(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Hopewell Twp., Beaver County Pa.) Hopewell Township Commissioners approved a motion at Monday night’s meeting to change its wireless carrier to T-Mobile at a lesser cost than what they were paying for Verizon.

(File Photo)

(North Sewickley Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that they were called to the scene of a one vehicle accident on the Pa Turnpike Westbound at mile marker 14.8 at 2:00 AM on Tuesday morning.
Troopers say upon arriving and investigating it was learned that 24-year-old David Bradley of Freedom struck a concrete median and lost control of the Chevrolet Malibu that he was driving westbound. Bradley’s vehicle then traveled across both lanes of travel after striking the median and struck the curbside median coming to a final rest facing westbound. Bradley was cited by Troopers for not driving properly on roadways laned for traffic. He was not injured in the accident.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

Older people in Pennsylvania are dying from drug overdoses at much higher rates now compared to a decade ago, according to the latest America’s Health Rankings Senior Report from UnitedHealthcare.

The report found in Pennsylvania, overdose deaths have increased 149% and frequent mental distress is up more than 16% in the last 10-12 years. It also found a 26% increase in the number of older adults who report getting insufficient sleep.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare employer and individual, said the physical distancing required during COVID has taken a particularly heavy toll on older people.

“The risk of social isolation is measuring a lack of meaningful social connectedness among seniors,” Randall explained. “Things that put you at risk are being never married, widowed, divorced, separated, living alone, living in poverty.”

Pennsylvania ranks 30th overall in the report. On the positive side, between 2016 and 2020, the state saw a 33% increase in the number of home health care workers, whose clients often are older adults.

The report found Pennsylvania is ranked first in the nation for helping older adults in the state access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or federal food benefits.

Susan Neff, supervisor of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Education and Outreach Office, said in the pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has expanded resources for older adults, including the Senior Food Box Program.

“Part of that program are the farmers market food vouchers,” Neff explained. “This is the season where farmers markets are prevalent. You get vouchers that can be used just like cash at any of your local farmers markets. So, you’d have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which is very important for everyone. ”

Residents can apply for SNAP benefits using the online tool COMPASS, or they can file an application at a local county assistance office.

An estimated 8.3% of older Pennsylvanians are living in poverty, which is slightly below the national average.

(Official Photo of Josh Kail)

(HARRISBURG, PA)As efforts continue to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) announced his resolution to create the investigative Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order passed the House Judiciary Committee today.
“As the lawlessness continues in Philadelphia, we have heard many cries for help from Pennsylvanians, business owners and families victimized by the willful refusal of local elected officials—especially District Attorney Larry Krasner—to enforce the law,” said Kail. “The events transpiring in our Commonwealth’s biggest city are causing serious concern statewide, forcing the Legislature to step in to ensure the laws we have passed are enforced.”
According to House Resolution 216, the Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order will consist of five members selected by the Speaker of the House—three Republicans and two Democrats—and have subpoena power.
The Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order will examine the effect of Philadelphia’s failure to enforce criminal laws in Philadelphia, how state public safety funding for Philadelphia has been used, and the extent to which victims’ rights are properly enforced.
In addition to impeachment, the Select Committee is also empowered to recommend potential legislative or policy changes that could be made to ensure public safety in Philadelphia is guaranteed.
The resolution now heads to the full House for consideration.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives and Senate are back in the Capitol, as the Republican-controlled chambers work to get an agreement on a roughly $42 billion budget plan with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf with just three days left in the fiscal year. No budget plan had been unveiled as of Tuesday. Closed-door talks were still going on as Senate Republicans warned that they were still “far apart” with Wolf’s office. The talks revolve around the amount of money Wolf is seeking for public schools. Without new budget legislation signed into law by Friday, the state will lose some of its spending authority.

(AP Photo/ Carolyn Kaster, File)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A county judge in Williamsport will decide whether to force officials to provide voter-by-voter electronic election records after the state Office of Open Records ruled Pennsylvania law makes them confidential. A Lebanon County woman is seeking a digital copy of Lycoming County’s “cast vote record” for the 2020 General Election in which Democratic challenger Joe Biden unseated Republican President Donald Trump. Lycoming County claims what she wants is essentially the contents of ballot boxes and voting machines. That’s information the state Election Code declares off-limits for public inspection. The judge hasn’t indicated when he’ll rule in the case.

(Photos courtesy of PA Crime Stoppers. Feature photo shows two of the three suspects who broke into a vehicle and stole credit cards while the owner was boating and then used the credit cards at Wal-Mart and GameStop in Robinson Twp.) 

New Brighton, Pa.) The New Brighton Area Police Department is investigating a theft from a motor vehicle and subsequent access device fraud. On 06/19/2022 at 1807 hours, officers responded to the report of a vehicle break-in near the New Brighton Marina. The vehicle’s owner was boating when he received a break-in alert from his car company and fraudulent activity alerts from his credit card company. The vehicle had all four windows opened approximately an inch, which is how the vehicle owner had left it, and the driver’s side door was unlocked. Officers located the owner’s firearm and wallet in a hidden compartment. The only items stolen were two credit cards which the pictured suspects attempted to utilize at the Walmart and GameStop in Robinson Township. One of the victims effected by the access device fraud is a non-profit organization called Legacies Alive that honors the fallen veterans of gold star families. One of the cards taken from the victim’s vehicle was the bank card for this organization, as he is the president and a veteran himself, which he uses to deposit donations that are then used to build memorials for KIA vets. Anyone with information is asked to contact Patrolman Medvit, at (724) 846-2277 or anonymously contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107 All callers to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH REWARD for information that leads to an arrest, the solving of a crime/cold case or the location of a wanted person/fugitive or missing person. All information is accurate as of Release Date and is subject to change or updated.

(Beaver County, Pa.)  Applebee’s locations in Monaca and Chippewa will be letting freedom ring with a free kid’s meal on the Fourth of July.  The two Beaver County restaurants are owned and operated by Flynn Restaurant Group.  The promotion is valid all-day Monday, July 4 and for one day only.

To get the offer you have to Dine-in the restaurant and must mention offer. Free Kid’s Meal must be accompanied by an adult entrée purchase. Excludes tax and gratuity. Limit two kids, 12-years-old and under, per adult. Must order from the Kid’s Menu only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Special valid only at Flynn Restaurant Group owned and operated Applebee’s locations.