[PITTSBURGH, APRIL 28, 2023] — On May 13, volunteers and members of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter and Ambridge Fire Department will team up to install 150 free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during a Sound the Alarm event in Ambridge. This effort is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,664 lives since launching in October 2014.

 

WHAT:  Sound the Alarm kickoff with remarks and volunteer training, followed by smoke alarm installations at area homes where volunteer teams will also discuss home fire safety with families.

 

WHERE:  Ambridge Fire Department, 600 11th Street, Ambridge, PA 15003

 

WHEN:  Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m. (kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 3 p.m. Rain or shine.

 

WHO:  Jorge Martinez, Regional CEO, Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania

Chief Donald Larrick, Jr., Ambridge Fire Department

Lesley Kaluzne, Disaster Program Manager, Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter

Interviews available with speakers following the kickoff.

 

VISUALS:  Opportunities for photos and b-roll of kickoff remarks, volunteer training and volunteers installing smoke alarms and meeting with local families.

 

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Erie Insurance, UGI Utilities, Inc., NiSource Foundation/Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Seneca Resources, EQT, FedEx Ground, MSA Safety, UPMC/UPMC Health Plan and Millers Mutual.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) voted yes on the Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval (H.J. Res. 39) to overturn a Biden Administration executive order and hold Chinese solar companies accountable for violating our trade laws.

The resolution—which Congressman Deluzio cosponsored in February—that passed the House today would overturn the suspension of tariffs on Chinese solar products that are illegally funneled through other Asian countries. The tariffs were set in 2012 after the Obama Administration determined that China was dumping cheap solar materials in the U.S. market. Last year, a Department of Commerce investigation found that Chinese companies were circumventing the tariffs by deceptively moving manufacturing operations to four other Asian countries. Evading U.S. trade laws would normally lead to penalties on the companies, but the Biden Administration froze these tariffs last June. The temporary waiver of these tariffs encourages the import of cheap solar materials from China, undermining American manufacturing. This resolution overturns the policy that prevents us from holding Chinese companies that violate our trade laws accountable.

“Western Pennsylvania was hit hard by lousy trade deals shipping our manufacturing jobs all over the planet,” said Rep. Deluzio. “We should be making more stuff in America, and we shouldn’t be letting the Chinese Communist Party and its business elite cheat and skirt our trade laws to undercut American manufacturing and our workers.”

Congressman Deluzio and other supporters of the measure say the two-year suspension allows Chinese producers to avoid U.S. trade laws—hurting American workers and manufacturers—and prolongs an unfavorable market for domestic businesses trying to build a U.S. solar supply chain.

The resolution was introduced under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a procedural law that allows Congress to reverse federal agency rules.

Just last week, Congressman Deluzio was proud to announce a $1.6 million investment into western Pennsylvania’s solar industry. The grant is awarded to Vitro Glass, in Cheswick PA, and will improve CdTe module power output through use of a high-performance glass on which a solar panel is built.

“America can once again be the manufacturing giant of the world, and investing in our solar supply chain can help us get there,” said Rep. Deluzio. “From component supply chains to production to recycling, solar panels—and the jobs they create—will be a huge part of our nation’s energy future. I am thrilled that Western Pennsylvania’s Vitro Flat Glass in Cheswick, in my district, is slated to receive $1.6 million in federal funds to strengthen our domestic solar panel industry through the development of new technologies and processes.”

WHAT:     House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) will host a hearing titled “Effective School Transportation for Our Drivers and Our Students” to discuss the obstacles to opportunity the school transportation community faces.

WHO:       Kail; members of the committee; Aaron Sepkowski, president, Pocono Transportation; DJ Frye, owner, Frye Transportation Group; and Todd Rittenhouse, fleet manager, Rittenhouse Bus Lines.

WHEN:     Tuesday, May 2, at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:  Room 418, House Republican Caucus Room in Harrisburg.

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

 

 

We all experience stress and fatigue, but do we know why we do? Jeff Bost and Dr. Joseph Maroon discuss what causes fatigue and stress, along with how to deal with it, this week on “Living Well”.

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 Highmark Heroes, Jim Roddey talks with Allegheny Health Network oncologist Dr. Suzanne Schiffman to talk about–among other things–the pancreas and how to properly take care of it.  Then, Mr. Roddey talks with former Pennsylvania State Senator Tim Murphy about his latest book entitled “The Christ Cure: 10 Biblical Ways to Heal from Trauma, Tragedy, and PTSD”.

“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.

Pastor David Grove of the Church of the Redeemed of Beaver Valley returns to the gospel this week…but perhaps not the gospel you’re thinking about. Tune in this week to find out what Pastor Dave speaks of.

“Wake Up Beaver Valley” airs every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 10 AM on Beaver County Radio and is presented by the Church of The Redeemed of Beaver Valley. Archived editions of “Wake Up Beaver Valley” can be heard at the Beaver County Radio Podcast Library.

Facility management at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center released the following statement on April 28, 2023:

“We are saddened to receive a strike notice by the therapists union despite our generous wage offers and continued efforts to find common ground. Since the beginning of the year, we have met on a monthly basis with the union and proposed a number of new pay packages, including the highest wages in our history. The union has continuously refused these offers.
Although some employees are choosing to abandon the seniors and families here beginning May 6, thankfully, we have strong contingency plans in place to ensure that we remain 100% covered and our high-quality patient-centered care will not be affected.
We have a long tradition of supporting and rewarding the hard work our dedicated front-line staff and hope that we can come to a fair and amicable agreement to ensure our teams and our residents continue to receive the exceptional care and support they deserve.”

HARRISBURG, April 28 – State Rep. Rob Matzie introduced legislation today to reauthorize key provisions of Pennsylvania’s Public Utilities Code that promote fair dealings between utility companies and their customers.

Matzie, who is chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee, introduced H.B. 1077 to ensure that payment plans, protection from shutoffs and other safeguards remain in place for consumers who might be struggling with bills.

“The re-authorization of Chapter 14 is of paramount importance to Pennsylvania’s utility customers,” Matzie said. “Simply put, it clarifies and codifies how utility companies are permitted to address customers who have fallen on hard times and are having trouble paying their bills. The law expires at the end of next year, so the time is now to make sure it’s reauthorized in a thoughtful, thorough, and timely manner.

“It’s important to remember that we’re talking about essential items – electricity, water and gas. My bill seeks to expand the tools that utility companies have to work with their customers who are struggling to pay their bills, in order to avoid having their service turned off.”

Chapter 14 of PA Title 66 sets the framework for consumer safeguards between a public utility and its customers. Most Pennsylvania utility customers are afforded certain protections under Chapter 14 in areas such as service connections and shut-offs, fees and deposits, delinquent bills and payment plans.

First implemented in 2004, the law was reauthorized in 2014. It is due to expire at the end of 2024.

This image released by Phillips shows “O.J. Simpson,” an acrylic and silkscreen ink on canvas portrait of the Buffalo Bills running back in 1977. The portrait, which was in the collection of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and deaccessioned in 2011, will be auctioned, will be auctioned in New York on May 16. (Phillips via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — An Andy Warhol silkscreen portrait of O.J. Simpson is going up for auction. Part of Warhol’s famous “Athletes” series, the portrait spent 19 years in the possession of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which says it never displayed it. The Phillips auction house is billing the work as a rare instance of two major 20th century pop culture figures coming together. Now 75, Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of the double slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. He was found liable for the deaths in 1997 by a California civil court jury, and later served nine years in prison for armed robbery.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Acting Secretary Rick Siger announced that a total of $3.5 million has been awarded through the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA) to a pair of Pennsylvania venture capital firms that will make investments in early-stage technology companies.

 

Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration are committed to making the Commonwealth a leader in innovation, job creation, and economic development. The Governor’s first budget proposal — a commonsense set of solutions to the most pressing issues Pennsylvanians face — increases funding to spur innovation and attract and retain businesses in Pennsylvania.

 

“This funding will create opportunities for early-stage technology companies to grow right here in Pennsylvania, and ensure the Commonwealth remains an economic leader driving innovation on a global scale,” said Acting Secretary Siger. “DCED is proud to work with the BFTDA to provide funding to companies at the cutting edge of industries that drive our economy forward. Investments like these are key to the future of Pennsylvania.”

 

The BFTDA awarded $2.5 million on behalf of Activate Ventures III, LP, (Activate) a Bethlehem-based fund that will target investments of up to $1-5 million in approximately 30 early-stage technology companies, with an emphasis on healthcare-related software businesses led by tenured entrepreneurs.

 

Activate will be led by a group of investors including Managing Partners Glenn Bressner, and Todd Pietri, formerly of Milestone Venture Partners. They will be joined by Pietri’s former Milestone Partner, Edwin A. Goodman and fellow Bethlehem venture capitalist, Jeff Davidson.

 

BFTDA also awarded $1 million on behalf of Global Opportunity Pennsylvania GP II, LLC, (GO.PA) a Philadelphia-based fund that will target investments of up to $2-7 million in roughly 20 early-stage technology companies. This fund will involve a collaboration among the Ben Franklin Technology Partners offices statewide and as such, will draw on opportunities from around the Commonwealth.

 

GO.PA is being formed by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BF-SEP) as a wholly-owned subsidiary. BF-SEP is staffed by 32 individuals, including seven investment professionals. Strategically, the fund will be venture-growth oriented. The team will focus on providing follow-on financing in the most promising Ben Franklin Technology Partners-backed companies.

 

As one of the oldest and most emulated state technology development programs in the nation, the BFTDA was established to promote an entrepreneurial business environment, advance technology innovation, and create a technology-ready workforce.

 

The mission of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority is to encourage and coordinate programs and investments, which advance the competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s companies and universities in the global economy.

 

Governor Shapiro and his Administration are committed to growing Pennsylvania’s economy so that it works for everyone. For more information about his commitment to workers, businesses, and our economy, visit the Governor’s website.

 

For more information about the BFTDA or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the agency’s website, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.