Author: Beaver County Radio

Chauvin won’t testify at murder trial in Floyd’s death

Chauvin won’t testify at murder trial in Floyd’s death
By AMY FORLITI, STEVE KARNOWSKI and TAMMY WEBBER Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The defense at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd has rested its case without putting Chauvin on the stand, wrapping up after two days of testimony to the prosecution’s two weeks. Chauvin informed the court Thursday that he will not testify, saying he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to take the stand. Before the jury was brought into the courtroom, the judge rejected prosecutors’ request to introduce new evidence that carbon monoxide levels in Floyd’s blood were within the normal range. A defense witness had suggested carbon monoxide poisoning could have contributed to Floyd’s death.

Ambridge School Board receives PA Crime and Delinquency Grant

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge School Board, at last night’s work  session, announced the receipt of a $77,888.00 grant from the state’s Bureau of Crime and Delinquency, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Pasquerilla said that the  grant will help the district.

The Give Back Backpack program  , a nonprofit operated by Sewickley resident  Chad ‘O’Brien  donated  $1,500  of gifts in kind to State Street Elementary School.   The board acknowledged O’Brien’s   program  that helps those students in need of school supplies to receive them

Beaver Falls Woman Suffers Minor Injuries in One Vehicle Accident on I-376 in Hopewell Twp.

Pa State Police in Beaver are Reporting that they were dispatched to the scene of a 1 vehicle accident on Interstate 376 in Hopewell Twp. on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 3:15 PM.

Troopers reported via release that Lauren Lasko of Beaver Falls was driving a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Eastbound on I-376 when she began to lose control and struck a guiderail. She was evaluated on the scene by Medic Rescue for suspected minor injuries. She was not transported to the hospital and her vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

Troopers cited Lasko for not driving a vehicle at a safe speed.

Department of Aging Encourages Older Adults to Reach Out if COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Assistance is Needed, Provides Resources Regarding Vaccines

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today continued to encourage older adults seeking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment to contact their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for any assistance they may need in scheduling an appointment. The AAAs have been working with vaccine providers to arrange appointments for older adults eligible in Phase 1A of the commonwealth’s vaccine plan after the Department of Health (DOH) issued an amended order in March.

“Even though the Department of Health recently ramped up its timetable for all Pennsylvanians 16 and older to receive vaccinations, we continue to focus on our mission to get older adults their vaccines with AAAs assisting seniors as much as possible with navigating the vaccination process. While we’ve seen real progress in getting older adults the vaccines they need, more older adults need assistance. Any senior who needs help should not hesitate to reach out to their local AAA,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres.

In addition to working with vaccine providers to schedule appointments for older adults, AAAs may be able to help with arranging transportation if that is needed. Shared ride programs are available in every county and fixed-route transportation systems statewide offer accessible transportation. Older adults can use these services for assistance in getting to mass vaccination sites and any site where a vaccine is available to individuals, including pharmacies, hospitals and doctor’s offices. Free transportation to vaccinations may also be available for qualifying seniors.

The department is offering resources and guidance to help educate and protect older adults who are still looking to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment. The following resources can be downloaded in English and Spanish from the Department of Aging’s website:

  • Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines
  • Protecting older adults from COVID-19-related scams
  • Clearing up misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine
  • General information on COVID-19 for older adults

Here is the phone number list for the local AAAs by region:

Northeast

  • Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna/Tioga Counties: 570-265-6121
  • Carbon County: 1-800-441-1315
  • Lackawanna County: 570-963-6740
  • Luzerne/Wyoming Counties: 570-822-1158
  • Monroe County: 510-420-3735
  • Pike County: 570-775-5550
  • Schuylkill County: 510-622-3103
  • Wayne County: 570-253-4262

Southeast

  • Berks County: 610-478-6500
  • Bucks County: 267-880-5700
  • Chester County: 610-344-6350
  • Delaware County: 610-490-1300
  • Lehigh County: 610-782-3034
  • Montgomery County: 610-278-3601
  • Northampton County: 610-829-4540
  • Philadelphia County: 215-765-9000

North Central

  • Cameron/Elk/McKean Counties: 814-776-2191
  • Centre County: 814-355-6716
  • Clearfield County: 814-765-2696
  • Columbia/Montour Counties: 570-784-9272
  • Lycoming/Clinton Counties: 570-326-0587
  • Northumberland County: 510-495-2395
  • Potter County: 814-544-7315
  • Union/Snyder Counties: 570-524-2100

South Central

  • Adams County: 717-334-9296
  • Cumberland County: 717-240-6110
  • Dauphin County: 717-780-6130
  • Franklin County: 717-263-2153
  • Fulton County: 717-485-5151
  • Huntingdon County: 814-643-5115
  • Mifflin/Juniata Counties: 717-242-0315
  • Lancaster County: 717-299-7979
  • Lebanon County: 717-273-9262
  • Perry County: 717-582-5128
  • York County: 717-771-9610

Northwest

  • Butler County: 724-282-3008
  • Clarion County: 814-226-4640
  • Crawford County: 814-336-1792
  • Erie County: 814-459-4581
  • Jefferson County: 814-849-3096
  • Lawrence County: 724-658-3729
  • Mercer County: 724-662-6222
  • Warren/Forest Counties: 814-723-3763
  • Venango County: 814-432-9711

Southwest

  • Allegheny County: 412-350-4234
  • Armstrong County: 724-548-3290
  • Beaver County: 724-847-2262
  • Bedford County: 814-623-8148
  • Blair County: 814-946-1235
  • Cambria County: 814-539-5595
  • Fayette/Greene/Washington Counties: 724-489-8080
  • Indiana County: 724-349-4500
  • Somerset County: 814-443-2681
  • Westmoreland County: 724-830-4444

Learn more about the various programs offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging here.

Ambridge Council Removes Interim from Police Chief John DeLuca, Also Promote and Hire Police Officers

(File Photo of Chief DeLuca and Kate Lowry from an interview at Beaver County Radio in March of 2017)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.) Interim Ambridge Police Chief John DeLuca  was  hired officially Tuesday night as Ambridge Borough’s new police chief. He was awarded a  5 year contract, according to Borough manager Mario Leone. Part time police officers Austin Turner and Josh Kauser  were also promoted to full time.

Dan Pritchett was hired as a part-time police officer  and part-time parking enforcement officer . His salary   will be $12.50  an hour as recommended by Chief DeLuca.
The borough  phone system will be upgraded , and a 5  year contract with Midnight Blue  was awarded. Cost to the borough  is $819.56 per month.
A contract with Mobilize 360 to upgrade the borough’s website, and to develop a new borough app was recommended to council by Leone. It will enable residents to  report potholes, high grass, and other issues according to the borough manager.

Hit and Run Accident on 376, Pittsburgh Woman Suspected of DUI has Seizure on Way To Hospital

(Potter Twp., Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver are reporting that they responded to a report of a hit and run crash on Pa 18 in Potter Twp. that supposedly occurred on Interstate 376 Westbound near the Monaca Exit on 8 PM on Tuesday night, April 13, 2021.

Upon arriving on the scene and interviewing a 24-year-old female from Pittsburgh it was determined that her vehicle was involved in the accident with a dark green in color SUV with unknown registration. Police later took the 24-year-old into custody for suspected DUI. During transporting her to the hospital for a blood test she suffered a suspected seizure. The Trooper then summoned Medic Rescue and she was transported to Heritage Valley for a medical evaluation. The Investigation continues according to State Troopers via release.

Scrap Pile Catches on Fire at Neville Island Scrap Company

(Neville Island, Pa.) Around 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2021 , there was a large scrap pile that caught on fire at the Metalico Scrap-yard on Neville Island. It’s being reported that witnesses said they heard some loud pops and then fire erupted on the large pile at the business on Grand Avenue.
Firefighters from several departments conducted a large tanker operation to haul in loads of water, dousing the heaping pile of flaming scrap metal from all directions.
Crews also had to tear the scarp pile apart piece by piece with heavy equipment to attack the flames.

More COVID state shutdowns unlikely, despite CDC suggestion

More COVID state shutdowns unlikely, despite CDC suggestion
By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press
A recent spike in coronavirus cases in some states has led one of the nation’s top health experts to suggest that governors could “close things down” like they did during previous surges. But that doesn’t appear likely to happen — not even in states led by Democratic governors who favored greater restrictions in the past. Governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois all are reluctant to return to broad shutdowns. Colorado’s governor plans to turn decisions about public health orders over to local officials later this week. Officials are hoping vaccinations will help counter an increase in cases from new virus variants.

Polanco hits early HR Spoils Musgrove’s return, Pirates beat Padres 5-1

Polanco hits early HR off Musgrove, Pirates beat Padres 5-1
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Gregory Polanco homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 5-1, beating Joe Musgrove in his first start since throwing the first no-hitter in franchise history. Polanco hit a solo shot into the right-field stands in the second inning. That ended a 32-inning scoreless streak by Musgrove that dated to last season when he was still with the Pirates. Musgrove allowed only one run in four innings but was lifted after his pitch count reached to 81. He threw 112 pitches in the no-hitter last Friday against Texas. Johnny Vander Meer remains the only pitcher in MLB history to pitch back-to-back no-hitters, performing the feat for the Cincinnati Reds in 1938.