Author: Beaver County Radio

Flu Considered ‘Widespread’ Throughout PA., and it’s Hitting Our Area Hard

Flu season is in full swing, and according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, no area has been hit harder than Western Pa. Health department officials said there are more than 3,000 confirmed flu cases since late September in Allegheny County alone – nearly four times than the next hardest hit county (Beaver: 772 cases).Next is Westmoreland County, with 692 cases. According to officials, laboratory-confirmed flu cases jumped 53% in the seven-county Pittsburgh area from Dec. 14 to Dec. 21. Flu cases increased from just over 3,600 to more than 5,500, the health department said.So far this year, there have been seven deaths in Pennsylvania connected to the flu, with all but one impacting a senior citizen. The state’s total of confirmed cases increased 61% in one week. The health department considers the flu “widespread” throughout the state, it’s highest level on the scale.

Bring in the New Year with One Accord Ministry

The 6th annual New Year’s Eve Eventraganza brings in the New Year with the theme “Being Rooted and Grounded”.  There will be several speakers and talents on this night .  The service starts at 6:00 PM and will end by 9:00.  If you want to continue to celebrate, there will be food, refreshments and games afterwards.

THE RED HOUSE

903 8th Ave. Beaver Falls

Contact: Clinton Beauford, Jr. 724-371-7422

 

A New Year, Another Toll Increase on the Pennsylvania Turnpike

Drivers will once again be paying more to travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike. A 6% toll increase goes into effect on Jan. 5. The rate for E-ZPass customers will go up from $1.40 to $1.50 and from $2.30 to $2.50 for drivers using cash. To go from one border to the other, west to east, costs about $50 if using cash. Turnpike officials said the increases will not go into effect in January on the Beaver Valley Expressway, the Greensburg Bypass and the Gateway tolling point. Those locations saw increases back in October. Tolls have gone up each year since 2009 and will continue to increase until 2040. Turnpike officials said a large portion of the money raised from tolls goes back to the state to fix roads and bridges.

70-Year-Old Man Arrested After Double Shooting in Big Beaver Borough

A 70-year-old man was arrested in connection with a double shooting overnight Wednesday in Big Beaver. State police were called to a home on Fairlane Boulevard where two people were shot. State police said 70-year-old Rickey Neal of Koppel was arrested. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, six counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of possessing a firearm when he is not permitted to do so. He is being held in the Beaver County Jail on $200,000 bail. The conditions of the shooting victims are unknown at this time.

Free CPR Class 2/9/20

Ralph Flara and Jolyenn Neatherland are putting on a Free CPR class at Soul Lift Fitness,  1445 Market  St. in Bridgewater on Sunday, February 9th.  You must be registered by 3 PM.

Refreshments will be provided.

To register call:

Jolyenn 724-630-5592

OR Ralph 724-513-6134

This event is absolutely FREE to the public.

North Versailles Apartment Complex Fires Injures 2, displaces 15 residents

UNDATED (AP) — A fire at a North Versailles apartment complex has left two people injured and displaced more than a dozen residents. The blaze broke out early Friday at the Versailles Castle Apartments in North Versailles, causing thick smoke to pour out of windows and doorways. It caused heavy damage to one building, and at least two people were briefly trapped on a back porch there before emergency responders were able to rescue them. Both are expected to survive. The fire displaced about 15 people overall, and many of them were receiving help from the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Misery in Ohio: Browns, Bengals end woeful seasons together

Misery in Ohio: Browns, Bengals end woeful seasons together
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
Yet another dismal season of professional football in Ohio wraps up within the state’s borders — a most appropriate finish for two franchise with more big questions down the road. The Browns and Bengals get together at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday in what will likely be a final “Battle of Ohio” for some of the main participants. The Browns regressed in Freddie Kitchens’ first season as head coach, leading to questions about whether he’ll return. It will be Andy Dalton’s last start as the Bengals’ franchise quarterback. The one-win Bengals are expected to take a quarterback in the draft.

Bloomberg axes company using prisoners for campaign calls

Bloomberg axes company using prisoners for campaign calls
By ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg has cut ties with a contractor that used prisoners to make calls for his presidential campaign. The online news site The Intercept reported Tuesday that Bloomberg’s campaign contracted a New Jersey-based call center company that, in at least one instance, used Oklahoma inmates to make calls on behalf of the billionaire’s campaign. The former New York mayor says he was unaware of the arrangement until it a reporter raised it. Bloomberg says in a statement that the campaign is making sure its vendors more properly vet subcontractors in the future.

Simone Soars: Biles named 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year

Simone Soars: Biles named 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Gymnast Simone Biles is the 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year. The reigning world and Olympic champion edged U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe for the honor in a vote among AP member sports editors and AP beat writers. The 22-year-old is the first gymnast to win the award twice and the first to do it in a non-Olympic year. She was named the Athlete of the Year in 2016 after winning four gold medals at the Rio Olympics. Biles is preparing for the 2020 Games in Tokyo and says she’s eager to finish her career with a flourish.