(Plum Borough, Pa.) Pa Sate Police in Gibsonia have released the identity of the person who was killed in a deadly accident on the Pa turnpike in Plum Borough on Wednesday.
It was originally reported that the driver of the tractor trailer died when in fact the passenger of the truck is who died.
Troopers reported via release that as Shawn McGregor of Brownfield Pa was operating a semi-truck carrying liquid nitrogen east bound at mile marker 54.4 on the Pa turnpike the truck blew a front right tire causing him to lose control of the truck. The truck then struck a guard rail, went through the guard rail and over and embankment bursting into flames. McGregor was able to extricate himself from the vehicle but his passenger David Paull of Uniontown was not able to get out of the vehicle and died on the scene of the accident.
There’s no word on Mc Gregor’s condition at this time as police continue to investigate the accident.

(New Castle, Pa.) When police in New Castle went to the home Stephen Karenbauer in New Castle to arrest him for raping at least one child under the age of 12 yesterday he shot himself in the face with a shotgun.
Karnbauer survived the blast and there is no word on his condition as Police continue investigating to see if there are other victims.

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today strongly encouraged consumers and small businesses who may still be experiencing financial difficulty to #CallUtilitiesNow to discuss the options to remain connected to vital utility services before some extended payment plan options expire at the end of September.

The PUC emphasized that direct conversations between customers and utilities are the best “first step” for any Pennsylvania household or business struggling to #KeepUtilitiesOn, whether those financial difficulties are related to the COVID pandemic, the ongoing state and national recovery, or other challenging circumstances.
In a statement at today’s PUC public meeting, Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille noted
that there are many options available to address past-due balances and continue service,
but the deadline to apply for some of those programs is quickly approaching.
Extended Payment Plans & Flexible Income Verification Available Through Sept. 30

Earlier this year, the PUC required all Commission-regulated electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and steam utilities to provide additional extended payment plan options for residential and small business customers.

Residential customers qualify for extended payment arrangements to gradually pay down their previous balances over an extended period – with a minimum length of one to five years, depending on their income level (lower income levels qualify for longer payment periods) – and small business customers qualify for payment arrangements for a minimum of 18 months.

Additionally, utilities and the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services may continue to use flexible means for income verification and business status information – such as over-the-phone or via electronic mail, for the purpose of qualifying customers for payment arrangements and/or universal service programs.
These policy modifications will end after September 30, 2021, so consumers and small businesses should #CallUtilitiesNow to discuss extended payment plans before that deadline.

At-Risk Consumers in Pennsylvania Gradually Declining

The number of utility accounts at-risk of termination has continued to gradually decline, as has the total dollar amount owed, but a substantial number of households remain at-risk of utility shut-offs as we move into the fall season.

According to the most recent utility reports submitted to the PUC, approximately 750,000 residential accounts are currently at-risk of termination – down from an Oct. 2020 peak of almost 1.1 million residential accounts. The past-due balance for those residential accounts is approximately $664 million, compared to more than $856 million earlier this year.

Additionally, nearly 68,000 small businesses across the state are at-risk of termination (down from almost 90,000 past-due accounts in Oct. 2020).  The past-due balance for those commercial accounts is $90 million, compared to more than $126 million earlier this year.
Other Assistance Options Available for Consumers

In addition to extended payment plans, the PUC noted that millions of dollars in financial assistance is currently available from utilities and various supplemental programs, and the Commission encouraged every eligible individual and household to make use of those funds to address their balances and #KeepUtilitiesOn.

The households of greatest concern include:

• Utility customers experiencing financial difficulty for the first time and unaware of the resources available or the process for requesting assistance.
• Households that did not qualify for assistance in the past, because of higher incomes, but may now be eligible because of the financial impact of the pandemic.
• CAP customers who have not renewed their assistance plan enrollment – risking removal from those programs.
• Individuals who may qualify for “rent and utility assistance” available through counties across Pennsylvania.
• Households who qualify for LIHEAP financial assistance but did not apply for seasonal or supplemental aid.

#CallUtilitiesNow is the best way to identify what help may be available to you, your family
and your business. Also, be sure to call all your utilities: electric, natural gas, water/wastewater
and telecommunications because each may have different programs or resources available.

Utilities understand the assistance programs available in their communities for income-qualified consumers – including utility-run Customer Assistance Programs (CAP), national programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and various hardship fund programs operated by utilities and non-profit organizations to #KeepUtilitiesOn. Utilities also can help enroll consumers in assistance programs, guide them to other available resources and discuss new payment plan options to address overdue balances and help consumers move forward.

Consumers may also contact Pennsylvania’s “211” system (Dial 211 or visit www.pa211.org) for information and resources in their communities to help with
 

HARRISBURG, Aug. 26 – As lawmakers continue searching for solutions on best energy practices, House Consumer Affairs Committee Democratic Chairman state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Allegheny/Beaver, majority chairman state Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver/Butler, and state Rep. Chris Quinn, R-Delaware, led a public hearing today on solar energy and its impacts in Pennsylvania from an economic, business and community perspective.

“I’m on record in favor of an all-in energy portfolio for Pennsylvania,” Matzie said. “That includes renewables like solar. This is a great opportunity for members to get information on where we are and what is needed to get to that diverse and, in my judgment, necessary energy mix.”

Held at the Penn State Brandywine Campus, here are the testifiers who participated today and provided valuable input:

• Scott Elias, Solar Energy Industries Association.
• Mark Haas, PECO Energy Co.
• Kathleen Robertson, Sol Systems.
• Katie Rever, IGS Energy.
• Joel Harrington, Enel North America.
• Brent Alderfer, Community Energy.
• Leslie Elder, Coalition for Community Solar Access.
• Tim Mills, program manager, Renewable Energy Division, ARM Group (Renewable Works for PA).

“With solar energy rising in popularity for customers, it is critical to hear how it could benefit the commonwealth,” Marshall said. “Our goal is to gather as much information on technology and energy in order to provide our consumers with reliable energy and reliable information for them to make an informed energy choice.”

According to data from SEIA, more than 786 megawatts of solar energy have been installed in homes across Pennsylvania, which has the commonwealth sitting 22nd in the nation. The testimony indicates there is enough solar installed to power nearly 97,000 homes in Pennsylvania.

The percentage of the commonwealth’s electricity from solar is less than 1%, as evidenced by the Energy Information Administration, despite a 43% price decline over the last five years.

Data from the 2020 National Solar Jobs Census shows there were 4,310 solar jobs in Pennsylvania, ranking 17th in the nation. According to SEIA’s National Solar Database, there are 426 solar companies operating in Pennsylvania, with a high concentration in southeastern Pennsylvania. SEIA projects there will be a growth of approximately 1,305 megawatts over the next five years, which would put Pennsylvania 28th in that category.

“Solar energy is now an affordable alternative for many,” Quinn said. “The industry will see significant growth in the coming years providing good-paying, family-sustaining jobs, lower energy costs and greater energy independence. I’m grateful to Chairman Marshall and the Consumer Affairs Committee for holding today’s hearing, and I’m hopeful Pennsylvania can seize the opportunity to become a leader in this burgeoning industry.”

“I would like to thank the testifiers for participating in this critical discussion,” Marshall said. “I would also like to thank Chairman Matzie and Representative Quinn, along with my colleagues, for participating. I am grateful for the staff at Penn State Brandywine who helped make this forum possible.”

Committee hearings allow legislators to gather information about proposed policy changes, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and propose alterative solutions to improve the initial proposal.

Gov. Wolf Calls on FEMA to Lower Thresholds for Flood Aid  

Harrisburg, PA – As Pennsylvania experiences more localized short-duration high-intensity rainstorms that cause devastating flash flooding, Governor Tom Wolf today sent a letter urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to lower the federal damage assessment thresholds required for these events to qualify for federal aid.

“These localized short-duration, high-intensity precipitation events result in significant damages and impacts to human lives, but they rarely meet the thresholds needed for federal disaster aid in the form of Individual Assistance,” Gov. Wolf said. “While my administration is working diligently to support recovery efforts, substantial gaps remain when these localized events do not meet federal damage assessment thresholds. As a result, victims are left to pick up the pieces with little to no financial support. I’m requesting that FEMA adjust the thresholds to better reflect current weather trends that, as a result of climate change, are causing these intense rainstorms and impacting communities, including those that typically do not experience flooding.”

Recently, homes and businesses in Bucks, Philadelphia and Tioga Counties sustained significant flood damage as a result of flash flooding on July 12. The governor toured Bucks County communities affected by this flooding.

Based on the results of a damage survey, the damage in these counties, as well as the neighboring counties of Bradford, Delaware, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton and Potter, met the criteria for financial aid through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  The governor requested and successfully obtained a SBA emergency declaration to benefit the affected citizens.

However, the federal criteria for Individual Assistance aid was not met, even though the damages devastated numerous homeowners and renters.

In order to receive a federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance, which provides money directly to homeowners and renters, the commonwealth would need to reach certain thresholds for the number of homes that fit into the classification of “major damage” or “destroyed” along with other considerations that are specified by FEMA.

“Evaluating impacts solely on a micro level at the municipal or county level alone, rather than toward a whole state assessment, would provide a more realistic assessment of the impacts to that community,” Gov. Wolf said. “Doing so will provide much needed direct assistance to the most vulnerable who most often are ineligible for other disaster assistance.”

Flooding, which is one of the most significant hazards in the commonwealth, is becoming more common due to the increased frequency of short-duration high-intensity rainstorms.

In 2019 alone, more than 5,200 Pennsylvania homes were damaged from flooding events; however, not one incident met the federal thresholds required for individual assistance.

While flooding risk was originally thought to be associated with living in or near a special flood hazard zone or flood plain, data collected since 1993 has shown that 96% of flooding incidents in the commonwealth reported to the National Weather Service occurred outside of established flood plains. Despite this, many homeowners and renters are not required to purchase flood insurance by their lender or landlord and many are unable to afford the additional expense.

Al Capone’s favorite gun, personal items head to auction
By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Al Capone is infamous for having been a ruthless mob boss, but one of his granddaughters says Capone’s softer side will shine through when the family auctions some of his personal belongings in October. Items heading for the block include a diamond-encrusted pocket watch, family photographs and his favorite handgun. The Prohibition-era gangster’s three surviving granddaughters will also sell a letter he wrote to their father and his only child from the now-closed federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. That’s where he served 11 years after his 1934 tax evasion conviction in Chicago. The auction will be held on Oct. 8 in Sacramento.

Kabul airport attack kills 60 Afghans, 13 US troops
By SAYED ZIARMAL HASHEMI, RAHIM FAIEZ, LOLITA C. BALDOR and JOSEPH KRAUSS Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. An Afghan official says at least 60 Afghans were killed and 143 wounded. U.S. officials said 13 U.S. service members also died, including 11 Marines and a Navy medic. A U.S. official said the attack was believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. President Joe Biden spoke directly to the attackers in a speech to the nation and said “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania school leaders are figuring out how to use billions in federal coronavirus relief. It’s a flood of cash that can help lower class sizes, underwrite construction projects and assist children in catching up after a year and a half of pandemic-caused educational disruption. One school superintendent calls it “a game changer.” In Pennsylvania, the largest cities collected the most in federal pandemic relief money, with the 130,000-student Philadelphia public schools receiving nearly $1.8 billion. Districts are looking at ways to help kids catch up, to address their mental health needs and to make their buildings cleaner and safer, among other things.