Author: Beaver County Radio

US must free migrant children from family detention

Judge: US must free migrant children from family detention
By NOMAAN MERCHANT Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the release of children held with their parents in U.S. immigration jails and denounced the Trump administration’s prolonged detention of families during the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee’s order Friday applies to children at three family detention centers in Texas and Pennsylvania operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some have been detained since last year. Citing the recent spread of the virus in two of the three facilities, Gee set a deadline of July 17 for children to either be released with their parents or sent to family sponsors.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 6/26/20: Beaver County Up One Positive Case, No New Deaths

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 26, that there are 600 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 84,370. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,579 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 22 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are up 1 case to 638. 618 confirmed cases and 20 probables. 5679 people have tested negative and the county stands at 78.

“As nearly the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away. Each of us has a responsibility to continue to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently. Together we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”

Mask wearing is required in all businesses in yellow and green phases of reopening. Consistent mask wearing could have lasting benefits as a COVID-19 surge is possible this fall.

There are 632 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 634,711 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Nearly 1% are ages 0-4;
  • 1% are ages 5-12;
  • 2% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 7% are ages 19-24;
  • Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
  • Nearly 25% are ages 50-64; and
  • Nearly 28% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 17,527 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,162 cases among employees, for a total of 20,689 at 678 distinct facilities in 51 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,518 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 6,395 of our total cases are in health care workers.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

Currently, all 67 counties are in the yellow or green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, June 25:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

 

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alert

Bradys Run Road Slide Repair Begins Monday in Brighton Township

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing slide repair work on Bradys Run Road (Route 4012) in Brighton Township, Beaver County, will begin Monday, June 29 weather permitting.

Slide repair work will begin at 7 a.m. Monday requiring the closure of Bradys Run Road between May Road and Grange Road. Crews from A. Folino Construction, Inc. will conduct work on the $1.17 million slide remediation project which also includes pavement restoration, guiderail updates, drainage upgrades, sign and pavement marking installation, and other miscellaneous construction activities. To allow the work to occur, Bradys Run Road will close to traffic in the slide area continuously through late August.  All traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detour

East of the Slide

  • From Bradys Run Road, take Grange Road (Route 4031) south
  • Turn right onto Dutch Ridge Road (Route 4020)
  • Turn right onto Tuscarawas Road (Route 4028)
  • Turn right onto Lisbon Road (Route 4022)
  • Turn right onto Old Blackhawk Road (Route 4029)
  • Turn right onto Groscost Road (Route 4012)
  • Groscost Road becomes Bradys Run Road
  • End detour

West of the Slide

  • Same detour in the opposite direction

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 950 traffic cameras.

Tim Wetzel Previews “Star Spangled Saturday” With Matt Drzik

There was supposed to be a show in Beaver County to celebrate summer, America, and Beaver County, in a display over the confluence of the Beaver & Ohio Rivers.

Now, there will be two shows.

The first of those shows will take place on Saturday, June 27, as Beaver County Radio presents “Star Spangled Saturday”, where a trio of planes is set to fly over the rivers at 3:30pm. Beaver County Radio will present live coverage from 3-4pm from Laughlin Insurance Agency, with live patriotic music and interviews that will be streamed on Beaver County Radio’s Facebook page.

The display and broadcast is in conjunction with the efforts of PUSH Beaver County.

Redevelopment Secretary Tim Wetzel joined Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County to discuss how this all came about, the planning of these festivities amidst the pandemic, and the historic nature of the planes that will be flown over the rivers Saturday afternoon. Wetzel also spoke about the second show, an impromptu fireworks display from PUSH and Zambelli Fireworks, that will be shown in place of the originally scheduled 10th Anniversary Beaver County Boom on July 4.

To check out the full interview, click on the Facebook feed below!

Dwight “Dewey” Hines Out as Aliquippa Boys Basketball Coach. Board Opens Position.

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa School Board  announced    that  they     opened up the boys basketball coaching position for the  2020-21 school year.   Applications are presently being accepted by the district.. Interested applicants must submit a letter of interest, resume, and   updated  clearances to  Athletic Director Brandon LeDonne, Aliquippa Junior Senior High School ,100 Harding Avenue, Aliquippa, PA 15001. Deadline to apply is July 6, 2020..

Dwight “Dewey” Hines has coached the last 4 seasons,, the last 3 years they reached the semifinals.,

A spokesperson for the WPIAL  in Pittsburgh said that the  coaching position will be posted on their website which is being updated.
 No one was available  in the district office to comment on the coaching position

He’ll manage; Pirates’ Shelton navigating roller coaster

He’ll manage; Pirates’ Shelton navigating roller coaster
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton says he’s tired of hosting video conference calls with his players and is ready to get back to work as the MLB plots a return next month. Shelton is tackling a series of issues he couldn’t have imagined when the Pirates hired him last winter. Shelton must help his players navigate the 108-page safety protocol designed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. He’s also in the process of finding ways to support players who may want to speak out about social justice issues. The Pirates begin spring training 2.0 at PNC Park on July 1.

SENATE BILL 595 REQUIRING INSURANCE COVERAGE OF BREAST MRI, ULTRASOUND PASSES UNANIMOUSLY

SENATE BILL 595 REQUIRING INSURANCE COVERAGE OF BREAST MRI, ULTRASOUND PASSES UNANIMOUSLY
Sen. Bob Mensch’s screening legislation for women with dense breasts, high-risk factors goes to Governor

PENNSYLVANIA – The Pennsylvania House unanimously passed Senate Bill 595, legislation requiring PA insurers to cover breast cancer screenings including MRI and ultrasound for women with very dense breasts and other high-risk conditions. Senate Bill 595, sponsored by Senator Bob Mensch (R-24), covers breast cancer screenings for women with the following criteria:

  • High-risk factors for breast cancer such as personal history, family history or a genetic predisposition
  • Extremely dense breast tissue
  • Heterogeneously dense breast tissue with one other high-risk factor for breast cancer

Nearly 40 percent of women have dense breast tissue, which makes it harder to detect breast cancer on a mammogram. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that MRI detects 2.5 times more breast cancers than even 3D mammograms in women with dense breasts. For many women, however, screening options like MRIs are not covered. Senate Bill 595 will require insurers to cover those additional screenings for women insured under PA law.

 

“Every woman deserves the best breast cancer screening that is available and Senate Bill 595 is a significant step toward recognizing breast density as an increased risk factor,” said SB 595 prime sponsor PA Sen. Bob Mensch. I am confident that this legislation will make a difference in the lives of many affected by this terrible disease.”

 

Now, Senate Bill 595 goes to Governor Tom Wolf for his signature. When it becomes law, Pennsylvania will be one of only a few states to require insurance coverage of supplemental breast cancer screenings like MRI and ultrasound.

 

“Thank you to our Senate Bill 595 champion, Sen. Bob Mensch and to all of our state senators and representatives for recognizing the urgent need for insurance coverage of MRIs and ultrasounds – potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings,” said PA Breast Cancer Coalition President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy. “We are so very grateful to Governor Wolf for making Pennsylvania the first state in the nation to offer FREE 3D screening mammograms at no cost to PA women. Now, we are asking the governor to take the next step by providing affordable access to early detection for breast cancer by signing Senate Bill 595 into law. Early detection saves lives!”

Confirmed new virus cases hit a new high in US

Confirmed new virus cases hit a new high in US
By MICHELLE R. SMITH and FRANCES D’EMILIO Associated Press
The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases per day in the U.S. has hit an all-time high of 40,000, eclipsing the mark set during the deadliest stretch in late April, a resurgence that has led some governors to backtrack or at least pause the reopenings of their states. While the increase is believed to reflect, in part, greatly expanded testing, experts say there is ample evidence the virus is making a comeback, including rising deaths and hospitalizations in parts of the country, especially in the South and West. Arizona, Texas, Florida and Alabama have gotten hit hard.

US consumer spending up 8.2%, partly erasing record plunge

US consumer spending up 8.2%, partly erasing record plunge
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers increased their spending by a sharp 8.2% in May, partly erasing record plunges the previous two months, against the backdrop of an economy that’s likely shrinking by its steepest pace on record this quarter. Last month’s rebound in consumer spending followed spending drops of 6.6% in March and 12.6% in April, when the viral pandemic shuttered businesses, forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession. Since then, many businesses have reopened, drawing consumers back into shops and restaurants and restoring some lost jobs. Americans stepped up their spending in May despite a 4.2% decline in personal income, which had soared 10.8% the previous month.

Dollar General in Aliquippa on the Move

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.)The Aliquippa Planning Commission met last night and approved a request  from Penn Tex Ventures  for a conditional use  permit to  build a new Dollar General store at Sheffield Road and Davidson Street.   Ethan Brice, represented Penn Tex Ventures who will  oversee the project . The store will replace the one located in the Plaza Shopping Center .Brice said it will be the largest  store in our area , and it will be free standing .   Jim Bologna, city code and zoning officer said there will be 29 parking spaces available . The plaza store will close down, the high cost of rent and repairs needed at the current store prompted a decision to build a new store in the city.