(AP Photo)
By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators are urging drugmaker Pfizer to apply for emergency authorization for a two-dose regimen of its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive regulatory issues. The Biden administration aims to clear the way for the shots as soon as late February. The company’s application was expected to be submitted as soon as Tuesday. Early Pfizer data has shown the vaccine — which is administered to younger kids at one-tenth the strength of the adult shot — is safe and produces an immune response.

Pittsburgh, PA (Jan. 31, 2022) — Beginning on Jan. 15, Highmark has been complying with federal guidelines to reimburse its members for the cost of over-the-counter (OTC) COVID tests. Members can be reimbursed for up to 8 OTC tests per month. To receive reimbursement, members must submit a claim form through the mail or online.

To expand options for members to access testing, Highmark has now announced the use of its existing pharmacy networks for members to receive OTC COVID antigen tests without any up-front costs, eliminating the need for reimbursement.

The list of FDA emergency use authorized OTC COVID-19 antigen tests covered through the preferred pharmacy network includes Inteliswab COVID-19 Home Test, Binaxnow COVID-19 AG Home Test, Quickvue At-Home COVID-19 Test, Ellume COVID-19 Home Test, iHealth COVID-19 AG Home Test and Flowflex COVID-19 AG Home Test.

“We agree that testing is important for helping to slow the spread of the virus,” said Thomas Doran, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Highmark Inc. “That’s why we want to ensure that members have expanded access to home testing, without any costs at the point of sale.”

To receive an FDA emergency use authorized OTC COVID antigen test without any out-of-pocket costs, members can visit the same pharmacy where they get their prescriptions filled – or any in-network pharmacy – locate a test, take the test to the pharmacy counter and show their Highmark insurance card to have the test processed through their pharmacy benefit (members with a separate pharmacy benefit card will need to show that). If unsure which pharmacies are in-network, members can visit the Highmark member website or call the number on the back of their Highmark insurance card or pharmacy benefit card for help. Members can also continue to purchase FDA emergency-use authorized OTC COVID tests and submit a claim form for reimbursement.

Highmark members can also receive four free tests through the federal government website covidtests.gov.

Highmark members can visit its informational website highmarkanswers.com for the latest updates.

(File Photo)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the U.S. Department of Interior announced that $1.15 billion in funding is available to states from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for oil and gas well cleanup.  Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced that Pennsylvania is eligible to receive up to $104 million in the first funding phase announced today.  Lamb supported this program’s inclusion in the infrastructure package, and joined a bipartisan letter in June 2020 highlighting the importance of addressing this issue.

Abandoned oil and gas wells leak methane into the atmosphere, pose health and safety risks, and can pollute local groundwater.  Many experts estimate that there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, more abandoned or orphaned wells across the country.

“Plugging these wells will create jobs and protect the environment.  In a divided Washington, this issue has strong bipartisan support,” said Lamb.  “This federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a huge win for Pennsylvania.”

In Pennsylvania, more than five percent of the state’s human-caused methane emissions come from abandoned wells.  Lamb has been working in Washington on finding and fixing these wells to help curb emissions.  Lamb introduced the bipartisan Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (H.R. 4270) to establish an abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration program at the Department of Energy.  This legislation would help develop cutting edge technologies and approaches to finding and capping these wells, building on the progress from much-needed funding from the infrastructure bill.  H.R. 4270 recently passed the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, and Lamb is pushing for a vote by the full the House as quickly as possible.

Plugging orphaned wells will also help advance the goals of the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan, as well as the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization, which focuses on spurring economic revitalization in the hard-hit energy communities.

Click here for more details on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver for Pennsylvania, and visit Lamb’s website to learn more about the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Gas prices are two cents cheaper in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.481 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                $3.481
Average price during the week of January 24, 2022                               $3.508
Average price during the week of February 1, 2021                                $2.722

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.498      Altoona
$3.534      Beaver
$3.501      Bradford
$3.367      Brookville
$3.459      Butler
$3.495      Clarion
$3.300      DuBois
$3.482      Erie
$3.479      Greensburg
$3.503      Indiana
$3.484      Jeannette
$3.499      Kittanning
$3.480      Latrobe
$3.494      Meadville
$3.521      Mercer
$3.419      New Castle
$3.505      New Kensington
$3.499      Oil City
$3.518      Pittsburgh
$3.451      Sharon
$3.530      Uniontown
$3.497      Warren
$3.479      Washington

Trend Analysis:

Crude oil prices continue their upward climb this week, closing in on $90 per barrel. Higher oil prices typically lead to higher pump prices for motorists and today’s average is no exception. The national average for a gallon of gas has risen to $3.36, three cents more than a week ago. Uncertainty over Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine is contributing to higher crude oil prices and any sanctions based on their actions toward Ukraine may cause Russia to withhold crude oil from the global market.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by 21 cents to settle at $86.82. The cost of crude oil rose last week despite the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reporting that total domestic crude stocks increased by 2.4 million barrels to 416.2 million barrels. The current crude stock level is approximately 13 percent lower than in mid-January 2021, contributing to pressure on domestic crude prices.

According to new data from the EIA, total domestic gasoline stocks grew by 1.3 million barrels to 247.9 million barrels last week. On the other hand, gasoline demand rose slightly from 8.22 million barrels per day to 8.51 million barrels per day. The increase still puts gas demand in a typical range for the winter driving season, which pre-COVID was 8.8 million barrels per day in mid-January 2020. Continued growth in crude oil prices has helped maintain elevated pump prices. If oil prices continue to climb toward $90 a barrel, pump prices will likely follow suit.

Today’s national average of $3.36 is eight cents more than a month ago and 94 cents more than a year ago.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

(Photos Courtesy of Beaver County Humane Society)

(Aliquippa, PA ) Late Friday afternoon and with help from the City of Beaver Falls Police Department, BCHS humane officers Tristan Wenzig and Samantha Scobie seized 16 dogs from a home in Beaver Falls. The dogs were taken into safekeeping by Beaver County Humane Society (BCHS). Beaver Falls Police had notified BCHS humane officers about the large number of dogs abandoned in a home after the homeowner was taken to the hospital.

BCHS humane officers tried working with the owner on surrender options, but when that wasn’t an option, the officers proceeded to get a warrant to remove the dogs from the home.

“It was deplorable. The dogs were locked in rooms with no access to food or water. The home had space heaters but no running water. The floor was saturated with what appeared to be urine and animal waste.” said Susan Salyards, Executive Director of BCHS. The Beaver Falls Code Enforcement Officer has since condemned the home.

Salyards said, “This situation is an example of how quickly good intentions can go astray, especially since none of the dogs had been spayed or neutered.” “We suspect that the homeowner ultimately lost control of the situation. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad, it just means they’re wrong, and in this case, it’s the animals who suffer,’’ she said.

All of the dogs found were alive and are being triaged for various conditions. They were taken to BCHS, which is handling the cost of their medical care. 

Two dogs had to be taken to a local emergency hospital for surgery. 

The dog pictured to the right had a collar embedded into its neck. The collar was deep and very close to the dog’s trachea, so the collar had to be surgically removed. “The collar would have taken weeks, if not months, to become embedded so deeply,” Salyards added.

Another dog had toenails so long that they had to be surgically removed. The dogs are also suffering from dental and skin issues, hair loss, and overgrown nails. “It’s clear these dogs were not up to date with vet care.” 

The animals will ultimately be placed up for adoption.

If concerned community members would like to help BCHS care for the animals, donations such as dog food can be dropped off at BCHS, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001 on Tuesdays or Thursdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. The shelter is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Monetary donations to help with the cost of vet care, vaccines, worming, flea treatment, etc. also are being accepted by mail or online via the BCHS Web site at https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/donate-2.

Please visit our Facebook page at @bchumanesociety to follow their story or donate to their care.

Since 1950 the Beaver County Humane Society has been committed to helping animals in the Beaver County Area.  Seventy-one years later, more than 4,000 animals receive comfort and care each year.