Latest news with #MichaelPrice
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
First Commonwealth Finalizes Conversion of Cincinnati's Former CenterBank
INDIANA, Pa., June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Commonwealth Bank, a subsidiary of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF), completed its systems conversion and rebranding of the former CenterBank in Cincinnati, Ohio, over the weekend of June 6-8. Legal closing of the CenterBank acquisition was completed on April 30, 2025 and included $348.4 million in total assets, three branch locations, a loan production office, and a mortgage center. This transaction significantly increases First Commonwealth's Cincinnati franchise and supports its commercially focused growth strategy by adding a customer base that is 65 percent business. As part of the integration, two separate Milford branch offices of the banks will consolidate into one office at 744 State Route 28, Milford, Ohio. Twenty-five former CenterBank employees have also transitioned into roles at First Commonwealth. 'I'm excited to welcome our new employees and our new personal and business banking customers to First Commonwealth Bank,' said T. Michael Price, President and CEO of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation. 'We have known the CenterBank team for a long time and believe its customer-focused, commercially oriented business model strongly aligns with our culture and enhances our existing Cincinnati growth plans in this highly attractive market.' Amy McFarland, Regional President for Cincinnati, will continue as First Commonwealth's lead executive in the market. Customers with questions are encouraged to call First Commonwealth's Engagement Center at (800) 711-BANK (2265), visit email welcome@ or visit their local community office. About First Commonwealth Financial Corporation First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF), headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is a community bank committed to its mission of improving the financial lives of its neighbors and their businesses. First Commonwealth operates 127 branches throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio and also has business banking centers in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Cleveland, Canton, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. First Commonwealth, through subsidiaries First Commonwealth Bank and First Commonwealth Insurance Agency, provides a full range of commercial and retail banking services, including mortgage, wealth management and insurance solutions, along with equipment financing and SBA and indirect lending. For more information about First Commonwealth or to open an account today, please visit CONTACT: Ron Wahl,Communications/Media Relations Specialist(724) 463-6806RWahl@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New Paper
02-06-2025
- New Paper
Brain injury, fractures: Cyclists recount dangers of riding along Tanah Merah Coast Road
Life has not been the same for Ms Kathleen Seng and her family since she suffered a traumatic brain injury and partial memory loss from a cycling accident along Tanah Merah Coast Road. In February 2022, the retiree - a seasoned cyclist of 25 years who used to frequently join overseas expeditions - was cycling at the back of a group of four when her friend hit a large rock on the road and fell. Ms Seng swerved to avoid running over her friend and fell off her bike. She was unconscious for two weeks, and woke up unable to move or talk coherently for a month. Three years on, the right side of the 54-year-old's body remains significantly weaker, even with the help of physiotherapy. Tanah Merah Coast Road has a straight 10km-long stretch with a dedicated on-road cycling lane stretching from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Changi Ferry Terminal, which allows cyclists to travel uninterrupted at high speeds. The dangers of cycling along Tanah Merah Coast Road were brought to the fore by a Straits Times Forum letter writer, who wrote on May 19 that increased construction activity along the stretch has raised the risk of cycling accidents there. The writer, Mr Michael Price, 66, pointed to a large number of heavy vehicles stopping illegally along the cycling lane to wait their turn to enter construction sites, and how they scatter construction debris on the road. The Singaporean, who is originally from the UK, fractured his hip socket - part of the pelvis - when he was flung off his bicycle after he hit a rock the size of a fist along the road in May 2024. He said the increased construction activity comes amid the expansion of Changi Airport, with Terminal 5 (T5) in the works. Mr Price added that the heavy vehicles often push the speed limit. Tanah Merah Coast Road has a speed limit of 70kmh. Development works for T5 resumed in 2022 after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic. The mega terminal, which broke ground on May 14, is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s. Works related to T5 that have been completed so far include a new runway, an underpass for vehicular traffic, and tunnels for baggage and automated people-mover systems similar to the Skytrain. Also along Tanah Merah Coast Road is a worksite for the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Changi East Depot for the Cross Island Line and some workers' dormitories. The accident took the retired business owner off cycling for almost a year, and he said he had to rely on painkillers extensively and use walking aids in the first four months after the accident. Mr Michael Price fractured his hip socket after he was flung off his bicycle when he hit a rock along Tanah Merah Coast Road in May 2024. PHOTOS: MICHAEL PRICE Mr Price noted that it is challenging to weave through traffic on Tanah Merah Coast Road, as many heavy vehicles stop in the cycling lane. He added that drivers of these trucks often wash or clean debris off their vehicles at the side of the road. Meanwhile, Ms Seng still needs to be accompanied by her husband, Mr Ng Bur Kiat, 60, whenever she leaves home as she cannot run errands independently. Mr Ng, a technical sales manager, makes it a point to rush home after work every day to bathe Ms Seng, who retired about 10 years before the accident. Ms Seng told ST that her memory was "gone" after the accident, and that she could not remember anything that happened. Mr Ng added: "Right after she got discharged, she thought our son was still in secondary school, when he was actually in his last year of university... She still thinks our sons are younger." He likened taking care of Ms Seng when she first got discharged to caring for a baby, as he had to teach her everything from scratch, such as how to put on a shirt or get out of bed. Three years on, the right side of Ms Kathleen Seng's body remains significantly weaker, even with the help of physiotherapy. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NG BUR KIAT Mr Ng said the police had investigated the accident and concluded that no party was liable. His family made insurance claims totalling about $1 million under Ms Seng's personal insurance policy. Describing his wife's recovery as a "miracle", Mr Ng said the family has chosen not to blame anybody. Ms Seng is hoping for a full recovery for her right arm, which now hangs limply by the side of her body when she walks. She is undergoing electrotherapy, which uses electrical energy as a form of medical treatment. She added: "Everything that is over, is over. I am just looking forward, for good things to come." In January 2025, another cyclist sustained a collarbone fracture after the front tyre of his bicycle ran into a sharp metallic object along the same road, causing him to fall off. Mr Lee sustained a collarbone fracture after the front tyre of his bicycle ran into a sharp metallic object along the same road, causing him to fall off. PHOTOS: MR LEE Mr Lee, 43, who did not want to give his full name, had to wear an arm sling for three weeks and was on hospitalisation leave for 60 days. He has not returned to cycling - something he used to do three or four times a week. Back in April 2023, Mr Jonathan Lau, an oil and gas consultant in his 40s, fractured his left wrist when he hit a rock along Tanah Merah Coast Road. He said he felt incapacitated when he had to stay in a cast for three months, and had "a bit of post-traumatic stress disorder" when he returned to cycling about six months after the accident. He has not gone back to cycling along Tanah Merah Coast Road, although he lives nearby in East Coast, and has no plans to do so. Several cycling-related accidents have happened along this stretch over the years. These include one where a teenage cyclist collided with a stationary car in 2018 and another involving a cyclist who ran into a stationary truck parked in the cycling lane in 2021. Responding to ST's queries, LTA said on May 30 that it has been carrying out enforcement operations against illegal parking along Tanah Merah Coast Road. It added that it will step up enforcement against motorists who do not comply with traffic regulations. "Motorists are reminded to park responsibly in designated parking locations to prevent obstructing or endangering other road users," it added. Cyclists manoeuvring traffic with heavy vehicles parked in the cycling lane, along Tanah Merah Coast Road, on the morning of May 30. PHOTOS: ANDREW POH Regarding speeding heavy vehicles, the Traffic Police said it deploys speed cameras and conducts speed enforcement operations to detect speeding violations involving all vehicles, including heavy vehicles, in Tanah Merah Coast Road. The National Environment Agency said its cleaning service provider cleans Tanah Merah Coast Road daily, with manual cleaning carried out in the afternoon, and a mechanical road sweeper being deployed at night. Mr Mark Cheng, associate director of law firm PKWA Law Practice, said victims can potentially pursue claims if they can clearly prove that a party failed to keep the debris off the road. To justify these claims, evidence such as photos of the debris, dashcam footage from other cyclists or vehicles, and witness statements should be gathered and preserved. Mr Cheong added that personal injury lawyers can request site inspection or maintenance records from contractors to identify potential lapses in safety or clean-up measures. None of the cyclists ST interviewed have pursued legal action. Cycling-related injuries Common injuries caused by cycling accidents include musculoskeletal injuries such as superficial abrasions and fractures, said Dr Ang Shiang-Hu, head of the department of emergency medicine at Changi General Hospital. He added that cyclists who break their falls using their arms may suffer wrist fractures, elbow injuries or collarbone fractures, while higher-speed accidents may result in lower limb fractures. Some cyclists may also suffer from fractures that displace the cervical spine - which is the vertebrae in the neck - which could cause paralysis, as well as injuries that could lead to impairments of nerve, spinal cord or brain function, and major trauma, he said.
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Brain injury, fractures: Cyclists recount the dangers of riding along Tanah Merah Coast Road
The dangers of cycling along Tanah Merah Coast Road were brought to the fore by a Straits Times Forum letter writer. PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR, MICHAEL PRICE, MR LEE, NG BUR KIAT SINGAPORE – Life has not been the same for Ms Kathleen Seng and her family since she suffered a traumatic brain injury and partial memory loss from a cycling accident along Tanah Merah Coast Road. In February 2022, the retiree – a seasoned cyclist of 25 years who used to frequently join overseas expeditions – was cycling at the back of a group of four when her friend hit a large rock on the road and fell. Ms Seng swerved to avoid running over her friend and fell off her bike. She was unconscious for two weeks, and woke up unable to move or talk coherently for a month. Three years on, the right side of the 54-year-old's body remains significantly weaker, even with the help of physiotherapy. Tanah Merah Coast Road has a straight 10km-long stretch with a dedicated on-road cycling lane stretching from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Changi Ferry Terminal, which allows cyclists to travel uninterrupted at high speeds. The dangers of cycling along Tanah Merah Coast Road were brought to the fore by a Straits Times Forum letter writer, who wrote on May 19 that increased construction activity along the stretch has raised the risk of cycling accidents there. The writer, Mr Michael Price, 66, pointed to a large number of heavy vehicles stopping illegally along the cycling lane to wait their turn to enter construction sites, and how they scatter construction debris on the road. The Singaporean, who is originally from the UK, fractured his hip socket – part of the pelvis – when he was flung off his bicycle after he hit a rock the size of a fist along the road in May 2024. He said the increased construction activity comes amid the expansion of Changi Airport, with Terminal 5 (T5) in the works. Mr Price added that the heavy vehicles often push the speed limit. Tanah Merah Coast Road has a speed limit of 70kmh. Development works for T5 resumed in 2022 after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic. The mega terminal, which broke ground on May 14, is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s. Works related to T5 that have been completed so far include a new runway, an underpass for vehicular traffic, and tunnels for baggage and automated people-mover systems similar to the Skytrain. Also along Tanah Merah Coast Road is a worksite for the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Changi East Depot for the Cross Island Line and some workers' dormitories. The accident took the retired business owner off cycling for almost a year, and he said he had to rely on painkillers extensively and use walking aids in the first four months after the accident. Mr Michael Price fractured his hip socket after he was flung off his bicycle when he hit a rock along Tanah Merah Coast Road in May 2024. PHOTOS: MICHAEL PRICE Mr Price noted that it is challenging to weave through traffic on Tanah Merah Coast Road, as many heavy vehicles stop in the cycling lane. He added that drivers of these trucks often wash or clean debris off their vehicles at the side of the road. Meanwhile, Ms Seng still needs to be accompanied by her husband, Mr Ng Bur Kiat, 60 , whenever she leaves home as she cannot run errands independently. Mr Ng, a technical sales manager, makes it a point to rush home after work every day to bathe Ms Seng, who retired about 10 years before the accident. Ms Seng told ST that her memory was 'gone' after the accident, and that she could not remember anything that happened. Mr Ng added: 'Right after she got discharged, she thought our son was still in secondary school, when he was actually in his last year of university... She still thinks our sons are younger.' He likened taking care of Ms Seng when she first got discharged to caring for a baby, as he had to teach her everything from scratch, such as how to put on a shirt or get out of bed. Three years on, the right side of Ms Kathleen Seng's body remains significantly weaker, even with the help of physiotherapy. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NG BUR KIAT Mr Ng said the police had investigated the accident and concluded that no party was liable. His family made insurance claims totalling about $1 million under Ms Seng's personal insurance policy. Describing his wife's recovery as a 'miracle', Mr Ng said the family has chosen not to blame anybody. Ms Seng is hoping for a full recovery for her right arm, which now hangs limply by the side of her body when she walks. She is undergoing electrotherapy, which uses electrical energy as a form of medical treatment. She added: 'Everything that is over, is over. I am just looking forward, for good things to come.' In January 2025 , another cyclist sustained a collarbone fracture after the front tyre of his bicycle ran into a sharp metallic object along the same road, causing him to fall off. Mr Lee sustained a collarbone fracture after the front tyre of his bicycle ran into a sharp metallic object along the same road, causing him to fall off. PHOTOS: MR LEE Mr Lee, 43, who did not want to give his full name, had to wear an arm sling for three weeks and was on hospitalisation leave for 60 days. He has not returned to cycling – something he used to do three or four times a week. Back in April 2023, Mr Jonathan Lau, an oil and gas consultant in his 40s, fractured his left wrist when he hit a rock along Tanah Merah Coast Road. He said he felt incapacitated when he had to stay in a cast for three months, and had 'a bit of post-traumatic stress disorder' when he returned to cycling about six months after the accident. He has not gone back to cycling along Tanah Merah Coast Road, although he lives nearby in East Coast, and has no plans to do so. Several cycling-related accidents have happened along this stretch over the years. These include one where a teenage cyclist collided with a stationary car in 2018 and another involving a cyclist who ran into a stationary truck parked in the cycling lane in 2021. Responding to ST's queries, LTA said on May 3 0 that it has been carrying out enforcement operations against illegal parking along Tanah Merah Coast Road. It added that it will step up enforcement against motorists who do not comply with traffic regulations. 'Motorists are reminded to park responsibly in designated parking locations to prevent obstructing or endangering other road users,' it added. Cyclists manoeuvring traffic with heavy vehicles parked in the cycling lane, along Tanah Merah Coast Road, on the morning of May 30. PHOTOS: ANDREW POH Regarding speeding heavy vehicles, the Traffic Police said it deploys speed cameras and conducts speed enforcement operations to detect speeding violations involving all vehicles, including heavy vehicles, in Tanah Merah Coast Road. The National Environment Agency said its cleaning service provider cleans Tanah Merah Coast Road daily, with manual cleaning carried out in the afternoon, and a mechanical road sweeper being deployed at night. Mr Mark Cheng , associate director of law firm PKWA Law Practice , said victims can potentially pursue claims if they can clearly prove that a party failed to keep the debris off the road. To justify these claims, evidence such as photos of the debris, dashcam footage from other cyclists or vehicles, and witness statements should be gathered and preserved. Mr Cheong added that personal injury lawyers can request site inspection or maintenance records from contractors to identify potential lapses in safety or clean-up measures. None of the cyclists ST interviewed have pursued legal action. Cycling-related injuries Common injuries caused by cycling accidents include musculoskeletal injuries such as superficial abrasions and fractures, said Dr Ang Shiang-Hu , head of the department of emergency medicine at Changi General Hospital . He added that cyclists who break their falls using their arms may suffer wrist fractures, elbow injuries or collarbone fractures, while higher-speed accidents may result in lower limb fractures. Some cyclists may also suffer from fractures that displace the cervical spine – which is the vertebrae in the neck – which could cause paralysis, as well as injuries that could lead to impairments of nerve, spinal cord or brain function, and major trauma, he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Forum: Act on hazards for cyclists arising from T5 construction work
I refer to the article 'PM Wong breaks ground on Changi Airport T5; all SIA, Scoot flights to move there when it opens' (May 14). While I wholeheartedly support the expansion of Singapore's airport, the increased construction activity along Tanah Merah Coast Road has dramatically raised the risk of accidents for those of us using the dedicated cycling lane there. For cyclists who use Tanah Merah Coast Road regularly, the recent rise in the number of heavy vehicles accessing construction sites is worrying. Heavily laden trucks that transport building materials often push the speed limits to meet their schedules. In doing so, debris is scattered along the road, posing a danger to all traffic. Unfortunately, this debris – sand, gravel, crushed stone, wooden planks, chunks of metal – quickly finds its way into the narrow confines of the cycling lane, creating especially hazardous conditions. Recently, I was thrown off my bike when I hit a rock the size of my fist, resulting in a very painful fractured pelvis. As there are more heavy vehicles using Tanah Merah Coast Road, there have also been more drivers stopping illegally on the cycling lane. Many are waiting their turn to enter the construction sites, despite large signs forbidding them from doing so. Infuriatingly, the drivers often use this downtime to clean their vehicles, hammering hardened cement from the chassis, or chunks of mud from the wheels, further adding to the debris hazard. The authorities need to act quickly to help reduce the number of accidents and injuries. Enforcement efforts are needed to deter heavy goods vehicles from speeding or stopping in the cycling lane, and road-sweeping machines used to maintain the lanes should be employed more frequently in tandem with the increase in construction activity. I sincerely hope the relevant agencies will make a concerted effort to improve conditions and prevent accidents. Michael Price More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Here's what we want to see from Doncaster mayor'
Voters in Doncaster will be able to cast their ballot for a directly elected mayor, local councillor and parish representatives on 1 May. The reopening of the city's airport has been a central point of campaigning from parties but three people involved in Doncaster communities explain what matters most to them. Michael Price owns what is believed to be the city's only supper club, which he hosts from his home in Town Fields. The Gourmet Kitchen owner has been running his business for 14 years and also works as a restaurant consultant. He says the industry has been under "relentless" strain for several years. "My wife and I are very lucky as we run a very tight, small business but lots of friends within the industry with very successful businesses and Michelin-starred restaurants are really struggling. "Ever since Covid a lot of them have got loans that need repaying, there's been a massive increase in inflation and the cost of ingredients and the increase in VAT is something that has never been addressed. "Typically, the hospitality business in the good days would run on a 10% margin. "Now a lot of businesses are not making any profit whatsoever, if they are just treading water they are doing well, and then we are seeing other restaurants going bust." Michael wants councillors and the mayor to focus on the city centre. "Everywhere is struggling with diminishing visitors for town centres and when there are no shoppers in the area, you get all the anti-social behaviour which you can see a lot of in Doncaster. There are people with complex lives and drug addicts. "I think that really needs to be addressed, even if the council has to fund police officers." The city centre is also a concern for Chris Cuthbert who owns bike shop Pedal Power. He says his business's biggest challenge is crime. "We deal with a lot of burglaries and shoplifting, we have had a string of attempted burglaries pretty much consistently for the last few years. "We had about 14 attempts within about six months at some point last year and that's not just isolated to us, that's all the businesses locally," he explains. "We certainly need a reduction in crime. We need to have a general overhaul on a ground level, we need to see more policing and more engagement from the council," he adds. Chris is also keen to see more investment in apprenticeships for young people as the skills needed to repair bikes is changing with the switch to electric cycles. "One of the biggest issues we have is staffing. "Across the board there has been massive governmental support in cycling and green initiatives but we are not seeing any apprenticeships coming through. "We are spending £20m on cycle networks on the roads in Doncaster but there seems to be nothing coming through to support the growth of these initiatives," he adds. While reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport is a key focus for politicians, elderly people are said to be more concerned about roads, says Collette Bunker. She is chief executive at Be:friend, a charity which helps reduce loneliness and isolation in older people. They recently held a workshop to find out what issues elderly people were concerned about. "When it comes to getting out and about, our older neighbours really have to think about what routes to take because they say there's a very short amount of time to cross with the green man on a pedestrian crossing. "A lot of our older neighbours will really think about where they are going and there are certain roads they won't cross because of the panic of getting across the road in a few seconds. "It's such an easy fix to look at pedestrian crossings," she says. Older residents also specifically mentioned housing, according to Collette. "There are some newly built bungalows for people aged 55-plus, accessible for wheelchair users, but they are built on two huge hills. "So getting anywhere proves very challenging, in fact, the residents have nicknamed it Cardiac Hill. "Looking at hills and proximity to shops during planning are little things that would make older neighbours' lives so much easier," she adds. There are a total of 12 candidates for mayor standing for election on 1 May. They are: David Bettney – Social Democratic Party Frank Calladine - British Democratic Party Andy Hiles - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Nick Fletcher – Conservative Party Ahsan Jamil – Workers Party of Britain Alexander Jones – Reform UK Ros Jones – Labour Party Mihai Melenciuc – Liberal Democrats Richie Vallance – Independent Andrew Walmsley – Yorkshire Party Doug Wright – Independent You can find out more about all the candidates here. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North The candidates vying to be Mayor of Doncaster What does the Mayor of Doncaster do? Who can vote in the May local elections?
