The Western Beaver School District issued an early dismissal of students Monday in regards to concerns of the East Palestine train derailment hazards. Blackhawk School District also sent students home early.

Published by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. February 6, 2023 11:50 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, PA) The following statement has been released by the Blackhawk School District in regards to the East Palestine train derailment: “It has been requested from the Command Center in East Palestine that Blackhawk School District begin an early dismissal today, February 6, 2023, pending the possible explosion in East Palestine due to the train derailment. The High School early dismissal will be at 12:15 p.m., the Middle School at 12:45 p.m., and PPS/BIS at 1:15 p.m. Parents who reside in any zone that is not permitting traffic flow should report to your child’s school to pick them up. After 3:00 p.m., all students remaining in the buildings will be transported to Blackhawk High School for their parents to pick their child up. All evening activities are cancelled.”

Harrisburg, PA — With the tax filing season underway, the Department of Revenue is encouraging Pennsylvanians to be on the lookout for scams that are designed to trick people into turning over sensitive data and personal information.

One recurring scam that has been reported to the department involves phony letters that are sent to taxpayers through the mail. The “Final Demand for Payment” letters threaten wage garnishment and the seizure of property or assets unless the recipient calls a phone number to satisfy a lien.

“We want Pennsylvanians to remember four simple words — don’t take the bait. Take a moment to think over the situation and make sure that you’re taking the proper steps to ensure that any notice you receive in the mail is legitimate,” said Acting Revenue Secretary Pat Browne. “We have received many reports on this scam that involves fraudulent notices. This is a common time of the year for scam artists to impersonate a government agency to victimize hard-working Pennsylvanians.”

Understanding the Scam

The scam notices are sent through the mail from phony entities that closely resemble the name of a collection agency or a state taxing agency. Keep an eye out for dubious claims or suspicious details, such as:

• The phony letters come from “Tax Assessment Procedures Domestic Judgment Registry.” No such entity exists.
• The letters do not include a return address. A notice from the Department of Revenue will always include an official Department of Revenue address as the return address.
• The recipient owes the “State of Pennsylvania” unpaid taxes, rather than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or Department of Revenue.
• The phony letters are very generic and do not include any specific information about the taxpayer’s account. Legitimate letters from the Department of Revenue will include specifics, such as an account number and any liability owed, to give the taxpayer as much information as possible. Letters from the Department of Revenue also include more detailed contact information and multiple options to make contact with the department.
• The phony letters focus on public records, such as tax liens, that anyone can access. Enforcement letters from the Department of Revenue include more detailed information about the taxpayer’s account and any liabilities that are owed.

Tips to Avoid This Scam

The Department of Revenue is encouraging Pennsylvanians to keep the following tips in mind to safeguard against these types of scams:

• Look Closely for Imposters: Scam artists will pose as a government entity or an official business. If you are contacted through the mail, phone or email, do not provide personal information or money until you are absolutely sure you are speaking to a legitimate representative.
• Examine the Notice: Scam notices often use vague language to cast a wide net to lure in as many victims as possible. Examine the notice for identifying information that can be verified. Look for blatant factual errors and other inconsistencies. If the notice is unexpected and demands immediate action, take a moment, and verify its legitimacy.
• Conduct Research Online: Use the information in a potentially fraudulent notice, such as a name, address or telephone number, to conduct a search online. You may find information that will confirm the notice is a scam.

Steps to Follow if You are Concerned About a Notice

If you are concerned about a potentially fraudulent notice, visit the department’s Verifying contact by the Department of Revenue webpage for verified contact information. This will help you ensure that you are speaking with a legitimate representative of the department.

Steps to Follow if You are a Victim of a Scam

The Department of Revenue’s Bureau of Fraud Detection & Analysis is dedicated to protecting and defending Pennsylvania taxpayers and their tax dollars against fraud. The bureau is a one-stop resource for all identity theft and tax fraud issues in the commonwealth. If you believe you are a victim of tax fraud or tax-related identity theft, contact the Bureau of Fraud Detection & Analysis by emailing Ra-rvpadorfraud@pa.gov or calling 717-772-9297. The bureau’s phone line is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Story and photos by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio news Director. Published February 6, 2023 10:58 A.M.

(East Palestine, Ohio) A massive train fire and derailment occurred Friday night just across the county line in East Palestine, Ohio while it was in Route to Conway. The glow of over 50 tankers and box cars burning could be seen numerous miles away. The NTSB has commented that the cause of the accident is believed to be an axle failure and that there were no injuries among the train operators. A full investigation is underway. Multiple emergency responders, hazmat crews, and railroad crews responded from all over the tri state area responded. Firefighters could be seen dousing heavy amounts of water to lessen the blaze. Evacuations in East Palestine began taking place late Friday and most roads leading to the scene were closed down before midnight. Pennsylvania State Police told Beaver County Radio at the scene Friday the Environmental Protection Agency were on scene and that the fire started with tanker cars. A haze of smoke traveled well beyond the scene and decreased visibility on roads and highways. Firefighters were pulled from operations near the fire for their safety Saturday due to the hazardous materials burning and explosions occurring. Unmanned equipment was left in operation.
UPDATE 2/5/23: Those within a one mile radius of the train derailment were told to evacuate immediately Sunday evening in response to the potential of a catastrophic failure of a tank car. The radius includes parts of Darlington. In a press briefing held Sunday evening, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated “A drastic temperature change has taken place in a rail car, and there is now the potential of a catastrophic tanker failure which could cause an explosion with the potential of deadly shrapnel traveling up to a mile”. The National Guard was deployed to the scene. On the Ohio side, authorities report anyone breaching the area are subject to arrest, and anybody with children who do not evacuate within the zone are subject to arrest. Those on the Pennsylvania side are subject to different precautionary measures under state law. Pennsylvania cannot mandate an evacuation. The tanker of concern is said to contain Vinyl Chloride.
UPDATE 2/6/23: Eric Brewer, Director of Beaver County Emergency Services, told Beaver County Radio about a tenth of Darlington Township is in the evacuation zone. Numerous road closures are taking place nearby the train derailment and fire which is affecting multiple roads in Beaver County. The following roads are closed: Cannellton Road at Route 51, Route 51 between Route 168 and Ohio, Darlington Road at Route 51, Anderson Road at Route 51, Little Beaver Road at Route 51, Taggert Road at Route 51, Valley Road at Taggert Road, Logtown Road at Route 51, Enon Road at Route 51, East Palestine Road at Route 51, Darlington Road at Route 51, Oakdale Road at Route 51, Agnew Drive at Route 51. Check back for more details as they become available, photos and videos can be viewed below.
UPDATE 2/6/23 11:55am: Blackhawk School District in Chippewa Township released the following statement that students will be dismissed early Monday:
“It has been requested from the Command Center in East Palestine that Blackhawk School District begin an early dismissal today, February 6, 2023, pending the possible explosion in East Palestine due to the train derailment. The High School early dismissal will be at 12:15 p.m., the Middle School at 12:45 p.m., and PPS/BIS at 1:15 p.m. Parents who reside in any zone that is not permitting traffic flow should report to your child’s school to pick them up. After 3:00 p.m., all students remaining in the buildings will be transported to Blackhawk High School for their parents to pick their child up. All evening activities are cancelled.”
Western Beaver School District also dismissed students early. Visit Beaver County compiled a list of hotels offering discounts to evacuees Monday afternoon.
UPDATE 2/6/23 4pm: Ohio governer Mike DeWine issued a statement Monday afternoon that crews at the site of the East Palestine train crash will try a “controlled release” of hazardous chemicals in an attempt to avoid a deadly catastrophic explosion. The burn was underway as of shortly before 5pm Monday and is expected to last a few hours. The fumes that will be released from the train are said to be deadly and the one mile evacuation is crucial. Emergency crews urgently checked homes to ensure all people are out of the area. Crews have created a hole in the train to ignite and drain the dangerous chemicals said to be vinyl chloride into a trench. Beaver County opened a public inquiry phone line at 724-773-6767.
Norfolk Southern released a document in regards to frequently asked questions concerning the situation. The documents states:
“A derailment in East Palestine, OH was reported at approximately 9:00 pm on February 3, 2023, to the Norfolk Southern (NS). All personnel on the train were evacuated and remain safe.
As a precautionary measure, the local authorities initiated a temporary evacuation order shortly thereafter. Local, state, and federal responders and NS are on-site responding to the derailment. Cars involved in the derailment contained vinyl chloride, combustible liquids, butyl acrylate, benzene residue cars (rail cars that previously contained benzene), and nonhazardous materials such as wheat, plastic pellets, malt liquors, and lube oil. Investigation is ongoing as to the nature of the derailment and which rail cars have been compromised.
Is the air safe?
Yes – Air monitoring is being performed 24 hours a day in the community for the substances associated with the derailment and fire. Air monitoring results indicate that the air in the community is safe. As a precautionary measure, evacuation and shelter-in-place recommendations will continue as directed by local authorities.
Is my drinking water safe?
Yes – the East Palestine water supply comes from a series of groundwater wells. Due to the location of the derailment, it is improbable that substances from the derailment will impact the groundwater or drinking water wells in the area.
I smell a strange odor; should I be worried?
Some of the substances associated with the derailment can be smelled even when instrument air monitoring findings are non-detect or below a level of concern. Similarly, non-hazardous materials can produce odors when on fire. While these odors may be irritating, they do not indicate that you are being exposed. Air monitoring in the community is ongoing and will continue until clean-up is complete.
I saw a big cloud of smoke. Are there any short-term health effects from breathing smoke?
The fire from the derailment has similar constituents as a wood fire. Short-term exposure to fire smoke can cause respiratory irritation and coughing, but symptoms should subside after exposure ends. Air monitoring for fire smoke and associated combustion products is being performed in the community.
Are my children at risk? What about the elderly or people with medical conditions?
No – Air monitoring in the community has not shown any detections of vinyl chloride or other substances that would indicate a risk for children, the elderly, or individuals with medical conditions. Air monitoring in the community is being conducted and will continue until clean-up has been completed.
Can exposure to substances from the derailment affect my/my child’s asthma?
While smoke from any type of fire can exacerbate asthma or other breathing difficulties, no long-term effect is expected from short-term exposure. Only very high concentrations of vinyl chloride or other substances may affect someone’s asthma, but any aggravation of asthma would be short-term. None of these chemicals are known to cause asthma.”
Photos and Videos from the scene (Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio):

FILE – An aerial view of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 31, 2022. The Justice Department issued a subpoena for the return of classified documents that Trump had refused to give back, then obtained a warrant and seized more than 100 documents during a dramatic August search of his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has offered to brief congressional leaders on its investigation into the classified documents found in the private possession of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. That’s according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday. A briefing could come as soon as this week. But it may not meet bipartisan demands from lawmakers who say they have ongoing national security concerns. Any briefing isn’t expected to include direct access to the documents that were seized.

FILE – Eggs are displayed on store shelves at a local grocery store in Chandler, Ariz., Jan. 21, 2023. Amid soaring egg prices, social media users are claiming that common chicken feed products are preventing their own hens from laying eggs. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Amid high egg prices, social media users are claiming that common chicken feed products are preventing their own hens from laying eggs. Some have gone a step further to suggest that feed producers intentionally made their products deficient to stop backyard egg production and force consumers to buy eggs at inflated prices. But experts say high egg prices are caused by bird flu and inflation. And while feed quality can affect egg production, there are more mundane explanations for backyard flock owners’ reported low egg yields, including environmental reasons like cold weather or insufficient light, rather than a broad conspiracy.

Business owner “Annie” weights down copies of the Chinese Daily News newspaper showcasing pictures of a suspected Chinese spy balloon, in the Chinatown district of Los Angeles Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. The balloon’s presence in the sky above the United States before a military jet shot it down over the Atlantic Ocean with a missile Saturday has further strained U.S.- China ties. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

BEIJING (AP) — China has accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it seriously damaged both sides’ efforts to stabilize Sino-U.S. relations. Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng says he lodged a formal complaint with the U.S. Embassy over the use of military force on the balloon. Xie repeated China’s insistence that the balloon was an unmanned Chinese civil airship that blew into U.S. airspace by mistake. He called the U.S. response an overreaction that “seriously violated the spirit of international law.” The presence of the balloon above the U.S. dealt a severe blow to already strained U.S.-Chinese relations.

Spliff Star, left, and Busta Rhymes perform “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

For almost as long as the 50 years of history celebrated on Sunday’s Grammy awards, rap artists have had an uncomfortable relationship with the music’s biggest institution. Certainly the Grammys hope that 2023 represents a turning point. The 15-minute Questlove-curated history lesson was a blast and offered some overdue attention. DJ Khaled’s performance of “God Did” featured a memorable performance by Jay-Z. Dr. Dre was given an innovator’s award named for him. Other standout Grammy moments: Beyoncé’s haul of awards, Harry Styles’ style, a breezy performance by show host Trevor Noah, and a surprise song of the year win for Bonnie Raitt.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The federal government’s pandemic-era prohibition against kicking people off Medicaid is ending, meaning that hundreds of thousands of people in Pennsylvania face losing free health insurance. Many people who stand to lose Medicaid coverage have no idea that the changes are coming. That’s according to advocacy organizations who do outreach to the poor. Enforcing the eligibility rules will be a massive bureaucratic task for the new administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro. All told, state caseworkers must resume enforcing eligibility rules April 1 for more than 3.6 million people who are on Medicaid. Those who are no longer eligible — or who didn’t submit information — will be guided to low-cost programs.