The photo above shows Tony Bennett appearing live with Chuck Wilson on WBVP in the early 1950s. Photo courtesy of Bobbie Tkacik.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Bennett, the eminent stylist and last of the great saloon singers whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” graced a decadeslong career, has died at 96. His publicist said he died Friday. Bennett often said his lifelong ambition was to create “a hit catalog rather than hit records,” which he accomplished through more than 70 albums. Bennett was praised often by fellow performers, but never more meaningfully than by what Frank Sinatra said in a 1965 Life magazine interview: “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 21, 2023 7:24 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, PA) Members of the Blackhawk School Board voted to fire Dr. Robert Postupac Thursday. Postupac and Moon Area School Board member Mark Scappe violated ethics laws by trading jobs for their children within districts. Postupac has been on paid administrative leave since early June, when Dr. William Pettigrew was named the Acting Superintendent of schools. Postupac is still currently employed as the superintendent of Western Beaver School District.

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will transfer leadership during a Change of Command ceremony Friday, Aug. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh.

 

Colonel Adam Czekanski, commander of the Pittsburgh District since July 2021, will transfer command to Colonel Nicholas Melin during a traditional military ceremony. Major General William Graham, Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters, will preside over the ceremony.

 

The Change of Command ceremony symbolizes the continuation of leadership and unit identity. It represents the transfer of responsibility and authority from one individual to another while continuing the mission. The ceremonial passing of the unit colors from the departing commander to the incoming commander physically represents the transfer of authority.

 

“I had the honor of commanding truly great people who give their best for the betterment of our district,” said Czekanski. “As a commander, I’m thankful for my role in bringing people together for a common goal and earning the trust of those we serve. I’m excited to see the district continue its standard of excellence under new leadership.”

 

Melin comes to the Pittsburgh District following an assignment as the division chief for Oceania, South, and Southeast Asia in the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from West Point, a Master of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from Madras University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science from Oxford University. Melin served in key leadership positions such as commanding a Security Force Assistance Battalion. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Missouri.

 

As commander and district engineer, Melin will lead the Pittsburgh District in delivering integrated solutions that minimize risk and enhance reliability for the region’s water resource infrastructure while improving the environment. The Pittsburgh District covers an area of approximately 26,000 square miles comprising the upper Ohio River Basin and extending into five states: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and New York.

 

The district supports commercial navigation on the upper Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers, operating and maintaining 23 locks and dams. Pittsburgh’s flood-damage reduction mission encompasses 16 multi-purpose reservoirs that have prevented an estimated $866 million in flood damages during 2022. The district’s flood-risk management portfolio also includes more than 80 local flood protection projects, which have prevented more than $5.3 billion in flood damages during their lifetime.

 

Media note:  Members of the media are invited to attend the Change of Command ceremony. No RSVP is required.

President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting of his Competition Council in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, July 19, 2023 in Washington. Biden will court unions as a cornerstone of the country’s economic future with a speech on Thursday at a Philadelphia shipyard — right as more major unions are weighing strikes that could disrupt the growth he wants to campaign on in 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is courting unions as a cornerstone of the United States’ economic future with a speech at a Philadelphia shipyard. Thursday’s speech comes just as some major unions are weighing strikes that could disrupt the growth the Democratic president wants to campaign on in 2024. Tensions are rising between unions and companies about a rapidly evolving economy in which artificial intelligence, clean energy and e-commerce are rewriting some of the basic rules of work. Biden is trying to allay those concerns by saying unions should be part of that future. But Biden also knows a strike could harm his reelection chances.

FILE – A Star of David hangs from a fence outside the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, Apr. 19, 2023. Robert Bowers. Bowers, the gunman who massacred 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, has a “very serious mental health history” from childhood and a “markedly abnormal” brain, a defense expert testified Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in the penalty phase of the Bowers’ trial. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Survivors of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack have testified to the severe physical and emotional injuries they suffered during the deadliest antisemitic massacre in U.S. history. The testimony Wednesday came in the sentencing phase of the trial of Robert Bowers, who was convicted last month of killing 11 worshippers and could face the death penalty. Officer Tim Matson, who was shot in the head and body, spoke of being in a “dark place” emotionally. But he has drawn support from friends and family, as well as inspiration from an unlikely buddy: a resilient weed in his yard. Bowers’ lawyers presented testimony from a clinical psychologist who says Bowers was exposed to extraordinary risk and instability as a child.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published July 20, 2023 8:03 A.M.

(Hookstown, PA) State Police responded to an incident in the driveway of a home on Heizler Drive in Hookstown. The report says 28 year old Antonio Butera fired a warning shot in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. The altercation ended and parties were separated , with non residents leaving without further incident. During the Troopers investigation, it was discovered that the single round fired traveled approximately 100 yards through the woods and went through the siding of a neighbors house, travelling through a picture frame and through living room drywall before coming dislodged in a bathroom wall.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio news Director. Published July 20, 2023 7:49 A.M. (Photo obtained from Provident Charter School Website) 

(Baden, PA) A grand opening has been announced for the new Provident Charter School West in Baden. The new school is a tuition-free, public school designed for educating students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia.  The institution will offer an environment tailored to supporting students who are struggling to read. The grand opening will feature tours, kids games and snacks. The event will run from 10am til 1pm, with a ribbon cutting set for noon. The school is located at the former site of Quigley High School, and Provident says Quigley Catholic alumni are welcome to attend the event.

(Photo obtained from Beaver Borough Facebook page)
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 19, 2023 2:34 P.M.

(Beaver, PA) The borough of Beaver has announced that renovations will take place at the former Beaver Pool House. They say it will serve as a “modernized hub for events, parties, meetings, and more.” The space is set to accommodate large gatherings indoors, while also offering an outdoor venue. The Beaver Pool closed and was filled in after being deemed unsafe in 2022.    

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 19, 2023 11:32 A.M., updated 3:11 P.M. 

(Beaver Falls, PA) The City of Beaver Falls released a statement Wednesday morning in regards to the ongoing wave pool revival project that was led by Tigerland Inc.. The City states that they had begun the process of transferring the property to Tigerland in January, but ultimately Tigerland denied their sale offer. The city says they are considering other development options for the future of the land with a purpose of betterment of the youth and community.  Tigerland Inc. raised funds and worked with the City Council for years in an attempt to restore the pool, with many snags along the way. The city says they will not be moving forward with Tigerland Inc. and will share more information when they have a concrete direction determined for the property.

Tyrone Ziegler of Tigerland Inc. issued a statement on Facebook alleging that the city’s statement was “lies”.  “We have presented and prepared several proposals of our progress to them (Beaver Falls City Council), which have fallen on deaf ears.” Ziegler is calling or residents to sign a petition to encourage the council to reconsider their decision. He went on to post a statement that “They never once put out a public statement to let the public know that the money was safe, or that the deal was even moving along. But here they are today pulling the deal off the table.”  Tigerland Inc. plans on presenting a final presentation at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 25th.

Tigerland Inc. released a statement on Facebook in April stating that just over $88,000 raised for the project was safe accompanied by bank statements. The following photos were obtained from the Tigerland Inc. Facebook page: