Author: Beaver County Radio

The Church Bell Is Ringing . . . It’s Time To File In And Get To Your Seat, Next To Your Radio

(Beaver County, PA)    For 10 weeks  now, reaction to the coronavirus pandemic continues to force the suspension or cancellation of large gatherings, including worship services across Pennsylvania.  Along that line, WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M. are pleased to provide a way for worship to still be a part of Sunday even though the sanctuaries are closed . Local listeners and parishioners can tune in to WBVP. WMBA, 99.3 F.M. and the Beaver County Radio live online audio stream to seven different local church and faith based programs this week.

The Line Up For Sunday May 24 – Wednesday May 27, 2020:

Sunday starts off with “Sounds of Faith”, a two hour inspirational segment  of worship and praise music that airs from 7 until 9 A.M.

At 9 A.M.  live Sunday Mass from St. Monica Catholic Parish in Chippewa will still take place even though the church is closed to the public.

The Chippewa Worship Site of St. Monica Parish.

Then at 10 A.M., A recorded broadcast from First Presbyterian Church in Rochester featuring Reverend Lee Bittner along with special music from Mike Neely.

The Sunday morning 10:30 A.M. slot features Pastor Jan Davis from Central United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls, who will engage with listeners via a recorded sermon.

At noon, Senior Pastor Cliff Reynolds from Word Alive church in Ellwood City will be featured with a recorded message entitled “Apocalyptic Pandemic”  The Word Alive broadcast is sponsored by Hamilton Tool and Supply in Beaver Falls.

Word Alive Church in Ellwood City.

Then, from 1 to 2 P.M., a special live broadcast will be aired from The New Galilee Church of the Nazarene featuring Pastor Andy Russell speaking from the “drive in church” pulpit.  Much like the old drive in movies of years past, Pastor Russell plans on preaching from the parking lot this Sunday and inviting people to pull up, park, and tune the car radio in to 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA or 99.3 F.M. to hear his special  Sunday message.

On Wednesday at 7 P.M., Pastor Rod Smith from Mountain Ministries will present his recorded message: “Good News From The Mountain.”

All seven segments will air on WBVP,  WMBA,  99.3 F.M. and The Beaver County Radio Live Audio Stream.

I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Line Painting Operations Next Week in Beaver County

I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Line Painting Operations Next Week in Beaver County

 

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that line painting operations on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in Beaver County, will occur Tuesday through Thursday, May 26-28 weather permitting.

Single-lane restriction will occur on I-376 in both directions between the Hopewell (Exit 48) and Center (Exit 42) interchanges as PennDOT crews conduct line painting operations. Work will occur from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Roadway line painting is an important part of PennDOT’s highway safety initiatives. Paint lines provide direction, delineation, and guidance to motorists.

Lines need repainting each year because of normal wear, tear, and weather. Winter maintenance activities such as plowing, spreading anti-skid materials, and studded tires are very abrasive to paint lines and can cause fading.  Normal weathering caused by snow, rain, and ice also contribute to line reflectivity reduction.

Motorists who accidentally get paint on their vehicles should immediately wash the paint off with a high-pressure water stream and detergent.  Dried paint can be removed with de-natured alcohol and a soft cloth.  Generally, PennDOT is not responsible for paint on vehicles.

Motorists should use caution and be aware of changing traffic patterns when driving through the area.

Flood raises fears of pollution at Michigan toxic waste site

Flood raises fears of pollution at Michigan toxic waste site
By JOHN FLESHER AP Environmental Writer
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A massive flood is raising fears of setbacks in a hazardous waste cleanup along a central Michigan river. Floodwaters overwhelmed two dams this week, chasing 11,000 people from their homes in or near Midland. The Tittabawassee River flows past Dow Chemical Co.’s headquarters plant, which for years produced dioxins. The highly toxic compounds were dumped into the river, where they became embedded in sediments and floodplains. Dow has been cleaning up the area since 2007 and has made considerable progress. The company says its projects survived a flood three years ago. But some scientists and activists fear this week’s flood could sweep the toxins downstream.

NASCAR grabs much-needed momentum in return to live racing

NASCAR grabs much-needed momentum in return to live racing
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR needed a makeover even before it got a chance to stand alone in the sporting world spotlight. The largest motorsports series in the U.S. had been planning sweeping changes for 2021 in hopes of creating improved energy, new viewers and a fresh approach to a staid schedule. The coronavirus pandemic put those plans on pause and NASCAR is now frantically trying to recover from a 10-week layoff. So far, the stock car series is succeeding. After three races in South Carolina, NASCAR shifts to Charlotte Motor Speedway riding a wave of momentum behind solid on-track competition.

Biden Apologizes for Comment About Black Trump Backers

Biden says he was too ‘cavalier’ about black Trump backers
By BILL BARROW Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says he “should not have been so cavalier” in comments earlier Friday in which he suggested African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ain’t black.” Biden addressed the controversy during a conference call with the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce Friday afternoon after his earlier remarks during an interview with a prominent black radio host stirred an uproar over whether he was being condescending to African American voters. Trump’s campaign denounced Biden’s initial comments, contending that “a 77-year-old white man” was trying to tell black Americans how to vote.

President Trump deems churches ‘essential,’ calls for them to reopen

Trump deems churches ‘essential,’ calls for them to reopen
By JILL COLVIN and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he has deemed churches and other houses of worship “essential” and is calling on governors to allow them to reopen this weekend despite the threat of the coronavirus. He says: “Today I’m identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential places that provide essential services.” Trump made the announcement during a hastily arranged press conference Friday at the White House, where he didn’t take questions. He says if governors don’t abide by his request, he will “override” them, though it’s unclear what authority he has to do so.

Gov. Wolf Adds Eight Counties to Yellow and 17 to Green on May 29, Remainder to Yellow on June 5 

Gov. Wolf Adds Eight Counties to Yellow and 17 to Green on May 29, Remainder to Yellow on June 5 

Harrisburg, PA – Furthering his plan for reopening Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf today announced eight additional counties will move to yellow and 17 to green, effective at 12:01 a.m., May 29. All remaining counties in red are expected to move to yellow by June 5 at 12:01 a.m.

The counties moving to yellow on May 29 include Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Schuylkill.

The 17 counties moving to green, also on May 29, include Bradford, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Montour, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Venango and Warren.

Counties that remain in red on May 29 and are expected to move to yellow by June 5 include Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.

“We know not only that we succeeded in slowing case growth, but that our actions, our collective decisions to stay at home and avoid social contact – we know that saved lives,” Gov. Wolf said. “My stay-at-home order did exactly what it was intended to do: It saved lives and it bought us valuable time.”

Gov. Wolf referred to a study by Drexel University that indicates that in Philadelphia alone, 60 days of staying at home resulted in more than 7,000 lives saved and prevented more than 68,000 people from needing hospitalization.

Yellow Metrics
In deciding which counties to move to yellow, the state used risk-based metrics from Carnegie Mellon University combined with contact tracing and testing capability and a sustained reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations. While the 50 new cases per 100,000 population was considered, it did not weigh any more heavily than other factors.

Over the past two weeks:

  • The state has seen sustained reductions in hospitalizations. From May 8 when the first counties moved to yellow to yesterday, the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized dropped by nearly one thousand – from 2,618 to 1,667.
  • The number of COVID patients on ventilators shrank by about a third, from 505 to 347.
  • New cases continue to decline: From May 8 to May 15, the state added 6,384 cases and from May 15 to 21, added 4,770.
  • The current COVID-19 incidence rate in the state is 83.4 cases per 100,000 people. Two weeks ago, it was 113.6 per 100,000. Most other states are seeing their new case rate continue to increase or remain flat. Pennsylvania is one of just 19 states with new case-rate declines.

Green Metrics
Counties that have been in the yellow phase for the requisite 14 days have been closely monitored for the risk associated with transitioning to the green phase.

In the green phase, we will continue to take precautions, including reducing building capacity, encouraging teleworking, limiting visitation in certain high-risk environments, and preventing large entertainment gatherings.

The guidelines for moving to green are available here, and include specifics for employers, large events, and social gatherings.

Moving Forward
“We continue to increase testing every day and are continuing to build our contact tracing capacity, as well,” Gov. Wolf said. “We are able to do these things, to be successful, to reopen in this manner because of the Pennsylvanians who have made tremendous sacrifices since the virus emerged in our state,” Gov Wolf said. “Thank you.

“I want to remember and honor all of those who we lost and give solace to their family and loved ones. The last two months have been trying and they have tested each of us, and I want to thank and acknowledge all the people of our commonwealth who have been called upon to upend their lives to keep their neighbors, friends and family safe.”

AG Shapiro Arrests Pittsburgh Nurse For Patient Neglect

AG Shapiro Arrests Pittsburgh Nurse For Patient Neglect

 UPMC Nurse Stole Oxycodone, Switched Patient’s Pain Medication

HARRISBURG― Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of a registered nurse at UPMC Magee—Women’s hospital for stealing a patient’s Oxycodone prescription, denying important pain relief to the patient.

Tiffany Hafner turned herself in to Pittsburgh authorities today on charges of Neglect of a Care Dependent Person, Violations of the Controlled Substance Act, and Theft by Unlawful Taking.

“As we’ve seen in this crisis, we owe a debt to the thousands of medical professionals in Pennsylvania who are enduring a prolonged crisis to save lives and keep us safe, but when someone abuses that trust we will hold them accountable,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “This defendant abused her position when she stole medication from a patient and left them in pain. We will not tolerate the neglect of the vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”

This past November, Hafner allegedly replaced her patient’s prescription Oxycodone pain medication with the sedative, Lunesta. The patient, after realizing she was not getting pain relief, kept a pill that Hafner gave her and asked hospital officials to identify it. After identifying the medication, the hospital said the Lunesta was brought in from outside of the facility.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine Jordan. The investigation is ongoing. All charges discussed are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

US CONGRESSMAN cONOR LAMB FIGHTS TO PROTECT NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYED TO MEET COVID-19 CRISIS

LAMB FIGHTS TO PROTECT NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYED TO MEET COVID-19 CRISIS

 

(PITTSBURGH, PA) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) joined Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) and a bipartisan coalition of Members to introduce the National Guard COVID-19 Earned Benefits Guarantee Act.  The bill directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to treat a full-time National Guard COVID-19 activation as not shorter than 90 days, a threshold that ensures servicemembers qualify for certain retirement and educational benefits.  The legislation is in response to recent reporting that most National Guard COVID-19 activations will expire one day short of achieving the 90-day benefit qualifying threshold.  More than 40,000 National Guard members have been deployed across the country since the start of the Coronavirus public health crisis.

“In Pennsylvania, more than 1,100 National Guard members have been deployed to help communities struggling to address this public health crisis, including the COVID-19 outbreak at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County.  We have a responsibility to these servicemembers to provide them with the benefits they have earned and deserve,” said Lamb.

In addition to cosponsoring the National Guard COVID-19 Earned Benefits Guarantee Act, Lamb also joined a bipartisan coalition of Members on two letters advocating for support of the National Guard.  On May 20, more than 80 House members sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Mark Esper to urge an extension of the Title 32 activation in coordination with state governors and asked for an explanation for the June 24 “hard stop” for the COVID-19 response.  Lamb also joined Representative Jason Crow (CO-6) and a group of bipartisan Members in a letter to the President, Secretary Esper, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Peter T. Gaynor requesting they urgently provide the health care, leave benefits and status certainty to the National Guard

AP-NORC poll: Many in US won’t return to gym or dining out

AP-NORC poll: Many in US won’t return to gym or dining out
By JOSH BOAK and EMILY SWANSON Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Much of the country remains unlikely to venture out to bars, restaurants, theaters or gyms anytime soon, despite state and local officials increasingly allowing businesses to reopen. That’s according to a new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Just 42% of those who went to concerts, movies, theaters or sporting events at least monthly before the coronavirus outbreak say they’d do so in the next few weeks if they could. Only about half of those who regularly went to restaurants, exercised at a gym or traveled would go back if they could. That hesitancy could muffle any recovery from the sharpest and swiftest economic downturn in U.S. history.