Allegheny County health officials say two more people have died from flu related complications. The deaths of a woman in her 90s and a man in his mid-60s brings the death total this season to 14. Health officials say while the flu is on the decline at this point in the season, it is still circulating.
A judge is giving former Penn State President Graham Spanier three weeks to report to jail and start serving a sentence imposed over his handling of a complaint about Jerry Sandusky showering with a boy. A judge’s order made public Wednesday says Spanier can do his time in the jail near his home in State College if county jail wardens approve. Spanier has remained out on bail since his 2017 conviction for misdemeanor child endangerment. A lawyer for Spanier declined to comment Wednesday.
The administration of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is pushing a regulation to control methane emissions from existing natural gas facilities that doesn’t directly target the potent greenhouse gas. That is raising alarm among environmental groups. Instead, the proposed rule sets limits on smog-forming volatile organic compounds emitted by Pennsylvania’s enormous gas industry, with methane reduction listed as a “co-benefit.” Environmental advocates say the administration needs to do far more.
A group of state Senators has once again introduced legislation to abolish the statute of limitations for sexual assault victims. Don Rooney has more…
The Pennsylvania House has approved legislation that would ensure that strangulation is appropriately recognized as a crime of violence under Pennsylvania Law. The bill – sponsored by State Representative Torren Ecker of Adams and Cumberland counties – was a part of an extensive package of victims’ rights legislation being moved forward this week by Republican lawmakers that are designed to protect the welfare of children, bring justice for victims of domestic abuse, and provide support for abuse victims when they must testify against their abusers. Rep. Ecker said it was particularly gratifying to know that his first piece of legislation to be approved by the House will help to protect victims of strangulation…
A man who was a co-defendant and key witness in the shooting deaths of two sisters during a robbery gone bad is facing 10 to 40 years in prison following guilty pleas. Twenty-one-year-old Miras Kelly II pleaded guilty in Allegheny County to charges including third-degree murder, conspiracy, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and robbery. He testified against a co-defendant who was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
THE HOPEWELL POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED AN UPDATE ON A HOME BURGLARY THAT OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS DETAILS. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…
WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 11TH, 2019
TODAY – SOME SUN THIS MORNING WITH INCREASING
CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON. HIGH – 68.
TONIGHT – OVERCAST. LOW – 58.
FRIDAY – THUNDERSTORMS. STORMS MAY CONTAIN
STRONG GUSTY WINDS. HIGH – 71.
SATURDAY – CLOUDY. HIGH NEAR 70.
SUNDAY – SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.
HIGH – 64.
Tune into 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA today, April 11, 2019 during Teleforum with Frank Sparks in the 10 o’clock hour for another interview in the continuing series highlighting the candidates running for office in Beaver County.
Frank’s guest will be Julian Taylor who is a Democratic candidate for Beaver County Commissioner. The entire interview will also be streamed live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/beavercountyradio/.
Lyles sharp, Cervelli and Marte homer, Pirates beat Cubs 5-2
By MATT CARLSON Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) — Jordan Lyles had everything, including a retooled curveball, clicking on a cold, windy night at Wrigley Field.
Lyles struck out 10 in six crisp innings to tie a career high, Francisco Cervelli and Starling Marte homered off Yu Darvish, and the Pittsburgh Pirates topped the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Wednesday.
Lyles (1-0) allowed three hits and was sharp again in his second start, with Jason Heyward’s solo shot in the fifth accounting for the lone run against him. The right-hander walked only one as Pittsburgh bounced back from a 10-0 drubbing in the Cubs’ home opener Monday to win for the fifth time in six games.
“The curveball and changeup were there for me early on, the curveball was there for me throughout the game,” said Lyles, who came up with a new grip for the pitch last season. “Just looking at the numbers, that’s what I have most of my success with — at least damage against — my curveball.”
When Lyles arrived in the majors with the Astros in 2011, he said he was a “60-70% fastball guy.” The 28-year-old has tinkered with his repertoire and it’s paying off.
“We started figuring out what sequences worked best with that curveball, my best pitch,” Lyles said. “So we’re taking that into 2019 and we’re off to a decent start so far.”
Manager Clint Hurdle said Lyles effectively used all his pitches, including the curve, fastball, sinker, changeup and slider.
“The pitch mix worked well, and so far it’s gotten him out of the block really clean,” Hurdle said. “He’s not a guy that you look at the (radar) gun and it’s going to blow you back. There’s angle, there’s deception, and again, he’s got a fastball that plays at the top of the zone.”
Heyward had three hits and Javier Baez drove in run with a double in the eighth, but Felipe Vazquez got the final five outs for his third save in as many chances.
Darvish (0-2) and the Cubs (3-8) continued to struggle on a 40-degree night with the wind blowing in from center field at 20 mph.
Darvish allowed five runs — four earned — and five hits in 5 1/3 innings in his first start at home since May 2, 2018. But the right-hander walked none and struck out four after issuing 11 walks over 6 2/3 innings in his first two outings. Darvish signed a six-year, $126 million contract with the Cubs before the 2018 season, but he made it through only eight starts before being shut down with right triceps tendinitis on May 26.
Despite another loss, manager Joe Maddon and Darvish were encouraged by his improved control.
“He knew where the ball as going and he had really good stuff tonight,” Maddon said. “It seemed like he may have found some things tonight regarding his delivery, the way the ball was coming out of his hand.”
“I threw a lot of strikes with the fastball, that’s why I feel good,” Darvish said. “I’m happy with it but I still gave up the five runs and lose the game.”
Cervelli lined a homer to left-center in the first to put the Pirates ahead 1-0.
Marte turned on a fastball and lofted a two-run shot down the left-field line in the third to make it 3-0.
Heyward’s drive in the fourth cut it to 3-1 and reached the edge of the center-field shrubs despite the steady incoming wind.
The Pirates tacked on two runs and chased Darvish in the sixth. Josh Bell had an RBI single off reliever Kyle Ryan, and Cervelli came home on Ryan’s errant pick-off to first.
APPEALING
RHP Chris Archer is still scheduled to start Saturday against Washington as he awaits a ruling on his appeal of a five-game suspension, Hurdle said. Archer received the penalty for his part in a benches-clearing fracas last weekend against Cincinnati at PNC Park.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: RHP Jameson Taillon, hit in the head by Anthony Rizzo’s comebacker on Monday, does not have a concussion. Hurdle said Taillon “met all the criteria for the check-ups.” … OF Lonnie Chisenhall (fractured right hand) took batting practice in the indoor cage on Wednesday and is playing catch. … OF Corey Dickerson (right posterior shoulder strain) has resumed batting practice, but is not yet cleared to throw. … C Elias Diaz (virus) played Tuesday and Wednesday night for Triple-A Indianapolis.
Cubs: LHP Jon Lester was put on the 10-day injured list (strained left hamstring) retroactive to Tuesday. Injured while scoring from second base on Ben Zobrist’s single in Monday’s home opener, the Cubs ace will miss at least one turn. LHP Tim Collins was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and pitched the ninth.
UP NEXT
Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove (1-0, 0.00) faces Cubs LHP Jose Quintana (0-1, 10.29) in the series finale Thursday night. Musgrove tossed seven scoreless innings and won his first start last Friday against Cincinnati. Quintana was hammered for eight runs, including three homers, in three innings Friday at Milwaukee.
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