Author: Beaver County Radio

INTERVIEW: What IS An Ombudsman? And What Do They Do?

For many years, senior care living has become a major factor in the everyday lives of the average Beaver County citizen as well as citizens across the commonwealth. Families making sure their loved ones are being taken care of in nursing homes and care facilities is something essential to their peace of mind. But what happens if that doesn’t become the case, and the need to improve a living situation becomes vital?

Teresa from the Beaver County Office On Aging spoke with Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County about the Ombudsman program, in which residents and/or their families can file a complaint or concern toward a senior living situation in Beaver County, one that the BCOA will then turn into a cooperative investigation with approval from the parties involved. She spoke about the flexibility that a person in a care facility has in regards to their rights as a senior citizen, and that those rights should never be violated.

Teresa also talked about the use of the Ombudsman program for more general concerns involving living at the facilities that may not require a formal investigation, and the PEER program that is in cooperation with senior care facilities and its residents to improve quality of life.

To reach the Ombudsman program with the Beaver County Office On Aging, you can call them at 724-480-8589 or email them at Ombudsman@bcoa.us for assistance.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!

John Wehner Impressed By Pirates’ Youth During Spring Training

The future for the Pirates, whenever it comes to the surface, is looking like it will be a bright one.

John Wehner talked about that future with Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County, one day after the Pirates kept the Twins to three hits and caused 11 strikeouts in a 1-0 Grapefruit League win. Wehner particularly singled out the efforts of pitchers Chase De Jong and Roansy Contreras in the game, seeing them as potential keys to the Pirates’ depth in 2021 and beyond.

For the full Spring Training Report, click on the player below!

The Opening Of Brady’s Run Beach Discussed At Work Session

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Spring has arrived to Beaver County, bringing with it the sunshine…and a small dilemma for the county to confront.

DPW director Dan Colville explains what the county needs to do in order to open Brady’s Run Beach in 2021.

The beach at Brady’s Run Park is a possible destination for outdoor activity, and County Commissioner Dan Camp asked Public Works director Dan Colville what requirements need to be done in order to open up the area to the public (with proper CDC guidelines).

“All we need to do is get your blessing,” Colville said, adding that “we need to buy a new buoy rope since the old one we had has dry rotted, and we just start getting the water tested.”

Camp, as well as Commissioners Amadio and Manning, agreed to the push to open the beach, acknowledging that the water testing is essential–although they also recognized that such water tests seemed to be disregarded during the 2020 pandemic.

“At the end of the day, it was probably an issue last year and people were STILL using it,” Camp said. “At least we know that if we test it, and it comes back bad, then we can get signs that say ‘Beach Closed Due To Water’…even though last year, the sign said ‘Closed’.”

“They were walking past the big ‘Beach Closed’ sign to get to the beach,” added Solicitor Garen Fedeles.

The Commissioners will have their bi-weekly public meeting on March 25 at 10 AM.

Former Pitt official stole over 13K masks, sold online

Feds: Former Pitt official stole over 13K masks, sold online
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
A federal indictment says the University of Pittsburgh’s former emergency management director stole more than 13,600 face masks meant for school employees and students and sold them online in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. The indictment announced Wednesday says Christopher Casamento stole N95 respirators, surgical masks and particulate respirator masks and sold them on his eBay vendor page at “significant price mark ups,” making nearly $19,000 from the sales. Pitt says Casamento admitted misappropriating the masks and was fired last July. A message was left at his number seeking comment.

A Busy Teleforum Thursday

The Teleforum program is a busy one on Thursday; Bob Nelson from Robert Nelson Insurance will join Eddy to explain the covid-induced differences in this year’s tax season, and there are a LOT. At 11am Mike Romigh hosts the Best of Beaver County, and that’s followed by Beaver County Times entertainment editor Scott Tady. Teleforum is every weekday from 9 till noon on am1230, am1460, and fm99.3 presented by St. Barnabas.

Pa State Police Looking for Help with Theft from a Residence Garage in Perry Twp. (Lawrence County)

(Perry Twp. , Lawrence County , Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle are reporting that someone broke into a garage at a residence on Van Gorder Mill Road in Perry Twp., Lawrence County sometime 9:00 pm on March 13, 2021 and 10:00 am on March 14, 2021 and stole a Husqvarna 455 chainsaw, several chains, Rigid power tools, excaliber crossbow, quad winch, and misc. hand tools. State Police in New Castle are asking anyone with information about he burglary to contact them at 724-598-2211

Crosby, Wilson hope for ‘some clarity’ from NHL on hits

Crosby, Wilson hope for ‘some clarity’ from NHL on hits
By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and Washington winger Tom Wilson have found themselves in agreement on something. Both are questioning the NHL on a lack of clarity between clean and dirty hits on the ice. One solution may be adding an off-ice official high above the play as a backup. That official could help referees decide whether a hit is worth a major penalty. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has doled out eight suspensions for a total of 20 games this season. Last year, the total was 20 suspensions totaling 51 games.

Judge Throws Out Local Constable Petition to Remove All Other Candidates from Ballot

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Beaver, Pa.) Jeffrey Ash, a local constable who is vying for a district justice seat   filed objections to five nominating petitions   for the 36-3-04  district justice  position vacated  due to Janet Swihart’s retirement.  Beaver County Common Pleas Court Judge James Ross  ruled  the petitions by Ash are denied after hearing testimony and arguments of counsel and evidence received  Monday  Judge Ross’ motion stated  in the order  the objections are denied  due to untimely filing/presentation and failing  to meet the requirements  and statutory mandates of 25P.S. 2937

Democrats vow vote on gun bills; Biden says ‘we have to act’

Democrats vow vote on gun bills; Biden says ‘we have to act’
By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats say they are pushing toward a vote on expanded gun control measures as the nation reels from it its second mass shooting in a week. President Joe Biden says, “We have to act,” but prospects for any major changes are dim, for now, in the closely divided Congress. Biden urged Congress to move quickly to close the loopholes in the background check system and to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday that Biden would not exclude taking executive action on gun control measures, but “if we really want something that is going to be lasting, we need to pass legislation.”

BIKES AVAILABLE IN ALIQUIPPA AND WORK ON UNCOMMON GROUNDS COURTYARD

(Aliquippa, Pa.) This Saturday, March 27, 2021,  from 10 a.m. to noon Communicycle will be offering kids of all ages  bikes to ride.   The event is being held at Communicycle’s headquarters. at 327 Franklin Avenue.

Across the street at the same time work  will be in progress  at the site of the Uncommon Grounds Cafe Courtyard Project. Uncommon Grounds Cafe’s address is  380 Franklin Avenue.