(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
The consumer fraud act of “speculative ticketing” is being challenged by a new bill that is being presented by State Representative Rob Matzie, who is the majority chair of Pennsylvania’s House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee.

During a public hearing on Thursday, Matzie said that House Bill 1658 would impose penalties for the predatory practice, which misleads consumers into believing they have purchased a valid ticket when they have not done so. That often leaves them empty-handed and without recourse after a reseller who speculated they could obtain the ticket failed to do so.

The meeting included members of the music industry, whose testimonies lamented how the acts of speculative ticketing are harming not just the relationship between musicians and their fans, but also local businesses who benefit from additional presence during major events.

Old abandoned oil pump among the forest in Ukraine.
Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Connection

(Harrisburg, Pa) Congress allocated billions of dollars in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to plug orphaned well sites across the country, and Pennsylvania is one of the states to receive the help.

The Keystone State is eligible to receive $188 million in Phase One formula grants, which are grants states do not have to compete for, but for which they must still apply and meet certain criteria. Pennsylvania plans to plug 227 wells.

Ted Boettner, senior researcher at the Ohio River Valley Institute, suggested the money could help create good-paying union jobs, which will create lots of opportunities for workers.

“One of them is to incorporate project labor agreements in these contracts. Another one is to ensure that there is apprenticeship utilization requirements,” Boettner outlined. “Say 25 to 50% of the workers would have to come from a federally approved apprenticeship program.”

Last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued an executive order to create an on-the-job training grant program with money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Boettner’s research showed those dollars could be vital in establishing the state’s first union apprenticeship program for well plugging and reclamation.

Boettner added grant requirements include provisions on how states can engage with energy workers and unions, and how they plan to partner with workforce development programs to plug the hundreds of thousands of wells in the region.

“The guidance asks states if they plan to incorporate high road development strategies, such as project labor agreements, local hiring provisions, Community Benefit Agreements, and whether contractors are responsible and pre-qualified,” Boettner explained. “And they say that states, have to plan to monitor whether a plugin job was successful.”

Boettner pointed out Pennsylvania will receive $306 million in total formula grants, including $76 million in the first phase. He emphasized the grants will give Pennsylvania the opportunity to ensure the money stays local, noting installing cement plugs and mud helps both the environment and the local economy.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published September 7, 2023 11:17 A.M.

(Beaver, Pa) Families and community members who have been affected by gun violence are planning to join together for a public prayer in Beaver. The prayer, called the “Memorial to the Lost Prayer Service”, is part of the “Memorial to Those Lost to Gun Violnce in Western PA” program, and will take place Tuesday at 6pm at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The event will be hosted by Christians United. The purpose of the event is to bring awareness to 59 people who were victims to gun violence. A display of t-shirts with the names, ages, and days of the victims will be displayed outside the church for around two weeks following the service.

FILE – (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published September 7, 2023 11:13 A.M.

(Coraopolis, Pa) A campaign group will be slashing gas prices at a Coraopolis gas station Friday. The Americans for Prosperity’s nationwide “Prosperity is Possible” Campaign, announced they will hold a pre-inflation gas station event to offer gas at a discounted price of $2.38 a gallon. They will be at Happy’s Mini Mart on September 8th from 11am til 1pm.

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA – Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) has announced that Stephanie Wilson from the Pennsylvania American Legion Veterans Assistance Program will be available on Thursday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at his Cranberry Township District Office, 8001 Rowan Rd, Suite 205 in Cranberry Township. No appointment is necessary.

Wilson can help veterans and their families with understanding the benefits they have earned, enroll in the VA health care system, assist with the appeals process, and more. Participants are asked to bring any documentation and paperwork they may need.

For more information, contact Vogel’s Cranberry Township District Office at 878-978-2575.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 7, 2023 10:51 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Jeff McCafferty served the fire department for 25 years with dedication and retired on July 8, 2023. Mayor Dwan b. Walker read a proclamation for McCafferty who was  very well respected by all,  he also presented McCafferty with a city flag. He was joined by his wife and son.   

Nora Lemon was sworn in as the new member of council by Mayor Dwan B. Walker . Mrs. Lemon is replacing Jennifer Milliner and will begin her 4 year term in January 2024  Mrs. Milliner resigned a few months ago. 

A resolution was adopted because the city will be undertaking a project under the Strategic Planning Program. They will exit Act 47 on December 30, 2023. A public hearing will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 for the recommendation to rescind the Act 47 determination. 

A motion was approved for the quarterly garbage rate by $3.50 to $3.50 per quarter, $254 a year. Senior citizens 65 and over will continue to receive a 5% discount, paying $58.50 per quarter with proof of age.

The city is to re-advertise for a street supervisor for the road department after a candidate declined the city’s offer. During the public portion of the meeting the gun violence was addressed. Residents are advised to call 9-1-1 if shots are fired or if there is any criminal activity going on in proximity to their home or if they are driving or walking through an area where criminal activity is taking place. Residents were told that the city has 9 police officers and they receive assistance from the state police when warranted. A group of residents that were present said they are willing to step up and assist in any way to provide a solution along with police. Police Chief John Lane said that a lack of juvenile facilities within the county is a problem, Mayor Walker said Gateway would be an ideal site if the unused area of the facility could accommodate the juveniles, or an addition could even be added to the county jail. 

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published September 7, 2023 10:43 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA) The Beaver County Tri Cup/ Duquesne University Invitational Triathlon will take place Saturday, September 9th with activities starting at 6am. As a result, Brady’s Run Road from Route 51 to Park Road will be closed with limited access while the event takes place throughout the day.  The event is USA Triathlon sanctioned.

 

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was ranked among the top employers in PA by workers in a new survey conducted by Forbes Magazine and Statista. The Commonwealth was one of only four government entities to make the list of 97 Pennsylvania employers.

 

“My Administration has made clear from day one that we are expanding opportunities to those who want a career in public service – whether they are a recent college graduate or have years of relevant experience outside of the classroom. The Commonwealth offers Pennsylvanians a chance to serve one another every day,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “We’re emphasizing skills and experience in hiring for government jobs and state troopers, investing in mental health resources for our employees and their families, and expanding internship and apprenticeship programs to bring more people into state government to create new pipelines for talent.”

 

The Commonwealth values the dedication and hard work of its employees. In order to help employees perform at their best each day, the Commonwealth offers competitive pay, benefits, work-life balance, diverse and inclusive workplaces, and opportunities for advancement. For example, the Commonwealth recognizes the importance of mental health and wellness for employees and their families and recently increased the number of counseling sessions available to them at no cost through their benefits.

 

“We want to make the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the leading employer in the state and the nation,” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “Our state agencies need qualified and talented Pennsylvanians to help us deliver the services that our 13 million fellow residents depend on. I believe the opportunity to have a rewarding career and make a positive impact through public service makes us stand apart from most employers. Our recruiters are attending hundreds of job fairs each year in schools and communities across the state to raise awareness about all that we have to offer.”

 

The Commonwealth is working to make itself more attractive to job seekers in additional ways. They include Governor Shapiro’s executive order to emphasize skills and experience in state hiring, as well as:

 

• Expanding internship opportunities for high school and college students to raise awareness of public service and create new pipelines for talent.
• Creating internships and apprenticeships for non-degree students pursuing careers in a variety of fields.
• Offering the William and Hannah Penn Fellowship for job seekers with advanced degrees.
• Establishing a Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer to lead diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion initiatives across Commonwealth agencies.

 

In another recent survey by Forbes and Statista, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was ranked nationally as a top employer by recent college graduates. These results are consistent with research showing that many younger workers prioritize working for an employer that has a positive impact on the world.

 

Job seekers can visit Employment.pa.gov to view and apply to current job openings, receive notifications about new vacancies in their field, and learn more about the Commonwealth’s Total Rewards benefits for employees. Check out the list of upcoming job fairs and hiring events to meet with a Commonwealth recruiter. You can also visit Careers.employment.pa.gov to view all Commonwealth job titles, descriptions, salaries, and other details for all positions, including those that do not require a college degree.

 

About the 2023 Best Employers by State Rankings

Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey 70,000 workers at companies (minimum of 500 employees) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Participants were asked if they would recommend their employer to others, and to evaluate their employer based on working conditions, diversity, compensation packages, potential for development, company image, and more. Participants also asked to assess employers beyond their own. All surveys were anonymous to encourage candor.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band perform on tour at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boss is taking an unexpected breather and postponing his September shows, citing doctors’ orders. Bruce Springsteen announced on his website Wednesday that he was postponing shows for the remainder of the month while he is treated for symptoms of “peptic ulcer disease.” The disease causes ulcers to form in the stomach or small intestine that can cause heartburn, nausea and stomach pain. The postponed shows including scheduled stops in Albany and Syracuse in New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and shows in Connecticut and Ohio. Springsteen, renowned for his high-energy, three-hour plus concerts with the E Street Band, recently performed three nights of shows in his home state of New Jersey.