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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Pittsburgh, PA

Home Care Pittsburgh, PA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Fort Pitt Block House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Pittsburgh, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Pittsburgh, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Have to say heard great thing about this company and the growth and great support for workers and clients ????”

Celestra L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This job has been an amazing experience and funny and they give great vibes to in the workplace I highly consider working for this place we are like a family !!”

Quentin J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This agency provides amazing care to the clients, Very reliable highly recommended!!!”

Jimmy V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I just want to say Always Best Care has been vital to my parents end of life care. They make sure to consider the patient as a person and not another client. Top notch care for the two most important people in my life.”

melissa S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My grandmother has been getting to and from her appointments with no issues and finally got the right care since joining this agency! She finally has someone to help her clean and organize the way she likes it and helps her make her favorite meals! If you’re looking for someone to care for you I’d give this place a chance.”

Sierra S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I love working for these guys. Pretty flexible and my bosses are understanding that life happens. They go out of their way to help their caregivers and their elderly clients. Best company to work for! Love you guys.”

Melissa A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We have Always Best Care of Pittsburgh. They help my mom with whatever she needs, like a run to the store, making food, laundry, and that sort of thing. I haven't had any trouble with the agency. We've had two to three different caregivers, they're always good and on time. They come three times a week for four hours a day.”

Steve
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TESTIMONIALS

“The Best Care !�”

Erin P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for always best care of Fox Chapel I meet the greatest people. I have the best boss and I absolutely would refer anybody who has a Caring Heart to be an employee of this company. I also refer anyone who needs someone of the Caring Heart in their life to help them with their daily living needs. Always best care is there for you I'm happy to be working for this company.”

Izzy S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Pittsburgh, PA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Pittsburgh, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Pittsburgh, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Pittsburgh, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Pittsburgh, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting West End Overlook Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Pittsburgh, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Altius or visit Rivers of Steel Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Pittsburgh, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Pittsburgh, PA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Pittsburgh, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Pittsburgh, PA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Pittsburgh, PA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Pittsburgh, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Pittsburgh, PA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Pittsburgh, PA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Fair Oaks Senior Living
  • Senior Care Authority Pittsburgh
  • Vincentian Schenley Gardens
  • Henderson HousePersonal Care
  • Whitetail Springs Memory Care Community
  • Evergreen Assisted Living Inc
Home Care Pittsburgh, PA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Pittsburgh, PA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Pittsburgh, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Pittsburgh, PA

Latest News in Pittsburgh, PA

Impact Weather: Wintry mix overnight changing to rain

PITTSBURGH —Warnings and advisories have been issued ahead of Wednesday night's storm system that will move across Pennsylvania. A wintry mix late tonight will change to all rain ahead of the Thursday morning commute.Ice Storm Warning & Winter Weather AdvisoryHearst OwnedWinter Weather Advisory & Ice Storm Warning tonightAn Ice Storm Warning for part of the area has been issued due to the potential for significant icing overnight. This is for eastern Indiana c...

PITTSBURGH —

Warnings and advisories have been issued ahead of Wednesday night's storm system that will move across Pennsylvania. A wintry mix late tonight will change to all rain ahead of the Thursday morning commute.

Ice Storm Warning & Winter Weather Advisory

Hearst Owned

Winter Weather Advisory & Ice Storm Warning tonight

An Ice Storm Warning for part of the area has been issued due to the potential for significant icing overnight. This is for eastern Indiana county along with the ridges of Fayette and Westmoreland counties starting at 7 PM this evening through 10 AM Thursday.

A Winter Weather Advisory will also be in effect for Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, Mercer, and Venango, Clarion, Forest, Beaver, Lawrence, Fayette, Westmoreland, Allegheny and Washington counties. It begins at 7 PM and runs through 4 AM Thursday.

Storm Breakdown

A wintry mix, including cold rain and areas of freezing rain, will arrive from the west after 10pm. Locally, freezing rain will last a couple of hours, early Thursday morning, before changing to rain. The icy mix will stay longer near I-80 and in the Laurel Highlands.

Hearst OwnedHearst

Impact Day starting tonight for the freezing rain threat before changing to rain Thursday morning.

The greatest impact will be north of Route 422 and east in the Laurel Highlands. Ice accretions will be around 1/4" or more in these areas. This may be enough to break branches on trees and possibly impact power lines in addition to icy roads. Traveling east across the state on Thursday will be treacherous. A brief period of freezing rain around Pittsburgh could coat windshields, tree branches, and handrails; bridges and elevated surfaces...but should melt quickly as temperatures rise in the morning.

Hearst OwnedHearst

Thursday is an Impact Day for pockets of heavy rain.

As temperatures rise ahead of sunrise Thursday the precipitation will change to plain rain. It will be widespread with pockets of heavy rain for the Thursday morning commute. Everything will quickly taper off by mid-morning. The rest of the day Thursday will be continued cloudy with only a leftover/spotty shower.

Possible Isolated Power Outages

Breezy conditions and a coating of ice could bring down tree limbs and power lines in isolated areas that see greater icing, such as the Laurel Highlands. State agencies are reminding residents to keep their electronic devices charged and to never try to heat your home with a generator inside a house, garage or near a window.

Looking ahead to the next storm

The work week ends on a quiet but chilly note...with sunshine returning Friday! Another storm with some rain or snow showers will move in Saturday afternoon...therefore, Saturday will be an Impact Day. Given temps will be well into the 40s...rain will likely fall locally with better chance for a rain/snow mix for areas north and east of Pittsburgh. Sunday will be drier with a slim chance for rain very early in the day.

Hearst OwnedHearst

Another storm will bring a wintry mix to the area Saturday morning.

OVERNIGHT - Impact Day: Wintry mix after 10pm changing to rain Low: 32° and rising into upper 30s by sunrise

THURSDAY - Impact Day: AM rain ending by mid morning , then Cloudy and milder High: 53°,

FRIDAY: Clouds & Sun, High: 35°

Freezing rain expected to impact parts of western Pa. tonight into Thursday morning | First Alert Weather Day

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Clouds continue to stream across our region today ahead of a developing storm system to our southwest. This system will bring widespread precipitation to our region, starting well after sunset and lasting into the midday hours of Thursday.First Alert: Wednesday evening through 10 a.m. Thursday (freezing rain); Saturday (freezing rain, mixed wintry precipitation).Aware: It's been 781 days since the last ice storm warning has been issued.The setup involves a retreating ...

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Clouds continue to stream across our region today ahead of a developing storm system to our southwest. This system will bring widespread precipitation to our region, starting well after sunset and lasting into the midday hours of Thursday.

First Alert: Wednesday evening through 10 a.m. Thursday (freezing rain); Saturday (freezing rain, mixed wintry precipitation).

Aware: It's been 781 days since the last ice storm warning has been issued.

The setup involves a retreating shallow cold air mass, with a deep layer of warm air moving in from the southwest atop that cold air. This leads to the development of freezing rain and some sleet.

Ahead of tonight's precipitation, skies will remain cloudy, and temperatures are expected to max out in the 30s to near 40 degrees. After sunset, temperatures will drop to or even below freezing for areas from Pittsburgh and points north toward I-80 and the Laurel Highlands.

Precipitation will begin around 8-9 p.m. across our southwest zones and then gradually move northeast as the evening and overnight hours progress. For areas south and west of Route 422 and west of the Laurel Highlands, the duration of freezing rain should be brief and end by 3-4 a.m. The freezing line will eventually move north of Route 422 toward the I-80 corridor between 4-8 a.m. Thursday, which will lead to slightly higher ice accumulations in this zone due to the longer duration of freezing rain.

The heaviest icing is expected to occur in the Laurel Highlands and Ridges, especially for valleys and eastern slopes where the shallow cold air will be slower to retreat Thursday morning. This is where 0.25"-0.5" of ice will be possible, leading to minor damage in spots and very difficult travel conditions. Even the areas that receive lighter icing will still have slick roads, but the timing shouldn't last as long.

Precipitation will end midday Thursday, and temperatures will briefly spike into the 40s and low-mid 50s ahead of a cold front that will move in between 6 p.m. and midnight. This will result in falling temperatures and cold air moving in on Friday.

Temperatures will likely hold in the mid to upper 30s most of Friday with partly cloudy skies. This will be ahead of another wave of low pressure that will bring milder, moist air from the southwest atop a retreating shallow cold air mass. Sounds familiar, right? This means Saturday will have the potential for more freezing rain and sleet during the afternoon and evening hours, especially for areas north of Route 422 toward the Ridges and the Laurel Highlands where cold air will linger longer.

Temperatures briefly spike late Saturday night into Sunday morning before another surge of cold air moves in early next week.

This could be accompanied by another round of snow, possibly next Monday night into Tuesday, over parts of the area.

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What to know about recreational marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania

Legalization of recreational cannabis has once again found itself at the forefront of political discourse after Gov. Josh Shapiro rolled the subject into his annual budget proposal and highlighted it during his address at the state capitol on Tuesday.Here’s what you need to know about where legalization efforts stand in Pennsylvania.Does Shapiro support legalizati...

Legalization of recreational cannabis has once again found itself at the forefront of political discourse after Gov. Josh Shapiro rolled the subject into his annual budget proposal and highlighted it during his address at the state capitol on Tuesday.

Here’s what you need to know about where legalization efforts stand in Pennsylvania.

Does Shapiro support legalization of adult-use marijuana?

Yes. During his address Shapiro cited missed revenue opportunities, keeping up with competition in neighboring states and a desire for stricter regulation as his reasoning for backing legalization efforts.

Shapiro also supports record expungements of people incarcerated for cannabis possession.

His 2025-2026 budget address marks the second time he’s used the stage to throw his support behind legalization efforts. In his 2024 address, he called for a bill to be put on his desk.

“Letting this business operate in the shadows, it doesn’t make sense,” said the former attorney general. “And by doing nothing, we are making Pennsylvania less competitive.”

In conversations with dispensary owners in New Jersey, Maryland and New York, Shapiro said, they reported that about 60% of their customers are Pennsylvanians. Shapiro’s budget proposal estimates an annual revenue of $250 million for Pennsylvania, with $1.3 billion over the first five years of legalization.

The proposal aims to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis by July 1, 2025, with sales officially beginning the following January.

It would also invest $10 million of cannabis revenue into restorative justice initiatives that help those disproportionately impacted by a strict marijuana possession law, and $25 million for small and diverse businesses to be able to enter the cannabis market.

Do politicians support legalized adult use marijuana in Pa.?

While there hasn’t been widespread support to pass a bill to date, there have been recent efforts.

On July 6, 2023, Sens. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, and Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, introduced bipartisan bill SB 846, which would have created a Cannabis Regulatory Control Board to oversee cannabis regulation, as well as a Cannabis Business Development Fund. The bill was referred to the Law and Justice Committee.

In December, House Reps. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Rick Krajewski, D-Philadelphia, announced their intent to introduce a bill to decriminalize cannabis, including putting caps on THC percentages in products for safety reasons and reinvesting revenue funds into communities harmed by the “war on drugs.”

Medical-use cannabis has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2016.

How many states have legalized recreational marijuana?

Twenty-four states have legalized adult-use cannabis, according to Pew Research Center, with more than half of all Americans estimated to live in those states. Additionally, 80% of Americans live in a county with at least one dispensary.Of those states with legalized recreational cannabis, five border Pennsylvania: Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

What do opponents of adult-use marijuana legalization say?

Some physicians have expressed caution about the potential health impacts of adult-use legalization without regulation.

In a March 2024 Post-Gazette story, Ajay Wasan, co-director of the Center for Innovation in Pain Care at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, expressed concern that lifting supervision and safety protocols during a transition from medical to recreational cannabis may increase adverse reactions to the drug.

“Marijuana has been a controlled substance for a number of years for a good reason,” he said. “Altering our state of consciousness might be reasonable for the majority of the population, but there is a unique minority for which there are sizable consequences.”

A 2023 Canadian study by professionals from York University, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, “The Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization on Cannabis Use and Associated Outcomes: A Systematic Review” that examined 61 studies from 2016 to 2022 cited impaired driving, negative reactions leading to hospitalization, as well as use among youth and at-risk populations as commonly assessed potential negative impacts of recreational legalization.

How prepared is Pa.’s cannabis infrastructure?

According to the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, a nonprofit trade organization that advocates for safe cannabis use and sensible policy, there are currently 32 active growers/processors in Pennsylvania, as well as 200 dispensaries employing 25,000.

First Published: February 5, 2025, 7:08 a.m. Updated: February 6, 2025, 12:06 p.m.

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Ice Storm Warning & Winter Weather Advisory issued for parts of Western PA

PITTSBURGH —Warnings and advisories have been issued ahead of Wednesday evening's ice storm across Pennsylvania.Ice Storm Warning & Advisories in placeAn Ice Storm Warning for part of the area has been issued due to the potential for significant icing Wednesday night into Thursday morning.The warning is for eastern Indiana county along with the ridges of Fayette and Westmoreland counties between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.A winter weather advisory will go into effect...

PITTSBURGH —

Warnings and advisories have been issued ahead of Wednesday evening's ice storm across Pennsylvania.

Ice Storm Warning & Advisories in place

An Ice Storm Warning for part of the area has been issued due to the potential for significant icing Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

The warning is for eastern Indiana county along with the ridges of Fayette and Westmoreland counties between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

A winter weather advisory will go into effect for Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, Mercer, and Venango, Clarion, Forest, Beaver, Lawrence, Fayette, Westmoreland, Allegheny and Washington counties. It will be in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday.

The back-to-back Impact Days are for Wednesday night into Thursday morning. A wintry mix, including cold rain and areas of freezing rain, will arrive from the southwest beginning around 10 PM or 11 PM, Wednesday

The greatest impact will be north of Route 422 and east in the Laurel Highlands. Ice accretions will be around 1/4". This brief period of mixing will lightly coat windshields, tree branches, and handrails; bridges and elevated surfaces could become slick in these areas.

Temperatures will rise ahead of sunrise Thursday. The wintry mix will change to plain rain. The rain will be widespread for the Thursday morning commute, before tapering off quickly by mid-morning. The rest of the day Thursday will be continued cloudy and damp with only a leftover/spotty shower.

Hearst Owned

Glimpse into the week

The work week will end on a quiet but chilly note. Expect partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 30's. on Friday. The weekend begins with an Impact Day with a possible wintry mix Saturday. It'll quiet down on Sunday with mostly cloudy skies with high temps in the 40's.

Ice and Power Outages

Gusty winds and ice could bring down trees and power lines and cause power outages. PennDOT is reminding residents to keep their electronic devices charged and to never try to heat your home with a generator inside a house, garage or near a window.

OVERNIGHT: Mostly cloudy and chilly. Low: 25°.WEDNESDAY - Mostly cloudy. High: 38°WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Impact Day; Wintry mix, potential freezing rain. Low: 32°.THURSDAY- Impact Day: Early AM wintry mix, quickly changing to plain Rain. High: 55° Mostly cloudy after noon and mainly dry

Oil spill extends nearly 2 miles down river after containment tanks leak at Westmoreland County steel plant

Lower Burrell, Pa. —Water rescue crews and first responders were on the scene Monday following an oil spill at a plant in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County.Westmoreland County dispatch confirmed to Pittsburgh's Action News 4 that officials were on the scene at the Braeburn Alloy Steel Mill along Braeburn Road before 4 p.m. following reports of a spill.Sky 4, Pittsburgh's only news chopper, flew over the scene, where oil could be seen along the Allegheny River.Officials told Pittsburgh's Act...

Lower Burrell, Pa. —

Water rescue crews and first responders were on the scene Monday following an oil spill at a plant in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County.

Westmoreland County dispatch confirmed to Pittsburgh's Action News 4 that officials were on the scene at the Braeburn Alloy Steel Mill along Braeburn Road before 4 p.m. following reports of a spill.

Sky 4, Pittsburgh's only news chopper, flew over the scene, where oil could be seen along the Allegheny River.

Officials told Pittsburgh's Action News 4 the spill was from two containment tanks containing up to 7,000 gallons total. Not all contents from inside the tanks were leaked.

Authorities said for some reason, the containment center did not hold the mill, which has not been in operation since an explosion that killed one person and injured two others back in January.

We're told, at this time, the oil spill has no connection to last month's explosion.

"The running speculation is that that containment center didn't hold, and there is a drain that goes out to the spillway, and that's how it got in there," Brennan Sites, chief of Lower Burrell VFW 3, told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.

Officials said there is no current water advisory issued for public water but, the long-lasting effects of the spill are unknown.

The spill was said to have gone 75 yards upstream and is about one and a half miles downstream. The leak was contained around 5:44 p.m.

Pittsburgh's Action News 4 has reached out to the state Department of Enviromental Protection, who said in a statement Tuesday that "DEP is onsite again today overseeing cleanup activities by the environmental contractor, which primarily consists of containment booms at the outfall to the river and vacuuming and placing absorbent material from a containment area."

DEP said the total amount of material released from the tanks during the spill is unknown.

Officials said the hydraulic oil released is a "non-hazardous hydrocarbon that can be harmful to aquatic life in smaller streams."

In continuation, officials said "residual material that was not contained will continue to dissipate, and DEP did not observe impacts to aquatic life in the river."

The closest downstream drinking water facility has been notified.

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