Keystone State News Connection

January 19, 2022
Emily Scott

As the omicron variant continues to surge, people are spending a lot of time on digital screens for remote work or entertainment. Eye health experts warn overexposure to blue light from screens can take a toll on vision, in both children and adults.

According to one study, screen time among U.S. children has doubled during the pandemic to almost eight hours per day. Dr. Christina Master, co-chair of the School Health Committee at the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said her organization has guidelines for parents on managing children’s screen time.

“We’ll talk a lot in the pediatrician’s office about how we don’t want to have screens in the kids’ bedrooms,” she said. “Bedrooms should be for sleeping, and having screens there can be really tough. We do want to have some screen-free times – like meals; family meals together should be screen-free.”

Researchers still are studying the health implications of excessive blue-light exposure, including potential damage to retina cells in the eyes of kids and teens. Optometrists also have said it’s important for kids to get comprehensive eye exams, and not solely rely on routine vision checks done at school.

Optometrist Scott Edmonds, chief eye-care officer for United Healthcare Vision, said blue light also can lead to digital eye strain, which contributes to dry eyes, headaches and neck pain. Edmonds recommended following the “20-20-20” rule: After 20 minutes of work, people take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away.

“So, that break takes you away from the blue light, lets your pupil go to its normal size, lets your muscles in your eye relax, lets your focusing muscle relax,” he said. “All that, every 20 minutes, will really help you be more comfortable with screen time.”

Other recommendations include keeping screens at least 30 inches from eyes when possible, and using blue-light-blocking technology. Some phones may already have a “night mode” that uses this, or people can purchase specialized screen protectors that block blue light at the source.

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Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 5:55 AM
(Butler, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they dispatched for reports of multiple shots fire behind the Rural King at the Clearview Mall in Butler Tuesday Evening around 6:00PM.
Troopers said via release that upon investigating it was discovered that 24-year-old Carlos Gonzalez Carril of Butler fired numerous rounds at 19-year-old Damian Blystone, 21-year-old Ryan Ehrman, and a known juvenile during an altercation in the Rural King Parking Lot
Troopers said the three victims sustained minor injuries and no other information about the shooting was released.

Court sets deadline to break stalemate on congressional map
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A statewide court is giving lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf a deadline of Jan. 30 to break a stalemate around redrawing Pennsylvania’s congressional districts to account for a decade of demographic shifts. The Commonwealth Court on Friday set the deadline for it to judge proposals that are submitted to it. That deadline is barely two weeks before candidates can start circulating petitions to get on primary election ballots. The primary election is May 17. The Commonwealth Court told parties in the case that they must submit a proposed map by 5 p.m. on Jan. 24. Pennsylvania is losing a congressional seat, dropping from 18 to 17.

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PITTSBURGH – January 18, 2022 – The Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research, an organization committed to diminishing the impact of sports related brain injuries, today announced that Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion Jerome Bettis has joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Founded in 2016, the organization awards grants to advance research related to the diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the brain. The Foundation has awarded 14 early stage research grants totaling $1.7 million, leveraging an additional $10 million in additional support. Funding priorities focus on research that addresses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the brain, with a primary focus on those stemming from sports related injuries.
“The Chuck Noll Foundation’s mission to diminish the impact of head injuries goes beyond professional sports – and has the potential to impact every kid who is injured playing in the front yard, and every person who falls or gets in a car accident,” said Jerome Bettis. “Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of disability, impacting athletes at all levels and people of all ages. I’m honored to be part of this important work and eager to help shape the future of concussion and TBI research.”
“I am honored that Jerome Bettis has agreed to join the Chuck Noll Foundation Board, and will be lending his insight and perspective,” said Arthur J. Rooney, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board. “In 2022, the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research will continue to provide grants to support cutting-edge research that helps to diagnose and treat injuries to the brain. I am pleased that many of the research projects funded by the Noll Foundation have now been validated by the fact that they are attracting research grants and have been published in peer reviewed medical publications.”
The Chuck Noll Foundation has made fourteen grants totaling $1.7 million dollars with an average grant size of $120,000. These grants, supporting both basic science and clinical research, have helped identify biomarkers that help with early detection, precision vestibular rehabilitation, brain tsunamis, and support for a brain bank. Grants have been made to Allegheny Health Network, Carnegie Mellon University, The University of Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and West Virginia University.
Mr. Bettis retired in 2006 following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl XL victory, finishing a 13-season career. He is a six time Pro Bowler, remains one of only six players in NFL history to rush for 13,000 yards, and is one of eight players in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards for eight or more seasons. Jerome was named NFL Co-Rookie of the year and Sporting News’ Rookie of the Year, and also earned Los Angeles Rams’ MVP Honors. Today, he serves as a Studio Analyst for ESPN’s SportsCenter and NFL Live.

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Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 9:30 AM
(Aliquippa, Pa. ) On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 2 p.m. Aliquippa Parks and Recreation Department will receive a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile to go towards the Third Avenue Playground  Project.  The location of the check presentation will be the T-Mobile Store, in the Aliquippa Shopping Center 2719 Brodhead, Suite 160 In Aliquippa, PA.

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(Pittsburgh, Pa.) UPMC Health Plan and Highmark are both now offering reimbursement for FDA approved COVID-19 tests.
Members covered by their employers or individual plans will be able to seek reimbursement for COVID tests now, in accordance with recent federal requirements.
Mary Beth Jenkins, Chief Operating and Administrative Officer of UPMC Health Plan said “UPMC Health Plan is pleased to offer our commercial members the immediate opportunity to mail in documentation of FDA-authorized tests purchased on or after Jan. 15 for reimbursement,” . “And we will have an online reimbursement portal up and running in the very near future. At any time, Health Plan members can call their Member Service ‘concierges’ for additional information on this or any other COVID-related coverage and assistance questions.”
The Biden Administration required private insurance companies and health plans to cover the cost of eight at-home COVID tests, effective Saturday, Jan. 15.
The mandate does not extend to Medicare members, but UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage and Highmark Medicare Advantage members already receive full COVID-19 testing coverage when tests are ordered by a physician.

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Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:56 AM
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pa State Police at the River’s Casino is reporting that a 33-year-old Trisha Gray from Beaver Falls Reported that she lost a wallet wristlet while at the River’s Casino on January 3, 2022 at 7 PM.
Troopers reported via release that the Wallet Wristlet and the majority of its contents were recovered but $3000.00 Cash was missing. No other information about was provided.