(Photo provided with release)

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

May marks both Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month. In Pennsylvania, officials want to ensure that veterans know mental-health and substance-use resources are available.

Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 military veterans, the fourth-largest veteran population in the country.

Rick Hamp, special assistant to the deputy adjutant general for veteran affairs at the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, leads military suicide-prevention efforts in the state. He said veterans sometimes can face stigma if they speak openly about struggles with anxiety or depression. Knowing a loved one supports them can help, Hamp said.

“Always be there for your family members and for those around you,” he said. “You know what’s normal for a person, and if they don’t look normal, don’t be afraid to ask the question, ‘Are you OK?’ That is the start of helping a person. And be ready when they reply, ‘No, I’m not.'”

The state recently launched PA VETConnect, a community-based outreach program for veterans to find behavioral and mental-health services and employment opportunities. Veterans in crisis or those who know one can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and press 1.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, executive vice president and chief medical officer at United Healthcare, agreed it’s important to look out for signs of mental-health challenges in loved ones. That may mean an uncharacteristic disinterest in activities they usually enjoy, a change in sleep patterns or mentioning feelings of hopelessness. She added that it’s important for people to seek help from a trusted health professional.

“Mental health is part of our health,” she said. “It’s a conversation you should be having with your primary-care physician when you go get your annual checkups, especially if you already have an established relationship. And it can be a really good place to start, and also take into context your other medical conditions.”

According to the 2022 America’s Health Rankings Senior Report from United Health Foundation, drug-related deaths increased by 149% for older adults in Pennsylvania over a 10-year period. Seventy-six percent of Pennsylvania’s veterans are age 55 or older.

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(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver reported over the weekend that they conducted a traffic stop on 2021 Kia Sportage SUV on May 12, 2022 at 12:29AM in the 4400 block of 4th Ave. in the city of Beaver Falls.
Troopers said in the release that the incident occurred as 35-year-old Martinis Lee from Monaca was stopped for a traffic violation. After Troopers interviewed Lee and 36-year-old Jeffery Barber, also of Monaca, a canine scan was requested and the canine displayed alert/indication behavior of the trunk seams of the vehicle. Barber was found to be in possession of known contraband. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and the search yielded additional drugs and paraphernalia. Troopers said the investigation is ongoing and no other information was released.

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(Independence Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were dispatched to a residence on Ridge Road in Independence Twp. last Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 6:15 PM.
Troopers said via release that 54-year-old Howard Hilton died after he fell down a set of stairs as the result of dizziness from recent post surgery complications. Troopers said that there was zero signs of suspicious activity nor any evidence that was inconsistent with the evidence at the scene. PCP ruled Hilton’s death as a sudden cardiac arrest.

(Photo provided with release)

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

Starting Wednesday, Pennsylvanians may start to see a sharp increase in energy costs just as summer approaches and inflation hits people hard. Older adult advocates are offering tips to residents on how to keep electric bills down.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission announced earlier this month most utilities would be adjusting their prices for what is called electric generation. The increases could range anywhere from 6% to 45%, depending on energy provider.

Teresa Osborne, state advocacy director for AARP Pennsylvania, said there are small things Pennsylvanians can do to lower their bills.

“Reduce consumption, increase the efficiency of electricity by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees or replacing your air conditioning filter,” Osborne outlined. “We also encourage purchasing new or replacement appliances. By choosing the most energy-efficient models, that money can be saved in the long run.”

Osborne added higher energy bills are a major burden for older adults on a fixed income. The average Social Security benefit is $21,000 per year. The rate increase for other utilities, such as Duquesne Light and PECO, which serve the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas, are still being finalized.

Osborne pointed out for lower-income Pennsylvanians, there are programs available to assist with electricity costs. One of the most popular is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“With the American Rescue Plan Act dollars available, Pennsylvania is able to nearly double the rebate this year,” Osborne noted. “Folks are really encouraged to check their eligibility, even calling the statewide LIHEAP hotline in order to get information on the LIHEAP program specifically.”

The statewide hotline number is 1-866-857-7095. The LIHEAP application deadline has been extended through June 17. Other resources available include the Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help residents finance home-energy efficiency projects.

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(Pittsburgh, Pa.) The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is bringing back its mask requirement starting on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, due to high community spread of COVID-19 in Allegheny County.
The Cultural trust says that masks will be required to be worn for inside performances or for performances at any of of the Cultural Trust’s theaters and facilities.
they said that some events may also require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, so be sure to check the requirements ahead of time on the Cultural Trust’s website.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing drilling operations on Route 68 (Adams Street/Virginia Avenue) in Rochester Borough and Rochester Township, Beaver County, will occur Tuesday through Friday, May 31-June 3 weather permitting.

Lane restrictions with flagging operations will occur on Route 68 between the roundabout and Virginia Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Crews from Armstrong Drilling will conduct the work.

Please use caution if driving through the area.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least two tornadoes touched down briefly in south-central Pennsylvania last week, and one damaged some buildings, but no injuries were reported. Forecasters in State College say one tornado touched down just before noon Friday near New Franklin in southern Franklin County. They say the EF-0 tornado had peak winds of about 70 mph. Forecasters say another tornado touched down shortly after 2 p.m. Friday in Kirkwood in eastern Lancaster County. They said the tornado had estimated wind speeds of about 105 mph and did “extensive damage to several buildings.”

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A movement known as Christian nationalism is making its presence known in many Republican primary races this year. Most prominent is the campaign of Doug Mastriano, who easily won the Republican nomination for governor of Pennsylvania. He has made his faith central to his personal story and has woven his conservative Christian beliefs and symbols into his campaign. Mastriano and many other candidates reject the label of Christian nationalist. They say they’re applying their values to their politics, just as any citizen would. But scholars say the label fits those who support a fusion of American and Christian values, symbols and identity.

ELIZABETH, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a small plane crashed into a wooded area of western Pennsylvania, critically injuring the pilot. Authorities in Allegheny County and federal officials said the single-engine Aeronica 7 Champion aircraft went down in Elizabeth Township less than a mile from Rostraver Airport shortly before 7 p.m. Friday. Chief Ken Honick of the township’s police force said the pilot was flown to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition. He said the pilot was conscious, alert and talking to first responders. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.