Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced new military themed license plates will be available throughout the Commonwealth. Recently passed legislation allows the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to now offer Pennsylvanians’ license plates honoring military members and their families. Two of these new plates – the Air Medal license plate and the Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans license plate – recognize veterans’ special contributions during their service.

“These plates are yet another opportunity to show our appreciation for the sacrifices of our military members and families,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Mike Carroll. “As always, we are proud to recognize our military community and their accomplishments.”

Both are available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds for a fee of $23.

Applicants for the Air Medal license plate must submit a completed Form MV-150, “Application for U.S. Military Service License plate,” and a legible photocopy of their Form DD214, “Separation Papers or Discharge Papers,” to show that they are recipients of the medal. The license plate contains the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white, and gold and depicts an image of the Air Medal.

Applicants for the Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans license plate must submit a completed Form MV-150V, “Application for U.S. Military Veteran License plate,” and a legible photocopy of their Form DD214, “Separation Papers or Discharge Papers.” Only veterans who served in both theaters of operation are eligible for these license plates. The license plate contains the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white, and gold and depicts images of both the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal.

“When our service members deploy they sacrifice greatly, and so too do their families,” said Brig. Gen. (PA-Ret) Maureen Weigl, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)  Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs. “These special plates will be seen throughout the Commonwealth, reminding citizens that we owe a debt of gratitude to all who served to defend our freedom.”

A third license plate design authorized by the legislation is the Blue Star Family license plate. Applications for this license plate must be submitted on Form MV-920, “Application for Blue Star Family Plate,” and certify that the applicant is a family member of an active-duty, Reserve or National Guard service member. The term “family member” includes: spouses, parents, step-parents, adoptive parents, foster parents in loco parentis, children, step-children, adopted children, brothers, sisters, half-brothers or half-sisters and grandparents.

The license plate is available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds for a fee of $23. The license plate contains the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white, and gold and depicts an image of the Blue Star Family flag which has a red border around a white background with a blue star in the center.

More information, including eligibility requirements and images of license plates, is available on the License plates page on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced an expansion of its free substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and education tool, Just Five, by unveiling three new lessons that each address current issues in the world of SUD prevention.

Just Five is an online program that aims to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and provide education about SUD prevention and treatment for all of Pennsylvania’s workforce.

“We want all Pennsylvania employers and employees to not only know this resource is available to them, but to access and learn from it,” said Acting Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “Incorporating Just Five’s lessons into workplace health initiative is strongly encouraged to help reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health conditions like the disease of addiction.”

Just Five is an online, self-paced program that is displayed as six short learning modules that each take “just five” minutes to complete. The interactive lessons include:

• The Science of Addiction
• Are You at Risk?
• The Dangers of Opioids
• Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
• How You Can Help
• The Gift of Recovery

DDAP’s expansion of the tool now includes the following three in-depth education lessons: Stages of Change, Words Matter, and Fentanyl Fast Facts.

Stages of Change

Site users can explore the Stages of Change model to learn how each person’s individual willingness for change affects their journey and find techniques that can help guide others forward toward recovery. It also includes information on recurrence of drug use, a step-by-step intervention guide and tips on how to use positive reinforcement as an effective way to help an individual with SUD.

Words Matter

Words Matter offers insight into how words shape how we view and treat people with SUD, recommendations on using person first language, distinguishing between self-labeling language and language used by health care professionals and the general public, and testimonials from experts, individuals and families on the impact of language and stigma on their treatment and recovery. Just Five also includes a comprehensive language guide for identifying and removing stigmatizing language. The guide includes the latest research on stigmatizing language, a sample set of words that should be replaced, and suggested mechanisms to implement language change with an organization.

Fentanyl Fast Facts

The overdose crisis in Pennsylvania and across the nation has been largely driven by the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl Fast Facts offers information on why fentanyl is so dangerous, who’s most at risk for accessing fentanyl, tips on talking to children about the dangers of fentanyl, and how to use naloxone and fentanyl test strips.

Since Just Five has been available statewide to all of Pennsylvania’s workforce, the tool has had more than 12,000 new users.

Use of the Just Five website is completely confidential and voluntary, and no personal information regarding utilization of the program is shared. It can be accessed virtually from anywhere at any time with no registration required. The program is also available in English and Spanish and accessible for individuals with visual and/or hearing impairments.

Individuals seeking substance use treatment or recovery resources for themselves or a loved one can call the toll-free PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This helpline is confidential, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and staffed by trained professionals who will connect callers to resources in their community. Callers can be connected with funding if they need help paying for treatment. ATLAS is also available for Pennsylvanians and their loved ones to search for and compare SUD treatment facilities using criteria such as location, services offered, and insurance accepted so they can find the best treatment for their unique needs.

To learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts in combating the addiction crisis, visit ddap.pa.gov.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today highlighted how Governor Shapiro’s inaugural budget would support student success and address Pennsylvania’s education workforce shortage. Governor Shapiro’s budget includes increases to public education funding with targeted support for students both inside and outside of the classroom and initiatives to bolster the teacher pipeline, including an annual personal income tax incentive for newly certified educators of up to $2,500 for 3 years.

“Educators play a pivotal role in our Commonwealth, and over the past few years we have struggled with both recruitment and retention in the field of education,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “Supporting prospective teachers through commonsense proposals like this personal income tax credit will help us address the educator workforce shortage.”

In recent years, the number of new educators entering the workforce has decreased. A decade ago, roughly 20,000 teacher certifications were issued each year, while in 2021 only about 6,000 were issued. Not only has the rate of new teachers entering the workforce decreased, but the rate of educators leaving the profession continues to accelerate. This means that schools are having a harder time than ever filling critical staff positions.

Building strong, safe communities starts with an adequate and equitable public education system. Supporting teachers is a key element in working toward a comprehensive solution to improving education in Pennsylvania, and Governor Shapiro’s 2023-24 budget would provide newly certified teachers with an annual personal income tax incentive for up to three years.

Recruiting and retaining teachers in Pennsylvania has been one of the Department’s top priorities, beginning with PDE’s educator workforce strategy released last year. Earlier this week, PDE made $1.5 million in grants available to allow institutions of higher education expedite the process of training special education teachers in Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro’s personal income tax incentive program would build on these efforts, working to ensure there is a robust pipeline of educators in place to provide a high-quality education to learners of all ages across the Commonwealth.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published March 21, 2023 10:17 A.M.

(Center Township, PA) Two fires were reported at the Hilton Garden Inn in Center Township shortly after 2 am this morning. We have not heard of any injuries or what caused the fires.

Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.733 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Beaver County is $3.754    

House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) will host a hearing titled “Obstacles to Opportunity: PA’s Permitting Process” to hear the challenges of Pennsylvania’s permitting process and explore possible solutions.

WHO:       Kail; members of the committee; Mike Ford, secretary, PA Building Trades; Kevin Sunday, director of government affairs, PA Chamber of Business and Industry; and others.

WHEN:     Wednesday, March 22, at 10 a.m.

WHERE:  Room 205, Ryan Office Building in Harrisburg.

LIVESTREAM: Barring any technical difficulties, the hearing will be streamed online at www.PAGOPPolicy.com, www.PAHouseGOP.com and www.RepKail.com.

Darlington Township, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced plans to maintain a long-term, physical presence in Darlington Township, Beaver County to continue assisting residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment that occurred on February 3 in East Palestine, Ohio.

Starting on Thursday, March 23, staff from the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health (DOH) will be onsite at the Darlington Township Building, 3590 Darlington Rd., Darlington, PA 16115 every Thursday from Noon to 5:00 PM to meet with residents. Additional staff will be available via video conferencing during that time, as well. In addition, state agencies are working with Township staff to ensure they can help residents access state resources related to the derailment.

Staff from Commonwealth agencies and Beaver County also plan to hold open house events Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM to offer one-on-one discussion to individuals who attend, as well as provide resources and information.

“Since it opened last month, the Center has been an invaluable community resource for residents in Western Pennsylvania, providing everything from clinical evaluations to behavioral health assistance, and even spiritual guidance,” said Acting Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen. “It takes time and proven commitment to build trust, and the Shapiro Administration is pledging to do just that. Residents should be assured we are here to help in any way we can.”

“Under the direction of Governor Shapiro, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has taken direct action to safeguard Pennsylvanians’ soil and water,” said Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Rich Negrin. “The Department of Environmental Protection worked diligently to conduct independent water sampling throughout the affected area to closely monitor water contamination risks related to the East Palestine train derailment. DEP has been on the scene since the first hours after the derailment, and we will continue to stay in affected communities as long as it takes to assure Pennsylvanians’ their air, water and soil are safe.”

“Farmers depend on healthy soil and water to produce food that is safe for their families and customers,” said Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “As we wait for DEP and EPA experts to carefully review and validate results of water and soil testing, the Department of Agriculture has been present, listening to area farmers so that we can take the critical step of validating their concerns. The Health Resource Center has been a valuable tool in hearing, and responding to concerns of Pennsylvanians who depend on healthy soil and water for their lives and livelihoods.”

Residents will continue to have access to expert staff and be able to ask questions about their health, pets, farm animals, and inquire about air, soil, and water quality testing. Resource materials will also be available for pickup, including on days when agency staff are not on site.

This extension of operations furthers the Administration’s commitment to helping residents affected by the derailment and assist in their recovery.

Since Norfolk Southern’s train derailed more than six weeks ago, the Shapiro Administration has been on the ground in Western Pennsylvania, assisting local residents and ensuring they have the information and resources they need to keep themselves, their families, and their property safe.

Governor Shapiro has visited the affected areas in Western Pennsylvania several times, meeting with local leaders and residents, and he has tasked his Administration with making all possible resources available to help local communities. PEMA Director Randy Padfield, DEP Acting Secretary Richard Negrin, DOH Acting Secretary Dr. Bogen, and PDA Acting Secretary Russell Redding have all visited the affected areas several times, as well.

See below for examples of how the Shapiro Administration is continuing to respond:

• DEP is Conducting Ongoing Independent Water and Soil Sampling: DEP has been conducting independent water and soil sampling to closely monitor water contamination risks within a two-mile radius of the East Palestine derailment. Concerned residents who are beyond the two-mile radius may reach out to DEP to request testing by calling 412-442-4000. The first round of water sampling results shows no signs of groundwater contamination in Pennsylvania. Read more here.

• DOH Health Resource Center: On February 28, the Shapiro Administration opened the Health Resource Center in Darlington Township, Beaver County for residents who had health concerns following the Norfolk Southern train derailment. As of March 16, staff at the Center had assisted more than 550 people. Read more here

• PEMA Dashboard: The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has created an online dashboard with a timeline of details and listed resources for Pennsylvania residents to find on the PEMA website.

• The Department of Agriculture Launched Hotline: PDA launched a hotline for concerned farmers and producers. Pennsylvania farmers and producers who were impacted by the train derailment and have questions or concerns can contact the hotline at 855-777-6735.

• Holding Norfolk Southern Accountable: Governor Shapiro has continued to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for their actions following the train derailment. Following the incident, Gov. Shapiro sent Norfolk Southern a letter outlining concerns with their crisis management practices. The Governor secured an initial commitment of over $7 million from Norfolk Southern to pay for damages to Pennsylvania and its residents resulting from their train derailment. Read more here.

Department of Health staff are continuing to conduct the Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey among residents and first responders living near the derailment. The surveys help residents identify symptoms, experiences, and concerns about the impact of the train derailment on their lives.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 21, 2023 10:11 A.M.

(Center Township, PA) Center Township Engineer Ned Mitrovich reported to the supervisors at Monday night’s meeting that the bids for both projects will go out in late spring or early summer 2023.