(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing realignment work requiring long-term detours on Freedom Crider Road has been completed in New Sewickley Township, Beaver County.

Freedom Crider Road (Route 2004) has reopened to traffic between Wolf Run Road and Baker Road. Completed work in this final phase of the Freedom Road Upgrade project includes the realignment of Freedom Crider Road, excavation work, box culvert installation, and the reconstruction of the intersection with Wolf Run Road.

Additional work finalized on this $21.75 million project located between Park Quarry Road and Route 989 includes culvert replacements, roadway reconstruction and widening, new shoulders, guide rail updates, drainage improvements, additional turn-lanes, a roundabout installation, and utility relocations. Slide remediation work and punch list items requiring short term lane restrictions will continue through late December.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District11.

Information about infrastructure in District 11, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D11Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

(File Photo of PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Cumberland, PA) The administration of Governor Josh Shapiro along with the Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission met up on Tuesday to warn Pennsylvanians that they need to be safe driving as the holiday season approaches. Operation Safe Holiday is an initiative that began on November 11th to ensure that drivers are both wearing their seatbelts and being sober behind the wheel. One of the speakers for this event was PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, who went over statistics regarding those who passed away after they did not choose to wear their seatbelt, as well as asserting that one should never drive while impaired, and to either idenitfy a sober driver and designate them or to take transportation that is public or share a ride with someone else, just not behind the wheel while in the impaired state. Lieutenant Adam Reed, the Communications Office Director of the Pennsylvania State Police, talked about staying sober behind the wheel, because police are on the lookout for impaired drivers. Finally, Craig Shuey, the Chief Operating Officer of the PA Turnpike talked about how to be aware when you are driving on the road.

 

(File Photo of Clipboard with a Children’s Health Insurance Program)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Tens of thousands of children in Pennsylvania are still missing out on essential health-care coverage, according to a new report. The “State of Children’s Health” report reveals Pennsylvania has the fifth-number of uninsured children in the nation. Becky Ludwick with Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children says factors like race, where you live and family income play big roles in whether kids have health insurance. And while the number of uninsured kids has stayed relatively steady, a stable uninsured rate doesn’t signal that there’s been progress. In Pennsylvania, younger children are more likely to be uninsured than school-aged children. Ludwick adds one possible solution is the Department of Human Services’ recent federal approval of continuous Medicaid coverage for kids up to age six. 

 

(File Photo of Open Sign at Shop)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) As Beaver County residents get ready for Thanksgiving, the operation of some stores will be open on Thanksgiving while others will not be open to celebrate the holiday. Some of the local Shop N’ Save stores will start their business at 7 a.m. and then close at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving. New Brighton also will have a business open at seven o’clock in the morning as well, which is their FoodLand store. Some convenience stores in Hopewell will not be open on Thanksgiving, and they include: Beaver Supermarket, Kuhn’s Market, Aldi’s, Target, and Walmart. Across the state of Pennsylvania, some other companies that will sell their products over Thanksgiving are Dollar General, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, CVS, and Walgreens stores that are open for all twenty-four hours. However, post offices, pharmacies, Walgreens that are not open for all twenty-four hours and the Fine Wine and Good Spirits alcohol stores close during Thanksgiving. 

(File Photo of Aliquippa Police Car)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on November 27th, 2024 at 8:39 A.M)

(Aliquippa, PA) A burglary was reported in the 300 block of Allegheny Avenue in West Aliquippa, according to a report from Aliquippa Police. Aliquippa Police CHief John Lane also issued this statement: “Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity  is asked to call 911 or 724-775-0880 so officers may quickly receive the complaint and respond to the area of the suspicious activity. “More times than not we are receiving  reports of suspicious  activity after the fact, days or weeks after. We are also dealing  with people saying someone witnessed something , but won’t come forward, or give a statement and “doesn’t want to be  involved.” Without proper evidence, witness statements, etc. we are unable to make a proper arrest. We can speculate all we would like on who is committing a crime, but again, without evidence an arrest is unable to be made.”

The case is under investigation and anyone with information is to call the police at 724-775-0880.

(File Photo of Aliquippa Police Department)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on November 27th, 2024 at 8:09 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane announces significant actions due to the recent fires. According to Lane: “In light of the recent  increase in fire across Aliquippa, we want to assure the community  that significant actions are being taken  to enhance investigations and prevent future occurrences. The chief added, “We understand the anxiety these incidents have caused  within our community, and we are dedicated to ensure the safety of all residents. We will continue t o provide  updates as new information  comes available, and as we implement these crucial measures. I am asking  the resident for the last fire that claims that they saw something  to please come forward. Please provide the police department  with any information you may have, whether it is relevant or not. I have also ordered officers to perform extra patrols for the area ofWest Aliquippa, effective immediately. I am asking any resident and/or visitor who sees something suspicious to please report it to the police department  immediately, call 911, or the non-emergency number 724-775-0880.”

(Update reported by Giordano, added by Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News on November 29th, 2024 at 9:52 A.M.)

Lane also confirmed that at least half a dozen fires were reported to date.

(File Photo of a Thanksgiving meal)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Even if you are having a great Thanksgiving meal tomorrow with those you love, there are several places here in Beaver County that are offering a delicious Thanksgiving meal that you can enjoy. First, the Club at Shadow Lakes in Hopewell Township will feature roasted turkey, New York strip steak, glazed ham, several side dishes, and tasty desserts as part of their Thanksgiving Buffet. Next, at the hall of St. Cecilia’s Church in Rochester, a Thanksgiving bounty of mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and more will be offered for free by Second Baptist Church and Our Lady of Valley Parish from noon to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Then, Grand Valley Inn in Fallston will be having their buffet for Thanksgiving with sides, turkey, ham, roast beef, and desserts. Finally, Quality Time and Carryout in New Brighton will provide takeout reservations as well as their buffet with dishes of green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing, turkey, along with desserts and drinks.

Numbers to call for Reservations:

The Club at Shadow Lakes: 724-375-5511, ext. 6.

St. Cecilia’s Church Hall: 724-843-9000

Grand Valley Inn: 724-775-4111

Prices:

The Club at Shadow Lakes: $46.78 for adults, $20.19 for children ages 5 to 10, and free for children under 5, as well as a service charge, a 10% server gratuity, and the PA sales tax

St. Cecilia’s Church Hall: free

Grand Valley Inn: $34.99 for adults and $15.99 for children 12 and under

Quality Time and Carryout: $25 for adults and $14 for kids 12 and younger

 

(Source for Photo: FILE – Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump greets Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., during a campaign rally at J.S. Dorton Arena, Nov. 4, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is set to be less diverse than President Joe Biden’s administration, but several people of color and women appear likely to serve in top roles.

While Trump vigorously campaigned against diversity and inclusion efforts in business and government, his Cabinet selections and other high-profile staffing choices include some barrier-breaking nominations. The Cabinet, if confirmed, is set to be one-third women and include some historic firsts.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick to lead the State Department, would be the first Latino secretary of state. Scott Bessent, an American hedge fund manager and Trump’s pick to lead the Treasury Department, would be the first openly gay man in that post.

Susie Wiles, Trump’s choice for White House chief of staff, will also be the first woman to serve in the position.

Scott Turner, a former NFL player who led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump term, will serve as secretary of housing and urban development. Turner, who is Black, will be the fourth confirmed HUD secretary of color since 2014. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who is also Black, served in that post under Trump.

Trump’s first administration also included some historic firsts, including Veteran spy Gina Haspel serving as the first female director of the CIA, but, overall, it still lagged behind his predecessors on diversity.

The incoming administration is set to include some people of color in other high-profile roles.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a former biotechnology executive and 2024 GOP presidential candidate, will co-lead an outside advisory committee on government efficiency with billionaire Elon Musk. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, is Trump’s pick to serve as director of national intelligence, the chief coordinator of the nation’s intelligence departments. Gabbard is of Samoan descent and Ramaswamy is Indian American.

Mehmet Oz, a former TV doctor who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in Pennsylvania, has been tapped by Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And Janette Nesheiwat, a physician and Fox News personality, is Trump’s pick to serve as surgeon general. Nesheiwat is the daughter of Christian Jordanian immigrants; Oz is Turkish American and would be the first Muslim to serve in the role.

Trump’s Cabinet also includes a wide breadth of ideological diversity with some nominees holding views broadly considered eccentric in Washington. Others have clashing opinions on priorities for the incoming administration like trade and foreign policy.