Photo from Bigham Tavern at Bridgewater Facebook Page
 Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published April 25, 2023. 11:13 A.M.   

(Bridgewater, PA) Owners of Bigham Tavern in Mount Washington of Pittsburgh, have announced they are expanding to Beaver County with a location right on the Beaver River in Bridgewater. Bigham Tavern has a sports bar approach at its Mount Washington location, and the same experience is expected in Bridgewater. Pizza, wings, and craft beers are set to be menu items. A summer cocktail menu is also said to be in the works.

The new bar and restaurant will take place of the former Mario’s Dockside site at 1420 Riverside Dr., which moved to the location of the former Thursday’s. The business is currently working on building a staff. They plan to open in June.
A Facebook post made by the business can viewed below:     

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published April 25, 2023 10:40 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Police Department officers have denied that they unlawfully arrested a 24-year-old Theaughn Lewis, assaulted him while he was in custody and filed false affidavits to justify the arrest after the fact, Pennsylvania Record reports.

According to Pennsylvania Record, Theaughn Lewis of Beaver Falls filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Jan. 10 against the Aliquippa Police Department, Officer Bruce A. Tooch Jr. of Coraopolis, Officer Paul Woods and John Doe Officer. The plaintiff is represented by Anthony J. Giannetti of Swartz Culleton, and the defendants are represented by Brian Patrick McLaughlin and Jordan P. Shuber of Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham in Butler.

A witness caught most of the arrest on cell phone video and it was posted on social media, which led to discrepancies with the police report filed.  Many actions seen in the video were not accurate to the police report filed.

The initial report filed by Aliquippa Police can be read here:

3 people arrested after brawl with Aliquippa Police in West Aliquippa

Kyan Cepin, who now resides in a motel after being displaced by the East Palestine train derailment walks his dog Opal in North Lima, Ohio, Monday, April 3, 2023. About half of East Palestine’s nearly 5,000 residents evacuated when, days after the Feb. 3 derailment, officials decided to burn toxic vinyl chloride from five tanker cars to prevent a catastrophic explosion. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, say they’re still living in limbo almost three months after a fiery Norfolk Southern train derailment blackened the skies and sent residents fleeing. They’re unsure how or whether to move on from the accident and worry what will happen to them and the village to which they’re bound by deep family roots, friendships and affordable homes. About half of the nearly 5,000 residents evacuated when state and local officials decided to burn toxic vinyl chloride from five tanker cars to prevent a catastrophic explosion. Most have returned, though many worry about illnesses and soil, water and air quality. Some are staying away until they’re sure it’s safe. Others aren’t allowed back in their homes because of the ongoing cleanup.

FILE – President Joe Biden speaks from the Treaty Room in the White House on April 14, 2021, about the withdrawal of the remainder of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has formally announced he’s running for reelection in 2024. Biden made the announcement Tuesday. The Democratic president is asking voters to give him more time to “finish the job” he began when he was sworn in to office and set aside their concerns about extending the run of America’s oldest president for another four years. Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term. Biden is betting his first-term legislative achievements and 50-plus years of experience in Washington will count for more with voters. Biden faces a smooth path to winning his party’s nomination but a hard-fought struggle to retain the presidency in a bitterly divided nation.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for March 2023.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 4.2% in March. The U.S. unemployment rate was down one-tenth of a percentage point from February to 3.5%. The commonwealth’s unemployment rate was two-tenths of a point below its March 2022 level, and the national rate was down 0.1 percentage points over the year.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was up 5,000 over the month. Resident employment rose by 12,000 over the month and unemployment fell by 7,000.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 12,500 over the month to a new record high of 6,108,900 in March, beating the previous record of 6,096,400 set the month prior. Jobs increased from February in seven of the 11 industry supersectors with the largest gain in leisure & hospitality (+4,500). Professional & business services rose to a record high level.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 159,000 with gains in all 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+52,000) had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors with three other supersectors adding over 16,000 each.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published April 25, 2023 9:44 A.M. 

(Ambridge, PA) The Ambridge School District has announced they have filed a federal lawsuit against Norfolk Southern. The district claims the company was negligent and exposed their buildings and residents to a toxic mix of chemicals. This makes Ambridge the third local district to file suit, following Blackhawk and Western Beaver school districts.

Gas prices are a penny lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.812 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.812
Average price during the week of April 17, 2023                                               $3.822
Average price during the week of April 25, 2022                                               $4.186

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Beaver County is $3.850.      

The recent increases in oil costs took a break this past week, with the price of oil falling into the upper $70’s per barrel. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose less than a nickel to hit $3.66. Today’s national average is 22 cents more than a month ago but 46 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased from 8.94 to 8.52 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased slightly by 1.3 million barrels to 223.5 million barrels. Lower demand, alongside growth in stocks, would typically push pump prices down; however, elevated oil prices over the past month pushed them higher.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $1.70 to settle at $79.16. Oil prices fell amid ongoing market concerns that future interest rate increases could tip the economy into a recession, likely leading to reduced oil demand and prices. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories decreased by 4.5 million barrels to 466 million barrels last week.

Meanwhile, U.S. refineries are returning to service from extensive winter/spring maintenance. The EIA said total input rose last week by 330,000 barrels per day to 16.44 million barrels per day, putting it above this time last year. More refinery operations will be restarted in the next three weeks, with some planned work extending into June.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released a new interactive mapping tool that shows final sample results from soil and water testing conducted by DEP in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment on February 3, 2023. Pennsylvanians can use this tool to review sampling results in the vicinity of the derailment.

“Results so far indicate that the chemicals from the derailment have not been detected in either soil or water, and we will continue to sample to ensure that there is not any contamination spreading from the derailment site,” said Rich Negrin, Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. “This map is an excellent tool to show the scope of the sampling that we have done and to be able to reassure people that their water and their soil are safe. We are thrilled that the results so far do not show signs of contamination in Pennsylvania from this derailment, but we are going to remain vigilant and continue our monitoring to ensure that any contamination from the derailment site does not spread.”

The map shows key details from the derailment including the derailment location and the 2-mile radius that had been evacuated. Final sample results from soil, surface water, private drinking water wells, and public water system wells are available.

“Farmers depend on healthy soil and water to produce food that is safe for their families and customers,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “We commend the Department Environmental Protection for working diligently and carefully to review and validate results of water and soil testing. The Department of Agriculture has been present, listening to area farmers so that we can take the critical step of validating their concerns. This interactive map will be valuable to all Pennsylvanians who depend on healthy soil and water for their lives and livelihoods.”

“The Department has been on the scene since the first hours after the derailment, and we will continue to stay in affected communities as long as it takes to assure Pennsylvanians that their air, water and soil are safe. said Negrin. “We have been in touch with the landowners and residents that have had these tests conducted, and we will be continuing to take samples and update this map with final results as they are available.”

Samples were tested for chemicals of concern identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Unified Command. Additional chemicals will be tested in future rounds of sampling. The map also includes a time-lapse feature to show where and when samples were collected. Additional sample locations and dates will be added to the map as they are available.

The DEP interactive map can be found at https://gis.dep.pa.gov/OhioDerailmentTesting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D, PA-17) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-01) introduced the bipartisan Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act to support first responders on the front lines of hazardous train derailments. After the Norfolk Southern train derailed this winter, local emergency responders, firefighters, and members of law enforcement risked their own lives and wellbeing to protect their communities and respond to the derailment. Due to the size and severity of derailments, the clean-up response can quickly surpass the budget of local first responder organizations, especially if they need to pay workers overtime, replace damaged equipment, or purchase supplies.

This new legislation would create a new fund—paid for by companies that ship and carry these materials—to provide emergency responders, firefighters, and law enforcement with the financial resources needed to replace equipment, pay workers overtime, and address other urgent costs as well as compel railroads to notify local officials and emergency response groups when hazardous materials are moving through their communities.

“When massive rail corporates derail in communities, it’s local governments and first responders who are left to pay the bill, clean up the mess, and protect the public,” said Congressman Deluzio. “It is time to pay them back with more than gratitude, and I am proud to partner with Representative Fitzpatrick on this legislation. The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act will help communities across the country better prepare for future derailments with improved information-sharing and will cover the cost of damaged equipment, overtime pay, and more—all paid for by the companies that ship and carry these materials. No community should be left footing the bill for corporate negligence and greed; we need real accountability.”

“Emergency personnel that respond to devastating accidents, including train derailments, are the first line of defense for public safety,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act will ensure that the Department of Transportation is adequately communicating with local emergency response officials, improving coordination and preparedness. I am proud to join Representative Deluzio in introducing this legislation that will ensure our first responders have the resources they need before, during, and after hazardous derailments.”

“As the President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, I am proud to announce that we support the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act,” said Robert Brooks, President of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association. “We have a local that is now still without equipment lost to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Beaver Falls Fire Fighters Local 3539 is operating to this day down 13 sets of full gear, 10 self-contained breathing apparatuses and 10 face pieces for starters. That is a tremendous load for a fire department to overcome. With this legislation, the money needed would be immediately available to replace this equipment and replace manpower lost to illnesses related to the incident.”

The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act would also:

• Give the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) the ability to declare a “hazardous train event” after the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health and safety.
• Allow the FRA to provide funding to help state and local emergency response groups, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies cover costs related to their response to a hazardous derailment—and disburse that funding quickly.
• Provide emergency organizations the financial flexibility they need to protect their communities in the wake of a train disaster while maintaining their ability to respond to everyday issues.
• Require companies that ship and carry these materials would pay a fee into the fund, not the public.
• The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act would also direct the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, to develop regulations requiring that railroads notify local emergency response groups, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies when hazardous materials are moving through their communities.

Last month, Congressman Deluzio also introduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act to prevent future train derailments by improving rail safety protocols. The bill would also rail companies accountable for these disasters by increasing fines and more. Rep. Deluzio is also the lead co-sponsor of the DERAIL Act, which would strengthen the definition of a high-hazard flammable train and increase safety provisions for more freight across America.