Category: News

Report: Universal Access to Legal Counsel Could Help Prevent Evictions in PA

Keystone State News Connection

July 29, 2021

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — As housing advocates prepare for the end of the CDC’s eviction moratorium Saturday, a new report showed expanding access to legal representation for low-income tenants could help prevent many of them from losing their homes.

The report, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, found removing barriers would provide an additional 17,000 at-risk families with counsel in eviction proceedings.

Patrick Ciscero, executive director of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, said the program at full implementation would cost about $20 million a year, but there would be significant cost savings when housing stability is possible.

“Individuals who are entitled to access to other resources often have significantly improved access to those resources when they’re represented by counsel,” Ciscero contended. “Because counsel can help them navigate, for example, the emergency rental assistance program that is currently rolled out in Pennsylvania.”

The study also found if implemented, the program would decrease eviction filings by 5% each year.

Rhonda Mays, director of finance for the Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region, said the organization has received lots of requests recently for assistance paying back rent due to income loss because of the pandemic.

She argued with eviction cases looming, making sure tenants have a lawyer is crucial.

“Legal representation is a critical component,” Mays asserted. “Especially in the low- to moderate-income community that just doesn’t have access to be able to afford an attorney to begin with.”

Cicero added a second phase of the study will look at the direct economic benefits of universal access to eviction counsel in Pennsylvania.

Man Kills Parents, Then Dies After Chase by Police in Mt. Lebanon

(Mt. Lebanon, Pa.) A 25-year-old man, who has not been identified, killed his parents before getting into a shootout with police in Mount Lebanon early Thursday morning. The unknown man called police shortly after midnight to a home on Gilkeson Road where police discovered that he had shot and killed both of his parents and was ready to surrender but then he began shooting at police.
An officer from Dormont was shot in the exchange and was taken the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The man then took off in a car, leading police on a chase that ended in a crash in the area of Route 19 and McLaughlin Run Road in Upper Saint Clair. Officers then found the man dead in his car, which had flipped.

While the man did have a gun shot wound authorities have not determined the man’s exact cause of death.

A Mount Lebanon officer was also hurt, but was not hit by gunfire. That officer was treated at a hospital and released.

One Person Killed, One Hurt in Accident on Pa Turnpike Early Today

(Donegal, Pa.) A crash on the Pennsylvania turnpike in the eastbound lanes at mile-marker 91, between Donegal and Somerset has claimed one person’s life and another person was injured and taken to a local hospital. The accident that sent a tractor trailer over a hillside happened just after 4 AM this morning .
Crews are working to recover it the tractor trailer and there is a lane restriction is in place in that area.

No other information including the victims identity have been released by police.

PSP Warns Fraudsters are Using Information Stolen from Private-Sector Data Leaks to Apply for Unemployment Compensation Benefits

(photo courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)
 
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Bureau of Criminal Investigation Director Major Jeremy Richard, and Department of Banking and Securities Deputy Secretary for Financial Services Tim Arthun today reminded Pennsylvanians to be vigilant of fraud and the warning signs and steps to take if they become a victim.
“Fraud is an unfortunate byproduct of any disaster, and we are seeing the proof of that during the global COVID-19 pandemic,” said Secretary Berrier. “It’s frustrating that thousands of data breaches that occurred outside of L&I – and outside of the control of consumers who often had no choice but to give companies their personal data – are now resulting in widespread unemployment fraud attempts. We strongly urge everyone to remain vigilant about fraud and to notify authorities of any suspected fraud activity.”
Across the nation, fraudsters have been applying for unemployment benefits using stolen identities that were obtained in data breaches that occurred outside of state government. There were more than 11,000 data breaches that caused the exposure of more than 1.6 billion records in the U.S. over a span of about 15 years. Many individuals whose personal data was leaked during these breaches are unaware until a fraudster uses their identity to apply for unemployment benefits and they receive notification that a benefits application has been filed in their name.
L&I utilizes numerous fraud-detection measures, including using virtual identity verification vendor ID.me to verify the identities of all new unemployment applicants. Since the new UC benefits system went live June 8, we have prevented approximately $1 billion in state and federal dollars from being paid out to fraudsters.
L&I works with the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force and other partners, including the FBI, Homeland Security and additional law enforcement agencies, the state treasury and the state attorney general’s office, to identify and block new fraud methods and stop fraud attempts.
“Realize it can happen to you,” said Major Richard. “If you have been a victim, don’t be embarrassed. Instead, report it to law enforcement. The Pennsylvania State Police works closely with its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate fraud, identity theft, and scams. The sooner law enforcement knows, the better the chances are of recovering your money and catching the scammers.”
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit psp.pa.gov.
“Unfortunately, scams and fraud are growing more common while also becoming increasingly more sophisticated,” said Deputy Secretary Arthun. “If you are being contacted unexpectedly with a request for your personal or financial information with promises of something that seems too good to be true, it likely is.”
Anyone can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities with questions or complaints about a financial transaction, company, or product at 1-800-PA-BANKS or using the online complaint form.
Visit www.uc.pa.gov and click on “fraud” to learn the warning signs of unemployment benefits fraud, how to report it, and the steps you should take if you become a victim.

Teleforum Thursday

On Thursday’s Teleforum radio program, Best of Beaver County host Mike Romigh is speaking on nutrition and food insecurity-Scott Tady joins Eddy after for notes on entertainment with the Beaver County Times entertainment editor-and Eddy will very likely make more obscure and obtuse references, entertaining himself while annoying and confusing others. Teleforum is 9 till noon every weekday on AM1230, AM1460, and FM99.3 presented by St. Barnabas.

Should Vaccinated People Mask Up with COVID-19 Cases Rising?

Should vaccinated people mask up with COVID-19 cases rising?
By CARLA K. JOHNSON AP Medical Writer
Top health officials in the United States are recommending that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in places where the coronavirus is surging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites new evidence that vaccinated people with breakthrough infections could carry enough virus in their noses and throats to infect others. COVID-19 vaccines greatly reduce the chance of severe illness and death and remain effective against variants, including the delta variant. But it’s still possible to get infected. Masking could prevent the spread of the virus to children too young for vaccination and people with weak immune systems.

Capitol Riot Arrest of Restaurant Owner Rattles Hometown of Kane, Pa.

Capitol riot arrest of restaurant owner rattles hometown
By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press
KANE, Pa. (AP) — Before the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, most people in Pauline Bauer’s rural Pennsylvania hometown knew her for the deep-dish pizza and ice cream she sells at her restaurant. After her arrest in May on riot-related charges, Bauer became a target for strangers’ scorn and a punchline for Stephen Colbert’s late-night talk show on CBS. Bauer believes most of her neighbors support her, but some residents of Kane, Pennsylvania, condemn what she did in Washington on Jan. 6. Colbert mocked her argument that she is “immune from laws.” Bauer has told a federal judge that she doesn’t want an attorney to represent her.

New Leader to Take over UPMC as Longtime CEO Retires

New leader to take over UPMC as longtime CEO retires
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The head of one of Pennsylvania’s largest employers, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, is retiring and the organization’s executive vice president will succeed him. Jeffrey A. Romoff has led the organization that would become UPMC since 1992 when it consisted of a handful of hospitals. He hands over the reigns of what is now a $23 billion health care system to Leslie C. Davis, who has been with UPMC for 17 years. That’s according to a Wednesday press release from UPMC. Davis will become president and CEO of UPMC on Sunday, and Romoff will serve as president emeritus during a transition period until Oct. 1.

Baby Girl Elephant Calf Born at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s International Conservation Center in Somerset

(Somerset, PA) (July 2021) —It’s a girl! An African elephant calf was born in the early
morning hours of July 18th at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s International
Conservation Center (ICC) in Somerset, PA. Both mother and baby are bonding and doing well. The healthy calf was born at just under three feet tall and weighed in at 218 pounds.
This is the first calf for new mom, Sukuri, who had no issues during her pregnancy and is very attentive to her newborn. The pregnancy was a result of natural breeding with resident bull elephant, Jackson.


“We are delighted that the pregnancy and birth went smoothly. Initial introductions are going very well, with both mom and calf staying close to each other,” said Willie Theison, lead elephant care specialist at both the ICC and the Pittsburgh Zoo. “As with any newborn, we are now tracking encouraging progress with parameters like weight, bloodwork, and feeding.”
The baby elephant is expected to remain with her mom at the International Conservation Center in Somerset. Both the ICC and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium are operated by the Zoological Society of Pittsburgh.
The ICC is located on approximately 1,000 acres in Somerset, PA and is the only facility of its kind in North America that specializes in the care and breeding of African elephants. The ICC enables the Pittsburgh Zoo to play a major leadership role in addressing the needs for the species in North America.
Follow the Zoo on social media @pghzoo for photos and updates.

Unknown Truck Driver Shears off Safety Pillar Entering Oakmont Service Plaza on Pa. Turnpike

(File Photo)

(Oakmont, Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that they were called to Oakmont Plaza on the Pa. Turnpike  Monday evening, July 26, 2021, at 10:30 PM for reports of an unknown truck clipping the large yellow concrete safety pillar with its driver’s side and totally shearing the pillar from the ground.

According to a release the truck then continued into the plaza and briefly parked. A short time later the truck left the plaza without reporting the crash of notifying anyone of the incident.

Troopers stated in the release that they are continuing to investigate, and surveillance video showed the trucking company owner.  The driver of the truck is facing possible charges of accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle or property.