Vietnam Veterans Chapter 862 and Associates of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 862 are hosting the annual Gold Star Mothers Banquet at Wooden Angel Restaurant in Beaver on Thursday, September 29.  The event begins at 6 p.m. and reservations are a must. The event is free to Gold Star Mothers and their family members. Menu choices are stuffed chicken breast, stuffed pork chop, or baked chicken salad. Reservations must  be made bas soon as possible by calling Sue Smith AVVA membership chair at 724-728-6741. Bobbie Morris, AVVA president and VVA secretary Michelle Wilcox are chairing the event assisted by Sue Bridgewater, AVVA treasurer, and Sandy Giordano, AVVA board member.

(Beaver County, PA)  Getting along well with the other parent as a single mother can be challenging.  Rev. Tega Swann from Refreshing Springs Ministries in Aliquippa knows this and that is why she has selected the topic of “Meant To Be, Or Meant To Break?  Working Toward Healthy Relationships With The Other Parent” for this week’s edition of “God’s Grace For Single Mothers’ radio program.  Tune in this Saturday from 10:30 to 11 A.M. on 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA .  Call 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888 to be a part of the program.

Sponsorship and content for God’s Grace For Single Mothers is provided by Tega Swann and Refreshing Springs Ministries.

PA Attorney General Bruce Beemer and Beaver County DA David Lozier  held a joint press conference in the Beaver County Court House this morning.  Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was there. She says they announced the results of a drug sweep throughout the county yesterday by the Mobile Street Crimes Unit, and the DEA. Beemer said not all of the 75 defendants are from Beaver County, but from Allegheny and Butler Counties.  According to local, and state law enforcement , 43 persons were arrested, charged and taken to jail. There are 32 that haven’t been taken into custody, according to AG Bruce Beemer. The sweep has been six months in the making, Beemer said.  DA  David Lozier said that his office is trying to combat the problem , and there has to be enforcement , prevention, and treatment, to  get the drugs off the street. The solution will never be to make arrests of sellers and users, we have to get on the front end. Barbara Connolly  of the Bureau of Drug Enforcement, and Koplinsky , one of the AG’s senior agents, will be involved in prosecuting the cases of those arrested, and to be arrested, Beemer said. Beemer said “selling to kids, that is an issue, keep the drugs out of schools, out of kids hands!!!”   DA Dave Lozier said in the schools it is a prescription drug issue , and students have met with the nurses.

Tonight is the last night of the heroin epidemic seminar in Beaver Falls, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Beaver Valley Council 604. Mike Donnadio – the organizer of the event – tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that tonight’s program will feature the story of a recovering addict and her family. Donnadio tells us that they had over 100 people at each of the first 2 nights and Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier commented last night in his talk that it was one of the larger crowds he has spoken to about the heroin epidemic in the county.  The seminar concludes tonight at Saint Monica’s parish on Thorndale Drive in Beaver Falls from 7 to 9 p-m. It is open to the public and is free of charge.

Today is the last full day of summer…and it’s actually going to feel like summer for the next couple of days. Enjoy it while it lasts though. Mike Fries of the National Weather Service was in town yesterday to tour the Beaver County Emergency Services facility in Ambridge. Fries tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that he predicts a much more seasonal winter this season this last year, which means we can expect colder temperatures and more snowfall, and snow events that stick around a lot longer. Fries say the Beaver Valley usually gets an average of 41.1 inches of snow a year.

The Center Twp. Board of Supervisors approved a request from Police Chief Barry Kramer to order intel service online investigation software for the police department . According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Kramer said there is a discount on the books with the 3 year deal..  Cost for the first year is $119 a month, second year $123 a month, and $127 the third year.  Chief Kramer told the supervisors  using the new system officers can do online solicitations, check on new hires, check on transient workers, , the motor vehicle code, and the crimes code, and others if necessary.

Parkway West Career and Technology Center on Steubenville Pike in Oakdale  is the newest location of the Community College of Beaver County’s Aviation Sciences Academy.  Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was at yesterday’s  ribbon cutting ceremony with officials from both school’s participating. Retired Air Force Colonel Bill Pinter, is the director of the  Aviation Sciences Center. He was hired as the school’s dean of Aviation Sciences 3/3/2014.  The academy began at the site 1/2015 next to the Beaver County Airport, Chippewa Township as a dual enrollment program between local  high schools and the college.. Pinter said that  the program is a success, and   12 Allegheny County high schools are participating s.tudents spend 1/2 a day at their home schools, the  other portion  at CCBC;s Aviation Sciences Academy. The new facility is located in a building that  was used for another program previously, and has been decorated with aviation logos and photos. Currently, 38  students are enrolled  at the new academy, and 95 at the Chippewa facility  Pinter said 39 schools are participating in the program.  If they spend 2 years in the program, they can earn almost 1/2 of an associate degree, and complete one year of college by the  time they graduate high school. Pinter said he loves teaching, he’s an  Air Force vet, and retired as a full “Bird Colonel” He flew a F15E Strike Eagle in the Air Force, and a photo is on the wall of the center.