Author: Beaver County Radio

BREAKING NEWS: Loaded Gun Found Near Bus Stop On First Day Of School In Hopewell!!

Police are investigating after a gun was found near a bus stop on the first day of school in the Hopewell School District. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has the story…

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Child Abuse Lawsuit – Believed To Be First Post-Grand Jury Report – Filed Against Diocese Of Pittsburgh; Abuse Allegedly Happened At Quigley School In Baden!!

A child abuse lawsuit, believed to be the first post-grand jury suit against the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, has been filed. The lawsuit filed on behalf of a man who was allegedly sexually abused by a priest as a child, also names Bishop David Zubik and Cardinal Donald Wuerl. According to a news release, the victim was sexually assaulted numerous times between 1979 and 1984 by John Hoehl, who was named in the grand jury report on abuse by priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses. The release said the grand jury report showed more than 20 complaints of sexual abuse were brought against Hoel — who was employed as a priest, pastor, and later as a high school Headmaster by the Diocese. The lawsuit said the abuse started when the victim was 12 years old and occurred at Hoehl’s residence at the Quigley School in Baden and at his cabin in Somerset. The case will seek expansion of the statute of limitations for past victims of abuse under existing Pennsylvania legal principles and accepted public policy.

PA Atty General Shapiro Addresses Grand Jury Report On Catholic Child Abuse On ‘Today’ Show

The fallout of the grand jury report on the Catholic child sex abuse continues with calls on Pope Francis to resign. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro appeared on the “Today” show today to talk about the report. Shapiro said that not only was there widespread abuse but there was also a coverup and the Vatican was aware. In the two weeks since Shapiro released the bombshell report, he said the special clergy abuse hotline has received 733 phone calls. Shapiro said each case will be investigated, and if possible anyone who abused or covered up the abuse will be prosecuted. Shapiro said even though he couldn’t speak specifically about Pope Francis, there is evidence that the Vatican had knowledge of a Catholic child sex abuse coverup. Shapiro said church leaders would lie to parishioners and the public even though they were fully aware there was abuse going on within the church. Shapiro said church leaders would shield predator priests from law enforcement, but then would document the abuse and set it aside. Shapiro added that child rape is never acceptable no matter when it happened and it’s never acceptable to cover it up.

Beaver Area High School Principal Placed On Paid Leave

The principal of Beaver Area High School was placed on paid leave ahead of the first day of school Monday. Beaver Area School District officials have confirmed that Steve Wellendorf was put on leave.  They did not elaborate on the reason for the move, calling it a personnel matter. Assistant Principal Meghan Murray will serve as acting principal until the matter can be resolved.

Texas-Based Company Fined For Raccoon Creek Damages In Hookstown

A TEXAS-BASED COMPANY HAS BEEN SLAPPED WITH A HUGE FINE FOR DAMAGE ALONG RACCOON CREEK ROAD WHERE PIPELINE WORK WAS BEING DONE. ABOUT 300 FEET OF STREAM BANK ERODED AND WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED DURING PIPELINE WORK NEAR BUNKER HILL ROAD. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS FINED ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS 150-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR DAMAGE.

Despite strong economy, many Americans struggling to get By

Despite strong economy, many Americans struggling to get by
By SARAH SKIDMORE SELL, AP Personal Finance Writer
Despite a strong economy, about 40 percent of American families struggled to meet at least one of their basic needs last year, including paying for food, health care, housing or utilities.
That’s according to an Urban Institute survey of nearly 7,600 adults that found that the difficulties were most prevalent among adults with lower incomes or health issues. But it also revealed that people from all walks of life were running into similar hardships.
The findings issued Tuesday by the nonprofit research organization highlight the financial strains experienced by many Americans in an otherwise strong economy.
The average unemployment rate for 2017 was 4.4 percent, a low that followed years of decline. But having a job doesn’t ensure families will be able to meet their basic needs, said Michael Karpman, one of the study’s authors. Among the households with at least one working adult, more than 30 percent reported hardship.
“Economic growth and low unemployment alone do not ensure everyone can meet their basic needs,” the authors wrote.
Food insecurity was the most common challenge: More than 23 percent of households struggled to feed their family at some point during the year. That was followed by problems paying a family medical bill, reported by about 18 percent. A similar percentage didn’t seek care for a medical need because of the cost.
Additionally, roughly 13 percent of families missed a utility bill payment at some point during the year. And 10 percent of families either didn’t pay the full amount of their rent or mortgage, or they paid it late.
While startling data to some, it comes as no surprise to those Americans who are struggling to get by.
Debra Poppelaars of Nashville, Tennessee, underwent spinal fusion surgery last fall and was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly thereafter. Although she is insured, she owes roughly $19,000 for her portion of the medical bills.
Between disability, a job change and the mounting debt, she hasn’t been able to make ends meet and is now facing bankruptcy.
“It’s very hard at 64 years old, I look back and think I am in this position and I should be able to retire,” she said.
Jerri Wood of Renton, Washington, says she makes choices each month to pay one bill instead of another as she struggles to pay for her health care. Wood has lived for years with a brain tumor that requires regular monitoring and was recently diagnosed with diabetes that she takes insulin to manage.
Rising costs for her care, even with insurance, have her juggling bills to get by — such as paying her cellphone or electricity bill one month and not the next. And she still feels like one of the lucky ones as she is able to survive.
“There is such a need for safety nets, so many people are in this position,” she said.
The Urban Institute survey comes at a time when lawmakers are considering cuts to some safety-net programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP and housing assistance.
The researchers said that lawmakers run the risk of increasing the rate of hardship if they reduce support services.
It is the first study on the subject by the DC-based organization, which looks at economic and social policy issues. The institute plans to conduct the study every year to track the well-being of families as the economy and safety net systems evolve.