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Dear Residents,

I have been asked by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to distribute the attached survey to homeowners in order to solicit their opinions on the deer population.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey.  This Is Your Opportunity To Be Heard.  There are only 4 questions on the survey and it should take 5 minutes tops to complete.  I need to have the surveys returned no later than Saturday, February 20th.

The results will be given to the Game Commission.  Then the Game Commissioners will evaluate all the results and determine a five year plan for the 2B Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) which is basically Allegheny County.  We will not have another opportunity like this for five years.  The more surveys I receive, the greater our voice will be on this issue.

• Link To Survey: Deer Management Opinion Survey

Thank you for your time and if you have any questions please call or email me.

Sincerely,

Karla Maruca

Phone: (412) 366-6698
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Editor's Note: The online survey will close Feb. 20.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic has the story about Ross resident, Robby Huerbin, just missing in a bid to join the U.S. Olympic luge and snowboarding teams:

Robby Huerbin of Ross Township was among USA Luge's top competitors through 2009, including a victory in his final qualifying run Nov. 6 in Park City, Utah, but a cumulative points system kept him off the team. And he knew it that day.

Read more on Post-Gazette.com...

As if the 2 feet of snow over that blanked Ross and West View this past weekend wasn't enough, Round Two of the Great Snow Storm of 2010 is about to move into the area today.

Channel 11 News meteorologist Scott Harbaugh said Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties can expect to see at least another 6 inches of snow.  Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a winter storm warning from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. Wednesday for eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and most of Pennsylvania. Accumulations of 6 to 10 inches can be expected.

District schools are all closed as well as the North Hills Community Outreach Food Pantry.

Check on elderly neighbors and relatives

Be sure to check on any elderly relatives and neighbors.  Home-bound elderly are the most vulnerable to the loss of power and phone service essential for home heating and calling emergency first-responders. 

There are over 2,500 senior citizens that fall into the "high risk" category, said the county's Agency on Aging administrator Mildred Morisony.  Her advice:  "Go knock on the door, repeatedly. If you don't get a response and you know someone is in the house, then call a public safety official."

So bundle up. Get the shovel.  Be safe  and get ready for Round Two of the Great Winter Snow Storm of 2010.

FEMA Tips and Guidelines for coping with a major winter storm

• Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.
• Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.
• If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).
• Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.
• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.
• Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary.
• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
• Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.

Area Warming Shelters

White Oak
Fire Station 300
2916 Jacks Run Road
White Oak 15131

Bellevue
Northgate High School
591 Union Avenue

Shaler
Shaler MIddle School

Millvale
Fire Station 191
501 Lincoln Avenue
Millvale 15209

More Helpful Links

• FEMA
• Follow the weather on WPXI's Digital Doppler Radar...
• School Closings Updates...

Len Barcousky of the Post-Gazette has the details on Ross Township's hiring of 4 new police officers.

Commissioners voted to approve the 4 men last night in an effort to return the department back to its full complement of 43 officers.

Read more on the Post-Gazette...