Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 21, 2023 6:12 P.M.
Updated 10:30 P.M. – Correction – later reports indicate that the motorcycle had caught fire. 
 

(New Brighton, PA) Responders were called to what was initially reported as a motorcycle vs vehicle accident on 3rd Avenue in New Brighton shortly before 6pm Friday. The motorcycle rider was seen sitting on a curb next to the road, accompanied by who appeared to be a driver of a vehicle. Responders closed a section of the road where the accident took place as paramedics and fire crews arrived. Some smoke could be seen at the scene. Witnesses reported that the bike had caught fire. No further information was available at this time.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 21, 2023 5:05 P.M.

(New Galilee, PA) The New Galilee Carnival will have plenty of cost free things to do this year. Norfolk Southern has provided the event with free rides for everybody all week. In addition, the New Galilee Community Foundation have made the music entertainment free as well. A farmers market is also set to take place at the event Saturday. The carnival runs from July 25 through the 29th.

(Photo from the Boss Stingrays Facebook Page.) 

(Brighton Twp., Pa.)Beaver County Radio and The Pennsylvania Hot Rod Company will be holding cruise number three in the 2023 Cruisin the Ridge series of car cruises on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 12PM to 5:00 PM  at the new Beaver County Radio Studios on Dutchridge Road in Brighton Township.
The cruise will get underway right at noon with the singing of the National Anthem followed by a musical performance by “The Boss Stingrays”. Beaver County Radio’s JD Merkel will then have his popular “Solid Gold Saturday” show featuring oldies of the 50’s and 60’s live from the parking lot until 5PM.  There will be a Chinese Auction, Food trucks from the Ambridge Italian Villa and P.J.’s Deli along with a 50/50 and door prizes for the cruisers. The first 150 cruises get a dash plaque and a goodie bag.
Mark it on your calendar and make sure to make it out to Cruisin on the Ridge on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from Noon to 5:00 PM
Cruisin on the Ridge is being brought to you by:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) voted in support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization, the measure that authorizes the FAA and governs all aviation activity in the United States for the next five years. The bill is endorsed by many of the major labor unions for workers in the sector: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Transit Workers Union – AFL-CIO (TWU), and National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

Notably, this reauthorization bill included Congressman Deluzio’s amendment that directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a report on the effect of airline mergers for consumers. In the last three decades, the airline industry has undergone massive consolidation. Today, just four carriers control more than three-quarters (80%) of the market share, and no new airlines have entered the field since 2017. The report required by this amendment, should this measure also pass the Senate, provides a thorough investigation into the state of the market, as well as the potential impacts of poor competition on consumers, prices, flight availability, and safety. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García and the American Economic Liberties Project both support the amendment.

“Over the last 30 years, our nation’s airlines have consolidated and shrunk beyond recognition,” said Rep. Deluzio. “This staggering lack of competition is a disaster in the making, and American consumers are at risk of experiencing even higher prices, unsafe flying conditions, and poor service to places like Western Pennsylvania. The federal government needs to take this issue seriously, and requiring a report from the Government Accountability Office is the first step to getting the information Congress and Administrations need to address this issue head-on.”

“As airline mergers increase, there is less competition in the air travel market, leaving travelers with fewer choices and higher fares. Lack of competition will weaken the airline industry and make it harder to work through unforeseen circumstances like extreme weather,” said Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. “I look forward to seeing the GAO provide a report on the effects of airline mergers so that Congress can make informed decisions to protect consumers.”

“The U.S. airline industry has never been more concentrated, and that’s due in large measure to an unprecedented wave of mergers and acquisitions since the 1990’s,” said William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation & Travel, American Economic Liberties Project. “We applaud Rep. Deluzio and Rep. García in calling for the necessary step of analyzing the harms of past mergers on passengers, workers, cities, and even entire regions of the country. American Economic Liberties Project has stated that before consideration can be given to proposed future mergers—such as JetBlue  and Spirit—first let’s have a thorough accounting of all that has gone wrong in this highly consolidated industry.”

While Congressman Deluzio ultimately voted yes on the measure, there are several parts of the bill package that he opposes, including a requirement to increase the retirement age for America’s pilots. He supported a bipartisan amendment that would have blocked this age increase, but House Republican committee leadership refused to allow a vote on the amendment. The U.S. Senate will pass its own FAA reauthorization bill, and the two versions will need to be reconciled before the President signs it into law ahead of the current authorization expiring on September 30, 2023.

Additionally, Congressman Deluzio joined with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and others to fight airline industry efforts to roll back transparency requirements for airline fees that have been in place since the Obama Administration. However, the House Republican Majority blocked their amendment from moving to the House Floor for a vote.

“Airlines want to rip off the American people with deceptive, confusing tactics to hide the full cost of flights and fees from customers, and House Republicans are letting them get away with it,” said Rep. Deluzio. “By stripping out my amendment to defend decade-old price transparency laws that protect consumers, House Republicans are enabling this predatory behavior and boosting the airlines’ bottom line. I will keep fighting to undo these industry rollbacks and help more Americans avoid junk fees, not fall prey to them.”

First Lady Lori Shapiro poses for a photo with to Girls on the Run participants and law enforcement at Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Hershey, PA – First Lady Lori Shapiro joined the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) yesterday for an event aimed at helping girls build their confidence, creativity, and decision-making skills.

PSP’s Bureau of Training and Education hosted summer campers from a Girls on the Run program for a day of fun and learning at the Academy in Hershey.

Yesterday’s event included a look at the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted and K9 units, an obstacle course, and a building entry and clearing drill. Thirty-six participants, all in grades 3 to 8, had an opportunity to interact with female troopers and the First Lady. At the event, the First Lady met a junior counselor who attended Girls on the Run as a camper and enjoyed her time with Girls on the Run so much – including her visit to PSP – that she decided to come back and volunteer as a teenager.

“It was an honor to be a part of yesterday’s events hosted by the Pennsylvania State Police and to meet so many inspiring girls,” said First Lady Lori Shapiro. “The Pennsylvania State Police was the nation’s first state police agency to fully integrate female troopers into its regular command structure, and today and every day they set an empowering example for young girls across Pennsylvania. The brave men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police dedicate their lives to ensuring that Pennsylvanians feel supported in their communities, and today’s activities reinforce our commitment to investing in young people. Josh and I thank the Pennsylvania State Police and Girls on the Run for their shared dedication to create meaningful opportunities for young Pennsylvanians to find the resources they deserve to succeed.”

Girls on the Run is a program focused on cooperative skills and team building through an encouraging group setting. Through lessons that are both educational and enjoyable, participants learn firsthand how to create positive connections with their families, teachers, peers, and communities.

“At the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, our participants see women who look like them in many leadership roles,” said Gillian Byerly, Executive Director, Girls on the Run Mid State PA. “This helps them stretch their vision for their own future and dream a little bigger – and we are grateful that the Pennsylvania State Police and First Lady Shapiro joined us to set an example of empowering leadership and to help our participants build their confidence.”

Guests at Idlewild & SoakZone are in for a grr-ific weekend as Daniel Tiger and friends take over the park! This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Best Kids Park in the World, will be the only place in the WORLD to see ALL FIVE characters from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood during Neighbor Days. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet Daniel, Katerina Kittycat, O the Owl, Prince Wednesday, and Miss Elaina.

Plus, the show’s Executive Producer Christopher Loggins will be at the park throughout the weekend for story time readings to park guests.

Everyone’s invited to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to be a part of the fun, including:

• Meet and greets with ALL 5 characters
• Dance parties with Daniel Tiger
• Make a Daniel mask craft projects
• Nature Discovery Walks
• Photo ops

Harrisburg, PA – This week, Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration marked six months in office while continuing to show up in communities across the Commonwealth and serve the people of Pennsylvania – highlighting how the Administration plans to expand broadband access,  working to keep Pennsylvanians covered amid federal changes to Medicaid, continuing to support Pennsylvania communities after recent flooding, transforming the infrastructure and coordination of services for older Pennsylvanians, and more.

This week, Governor Shapiro visited a senior center in Cambria County to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s plans to expand broadband access to help seniors age with dignity. On Sunday, the Governor also visited Bucks County to meet with the local officials and first responders leading recovery efforts after the weekend’s devastating flooding.

First Lady Lori Shapiro joined the Pennsylvania State Police’s Bureau of Training and Education and Girls on the Run for an event aimed at helping girls build their confidence, creativity, and decision-making skills.

Pennsylvania agencies also announced steps the Administration is taking to improve roads and bridges across the Commonwealth, hold employers that fail to compensate their employees responsible, empower Pennsylvania communities to boost the economy, and more.

Read about the Shapiro Administration’s work to make Commonwealth services work for Pennsylvanians this week below:

Making Broadband More Accessible: Governor Shapiro Visits Cambria County to Highlight Plans to Expand High-Speed, Affordable Internet Access

• Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson visited the Northern Cambria Senior Center in Cambria County to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s plans to expand broadband access across the Commonwealth using more than $1.16 billion in funding through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

• Across Pennsylvania, 276,000 households do not have access to the internet while another 52,000 do not have reliable access – and with $1.16 billion in federal funding, the Shapiro Administration has a plan of action to expand broadband access across the Commonwealth and create economic opportunity for unserved and underserved Pennsylvania communities.

Supporting Pennsylvania Communities After Recent Flooding: The Shapiro Administration Continues On the Ground Recovery Efforts in Berks and Bucks Counties

• The Shapiro Administration continued to support communities across Pennsylvania after devastating flooding hit in eastern Pennsylvania on back-to-back weekends, working with local partners and first responders to keep people safe, provide resources, and help communities recover.

• In Berks County, the Shapiro Administration worked with county and local partners to open a Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) for flood survivors. Over the three days it was open, 235 people registered for services from state, county and volunteer agencies. The MARC helped to connect Pennsylvanians to state and local resources, including information about submitting insurance claims, the replacement of vital documents, well water testing kits, and access to crisis counseling services.

• The PA Department of Education (PDE) is providing ongoing technical support to Antietam School District, which had a middle school damaged by the flooding, to make sure they have the flexibility they need to help students be successful this year.

• Governor Shapiro, PEMA Director Randy Padfield, and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll visited Bucks County on Sunday to thank first responders and meet with Pennsylvanians impacted by the flooding. PennDOT is fully engaged in repairs to roadways impacted by flooding.

Protecting Pennsylvania Workers: L&I Announces Legal Action to Get Workers Paid Under the Wage Payment and Collection Law

• The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced that it has taken legal action against a Franklin County school and its affiliated entities on behalf of 21 employees allegedly owed more than $250,000 in unpaid wages under Pennsylvania’s Wage Payment and Collection Law (WPCL).

• “Workers are entitled to be paid for their labor, and employers that fail to compensate their employees should know that L&I will exercise its enforcement authority to get workers paid under the Wage Payment and Collection Law,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker.

Making Government Work: Shapiro Administration Completes 74 Bridge Projects and Improves Nearly 1,200 Miles of Roadway in First Six Months in Office

• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll was joined by regional and transportation-industry leaders in Pittsburgh to discuss the importance of transportation investments and provide an update on progress the department and its industry partners have made on roads and bridges across the state.

• In just six months in office, the Shapiro Administration has completed 74 bridge projects – including the quick repair to I-95 in Philadelphia in just 12 days – and improved nearly 1,200 miles of roadway.

Helping Older Adults Age with Dignity: The Department of Aging Gathers Input on Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults

• This week, the Department of Aging hosted its third regional town hall to discuss and gather input on Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults – a 10-year, state-led and stakeholder-driven strategic plan designed to help transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for older Pennsylvanians.

• In May, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order directing the Department to develop the plan, which will reflect the needs and preferences of Pennsylvania’s older adult population to live where they choose and access the supports they need to thrive and age in place.

Keeping Pennsylvanians Covered Amid Major Federal Changes to Medicaid: DHS Continues Statewide Tour to Highlight Shapiro Administration’s Steps to Keep Pennsylvanians Covered

• In Philadelphia, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh joined representatives from Independence Blue Cross’ foundation and health plans and community health centers to discuss how the Shapiro Administration is working to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so they can complete their renewals on time, protect their health, and stay covered.

• In June, the Shapiro Administration announced that DHS has completely eliminated the backlog of Medicaid provider enrollment and revalidation applications, paving the way for more health care providers to become part of the Medicaid program, and giving Medicaid recipients more options for care. When Governor Shapiro took over, the backlog was over 36,000 applications long, but within his first five months in office, that backlog has been completely eliminated.

Creating Economic Opportunity: Shapiro Administration Announces End of Braddock’s Distressed Municipality Status Under Act 47

• This week, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the approval of Braddock’s exit from distressed status under the Municipalities Financial Recovery Program, known as Act 47.

• The Allegheny County borough becomes the 24th PA municipality to recover from distressed status as the Shapiro Administration continues to focus on boosting Pennsylvania’s economy and strengthening our communities to make the Commonwealth a better place to live, work, and prosper.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing bridge replacement work on the structure carrying Route 588 (Concord Church Road) over Barris Creek in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County will begin Monday, July 24 weather permitting.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Route 588 will close to through traffic continuously through Saturday, August 26 between Allendale Road and Glendale Road. Crews will conduct bridge replacement work. Traffic will be detoured.

Posted Car Detours

West of the Closure

• Take Route 588 (Concord Church Road) westbound
• Turn right onto Route 65 (Mercer Road)
• Turn right onto Harpers Ferry Road (Route 1012)
• Turn right onto Chapel Drive (Route 1066)
• Follow Chapel Drive back to Route 588
• End detour

East of the Closure

• Same detour in the opposite direction

Posted Truck Detours

West of the Closure

• Take Route 588 (Concord Church Road) westbound
• Turn right onto Route 65 (Mercer Road)
• Turn right onto Route 288
• Follow Route 288 back to Route 588
• End detour

East of the Closure

• Same detour in the opposite direction

Crews from JET Excavating will conduct the work.