Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf speaks with the press. Governor Tom Wolf today was joined by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), stakeholders, and a consumer who has fallen victim to surprise billing to celebrate the upcoming implementation of the federal No Surprises Act on January 1, 2022. The No Surprises Act will protect patients from receiving surprise medical bills. December 20, 2021 – Philadelphia, PA

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will distribute approximately $15 million in Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) funding to 32 municipalities statewide to fund 36 safety projects.

Pennsylvania’s ARLE program aims to improve safety at signalized intersections by providing automated enforcement at locations where data shows red-light running has been an issue.

“This program helps communities across the state make important investments in traffic flow and safety,” Gov. Wolf said. “These improvements complement the many road, bridge and multimodal projects happening in Pennsylvania.”

Grant funding is supplied by fines from red light violations at 36 intersections in Philadelphia. State law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Municipalities submitted 151 applications, totaling $46 million in requests.

Projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on criteria such as safety benefits and effectiveness, cost, and local and regional impact. This investment brings the total dollars awarded through the ARLE funding program to $127.79 million, funding 537 transportation enhancement projects since 2010.

The 36 approved projects are as follows:

Adams County

• Conewago Township – $55,094 for guide rail safety improvements.

Allegheny County

• Carnegie Borough – $10,422 to install radar feedback signs on Forsythe Road.
• Coraopolis Borough – $298,250 for traffic signal replacement to include overhead signals to reduce redlight running and pedestrian accommodations.
• Hampton Township – $175,000 for S. Pioneer Road roadway safety improvements to include replacing out of date guiderail.
• McCandless Township – $451,483 for signal component updates project at 21 locations throughout the municipality. Upgrades include accessible pedestrian signals, equipment for flashing yellow arrow operations, controller replacements and rewiring of existing signal equipment.
• Penn Hills Township – $565,292 for traffic signal replacement at Frankstown Road (SR 0400) & Beulah Road (SR 0130).

Butler County

• Butler Township – $249,504 for Pittsburgh Street & McCalmont Road/Vogel Road traffic signal modernization. Improvements include new mast arms to replace strain poles, new signal heads and reflectorized back plates.

• Cranberry Township – $350,000 for Route 19 and Short Street traffic signal upgrade and modernization. Improvements include new mast arms to support additional signal heads, new controller to allow for advanced signal timings.
• Penn Township – $446,706 for signal replacement and reconfiguration at Route 8 and Airport Road to include new mast arms to replace strain poles.

Dauphin County

• Londonderry Township – $32,421 for Colebrook Road (SR 341) and Schoolhouse Road (T-494) intersection warning signals.

Delaware County

• Chester City – $115,831 to improve PA 291 and 322 off-ramp/Jeffrey Street Traffic Signal. This project will convert the intersection from a flashing red/yellow configuration to a fully signalized intersection.
• Radnor Township – $120,350 for a bridge height warning system at the SEPTA underpass on King of Prussia Road.
• Yeadon Borough – $287,000 for MacDade Boulevard & Church Lane traffic signal and pedestrian accommodation improvements.

Erie County

• Erie City – $395,769 for installation of 30 accessible pedestrian signal buttons to improve pedestrian safety.

Fayette County

• Fayette County – $352,000 for Bullskin Township signal upgrades at three intersections along US 119. Improvements include radar detection systems to allow for more streamlined flows of traffic, siren preemption systems and battery back-up systems to allow the equipment to operate during outages which frequently happen along this roadway due to flooding.

Franklin County

• Waynesboro Borough – $49,000 for the replacement of flashing school signs and the installation of speed limit driver feedback signs.

Lancaster County

• East Petersburg Borough – $113,600 for traffic signal upgrades at SR 72/Enterprise Road and SR 72/Miller Road. Improvements include stop bar radar detection, advanced radar detection, pedestrian countdown timers and reflectorized back plates.
• Ephrata Borough – $222,400 for intersection safety and signal improvements at three intersections in the Borough. Improvements include radar detection, pedestrian improvements and new mast arms.

Lebanon County

• Heidelberg Township – $12,823 to install solar radar speed signs at the approaches to the intersection of Route 501 and East and West Reistville Road.

Lycoming County

• Montoursville Borough – $465,000 for SR 2014 and Walnut Street traffic signal replacement.
• Muncy Borough – $162,000 for pedestrian crosswalks safety improvements. This project will implement pedestrian activated rectangular rapid flash beacons (RRFB), high-visibility pavement markings, flexible post pedestrian crosswalk signs, approach crossing signage and LED in-roadway warning light (IRWL) crosswalk system.

Mercer County

• Sharon City – $400,000 for State Street traffic signal and pedestrian improvements, including performing a traffic timings study, implementing a coordination plan, and updating intersections to include pedestrian pushbuttons and GPS timeclocks as required.
• Springfield Township – $413,500 for signal equipment improvements including replacement of the existing flashing beacons, emergency vehicle preemption, radar vehicular detection, battery backup power supply, and vehicular signal heads with retroreflective backplates.

Mifflin County

• Derry Township – $306,500 for Electric Avenue/Logan Boulevard Corridor Signal Upgrades to include coordinating 5 traffic signals.

Monroe County

• Delaware Water Gap Borough – $52,725 for the placement of three electronic radar speed limit display signs.

Montgomery County

• Cheltenham Township – $420,250 for traffic signal equipment upgrades at three intersections to include installation of ADA compliant pedestrian pushbuttons and countdown pedestrian signal heads.
• Cheltenham Township – $343,700 for traffic signal equipment and pavement marking upgrades at the intersection of Rices Mill Road and Glenside Avenue.
• Lansdale Borough – $156,000 to install two (2) ground mounted controllers, perform traffic counts, update timings, new pedestrian signal heads and push buttons and retroreflective backplates.

Northampton County

• Northampton Borough – $156,538 for the installation of the Main Street/10th Street/Nor-Bath Trail pedestrian rectangular rapid flashing beacon.

Philadelphia County

• Philadelphia City – $7,000,000.00 for the following 4 programs in the city: Citywide Intersection Modifications, Modern Roundabouts, Bike Network Curb Separation and Citywide Traffic Calming.

Pike County

• Milford Borough – $19,080 to purchase and install electronic speed display signs at the four (4) main entrances to the Borough.

Westmoreland County

• Salem Township – $389,000 for US 22 Traffic Signal Safety Upgrade Project to include LED vehicular signals with reflectorized backplates, LED “SIGNAL AHEAD” over the road warning flashers, LED pedestrian count down signals and Pedestrian latching push buttons.

York County

• Hanover Borough – $487,287 for Downtown Route 94/116/194 Traffic Congestion & Pedestrian Safety Improvements. To include modernizing the intersections to include APS pedestrian signals, 3-second advance pedestrian phasing, flashing yellow arrow signals, 12-inch signals, and high visibility crosswalks at both intersections, and a new controller cabinet/assembly and signal mast arm poles at the Center Square intersection to accommodate the flashing yellow arrow signals.

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Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 5, 2023 12:00 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) (WBVP-WMBA) Jennifer Milliner had been a member of council for 6 years and her resignation became effective December 30, 2022. She chaired the parks and recreation committee. Jennifer was credited for her leadership in getting  2 new playgrounds  constructed and equipped. including  , the one at Jessie Belle Walker Park   in the city;s Plan 11. neighborhood.

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Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 5, 2023 11:58 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) (WBVP-WMBA) City Council members reorganized Wednesday night reappointed Myron Sainovich as its solicitor for 2023, RAR Engineering was reappointed as engineer, Mark C. Turnley was reappointed auditor, Harlan Stone was reappointed zoning solicitor, Kate Dierson was reappointed as the zoning board solicitor, Michael J. Groves was reappointed zoning solicitor. T.W. McCosby LLC was approved to provide  inspection and construction document reviews as the city’s 3rd party commercial building inspector for 2023. Bob Tiernan from Tucker/Arensberg as the city labor attorney for 2023.

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Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff

(Ambridge, PA) (WBVP-WMBA) Ambridge Water Authority Acting General Manager Krissy Zon released a statement saying there will be a temporary interruption in water service due to repairs being made to a pressure-reducing pit.  Customers in the Anthony Wayne Terrance and Byerdales areas can expect water service to be interrupted Thursday.  AWA recommends filling a pitcher of water for any medical necessary needs.

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Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff

(Brighton Township, PA) (WBVP-WMBA)The Brighton Township Police Department made a statement on their Facebook page that they arrested multiple suspects Wednesday night in reference to the vehicle break-ins that occurred throughout the area. They would like to thank the Beaver Police Department for assistance in the investigation.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published January 5, 2023 7:25 A.M.

(Beaver County, PA) (WBVP-WMBA)The Republican Committee of Beaver County announced the results of their election. Roman Kozak replaces Jim Christiana as chairman, Rico Elmore will serve as Vice Chairman. Fabiola Gergerich was elected Secretary and Chris Treib as Treasurer.

Published by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director

Showers today with calm wind and a high of 61 degrees. Our chance of precipitation is 100%. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and a low of 38.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listens to votes being cast in the House chamber as the House meets for a second day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are plowing through the second day of the new Congress, with no clear off-ramp from their political chaos over electing a new speaker. Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed anew to win the House speakership in an early vote, faring no better than he had in three votes Tuesday when 20 fellow Republicans rejected his bid. Former President Donald Trump vigorously renewed his support for McCarthy, but it made no difference. The chamber’s most conservative members believe he’s neither conservative enough nor tough enough to battle Democrats.

FILE – The New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose in choppy trading on Wall Street Wednesday after another strong signal on the job market. The government reported that the number of job openings in November was higher than expected, but that also keeps pressure on the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates high to fight inflation. The S&P 500 was up 1.2%, the Dow was up 0.7% and the Nasdaq rose 1%. The Fed releases minutes from its latest policy meeting later Wednesday. Salesforce rose after becoming the latest tech coimpany to announce staffing cuts. Crude oil prices fell.

Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. Governor Tom Wolf joined Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor- Elect Austin Davis to announce the first steps in the transition to the Shapiro-Davis Administration. NOVEMBER 16, 2022 – HARRISBURG, PA

HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro announced the appointment of Akbar Hossain, a Norristown native who currently serves as Executive Director of the Shapiro-Davis Transition and who served as Policy Director on Shapiro’s gubernatorial campaign, as Secretary of Policy and Planning. The Governor-Elect also appointed former State Representative Mike Vereb, who currently serves as Director of Government Affairs for the Office Attorney General, as Secretary of Legislative Affairs. Both trusted aides to Governor-Elect Shapiro, Hossain and Vereb will serve in key roles as they assist in advancing the Governor-Elect’s top priorities.

These impressive and highly qualified appointees underscore Governor-Elect Shapiro’s commitment to bringing Pennsylvanians together and delivering results for our Commonwealth. Serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2006 to 2016, Vereb brings a record of working across the aisle with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done. As Executive Director of the Shapiro-Davis Transition, Hossain is building a hard-working, capable Administration that represents all corners of our Commonwealth and is ready to get to work on day one.

“Akbar Hossain and Mike Vereb have decades of public service experience between them, and they will be critical to crafting a policy agenda that meets Pennsylvanians’ needs and building a broad coalition in support of that vision,” said Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro. “Akbar is one of the brightest minds on policy in Pennsylvania, and he will help us improve our kids’ schools, create an economy that lifts everyone up, and make communities across Pennsylvania safer. I’ve known Mike Vereb since we served together in the Legislature – he is an accomplished public servant who knows how to bring people together and fight for all Pennsylvanians. Both Akbar and Mike bring deep expertise in their fields and a strong commitment to public service, and I am confident in their abilities to help our Administration move our Commonwealth forward.”

“It is an honor to serve Governor-Elect Shapiro as Policy Secretary and help him fulfill his promise to deliver real results for all Pennsylvanians,” said Akbar Hossain. “There are people across Pennsylvania who are still looking for the same shot I was given, and it’s our responsibility to serve them. Governor-Elect Shapiro is working toward growing an economy that works for all people – because at the end of the day, that’s what helped my family – and ensuring that every child receives a quality education, because I wouldn’t be here without that opportunity. I look forward to advancing his bold, positive vision for the Commonwealth and serving the people of Pennsylvania.”

“I am humbled that Governor-Elect Shapiro has entrusted me with this great responsibility – a responsibility to bring people together, restore civility, and get things done in Harrisburg,” said Mike Vereb. “I’ve spent my career building relationships with people on both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to building a broad coalition to pass Governor-Elect Shapiro’s agenda into law and make a real difference for the people of Pennsylvania.”