Hopewell Township road being taken over by PennDOT

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on October 25, 2024 at 9:17 A.M.)

(Hopewell, PA) Nicole E. Haney, Community Relations Coordinator reported on Thursday that Golf Course Road, located off of Mill Street is being taken over by the state because of an old storm. The report states that paving of Golf Course Road water features are being replaced by new ones near the road’s intersection with Beaver Lakes Boulevard. This has caused delays for residents going to and from their homes  or those going to the golf course.

According to the report, the contractor is required to flag traffic around with a tight working area. The paving portion of the project is anticipated to occur the second week in November, with the drainage portion of the project anticipated to be complete by the end of November. They anticipate the road will be opened as well as unobstructed traffic at that time.

Ballot duplication and how it can help you get your mail-in ballot vote counted in Pennsylvania

(Pennsylvania) As people get ready to prepare mail-in ballots for the 2024 presidential election, some do not appear in good condition, however, a process can create a new one to be properly counted. This process is commonly referred to as “ballot duplication” which involves taking a damaged ballot that can’t be scanned by election machines and transcribing the votes onto a new, clean ballot that can be counted. The original ballot is preserved in this process. Ballot duplication can also be used if voters improperly marked their ballot, such as using the wrong type of writing tool. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, forty-two states, including Pennsylvania, use ballot duplication. 

Source for Photo: FILE – Chester County, Pa., election workers process mail-in and absentee ballots at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Governor Shapiro’s administration helps drug-related overdose prevention efforts in Pennsylvania

(Harrisburg, PA) The administration of Governor Josh Shapiro has invested more than $3.2 million to help drug-related overdose prevention efforts in Pennsylvania. 

According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), the department announcemed on Tuesday investments of more than $3.2 million to combat the drug-related overdose epidemic through 13 organizations that will help residents connect with the care they need, such as receiving overdose prevention and reversal tools, treatment options, drug checking equipment, and educational services.  

The funding comes from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) via the Overdose Data to Action in States cooperative agreement to expand drug-related overdose surveillance and prevention efforts over five years. 

Watch out for deer on the road in Pennsylvania as autumn continues

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pennsylvania Game Commission is reminding Pennsylvanians to watch out for deer when you are traveling on the road as the fall season begins. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, deer become more active in autumn, leading up to their fall breeding season or “rut,” and the Commision also notes that a recent report showed Pennsylvania led the country in animal collision insurance claims. 

Pennsylvania labor unions could determine result of the 2024 presidential election

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

Labor unions in the battleground state of Pennsylvania say they could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of this year’s election. In 2023, the state had 749-thousand union members, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Anthony Ferriera, a retired federal worker and member of the American Federation of Government Employees, is among those mobilizing. He says he‘s walking neighborhoods, knocking on doors and talking with voters in an effort to motivate them to go to the polls. 

Source for Photo: FILE – An early election ballot completion area is being prepared at a collection location at the North Park Ice Skating Rink Lodge area, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in McCandless, Pa. Pennsylvania lawmakers plan to begin voting on legislation Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, to move up the state’s 2024 presidential primary date, although the dates under discussion may do little to give the state’s voters more say in deciding presidential nominees. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

CCBC dedicates the Atwell Student Commons

(Monaca, PA) According to a release from Leslie Tennant, Associate Vice President of Communications for the Community College of Beaver County, the CCBC community celebrated the dedication of the Atwell Student Commons on Monday, October 14, 2024, in memory of Janet M. Atwell and her husband Curtis J. Atwell. Tennant also noted that a gift of $477,000 to date has been given to the CCBC Foundation through Mrs. Atwell’s estate, the largest unrestricted individual gift to that foundation. Tennant also stated that the CCBC Board of Trustees renamed CCBC’s Student Life area to the Atwell Student Commons on August 20, 2024 after Mrs. Atwell, both a Beaver County resident and a CCBC alumna. 

Aliquippa School Baord approves their National Honor Society Criteria and starts process to hire a new elementary guidance counselor

(Story reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondant Sandy Giordano, Published on October 25, 2024 at 7:21 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) The Aliquippa School Board approved their National Honor Society criteria. At last week’s school board meeting, the Aliquippa School Board approved the 3.5 GPA requirements on a 4.0 grading scale. The district is also now a member of the National Junior and Senior High School Honor Society Woodlawn Chapter. 

Noah J. Sperling, an elementary guidance counselor, was also hired, contingent on providing all of the necessary documents by November 20, 2024. Once the process is complete, his starting date will be approved, and Sperling will earn $49,000 a year. 

Aliquippa Youth football team is briefly suspended after altercation, but games for weekend are back on

(Story reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondant Sandy Giordano, Published on October 25, 2024 at 7:18 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) The Beaver County Youth Football league briefly suspended the Aliquippa Youth football team after an altercation following a game at Central Valley’s field last Saturday. The incident in question involved a group of women fighting in the stands over the game being moved to Central Valley. The coaches and team were not involved in the incident. Mayor Dwan B. Walker who took to social media on Wednesday night to set the record straight on the incident was who stepped forward to break up the fight. Walker was punched and kicked during the incident.
The league has now reversed their decision and all games for the weekend are back on according to Coach Malik Shegog. Shegog told Giordano: “After a lot of uncertainty and chaos, we made it  through to the other side. We love how the community and even outside communities came through to speak up for the kids, and A HUGE SHOUT OUT to the coaches Jay Harv, Donald C. Walker III, Derhon Towler, and Mayor Dwan B. Walker and Marco Harris.” Shegog said that all players are to show up for practice ready to go and he also said, “Let’s go 3 for 3, ready to play.” The Center Township Police Department expected to file charges in the case. This is a continuing story and we will have updates as they are available.

Terry Lawrence Erickson (1955-2024)

Terry Lawrence Erickson, 69, passed away unexpectedly on October 21, 2024, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born on June 30, 1955, in Rochester, the son of the late Albert “Buck” and Eva (Hodge) Erickson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, June Brooks, brother-in-law, Charles Brooks, a nephew, Michael Dunn, and a niece, Nancy Jo Braund and special friends Bob Castelveter and Ralph Dixon. He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Diane (St. Esprit) Erickson, his children, Becky (Jason) Antitomas and Brian (Amy) Erickson, grandchildren: Cali Antitomas, Wyatt Antitomas, Garrett Erickson, and Taylor Erickson; brothers, John (Michelle) Erickson and Ken (Susan) Erickson, sister, Nancy Dunn, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Terry had retired from Beaver County Emergency Services following 28 years of faithful service.  He had worked as a dispatcher for the New Brighton and Monaca Police Departments, as well as retired from the New Brighton Volunteer Fire Department.  Following his retirement, he kept himself busy as a delivery driver for Rosalind Candy Castle and Baierl Automotive, and worked along side his friend, Tim, at Haggerty Home Improvement. Terry enjoyed camping on the weekends with his wife Diane and friends. His grandchildren were the love of his life.

Friends will be received on Monday, October 28th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Ave., New Brighton.  A fireman’s prayer service will be conducted at 7:30 P.M.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 29th at 11 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church, 256 College Avenue, Beaver, with Pastor Ron Cepek as officiant.  Friends will be received from 10-10:30AM at the church.

Terry’s wishes for cremation will be honored following services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Terry’s name may be made to the New Brighton Volunteer Fire Department, 610 Third Ave., New Brighton, PA 15066.

House adopts Matzie resolution directing comprehensive study of PIAA policy, practices, finances

HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – The Pennsylvania House yesterday adopted Rep. Rob Matzie’s H.R. 318, which directs the state Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to perform a comprehensive study of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Matzie, who is the vice chairman and longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, said a thorough study of PIAA’s decision-making processes and operations is needed because of concerns that the association – and particularly the way it classifies schools for competition – puts student athletes in harm’s way and forces them to compete against wealthier schools with bigger budgets and larger rosters.

“For too long, we have been hearing from parents and student athletes across the state that the PIAA’s policies are jeopardizing student health and creating a dangerous and uneven playing field,” Matzie said. “We have taken those concerns to the PIAA, but they have gone unanswered. It’s time to move the ball on this issue, and we start by taking a closer look at the association, its structure and its decision-making.”

Matzie’s resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to perform a comprehensive study and make recommendations regarding:

  • PIAA’s competition classification formula and transfer policy.
  • The location of state championships.
  • The association’s financial performance; broadcast agreements; and name, image and likeness policy.
  • The composition of the Board of Directors and the feasibility of legislative and state departmental appointees to the board.
  • The potential for expanding the authority of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee.

The PIAA oversees senior high and junior high athletic competitions in the state and is charged with developing and enforcing rules regulating those competitions. More than 1,400 public, charter and private schools with more than 350,000 student athletes fall within PIAA’s jurisdiction.