(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release today from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, they are urging consumers to act early if they are worried about paying winter heating bills as colder weather settles across Pennsylvania. New challenges are being created for Pennsylvania households, which include energy costs that are rising, weather that is unpredictable, and uncertainty about federal assistance programs, including the delayed start of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and uncertainty about federal funding levels, especially for families who have relied on grants from LIHEAP to stay connected to utility services that are essential. According to that same release from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, here are some tips they recommend to stay warm as the winter months in Pennsylvania get closer:

Your Winter Energy Checklist: Simple Steps to Save and Stay Connected

To help consumers prepare for colder months, the PUC encourages everyone to take these simple steps:

1. Review your utility bills. Understand your current rate and usage — and how colder weather can increase demand.
2. Don’t wait to call. If you’re worried about paying your bill, contact your utility now to ask about assistance programs or payment plans.
3. Ask about affordability programs. Utilities offer programs like CAPs, budget billing, and hardship funds that can reduce your monthly costs.
4. Make small energy-saving changes. Lower your thermostat by one or two degrees, check furnace filters, and seal drafts — small actions that add up.
5. Explore energy-saving tools. Visit PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com for energy tips, shopping options, and more ways to save.

Staying Warm, Safe, and Connected

• Consumers who cannot resolve issues directly with their utility can contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380 for help or more information about available programs.

(File Photo of PPG Industries Logo)

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov 4, 2025– PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the introduction of an ultrafiltration (UF) antifouling membrane for industrial water purification and treatment to its portfolio of spiral-wound filter elements. Developed to meet growing demand for sustainable UF filtration solutions, the new membrane is engineered to handle extremely hard-to-treat water containing a wide range 1 of oily waste and other contaminants, enabling safe and economical disposal or reuse.

The new UF membrane features a super-hydrophobic (water-repelling) surface that resists fouling from trace amounts of oil, grease and other tough-to-remove contaminants. By reducing fouling, the technology can extend membrane service life, lower maintenance costs and minimize downtime for some of the most challenging industries. Unlike other UF and microfiltration (MF) membranes currently on the market, PPG’s entire portfolio is produced using a proprietary composite material that does not contain intentionally-added polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

“Our customers face increasing pressure to reduce costs and operate more sustainably,” said Lisa Walters, PPG strategic market manager, filtration, Specialty Products. “This new membrane delivers on both fronts, providing exceptional performance in oily, high-fouling environments such as bilge water treatment, while reducing maintenance requirements and extending membrane life. It also supports cost-effective water reuse, helping customers reduce reliance on external water supplies but also supports efforts to address global water scarcity challenges.”

Applications for the UF membrane include offshore and onshore oil-water separation, dry dock and in-water marine ship treatment, industrial process water and wastewater, automotive and industrial paint lines, and graywater treatment. PPG has invested in equipment and technology to produce the membrane at its Barberton, Ohio, facility to meet growing market demand.

PPG’s high-performance microfiltration (MF) and UF membranes separate oil, grease and emulsified contaminants from industrial process water at higher throughputs than conventional membranes. This reduces the number of filters and the amount of floor space needed to recover the water for reuse while improving cleanability and ensuring long-term durability.

To learn more about PPG’s filtration membranes, visit www.ppg.com/filtration.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – The United States Steel Corporation’s Edgar Thomson Plant is seen in Braddock, Pa., on April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — United States Steel on Tuesday detailed its billion-dollar multiyear growth plan with new owner Nippon Steel that includes modernizing the century-old steelmaker.

The announcement comes just five months after Nippon Steel finalized a “ historic partnership ” with the Pittsburgh steelmaker in a deal worth nearly $15 billion. That deal included a “golden share” provision that gave the federal government the power to appoint a board member and a say in some company decisions.

The combined company became the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker, and Nippon agreed to invest $11 billion to upgrade U.S. Steel’s facilities.

Tuesday the company said it will make the investments by the end of 2028. The plan targets unlocking $2.5 billion in savings from capital investments and another $500 million from operational efficiencies.

U.S. Steel says it has identified more than 200 initiatives to save money across all business segments, assisted by nearly 50 professionals from Nippon Steel. The company is modernizing and expanding its manufacturing operations and expanding research and development to feature “higher value, lower emission steel.”

CEO Dave Burritt said, “We have a robust pipeline of growth projects, ranging from the modernization of our Gary (Indiana) Works Hot Strip Mill to the new slag recycler at Mon Valley Works (Pennsylvania) and the development of new product capabilities.”

The plan is designed to “protect and create more than 100,000 jobs nationwide in the United States,” although U.S. Steel did not provide more specifics.

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Big Beaver Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that thirty-year-old Mason Ervin of New Castle was charged by police after causing a single-vehicle crash in Big Beaver Borough on Sunday evening. Ervin was driving on I-376 and hit a deer on that road at 6:51 p.m. Even though Ervin did not pass any other vehicle during this crash, he was still charged by police for his restrictions on the use of limited access highways.

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release today that twenty-nine-year-old Wanya Jones Barnat of Aliquippa was arrested on the early morning of October 12th, 2025 for possessing drugs in Aliquippa that morning. Barnat was caught by police with drugs on the 800 block of Franklin Avenue at 1:33 a.m.

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Sheetz)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Altoona, PA) According to a release today from Sheetz, Sheetz will show its respect and gratitude forveterans and active-duty military personnel by offering a free meal and car wash on Veterans Day. On Tuesday, November 11th, these veterans can enjoy a free half turkey sub and a regular size fountain drink at any of Sheetz’s store locations and a free car wash, but only at any Sheetz store that has a car wash. If you are a veteran and want to be qualified for this offer, you must present either a military ID or your proof of service. In addition to these offers, Sheetz customers are also encouraged in November to donate their loyalty points that month to the United Service Organizations (USO), as one hundred loyalty points will equate to a $1 donation to the USO via the Sheetz app, which you can get more information about by clicking here.

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that beginning on Monday, November 10th, weather permitting, the closure of the ramp from Grand Avenue to northbound I-79 in Neville Township of Allegheny County will occur. From 5 a.m. on Monday through 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 23rd, the ramp that carries traffic from Grand Avenue to northbound I-79 will close to traffic as crews conduct deck repair work there. All ramp traffic will be detoured, and according to a release from PennDOT District 11, here are the detour routes for this work:

Posted Detour

• From Grand Avenue head westbound
• Continue across the Coraopolis Bridge to Route 51
• Turn right onto northbound Route 51 (4^th Avenue)
• Turn left onto Montour Street
• Turn left onto southbound Route 51 (5^th Avenue)
• Continue on southbound Route 51 (5^th Avenue becomes State Avenue)
• Turn right onto the ramp to northbound I-79 toward Erie
• End Detour

Alternate Detour

• From eastbound Grand Avenue, bear right onto Neville Road
• Cross the Ohio River via the Fleming Park Bridge
• Turn right onto northbound Route 51 (Robinson Boulevard) toward Coraopolis
• Continue northbound on Route 51 (Robinson Boulevard becomes Coraopolis Road)
• Turn left onto the ramp to northbound I-79 toward Erie
• End Detour

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that forty-five-year-old Jason Clewes of Beaver Falls caused a single-vehicle crash in Wampum Borough of Lawrence County yesterday. Clewes was driving north on State Route 18 by Darlington Road and hit a deer that had entered that road at 6:52 a.m. There were no injuries as a result of this crash and Clewes was wearing his seatbelt. The vehicle of Clewes had disabling damage on its front end. Franks Towing assisted on scene and there were no witnesses were present at this crash.