Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published May 29, 2023 11:36 A.M.  

(Aliquippa, PA) An Aliquippa woman was scammed out of $5,000 while trying to sell her antique vehicle. PA State Police report that 64 year old Nancy Fooks arranged the sale with an unknown person who requested the car be shipped to them. The actors sent a fraudulent check to Fooks, who proceeded to pay for the shipping through PayPal before realizing she was being scammed and ultimately reporting it.

FILE – Top Republican debt crisis mediators Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., left, and Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., center, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, with Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, upper right, have a laugh as they stop for questions by reporters on progress in the talks with the Biden administration, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has blasted the tentative debt ceiling deal struck by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and President Joe Biden and says he will try to stop it in the House. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The reviews are starting to come in about the debt ceiling agreement reached by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Even before seeing the details, some lawmakers were criticizing the deal as not doing enough to tackle the nation’s debt, while others worried it’s too austere and will harm many low-income Americans. The legislation will probably need support from a significant number of lawmakers from both parties to clear the closely divided House and gain the 60 votes necessary to advance in the Senate. The 99-page bill that resulted from the Biden-McCarthy negotiations was made public Sunday night.

This May 6, 2020, photo shows the World War II Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Military authorities say an Army Air Force pilot from Pennsylvania killed during World War II has been accounted for almost eight decades later. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency says 25-year-old 2nd Lt. James Litherland of South Williamsport will be buried in Williamsport. In February 1944, Litherland was co-piloting a B-17F Flying Fortress that was struck by anti-aircraft fire after a bombing raid in France. His remains weren’t identified until more material was recovered from the crash site in 2018. Military authorities say dental and anthropological analysis and DNA evidence was then used to identify the remains as those of Litherland.

On this week’s edition of “Living Well”, hosts Jeff Bost and Dr. Joseph Maroon discuss what “brain banks” are, and how they’ve become a recent mainstay when it comes to analyzing player health in sports.

Dr. Joseph Maroon is a world renown neurosurgeon with extensive experience in neurosurgery. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery to speed recovery for his patients. He is a sports medicine expert and innovator in concussion management, personal fitness and nutrition. Dr. Maroon is also the Pittsburgh Steelers team doctor.

Jeff Bost is a consultant to the St. Barnabas Health System. Bost is also a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Neurosurgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a consultant to the WWE, and Clinical Assistant Professor at Chatham University. He has a special interest in minimally invasive spine and brain surgery and have collaborated on scores of scientific medical papers and books in these areas. Over the last 15 years he has researched, lectured and written on the use of alternative treatment for pain control.

Bost, along with Dr. Joseph Maroon have authored two books on the use of omega-3 fish oil, including: Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory, currently in its forth printing with over 75,000 copies sold and recently, Why You Need Fish Oil. He has given over 100 invited lectures, 24 national posters and oral presentations, 29 coordinated research projects, five workshops presentations, 35 scientific articles and 10 book chapters.

You can rune into “Living Well” every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 95.7 and 99.3 FM, 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, and beavercountyradio.com.

You can also listen to all previous episodes of “Living Well” by going to beavercountyradio.com clicking on the Listen Live Button, Then chose Beaver County Radio and click on Podcasts in the upper right hand corner.

You can also download our free apps by clicking on the proper store icon for your platform of a device:

In this week’s episode of “Heroes”, Jim Roddey talks with Allegheny Health Network neurosurgeon Dr. Matthew Shepard about his role with AHN.  Then, Mr. Roddey sits down with longtime New Brighton coach and athletic director Joe Ursida.

“Heroes” is presented by Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the Allegheny Health Network, airing Saturdays at 10:00 AM and Sundays at 12:30 PM on Beaver County Radio. Archived editions of “Heroes” can be heard at the Beaver County Radio Podcast Library.

FILE – President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with his “Investing in America Cabinet,” in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Washington. Biden would veto a House GOP bill that aims to restrict asylum, build more border wall and cut a program that allows migrants a chance to stay in the U.S. lawfully for two years, an administration official said Monday, May 8. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and debt ceiling negotiators have hit “crunch” time as they strain to make a deal with the White House to raise the nation’s debt limit, avert default and cut federal spending. McCarthy said Friday there is still more work to do. Negotiators are racing for agreement this weekend. As soon as June 1, Treasury says it could run short of funds. A federal default on the national debt could send the economy into chaos. The budget flow isn’t the only hang-up. One thorny issue is a Republican demand opposed by Democrats for stiffer work requirements on people who receive government aid. Any compromise needs support from both Democrats and Republicans to pass in Congress.

Central Penn College baseball player Angel Mercado poses for a portrait on Baseball Media Day in January, 2023, in Summerdale, Pa. Mercado, 19, an aspiring middle infielder who had just completed his freshman season at Division II Central Penn College, died accidentally when a makeshift dugout collapsed playing in a summer recreation league that held its games and practices in a park in Harrisburg. (Central Penn College via AP)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A coroner in Pennsylvania ruled that a college baseball player died accidentally when a makeshift dugout collapsed and he was struck in the face. Nineteen-year-old Angel Mercado was a middle infielder who had just completed his freshman season at Division II Central Penn College. He had been playing in a summer recreation league that held its games and practices in a park in Harrisburg. Mercado’s coach had built a makeshift dugout there out of wood on Sunday, but city officials told him it wasn’t allowed. The players were dismantling the structure Monday when it unexpectedly collapsed. Mercado died at a hospital the next day.

Scranton, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order directing the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to develop its Master Plan for Older Adults – a 10-year roadmap to meet the needs of Pennsylvania’s senior population and improve Commonwealth services for older Pennsylvanians.

 

Older Pennsylvanians are vital contributors to our communities – and Governor Shapiro knows they deserve to have a voice in shaping their futures and how they will best be able to live and thrive in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is home to 3.4 million seniors, with an older adult population that ranks fifth highest in the country. That’s why Governor Shapiro is taking action to bring state agencies and community organizations together to deliver a roadmap that will help support older Pennsylvanians.

“I’ve heard firsthand from seniors who told me we need to do more to help them stay in their homes, tackle rising costs, and have a high quality of life – and they deserve our full support,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “My Administration is making a long-term commitment to our seniors with this master plan and my commonsense proposal to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which will put more money back in more Pennsylvanians’ pockets. Together, we’re going to continue delivering results and help our seniors receive the support they need in order to age with dignity.”

Governor Shapiro was joined at today’s Executive Order signing by Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich, who will soon embark on a regional listening tour to highlight the Master Plan for Older Adults and actively engage seniors across the Commonwealth in the plan’s development.

“We are grateful to Governor Shapiro for signing this Executive Order authorizing the Master Plan for Older Adults. This Executive Order is a clear demonstration that the health, well-being, and quality of life for older adults is a priority for our Administration and for the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “This master plan for aging will be crafted by Pennsylvanians, for Pennsylvanians – because we are committed to ensuring the voices of older adults are heard in every component of this plan. Our next priority is visiting the communities we serve to make sure those Pennsylvanians who want to be heard know their opinions, thoughts, and priorities are reflected in this strategic initiative.”

 

In addition to creating the Master Plan, today’s Executive Order further directs the Department to, among other things:

 

• Identify relevant services to older Pennsylvanians provided by other agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction.
• Partner with traditionally disadvantaged or underserved communities to understand their specific needs as older Pennsylvanians and where gaps in services may exist.

• Establish at the Secretary’s discretion a working group to assist in gathering, reviewing, and studying data necessary for the Master Plan.

 

The Area Agencies on Aging and the Centers for Independent Living will host listening sessions where the public can learn more about the plan and how to submit their input. The stakeholder engagement process will involve outreach and requests for feedback from anyone or any group with an interest or with some interaction toward aging-related services, programs, and infrastructure.

 

This executive order is the latest in Governor Shapiro’s commitment to support seniors and making sure their voices are heard. In the Governor’s first budget, he has proposed expanding the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program – a critical lifeline for seniors. The PTRR provides a rebate to low-income renters and homeowners every year, putting money back in their pockets so they can stay in their homes.

 

The Governor’s proposed budget also invests in more grant funding for the Department’s 485 Senior Community Centers, which are essential public meeting spaces that help seniors stay connected, supported, and make ends meet.

 

After today’s announcement, Pennsylvania joins 11 other states that are in the process of developing a master plan for older adults. There are five states currently implementing a master plan: California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Texas.