pennsylvania

January 19, 2018

Pennsylvania 2nd Highest Among States Affected by Salmonella Infections Linked to Coconut

According to the Center for Disease Control’s website, Pennsylvania is the second highest among the nine affected states for illness caused by a recent Salmonella outbreak. The site says that the CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to Coconut Tree Brand frozen Shredded Coconut. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 11, 2017 to November 4, 2017. Ill people range in age from 1 year to 82, with a median age of 19. Among ill people, 19 (76%) are male….

October 19, 2017

PA Drivers Encouraged to Remove Expired Registration Stickers

State Representative Aaron Bernstine posted the following information on his Facebook page: Pennsylvania drivers are encouraged to remove expired registration stickers from their license plates as out-of-state police officers have pulled over drivers with outdated stickers. At the end of 2016, PennDOT stopped issuing the stickers, saving taxpayers more than $3 million. PennDOT has alerted police from other states and Canada of the lack of registration stickers. However, out-of-state police officers have been reported to pull over Pennsylvania drivers who still have the outdated stickers on their plates. Pennsylvania State Police encourage residents who are pulled over to politely explain…

August 2, 2017

PennDOT to Start Suspending Vehicle Registrations for Unpaid Tolls

The new state law, Act 165, which was approved last fall, takes effect this Friday. Any drivers with unpaid tolls greater than $500 or who have at least six toll violations are at risk for vehicle registration suspension. As part of a limited time amnesty offer, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will waive fees for anyone who settles their debts before the deadline of 7p.m. Friday, and for anyone who has had the debts sent to a collection agency the turnpike will waive half of the associated fees. Pennsylvania’s top 10,000 worst toll offenders, who in collection owe more than $17…

June 29, 2017

Gov. Wolf, Boston Terrier Sign Bill for Stricter Animal Cruelty Laws

HARRISBURG – Yesterday Gov. Tom Wolf and a Boston Terrier named Libre, signed the Libre’s Law Bill – strengthening Pennsylvania’s laws and punishments against animal abuse and neglect. Next to Wolf’s signature lies a tiny paw print belonging to a once neglected Boston Terrier, Libre, named by his rescuer meaning “freedom” in Spanish. In July 2016, Libre was found as a three-month-old puppy clinging to life in the summer heat, dehydrated, emaciated and suffering from severe mange with maggots eating his rotting flesh, he was disposed of and neglected by an Amish puppy mill farmer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His rescuer,…

May 9, 2017

SMC Councils Minimum Wage Survey Reveals Small Business Challenges with Governor’s Proposal

HARRISBURG, PA – In his 2017-18 budget, Governor Tom Wolf calls for a mandated increase in the minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 per hour effective on July 1 of this year, with no phase in period. SMC Business Councils, along with 10 affiliate organizations, conducted a minimum wage survey among 450 Western Pennsylvania small businesses, finding 85 percent of respondents disagreed with the governor’s proposal, while only 11 percent agreed. More than 30 members of SMC Business Councils will converge on Harrisburg on Monday, May 8, 2017 to present members of the Governor’s staff with results from the…

April 17, 2017

Easter Sunday Shooter Suspected in Western Pennsylvania

UPDATED: 4/18 at 10a.m. A manhunt has been warranted in several states after suspect, Steve Stephens, shot and killed an elderly man midday Easter Sunday and uploaded the killing to his Facebook page. According to reports, Stephens, 37, of Cleveland Ohio, fatally shot random passerby 74-year-old Robert Godwin in a residential area east of Cleveland, uploaded footage of the shooting to his Facebook, and fled the scene. Last night police stated the suspect “may be out of state,” and prompted locals in the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana and Michigan to be vigilant on his whereabouts. “He is considered…

April 11, 2017

Real Estate Transactions for March, 2017

Courtesy of the Register & Recorder section of the Lawrence County Government Center in New Castle, the following are real estate transfers from the Ellwood City Area for March, 2017: Ellwood City 701 Todd Ave; Doreen F. Palatka to Gary M. and Kayla M. White for $115,000 822 Lawrence Ave; McElwain Brothers LP to Boehm Family Real Estate LLC for $920,000 525 Pershing St; Benjamin Liss EST to Nicholas L. Genova for $64,000 917 Sunset Blvd; Edward P. Zikeli to David A. and Joanne M. Adamczyk for $63,000 417 Wampum Ave; Arlene F. Cogliano to Schry Investments LLC…

April 5, 2017

Bernstine Votes to Support Budget Plan That Reins In State Spending

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) issued a statement following his vote today in support of a responsible budget plan: “Today, I voted to help pass a state budget plan that reduces spending from last year’s budget, while requiring no new taxes and no new borrowing. “I consistently hear from my constituents that government spends too much money and places too heavy of a burden on taxpayers. I absolutely agree that we must do all we can to get government spending under control. “This plan, while certainly with imperfections, shows promise in helping to lower costs. Even with the reduced…