PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has slammed the brakes on this year’s Philly Naked Bike Ride. The annual event usually draws thousands of nude cyclists for a trip around Philadelphia and its tourist sites. It had been set for Aug. 29. But organizers who’d been gearing up for it said Friday the city’s COVID-19 cases made them halt their planning. They say canceling this year’s event “is the most responsible thing to do.” But they have a message for would-be naked riders eager to break free of their home lockdowns: They hope to be back riding next year.

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

The devastation from the COVID-19 pandemic that shutdown everything on March 13, 2020 made a major impact on the City of Aliquippa, according to Mayor Dwan B. Walker and Police Chief John Lane.

The city was in the process of accepting applications for additional police officers, and the process came to halt due to restrictions. Four members of the department were exposed to an individual with COVID-19, according to Chief Lane. The remaining officers were asked to help fill shifts as needed.

Walker & Lane added,”This speaks loudly to their commitment to the community they serve. We are doing what we can to make sure the police department and the city is doing its job during this pandemic.”

Chief Lane said this morning that when the police department needs assistance…that the state police, neighboring departments, the Beaver County Sheriff’s Department, the Beaver County Detectives, and the DA’s office are called in.

Since some restrictions have been lifted, applications and resumes are being accepted for police officers. Applications should be mailed to:
City of Aliquippa
Attn: Samuel L. Gill, City Administrator
581 Franklin Avenue
Aliquippa, PA 15001

A $35 non-refundable application fee is required. Deadline to apply is August 28 at 4 p.m.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s top election official says the administration had to take action after receiving a blunt warning from the U.S. Postal Service that it may be unable to deliver some mail-in ballots in the November presidential election by the deadline in state law. Pennsylvania’s secretary of state, Kathy Boockvar, said Friday that this was the first time the postal service had said the state couldn’t rely on a one-to-three day turnaround time. That warning precipitated Thursday night’s filing in the state Supreme Court asking to extend the deadline for mail-in ballots to be received in the Nov. 3 election when Pennsylvania will be a premier presidential battleground.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh’s mayor says he has “serious concerns” about the tactics used in the arrest of a protester during a march Saturday that drew condemnation from the American Civil Liberties Union and others. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said they were trying to protect the public when plainclothes officers arrested a protester at about 5 p.m. Saturday in the city and placed the person in an unmarked, white van. Public Safety officials said the protester had repeatedly refused to work with police and was blocking intersections needed for people to get to hospitals and for students moving into the University of Pittsburgh.

Police: At least 18 shot, with 4 dead, across Cincinnati
CINCINNATI (AP) — Police in Cincinnati said at least 18 people were shot and four killed as gunfire erupted in several places around the city overnight. In one shooting alone, 10 people were shot. Police said in a statement that among the victims were 34-year-old Robert Rogers and 30-year-old Jaquiez Grant, who were killed. In another shooting, 21-year-old Antonio Blair was killed and three others were wounded. And in a third, three people were shot. Police didn’t immediately provide details about the fourth fatal shooting. Cincinnati’s assistant police chief said the shootings seem to be separate incidents. No suspect information was immediately available.

US retail sales rise for 3rd month but slowdown expected
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Business Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans increased their retail purchases by 1.2% in July, with solid gains in appliances and clothing, restoring sales to their level before the viral pandemic erupted in March. Sales at retail stores and restaurants have now risen for three straight months, after enormous plunges in March and April, when the pandemic suddenly shuttered businesses and paralyzed the economy. Still, much of that spending has been fueled by government relief spending that had put more money in people’s pockets but has since expired. With Americans’ overall income likely shrinking, economists expect a potential drop in spending and a weakening of economic growth.