(PITTSBURGH, Pa.)   Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Division of Gastroenterology, part of the AHN Medicine Institute, will mark national colorectal cancer awareness month by offering patients appointments for colonoscopy on two Saturdays in March at select AHN outpatient locations.

Saturday screenings will be conducted from 7:30 – 11 a.m. by highly specialized AHN gastroenterologists at the following locations. Patients should call 412.515.2723 to make an appointment. Space is limited.

• McCandless Endoscopy Center (March 12)
• Bethel Park Surgery Center (March 12)
• North Shore Endoscopy Center (March 19)
• Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion (March 19)

Colorectal cancer – also commonly referred to as colon cancer – is the second deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., behind lung cancer. To help prevent the disease, a colonoscopy is performed to examine the inside of the colon where tumors or small growths known as polyps can occur. Any detected polyps can be removed before potentially developing into cancer.

Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowered the recommended age to begin screening for colorectal cancer from 50 years of age to 45. According to the task force, the new recommendation is based on data showing that the incidence of early-age onset of colorectal cancer increased annually between 2006 and 2015 among the overall population of average-risk individuals aged 45 to 49 years.

The disease is known to disproportionately affect the black community in which rates of colorectal cancer are highest among any racial/ethnic group in the United States. Notably, actor Chadwick Boseman died of the disease in 2020 at age 43.

Many people with colorectal cancer do not experience symptoms which further highlights the importance of screening, says Gursimran Kochhar, MD, associate division chief and director of interventional endoscopy within the AHN Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

“While colorectal cancer is among the most lethal and progressive forms of cancer, it is also highly preventable through routine colonoscopy. And even if cancer is detected in the colon, it is highly curable if found early enough. The benefits of early screening, detection and treatment can truly be lifesaving.”

“We are extremely pleased to once again offer Saturday screenings during colon cancer awareness month as a more convenient option for those who find it difficult to undergo screening on weekdays,” Dr. Kochhar added.

Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of the screening however patients should check with their provider for specific coverage information. Upon scheduling, patients will receive instructions regarding how to prepare for the outpatient procedure.

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pa Governor Tom wolf shared his final budget proposal on Tuesday, February 8, 2022,  with a focus on taking advantage of a surplus to focus on education.

16th District State Rep. Rob Matzie attended that session and said via e-mail “The Governor’s budget serves as a blueprint, a working framework to be debated and negotiated moving forward. The end product can sometimes look much different than what was presented. At first glance, there are several areas that I can fully support. More money for education at all levels, funding for technology improvements for public safety, increasing opportunities for workers, and investments to make healthcare more affordable are priorities that I share. It also calls for the implementation of new programs and funding to support veterans and active military, which is long overdue. As always, I’ll work with my colleagues on both sides of the isle and ultimately support what best serves Beaver County and the residents of my district. Most importantly, it holds the line on taxes and actually decreases some business taxes.”

In the budget address to a joint House and Senate session, Wolf spoke about progress made in his two terms as Pennsylvania governor. When he took office in 2014, the Commonwealth had a budget deficit of $2 billion to $3 billion, and the Rainy Day Fund was down to its last $231,000. As the first governor since 1987 to turn over a budget surplus to a successor, Wolf wants $1.9 billion to benefit students, from pre-K through college.

Wolf proposed $70 million for high-quality pre-K programs, along with $1.4 billion for K-through-12 public education, with a focus on equitable support for underfunded schools. He also continued his long-standing appeal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25.

Wolf is requesting a minimum wage of $12 an hour by July 1, with annual 50-cent increases to get to $15 in 2028. Senate President Pro Tem Jake Corman, R-Centre, said hearings will begin soon for a final budget by June that, in his words, “meets the needs of the Commonwealth.”

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pa Governor Tom wolf shared his final budget proposal on Tuesday, February 8, 2022,  with a focus on taking advantage of a surplus to focus on education.

14th District State Rep. Jim Marshall attended that session and said via text that “The Governor’s budget address is the beginning of the budget process. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on creating a fiscally responsible budget that will lead the Commonwealth on a pathway to success through targeted investments to meet the needs of our residents.”

In the budget address to a joint House and Senate session, Wolf spoke about progress made in his two terms as Pennsylvania governor. When he took office in 2014, the Commonwealth had a budget deficit of $2 billion to $3 billion, and the Rainy Day Fund was down to its last $231,000. As the first governor since 1987 to turn over a budget surplus to a successor, Wolf wants $1.9 billion to benefit students, from pre-K through college.

Wolf proposed $70 million for high-quality pre-K programs, along with $1.4 billion for K-through-12 public education, with a focus on equitable support for underfunded schools. He also continued his long-standing appeal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25.

“Our failure to increase the minimum wage is costing us right now,” he said. “When people are able to earn a decent wage, they can contribute to the economic lives of their communities and the Commonwealth. When they work full-time but still don’t earn enough to pay for bare necessities, taxpayers end up footing the bill.”

Wolf is requesting a minimum wage of $12 an hour by July 1, with annual 50-cent increases to get to $15 in 2028. Senate President Pro Tem Jake Corman, R-Centre, said hearings will begin soon for a final budget by June that, in his words, “meets the needs of the Commonwealth.”

(Photo of the Koppel, Pa. Facility provided by Tenaris)
(Koppel, Pa.) Tenaris is gearing up to reactive its heat treatment and finishing lines at its Koppel plant to streamline the flow of seamless product at its facilities in
the northeast.
The heat treatment line is part of the manufacturing process which gives pipe their required metallurgical properties for enhanced performance in oil and gas wells. The line, which had been inactive during the 2020 downturn, is located at Tenaris’s melt shop in Koppel, which started producing steel in June 2021 following a year-long investment of more than $15M.
“With the lines back up and running, it allows our Koppel steel shop, our seamless mill in Ambridge, PA, and finishing operations at Brookfield, OH, to more effectively process pipe and completes the management of goods in our northeast circuit,” said Luca Zanotti, Tenaris US President.
Tenaris will be carrying out an investment of about $3.5M, performing updates in IT and automation systems, non-destructive testing equipment and in maintenance activities to ensure equipment on the line is in a ready state for an April 2022 start. Tenaris is looking to bring about 75 employees onboard to run the heat treatment and finishing lines. Production volumes at the company’s Ambridge seamless mill is picking up, and as a result, so will activity at the Brookfield plant where the company plans to grow the local team by about 70 to support the increase in threading and
finishing of pipe from Ambridge.
“From our offices to the manufacturing floor and throughout our service centers, our team has been working incredibly hard to scale up operations in a short amount of time. This has been a strategic reboot of our US industrial network to best serve a stronger market with flexibility and precision,” said Zanotti.
Tenaris has expanded its workforce in the US by 1,200 employees since late 2020 and has been increasing and restarting production at its at its Bay City, Houston, Baytown, and Conroe, TX, facilities, as well operations in Koppel and Ambridge, PA, and Brookfield, OH. The price of hot rolled coil also made it viable to boost production at its welded operations in Hickman, AR, announced last month. By the end of 2022, Tenaris expects to hire an additional 700 employees as part of its US
ramp up.
For more information about Tenaris, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Tenaris is hiring at Koppel, as well as its seamless mill in Ambridge, PA, and at its Brookfield, OH facility. Interested candidates can apply at the following link: https://digital.tenaris.com/tenaris-north-jobs

(File Photo)
Story by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director Beaver County Radio
(New Sewickley Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that they were called to the scene of an incident that occurred on the Pa. Turnpike in New Sewickley Township on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 4:03 PM.
Upon arriving and investigating it was learned that 29-year-old Stephanie Gibbs of New Castle was operating a 2021 Mercedes-Benz 250 Series west bound in the left lane when another unknown vehicle traveling east bound in the left lane had a decent size piece of ice come off of it and strike Gibbs’ vehicle in the windshield causing it to crack. Her vehicle became disabled due to the crack in the windshield and had to be towed from the scene.
Gibbs was not injured in the incident.
This is a good time to remind motorists that it is the law in Pennsylvania to remove snow and ice from your vehicle. If snow or ice from your vehicle causes an accident you could face charges and fines.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Hopewell Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Hopewell Area School Board held a work session on Tuesday night and hired Judy Brice as a substitute secretary for the district. The effective date is today, February 9, 2022. Three bus drivers had their request for a  leave of absence approved, and a substitute custodian was hired.

(Photo of Captain Tom Lococo in 2018 when he received the Howard Murray award as a Sergeant.  He is standing with Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier. Photo courtesy of City of Beaver Falls Police Chief David Johnson)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) City of Beaver Falls Police CaptainTom Lococo  recently submitted his letter of retirement to the Beaver Falls City Council. He said last week he has   worked in many capacities in the law enforcement team of 19, including Chief Dave Johnson.
Captain Lococo said in an exclusive interview with Sandy Giordano that he likes working on criminal investigations. The last  homicide he worked on was in 2016 with Beaver County Detective Pat Young. Javonte Eric Simmons was murdered  by Tyrone Savage in Morado Dwellings at a  New Year’s Day barbecue.

(File Photo)

(HARRISBURG, PA)  Pa State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) attended and  joined his colleagues in a joint session of the General Assembly on Tuesday as Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his eighth and final state budget address. Bernstine released the following statement on the governor’s proposal:

“It’s easy for a lame duck governor to propose a massive spending wish list when he knows he won’t be around to clean up the economic mess he caused. Families are dealing with record-setting inflation, higher prices, and supply chain shortages because of excessive government spending and borrowing. We don’t need to set them up for future tax hikes too. The governor’s proposed 16.6% increase in spending is a slap in the face to taxpayers who are already being asked to pay more for everything.

“Time and time again, Harrisburg has proven it has no restraint when it comes to growing government and spending responsibly. Now is the time to enact the Taxpayer Protection Act and put in place constitutional spending limits that will permanently curb chronic overspending like the governor is proposing.”

(Butler County , Pa.) Carlos Carril and Damian Blystone, the two men charged in the shooting outside of the Clearview Mall on January 18, 2022, were both in court on Tuesday, February 8, 2022,  for their preliminary hearing.
Both men were held over to stand trial in the incident in which police say that Carril and Blystone got into an argument with two other men at the Rural King store last month. That argument then spilled outside and then guns were drawn and Carril fired shots at the other men’s car.
Blystone was shot that night and needed to be taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment and was later charged with gun crimes, assault, and terroristic threats but the most serious charge was withdrawn.
Both men are currently being held in the Butler County Prison without bail.