Author: Beaver County Radio

As coronavirus rolls on, Republicans hit ‘pause’ on new aid

As coronavirus rolls on, Republicans hit ‘pause’ on new aid
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Businesses are going belly up, tens of millions have been laid off and, by some measures, the U.S. seems headed for another Great Depression. But Republicans surveying the wreckage aren’t ready for another round of coronavirus aid, instead urging a “pause.” It’s a position based on a number of factors. Polls show GOP voters think the government is already doing enough, and Republicans on Capitol Hill are divided over the best approach. Billions approved by Congress have yet to be spent. And it’s also not clear what President Donald Trump wants to do next, if anything, to juice the economy.

Southbound Route 65 Lane Restriction at the Monaca East Rochester Bridge begins Thursday in Beaver County

Southbound Route 65 Lane Restriction at the Monaca East Rochester Bridge begins Thursday in Beaver County

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing a lane restriction on southbound Route 65 in East Rochester Borough, Beaver County, will begin Thursday, May 14 weather permitting.

The right-hand lane of southbound Route 65 which carries traffic under the Monaca East Rochester Bridge will close to traffic according to the following schedule:

  • Thursday, May 14 – noon to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, May 15 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 16 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Southbound Route 65 traffic will use the left-hand lane approaching the bridge. At the signalized intersection, motorists will continue straight to reacquire southbound Route 65. Northbound Route 65 traffic will not be impacted. Norfolk Southern crews will conduct slide remediation work.

PennDOT is not involved in this work and is providing this information as a public service announcement only.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard will fly over hospitals in the Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Harrisburg areas on Friday.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard announced two aircraft will fly over hospitals in the Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Harrisburg areas on Friday.

The flyover will begin at Forbes Hospital at approximately 12:18 p.m., continue over other local hospitals, and finish at UPMC Shadyside at approximately 12:26 p.m. before the aircraft head off to Johnstown and Harrisburg.

The 171st Refueling Wing and the 193rd Special Operations Wing will perform the event as part of Operation American Resolve.

Part 2 – Potential Side Effects Of COVID -19 . . . Isolation And Domestic Violence.

Story by Mark Peterson

(Beaver County, PA) The Corona Virus has many  symptoms that are well known and documented like a high fever and breathing difficulties.  However, the Covid -19 pandemic also has has an undesirable side effect that isn’t quite as apparent, isolation.  For most people, being shut in and stuck in the house for weeks, as part of quarantine efforts to stop the spread of the disease, is merely an inconvenience.  But, for someone experiencing bouts of domestic violence, the stay at home orders can mean being trapped with an abuser and having the feeling like they have no options. In part two of a weekly three part series, Beaver County Radio spoke to Ann Murray from the Beaver County Women’s Center about this important issue, and the therapy services that Women’s Center has available to help people in crisis during this unique situation.

Ann Murray from the Women’s Center of Beaver County. (Beaver County Radio file photo)

Again, The Women’s Center helpline continues to be available 24 hours a day and can help provide options and support to anyone involved with domestic violence. The number once again is 724-775-0131.  Next Thursday, in part three of our series about the effects of isolation and being forced to stay at home with a potential abuser,  Beaver County Radio will speak with Ann Murray from the Women’s Center of Beaver County about court advocacy services that are available through the organization. For more Information, a link to the Women’s Center of Beaver County is available at beavercountyradio.com.

Some counties continue on path to defy governor’s orders

Some counties continue on path to defy governor’s orders
By MARC LEVY and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania county plans to defy Gov. Tom Wolf and operate under looser shutdown guidelines being allowed elsewhere in the state. The Republican chairman of the Beaver County board said Wednesday that the county will reopen Friday. The Democratic governor had tapped 13 counties in western Pennsylvania for relief from the tightest pandemic restrictions starting Friday. But Beaver County is home to a severe outbreak in a nursing home and was not among them. Wolf is under pressure from Republicans to more quickly lift restrictions in more areas. He has threatened to block pandemic aid to counties that defy him.

“Rappin with the Reps” at 9:10 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday May 14, 2020 on Teleforum with Frank Sparks

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Tune into Teleforum with Frank Sparks tomorrow, May 14, 2020 at 9:10 a.m. for “Rappin with the Reps” Aaron Berstine, Jim Marshall, and Josh Kail will be live in studio to answer your questions and to talk about what is going on in your neighborhoods and in Harrisburgh. The show will also be streamed Live on the WBVP/WMBA Facebook page. To particpate in the show dial 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888. You can also leave your comments on the Facebook Live feed.

“Rappin with the Reps” presented by the Medicine Stop Pharmacy, Beaver County  Emergency Management Services, Beaver Valley Auto Mall and Laughlin Insurance Agency.

Paul Manafort released from prison due to virus concerns

Paul Manafort released from prison due to virus concerns
By MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Paul Manafort has been jailed since June 2018 following his conviction as part of the special counsel’s Russia investigation. But his lawyer says that Donald Trump’s onetime presidential campaign chairman has been released from federal prison to serve the rest of his sentence in home confinement due to concerns about the coronavirus. The Justice Department has been urged to release at-risk inmates before a potential outbreak in the system. But the 71-year-old Manafort didn’t meet qualifications set by the Bureau of Prisons, and the bureau isn’t answering questions about why Manafort was freed.

Beaver County DA Gives Update on the Rachel DelTondo Case on Two Year Anniversary of Her Death.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver, Pa)Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier said this morning that the  Rachel DelTondo murder case has been going well, but due to the COVID-19 the shut down of the vital investigating agencies has halted the  investigation. DelTondo was shot multiple times  and killed  in front of her parents home on Mother’s Day night, Sunday, May 13, 2018.  She had just been dropped off at home after going out for ice cream  with a friend.

District Attorney Lozier said this morning  he is confident the case will eventually be solved.
Press the Play button below to hear Sandy’s Report:

Ambridge Manager Resigns, Council to Vote on Beaver Falls Police Chief, John DeLuca as Interim Police Chief

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.) Joe Kauer has been the Ambridge Borough  Manager for almost 6 years.  Mr. Kauer said this morning  he is  going to resign in June and take  the Borough Manager’s job in his hometown of, Bridgeville. Joe acquired several grants for Ambridge during his tenure that enabled them to paved roads, upgrade the parks, and the streetscape project from 4th to 8th Streets. A park  also became a reality across the street from the chamber of commerce’s  office.

Council President Mike Mikulich said last night that  the borough will go through the state to  hire a  new borough manager .
Council’s police committee met and  decided to vote on hiring an interim police chief to replace the late Mark Romutis who died as a result of Covid-19 on April 12, according to Mikulich.  Council will vote on the hiring of Beaver Falls Police Chief John Deluca, he said.   Misinformation went out concerning this impending action, the committee made the recommendation to hire Deluca, according to Mikulich  He said the meeting was conducted legally, all municipalities have committees on council.
Click the Play button below to hear Sandy’s Report:

PA Senator David Argall To Weigh In On Covid 19 Restrictions Thursday at 10:10 A.M.

(Beaver County, PA)  It’s not just Beaver County.  Places all over Pennsylvania are struggling with being kept closed and in the “Red Phase” under Governor Tom Wolf’s direction, all while restrictions are being eased in neighboring communities.  PA State Senate Majority Policy Committee Chairman, David Argall, has seen this same  phenomenon happen in his district out east which is located in Schuylkill and Berks Counties.   Senator Argall will join Frank Sparks as a special guest on “Teleforum” on Thursday starting at 10:10 A.M. to talk about how areas in the other side of Pennsylvania are coping with the ongoing lock down, even as other communities are being freed at the behest of Governor Wolf.  Tune in to 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 F.M. or the BCR Stream to listen to the special segment.