(File Photo of current Lt. Governor of Pa. John Fetterman from Pa. Media Services) 
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania government agency may soon get more flexibility about what to do with the former official residence of the lieutenant governor, located on a military facility. A bill passed unanimously Tuesday by the state House would change the mandate that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs use the State House at Fort Indiantown Gap as a veterans’ outreach center. Because that would be too costly, the bill would let the agency find another use for it and establish a veterans’ center in a more practical location. Current Lt. Gov. John Fetterman declined to move into the home when he was elected about three years ago, proposing it be put to some public good.

(File Photo of Pa State Rep. Josh Kail during Rappin with the Reps on Beaver County Radio)

Story By Frank Sparks, News/ Program Director 
(Harrisburg, Pa.)  Pennsylvania lawmakers voted after a tense debate to approve a bill designed to prohibit transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports. All but one Republican and four Democrats voted for the proposal Tuesday. It would restrict players on K-12 school teams, college sports, intramurals and club teams sponsored by school entities to male or female teams based on their reproductive organs, biology or genetics at birth. It would prevent “students of the male sex” from playing on athletic teams designated for women or girls and provide a way for students and schools to sue, including against athletic organizations.

Pa State Representative (15th) Josh Kail released a statement about why he voted for the bill. Kail said via release that  “Title IX was designed specifically to create a level playing field. Right now, the integrity of women’s sports is jeopardized because biological males, who transition to female, are allowed to compete in women’s sports. From physiological to hormonal differences, males hold a significant athletic advantage over women.

“Lia Thomas, a biological male who shattered women’s swimming records at the University of Pennsylvania, competed on the university’s men’s team for three years before eventually transitioning to a female. Most recently, Thomas won a Division I national championship in the 500-yard freestyle, squandering the hopes and dreams of biological women who looked to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“Athletes who aspire to compete at the highest level could be overlooked for scholarships, as well as life-changing opportunities and results, simply because of this imbalance. While a student can file legal challenges for damages over lack of athletic opportunities among other reasons, it should never come down to that.

“I am pleased to see my colleagues join me in saying enough is enough and support protection of women’s sports. I commend the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Barbara Gleim of Cumberland County, for bringing this important legislation forward.”

The bill goes to the state Senate for its consideration, and faces a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

(Photo of Beaver Falls Middle School taken by Frank Sparks)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) A fire that was reported at Beaver Falls Middle School early Wednesday morning was in a fluorescent light fixture in the school’s gym ceiling, according to Beaver Falls Fire Chief Mark Stowe.  The chief said the fire was discovered by  a janitor and there was a lot of smoke in the gym. According to Chief Stowe the janitor  used a fire extinguisher until firefighters arrived. Fire crews ventilated the building and no injuries were reported.

(File Photo taken by Frank Sparks in 2020)

(Center Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Beaver County Humane Society (BCHS) has expanded its high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinics for cats to three days each week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Susan Salyards executive Director of the Humane Society said in a release “In this tough economy, we are excited
to be able to offer low-cost spay and neuter surgeries valued at hundreds of dollars at a discounted rate, making altering cats easy and affordable.”

Just one un-altered female cat and her mate can produce 11,801 kittens within five years, due to frequent breeding cycles that can start as early as five months of age. During “kitten season,” animal shelters and rescue groups are inundated with far more animals than there are potential new homes. Spaying or neutering is the best way to reduce the number of unwanted and stray animals, and the right thing to do for the cats. In addition to the behavioral benefits of spaying/neutering—reducing or eliminating spraying, incessant howling, aggression, fighting, and other undesirable (and often stressful) behaviors.

The procedure can also help cats live a longer, healthier life by virtually eliminating the risk of reproductive organ cancers and disorders.
Salyards said that “Spay and neuter is good for you, your pet, and our community” “We are committed to saving animals’ lives through spay/neuter. This endeavor is an important part of our mission to help significantly reduce the overpopulation of pets.”
For owned cats, packages range from $65 to $150 per cat to perform feline spay/neuter surgery (including all care and basic vaccinations). Feral cat spay and neuter packages range from $50 to $115 per cat.
Donations that BCHS receives from private individuals and organizations typically cover 60% of the clinic expenses, enabling BCHS to offer this low-cost service to the public as well as area animal rescue groups at reduced rates.
People with cats who wish to take advantage of the low cost spay/neuter surgeries do not need to be residents of Beaver County; however, they must schedule an appointment online and pay in advance. For more information on this program or to schedule appointments, please visit:
https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/tnr-and-owned-cat-surgery-prices/ or call 724-775-5801 extension 192.

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the long-term closure of Route 30 in Greene Township, Beaver County will begin Wednesday, April 13 weather permitting.

Beginning at approximately 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, Route 30 will close to traffic in both directions between West Virginia and Route 168 continuously through late September. Crews will conduct roadway realignment, drainage improvements, guide rail updates, sign upgrades, pavement marking installation and other miscellaneous construction activities. All traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detours

West of the Closure

• Take westbound Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) through West Virginia
• Continue on Route 30 onto the Jennings Randolph Bridge across the Ohio River into Ohio
• Take the Route 39 East exit toward Midland
• Follow Route 39 (Pennsylvania Avenue) eastbound into Pennsylvania
• Route 39 becomes Route 68
• From eastbound Route 68, take the ramp to Route 168 South toward Shippingport/Hookstown
• Follow Route 168 back to Route 30
• End detour

East of the Closure

• From Route 30, take Route 168 northbound
• Take the ramp toward Route 68 West/Route 168 North toward Midland
• Follow Route 68 westbound into Ohio
• Route 68 becomes Route 39
• Take the ramp to Route 30 East toward Pittsburgh
• Continue on Route 30 onto the Jennings Randolph Bridge across the Ohio River into West Virginia
• Follow Route 30 eastbound through West Virginia back to Pennsylvania
• End detour

The work is part of the $8.45 million Route 30 improvement project. Additional work includes milling and resurfacing, slope stabilization, and a left-hand turn lane installation. The prime contractor is Mele & Mele & Sons, Inc. The overall project is expected to conclude in mid-October 2022.

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.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
(Ambridge, Pa.) Beaver County District Attorney  David J. Lozier addressed Ambridge council and residents  about license plate readers that will be installed at 14th Street and Duss Avenue in the borough. Residents were concerned about the use. The district attorney explained their use is to track  vehicles  that were involved in homicides, stolen vehicles, and violent crimes. DA. Lozier told the residents that  the cameras are monitored and audited by police for investigative purposes.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge  Council   issued a proclamation to Fire Chief Robert Gottschalk on his retirement  at Tuesday night’s council meeting. Gottschalk served the borough for 33 years , the last 6 as its fire chief.  Assistant Chief Donnie Larrick, Jr. is the new fire chief. The borough’s executive assistant and treasurer, Marilyn Sheleheda retired recently  and was honored for her years of service.

(Photo Supplied with Release)

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

With negotiations for Pennsylvania’s budget under way, a new report unpacks the state’s investment in early-childhood education. Advocates hope it can sway lawmakers to boost funding in the budget.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s final budget proposal includes a $70 million increase in pre-K funding. In the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children report, the Commonwealth ranks 14th for per-capita funding, compared with 26 states with similar pre-K programs.

Despite increased support for pre-K during the pandemic, Kari King, president and chief executive of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said there’s still work to be done because 61% of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds in the state remain unserved.

“When kids have access to high-quality pre-K,” she said, “we’re really getting them ready for kindergarten, getting them ready for school with the early literacy, early numeracy concepts, to really get them on that path to success throughout the rest of their education and their school years.”

Wolf’s preschool budget increase would go to Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, which focus on early childhood education for low-income families. The budget must be finalized by June 30.

The report included investment recommendations to improve the quality of Pennsylvania’s pre-K programs. King said supporting educators through professional development is one step.

“Recruitment and retention has been a really big issue in this sector, particularly since the pandemic,” she said “So, seeing what we can do to support the workforce in gaining those educational credentials – so that the programs can be high quality, because that’s really where it does show that children do better.”

An analysis of Pennsylvania’s pre-K programs by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill found that children in Pre-K Counts have significantly higher language and math skills than their peers. King said the report will be shared with General Assembly leaders and the Wolf administration.