PA PUC cautions against copycat online energy shopping websites this Cyber Monday

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PR/CP

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02/12/2024

PUC’s Official Websites Marked for Trusted, Neutral Energy Advice on Energy Shopping, Conservation and Efficiency

HARRISBURG. – As Pennsylvanians gear up for Cyber Monday, a peak day for online deals, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued a consumer alert about the rise of look-alike websites mimicking the state’s official energy shopping platforms – PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com.

Unofficial copycat or look-alike sites often top search engine results or appear prominently in social media ads, misleading consumers who are looking for fair and unbiased information about energy shopping.

«In the digital age, where aggressive marketing can sway decisions, we urge Pennsylvanians to stay vigilant and use our official tools for all their energy shopping needs – not just on Cyber Monday but throughout the year,» said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank.

The PUC’s energy shopping websites – clearly marked as “The Official Electric Shopping Websites of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” – are designed to provide consumers with impartial and comprehensive information. Especially during high-traffic online shopping days like Cyber Monday, it is crucial that consumers are aware of imitation sites that may offer less favorable or restrictive energy deals.

Consumers are encouraged to directly visit PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com to ensure they are using the PUC’s verified, independent resources. These platforms offer extensive information about consumer rights and the full range of choices available, helping Pennsylvanians make informed decisions based on transparent and neutral data. Whether evaluating direct mail offers, telemarketing pitches, or online ads, these sites provide a reliable benchmark to assess the competitiveness and terms of energy offers.

Safe Online Shopping Tips for Cyber Monday and Beyond

Verify the URL: Always check the web address to ensure you are visiting an official PUC site. Look-alikes may feature slight variations intended to confuse users.

Look for Comprehensive Information: Official PUC sites provide detailed explanations of consumer rights and comprehensive comparisons of offers, along with information about energy efficiency and conservation. Be wary of sites that do not offer this depth of information.
Seek Neutral Advice: PAPowerSwitch and PAGasSwitch are committed to offering unbiased information, free from commercial influences. If a site pushes certain offers excessively, it might not be neutral.

When shopping for energy deals, especially online, you may be required to provide personal details such as account numbers and other sensitive information to potential suppliers. It is crucial to ensure that you are dealing with a trusted business and using a secure system. Before sharing any personal details, confirm that you are interacting with reputable and verified suppliers to protect yourself from fraudulent activities and potential identity theft.

Consumers seeking to verify if an energy supplier is authorized to operate in Pennsylvania may do so by checking the PUC website list of licensed electric generation suppliers and licensed natural gas suppliers. NOTE: Not all suppliers post their offers on PAPowerSwitch and PAGasSwitch. That is a business decision made by each individual supplier.

For more information about safe and effective energy shopping and to ensure you are accessing the correct resources, please visit PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com. Stay safe online and make informed decisions with trusted resources from your Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

State police report 1,075 crashes, 552 DUI arrests over the Thanksgiving holiday

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PR/CP

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02/12/2024

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today announced its crash and enforcement totals from the 2024 Thanksgiving travel period. From November 27 to December 1, 2024, PSP investigated 1,075 vehicle crashes, resulting in seven deaths. Impaired driving was a factor in 64 of those crashes, one of which was fatal.

During the five-day holiday weekend, Troopers arrested 552 individuals for driving under the influence and issued the following citations:

7,770 for speeding.
1,020 for failing to wear a seat belt.
124 for not securing children in safety seats.

Table 1: Thanksgiving Weekend Crash Data

Year	Total Crashes	Fatal Crashes	People Killed	People Injured	DUI Crashes	DUI-Related Fatal Crashes
2024 (5 days)	1,075	7	7	194	64	1
2023 (5 days)	979	4	4	197	73	0

Table 2: Thanksgiving Weekend Enforcement Data

Year	DUI Arrests	Speeding Citations	Child Seat Citations	Seat Belt Citations	Other Citations
2024 (5 days)	552	7,770	124	1,020	21,161
2023 (5 days)	542	10,590	133	1,187	18,870

More information on 2024 Thanksgiving enforcement, broken down by troop, is available at psp.pa.gov.

These statistics cover only those incidents investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and do not include incidents to which other law enforcement agencies responded.

Pennsylvania office of gun violence prevention and CeaseFirePA host listening session on firearm suicide prevention

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Por

PR/CP

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02/12/2024

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was re-established by Governor Shapiro and builds on the Shapiro-Davis 2024-25 bipartisan budget which makes significant investments to make Pennsylvania communities safer

Montgomery County, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and CeaseFirePA teamed up to host the fourth stakeholder listening session for PCCD’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This meeting brought together local and regional experts and organizations to discuss strategies and policies to prevent suicides by firearm.

“While many people think of mass shootings and community violence when they hear the term ‘gun violence,’ the fact is that most firearm deaths in Pennsylvania are from suicides,” said Samantha Koch, Interim Director of PCCD’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention. “We know firearm suicides are preventable, and by having open and honest conversations and listening to those on the front lines, we can develop strategies to bolster support for individuals in crisis, reduce access to lethal means, and save lives.”

In 2022, there were 1,941 firearm-related deaths across Pennsylvania, and more than half (55 percent) were firearm-related suicides, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, guns are used in the majority of suicides (54 percent) and homicides (78 percent) across the Commonwealth.

“This is about more than just statistics,” said Dr. Jay Breneman, Director of Firearm Suicide Prevention and Stoneleigh Fellow at CeaseFirePA Education Fund. “It’s about recognizing the everyday realities faced by Pennsylvanians, partnering with communities to break the silence and stigma surrounding this crisis, and fostering life-saving solutions that honor their unique values and experiences. Today’s listening session is the first step in this important process.”

Pennsylvania has made significant investments in public safety and public health initiatives in recent years to address this issue and has seen some positive developments. The number of homicides statewide decreased by 16 percent overall in 2023—compared to 12 percent nationally. Philadelphia was one of 29 Pennsylvania counties that saw declines in homicides in 2023, with that trend continuing so far in 2024 with homicides down 40 percent year-to-date.

While progress has been made, too many Pennsylvanians are still impacted by gun violence.

Firearm-related injuries remain the leading cause of death for children and adolescents, exceeding motor vehicle crashes.
Rates of firearm suicide among youth have also increased over the past decade, tripling among Black youth and doubling among Hispanic/Latino youth.
Pennsylvania’s gun death rate for youth is on par with the national average, and its firearm fatality rate overall is significantly higher than surrounding states.

R.Dominicana suma 10 millones de turistas este año y espera cerrar 2024 por encima de 11

Por

EFE

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02/12/2024

Santo Domingo.– República Dominicana recibió 881.499 turistas en el mes de noviembre, la cifra más alta de los últimos nueve años, y ya suma 10.005.800 visitantes en 2024, ejercicio que quiere terminar por encima de los 11 millones de viajeros, informó este lunes el Ministerio dominicano de Turismo.

La llegada de no residentes por vía aérea en el último mes fue de 667.045, un 5 % más que en noviembre del año pasado, y un 17 % superior a 2022.

También llegaron 214.454 turistas vía marítima, lo que supone un descenso del 7 % con respecto a 2023, pero un aumento del 10 % comparado con 2022.

Durante la presentación de los resultados en Santo Domingo, el presidente dominicano, Luis Abinader, destacó el impacto que tiene el turismo en la economía del país y en la generación de empleos y afirmó que se trabaja en fortalecer los destinos existentes e incentivar nuevos enclaves.

Por su parte, el ministro dominicano de Turismo, David Collado, indicó que los 881.499 visitantes recibidos en noviembre suponen un 54 % más que en el mismo mes de 2019, un 15 % por encima de 2022 y es un 2 % superior al año pasado.

De acuerdo con el Ministerio, el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana (este de República Dominicana) se mantiene como el principal punto de llegada aérea para los no residentes, con 407.748 personas en noviembre, lo que supone el 61 % de todas las llegadas al país, seguido del Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas de Santo Domingo, la capital, con 148.562.

De los 4.821 vuelos comerciales que arribaron al país, el 45 % tuvo como punto de salida Estados Unidos, el 12 % Canadá y el 8 % Panamá.

República Dominicana se queda, a falta del mes de diciembre, a unos 300.000 visitante de superar la cifra que alcanzó en 2023, lo que demuestra el crecimiento del turismo en el país en los últimos años.

Trump advierte de que «habrá un infierno que pagar» si no se libera a los rehenes de EE. UU.

Por

EFE

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02/12/2024

El presidente electo estadounidense, Donald Trump, advirtió este lunes de que si antes de que asuma el poder el próximo enero no se ha liberado a todos los rehenes estadounidenses «habrá un infierno que pagar» en Oriente Medio.

«Si los rehenes no son liberados antes del 20 de enero de 2025, fecha en la que asumo con orgullo el cargo de presidente de Estados Unidos, habrá TODO UN INFIERNO que pagar en Oriente Medio Oriente y para aquellos responsables que perpetraron estas atrocidades contra la humanidad», dijo en su red social, Truth Social.

Los responsables «se verán afectados con mayor dureza que nadie en la larga e histórica historia de Estados Unidos. LIBEREN A LOS REHENES AHORA!», añadió en su plataforma, donde lamentó en que «todo el mundo» hable de que esas personas se vean privadas de su libertad «de forma tan violenta e inhumana» pero no se haga nada al respecto.

«¡Todo son palabras!», destacó el mismo día en que el Ejército israelí anunció que el soldado estadounidense-israelí Omer Neutra, de 21 años, murió en los ataques de Hamás del 7 de octubre de 2023 y que su cadáver es uno de los 35 que continúan en manos de la organización islamista en Gaza.

El actual presidente estadounidense, Joe Biden, lamentó este lunes su fallecimiento y se dirigió también a las familias de los jóvenes que aún siguen secuestrados: «Os vemos. Estamos con vosotros. No dejaré de trabajar para que vuestros seres queridos vuelvan a casa, donde pertenecen», dijo en un comunicado.

Antes de que se conociera la noticia de su muerte, el Comité Estadounidense Israelí (AJC, por sus siglas en inglés) apuntó este lunes que hay siete estadounidenses en manos de Hamás. Neutra era uno de los más jóvenes, mientras que el mayor, Gadi Haggai, tenía 73 años y se considera que murió víctima de un cohete lanzado por el grupo islamista palestino.

Más de 3 millones de viajeros registrados en aeropuertos de EE. UU. en un día, un récord

Nación

Por

VOA

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02/12/2024

Los aeropuertos de Estados Unidos registraron un récord de más de 3 millones de viajeros en un solo día; esto, tras culminar el feriado por el Día de Acción de Gracias celebrado el jueves 28 de noviembre de 2024.

La cantidad de personas que regresaron a casa después del feriado de Acción de Gracias en Estados Unidos fue un récord el domingo: más de 3 millones registradas en los aeropuertos.

La Administración de Seguridad en el Transporte (TSA, por sus siglas en inglés) informó el lunes que atendió a 3,09 millones de viajeros, superando el récord anterior por aproximadamente 74.000. Esa marca se estableció el 7 de julio, también un domingo después de un feriado.

Cientos de miles de viajeros sufrieron retrasos o tuvieron sus vuelos cancelados. Las aerolíneas cancelaron alrededor de 120 vuelos en Estados Unidos —una cifra no especialmente alta— y más de 6.800 vuelos sufrieron retrasos, según FlightAware.

Los mayores números de retrasos se registraron en el Aeropuerto Internacional Hartsfield-Jackson de Atlanta y en el Aeropuerto Internacional O’Hare de Chicago.

La TSA había vaticinado que el tráfico aéreo en la semana de Acción de Gracias aumentaría un 6% respecto a los mismos días del año pasado, siguiendo al patrón del 2024.

Shapiro administration offers tips to help Pennsylvanians avoid falling victim to charity scams

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PR/CP

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02/12/2024

Harrisburg, PA – With many people donating to charity this time of year, the Shapiro Administration is offering tips and best practices to help Pennsylvanians make sure their contributions go to legitimate charitable organizations and causes.

“The holiday season brings out the spirit of giving, and Pennsylvanians have always done their part,” Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. “Sadly, every year criminals try to take advantage of generous people by conning them into giving to a group or person that is not a legitimate, registered charity.”

Consumers can prevent becoming a victim by learning how to identify a charity scam. Here are some red flags of potential charity scams:

Similar-sounding name: Scammers often use names that sound similar to legitimate charities to intentionally create confusion.

High-pressure solicitation: Fraudsters will try to force a hasty decision by turning up the pressure. They may cold call you, identify you as a previous contributor, and ask for your renewed support or to update your credit card information. These attempts rely on catching consumers off guard to extract financial information.

100% guarantee: Most people want to ensure that their donations are going toward legitimate program expenses. Every organization has some level of administrative cost, which can include mailing and printing, rent and utilities, staff or fundraising. An organization that promises that 100% of your funds are going directly to an individual in need might require additional scrutiny.

Request for donation by wire transfer: Legitimate charities will not ask you to make payment via money order or wire transfer. If you are being solicited for a donation and are asked to pay by these means, hang up immediately.

Request for donation by gift card: A charity may ask for donations of gift cards, such as from a grocery store, to supply to someone in need, but you should never read the information from a gift card over the phone or provide it via email. After verifying the legitimacy of the charity, take any physical gift card donation directly to the location of the charity and request documentation of your contribution.

“The Department of State offers useful tips on charitable giving to protect people from being taken advantage of,” Schmidt said. “I’m urging all donors to review the following tips and recommendations before donating this year.”

Do your homework before giving.

· Visit the Department of State’s online charities database to verify that an organization is registered to solicit in Pennsylvania and to see its basic financial information about expenses for program services, fundraising and management.

· Check to see if an organization has been subject to corrective action by the Department of State’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations by checking the Department’s enforcement and disciplinary actions page.

· Verify whether an organization is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization.

· Groups such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator and CharityWatch offer information and ratings about charitable organizations.

Don’t feel pressured to donate on the spot. Do research before sharing your money or information.

Check websites closely. Charity scams can be vehicles for identity theft by directing victims to fake websites where personal and financial information can be stolen.

Direct your payment to the charity. Never make a check payable to an individual; write the check to the verified organization.

El camino para un próximo año balanceado

Bienestar Común

Por

Jacques Giraud

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02/12/2024

A medida que el año llega a su fin, muchas personas se encuentran atrapadas en la vorágine de metas no alcanzadas, reuniones de cierre y compromisos familiares, dejando poco o ningún espacio para una reflexión profunda y consciente sobre cómo fue el período que termina y cómo será el que viene.

En este contexto, surge una gran verdad: para ser realmente productivo es esencial reservar tiempo, antes de que termine el año, y planificar con una visión integral, basada en la famosa rueda de la vida. Esto no solo ayuda a evitar el clásico “juego” de los deseos del espíritu navideño, sino que impulsa un equilibrio real en todos los aspectos de nuestra vida.

¿Te falto disciplina o enfoque para completar el año de forma exitosa?

Es importante dar una mirada a cómo fue el año que está completando. Identificar distractores, hábitos que no funcionaron y comportamientos limitantes. No podemos repetir errores y justificaciones, para no dar continuidad a un patrón que puede desembocar en un resultado de fracaso o de sentimientos encontrados por las metas no satisfechas.

Así que, de forma neutral, hay que mirar el año como un observador, identificar logros, avances y oportunidades de mejora. Escribe en un papel, para que puedas visualizar y anclar a través de la escritura tus tomas de consciencia.

Estudios indican que las personas que planifican sus metas son un 33% más propensas a alcanzarlas, en comparación con aquellas que no lo hacen. Sin embargo, no se trata solo de establecer metas, sino de planificar con un enfoque estratégico y consciente. Este proceso nos ayuda a evitar lo que muchas veces se convierte en un ciclo repetitivo: listar deseos y aspiraciones, bajo la influencia de la euforia festiva.

La famosa rueda de la vida es un recurso invaluable para las personas que buscan un equilibrio entre las diferentes facetas de su existencia. Esta herramienta divide la vida en áreas clave, como el trabajo, la familia, la salud, las finanzas, el desarrollo personal y las relaciones. Al evaluar y planificar cada una de estas áreas de manera individual, las personas pueden identificar dónde están los desequilibrios y trazar un plan de acción concreto para lograr una armonía sostenible.

No se trata solo de metas profesionales o financieras, sino de una mirada completa que nos recuerde que la productividad real no surge solo del éxito laboral, sino del equilibrio entre todas las dimensiones.

Planificar a nivel de resultados implica definir lo que queremos conseguir al final del proceso, pero sin dejar de lado los pasos concretos para lograrlo. Si solo establecemos metas basadas en resultados finales, sin un plan de acción específico para alcanzarlas, corremos el riesgo de frustrarnos o desviarnos del camino. La clave es desglosar esos grandes objetivos en pequeños hitos y acciones que nos acerquen, paso a paso, a nuestros resultados deseados.

Las personas que se toman el tiempo para planificar estratégicamente, antes de que termine el año, logran más que solo productividad: alcanzan un equilibrio que les permite enfrentar los desafíos del nuevo período con claridad y enfoque.

* Jacques Giraud es ingeniero, especialista en desarrollo organizacional, master coach, mentor y facilitador de Insight Seminars en más de 15 países. Autor del libro “Super Resiliente”. www.jacquesgiraud.com

Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Collecting Necessities for Homeless Veterans

Por

PR/CP

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02/12/2024

Donated items will benefit programs at the Veteran’s Multi-Service Center

NORRISTOWN, PA – Jeanne Sorg, Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds is holding her annual holiday donation drive to benefit the Veteran’s Multi-Service Center (VMC). The VMC helps veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness access services and benefits. The donation drive will run through the end of December and items can be dropped off at the Recorder of Deeds office at One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown.

“It has been a great year serving veterans in Montgomery County,” said Sorg. “But it’s tough out there for many veterans who are struggling. That is why my office continues to host this donation drive each winter: to give back to the men and women who have given so much to our country.”

The Veteran’s Multi-Service Center’s “wish list” this holiday season includes small personal hygiene items, new underwear, shirts, hats, gloves and scarves. The Center is also requesting laundry detergent pods for the homeless veterans who come into the Center to use the laundry facilities, so these veterans do not need to purchase detergent. The full list of VMC’s wish list items can be found on the Recorder of Deeds’ website.

Although the Recorder of Deeds office holds this annual donation drive around the holiday season, Sorg and her staff assist veterans all year-round. Montgomery County veterans can visit the Recorder of Deeds office to record their military discharge papers. Recording military discharge papers with the Recorder of Deeds safeguards these important documents so they are quickly and easily accessible to the veteran and their family when they are needed most. Veterans who record their discharge papers will receive a Veterans’ Discount ID card, which is good for discounts at more than 650 businesses throughout Montgomery County.

If you or someone you know is a veteran who needs help or is experiencing homelessness, contact the Veterans Multi-Service Center at 610-384-8387 or by e-mail at CMDInfo@VMCenter.org.

The Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds office is located at One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown and is open to the public Monday through Friday 8:30am until 4:00pm. To learn more about the Veterans’ Discount ID program visit www.montgomerycountypa.gov/rod, or call the office at 610-278-3289.

Shapiro administration invests more than $5.3 million to help municipalities expand access to affordable housing in eight counties

Región

Por

PR/CP

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02/12/2024

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides assistance to municipalities to expand and maintain decent, affordable housing for low-income Pennsylvanians.

Governor Josh Shapiro is focused on ensuring access to safe, affordable housing ― recently signing an Executive Order mandating PA’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address the state’s housing shortage, homelessness, and increase affordable housing options.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the Commonwealth’s investment of $5.35 million through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to support municipalities’ work to rehabilitate more than 100 low-income, owner-occupied homes in eight counties.

HOME is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to increase and preserve the supply of affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians.

Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed an Executive Order mandating the first comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address the state’s housing shortage, homelessness, and expand affordable housing options — ensuring safe, affordable housing options and attracting more people to live in the Commonwealth and create economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians. DCED was tasked with leading the plan’s development and working with stakeholders across Pennsylvania to identify housing needs and devise a strategic response.

“Every Pennsylvanian should have safe, well-maintained places to live – the kind of homes that strengthen our communities and our economy,” said Secretary Siger. “This HOME funding builds on Governor Shapiro’s new Housing Action Plan by supporting safe, affordable housing while also revitalizing neighborhoods across Pennsylvania.”

The full list of HOME investments is available on the DCED website and includes:

Clearfield County – $500,000 to the city of DuBois and Sandy Township to rehabilitate four existing owner-occupied homes.

Erie County – $400,000 to Erie County to rehabilitate approximately 12 existing owner-occupied homes.

Lawrence County – $750,000 to the city of New Castle to rehabilitate 15 existing owner-occupied homes.

Montgomery County – $250,000 to the borough of Conshohocken to rehabilitate five existing owner-occupied homes.

Northumberland County – $300,000 to the city of Shamokin to rehabilitate four to six existing owner-occupied homes.

Potter County – $400,000 to Potter County to rehabilitate eight existing owner-occupied homes.

HOME program funds can be used in a variety of ways to address critical housing needs, including market-oriented approaches that offer opportunities such as homeownership or rental activities to revitalize communities with new investment. DCED receives HOME program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the annual entitlement appropriation process.

Expanding the availability of housing across Pennsylvania is also a key element of Governor Josh Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy, the first plan of its kind in the Commonwealth in almost 20 years. The strategy will capitalize on the Commonwealth’s strengths and will reignite our economy by focusing on the Agriculture, Energy, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, and Robotics and Technology sectors.

DCED also recently announced the launch of the new $10 million PA Mixed-Use Housing Development pilot program to develop mixed-use projects with a residential housing component. DCED is accepting applications for the grant funding through December 6, 2024.

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