Construction Updates; Protecting Seniors from Scams

                    From Harrisburg …

Helping Protect Seniors from Scams
As the number of senior citizens in our area grows, sadly, so do the number of crimes committed against seniors.

Click here to hear what can happen when criminals prey upon our seniors, and visit www.attorneygeneral.gov/seniorsfor tips on protecting yourself. You can also contact my office for more tips and how to contact local senior resources and law enforcement. If you’re not a senior, please pass this information on to a senior friend, neighbor or family member.

Remember: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is!


From the district …

County Caution: Raccoon Rabies Vaccination Campaign Next Week
The Allegheny County Health Department will be conducting its annual rabies vaccination campaign all of next week.

According to Allegheny County Executive Fitzgerald’s office, “The baits, specially made for raccoons and laced with rabies vaccine, are small plastic packets coated with fishmeal or one-square-inch blocks of compressed fishmeal.”Although the baits are not toxic to pets, the county is asking people to keep their pets leashed or inside over the next two weeks.

“Anyone who finds a stray bait should pick it up using rubber or latex gloves or a shovel to protect their hands. If the bait is intact, toss it into a nearby ditch, wooded area or other raccoon habitat. If it is partially eaten or damaged, place the bait in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash.”

You can find more information about this program at Allegheny County’s website,here.

Construction, Construction, Construction

Liberty Tubes Open & Close Again
The outbound tunnel of the Liberty Tubes reopened at 6 a.m. last Sunday, August 11. The Inbound tunnel of the Liberty Tubes will closearound the clock Wednesday, August 14 and reopen at 6 a.m. Friday, August 30.As was the case for the previous closure, the outbound tunnel will still be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Inbound traffic will be detoured over Mt. Washington. Again, PLEASE, drive carefully and watch for children. Mt. Washington is a residential neighborhood.

Route 51/88 Jug-Handle
Utility crews are still doing preliminary work and demolition is under way. However, neither should have significant impacts on traffic over the next few weeks.

Route 51 @ West Carson Street
A two-year detour began last Saturday, August 3 on Route 51 at the West Carson Street viaduct with no major problems. During the next week, permanent barriers will replace the current temporary barriers ensuring the safety of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

As a reminder:
Northbound lanes will be shut down while southbound lanes will be limited to one lane of traffic. Northbound traffic will be detoured at the West End Bridge through Route 65 to the McKees Rocks Bridge where the detour will reunite with Route 51.

For more information regarding this project, click here. If you’d liked to be updated by PennDOT via email, send an email to stcowan@pa.govand write “Subscribe – West Carson Street” in the subject line.


Upcoming District Events
Shredfest 2013 at 2 p.m. August 17
Tidy your house and help Mother Nature at the same time with Senator Matt Smith and me! The South Hills SHRED-FEST features an industrial shredding truck that will securely rid you of old, useless paper documents. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Senator Smith will be hosting a shredding truck at Independence Middle School. Or come see me from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Caste Village. Both events are on August 17. Click herefor more information.

New dates Added! Coming to a Senior Center Near You
Come meet with me and enjoy some ice cream this summer as I make rounds to discuss how the latest state budget affects you. Staff will join me to provide free notary service, Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms, and assistance with PennDOT and other state-related programs. Here’s the schedule of events:

August 6 at 10:45 a.m. – (Beechview) CitiParks Healthy Living Center, 1555 Broadway Ave.

August 13 at 1 p.m. – Parkside Manor, 1306 Brookline Blvd.

August 15 at 10:45 a.m. – (Mt. Washington) CitiParks Healthy Living Center, 122 Virginia Ave.

August 16 at 10:30 a.m. – Sheraden Senior Center, 720 Sherwood Ave.

August 20 at 2 p.m. – Elizabeth Seton Center, 1900 Pioneer Ave.

August 22 at 2 p.m. – Creedmoor Court, 1100 Creedmoor Ave.

August 23 at 2:15 p.m. – Norbert Personal Care, 2413 St. Norberts St.