(Story by Sandy Giordano of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 6, 2024 at 6:58 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) Beaver County Radio News Correspondant Sandy Giordano reports that last Friday at Heinz Field at the Aliquippa Junior and Senior High School, their new Athletic and Academic Center will be joined by a clubhouse and education center in a groundbreaking event. KraftHeinz officials were in attendance for the event. They also dedicated their concession stand, in honor of the late Leon Seaburn, who was both a former Aliquippa school board member and a former Aliquippa Quips football player. The concession stand was named the OX.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 5, 2024 1:50 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) The Holy Temple Church of God in Christ requested the consolidation of 3 lots they own and the request was approved by City Council at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 5, 2024 1:46 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Based on a recommendation of the city’s planning commission, a funeral home will be built in a mixed use district on Brodhead Road in the area where the First Methodist Church is located. Lesa Mastrofrancesco, owner of a funeral home on McMinn Street made the request  to construct a funeral home in the district.

Beaver Falls, PA – One year ago, Geneva College launched the Geneva Tuition Promise, offering  free tuition to all eligible first-year, traditional undergraduate, Pennsylvania residents. Today, 96  students have joined the Geneva community with support of the Tuition Promise, and we look forward  to continuing this initiative this year.  

Students attending through the Tuition Promise program represent a broad range of families, high  schools, and geographic regions within Pennsylvania, and come with strong academic backgrounds.  Over 82% of students come with a GPA over 3.0. 

A few highlights of the Tuition Promise recipients include: 

• Students from more than 25 different church denominations 
• Families from 28 different counties in Pennsylvania ranging from Allegheny and Erie to Bucks,  Delaware, and Columbia 
• 25 Tuition Promise recipients are starting Engineering and Computer Science programs at  Geneva while 6 pre-medical and 5 future teachers are part of the cohort.  
• More than 25 of the Tuition Promise recipients were referred to Geneva by alumni through  Geneva’s Gold and White Program

VP of Enrollment and Marketing Willem de Ruijter says, “In a time when there is so much uncertainty  about the cost of higher education, the Tuition Promise helps put a quality Christian education within  reach. Though we knew there were many for whom college cost was a barrier, the Tuition Promise  has shown us that the college financial aid process is often completely overwhelming for families.  This program offers clarity that a college education is possible.” 

The Geneva Tuition Promise ensures that quality Christian higher education is within reach for every  Pennsylvania family. Traditional undergraduate students from families earning less than $70,000 pay  no tuition at Geneva College, starting with the incoming class of fall 2024.  

To be eligible for the Geneva Tuition Promise, a student must have a completed application for  admission and FAFSA by March 1, 2025, have official residency in Pennsylvania, and be eligible to  receive any amount of Pell Grant. Additional details for eligibility can be found on our website. 

The outcomes and value of a Geneva education are long-lasting. The Tuition Promise has helped  students and families who did not think college was an option for them, find a home here at Geneva. 

Jamie Swank, VP and Dean of Student Development says, “So many students face barriers of all  types, many of them are financial. My team works with students throughout their four years here to 

help them face challenges outside of the classroom to create a place where they can truly thrive. The  Tuition Promise is just another way we can support students and meet students where they are.” 

Through strong missional commitment and fiscal stewardship of our leadership and alumni network,  we are grateful to have seen success from this program and look forward to continuing to expand the  reach of Geneva’s ministry of education to more students in the years to come. 

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Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God’s kingdom, a Geneva  College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor.  Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs  and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva’s programs are recognized for their high quality and  affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North  America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and  Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE). 

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing daylight restrictions at an intersection at the southern end of the East Rochester-Monaca Bridge in Monaca Borough, Beaver County are underway today, September 5.

Lane closures will occur at the intersection of Seventeenth Street (Route 51) and Pennsylvania Avenue (Route 4044) Thursday, September 5 until 3 p.m. to allow crews to conduct line painting and removal of temporary signals at the intersection. There will be additional lane closures weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through late September, as needed, to return the intersection back to its original configuration.

Flaggers will assist motorists through the work zone.

This $6.69 million project includes bridge preservation work on the Rochester-Monaca Bridge between Atlantic Avenue in Monaca Borough and Pleasant Street in Rochester Borough. Preservation work includes expansion joint replacement, zone painting, concrete deck overlay, downspout repair and replacement, steel and concrete repairs, as well as sidewalk, deck, barrier, and fence repairs, pavement marking upgrades, and other miscellaneous construction activities. This project is expected to be completed in late 2024.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand  jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon,  United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. 

The one-count Indictment named Tyland Witherspoon, 27, as the sole defendant. Witherspoon was arrested on August 30, 2024, related to this federal charge.  

According to the Indictment, on or about June 19, 2024, Witherspoon, who was previously  convicted of a felony, was found to be in possession of a Glock 23 40 caliber pistol along with  Smith & Wesson 40 caliber ammunition. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or  ammunition by a convicted felon.  

The law provides for a total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based  upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.  

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the  government. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police  conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all  levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun  violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department  launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles:  fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that  help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement  priorities, and measuring the results. 

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

Story by Sandy Giordnao – Beaver County Radio. Published September 5, 2024 11:58 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Just before midnight on Wednesday, a traffic stop was conducted by Aliquippa Police at Reed and McMinn Streets. The operator of the vehicle Auriana Lay, 21, was operating the vehicle while her license was under suspension. An officer had lay exit the vehicle as the second officer observed her male juvenile passenger reach into his waistband and attempt to shove a firearm under the seat. Police removed the juvenile and discovered a loaded Glock 20 10mm pistol.  According to the report, police confirmed the firearm was stolen from Rochester Borough.  Police said they also found marijuana on the juvenile. He was transported to the Aliquippa Police Department and securely detained.  Juvenile Services was contacted and he was transported by the Beaver County Sheriff’s Department to Ohio. He will be housed at the facility until he faces a hearing for the juvenile allegations.