(File Photo)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) A former McKees Rocks, PA resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a violation of the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Rachel Novalesi, 39, formerly of McKees Rocks, PA, pleaded guilty to an Indictment
charging her, and 26 other codefendants, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy. In connection with the guilty plea, the Government advised the Court that the prosecution of Novalesi arose out of a two-year investigation into a drug trafficking organization whose members distributed kilograms of cocaine, sourced from Mexico, throughout the United States (in California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere). The Court was advised that co-conspirators obtained kilograms of cocaine in Los Angeles, California, and sent them to the Western District of Pennsylvania (and elsewhere) through the United States Postal Service. In connection with her guilty plea, Novalesi admitted that she received cocaine-laden parcels that were sent by co-conspirators from Los Angeles, California, to the Western District of Pennsylvania, and that she redistributed the kilograms of cocaine to others. As part her plea, Novalesi admitted that she possessed roughly five
ounces of cocaine that was seized in May 2019 during a traffic stop by the Bridgewater Police Department in Beaver County, PA. Novalesi admitted as part of the plea that the cocaine was sourced from a codefendant, and that she intended to redistribute it. Novalesi admitted that the total quantity of cocaine attributable to her, through her conduct and the foreseeable conduct of co-conspirators, was at least 15 kilograms but less than 50 kilograms. The Court was advised that agents seized in excess of 100 kilograms of cocaine during its two-year investigation into the drug trafficking
organization, of which Novalesi admitted to being a member.
Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for November 4, 2022. The law provides for a total
sentence of not less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (in Pittsburgh, PA) and the United States Postal
Service – Office of Inspector General led the multi-agency investigation that included members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (in Los Angeles, CA; in Tucson, AZ; in New York, NY; in Nashville, TN; at the Special Operations Division; and in Mexico); the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; the Los Angeles Police Department; the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; the Allegheny County Police Department; the New Castle Police Department; the Monessen Police Department; and the Pennsylvania State Police.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Beaver County 9-1-1 reported that Aliquippa Police and fire departments and Medic-Rescue  responded   to a 2 vehicle accident at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Mill Street and Golf Course Road. It’s not known how many people were injured or what caused the accident. The scene was cleared by 5 p.m.

JOSEPH MADER III WHO HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE EARLY THURSDAY MORNING, HAS BEEN FOUND, ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF JOHN DELUCA. THE CHIEF THANKED ASSISTING AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR HELP.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s new fiscal year will begin without a state budget in place, as Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and top Republican lawmakers planned to work through the deadline to hammer out a roughly $42 billion spending plan whose details were still largely being kept secret. As of Thursday, negotiators had yet to fully brief rank-and-file lawmakers or publish the details of budget-related legislation. Without a new budget signed into law by Friday, the state will lose the authority to make some payments. Negotiations in closed-door talks revolve around a substantial amount of new aid for public schools and various concessions by the Democratic governor to Republican lawmakers who control the Legislature.

(File Photo)
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A state court is permanently blocking Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to toll as many as nine major bridges on interstates in Pennsylvania, siding with three Pittsburgh-area municipalities that argued that his administration had violated procedures in getting to the advanced stage of considering the idea. A panel of Commonwealth Court judges on Thursday granted the municipalities’ request to effectively declare the plan dead because Wolf’s Department of Transportation hadn’t followed the law. Wolf’s push for tolling comes as states increasingly look to user fees to make up for declining gas tax revenue that is not keeping up with the demands of fixing highways and bridges.

(Photo of Josh Kail taken by Matt Drzik during the opening of Josh’s District office) 

(Harrisburg,Pa.) Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) announced the House adopted his resolution today to create the investigative Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order as efforts continue to address skyrocketing crime rates in Philadelphia and impeach District Attorney Larry Krasner.
“Lives have been lost, properties have been destroyed and families have been crushed all as a result of inaction and willful dereliction of duty by DA Krasner,” said Kail.
“As a result, the House has no choice but to step in to restore law and order by ensuring the laws we have passed are enforced. Crime victims are pleading for help, and we have a duty to protect all Pennsylvanians and find solutions to the problem. Local officials like Krasner must be held accountable so our cities can be safe. I am pleased to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle join me in supporting this critical measure.”
According to House Resolution 216, the Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order will consist of five members selected by the Speaker of the House—three Republicans and two Democrats—and have subpoena power.
The Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order will examine the effect of Philadelphia’s failure to enforce criminal laws, how state public safety funding for Philadelphia has been used, and the extent to which victims’ rights are properly enforced.
In addition to impeachment, the Select Committee is also empowered to recommend potential legislative or policy changes that could be made to ensure public safety in Philadelphia is guaranteed.

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Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Debbie Grass, Act 47 coordinator for the city  gave council a brief overview and answered questions  about  Home Rule Governance features. If council should decide to change its way of governing  7 residents would have to be on the  ballot to  get a seat  on the Home Rule Study Commission. A first and second reading  would have to be held between  8/9 and 8/30 2022 to have the  Board of Elections  put it on the  ballot. The Act 47 amended exit plan ends  in December 2023.

(Photo of Joseph Mader III provided by Ambridge Police Department)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge Police Department needs the publics help in locating a man who is missing from a Adult Care Facility in the Borough. Ambridge Police Chief John DeLuca reported that officers were dispatched early this morning, June 30, 2022, at approx. 3:00AM  Ambridge Police were dispatched to Maplewood Care for a report of a resident Joseph Mader III, a 65 year old white male that has not returned to the facility since leaving at approx.. 1700hrs.   The Ambridge Police have confirmed through family that Mader does take medications for mental health issues.   Currently, first responders are continuing to search for Mader.  We are asking if anyone does locate or thinks they might have seen Mader to please contact the Ambridge Police Department at 724-266-5977 or the 911 center immediately.