Category: News

PennDOT, PSP Focus on Traffic Safety with ‘Click It or Ticket’ Mobilization

PennDOT, PSP Focus on Traffic Safety with ‘Click It or Ticket’ Mobilization

Harrisburg, PA – With Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season approaching, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are urging drivers to keep traffic safety top of mind when behind the wheel. The agencies will work with municipal police departments and other safety partners across the commonwealth to participate in the national “Click It or Ticket” seat belt education and enforcement initiative from May 17 through June 6, 2021.

“‘Click it or Ticket’ isn’t about citations, it’s about saving lives,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones in a crash.”

Pennsylvania law requires any occupant younger than 18 to buckle up when riding in a vehicle, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday.

In addition to adopting a zero-tolerance approach toward violators, troopers certified as child passenger safety technicians will offer car seat fittings and inspections throughout Pennsylvania, helping ensure that car seats are in good working condition, installed properly, and free from recalls.

“State police child passenger safety technicians look forward to hosting dozens of events across the commonwealth to highlight child passenger safety,” said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “We hope everyone who drives with children in their vehicles will take advantage of this free resource to keep their youngest passengers safe while traveling.”

A complete list of child passenger seat fitting stations is available at psp.pa.gov.

As part of the enforcement efforts, state and local police, along with agencies across the United States, will participate in a one day Border-to-Border initiative on May 24 to provide increased seat belt enforcement at state borders, reinforcing the states’ focus on safety.

PennDOT data shows there were 11,265 crashes in 2020 where at least one occupant was not wearing a seat belt, resulting in 348 fatalities.

As the summer driving period kicks off, we encourage Pennsylvanians to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles in Pennsylvania by visiting www.511PA.com. The service, 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. Motorists can also see active construction projects at www.511PA.com.

For more information on seat belt safety visit, www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

PennDOT’s media center offers resources for safety organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders. Social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving and distracted driving can be found online at www.PennDOT.gov in the “Media Center” under the “About Us” footer.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews, like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot.

Ellwood City Man a Victim of On-line Fraud. Lost Over $300,000.00

(Wayne Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to a home on Northwestern Drive in Wayne Township, Lawrence County for a report of theft by deception.

After investigating Troopers reported via release that 72-year-old Robert Cunningham from Ellwood City was a victim of fraud. The report stated that Cunningham sent $300,000.00 via Bitcoin to an unknown suspect between June 1 of 2020 and May 11, 2021. State Police didn’t release any other information as they continue to investigate.

AHN and Marvel Comics Collaborate to Honor Unsung Healthcare Heroes in Emergency Medical Services

(Photo courtesy of AHN)

(PITTSBURGH, PA) In 2020, the Pittsburgh winter felt darker and colder than most. The COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, and hospitals were jammed with patients as every day an increasing number of people were diagnosed with the virus. The roads stayed quiet as people sheltered in their homes, missing the fun of gathering for sporting events or celebrating Christmas with family and friends.

But nothing stopped Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers –in ambulances and in medical helicopters, in the western Pennsylvania region and throughout the nation from providing front-line care to people in need, in their homes and in their communities. In fact, EMS services were in demand, more than ever before.

Now Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has collaborated with the legendary Marvel Comics to tell the true-life stories of first medical responders from AHN and community EMS services.  Set in the winter of 2020, the first responders’ stories are brought to life in a comic book, titled “The Vitals: True EMS Stories,” that was unveiled to the public today.

“EMS providers are truly the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Robert Twaddle, Vice President, Prehospital Care Services, AHN. “With demand for their services at unprecedented heights, and facing exposure to a highly contagious and dangerous virus, they never faltered in delivering outstanding face-to-face care in patients’ homes and in community settings and accident scenes. I am honored to work with these brave and selfless individuals every day.

“We are thrilled to see our EMS providers portrayed as the heroes they truly are, and we hope seeing “The Vitals: True EMS Stories” gives them a moment of pride at the remarkable work they have done over the past year,” Twaddle said.

According to the National Association of State EMS Officials, in 2020 there were 27.5 million 911-initiated EMS activations resulting in direct patient contact, up from 17 million in 2018. They put themselves at risk to serve their communities; nationwide more than 128 medical first responders have died of COVID-19, according to an investigation by Kaiser Health News and the Guardian.

“Just like in Marvel comic books, we see each of these stories as a chance to experience the heart and drive behind the heroes working tirelessly to save lives,” said Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Entertainment. “After the incredible reaction we saw from our first comic book with AHN and Doner, we knew these stories were truly special. We are honored to help AHN tell more of these stories, which now give us another glimpse into the world of healthcare heroes saving millions of lives every day.”

“Though the EMS personnel depicted in the comic book are based on eight real individuals, we want all our EMS partners in the community and at AHN to know: This comic book is about all of you,” Twaddle continued. “It represents all your stories, all the hard work you have done to continue delivering care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter who you are, this is your story.”

The comic books will be distributed to EMS personnel and an e-reader will be available for digital distribution on Marvel.com and AHN.org/TheVitalsEMS.

 

“The Vitals: True EMS Stories” is a follow-up to Marvel Comics’ “The Vitals: True Nurse Stories,” a comic book depiction of the heroic stories of AHN nurses during the pandemic, which debuted to national and international acclaim in December 2020. As with the nurses depicted in the initial “The Vitals,” EMS providers were nominated by their co-workers for inclusion in this follow up comic book story.

“We are happy, but not surprised, that so many EMS colleagues took the time to write glowing, detailed nominations of their co-workers,” said Thomas Campbell, MD, Chair, Emergency Medicine, at AHN. “Our local EMS partners never forget that delivering effective emergency medical care always requires teamwork. They value and support their teammates, and take pride in their accomplishments. All of us who work in emergency medicine are proud to be part of their team.”

The accomplishments of the eight EMS personnel depicted in “The Vitals: True EMS Stories” include calmly talking a psychiatric patient off a ledge where he was threatening to jump, delivering a breech-birth premature baby and delivering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the tiny infant, continuing to provide direct patient care despite risk factors for COVID complications such as asthma and cancer survivorship, spending spare time collecting winter coats and backpacks for young people in need, and performing an in-field cricothyrotomy (airway incision that allows a patient to breathe) on a burn patient.

“The Vitals: True EMS Stories” can be viewed at any time by visiting Marvel.com. The comic book is written by Marvel Comics writer Sean Ryan, drawn by artists JL Giles, Zé Carlos, and Ramon Bachs.  The cover art was created by artists Zé Carlos & Rachelle Rosenberg.

Barletta to Enter Pennsylvania’s GOP Stakes for Governor

Barletta to enter Pennsylvania’s GOP stakes for governor
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican Lou Barletta tells The Associated Press that he will run for governor of Pennsylvania. The 65-year-old Barletta becomes the first prominent figure to enter the 2022 governor’s race. Barletta is a former Hazleton mayor and four-term member of Congress, and ran statewide in a 2018 loss to Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. Barletta said he would focus on boosting the state’s economy, but also aiming to overhaul Pennsylvania’s election law and fight illegal immigration. Barletta has another strength in a Republican primary: a relationship with former President Donald Trump. Barletta served as Trump’s campaign co-chairman in Pennsylvania in 2016 before becoming one of Trump’s biggest allies on Capitol Hill.

Department of Health: Over 9.6 Million Vaccinations to Date in State of Pennsylvania

Department of Health: Over 9.6 Million Vaccinations to Date, 53.9% of Entire Population Received First Dose, 47.8% of Pennsylvanians Age 18 and Older Fully Vaccinated, PA Ranks 9th Among 50 States for First Dose Vaccinations

2,210 New Cases, 1,605 Patients Hospitalized and 373 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 15, that there were 2,210 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,185,132.

There are 1,605 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 373 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. More data is available here.

The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients per day is coming down, after peaking at 2,661 patients which is slightly below what it was at the height of the spring 2020 peak of 2,751 patients on May 3, 2020. The full 14-day moving average since the start of the pandemic can be found here.

Statewide percent positivity for the week of May 7 – May 13 stood at 5.3%.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.

As of 11:59 p.m., Friday, May 14, there were 25 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 26,749 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Updated Mitigation Guidance

The Department of Health today posted new guidance to help residents and businesses prepare for recently announced increases in limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings.

  • FAQs for indoor and outdoor event capacity starting Monday, May 17.
  • FAQs for the changes to the mitigation, enforcement, and immunity orders starting May 31.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Pennsylvania hospitals began receiving shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 14 and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 21. The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine was first allocated to Pennsylvania the week of March 1. On Friday, April 23, the CDC and FDA notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers that the pause in administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine has been lifted. Following the announcement, Pennsylvania resumed Janssen vaccinations. Vaccination numbers for Pennsylvania do not include Philadelphia, which is its own jurisdiction, or federal facilities, which are working directly with the federal government.

Vaccine highlights

Federal data representing all 67 counties:

  • According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 15, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 54 percent of its entire population, and the state ranks 9th among all 50 states for first doses administered by percentage of population.
  • According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 15, 47.8% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
  • According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 15, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.

 

Statewide data representing the 66 counties within the Department of Health’s vaccine jurisdiction:

  • Vaccine providers have administered 9,620,057 total vaccine doses as of Saturday, May 15.
  • 4,143,473 people are fully vaccinated, with a seven-day moving average of more than 63,632 people per day receiving vaccinations.
  • 1,676,909 people are partially vaccinated, meaning they have received one dose of a two-dose vaccine.
  • 5,820,382 people have received at least their first dose.
  • This week, a total of 9,556,320 doses will have been allocated through May 15:
    • 320,320 first/single doses will have been allocated this week.
    • 297,520 second doses will have been allocated this week.
  • To date, we have administered 9,534,664 doses total through May 15:
    • First/single doses:  5,781,561administered
    • Second doses:  3,753,103 administered

Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors unless the business or organizations requires it, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are 158,661 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 639 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
There are 4,509,607 individuals who have tested negative to date.
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there are 71,405 resident cases of COVID-19, and 15,104 cases among employees, for a total of 86,509 at 1,590 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 13,215 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here. Note that the number of deaths reported to NEDSS is not exactly the same as the COVID-19 related deaths reported by the death registry. The number of deaths among nursing and personal care home residents and employees is taken from the PA-NEDSS death data, as this information is not available in the death registry data.

Approximately 28,295 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, May 14:

 

The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to all Pennsylvanians:

  •       All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
  •       A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
  •       Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
  •       All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
  •       Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
  •       The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week.
  •       Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.
  •       Frequently asked questions can be found here.

 

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  •       Get vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective vaccines available to provide the best layer of protection.
  •       Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  •       Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  •       Clean surfaces frequently.
  •       Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  •       If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing. Fully vaccinated people are allowed to participate in some activities without a mask.
  •       Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Hopewell Township Police Chief Receives Special Award

Story and Photo by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver, Pa.) Hopewell Township Police Chief Brian Uhrmacher received a special award  at Friday’s Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Beaver. he served for 30 years as a police officer in New York, and 5 years here in Hopewell Township as their chief. He retires June 5, 2021.

Department of Health: Businesses Continue to Maintain Option to Require Individuals to Wear Masks 

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today reminded Pennsylvanians that fully vaccinated individuals may choose not to wear a mask, unless a business or organization, such as a school, requires that added layer of protection, in accordance with updated masking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“By getting vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective vaccines, you are adding the best layer of protection for yourself and others,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “If you are fully vaccinated, it is an incentive to be able to remove your mask, but businesses and workplaces may still require this added layer of protection for their employees or customers that may have underlying conditions that continue to make them vulnerable to this virus. We ask that Pennsylvanians continue to be kind and respectful to each other as we continue to fight COVID-19 in our communities and continue to get residents vaccinated.”

The CDC guidance states that fully vaccinated individuals – two weeks after their final dose — can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by law, rule, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Under the guidance, individuals are still being required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs, such as airports and stations. In addition, all individuals should still follow guidance at workplaces, local businesses, long-term care facilities, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters.

The Secretary of Health’s universal face covering order remains in effect and unvaccinated individuals, including children, must still comply with the order. Once 70 percent of Pennsylvanians over the age of 18 are fully vaccinated, Pennsylvania will lift the masking order. As of today, May 14, 47.4 percent of adults 18 and older are fully vaccinated in Pennsylvania, according to the CDC vaccine tracker.

You can find the nearest vaccine provider with available vaccine using Vaccine Finder.

The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to all Pennsylvanians:

       All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

       A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.

       Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

       All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.

       Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.

       The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week.

       Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.

       Frequently asked questions can be found here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

       Get vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective vaccines available to provide the best layer of protection.

       Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

       Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.

       Clean surfaces frequently.

       Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

       Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

FAA Statement on Wearing Masks in Airports and On Planes

Washington, D.C. –The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) remind the traveling public that at this time if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

CDC guidance is clear that fully vaccinated people are safe to travel and can resume travel.

Beaver County Law Enforcement Memorial Service 2021

Story and Photos by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver, Pa.) On Friday, May 14, 2021 law enforcement vehicles with their lights activated lined Third Street in front of the Beaver County Courthouse.  A large crowd converged  at the event to honor the fallen officers.

Over the past 90 years , 18  Beaver County law enforcement  officers died in the performance of their duties
Two names were added this year, Aliquippa Police Chief Robert W. Sealock, died April 11, 2020. On March 26 he was, along with other officers in a foot chase to apprehend  a male wanted on a felony warrant.  Chief Sealock  had difficulty breathing and was taken to a Pittsburgh Hospital He was to retire on July 19, 2020, his 50th birthday.
Ambridge Police  Chief  Mark J. Romutis   died  on  April 12, 2020 from COVID-19 as did many other first responders throughout the country due to the pandemic. Their names have been added to the Beaver County Police Memorial located in front of the courthouse…
District Attorney David J. Lozier  presented the Detective Howard W. murray Award to Detective James DeGori, Beaver Police, Department, and Det. Sgt. Tom Gonczi, Center Township, PD, Sgt. Guy W. “Tippy” Tyler Award, School Resource officer, Jared Rogers, Hopewell Township P.D., Drug Enforcement Award, Det. Sgt. Aldo Legge, Center Township, PD, and Sgt. Kevin Folz, Rochester Twp. PD.
See Photos of the ceremony below:

Vazquez’s Trial Starts Today

(Westmoreland County, Pa.) Suspended Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez’s sexual assault trial is set to begin this morning in Westmoreland County after the jury was picked was picked on Friday

The 29-year-old Pirates closer, has been in jail since his arrest in September 2019. He was charged with statutory sexual assault, 10 counts of child pornography and a number of other criminal charges after he was accused of meeting a then-13-year-old girl for sex in 2017.

Vazquez has maintained his innocence, and his defense attorney says he believes the evidence will show his client believed the girl was almost an adult when they had sex.

He also faces charges in Florida and Missouri after police said he had a sexual relationship with the girl related to those states.