Public Administration

Glassport EMS service future assured : By Michael DiVittorio, McKeesport Daily News Clairton Volunteer Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Service division has acquired a building in Glassport to continue providing service to the borough.

911 call: 'Somebody shot one of our Penn Hills cops' : Ronald Robinson sits silently in a courtroom as jurors hear recordings of 911 calls and police radio transmissions from the night Penn Hills police Officer Michael Crawshaw was shot and killed.

Despite Progress, No Union Deal For State University Faculty Yet

County’s Towns and Cities Face Assessment Changes

Whoops—'Cash for Clunkers' Actually Hurt the Environment - Yahoo! News

Postmaster general urges help for postal service

Think Tank to Study Partially Privatizing Postal Service

MILLOY: EPA's illegal human experiments could break Nuremberg Code - Washington Times

Gov. Corbett Admits To Change Of Heart Concerning Sanctions Against PSU : PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Gov. Tom Corbett admits he changed his mind regarding NCAA sanctions against Penn State University.

Top corrections officers are sued by suspended guards : Sean Storey, Jerome Lynch and Kevin Johnson sued two top Department of Corrections officials in the wake of the F Block investigation.

Profit pinch key to suit filed over PSU sanctions

Trial begins in case of man accused of gunning down Penn Hills police officer : By Adam Brandolph, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The lawyer for a man accused of killing a Penn Hills police officer and another man more than three years ago told a jury

Wagner audit cites inadequate county reviews of tax-exempt properties : By Bobby Kerlik, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Allegheny County’s Office of Property Assessments doesn’t conduct adequate reviews of each tax-exempt property in the county to ensure that it is eligible

Massive water main break closes Fort Pitt Blvd., swamps Parkway East : Westbound lanes through the “bathtub” area of the Parkway East reopened about 9 a.m. as crews work to repair a water main break that sent water gushing down onto the pavement early Thursday.

On-Duty Firefighter Deaths Continue Downward Trend : During 2012, preliminary statistics show 83 firefighters died on duty.

New York City Set Public Safety Records in 2012 : NYC officials claim 2012 records show two new all-time annual lows for the fewest civilian fire deaths and the fastest average ambulance response time for life-threatening medical emergencies.

Ohio Mayor Benefits From Well-Funded Fire Department : Helping his community pass a fire levy in November paid big dividends Sunday for Clinton Mayor Al Knack, and not only in a professional way.

Chief's Corner: The Roles of Fire and EMS Personnel in Armed Attacks : Extraordinary efforts on the part of fire/rescue and EMS agencies have to be taken to protect first responders and achieve success in saving civilian lives when responding to scenes of violence. Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines offers universal steps to help ensure fire and EMS personnel are prepared to meet this unique and challenging threat.

Santa Monica Officials Consider Fining Fitness Instructors For Using Parks « CBS Los Angeles

City faces multibillion dollar bill for retroactive-pay hikes after Bloomberg leaves office - NYPOST.com

Funding and Financing Highways and Public Transportation

Cleanup Crew : By Bethany Hofstetter, Pine Creek Journal When meteorologists forecast a snowstorm, Eric DiBucci’s family jokes that he should sleep in his shoes. DiBucci, of Shaler Township, is part of the Shaler ...

Belleville Police Banned From Denny’s | kplr11.com – St. Louis News & Weather from KPLR 11

Measuring the Changes in Certified Assessed Values

Pa. City Council Mulls Sale of Fire School Property : Allentown officials are moving forward with a plan to sell a piece of property next to the Queen City Airport that the Federal Aviation Administration has said would violate an agreement that gave the city control of the land.

Penn State lawyers seek speedy Sandusky settlements : As 2012 slipped away, so did the university's goal of settling with abuse victims by the end of the year. But officials are hopeful.

Compensation for On Call Time : Today’s Burning Question: I work for a combination department. We have paid staff from 0700 to midnight, supplemented by volunteers. Our chief assigns the paid staff to be on call three times a month from midnight to 0700 time period. We are paid only if there is a call. Would this violate the FLSA since we are not free do what we want during those hours?

Honolulu Medics Allege FLSA Overtime Violations : EMTs and paramedics have filed a Fair Labor Standards suit against the city and county of Honolulu claiming they have been wrongfully denied overtime compensation. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.

Fatal Fire in Nebraska Prompts Claim Against Fire Department : The estate of a Nebraska man killed in a house fire earlier this year has placed the local fire department on notice that they consider the department to be responsible for the death.

Eight Fresno County Firefighters File FLSA Suit : Eight part-time paid on call Fresno County firefighters who were terminated for refusing to sign a form stating that they were volunteers have filed suit in Federal Court alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, retaliatory termination, and violation of their First Amendment rights.

Ind. Dept. Fires 15 First Responders Effective Dec. 31 : Juana McLaurin's 32 years of service with Gary will end at midnight Monday when the city cuts her job and those of 14 other first responders.

CCC celebrates 80th anniversary of role in Pa.’s state parks : By Craig Smith, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review A Depression-era federal program that is credited with helping to develop many of Pennsylvania’s 120 state parks is marking its 80th anniversary.

Governor To Sue NCAA Over Penn State Sanctions

Pittsburgh city council focuses on several issues : Pittsburgh City Council will face several challenges in the coming year, including a mayor's race and some unfinished business.

New year marks start of new laws in state affecting electronics disposal, euthanization, child abuse signs in schools : By Rick Wills, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh schools readying teacher evaluation plan : A new state law requires adjustments to the method of gauging performance.

Penn. officials rallying to support Air Force base - News - Stripes

Fla. Trooper Sues 100+ Officers, Agencies : The Florida Highway Patrol trooper at the center of firestorm after she pulled over a speeding cop at gunpoint said fellow law enforcement officers have created a "life-threatening" situation that caused her to be in such fear for her safety she has become a "hermit."

Ohio City Delays Layoffs of 22 Firefighters : Orange Township saved its firefighters and paramedics from layoffs for at least five months yesterday by using money meant for new snowplows and tree removal to cover their salaries.

Colorado Set to Reap Huge Profits from Legalized Marijuana

Lottery Privatization Process = Full Term Pregnancy :

Pig in Turnpike Poke? :   The Turnpike Commission says it is planning to build a 12.5 mile extension of the Southern Expressway at a "projected" cost of $633 million. Projected being the operative word.  The final actual cost could end up if unexpected contingencies arise during construction.  Of course, if there were no prevailing wage requirements, the project could cost a lot less.

Pennsylvania municipalities want to stop receiver from destroying tax files : By Bill Vidonic, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Municipalities from across Pennsylvania want an Allegheny County judge to stop a court-appointed receiver from destroying records from a now-shuttered Bridgeville tax collection company.

W.Pa. wrestles with fresh round of snow : By Thomas Olson, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Western Pennsylvania should get a breather on Sunday from more snow but no reprieve on New Year’s Eve.

East Deer postures to lower tax rate : By Tom Yerace, Valley News Dispatch East Deer residents won’t receive a tax increase from the township in 2013, but some could still pay more.

Arnold to vote on budget without contingencies : By Tom Yerace, Valley News Dispatch The city of Arnold will be performing a high wire act in 2013, basically working without a financial safety net.

Defining issues of 2013 for Pennsylvanians : Local elections, a new corruption trial and efforts on transportation and state pension woes are just a few of the major stories we'll see.

Snow-Covered Streets Frustrates Some Pittsburghers : PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — About 4 more inches of snow overnight left Centre Avenue covered and slippery Saturday morning. And some drivers weren’t happy.