By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania senators have grilled turnpike executives over their efforts to collect unpaid tolls that amounted to $104 million last year. A hearing Wednesday by the Senate Transportation Committee was prompted by an Associated Press report last week regarding some 11 million rides that generated no revenue for the debt-hobbled agency. Turnpike Chief Executive Mark Compton is assuring the committee the agency takes the issue “very seriously” and is working to lower the amount of “leakage,” an industry term for free rides. One senator calls the $104 million figure “just unacceptible.” A follow-up hearing is planned, perhaps as soon as next week.

Is the delta variant of the coronavirus worse for kids?
By LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer
The delta variant is causing a surge in infections among kids in the U.S. and elsewhere, but experts say there are no strong signs yet that it is causing more severe disease for young patients. Experts say delta poses more of a risk to children because it spreads more easily. The spike in infections among children and teens has also meant an increase in hospitalizations. The sheer numbers can make it seem like children are getting sicker, but experts say that does not appear to be the case. COVID-19 vaccines also continue to provide protection against the delta variant.

Keystone State News Connection

September 23, 2021

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvanians have less than two months until open enrollment through Pennie, the state-run health insurance marketplace, and medical professionals say there is a lot to consider when trying to pick a plan which is right for you.

For residents who need to purchase their own plan for 2022, open enrollment through Pennie will run from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15. Twelve insurance companies are offering individual market plans through the exchange, with an average proposed rate increase of 2% from the previous year.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare employer and individual, said planning ahead is key when finding an affordable plan.

“Anticipate what your expenses are for next year,” Randall suggested. “Are you anticipating you’re going to need to have a certain procedure, or you’ve recently been diagnosed with a specific condition, or maybe you’re planning to expand your family?”

More than 330,000 Pennsylvanians are enrolled in coverage through Pennie, which replaced Healthcare.gov in the state in Sep. 2020.

Nearly 2.8 million state residents get their insurance through Medicare, which is for people 65 and older or living with a disability. Medicare offers robust coverage, but does not pay for outpatient prescription drugs or other types of care.

Randall recommended enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, which includes prescription drug coverage.

“You need to pick a separate prescription drug Part D program,” Randall explained. “It generally doesn’t cover supplemental benefits and things like vision, dental and hearing in most circumstances.”

There were 31 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans available in the Commonwealth for 2020, with monthly premiums ranging from $13 to $168. Medicare recipients can make changes to their coverage during the fall election period each year, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, with coverage taking effect Jan. 1.

(File Photo of the Chippewa Twp. Wine and Spirits Store)

$813.4 million in contributions to state, local governments,
other beneficiaries

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today released unaudited financial results for fiscal year 2020-21 that reflect record net income and the largest annual sales increase in PLCB history.

Sales in the most recently completed fiscal year totaled $2.91 billion (including liquor and sales taxes), $349.4 million or 13.7% more than the prior year. Additionally, fiscal year 2020-21 sales were $238.5 million or 8.9% higher than the PLCB’s previous (pre-COVID-19) record sales of $2.67 billion in fiscal year 2018-19.

This resulted in net income for the year totaling a record $264.9 million, which was $56.1 million or 26.9% higher than the prior fiscal year. The increase in net income was due to increased gross profits from sales, which was partially offset by increases in operating expenses and decreases in other revenues like license fees.

Contributions to state and local governments and other beneficiaries totaled $813.4 million for the fiscal year.

Contributions to the General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services, totaled $764.8 million. General Fund contributions consisted of the following:

• $415.8 million in liquor tax;
• $163.9 million in state sales tax; and
• $185.1 million in cash transfers.

Other PLCB contributions over the course of the fiscal year included the following:

• $29.2 million to the Pennsylvania State Police for liquor control enforcement efforts;
• $9.6 million in local sales taxes to Philadelphia and Allegheny counties;
• $1.8 million in licensing fees returned to local municipalities; and
• $5.3 million to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

Additionally, the PLCB authorized about $2 million in grants in fiscal year 2020-21 in support of Pennsylvania’s beer and wine industries and awarded $1.4 million in alcohol education grants during the year to reduce underage and dangerous drinking.

The PLCB is the only commonwealth enterprise fund whose financials are separately reported in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates about 600 wine and spirits stores and distribution centers statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits – totaling nearly $18.7 billion since the agency’s inception – are returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit lcb.pa.gov.

For more information about the PLCB and to review the unaudited fiscal year 2020-21 financials, visit lcb.pa.gov.

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a tornado watch for Beaver County and the surrounding area as a cold front makes its way through the area.

TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 510
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
220 PM EDT WED SEP 22 2021

TORNADO WATCH 510 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT FOR THE
 FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

PAC003-005-007-019-031-039-049-051-053-059-063-065-073-085-121-
125-129-230200-
/O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0510.210922T1820Z-210923T0200Z/

PA
.    PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ALLEGHENY            ARMSTRONG           BEAVER
BUTLER               CLARION             CRAWFORD
ERIE                 FAYETTE             FOREST
GREENE               INDIANA             JEFFERSON
LAWRENCE             MERCER              VENANGO
WASHINGTON           WESTMORELAND
$$

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge Council approved  an innovative application “STREET SOUNDS” purchased from AirNetix to provide notifications, public safety announcements  and music via  speakers between 4th and 8th streets,  at its recent meeting. Borough Manager Mario Leone said the installation of the system  is an awesome opportunity  make a pedesstrian-friendly atmosphere. He said the system will  also be used to promote businesses and their specials.”

(Photo courtesy of CCBC)

(Monaca, PA ) Community College of Beaver County’s (CCBC) Board of Trustees announced today that it has re-appointed Dr. Roger W. Davis as president of the college with a four-year extension to his existing contract.
The unanimous decision was made at the September 21 public Board of Trustees meeting and is effective until June 2026.
“I am truly humbled by the Board of Trustees’ belief in my efforts to lead CCBC forward,” said President Davis.

Trustee Pamela Johnson, who served as Board Chair during the initial hiring of Dr. Davis, said of the decision: “As past board chair I have had the great honor of serving with Dr. Roger Davis in his inaugural contract. Dr. Davis has demonstrated servant leadership to and through the entire campus and community. Pandemic and fiscal challenges have been tackled proactively, and his transparency and integrity has promoted Board/President relationships. I have every confidence in his ability and desire to lead Community College of Beaver County into the future.”
Since becoming CCBC’s ninth president in 2019, Dr. Davis has championed student success and strategic retention. He worked closely with faculty and staff to establish the CCBC Honors Program and grew the nationally distinct High School Academy to more than 200 students from 60 school districts throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Dr. Davis has also led the development of a dynamic, engaged, and diverse CCBC Foundation Board working alongside them to support CCBC students. Under his leadership, the CCBC Foundation has secured more than $20 million in grants, gifts, and federal relief funding, and opened the Shell Center for Process Technology Education, a 14,000 square foot state-of-the-art advanced manufactured training center on campus, which was fully funded by external philanthropic support.
Committed to the people and neighborhoods that CCBC serves, President Davis and his team respond whether it’s launching the first-in-the-region Process Technology associate degree program to fill critical energy and advanced manufacturing roles, partnering seamlessly with Heritage Valley Health Systems to administer more than 31,000 vaccinations in the historic Golden Dome or creating new and accessible
community classrooms for working adults and underserved populations in local libraries in Ambridge, Aliquippa and Beaver Falls.

“Dr. Davis is like the old TV ad for Eveready batteries – an energized rabbit that never stops. I admire his energy and it’s contagious for those around him,” said Steve Robinson, Board Treasurer, who led the subcommittee on this extension effort. “Dr. Davis is a humble and caring person that talks the talk and walks the talk.” Prior to his appointment, Dr. Davis served as CCBC’s Executive Vice President and Provost, a position that relocated the Baltimore native to Beaver County in July 2016. Since arriving on campus he has successfully led the College to a strategic plan that has transformed the College’s culture of assessment, retention, and diversity, and strengthened CCBC’s core values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity,
Students First, and Excellence (RAISE). His drive to excellence led to the College’s recognition as one of the 2020 Great Colleges to Work For, and the Beaver County Times Best College of the Valley consecutively.

A resident of Rochester, he is an active community member in the region, cultivating a campus-wide sense of community growth and engagement. Dr. Davis is a board member for the Beaver County March of Dimes, the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, Beaver County Educational Trust, the United Way of Beaver County, Heritage Valley Health Systems, and The Franklin Center of Beaver County, where he
currently serves as Board Chair. He also serves as a team evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and as a board member for EntreEd, The National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. He is a dynamic speaker and is often called upon to speak at regional and national conferences and at
professional development programs.

“Dr. Davis has an extraordinary human spirit which has allowed him to lead in an extraordinary way. No one knows what the future holds. COVID-19 said it all. Fortunately, we feel very good about the possibilities for CCBC,” said Board Secretary Genetha Woods-Short, who also served on the subcommittee of Trustees negotiating the contract renewal. “Congratulations, Roger!”

Dr. Davis earned a doctoral degree in Urban Educational Leadership from Morgan State University; a Master of Science degree in Adult Education, with Honors, from Coppin State College; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Get to Know President Davis
 A competitive tennis player, Dr. Davis has traveled the world and explored other countries along the way. He identifies Gran Canaria, Spain as one of his favorite stops, noting the beautiful beaches, wonderful people, and delicious food as reasons to place this trip on your bucket list.
 His first book, The 30 Most Powerful Words in the English Language, was released January 1, 2021.
 Although an introvert by nature, the Beaver County transplant enjoys the genuine friendliness of strangers he has met since arriving to Pittsburgh.
 Dr. Davis recognizes Dr. Mary Ellen Hrutka, his first true mentor in higher education, as having the most impact on his professional career. “She taught me the ropes…how to maneuver, treat people with kindness, produce top-notch work, show up, speak up, and focus on student
success.”
 The college and community leader will always consider his mother to be most influential in his life. “She always focused on excellence and exposing me to as many diverse situations and opportunities as possible.