HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A task force set up three years ago is making recommendations about how to improve the process of reentering outside society after prisoners finish their sentences. The Pennsylvania Reentry Council released findings on Wednesday that address housing, work, health, education and other challenges for former inmates.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Two former Pennsylvania constables have been charged with filing nearly 700 fraudulent invoices and stealing over $130,000. Prosecutors in Allegheny County say 48-year-old Anthony Cioppa Jr. made nearly $76,000 and 46-year-old Steven Wright made over $56,000 by cheating the system. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the county district attorney’s office filed charges of conspiracy and theft by deception Friday against Cioppa and Wright for allegedly filing 673 fraudulent invoices and stealing over $132,000. Cioppa’s attorney declined to comment Tuesday and said he was evaluating whether a conflict of interest will prevent further representation. Officials could not confirm whether Wright has an attorney.
UNDATED (AP) — A mother is suing a Pittsburgh hospital after she says it collected and drug tested her urine without her consent and reported a false positive result to the county’s child protective services, launching a child abuse investigation. Cherell Harrington gave birth at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Magee Women’s Hospital in November 2017. She also names Allegheny County as a defendant after what she says was an invasive investigation that included contacting her older child’s school despite her baby testing negative for drugs. It’s the second lawsuit for UPMC over the practice of reporting unconfirmed positive drug tests and one of a handful filed around the country.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Cases of the new coronavirus crept into new counties in Pennsylvania as more schools and prisons took precautions and Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled. Bucks County late Tuesday night confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19. That’s the disease caused by the virus. That boosted the statewide total to at least 14 confirmed cases, amid growing reports of people getting sick while in Pennsylvania. The state’s health secretary isn’t recommending that large gatherings be canceled. But Philadelphia officials are urging people not to attend events of more than 5,000 attendees, including professional sporting events.
The Hopewell School Board is looking for a new member…now that one of its members is resigning. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…
A free Naloxone training session is being held next week in Beaver Falls. The Heritage Valley Family Medicine Center is presenting the program March 19th at the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls along with Beaver County Behavioral Health, Drug, and Alcohol. Those taking part in the program will be shown the signs of opioid overdose and will learn how to administer Naloxone in an emergency situation.
Ellwood City officials say they are in support of Penn Med taking over its now closed medical center. It’s reported that Penn Med has agreed to recognize the liens filed on the property by the municipality. The medical center has been closed since December 10th while its owner, Americore Holdings, goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Charges have been filed against a man who’s accused of shooting at a school van in Shenango Township yesterday morning. Shenango Township police say the man shot out the windows of the van as it rolled along Route 65 yesterday morning. There were seven Shenango Elementary School students onboard, but no injuries were reported. The man was charged with with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, firearms not to be carried without a license, along with several other charges.
(Photos of Ambridge Concerned Citizens President Dennis Lapic and the group’s treasurer, taken by Sandy Giordano)
Ambridge Borough Council supports the zoning hearing board’s decision to deny Beemac Trucking’s new maintenance facility in the borough’s historic district. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was the council meeting last night. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…
Officials with the Beaver County Humane Society are urging pet owners to include their pets when making preparedness plans amid concerns over the coronavirus. Spokeswoman Susan Salyards tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that there are things that pet owners can do now to avoid unnecessary stress later on…
Salyards says be sure to consider all medications and I-D tags for your pet when making preparation plans…
Salyards says pet owners should stock up on pet food when stocking up on their own food supply…
Salyards says they have a sanitation plan in place at the shelter…
For more information on keeping your pet safe and healthy visit beavercountyhumanesociety.org.