Don’t Rely on Luck This St. Patrick’s Day:
AAA Urges Partygoers to Find a Safe & Sober Ride Home 

St. Patrick’s Day is a time of celebration for many, and while AAA East Central wants everyone to enjoy the holiday, there is still a danger for it to turn deadly on the road. Planning ahead to avoid DUI can keep you and others safe throughout the weekend.

“Not only can a DUI result in devastating crashes, but a conviction can weigh heavily on your pocketbook,” says Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs for AAA East Central. “Alcohol and driving should never mix, and simple steps taken before a celebration can go a long way towards keeping you and everyone around you safe.”

Tips for avoiding DUI: 

• Make transportation arrangements before you head out for the night.  Some options include;
  • Designate a driver.
  • Take a cab, or a ride share.
  • Utilize local public transit.
• Rent a hotel room or stay overnight where you are.
• If hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers.
• If possible, provide overnight accommodations to guests who’ve been drinking.
• Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink.
• Commit to never driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you suspect a driver is under the influence, stay as far behind their vehicle as possible and as soon as it’s safe to do so, pull over and call 911.

(Photo from FBI-Pittsburgh)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Karen Adams of Independence Township was at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in New Cumberland, West Virginia the evening of March 11, 2007 and hasn’t been seen since. The FBI announced on their Twitter Page yesterday that they are now helping local law enforcement search for Karen.

She was driving a red or maroon 4-door 2005 Suzuki Forenza with Pennsylvania plate ETD5587. Adams was last seen on surveillance video leaving Mountaineer around 3am on March 12, 2007.

The FBI says she has not been seen or heard from since and her car has not been located. Adams was a teacher’s aid at an elementary school and a clerk at a department store.

Adams is 5′ 4″ tall, has brown hair, green eyes and weighs 120 pounds.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact your local FBI office.

Pennsylvania to lift last moratorium on utility shutoffs
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission will lift a year-old moratorium preventing utilities from terminating service to all non-paying customers, adopted as Gov. Tom Wolf ordered shutdowns to fight the coronavirus. The commission voted Thursday to lift the moratorium starting April 1 for lower-income customers, as federal aid becomes available to renters to help pay utility bills. Utilities had been permitted to resume disconnections last fall for residential customers above 300% of the federal poverty level, or about $79,000 in annual income for a family of four last year. The commission is also requiring utilities to give additional payment plan options.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

The Blackhawk School Board met virtually tonight for their monthly meeting.  They went over a variety of topics. The district spoke about improvements to their high school building that include a new elevator and also new fridge and freezer systems for the cafeteria.  Board members announced that senior and junior class officers have been working on a plan to host a prom.  The class officers have suggested an event where the students can go out to eat together, followed by meeting at the school for the actual prom, which they would like to be held outdoors.  Holding the prom outdoors will give a sufficient amount of space, opposed to indoors, and allow parents and guests to be in attendance for the grand march.  The Board also spoke about assessment tests that have been given to the students since returning to in class instruction full time. They stated that they have seen a dramatic improvement since the return to class, as opposed to online instruction.  It was also announced that the district intends on using iPads for Keystone and PSSA tests to eliminate the transmission of papers and materials between students and staff members.  One parent spoke out about her concerns that the fact that students wouldn’t be given mask breaks when they returned to school, was not communicated to parents.  The board members stated that they cannot give students masks breaks due to the students not being able to be distanced enough in the building, according to the attestation agreement they signed with the state. Also debated was if the district is in need of new heating and air conditioning systems to improve air quality.  The Board does not believe that there is an issue with the air quality at the moment, but some staff and parents do.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Tune into 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com at 9:00 AM Friday morning. Mike Romigh will be the guest host and he has an action packed show planned for the listeners. At 9:10 AM Mike will be joined in studio by Lew Vilotti from the BC Corporation for Economic Development to talk about money that is available for for small businesses. Mike will then be joined in studio at 10:10 by Dallas Kerr from the Center at the Mall to discuss changes due to the pandemic and how the center is surviving. Mike will then have open talk for hour three. Both interviews w will be streamed live on the Beaver County Radio Facebook Page. You can participate by calling 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888.