the almanac M A R C H 17, 2024
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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WOMEN AWARDS GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PAGE A4
OBSERVER-REPORTER
‘Eclipseapalooza’
State Sen. Patrick J. Stefano, R-Connellsville, left, and the late state Rep. Peter J. Daley view the 2017 solar eclipse in Brownsville.
Solar eclipse will have people looking skyward, traveling in April By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
Thousands of years ago, eclipses were something to fear. Before astronomy was born and eclipses were fully understood, it was believed that when the sky would unexpectedly grow dark during the day, it was because the gods were enraged, the sun had been devoured by dragons, demons or wolves or it was a harbinger of death and destruction. In the 21st century, eclipses are not an occasion to sprint for the hills or sacrifice a goat. Instead, for many, they’re an occasion to scramble for hotel reservations. On April 8, the routine of a Monday afternoon is going to be interrupted for millions of people across North America when the moon passes between the Earth and sun in what has been dubbed the Great American Eclipse. It will extend all the way from the Mexican state of Sinaloa to the
Canadian province of Nova Scotia, be the first total solar eclipse in North America since August 2017, and the last for 20 years. The Pittsburgh region has not experienced many total solar eclipses. The last time it happened in this region was June 1451, and one is not on the horizon for the next couple hundred years. This time around, it is just outside the zone where the eclipse will be total – if you are in Southwestern Pennsylvania, the sky will get somewhat darker but not completely so, about 2 p.m. on April 8, according to Amanda Iwaniec, who directs visitor engagement at the Carnegie Science Center. “It will be noticeable,” she said, adding that what makes this eclipse unique is that it covers such a wide range of territory and so many populated areas that are in or near the zone where the eclipse will be total. Some of the places in the totality zone are SEE ECLIPSE PAGE A2
KERNAN WRESTLES TO THIRD AT PIAA CHAMPIONSHIPS PAGE B1
JOSHUA RADIN TAKES THE STAGE IN PITTSBURGH PAGE B3 What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A5 Classifieds, B4-6 ASSOCIATED PRESS
People look to the sky as the 2017 eclipse happens in Nebraska.
BP’s Allen Levine gets citizen of the year honors By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
BETHEL PARK – Allen Levine is a busy guy. How much so? The 66-year-old has been a union negotiator, a United Way solicitor, a community relations director for a nonprofit organization, and a fundraiser for plenty of worthy causes and organizations. But he may be most widely known throughout the South Hills as the host of multiple programs on BPTV, Bethel Park’s public access television channel. Starting in 2011, Levine has been the host of “Pittsburgh Sportsline,” a weekly, award-winning talk show that blends chat about sports, and also shines a spotlight on local businesses, events and fundraisers. Levine SEE HONORS PAGE A2
COURTESY OF PA. TURNPIKE COMMISSION
Ninety Pennsylvania Department of Transportation workers have been killed in accidents since 1970. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has had 45 workers die in work zone accidents dating back to 1945.
Taking safety measures BRAD HUNDT/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Allen Levine, left, accepts citizen of the year honors from Magisterial District Judge Ron Arnoni.
“AL IS A TREASURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. HE KNOWS SO MANY PEOPLE AND HE’S READY TO HELP WHEN HE’S CALLED … AL IS WHAT MAKES BETHEL PARK A GREAT PLACE TO WORK.” — MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE RONALD ARNONI
PennDOT, state police begin enforcement of work zone camera program By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
After a five-year pilot program, Pennsylvania drivers can expect to continue seeing cameras enforcing the speed limit in work zones. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT) announced this week that state police would begin enforcement on the Work Zone Safety Camera program. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed H.B. 1284 on Dec. 14, which made the pilot camera program permanent. In a press release, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the purpose of the pro-
gram is to make work zones safer for both drivers and workers. “Data from the pilot program shows it was successful, and we’re pleased that it’s now a permanent program in Pennsylvania,” Carroll said. SEE CAMERA PAGE A2