HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — High school seniors in Pennsylvania would be required to fill out a form that determines eligibility for financial aid for postsecondary programs under a bill passed by the state Senate. The bill passed 46 to 4 on Wednesday and now goes on to the state House. The measure would direct all high school seniors to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is a universal application that determines a student’s financial need and eligibility for federal, state and school financial aid to enroll in higher education, career and technical education and certificate programs.

Norfolk Southern Railroad ceo Alan Shaw speaks during an interview Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

ATLANTA (AP) — Norfolk Southern’s CEO has spoken often of safety and better service since he took the job over a year ago, but it’s safety that has dominated discussions after one of his trains derailed and caught fire in February in Ohio. Alan Shaw has said his plans include adding more detectors to spot mechanical problems and has hailed cooperation with unions. But labor leaders remain skeptical. Shaw has told The Associated Press in an interview of details on his plans for the railroad. He says, “I need all 20,000 voices at Norfolk Southern pushing for safety. And that’s what you’re going to see.”

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published June 29. 2023 9:55 A.M.

(Beaver, PA) A local doctor lost on Jeopardy Wednesday night. Dr. Chris Ban, who is an oral and facial surgeon who works with Heritage Valley Health System in Beaver made an appearance for two nights on the long running game show. He started out Tuesday with a win, ending the night with $13,000 in earnings. He plans on donating the money to the North Allegheny Rowing Association’s boathouse, in honor of his late brother.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 29, 2023 9:53 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Alex Scott submitted his resignation to take a job at the cracker plant. He will work part time until a replacement is named.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 29, 2023 9:48 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Anthony George Karas, 42, listed as homeless, set 8 fires in West Aliquippa. 2 on Main Avenue on May 27, 2023, 3 on Erie Avenue on Saturday, June 3, 2023, and 1 on Beaver, 1 on Allegheny Avenue and one on Main Avenue on June 16, 2023. Multiple fire departments responded to assist at the scenes.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Beaver County citizens are experiencing highs and lows, and the final work session of June for the Beaver County Commissioners reflected that.

The highs coming from the Beaver County BOOM over the past weekend were still resonating, as Parks & Recreation director Tony Caltury lauded everyone who assisted and help put the BOOM–along with the first-ever “BOOM on The Bridge” concert–together with smooth and spectacular results. Caltury was praised in return by the Commissioners for organizing the event, along with EMS services and other security units for ensuring that there were minimal incidents throughout the evening.

More (mostly) highs came from Controller Longo presented an update on the county’s spending for the first half of 2023. She noted that despite rough numbers in the head count, the majority of statistics show the county in good shape for the remainder of the year. She also announced that the county has built up a capital fund reserve of 10 million dollars.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 28, 2023 2:45 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) The school district and the police departments of Hopewell, Independence, and Raccoon Townships were approved by the commissioners for procedures to be followed when specific incidents occur on school property, at any school sponsored activity, or any public conveyance providing transportation to or from a school or school sponsored activity.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in observance of Independence Day.

A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2023 is available online. If you are planning to visit one of PennDOT’s On-Line Messenger Service Centers, please call ahead for hours of operation during holidays.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for all of Pennsylvania for fine particulate matter for June 28, 2023, due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Air quality conditions degraded overnight as more smoke from the wildfires pushed into Pennsylvania from the Great Lakes region. The average Air Quality Index readings for the entire day will likely be in the Code Red range, however local conditions could be worse throughout the day. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for their local conditions.

On a Code Red Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should avoid outdoor activities, and everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

Concentrations of smoke will likely be high throughout the day in western Pennsylvania and increasing throughout the day in eastern Pennsylvania.

Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Red range. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.

Smoke from the wildfires is expected to impact Pennsylvania air quality throughout Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with some possible relief on Saturday. DEP will continue to update the forecast.

Conditions will likely be worse in the morning as a natural weather phenomenon called an atmospheric inversion will keep smoke filled air closer to the surface, and prevent air from higher elevations to mix with air closer to the ground. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.

Fine particulate matter (or PM-2.5) comes in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires. Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (called “precursors”), which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries, and automobiles.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:

• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health also has recommendations on how to protect yourself from air pollution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all. An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher.

For more information, visit DEP at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb, EPA’s AirNow at www.airnow.gov.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 28, 2023 2:38 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) At Tuesday night’s meeting Elisha Satkovich was hired as a special education teacher. She will teach at Hopewell Elementary School. Mackenzie Cuneo will also teach special education in th district. Brieana Denardo wass hired to teach elementary art. The teachers will begin their duties effective August 21, 2023.