Author: Beaver County Radio

County’s Financial Report

According to a 218-page financial report released by Beaver County Controller David Rossi’s office, the county’s financial position improved in 2016.

The document provides a look at actual — as opposed to budgeted — figures for the year.
Last week, county Financial Administrator Ricardo Luckow told the commissioners the report showed the county ended 2016 with an unassigned general-fund balance of about $230,000 — a drastic improvement from 2015, when that balance was negative $3.8 million.

ZURCHIN BRINGS LAWSUIT

Former Ambridge Area School District Superintendent Cynthia Zurchin alleges she was forced to resign her position after a “pattern of retaliation and creation of a hostile work environment” caused her to develop, among other health issues, “strokelike symptoms,” according to a federal complaint filed June 23.

The complaint names the school district, a number of school board members and former Assistant Superintendent Megan Mealie. The lawsuit alleges Zurchin was forced out of her position after she received nine threats of physical violence that “put her in fear for her personal safety.”
The district strongly denies these allegations and looks forward to its opportunity to correct the record.”

3rd suspect arrested

Donald McClain, the third person wanted in connection with a crime spree spanning PA & OH has been taken into custody and placed in the Lawrence County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond.
38 year old Brandy Rombold and 25 year old Tyler Amos were arrested over the weekend after their 4 day crime spree which included home burglaries, assault, multiple car thefts and attempted homicide. Rombold and Amos were allegedly high on methamphetamine and didn’t eat or sleep for those 4 days.

Positive West Nile Sample found

As of Monday, 77 OF NEARLY 300 mosquito samples collected in Beaver County have been tested for West Nile. One positive result was found in Brighton Township on June 14.
Susan Boser, the coordinator for Beaver County’s West Nile program, said that the positive test result isn’t cause for serious concern. At least one mosquito pool annually tests positive for West Nile in the county, and human infections are rare.

Boser said anyone concerned about West Nile can take preventative measures against it.

Apply insect repellent that contains DEET, which should prevent the majority of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes breed in standing water so “Make it a habit to go around your property and find anything with standing water, and make sure it’s dumped out,”
She added that people should wear long pants and long sleeves at dusk and dawn, which are the times when mosquitoes are most active.
Contact Penn State Extension for testing if you have any particular concerns.

PA Turnpike Commission warns of EZ-pass Phishing

Many EZ-Pass Customers received an email asking them to update their CC information because their primary and secondary accounts failed to collect tolls.  The commission recommends that customers not open any emails.  Call EZ-Pass if you have any questions about your account.

LAWRENCE COUNTY MAN KILLED

West Pittsburg resident John Fields was pronounced dead at the scene following a crash early Saturday morning on Interstate 376. While traveling at a high rate of speed he collided with a concrete barrier near the west toll gate of the PA turnpike in North Beaver Township.  Police said Fields was not wearing a seat belt.

COUPLE apprehended

A couple believed to have been involved in multiple burglaries, car thefts and other crimes made their way to Ohio. According to police, during an armed robbery in Lawrence County, Tyler Amos of Cochranton and Brandy Rombold of Ellwood City beat a 60 year old victim and attempted to shoot him. An 85 year old family member arrived  and Amos & Rombold kicked and beat him with a gun & baseball bat.  After stealing multiple vehicles they were discovered in Cadiz Ohio where Rombold was taken into custody.  Amos was apprehended after a brief search in nearby woods.  A third person, a man, is believed to have been involved in the crime spree.