(Beaver, Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that they have filed charges of Defiant Criminal Trespass against 51-year-old Bradley Gelsomini of New Castle for an incident that occurred on Wallace Run Road in Darlington Twp. a little after midnight on March 18, 2021 No other information was provided in the release about the specifics of the incident.

(Beaver, Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that during a traffic stop on Pennsylvania Ave. in Monaca on February 28, 2021 a State Trooper noticed that 49-year-old Carla Conti of New Brighton showed signs of being impaired. Conti admitted to the Trooper that she took prescribed medication, and the Trooper was able to verify that Conti who was driving a 2002 Ford Ranger Pick-up was impaired and she was arrested on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence. No further information was provided in the release.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Lori  Colangelo, high school tech ed teacher, and Bronwyn Korchnak, high school gifted education and science teacher secured a  grant and a partnership with RMU  with hopes to create  student pathways to enter STEM  fields. Dr. Robert Kartychak, assistant principal   said students will be helping  in the course development by providing feedback after implementing various modules. Any equipment RMU purchases  is Hopewell’s to keep, Dr. Kartychak reported. Approximately $30,000 has been budgeted for the project.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Hopewell School Board approved a new Three year contract for Superintendent Dr. Michelle Miller at last night’s meeting. Dr. Miller, in a statement this morning said she has been serving the district for 5 years.   Since becoming superintendent  she said there have been safety and security upgrades throughout the district, a school resource officer was hired, and the hiring of exceptional staff and teachers, and becoming 1:1 with technology devices.

Potholes Damage Can Be a Black Hole for Your Wallet

American drivers spend $3 billion each year on pothole damage

While tire-hungry potholes are typically a sign of spring, this winter’s temperature intense winter conditions have taken an early toll on the Nation’s roadways – and drivers are paying a steep price. With “Pothole Season” upon us, AAA East Central advises motorists to take proactive steps to avoid costly repairs caused by hitting potholes.“

Not only do potholes pose a safety risk to motorists, they can really leave a dent in your wallet,” says Mike Hoshaw, vice president of automotive services at AAA East Central. “The problems range from tire punctures and bent wheels to more extortionate repairs like suspension replacements.”

Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface. The moisture expands and contracts when temperatures go up and down. This breaks the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing cars, results in a pothole.

Video courtesy of AAA

To minimize vehicle damage from potholes, AAA East Central offers the following tips:

 

• Inspect your tires: Properly inflated tires can act as a “cushion” when hitting a pothole.
• Look ahead: Make a point of scanning the road ahead for potholes so you can react in time to avoid hitting a pothole.
• Slow down: If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely without abrupt braking.
• Beware of puddles: Puddles often disguise deep potholes.
• Recognize noises/vibrations; A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage the tire or wheel, and even break suspension components.  Any unusual noises after a pothole hit should be inspected immediately.
• Check for a spare: Many newer cars do not have spare tires. Check to see if your vehicle is equipped with a spare, and make sure to regularly check its PSI.

Motorists should identify a repair shop they trust to help keep their vehicle in good shape. AAA Approved Auto Repair network consists of more than 7,000 facilities that have met AAA’s high standards, including, technician certifications, ongoing training, financial stability, facility cleanliness, insurance requirements, rigorous inspections and customer satisfaction. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a nearby facility.

 

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

AAA: Gas Prices Stabilize in Pennsylvania
Increases at the pump have come to a halt in Western Pennsylvania, with this week’s average dipping by three cents to $3.036 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $3.036
Average price during the week of March 15, 2021                                     $3.065
Average price during the week of March 23, 2020                                    $2.358

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.995      Altoona
$3.081      Beaver
$3.097      Bradford
$3.001      Brookville
$3.087      Butler
$2.958      Clarion
$3.015      DuBois
$3.066      Erie
$2.966      Greensburg
$3.086      Indiana
$3.096      Jeannette
$3.025      Kittanning
$3.002      Latrobe
$3.088      Meadville
$3.099      Mercer
$2.849      New Castle
$3.084      New Kensington
$3.099      Oil City
$3.065      Pittsburgh
$2.932      Sharon
$3.038      Uniontown
$3.099      Warren
$2.991      Washington

Trend Analysis:
After weeks of seeing almost daily increases, the national gas price average is showing signs of stability, holding steady at $2.88 for the last 5 days. Today’s average is the highest price since May 2019 and is more expensive on the week (+2 cents), month (+25 cents) and year (+74 cents).

A decrease in demand and a simultaneous increase in supply and refinery utilization has contributed to slower movement in gas price increases. In its latest weekly reports, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows demand decreased from 8.7 million b/d to 8.4 million b/d, and gasoline supply increased from 231.6 million barrels to 232 million barrels.

Also, crude oil prices have decreased. At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate settled at $61.41. Prices declined on the week largely due to market concern that demand may stumble as some countries restart coronavirus restrictions to curb growing infection rates.

In the week ahead, motorists can expect fluctuation at the pump. However, with crude prices moving lower, large increases at the pump are not likely.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Police: 10 people killed in Colorado supermarket shooting
By PATTY NIEBERG, JAMES ANDERSON and COLLEEN SLEVIN Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Police say 10 people have been killed in a shooting at a Colorado supermarket, including a police officer. Boulder police Chief Maris Herold said at a news conference Monday night that a suspect is in custody and is getting medical treatment. Police say they’re still investigating and didn’t have details on a motive. The officer who was killed was 51-year-old Eric Talley. He had been with Boulder police since 2010. Identities of the other nine victims were not disclosed Monday night as police were still notifying their family members.

Senate GOP won’t fast-track child sex abuse lawsuit ‘window’
By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State Senate Republicans have killed a proposal to employ an emergency process to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to give victims of child sexual abuse a two-year window in which to file civil lawsuits. Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward announced Monday that the Wolf administration’s failure to advertise a proposed constitutional amendment doesn’t justify using the emergency amendment process. She says the Republican majority plans to start over, using the conventional amendment process. The Department of State announced six weeks ago it had failed to arrange the mandatory advertisement for a conventional constitutional amendment last year. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa accused Republicans of delaying justice “over a clerical mistake.”