(Photo of gas prices at the Speedway in New Brighton taken at 5:30 AM Monday morning by Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks)

(Beaver County, Pa.) Gas prices are on the rise again as a barrel of oil topped $115.00. Gas prices in Beaver County have risen another 20 cents a gallon to $4.29. Just in the last five days we have seen an increase at the pumps of over 50 cents a gallon. The average price for a gallon of gas here in Beaver County according to AAA East Central is $4.06 a gallon breaking the old record of $4.05 a gallon set back in 2008.

We saw gas prices this morning at the Speedway in New Brighton at $4.39/gal. We checked on line and Get-Go and Sheetz locations throughout the county are reporting prices at $4.19/gal as of 10 AM Monday Morning.

AAA East Central is reminding motorists about ways to improve fuel efficiency. Adopting responsible driving practices can contribute to significant savings at the pump and ease the financial strain of higher gas prices.

“One of the simplest ways to keep your fuel costs lower is to slow down, as speeding drastically decreases how efficiently your vehicle burns fuel,” Garrity continued.

To improve vehicle gas mileage, AAA recommends the following tips.

The Daily Drive

• Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
• Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible. Combine errands, and possibly aim to get all of your errands done on one day of the week. Also, consider using the more fuel efficient vehicle in your household more often.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling, and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.
• Take advantage of fuel savings programs. AAA members have access to savings when filling up at Shell gas stations. More information is available at AAA.com/Shell.

Ownership, Maintenance, and Repairs

• Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflation reduces fuel economy, but more importantly, tires low on air affect handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blowout.
• Maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular maintenance will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
• Make all necessary repairs. Take the vehicle to a trusted repair facility as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on.

(File Photo)

(Wayne Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle have charged 46-year-old James Raisor of New Castle with harassment with no legitimate reason for an incident that occurred on March 3, 2022 at4:22 PM On Pittsburgh Road in Wayne Twp. Lawrence County .
Troopers reported via release after investigating that on the above date and time Raisor was harassing  his 37-year-old ex-girlfriend.
He was charged accordingly and no other information was released.

(Photo of AHN Wexford provided with release)

(WEXFORD, Pa.) Since opening last fall, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Wexford Hospital has been lauded for its high quality, close-to-home care for patients north of Pittsburgh. Now, the state-of-the-art, 345,000-square-foot facility and those who helped bring it to life are being recognized with a 2021 Building Excellence Award from the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA). Gilbane/Massaro served as the project’s contractor, and HKS Architects & IKM Incorporated as the architects.

The MBA Building Excellence Awards are the highest and most sought after annual commercial construction industry awards in Western Pennsylvania. AHN Wexford was recognized in the category for new construction projects over $25 million. The hospital’s president, Allan Klapper, MD, and representatives from the partnering construction organizations were recently presented with the award at a ceremony held in Pittsburgh.

“It was a great honor to work alongside so many talented and dedicated individuals over the last several years to help design and build Wexford Hospital, including the project’s contractors, engineers, architects and laborers, as well as AHN health care professionals at every level,” said Dr. Klapper. “On behalf of all of our caregivers and staff, we congratulate Gilbane/Massaro, HKS and IKM on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for delivering a world-class facility from which we now have the privilege of providing world-class care to our patients.”

Located along U.S. Route 19 in Pine Township and connected to the AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion, AHN Wexford includes a 24-bed emergency department with pediatric-capable rooms and dedicated pediatric hospitalists; state-of-the-art operating rooms with minimally invasive robotic surgery capabilities; cardiac catheterization lab and hybrid OR for advanced surgical procedures; short-stay observation unit; adult intensive care unit; advanced diagnostic imaging; and more.

The all-private, 160-bed hospital brings a full range of high-quality, innovative health care services to residents of communities north of Pittsburgh, including comprehensive women’s and infants’ care and the only labor & delivery unit based in northern Allegheny County. AHN Wexford has proudly welcomed more than 400 babies since opening. The hospital also offers specialty care in cancer, neurology, bariatrics, breast surgery, plastic surgery, general and colorectal surgery, cardiology, radiology, gastroenterology, interventional radiology, urology, rheumatology, endocrinology and orthopaedics, among other disciplines. To learn more, visit www.ahn.org/wexford.

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 is announcing roadway improvement work on Business Loop 376 (Route 3160) in Moon Township, Allegheny County will begin Tuesday night, March 8 weather permitting.

(File Photo of PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro provide by Pa Media Services)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Attorney General Josh Shapiro today issued an advisory to car dealerships in Pennsylvania warning of unfair and deceptive practices that violate the Commonwealth’s Consumer Protection Law.

“We’ve seen a large increase in demand for new and used cars here in Pennsylvania, and while the vast majority of dealerships are following the rules, there has also been an increase in complaints from consumers noticing bad practices.” said AG Shapiro. “We are putting these dealerships on notice: shift gears and be sure that you are following the law and treating consumers fairly.

Under the Commonwealth’s Consumer Protection Law and regulations, AG Shapiro advised that both new and used car dealerships must:

• Represent and advertise goods or services at their actual price, comply with the terms of warranties given to the buyer; and not engage in fraudulent or deceptive conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding.
• Honor the terms of any contract with a consumer regarding the lease of a vehicle, including a consumer’s right to purchase the vehicle under the specific terms of the contract.
• Sell a motor vehicle under the terms or conditions, including price or warranty, which a motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer has advertised or otherwise represented.
• Disclose any hidden charges in any advertised price of a vehicle, as well as the expiration date of any advertised price.
• Not increase the price of a motor vehicle after the contract has been accepted by the dealer or an authorized representative, unless the increase is due to a change in the law which requires the addition of new equipment or increases transportation costs or existing taxes.

Consumers who believe that a car dealership has violated the law should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555. 

(AP Photo)
By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An Amtrak engineer has been cleared of charges related to a deadly, high-speed derailment that left eight people dead and hundreds injured in Philadelphia in 2015. The jury acquitted 38-year-old engineer Brandon Bostian of causing a catastrophe, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment. Bostian’s lawyer describes him as a lifelong train buff who had a perfect work record until he was distracted by people throwing rocks in the area just before the crash. Amtrak settled the civil litigation with victims and their families for $265 million, a higher limit set by Congress after the crash.

(File Photo)

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Aqua America the company that agreed to purchase the Waste Water Treatment Plant from The City of Beaver Falls last year for $42 Million will not cut any employee jobs or reduce wages. In fact they will offer all employees additional training and safety programs along with enhanced career growth aspects and opportunities for expanded Community development.
The company said they will have their experts work to optimize operations and develop a comprehensive capital program to address what problems are risks to continued services.

(File Photo Taken Mark Peterson)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Four bids for the ‘BRICKS’ site cleanup were opened by City Manager Sam Gill  at Wednesday night’s meeting and they will be reviewed by City Engineer Ron Rizzo before council makes the award.

(AP Photo)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Newly released test results show student scores on Pennsylvania standardized tests fell sharply last year in most categories. But state education officials cautioned the numbers released Friday were so distorted by pandemic conditions that they are of limited use for comparison to previous years, particularly regarding statewide trends. Results of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams for grades three to eight show broad declines in both math and English language arts. The Keystone Exams that assess algebra, literature and biology for high school students had more mixed results. National experts say standardized test scores across the country have seen substantial declines during the ongoing pandemic.