Idlewild released the following statement in celebration of their 145th Anniversary. They open for the 2023 season May 20th.

On May 1, 1878, William Darlington wrote to Thomas Mellon:

“I will and do hereby agree to grant to the Ligonier Valley Railway Company the right and privilege to occupy for picnic purposes or pleasure grounds that portion of my land in Ligonier Township…”

As the park gets ready to begin Season 146 in less than three weeks, Idlewild is proud to have stayed true to Mr. Darlington’s wishes to maintain the land’s natural beauty.

With park-wide cosmetic improvements on the way in 2023 alongside refurbishments to the Carousel and Loyalhanna Limited Railroad, rediscover Idlewild with unlimited visits all year long for under $100! See you May 20!

Check out some vintage photos on Idlewild’s Facebook page.

Harrisburg, PA – In keeping with Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to serve Pennsylvanians more effectively and efficiently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that over 20 driver licensing and motor vehicle forms are now available for electronic submission to provide faster and more efficient customer service to our residents. This announcement comes just one week after Governor Shapiro signed an Executive Order establishing the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) to improve online services and make it easier for Pennsylvanians to connect with the vital resources provided by the Commonwealth.

“Anything we can do to make our services more convenient for our customers is a win,” said Acting PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “PennDOT is committed to modernizing our operations, shorter wait times and giving customers new ways to complete services from the comfort of their homes – without having to visit a driver license center.”

Over 20 commonly-used driver licensing and motor vehicle forms that require a signature can now be completed, signed, and submitted online, including the self-certification form for commercial driving, the statement of non-operation of vehicles form, several medical forms, and more. Allowing customers to submit these forms electronically will allow PennDOT staff to start processing them more quickly, cutting down on customer wait times.

Forms that are available for electronic submission will be listed on the Forms, Publication and Maps website page with a “DS” suffix in their document number. When these forms are selected, instructions for secure submission will be provided. Printable/downloadable versions of these forms will continue to be available. PennDOT will continue to add more forms for electronic submission as they become available.

Additionally, customers who have a Person with Disabilities Parking Placard have the option to renew, receive a replacement or update their address on their permanent Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard online. Customers with Temporary Person with Disabilities Parking Placards will also be able to update their address and request replacement identification credentials through this online service. To renew a placard online or to obtain additional information on services provided, including how to obtain a placard, please visit the Person with Disabilities Information page on the Driver and Vehicle Services website. Placard holders will continue to receive a renewal form by mail approximately 60 days prior to their expiration.

Below is the full list of documents that are now available for electronic submission:

DL-11CD: Self-Certification Form

DL-17: Statement of Non-Ownership of Vehicle(s)

DL-16LC: Acknowledgment of Suspension/Revocation/Disqualification/Cancellation

MV-221: Statement of Non-Operation Of Vehicle(s)

MV-401: Safety Inspection Category Removal Request

MV-421: County of Residence Verification

MV-450: Application For Waiver of Hours

MV-591: Application for Certification as Official Speedometer Testing & Calibration

MV-700: Application For Refund of Motor Vehicle/Driver License Products

DL-13: Initial Reporting Form

DL-102: Report of Eye Examination

DL-104: School Bus General Psychiatric Form

DL-120: Medical Cardiovascular Form

DL-121: School Bus Seizure Reporting Form

DL-122: Diabetic Form

DL-122B: School Bus Driver Diabetic Waiver

DL-123: General Medical Form

DL-123A: School Bus General Medical Form

DL-124: General Neurological Form

DL-124A: School Bus General Neurological Form

DL-126: Orthopedic Form

DL-126A: School Bus Orthopedic Form
DL-128: Substance Use Form

DL-128A: School Bus Substance Abuse Form

DL-129: Loss of Consciousness

DL-129SB: School Bus Driver Loss of Consciousness

DL-131: Cognitive Impairment Form

(Hopewell Township, PA) On Saturday, May 6, 2023 the annual Youth fishing derby will be held at Hopewell ‘s Community Park from 8 am to noon.

(Bridgewater, PA) Norfolk Southern is being blamed for blocking a railroad crossing in Bridgewater. Residents and first responders are frustrated with trains sitting at the crossing to the Bridgewater Crossing condo complex that opened not too long ago. Trains stop on the tracks and block the tracks for up to hours long periods of time, waiting to approach the Conway yard just over 2 miles away. Bridgewater officials, along with property owner and developer Chuck Betters are looking to come to terms with Norfolk Southern on a solution, but one has not been discussed yet. Betters has said he has begun the process of filing a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern. The tracks were in place long before the development on the property took place, and discussions over the accessibility of the complex have been in talks previously. The bipartisan Railway Safety Act, which is supported by Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman, looks to prevent blocked railroad crossings.

Gordon Lightfoot performs during the evening ceremonies of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, in Ottawa, Ontario, on July 1, 2017. The legendary folk singer-songwriter, whose hits including “Early Morning Rain,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” told a tale of Canadian identity that was exported worldwide, died on Monday, May 1, 2023, at a Toronto hospital, according to a family representative. He was 84. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Legendary folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has died. He was one of the most renowned voices to come from Toronto’s Yorkville folk club scene in the 1960s. He penned hundreds of songs, including “Carefree Highway,” “Early Morning Rain” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Once called a “rare talent” by Bob Dylan, Lightfoot wrote deeply autobiographical lyrics and explored issues surrounding the Canadian national identity. His works have been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte and Johnny Cash. A family representative said Lightfoot died at a Toronto hospital Monday. He was 84. The cause of death wasn’t immediately available.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state Senate is approving legislation to ban so-called safe injection sites, where opioid users could legally inject heroin and other drugs under supervision as a way to reduce overdoses. The bill passed Monday, 41-9, with every Republican in favor and nine of 22 Democrats against it. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Christine Tartaglione, says she supports recovery efforts, but not what she called “programs that perpetuate addiction without a path to recovery.” Sen. Nikil Saval said efforts to ban the centers are based on misconceptions and that they save lives. Gov. Josh Shapiro opposes safe injection sites. The bill goes to the state House of Representatives.

Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.790 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Lower oil prices are causing pump prices to fall, with the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropping a nickel since last week to hit $3.61. Today’s national average is 11 cents more than a month ago but 57 cents less than a year ago.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $2.77 to settle at $74.30. Oil prices fell amid ongoing market concerns that low consumer confidence could contribute to a recession this year. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories decreased by 5.1 million barrels to 460.9 million barrels last week.

The average price in Beaver County is currently $3.820.

 (Ambridge, PA) The inaugural Season of Ambridge Turtle Racing will begin Saturday, May 20th. The fun and unique community event will kick off at P.J. Cual Park on 11th and Merchant Street and continue once a month, June 10th , July 8th , August 12th and the series Championship is set for September 9th.

Other activities will include Food Trucks, a bounce house, games, mascots, celebrity appearances, Family Fun and excitement.

Headline Sponsor is Off The Hook Exotic Pet Shop and will ensure that all of our racers are handled professionally and humanely. The event was created by 321 Creative Studios LLC and is hosted by The Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce.

(Photo provided by The Office of the Governor)

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro signed the first bill of his Administration – Act 1 of 2023, a first-of-its-kind law in the nation that will require insurers to cover preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings for high-risk women at no cost.

This landmark legislation, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, passed both the House and the Senate unanimously. It removes out-of-pocket costs associated with genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancer syndromes – as well as supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. Act 1 ensures this critical healthcare will be accessible and affordable for more Pennsylvanians and save countless lives.

After signing this historic, landmark legislation, Governor Josh Shapiro released the following statement:

“I am proud that the first bill I have signed as Governor is a bill that passed both chambers unanimously – with Democrats and Republicans coming together to improve access to critically important healthcare and save countless lives in Pennsylvania. This bill is the first of its kind in our country, requiring insurance companies to cover the costs of preventive cancer screenings for women at high risk of breast cancer.

“This historic legislation is going to help women fight breast cancer and live healthier lives – and it would not have been possible without the courage, tenacity, and bipartisan cooperation of Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward and Speaker Joanna McClinton. I believe government can and should be a productive force for good – and this is a real example of the big things we can accomplish in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when we work together.”

“Pennsylvania is leading the nation in the fight against breast cancer by eliminating out-of-pocket costs associated with BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling for high-risk individuals, as well as supplemental screenings such as breast MRI and ultrasound for women,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. “My personal experience with breast cancer presented me the opportunity to see where some of the gaps were in the system. With approximately 14,000 new cases of breast cancer per year in Pennsylvania, what this legislature did by getting the Bill to Governor Shapiro for his signature, will have a huge positive affect on women’s health and lives.”

“Breast cancer is a terrible disease with roughly 264,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women and 2,400 cases in men every year.  For Black women, the statistics are even more alarming, as it is the number one cause of cancer death for Black women at an alarming rate of 31 percent,” said Speaker Joanna McClinton. “But there is hope, now as a result of this new law more Pennsylvanians will have access to the screening and genetic counseling that can lead to an early diagnosis and save lives. This is a testament to the good work we can do for our neighbors across the Commonwealth.”

Governor Josh Shapiro was joined by legislative leaders from both parties and breast cancer survivors and advocates from all across the Commonwealth for the signing of this historic legislation. Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has remained focused on bringing people together to deliver solutions on the pressing issues Pennsylvanians face. This landmark legislation exemplifies the progress that can be achieved in Harrisburg – and the Shapiro Administration looks forward to continuing this bipartisan cooperation in order to deliver real results for all Pennsylvanians.

(New Brighton, PA) The Beaver County Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association has announced that the New Brighton Farmers’ Market will open for the season tomorrow, Tuesday, May 2, 2023.  The open air market be located next to Diamond Milling at 313 Fifth Avenue, like it has in recent years.  Hours for the market will be 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Tuesdays through November 7.

They say the market will feature fresh vegetables, fruits, and plants for your home garden or landscaping needs. Everything is grown and sold by local Beaver County growers who appreciate your support to buy local.