Author: Beaver County Radio

Businesses to Lawmakers: Prioritize COVID Recovery Over Ballot Challenges

Keystone State News Connection

May 12, 2022

Emily Scott

More than 60 businesses across Pennsylvania signed a letter to legislative leaders, calling on them to focus on improving the economic climate and abandon efforts making it harder for people to vote.

The letter calls attention to the state’s no-excuse mail voting law passed in 2019. It has faced legal challenges after a Commonwealth Court judge sided earlier this year with some Republican lawmakers, who believe it violates the state Constitution.

Richard Eidlin, national policy director at Business for America, said some businesses feel there’s been an unnecessary amount of attention on relitigating the 2020 election.

“We feel that the Legislature has failed to address more important problems like recovering from the pandemic,” Eidlin asserted. “So our intent with the letter was to make it known that the business community really expects Democrats and Republicans to find ways to work together.”

The voting law is awaiting a decision by the state Supreme Court and is in place for next Tuesday’s primary election. Eidlin pointed out Business for America has brought together Republican and Democratic leaders for a series of dialogues to find common ground on voting rights and election integrity and security.

Jabari Jones, president of the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative, a business association, said 92% of its businesses temporarily closed during the pandemic. He added he would like to see the state ensure more American Rescue Plan dollars reach businesses.

“We did a survey of about 100 companies in our district and found that the average business had about $9,000 in unpaid back-due expenses that are wrapped up from the pandemic,” Jones observed. “So there was an opportunity to invest some of the disaster relief money to helping businesses get caught up.”

Dennis Guy, CEO of First Sip Brew Box, a craft beer media company in Pittsburgh, said allocating funds for programs to drive revenue is key for businesses still recovering from the pandemic.

“Our electric bill needs to be paid at the end of the month,” Guy stressed. “I need to be able to be a part of a program where you’re actually creating assets, a tangible result for that business so that they can be around six months from now.”

Pennsylvania has $1.7 billion in unused American Rescue Plan dollars to spend by 2024.

PA Officials Call for Boosting Property Tax Rent Rebate Program

(Photo provided with release)

Keystone State News Connection

May 12, 2022

Emily Scott

Pennsylvania lawmakers and community leaders gathered in Montgomery County Wednesday, urging the General Assembly to use $204 million in unspent American Rescue Plan funds to help older adults through property tax and rent rebates.

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax Rent Rebate Program has delivered more than $7 billion to older adults and people with disabilities for more than 50 years.

Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery, said his older constituents are facing many financial challenges, including rising prescription drug costs. He emphasized increasing the rebate could be a lifeline for them.

“Too many are struggling to stay in their homes and stay connected to the neighbors they call friends because their property tax bills or rent payments are rising beyond their control,” Malagari observed. “I know how critical the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program is in Pennsylvania and how critical it is to the seniors living here.”

The investment would be a one-time bonus, doubling existing rebates, with an estimated 466,000 Pennsylvanians receiving an additional average rebate of $475.

Gazi Razzak has lived in Lansdale for 24 years and is a recipient of the rebate program. He said any increases to the program will be helpful, especially for seniors like him, who are on a limited income.

“Right now, it is very tough because prices are rising. Food prices are record high,” Razzak pointed out. “Support for expanding the rebate is needed more than ever.”

Sen. Maria Collett, D-Montgomery, has introduced Senate Bill 1187, which would create the one-time bonus rebate. It was referred to the Urban Affairs and Housing Committee in April.

In Montgomery County, the Property Tax Rent Rebate program benefited more than 13,000 residents who received a total of $6.4 million dollars. Nearly 75% of the recipients were age 65 and older.

Hopewell School Board Hears Concerns About Band Uniforms, Hires Basketball Coach

(Hopewell Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Hopewell School Board held its work session Tuesday night  and some parents feel there is not enough emphasis on the band students, and more on sports.  One parent told the board, “They are just as important as sports teams. “The board approved the purchase of 150 uniforms at a cost of $77,046.55 from Demoulin Brothers and Company through the COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program, and funds will be taken from the capital reserve fund.

Mark D’Alessandris was hired as the basketball coach for the 2022-23 basketball season. He will be paid  $7,061.00. He was the assistant coach.

The board voted to eliminate one second grade teaching position at Independence Elementary School, and 6th grade position at the junior high school.  Four new teaching positions  were approved due to enrollment  for the upcoming school year, grade 4 at Independence, grade 5 at the junior high and a special ed teacher at the junior high/high school.
The board meets on Tuesday, may 24 at 7 p.m. for its regular meeting.

Loaded AR-15 with a Full Magazine Found Inside West Allegheny Student’s Vehicle

(Imperial, Pa.) A student at West Allegheny high school is facing multiple charges after police said they found a loaded AR-15 with a full magazine of bullets inside his vehicle after a search warrant was issued for his vehicle on May 10, 2022.
The incident started when West Allegheny High School received reports of a smell of marijuana on 18-year-old Ja’Shon Spencer.
The school resource officer spoke with Spencer and could smell marijuana emanating from him. The student denied using any illegal substances.
Spencer’s probation officer arrived at the school and aided the resource officer in looking for Spencer’s 2017 Ford Escape. Officers said that when the pair found the vehicle they also found a girl sitting in the passenger seat who did not attend the high school.
Officers also found a small bag of marijuana and a vape that contained THC in the vehicle during the search.
Spencer is facing charges of possession, possession of a weapon on school property, corruption of a minor and possession of marijuana.

Zelinople Police Make Arrest in String of Burglaries

(Zelienople, Pa.) Zelienople Borough Police have arrested Michael Shipley after at least four businesses were burglarized and vandalized last weekend in Cranberry Township.
Reports say that Shipley broke into Tony’s Exxon along Route 19 on Friday night. He had broken a door’s glass, the front window was smashed, and the inside was ransacked, all while a worker was in in the building.
Hours later on Saturday morning, police said Shipley then targeted other businesses along Main Street by throwing a table through the front door of Fisher’s Bar and Grill and spray-painting graffiti on the building at Sarah II Nails salon next door to the bar.
Police say they identified Shipley through video, license plate readers and traffic cameras in Butler County.
Shipley is facing several charges but told police he was being set up and denies the allegations.

Crosby Leaves in 2nd Period of Penguins’ 5-3 Loss in Game 5

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
By VIN A. CHERWOO AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins were leading 2-0 in Game 5 of their first-round series against the New York Rangers when star center Sidney Crosby headed to the dressing room with about seven minutes left in the second period. He was knocked to the ice minutes earlier after a hard high hit from Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba while the Penguins had the puck in the offensive zone. Following his departure, New York scored three times on three consecutive shots over a 2:42 span to take the lead. They scored two more in the third period to win 5-3 and send the series back to Pittsburgh for Game 6 with the Penguins lead 3-2.

Sewickley Bridge Ramp to Northbound Route 51 Closure this Weekend in Moon

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the closure of the ramp from the Sewickley Bridge (Route 4025) to northbound Route 51 in Moon Township, Allegheny County will occur Friday night, May 13 through Monday morning, May 16 weather permitting.

The ramp that carries traffic from the Sewickley Bridge to northbound Route 51 (University Boulevard) will close to traffic from 8 p.m. Friday night continuously through 6 a.m. Monday morning to allow crews to conduct widening work at the intersection. Ramp traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detour

  • From the end of the Sewickley Bridge, turn left onto southbound Route 51 (University Boulevard)
  • Turn left onto Thorn Run Road
  • Turn left onto northbound Route 51 (University Boulevard)
  • Follow northbound Route 51 back to the Sewickley Bridge
  • End detour

Crews will conduct widening work, embankment development, realignment work, concrete approach slab work, guiderail improvements, pavement marking installation, and other miscellaneous construction work.

An additional weekend ramp closure will be required to complete the work. Details will be provided in advance of the next closure.

To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for Sewickley Bridge traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – Sewickley Bridge” in the subject line.

Work on this project will be in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and state Department of Health guidance as well as a project-specific COVID-19 safety plan, which will include protocols for social distancing, use of face coverings, personal and job-site cleaning protocols, management of entries to the jobsite, and relevant training.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Families Participate in STEAM Event at Highland Elementary in Ambridge

The featured photo above shows families playing with battle bots
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published May 11, 2022 7:55 P.M.

(Ambridge, PA)  Highland Elementary School in Ambridge hosted a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) night on Wednesday.  The event was hosted by Highland Elementary STEAM teacher Nicole Darroch and principal Thomas McKelvey while being made possible by a grant from the Beaver County Educational Trust.  Children and their families were able to have fun with activities that included battle bots, a wind tunnel, and Lincoln Logs.  Every child in attendance also received a free book for attending the event.

Photos from the event can be seen below:

 

VIDEO: Bert’s Wooden Indian In Beaver Continues Tradition Of Quality Food & Strong Work Environment

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
(Photos & stills by Mark Peterson)

75 years is a long time to remain successful, but Bert’s Wooden Indian is close to pulling it off…and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

The famous restaurant located on 308 Leopard Lane in Beaver was the focus of the conversation during the May 11 edition of A.M. Beaver County, as Beth McCartney, Emily Sebastian, and Nichole Blakely stopped by the Beaver County Radio studios to talk with Matt Drzik about Bert’s Wooden Indian. The restaurant was founded in 1948 by Bert Sebastian and has been located in the Beaver area throughout its entire existence.

Matt Drzik talks with Beth McCartney, Emily Sebastian, and Nichole Blakely from Bert’s Wooden Indian in Beaver. (Mark Peterson)

One of Bert’s major components to its long-term success is having an extensive offering of dishes and desserts that they offer to their customers. “Ham barbeque, pork barbeque and pork barbeque are more or less our signature dishes,” McCartney said. “Now we make baked chicken salads, baked fish salads, baked fish dinners…all the fried food appetizers like french fries, onion rings, mushroom caps, sweet potato fries, and redskin potatoes.”. As far as the desserts, they have “hot fudge sundaes, homemade pies baked every morning, sundaes, floats and milkshakes…we’ve run the whole round of restaurant food,” according to McCartney.

Bert’s is also looking to expand their kitchen and waiting staff for their hours of operation between Tuesday and Saturday (they’re closed Sunday and Monday), and they offer a work environment that promotes hard work, two guaranteed days off, and equal opportunity. “I have so many friends that work there, ranging in age from 75 years old all the way down to 15 years old, and I get along with everyone who works there,” Sebastian said. “People who are married, single, have families, still in high school or college and needing a part-time job or full-time job…regardless of your circumstances, I know you’ll fit in at Bert’s.”

Those interested in applying to Bert’s can scan the QR code on the upper right corner of the Facebook feed of the interview, or by applying in person at Bert’s Wooden Indian at 308 Leopard Lane in Beaver (just off Route 51). The full interview can be seen by watching the Facebook feed below.

Master Gardeners and State Reps on Teleforum Thursday

Thursday’s Teleforum talk program with Eddy Crow begins with Rapping with the Reps, and later the Best of Beaver County with Mike Romigh will talk about gardening with the master gardeners from Penn State! In between, more of Eddy Being Eddy. Teleforum happens every weekday from 9 till noon on am1230, am1460, fm99.3 presented by St. Barnabas, and 95.7 Listening also possible with live streaming from Beavercountyradio.com, and with the FREE Beavercountyradio app!