Keystone State News Connection

June 1, 2022

by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman

“Sen. Toomey, save our kids.” That was the message from a group of teachers, students, parents and community leaders outside the Pittsburgh office of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., on Tuesday.

In the wake of last week’s Uvalde, Texas, massacre – the 27th school shooting so far this year – the American Federation of Teachers is demanding action on gun safety as part of a new campaign.

Arthur Steinberg, president of AFT Pennsylvania, contended that gun violence is a public-health crisis that is largely being ignored by lawmakers.

“What I see mostly,” he said, “is resistance on the part of the far right to enact anything that will help make people safe and will avoid our kids being slaughtered when they go to school.”

Toomey backed failed background-check legislation in 2013 and recently has indicated he still would support that measure. Opponents of gun restrictions have cited violation of Second Amendment liberties, and some Republicans are pushing for improved school security and mental-health services instead.

At Tuesday’s vigil, David Hogg, a student survivor of the 2018 Parkland shooting who founded March for Our Lives, called for people from both sides of the aisle to work together to prevent firearms from getting into the hands of people with bad intentions.

“The shooter in Parkland was not a criminal mastermind; the shooter in Buffalo was not a criminal mastermind; the shooter in Texas was not a criminal mastermind,” he said. “These were barely adults – they were 18- and 19-year-olds, who waited until they were old enough to buy an AR-15 legally and did so.”

The AFT is urging federal lawmakers to enact basic reforms that include expanded background checks, red-flag laws and safe-storage provisions. Steinberg argued these are not “fringe” ideas.

“Eighty-eight percent of the people polled in the United States support requiring background checks for gun purchases; 57% support banning assault rifles,” he said. “Most of the country agrees on these common-sense solutions to this scourge.”

(Crescent Twp., Allegheny County, Pa.) Officials are investigating after a fire broke out last night at Iron City Express Trucking in Crescent Township.
As crews from multiple departments throughout the area arrived on the scene they could see flames and hear explosions inside the facility.
The fire was in a large steel building and combined with the high air temperatures it was a very hot fire that was trying on first responders.
Tires at the rear of the building that caught fire caused the crews issues with being able to see as they entered the building to fight the fire. Water supply was also an issue that first responders had to battle through. One firefighter suffered a minor neck injury from a collapsed door and was treated and released at a local hospital.
There is no word on what might of caused the fire as crews continue to investigate.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio

(West Aliquippa, Pa.)  Beaver County DA David J. Lozier reported that beginning in February of this year jail guards at the Beaver County Jail began finding drug paraphernalia,, cigarettes, needles, suboxone and marijuana among inmates. Lozier said that jail personnel were interviewed and 3 jail guards were identified for bringing contraband into the jail, and being paid through a Cash App., which all three had.
Three now former jail guards have been charged. those charged are Raphael Abercrombie with obstructing the administration of law or other governmental functions, a misdemeanor.
Richard Suman, Jr. and Erin Huff were also charged with supplying contraband/controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility, manufacturing , delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, obstructing the administration of law or government functions. Suman and Huff are also charged with 1 count of intentionally possessing or control of counterfeit substances by a person not regularly registered. All three have either resigned or been fired by the county according to Lozier.

(Photo of Donna Lee Siple provided with release)

(Beaver, Pa.) The Beaver County Chamber of  Commerce Board of Directors has officially announced the hiring of Donna Lee Siple as President of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce effective Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

Siple joins the Chamber staff as a former Chief Executive Officer of
the Japan-America Society of Tennessee and the Japan-America
Society of Pennsylvania. Siple is a proven non-profit executive with
a strong track record of building mutually beneficial relationships
through fundraising, event management, marketing and
communications. She is skilled in organizational leadership,
business development, strategic planning execution and evaluation.
Siple is results-driven and collaborative in leading businesses and
non-profit organizations to achieve dynamic goal fulfillment.
“We are delighted to have Donna Lee as our new President. She brings with her not just a solid leadership background, but a true love for helping Beaver County to thrive. The Board looks forward to her building strong relationships with not just our members, but the community as a whole” said Beaver County Chamber Board of Directors Chairperson, Brittney Golden.

Siple currently resides in Beaver, PA with her husband, Sam. She is looking forward to
furthering the Chamber’s mission of leading and advocating for economic growth and
community vitality, through collaboration, networking and education, in order to foster the best, most diverse and inclusive environment for our members.
Siple will begin work on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Those who wish to meet her can attend the Free Member Meet & Greet & Chamber 50th Year Open House on Thursday, June 2 at the Chamber office from 9:00am-2:00pm.

Throughout its history, the Chamber has been a leading advocate for business and economic development. For more information on the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, you can visit the Chamber’s website at www.bcchamber.com, or call the Chamber at 724-775-3944.

(File Photo)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pa State Police at the Rivers Casino are reporting that they have charged an Ambridge man with Theft of Lost of Mislaid Property after he found a wallet at the Casino on May 28, 2022 around 8:30 AM.

Troopers said in the release that 62-year-old Edward Gorsop found the wallet that the victim had dropped accidently containing $100.00 cash in it. Video surveillance depicted Gorsop picking up the wallet with his left hand and then discarding the wallet between two slot machines.

Rivers Security personnel made contact with Gorsop at a different slot machine at which time he was escorted to the SOC. Rivers Security stated to officers that Gorsop first denied removing any money from the wallet before finally admitting that he had.

Troopers then made contact with Gorsop via phone after the incident to advise him of their intent to file criminal charges against him via summons through Pittsburgh Magistrate Court 05-0-03

(Photo Courtesy of Congressman Lamb)

(PITTSBURGH, PA) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced that Shady Side Academy sophomore, Sophia Jho, is the winner of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for Pennsylvania’s 17^th District for her pastel pencil artwork “Adrift.” 

“We had a great selection of artwork to choose from this year from students at schools across the District,” said Lamb.  “I’m looking forward to seeing Sophia’s work on display in the Capitol.  Thank you to the teachers and families who encourage kids explore their creativity through the arts.”

Lamb received more than two dozen submissions for the contest, including oil paintings, photographs, and drawings from schools across PA-17.

A panel of judges, including local artists and educators, selected Jho’s “Adrift,” which will be hung in the U.S. Capitol along with the winning entries from other congressional districts nationwide.

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing that that an overnight closure of the northbound I-79 local lane at the traffic crossover in Aleppo Township, Allegheny County, will occur Tuesday night, May 31 weather permitting.

 

(File Photo)

(Moon Twp., Pa.) As a reminder today starts long-term single-lane closures on Business Loop 376 in Moon Township.
The closures in both directions will from 9 a.m. Today continuously through mid-July as crews conduct storm inlet and median barrier removal and replacement work. The lane closures will occur between the eastbound Halverson Drive on-ramp and the I-376 Moon interchange. Crews will work in an approximate one mile segment of roadway before moving to the next segment.
The $6.09 million project which includes milling and paving, shoulder and base repairs, drainage improvements, guide rail updates, signage and pavement marking installation, and other miscellaneous construction activities. The overall project will conclude in the fall of 2022.

(Photo Courtesy of New Castle Police Facebook Page)

(New Castle, Pa.) New Castle police are offering a reward for information about the whereabouts of Melissa Henson was last seen in the North Hill area of New Castle back in January of 2021. In a post on the New Castle Police Departments Facebook Page it stated that police have followed up on “numerous leads” since she went missing and they believe there are individuals that possess pertinent information that could assist in this case and also bring much needed closure to her family and friends.”
Henson is 5-foot-4 with dark shoulder-length hair and green eyes. She also has a tattoo on her left foot of a heart with an arrow and an “Aubry” tattoo on her right arm.
Anyone with information can call New Castle police at 724-656-3589.

(Photo provided with release)

Keystone State News Connection

May 25, 2022

Emily Scott

May marks both Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month. In Pennsylvania, officials want to ensure that veterans know mental-health and substance-use resources are available.

Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 military veterans, the fourth-largest veteran population in the country.

Rick Hamp, special assistant to the deputy adjutant general for veteran affairs at the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, leads military suicide-prevention efforts in the state. He said veterans sometimes can face stigma if they speak openly about struggles with anxiety or depression. Knowing a loved one supports them can help, Hamp said.

“Always be there for your family members and for those around you,” he said. “You know what’s normal for a person, and if they don’t look normal, don’t be afraid to ask the question, ‘Are you OK?’ That is the start of helping a person. And be ready when they reply, ‘No, I’m not.'”

The state recently launched PA VETConnect, a community-based outreach program for veterans to find behavioral and mental-health services and employment opportunities. Veterans in crisis or those who know one can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and press 1.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, executive vice president and chief medical officer at United Healthcare, agreed it’s important to look out for signs of mental-health challenges in loved ones. That may mean an uncharacteristic disinterest in activities they usually enjoy, a change in sleep patterns or mentioning feelings of hopelessness. She added that it’s important for people to seek help from a trusted health professional.

“Mental health is part of our health,” she said. “It’s a conversation you should be having with your primary-care physician when you go get your annual checkups, especially if you already have an established relationship. And it can be a really good place to start, and also take into context your other medical conditions.”

According to the 2022 America’s Health Rankings Senior Report from United Health Foundation, drug-related deaths increased by 149% for older adults in Pennsylvania over a 10-year period. Seventy-six percent of Pennsylvania’s veterans are age 55 or older.