Oz gets Walk of Fame star as rival says he’s too ‘Hollywood’
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Mehmet Oz, the celebrity cardiologist who recently ended his daytime TV “Dr. Oz Show” to run for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony is Friday, just as he’s being attacked 2,000 miles away in a rival’s TV ad saying he’s too “Hollywood.” The award underscores how successful Oz was before he gave up his TV career to run for public office. That same career is now being used against him by rivals who are picking apart his TV shows and past as a self-styled wellness advocate. They’re aiming to raise doubt about his conservative credentials as a Republican.

(File Photo)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Energy announced today that nearly $5 billion will be made available under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build out a national electric vehicle charging network.  This is an important step towards making electric vehicle (EV) charging accessible to all Americans.  Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced that Pennsylvania is eligible to receive up to $25 million in the first funding phase for Fiscal Year 2022.  Lamb supported this program’s inclusion in the infrastructure package.

“This is great news for the environment and for union jobs,” said Lamb.  “This $25 billion federal investment will jump start the work to build the electric vehicle transportation technology and infrastructure for our state and our region.”

“Conor Lamb has been fighting in Washington to create good jobs for our members,” said Thomas R. McIntyre, Business Manager, IBEW Local Union No. 5.  “We’re already training the men and women who are going to build this network of electric vehicle charging stations here in western Pennsylvania.  The federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Conor helped to pass will ensure that work gets done.”

The program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System.  States must submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access these funds.  Lamb’s bipartisan Grid Modernization Research and Development Act was passed in the Energy Act of 2020, which was signed into law in December of 2020.  This authorized a research and demonstration program at the Department of Energy to integrate electric vehicles onto the electric grid, improving its resilience and facilitating EV deployment.

Earlier this week, the White House detailed actions taken to date to prepare for this historic EV investment and increase in manufacturing, including the creation of a new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.  The Joint Office will play a key role in the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program, by providing direct technical assistance and support to help states develop their plans before they are reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration, which administers the funding.

Click here for more details on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver for Pennsylvania.

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Firefighters were called to Bright Machine Shop at 11:39 AM Thursday, February 10, 2022. When crews arrived they found the framed office building was on fire. Hopewell Township Fire Chief Mike New said the building  sustained extensive damage, but the  metal shop attached to the building only sustained smoke and water damage.  Chief New said the fire was  out just after 1:30 PM.  Aliquippa was the first department on scene, the chief said and several other departments assisted.

(Darlington Twp., Pa.) The Darlington Twp. Fire Department is reporting on their Facebook page that they responded Thursday morning, February 10, 2022, at 10:40 AM to reports of an accident at the Danzer Veneer Americas facility in Darlington Township.

The post said an overhead crane fell on a worker’s head, knocking them unconscious. EMS and fire crews advised dispatch to have air medical on standby. Crews arrived on the scene and assisted EMS personnel with patient care. EMS personnel then advised dispatch that they did need air medical and to have them land at the St. Monica Church on Route 51 .

The unnamed victim was then air lifted to a local hospital. There is no word on their condition at this time.

(Center Twp., Pa.) Center Twp. Police Department via a post on their Facebook Page is asking citizens to be aware of a current fraud in Center / Potter Twp being investigated by Det Sgt Gonczi:
The Current scam is targeting elderly subjects: A Person calls the potential victim, saying they are with Xfinity/Comcast technical support, giving them a false employee number making their pitch more credible. They tell the victim(s) they have identified their Xfinity/Comcast account as being charged by scammers who are buying bitcoin online. They say Xfinity/Comcast owes the victim money back and request the victim give them credit card and/or a bank account information so they can reimburse their account for the money owed by Xfinity. The scammer then asks for a photo of the victim’s driver’s license or photo ID for an added step of security. The scammer requests the victim not make any purchases or utilize their credit card or bank accounts for a few days until they complete their reimbursement which gives the suspects time to make online purchases with their credit card account and/or bank account. The scammers have full access to the victim’s bank account and/or credit card account. They make online purchases of gift cards using victims’ Amazon account to facilitate the purchases. The gift cards are then shipped to other victims.
The victims that the gift cards are shipped to are being told Xfinity/Comcast cannot reimburse their credit card account and/or bank account and they are sending them gift cards in the mail for the reimbursements to further the scam.
If this happens to you immediately hang up and report to your local police.

The featured image above shows the meeting taking place at Blackhawk High School

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Correspondent. Published February 10, 2022 10:55 P.M.

(Chippewa Township, PA) The Blackhawk School Board met Thursday evening for a work session.  A large amount of community members attended the meeting to voice their opinions on how the board is currently handling employee contracts.  Many expressed disappointment and concerns over recent personnel decisions made by the board. One community member said, “All I see is nonsense, and it’s an embarrassment”.  Board Chairman, Frank Makoczy, responded that contracts made by a previous board can be terminated if they determine that they will disrupt governmental function.  The board also discussed a potential newsletter that will detail news going on in the district.  A new soccer coach is expected to be hired soon as well.

Truckers’ bridge blockade forces shutdowns at auto plants
By ROB GILLIES and TOM KRISHER Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — The truck blockade at the U.S. border by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, Toyota and General Motors to shut down plants or otherwise curtail production. The bumper-to-bumper demonstration entered its fourth day Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit. It is disrupting the flow of auto parts and other products back and forth across the border.