HARRISBURG, PA –   Last week, the Shapiro Administration announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be conducting independent water sampling to closely monitor water contamination risks related to the East Palestine train derailment. On Tuesday, February 21, DEP began proactive outreach to residents and testing of wells within the two-mile radius and in only four days, DEP has successfully collected samples from nearly every private drinking water well within one mile of the Norfolk Southern derailment site.

As of the end of this week, DEP has completed collecting samples from 13 of the 16 known residential wells within a mile radius of the derailment site and is working to schedule testing of wells between one mile and two miles next week. Results from the first round of testing are expected next week.

“The Department of Environmental Protection has been on the scene since the first hours after the Norfolk Southern train derailment, and we will stay in communities like Darlington Township as long as it takes to assure Pennsylvanians their air, water, and environment are safe,” said Acting DEP Secretary Rich Negrin, who visited communities in Beaver County twice this week. “DEP staff is on the ground right now, professionally and efficiently taking independent samples of drinking water near the derailment site so that Pennsylvanians can have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.”

DEP is proactively contacting residents within a two-mile radius of the train derailment site to initiate water testing. Concerned residents who are beyond the two-mile radius are encouraged to reach out to DEP to request testing by calling 412-442-4000.

DEP is using its own laboratories to test for volatile organic compounds that were on some of the train cars, including vinyl chloride, ethylene glycol, butyl acrylates, ethylhexyl acrylate, benzene, and ethanol.

FILE – A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. West Virginia’s water utility says it’s taking precautionary steps following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio. The utility said in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2023 that it has enhanced its treatment processes even though there hasn’t been a change in raw water at its Ohio River intake. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 27, 2023 10:38 A.M.

(East Palestine, Ohio) East Palestine, Ohio is just across the border of Pennsylvania, and the one entry  point located off Route 51, Taggart Road in Chippewa Township is closed to trucks as of Friday afternoon, according to a police official. The February 3, 2023 Norfolk and Southern train derailment  and the explosion  that followed brought great concerns to the public. Evacuation  was ordered and some hesitated, but eventually the evacuation order was abided by all residences.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“It is our land to grow our food, it is our health, and it is us in ‘we the people’.”

Following three weeks of recovery, questions, political appearances and obtaining the attention of the world at large, many of the citizens of East Palestine in Ohio and several surrounding communities (including in Beaver County) remain left in varying states of confusion. They are wondering what effects the train derailment will have on them from a health standing, and they also wonder what the needle of justice will sew for the small Columbiana County town…if anything.

During this time, a group of lawyers and advocates have teamed to form “East Palestine Justice“, who hosted an instructional seminar at East Palestine High School on the evening of February 24. The seminar was emceed by two of the group’s leaders: Texas-based lawyer Mikal Watts and national environmental advocate Erin Brockovich.

Brockovich’s appearance drew a large crowd to East Palestine, and her dialogue kicked off the evening with an impassioned plea for the citizens to “stay vigilant” in the battle against those responsible for the derailment and subsequent release of vinyl chloride chemicals. “We hope to share information with you that you might want to know,” Brockovich proclaimed. “I’ve learned in communities over and over again…they can handle the truth whether it scares them or they don’t want to hear it, but what they can’t handle is a mistruth being misled, and a lie.”

Despite technical difficulties that featured multiple changes in lighting and audio throughout her speech, Brockovich nary strayed from the flow of her pleas to the citizens of East Palestine: “You have to band together. Don’t expect someone to give you the answers. Unfortunately, this is not going to be a quick fix…this is going to be a long game.”

The majority of the evening, however, was emceed by Watts. He presented the information collected by East Palestine Justice to showcase how Norfolk Southern was responsible for what happened and what may happen as a result of the chemical release performed soon after the initial derailment. “If you are going to ship these kinds of chemicals through populated areas or small towns like this, you damn sure have an obligation to make sure that you don’t jump the tracks,” Watts stated.

The chemicals identified include the now-synonymous vinyl chloride, along with isobutylene, ethylhexyl acrylate, and benzene; all of which are physically harmful if consumed by humans.

Local politicians such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine were applauded for their efforts during the recovery period by Watts; conversely, he warned of the citizens to avoid “red herrings” and “non-issues” being presented by the politically motivated finger-pointing happening between opposing parties and certain members of them.

“Don’t get into the political blame game of who should’ve regulated who,” Watts added. “The law says it is this train company’s responsibility. End of story, full stop.”

Watts also echoed Brockovich’s pleas for vigilance and immediate effort by the citizens of East Palestine, specifically pleading for diagnostic testing to see if any chemicals have already entered the body. Their website contains a list of diagnostic test sites for urine and blood tests within a 50-mile radius of East Palestine.

Due to the informational nature of the presentation, no questions were allowed to be answered legally in a public forum; the group, however, can answer questions through private contact. East Palestine Justice will be holding similar presentations in Pennsylvania in the near future (site and time to be determined) and in East Palestine again on March 2.

Pictures from the evening’s event can be seen below:

Pastor David Grove of the Church of the Redeemed of Beaver Valley sends a message of understanding the Holy Spirit this Saturday on “Wake Up Beaver Valley”.

“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.

Jeff Bost and Dr. Maroon talk about controlling cholesterol and heart disease 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:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 8, 2022, left, and country singer Brad Paisley attends a ceremony honoring Carrie Underwood with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sept. 20, 2018, in Los Angeles. Paisley is releasing a new song called “Same Here,” that features Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the one-year anniversary of the Russian-Ukraine war. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Brad Paisley is releasing a new song that features Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The song is called “Same Here.” Paisley says it aims to show that despite language and distance, there are universal similarities and values. The song ends with Paisley and Zelenskyy in conversation. The president speaks proudly of his country, people and military. The song is the first from Paisley’s upcoming record “Son of the Mountains,” to be released later this year. The three-time Grammy winner will donate his royalties from “Same Here” to help rebuild homes for displaced Ukrainians.

This photo provided by Consumer Product Safety Commission shows a Cosori air fryer. Cosori is recalling more than 2 million air fryers sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico because their wire connections can overheat and cause a fire risk. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Consumer Product Safety Commission via AP)

Cosori is recalling more than 2 million air fryers sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico because their wire connections can overheat and cause a fire risk. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall Thursday. The agency says consumers should stop using the air fryers immediately. The recall involves multiple model numbers in 3.7-quart and 5.8-quart sizes. All of the units have the Cosori brand name on the front. The air fryers were sold between June 2018 and December 2022. Consumers should contact Cosori to receive a free replacement air fryer or another product.

FILE – A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. West Virginia’s water utility says it’s taking precautionary steps following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio. The utility said in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2023 that it has enhanced its treatment processes even though there hasn’t been a change in raw water at its Ohio River intake. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

Harrisburg, PA – In light of the ongoing clean-up efforts in East Palestine, Ohio, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has launched an online train derailment dashboard in coordination with other relevant state agencies to better inform concerned residents in western Pennsylvania.

“As clean-up efforts continue, our agency wants to make sure residents had an easily accessible online resource containing accurate and relevant information to refer to if they have questions,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield.  “Our priority continues to be ensuring that every concerned resident has the information and resources they need to make important health and safety decisions for their families.”

Air and water monitoring has been in place since the incident began, including during the controlled vent and burn, the fire afterward and in the days since. Thus far, no concerning readings have been detected and state agencies and testing will continue for the foreseeable future.

The online dashboard is accessible at https://www.pema.pa.gov/derailment or by visiting the PEMA homepage at pema.pa.gov and clicking on “Train Derailment Dashboard.”

Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration today announced that the application window is now open for grants to help Pennsylvania’s rural communities increase protection from wildfires. Governor Josh Shapiro is committed to keeping our communities safe and ensuring our Commonwealth is ready for a wide range of emergency situations. This new funding will build on the Shapiro Administration’s continued investment in communities across Pennsylvania.

“We are pleased to the support the men and women who volunteer with the fire companies that serve our rural areas and communities across Pennsylvania with these grants,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Having well-equipped and highly trained wildland firefighters is critical to protecting the commonwealth’s natural resources and we encourage eligible fire companies to apply for this grant round.”

Acting State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook noted volunteer fire companies’ service to communities close to home, adding that many volunteer firefighters often join DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry crews battling wildfires across the U.S.

“Grants programs like these are vital financial lifelines for the volunteer fire companies that keep our communities safe, and they fund increasingly necessary training and equipment that firefighters would otherwise go without,” Cook said. “Certainly, the last few years have underscored that the ability to tackle wildfires is a key competency fire departments will need to focus on going forward.”

Grant applications must be electronically submitted through DCNR’s grant website by 4:00 PM, Thursday, May 11, 2023. To expedite applications and decision-making processes, DCNR is accepting only online applications. Visit DCNR’s website for more information about the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants.

Local firefighting forces in rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents qualify for the aid, which is used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Grant recipients are selected based on vulnerability and adequacy of existing fire protection. The key objective is to better equip and train volunteers to save lives and protect property in unprotected or inadequately protected rural areas.

Priority will be placed on projects that include the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing. Grants also may be used for purchasing mobile or portable radios, installing dry hydrants, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training wildfire fighters, or converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles provided to them by the department.

Local firefighting forces may receive grants up to $12,500. Aid is granted on a cost-share basis. Grants for any project during a fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures of local, public, and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement.

Cook and Dunn noted the dedication volunteer fire companies demonstrate when they answer assistance calls coming from other states, while also responding regularly to local woodland and brush fires. They noted the wildfire grants help enable smaller companies to concentrate more on public safety and training while easing their fiscal constraints.

In 2022, nearly $763,000 was awarded to 122 volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities where forest and brush fires are common. The grant program, offered through DCNR and paid through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, has awarded more than $13 million since it began in 1982.