Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 1, 2023 2:02 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) Dr. Jeff Beltz , superintendent issued a statement to the district    in regards to the December illnesses at the school.. The statement   was issued last Friday following an update from the PA Department of Health stating that the  illnesses were likely the result of Norovirus.  The PA DOH  statement read”WE want to inform you that we’ve received notification  from the Infectious Disease  Epidemiology  Team  that the Hopewell Elementary School GI outbreak  has been closed  in the PA Electronic disease surveillance team made recommendations beyond student illnesses  , and that all signs  indicate it was an outbreak of Norovirus.”

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced today that his district office in Butler is open to ensure continuity of constituent services.

The office is located at 790 Pittsburgh Road, Butler. Office hours will be Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the telephone number is 724-847-5291.

The new Butler office is part of Bernstine’s ongoing effort to improve efficiencies, while maintaining the highest level of constituent service for residents of the 8^th Legislative District.

“My door is always open,” said Bernstine. “My staff and I are ready to assist constituents with a number of state-related matters, including PennDOT paperwork, PACE and PACENET applications for senior citizens, Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms, LIHEAP information and many others.”

Bernstine will be hosting an Open House Thursday, March 2, from 4-7 p.m. In addition, he plans to schedule events such as telephone town hall meetings, as well as concealed carry, shredding, veterans, seniors, agriculture and many more events. Bernstine will be announcing dates, times and locations for these events in the near future.

Bernstine also encourages constituents to visit his website, www.RepBernstine.com, for news about developments in Harrisburg and the Butler, Lawrence County communities, and to sign up to receive periodic email updates about important legislation, state services and programs.

FILE – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Federal Reserve Board Building, in Washington, as an aides hand reflects under the podium. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve closes its two-day meeting where economists expect the central bank to raise its benchmark rate by a quarter of a point as its battle against four-decade high inflation extends into 2023.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation is cooling, and parts of the economy appear to be weakening. But Chair Jerome Powell is likely Wednesday to underscore that the Federal Reserve’s primary focus remains the need to fight surging prices with still-higher interest rates. With markets anticipating that the Fed will stop raising rates soon and possibly even cut them later this year, analysts say Powell will need to push back against such optimism. Powell’s tough message will likely emerge at a news conference after the Fed’s policy committee announces its latest action. The policymakers are set to raise their benchmark rate by a quarter-point to its highest level in about 15 years.

FILE – Actor Alec Baldwin attends a news conference at United Nations headquarters, on Sept. 21, 2015. A Santa Fe district attorney is prepared to announce whether to press charges in the fatal 2021 film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Baldwin during a rehearsal on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said a decision will be announced Thursday morning, Jan. 19, 2022, in a statement and on social media platforms. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors have linked Alec Baldwin to an expansive list of alleged failures in firearms safety in a filing of a felony involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a New Mexico movie set. A Santa Fe district attorney announced the charges Tuesday. Halyna Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe on Oct. 21, 2021. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding the director, Joel Souza. Film-set weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed also faces involuntary manslaughter charges.

FILE – Ozzy Osbourne arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Osbourne announced the cancellation of his 2023 tour dates in the UK and continental Europe, in a statement issued on early Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Hard rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has announced the cancellation of his 2023 tour dates in the U.K. and continental Europe. Osbourne issued a statement early Wednesday saying damage to his spine suffered in an accident four years ago will prevent him from touring. The 74-year-old Grammy winner and former vocalist for the metal band Black Sabbath said “my singing voice is fine” but he remained physically weak following three operations, stem cell treatments, physical therapy and other health treatments. He says he’s “not physically capable” of the rigors of touring at this time and his team is considering opportunities for him to perform without extensive travel.

HARRISBURG, PA – This week, Governor Josh Shapiro helped to light the west side of the Capitol green along North 3^rd Street to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles’ advancement to Super Bowl LVII following their Sunday night win at home over the San Francisco 49ers. “Go Birds!” said Governor Josh Shapiro. The Capitol will remain lit in Eagles green until the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 12.

[Feb. 1, 2023] — Spring is close, but February often brings unpredictable winter weather that can cause blood drive cancellations and make it difficult for donors to make it to their appointments safely. As the American Red Cross continues to monitor seasonal challenges that could impact the blood supply, donors are urged to make and keep appointments to help prevent a shortage in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types – particularly type O blood donors, the most needed blood group by hospitals – and platelet donors are needed daily to meet demand. In thanks for helping keep hospital shelves stocked, all who come to give in February will get a $10
Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. Those who come to donate this month will also automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Clearwater Beach, Florida. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/heart.
Protect the blood supply from dropping – book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law),
weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass ® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.