(Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

Friday, January 21, 2022 at 6:50 AM
Norristown, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Health officials today provided an
update on 2021-2022 flu season and encouraged Pennsylvanians to get a flu vaccine
as soon as possible.
“With the growing number of flu cases amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to
remind Pennsylvanians to take preventative measures, including getting a flu vaccine to
protect themselves, their family and communities from the flu this season,”
Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “If you do become sick with
the flu, it is imperative that you stay home. If you are at risk for developing serious
complications from the flu, or feel extremely ill, you should see a medical professional
immediately to determine your need for testing or isolation.”
Flu activity is high across the commonwealth. As of Jan. 18, there have been 28,475
laboratory-confirmed flu cases. There are flu cases in all 67 counties. Influenza A and B
have been identified by laboratory testing. Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), experiencing
symptoms of fever and cough or sore throat, has increased slightly since last week.
While flu seasons vary and more people are getting tested more frequently as COVID19 symptoms can be like flu symptoms, this week’s report is higher than this same week
last year and even higher when compared to this same week in 2019. At this time, it is
still below the state epidemic threshold. There have been 16 deaths reported in
Pennsylvania during the current flu season thus far.
“It is not too late to get your flu vaccine if you have not already done so,” Deputy
Secretary of Health Preparedness and Community Protection Ray Barishansky said.
“We know that people who get the flu after being vaccinated have less severe
symptoms and are not sick for as long as those who do not get vaccinated. We also
know that the COVID-19 vaccines do not protect you from getting the flu. So, while we
have been encouraging everyone to get COVID-19 vaccines, you still also need to
get your flu vaccine.”
The flu vaccine is available as an injection for anyone six months or older and as an
injection or nasal spray for anyone two or older. Flu vaccines are available at your
doctor’s office, pharmacy, local walk-in clinic or grocery store. COVID-19 and flu
vaccines can be received at the same time. For a list of flu vaccination clinics in
Pennsylvania, click here.
“An annual flu vaccine is free and it’s the best way to protect against flu and its
potentially serious complications,” Chair of the Montgomery County Board of
Commissioners Dr. Val Arkoosh said. “In Montgomery County, we want to make it as
easy as possible to stay up to date on your vaccinations, so we continue to offer the flu
vaccine to those attending our COVID-19 vaccination clinics. There is still time to get
vaccinated for the flu. Getting both the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine protects you,
your family, and our hospitals.”
It is extremely important that in addition to getting vaccinated, Pennsylvanians should
practice healthy habits such as covering your mouth and nose when you cough or
sneeze, frequently washing your hands, and remembering to disinfect commonly
touched objects, including doorknobs, light switches, countertops, cell phones and
computers. You can also take advantage of the COVID Alert PA app to monitor your flu
and COVID-19 symptoms since they are similar.
For more information on the 2021-2022 flu season, click here.
Additional information on how to stay healthy and prevent the spread of flu and COVID19 can be found on the Department of Health’s website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

(AP PHOTO)

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Meat Loaf, the rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” has died at age 74. A family statement provided by his longtime agent says the singer born Marvin Lee Aday died Thursday night. “Bat Out of Hell,” his mega-selling collaboration with songwriter Jim Steinman, came out in 1977 and became one of the bestselling records in history. He was also known for his role in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the 1993 single “I’d Do Anything for Love.”

The featured photo above shows a sign near the entrance to the New Brighton Borough Building

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Correspondent. Published January 20, 2022 7:50 P.M.

(New Brighton, PA)  The New Brighton Borough Council met for a meeting Thursday night.  The council had a discussion about gathering ideas to increase the length of time that veterans banners can stay up on poles throughout town.  Currently the banners are only able to stay up for 6 week periods due to Duquesne Light regulations.  The Memorial Day Association requested that the council explore potential ways to keep the banners up from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Also at the meeting, council approved municipal tax exonerations on properties located at 816 13th Street, and 907 10th Street, as well as the sale of a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria for $1700.01.  The bills were paid at a total of $268,829.43.

(Photo Courtesy of Pa Media Services)

(Harrisburg, PA) Older and disabled Pennsylvanians can now apply for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2021, the Department of Revenue announced today. This assistance is available through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which has delivered more than $7.1 billion to eligible Pennsylvanians since the program’s inception in 1971.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to visit mypath.pa.gov to electronically submit their applications. The Department of Revenue launched this online option last year to make it easier for the nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians who annually benefit from the program to submit their applications.
“Last year, we saw thousands of eligible residents take advantage of the easy-to-use myPATH filing option to submit their rebate applications,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. “Filing online saves you a trip to the mailbox and the costs of mailing in a paper application. If you know anyone who might be eligible, please encourage them to visit mypath.pa.gov to fill out an application. We want to do everything that we can to ensure that everyone who is eligible receives this vital assistance.”
How to Apply:
After checking eligibility requirements, you can file your rebate application online by visiting mypath.pa.gov. Submitting your application through myPATH is easy and does not require you to sign up for an account.
Applicants will be asked to provide specific information on their income and rent/property taxes.
Applicants should check the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program instruction booklet to learn which information they will need to input/upload to complete the process.
Using the electronic option available through mypath.pa.gov offers many benefits, including:
• Fast processing and direct deposit options
• The Where’s My Rebate? tool to track the status of a claim online
• Error-reducing automatic calculators
• Instant confirmation that your application has been filed
• Security features to ensure your sensitive information is safe
Applicants must reapply for rebates every year because rebates are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid in each year. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may file rebate claims on behalf of claimants who lived at least one day in 2021 and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Applicants who still wish to file a paper application form may obtain Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and related information on the Department of Revenue’s website or by calling 1-888-222-9190.
It’s free to apply for a rebate, and applicants are reminded that free assistance is available at hundreds of locations across the state, including Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices.
Visit the Property/Tax Rent Rebate page on the Department of Revenue’s website for further information on the program and how to apply for a rebate.
When Can You Expect Your Rebate?
Rebates will be distributed beginning July 1, as required by law. Here is additional information to keep in mind:
• If you provide your phone number on your Property Tax/Rent Rebate application form or in the myPATH electronic application, you will receive an automated call from the Department of Revenue when your claim posts to the department’s processing system. You will also receive another automated call when your claim is approved.
• The easiest way to check the status of your rebate is to use the Where’s My
Rebate? tool. To check on the status of your claim, you will need your:
• Social Security number
• Claim year
• Date of birth
About the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The Department of Revenue automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.
Since its inception in 1971, the program has delivered more than $7.1 billion to eligible Pennsylvanians. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming

(File Photo)
Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver county Radio News Correspondent
Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 6:59 AM
(Aliquippa, Pa.) The Aliquippa School Board met Wednesday night, January 19, 2022, and announced that they received a $25,000 grant towards the renovation of the districts football field known as the ‘PIT”. The Board also announced that  a scholarship fund has been established and they   will present a $2,000.00 scholarship annually for 5 years.

(File Photo)
Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 6:56 AM
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pa State Police at the Rivers Casino announced via release that they have filed charges against 60-year-old James Martinetti of Aliquippa for Harassment and acts to Annoy.
Troopers said in the release that on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, around 3:00 PM, Martinetti harassed, annoyed, and alarmed Floyd Mills at the Casino by engaging in a course of conduct that he repeatedly committed acts, namely making racial and derogatory remarks directed at Mills which did alarm or seriously annoy such other person and served no legitimate purpose. He was charged accordingly by State Police.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) One person was injured when a car was involved in a rollover crash around 1:15 AM this morning on the Parkway North near the East Street exit along Interstate 279.
One person was transported from the scene by emergency personnel.
The cause of the crash and the condition of the injured person are unknown at this time.

(Bellevue, Pa.) Police are investigating after a 28-year-old woman was fatally shot last night waiting for a bus in the 400 block of Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue .
First responders found the victim, who was shot multiple times. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died.
The woman was standing at the bus stop when two men approached her and started shooting. The shooting happened near the Dollar General store and Pizza Hut.
The woman’s name has not been released and there is no word on any arrests or suspects.