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(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.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. – U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., wants to bring back the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public-works program from the 1930s that created 3 million jobs nationally, planting trees and creating trails and cabins in national parks.

The Revive the CCC Act, introduced last week by Casey, would focus on jobs to mitigate climate change and address racial justice. Unlike the original CCC, the proposal also would include farms as job host sites.

Hannah Smith-Brubaker, executive director of Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, said this on-site support could help farmers deal with flooding and erosion.

“Having help to install some of these conservation practices means a lot, because we know that the margin for farmers is really tight,” she said, “and so it’s sort of a win-win situation; we’ve got the help on the farms, but then also the ability to pass on this important information.”

This isn’t the first time a revival of the CCC has been suggested in Congress, and some budget pushback is expected. Under this bill, the jobs would pay at least $15 an hour and could create 57,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, according to a study by the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s Political Economy Research Institute.

A Civilian Conservation Corps also could be helpful in rebuilding an economy hit hard by the pandemic. Pennsylvania’s labor market is short more than 400,000 jobs compared with February 2020 employment numbers.

Stephen Herzenberg, executive director of the Keystone Research Center, said he thinks a new CCC could be a national opportunity for life-sustaining and meaningful jobs.

“These are really important jobs; people would be on the front lines of climate response,” he said. “If we get a CCC, I can guarantee you that you’re going to have members of Congress from both parties that are going to be doing ‘show-and-tells’ in their districts where the good work of the CCC is going on again.”

Casey’s legislation also supports pathways to employment in climate, conservation and related trades for formerly incarcerated people. Similar legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Transportation funding report could launch years of debate
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A transportation funding commission is preparing to recommend how to raise billions more dollars in Pennsylvania for a 21st-century highway system, a report that is expected to kick off a debate that could last years. The report, expected this week, was ordered by Gov. Tom Wolf in March to find ways to replace Pennsylvania’s gas tax. It is expected to contain a blend of recommendations, but the primary revenue-raiser will be a vehicle-miles-traveled fee. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor said it’s a difficult time to raise taxes and fees, as the economy rebounds from the pandemic, and he predicted no action before 2023, at the earliest.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they initiated a traffic stop for a motor vehicle violation on 8th Ave and 14th St in Beaver Falls on July 24, 2021 at 1:42 AM on a 2006 GMC Canyon Truck being driven by 66-year-old James Mac Millan from Monaca.

Troopers said via release that during the traffic stop Mac Millan showed signs of impairment and was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Charges are pending in District Court 36-1-02.

Story and Photo by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Dr. Robert Motte is  in his third year at Aliquippa Elementary School. He started out as assistant principal, and at the school board’s July 15, 2021 meeting was promoted to elementary principal. He will earn $80,000.00 a year . Superintendent Dr. Phillip K. Woods said in a recent interview that Dr. Motte is  ready to lead  at the elementary school.”He is a 1993 graduate of Fort Cherry High School, he graduated from California University of PA with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology in 1997, he received  his masters in education in 2001 from Cal U., and in 2020 received his Doctorate in Education from Point  Park University in 2020.

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson,
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick
McDonnell, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary
Cindy Adams Dunn today met at Boyd Big Tree Preserve to discuss the high
prevalence of ticks in Pennsylvania, highlight the numerous diseases that ticks can
carry and remind residents of ways they can protect against tick bites.
“Ticks are most active during warmer months, which is why we typically see more
instances of tick bites and cases of tick-borne diseases this time of year,” Dr. Johnson
said. “This year in particular, we are seeing increases in the number of Lyme disease
reports across the state, and clinicians are reporting that they are seeing more cases of other tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis. As Pennsylvanians continue to spend more time outdoors, we are urging everyone to take steps to prevent tick bites, such as
wearing insect repellent, putting permethrin on their shoes, gear and clothing, and doing
frequent tick checks.”
DEP collected two times more Blacklegged tick nymphs compared to last year. This is
especially concerning considering the extremely small, poppy seed-like size of the
nymphs.
“The increase in nymphs really drives home the message that we all need to adhere to
the necessary precautions to stay safe from ticks,” said McDonnell.
The Wolf Administration reminds Pennsylvania residents and visitors of simple ways to
reduce their chances of being bitten by ticks:
• Cover exposed skin with lightweight and light-colored clothing
• Avoid tick-infested habitats such as areas dense with shrubbery or tall grass
• Use an EPA-approved insect repellent
• Once returning home, immediately check yourself, children, and pets for ticks
• Take a shower immediately to remove ticks that may be crawling on skin
• If possible, dry clothing and gear in a dryer to kill any ticks
“It is always important to take preventative measures so you can enjoy the mental and
physical health benefits of being in the outdoors, especially with regard to ticks,”
Secretary Dunn said. “As tick-borne diseases are becoming more prevalent in
Pennsylvania, it is critical to be aware of the risks and be prepared when spending time
outdoors year-round, whether that is visiting one of our 121 state parks, hiking our more
than 2.2 million acres of state forestland, or enjoying your own backyard.”
Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are the most common carrier of Lyme
disease, anaplasmosis and Powassan virus. Ticks typically thrive in tall grass, brush
and wooded areas, but deer ticks have been found in every county in the
commonwealth and can live in any habitat.
Common signs of a tick disease include fever, headache, chills and muscle aches.
Lyme disease is often characterized by a bullseye-like rash, although Lyme disease
may not always present itself with this obvious sign. Additional symptoms for Powassan
virus may include vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty
speaking, or even seizures in severe cases. While transmission for Lyme disease from
tick to human takes approximately 24 hours or more, Powassan transmission from a tick
bite can happen in as little as 15 minutes. If you have symptoms that are consistent with
a tick-borne disease, it is important to speak to a doctor immediately.
For more information on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Pennsylvania, visit the
Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and
Twitter.

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No mask mandate, but Pennsylvania urged to follow guidance
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf says he’s not considering a statewide mask mandate as coronavirus cases surge in Pennsylvania and across the country, while his administration said it isn’t requiring masks in schools. Wolf, speaking on KDKA-AM radio in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, said his strategy to fight the spread of COVID-19 has been the vaccine. Wolf’s comments came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed course Tuesday, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges. Wolf’s administration says it is recommending that Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania schools follow federal guidance.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Beaver Falls, PA) Beaver Falls City Council started off their meeting tonight with Mayor George Quay presenting a Certificate of Appreciation for Dr. Troup, Geneva College President, to Tim Baird, Associate V.P. of operations at Geneva. The purpose of the certificate is to acknowledge Geneva College’s thoughtful and generous donation to the ongoing efforts of revitalizing the Beaver Falls Library March Park.  The council then went on to approve two second readings which were for regulations regarding ownership and maintenance of lateral sewer lines as well as an agreement for special council services.  Council also agreed to enter into a first reading of Ordinance 4047, which is to prohibit the repair of motor vehicles on public streets and sidewalks.  Council did make clear however, that working on your personal vehicles will still be allowed.  This ordinance is aimed at individuals who are making a business out of working on cars at their homes, causing parking spaces to be taken and in some cases, blocked roads.  Violating the ordinance would result in a fine of no more than a thousand dollars.  Council also paid their general fund expenditures totaling $305,347.58, as well as approve multiple repository purchases which include, 1712 5th Avenue, 2226 8th Avenue, 1905 11th Avenue, and 1907 11th Avenue.

Collaborative effort between Giant Eagle and United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State results in new agreement covering more than 5,000 essential workers and includes improved opportunities for current and future Team Members

PITTSBURGH, PA – On July 21 and 22, Giant Eagle Team Members represented by UFCW Local 1776 overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year agreement that improves wages and benefits for Team Members who serve Pittsburgh area customers.  The new agreement covers approximately 5,300 current Team Members working in 35 corporate-owned Giant Eagle supermarket locations in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“Our members turned out to vote 90% in favor of this new agreement. I want to thank our bargaining committee for all their hard work negotiating a great agreement for our members,” said Local 1776 president Wendell Young IV, “This agreement increases wages across the board, strengthens retirement programs, and maintains the excellent health and welfare benefit our members have at zero dollar member contribution.”

Young continued, “I am very proud of the work our members did on this bargaining committee. We were able to keep the discussion going with the company and through collaboration and open dialogue and found solutions to important issues. Our members care deeply about the work they do, serving their communities and they appreciate the respect the company’s representatives showed them during this process.”  In addition to the increased wages and maintenance of health benefits, the new agreement also includes non-discrimination protections for gender, gender expression, and gender identity, an important protection for LGBTQ+ members.

“We very much appreciate the continued collaborative and innovative spirit that the UFCW Local 1776 leadership team and our Team Members on the bargaining committee brought to these negotiations,” said Giant Eagle Executive Vice President Bill Artman, “The ratification of this agreement by the Team Members it positively impacts is both very exciting and gratifying.” Artman continued, “This agreement demonstrates our appreciation of the exemplary work of our Team Members, particularly over the last 18 months, and it ensures that we continue to provide our communities with the highest quality of products and service.”

UFCW Local 1776 serves workers in the grocery, retail, food manufacturing, health care and medical cannabis industries throughout Pennsylvania, the Ohio Valley and Hudson Valley, and is proud to be a voice for the 35,000 workers they represent.

Giant Eagle is a Pittsburgh-based food, fuel, and pharmacy retailer with more than 470 locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland.