in Dravosburg Borough – Closed
• Saxonburg Boulevard (Route 1013) south of Berryhill Road in O’Hara Township – Closed (due to a slide)
• Bunola River Road (Route 2001) between River Hill Road and Elkhorn Road in Elizabeth Township – Closed
• Church Hollow Road (Route 2003) between Raccoon Run Road and Elkhorn Road in Forward Township
• Ella Hollow Road (Route 2013) between Guffey Road and Rainbow Run Road in Forward Township – Closed
• Verona Road (Route 2058) between Mt. Carmel Road and Lincoln Road in the Municipality of Penn Hills – Closed
• Walton Road (Route 3007) between Dale Road and Riverview Road in Jefferson Hills Borough – Closed

Beaver County

• Route 51 (Constitution Boulevard) near the Aliquippa Bridge in the City of Aliquippa – lane restrictions
• Route 65 between Mercer Road Country Club Drive in North Sewickley Township – Closed
• Route 588 (Concord Church Road) between Hartzell School Road and Veka Drive in Marion Township – Closed
• Celia Drive (Route 1005) between Vista Lane in North Sewickley Township and Shadyrest Road in Franklin Township – Closed
• Mercer Road (Route 1006) between Route 65 and Route 288 in Franklin Township – Closed
• Shady Rest Road (Route 1008) between Celia Road and Route 288 in Franklin Township – Closed
• Old Furnace Road (Route 1009) between South Camp Road and Hartzell School Road in Franklin Township – Closed
• Hartzell School Road (Route 1015) between Route 588 and Fombell Road in Marion Township – Closed
• Brush Creek Road (Route 1019) between Wises Grove Road and Powell Road in New Sewickley Township – Closed
• Independence Road (Route 3013) and between Bryson Road in Hopewell Township and Tank Farm Road in Independence Township – Closed
• Raccoon Creek Road (Route 3019) between Mowry Road and Moffett Run Road in Potter Township – Closed
• Service Creek Road (Route 3020) between Green Garden Road and Clearview Road in Hopewell Township – Closed
• Park Road (Route 3023) between Route 30 and Hookstown Grade Road in Independence Township – Closed
• Shivler Road (Route 3029) between McLeary Road in Greene Township and Gibbs Road in Raccoon Township – Closed

Lawrence County

• Old Plank Road (Route 1003) between Woodland Drive and Oakwood Way in Neshannock Township – Closed
• Huston Road (Route 3011) in Little Beaver Township between Scott Road and Beaver Dam Road – Closed

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published April 3, 2024 7:49 P.M.

(Vanport, Pa) A road closure caused headaches for truck drivers Wednesday in Vanport. Flooding and land slides due to the heavy rain that passed through the area caused a road closure to be placed on Route 68 at Sebring Road in Vanport. Unknowing tractor trailer drivers continued to exit off of I-376 in Vanport only to be met with the closure up the road with little room to turn around.

A line of trucks at a standstill soon began to form. A local retired truck driver happened to also be caught in the traffic jam and decided to help the drivers get turned around.

As one driver was struggling to maneuver his way around, the retiree walked over tried to guide the driver but he continued to struggle with the narrow road. The retired driver then offered to hop in the rig and do it himself, in which the driver happily agreed to. The retired driver was able to quickly get the driver turned around and back on his way.

A relatively new truck driver was next in line and also requested the retired drivers assistance in getting her 18 wheeler back on track.

The retired driver from New Brighton, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was some of “the most fun I’ve had in years”.

The retiree wasn’t able to stick around rerouting trucks all day but says he was happy to help the drivers out.

The closure on Route 68 remained in effect as of 7:45pm Wednesday.

A voter braves a cold rain running to cast a ballot during the Spring election Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Fox Point, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Voters in four states weighed in on their parties’ presidential nominees, a largely symbolic vote now that both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have locked up the Democratic and Republican nominations. Biden and Trump easily won primaries in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and Wisconsin. Their victories add to their delegate hauls for their party conventions this summer. The outcomes were not surprising but nevertheless offer clues about enthusiasm among base voters for the upcoming 2020 rematch that has left a majority of Americans underwhelmed.