WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and United States Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) recently sent a letter to United States Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for the Department of Justice to fully investigate the recent cyberattack on the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa. An Iranian-backed hacker group claimed responsibility for the cybercrime, stating they were able to hack into the Israeli-made components in the water system that serves thousands of households in Western Pennsylvania.

In the letter sent on Tuesday November 28th, the lawmakers also urged aggressive prosecution of the attackers, emphasizing their concern that this cybercrime poses a threat not only to Western Pennsylvania, but also the entire nation.

“Any attack on our nation’s critical infrastructure is unacceptable,” write the Pennsylvania lawmakers in the letter. “If a hack like this can happen here in Western Pennsylvania, it can happen elsewhere in the United States. Folks in Pennsylvania and across the country deserve peace of mind that basic infrastructure such as their drinking water is safe from nation-state adversaries and terrorist organizations. We know that nation-state adversaries are targeting the weakest link in America’s critical infrastructure. We must ensure that our state and local governments, along with private companies, have cyber-defenses strong enough to fend off attacks from sophisticated actors. In Congress, we are committed to pushing our federal government to help shore up our defenses across our critical infrastructure.”

(Monaca, Pa) Shell Polymers Monaca made an announcement on Facebook that over the next few days, they will be reintroducing ethane to the site. As a result, a brighter light may be emitted from their enclosed ground flares for a few days. They want to note that this brightness could be further intensified by low cloud cover or other weather conditions and add that they sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

(PITTSBURGH, PA) – A resident of Pittsburgh, PA has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 25 years of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release for robbery, attempted robbery, and firearms violations, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Eric Jones, age 34.
According to information presented to the court, Jones committed four armed robberies of several Pittsburgh-area businesses in a nine-day period in March 2022. Jones robbed a Fox’s Pizza, Sunoco gas station and convenience store, A family Dollar, and the Edgewood Express using a firearms.

Jones is a convicted felon and was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Wiegand emphasized the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct, and the impact it had on the victims and their families.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published November 30, 2023 9:26 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane, in a letter to council asked for their consideration in promoting Officer Bruce Tooch to Sergeant.  Chief Lane told council that Tooch has leadership skills, is an inspiration to the other officers, has had dedication throughout his tenure, and has a strong commitment to public service and integrity. The vote was unanimous to promote Tooch. City Council approved the retirement of Fire Captain Dave Childs, his last 30 days will be December 3, 2023 through January 2, 2024.
Light up Night at the police station is Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 6 pm.
The 2024 budget will be adopted at the Wednesday, December 20, 2023 council meeting at 7 pm.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published November 30, 2023 9:22 A.M.

(Beaver, Pa) Beaver County Common Pleas Court Judge Mitchell P. Shahen sentenced Damian Bradford to a continued sentence to 36 1/2to 73 years in a state prison for the July 2022 shooting of Jonnie Schooley at the Franklin Avenue Mini Mart in Aliquippa.
A Beaver County jury found Bradford guilty of  attempted murder and aggravated assault for Shooting Trooper Schooley, and for his attempt to disarm Trooper Palmer, reckless endangerment of 3 citizens, plus forearms charges against a convicted felon, who couldn’t possess a firearm.
Trooper Schooley’s wife Amber gave testimony. The jury and on the impact had on Trooper Schooley and his family. Bradford read a statement apologizing, and said the shooting was an accident. Judge Shahen found his statements insincere and untruthful based on his behavior the night of the shooting, and his actions viewed on surveillance video.
Assistant DA Chad parks represented the Commonwealth and was trial counsel. He thanked the citizens of Aliquippa for for their assistance and the rendering first aid  and assisted in subduing Bradford .

(File Photo) of State Rep. Kail)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pennsylvania House Representative and Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee Joshua Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) raised awareness  today that the Democratic Party in the State House have stripped away 150 Million dollars from the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs that fund our Children’s future  Click on the audio link below to listen to Rep. Kail highlight how the programs meet the needs of families and students across the entire income spectrum.

 

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At the Beaver County Commissioners’ final work session for November 2023, the trio learned about the numbers for the proposed 2024 budget that is ready for a primary vote.

According to Corey Troutman, the chief financial advisor for Beaver County, $82,668,000 will be in the General Fund as stated in the proposed budget, including $2.7 million in capital request money. Solicitor Garen Fedeles noted that the millage for next year would be at 3.67 for 2024. “To really be clear with everyone, that 3.67 is not a tax increase,” Fedeles said. “That is just resetting the millage to bring in the revenue that we currently do right now with the current millage.”

Fedeles also mentioned that there is a chance that less revenue for the County for 2024 is a possibility based on the still ongoing appeals and finalization for the assessed values of properties in Beaver County. The proposed budget will be one of 23 resolutions to be voted on at Thursday’s Public Meeting.

Also at the Wednesday work session, Public Works director Dan Colville said that there will be a custom-made skirt for the tree outside the courthouse; custom-made since the purchase of one would cost $800. It was also mentioned to Treasurer Sandie Egley that the benches on courthouse property will be replaced with metal benches over the next several weeks.

Commissioner Jack Manning congratulated the three teams who made it to the WPIAL championships in football, lauding South Side for a strong season despite losing in the Class 1A Championship, and honoring the victors of the Class 2A and Class 4A championship games: Beaver Falls and Aliquippa, respectively.

The next Commissioners’ work session is scheduled for December 6 at 10:00 AM.

FILE – President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden leaves after a court appearance, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)  

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden has offered to testify publicly before Congress, striking a defiant note in response to a subpoena from Republicans. President Joe Biden’s son slammed the subpoena’s request for closed-door testimony, saying it can be manipulated. But Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, is standing firm, saying Republicans expect “full cooperation” with their original demand for a deposition. Hunter Biden’s lawyer called the inquiry a “fishing expedition.” Republicans are pursuing an impeachment inquiry seeking to tie the president to his son’s business dealings, but have so far failed to uncover evidence directly implicating President Biden in any wrongdoing.

Former president Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers have suggested their strategy in his election interference case in Washington involves distancing him from the horde of U.S. Capitol rioters, whom he has embraced on the campaign trail. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team has signaled it will make the case Trump is responsible for the chaos that unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021, and point to the Republican ex-president’s continued support of the rioters to help establish his criminal intent. The competing arguments highlight the extent to which the riot serves as an inescapable backdrop in a landmark trial set to begin March 4 in a courthouse just blocks from the Capitol.

Anthony Smith, a social studies teacher, stands outside the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse at 601 Market Street, in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Smith, a well-known west Philadelphia activist who acknowledged having helped overturn a police car during 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd has been sentenced to a year in prison. Smith was sentenced Tuesday following a guilty plea in June to a federal charge of obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder, which included aiding and abetting an arson, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. (Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A well-known west Philadelphia activist who acknowledged having helped overturn a police car during 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd has been sentenced to a year in prison. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Anthony Smith was sentenced Tuesday following a guilty plea in June to a federal charge of obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder, which included aiding and abetting an arson. Smith told U.S. District Judge Juan Sánchez that his actions were “immature and emotional.” Prosecutors had called for the 30 months or more recommended in sentencing guidelines. Other co-defendants were sentenced earlier to far longer terms.