November 4, 2021 at 09:52 AM
By DAVID KOENIG Associated Press
Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus weekly. The new government rules were issued Thursday. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says companies that fail to comply could face penalties of nearly $14,000 per violation. The new requirements were first previewed by President Joe Biden in September. They will apply to about 84 million workers at medium and large businesses. It is not clear how many of those employees are unvaccinated. A senior administration official says the agency would target companies if it gets complaints.

(File Photo of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland)
Story by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
Wednesday,  November 4, 2021  at 7:15 AM
(Muddycreek Twp., Pa.) We now know the names of the victims in the deadly school bus accident that occured on I-79 in Muddy Creek Township Tuesday evening when a tractor-trailer, driven by Karandeep Singh was traveling north in the right lane and was struck from behind by the Rhodes Transit Bus that was transporting students home to the Hermitage area from Lincoln Arts Performing Arts Charter School.
The victims who died in the crash are the bus driver, 31-year-old Lindsay Thompkins from Aliquippa and 14-year-old Brylee Walker, who was sitting in the seat directly behind the Thompkins.
Thirteen students were on board of the school bus at the time and they were students at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.
State police have said two other passengers were life-flighted to UPMC Children’s Hospital and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.
Both of those passengers are currently recovering.
Two other passengers on the bus were taken to the hospital for minor injuries sustained, treated, and then released.
One other passenger was examined at the scene and then released to their parents.
Singh was not hurt as a result of the crash.
Police are continuing to investigate what caused the crash and they did report that the school bus was traveling at a safe speed when the accident occurred.

Story by Frank Sparks News/Program Director 
Thursday November 4, 2021 at 7:02 AM
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that a Trooper observed a 2002 Silver Dodge Caravan being operated by 44-year-old John James Allen, of Pittsburgh, commit a traffic violation Wednesday evening at 6:36 PM in the area of 8th Avenue in the City of Beaver Falls.
Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop and Allen fled from the Trooper at a high rate of speed and failed to stop at several stop signs. During the pursuit it was learned that Allen was wanted on a Parole violation and had several warrants for his arrest. As Allen was fleeing Troopers and Police his vehicle collided with a 2019 Honda Civic being driven by an unnamed 19-year-old male from Beaver Falls at the intersection of sixth avenue and 37th Street Extension in Beaver Falls. The collision was so violent that the engine from one of the vehicles landed in the roadway. The driver of the Civic had a moderate laceration to his left leg and a 28-year-old female passenger in the Civic also sustained minor injuries to her head and chest. Allen climbed out of his vehicle through the driver’s side window and attempted to flee. He was apprehended and resisted arrest as he was being handcuffed. Allen was injured in the accident and had to be flown to UPMC Mercy Hospital for a head and spinal cord injury as a result of the crash .
A Trooper also had to be treated at Heritage Valley Beaver for exposure to Allen’s blood.
Troopers are continuing to investigate at this time.

November 3, 2021 at 1:33 PM
(New Brighton, Pa.) New Brighton Borough has started the road milling and resurfacing of various roads started today, November 3. As part of the 2021 road paving program, Second Street, from Thirteenth Street to the mid 1500 block; Sixth Avenue, from Eleventh Street to Thirteenth Street; Twelfth Street, from Fifth Avenue to the mid 600 block; Fourth Avenue, from Fourteenth Street to Sixteenth Street; and Fourteenth Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue will be milled and paved.

Work will be conducted during daylight hours and is anticipated to continue for approximately two weeks. The schedule is tentative and subject to change depending on weather. There may be travel delays and parking restrictions during this time. Please plan accordingly.

(AP Photo)
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 1:12 PM
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed star center Sidney Crosby and defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the COVID-19 protocol after both tested positive. Coach Mike Sullivan says Crosby is dealing with mild symptoms while Dumoulin remains asymptomatic. They are the seventh and eighth members of the Penguins to test positive for COVID-19 since training camp opened in September. Pittsburgh is off to a 3-3-2 start and is currently tied for last in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Last year, the County Commissioners cancelled the work session on the day following Election Day, because the ballots were still being counted.

This year, it was a full crew at the Beaver County Courthouse for the regular Wednesday work session. Why such a difference?

“There was a lot less volume this year,” said Commissioner Dan Camp. “Next year I think there’ll be more ballots and it’ll take longer. This year it took about 8 hours.”

Despite a 5% increase in post-presidential participation from the 2017 election, Beaver County’s presence at the polls went from 94,645 ballots in 2020 to 37,803 in 2021–a drop from 80% to 33%.

“Credit to everyone at the polling places as well,” Commissioner Jack Manning added. “There’s been a lot of issues across the state with getting people to volunteer and work the polls. Fortunately, we’ve got some good folks here and new people who have stepped up.”

“We need to thank the volunteers,” spoke Commissioner Tony Amadio. “It was a smooth operation.”

Less smooth is the current situation at the Ice Arena, where ice activity has been halted since October 29 due to the two zambonis being sidelined. According to Parks & Recreation director Tony Caltury, the 1992 model blew an engine three weeks ago, while the 2008 model is being worked on for separate issues.

“We’re about five days out from the other zamboni’s issues major issues getting fixed,” Caltury said. “I tried reaching out to several other rinks to see if they had a zamboni that we could lease or rent for a month before we get over the hump, but it seems everyone else is in the same boat.”

Caltury has also propositioned for a new zamboni for the Ice Arena, a measure which the Commissioners provided no verbal challenge toward.

The Commissioners’ next work session is scheduled for November 10 at 10:00 AM.

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent 
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 11:14 AM
(Aliquippa, Pa.) VEBH Architect Dan Egan discussed  the steps  to be taken  prior to the  demolition and construction of a new football stadium at Aliquippa High School Monday night. Egan met with the board, athletic director and some members of the coach staff and the public.  Originally, Egan gave the board a cost estimate of $2.5 million dollars, and Monday night he  reported it could cost $3.4 million dollars. District Superintendent Dr. Phillip K. Woods asked Egan to furnish him with an updated list on the costs involved.. Egan said once all the permits are issued for the project and demolition and construction is done it could take 5 months. The visitors section has been closed  for a few years because it’s not structurally sound.  The stadium is 85 years old, and was built in 1936 and is not up to code.