Hopewell Township Commissioners held their monthly meeting last night and Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was there. Police Sgt. Jill Banovsky was named Police Officer of the Year for 2016 by her fellow officers, according to Twp. Police Chief Brian Uhrmacher..  She was promoted to the rank in July, the first promotion to sergeant in 20 years., and the also the first female  to be promoted as  sergeant. Twp. Manager Norm Kraus, Jr. thanked the commissioners and staff for all their support   and  while he was absent, picking up the manager’s “boot straps.”. His wife Margaret died recently after battling cancer. The township depository opens on Saturday, photo id’s are $20 each for residents , senior citizens have to have their photos taken, but there is no charge for them to  us the depository. Saturday, April 8 is  the annual Spring Fest and Eggstravaganza  at Hopewell Park  from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Easter egg hunt is for children 18 months to 12 years old.. Children under 154 must be accompanied by an adult.

Attorney John McCreary – the newly named Beaver County interim solicitor – has resigned from his position…before he even had the chance to officially begin his new job. Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti reports that McCreary, who was appointed Friday by commissioners Sandie Egley and Tony Amadio to serve as the county’s top attorney until a new chief county solicitor is found, resigned over questions raised regarding the legality of his hiring. All three commissioners are currently out of town. They will be back in the courthouse on Wednesday.

Kings Family Restaurants is closing several locations in western Pennsylvania.he Wexford, Bridgeville, Imperial, Harmarville, and Altoona restaurants shut down at 7 p.m. last night. 130 employees are affected by the decision. Twenty-five other area locations will be kept open, including the Center Township location, according to Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti. The classic Pittsburgh eatery opened its doors in 1967. But, two years ago, the group was sold to a California-based corporation.

CCBC’s Aviation program was founded  1968 by  the late Jimmy Johnson . According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, the college was based in Freedom at that time.The first ever hangar alumni party was held Saturday with about 120 graduates of the program attending from as far away as Washington State., many former students  are scattered all over the world,, working with many of the nation’s airlines. Johnson died in 2010 from cancer. The event was held in conjunction with the college’s 50th anniversary. Hugs, handshakes, and success stories were shared .  many became pilots, air traffic controllers, flight attendants or held other roles in  the field of aviation.  CCBC’s aviation program has received national attention because of its success, and many students attend from all over the world. Johnson’s wife Virginia, and daughter Malinda Callan, who  graduated from the program accepted a plaque from CCBC president Dr. Chris Reber, and the school’s Dean, Dana Donat in memory of johnsoni. Currently, 130 students from 39 school districts are enrolled while still in high school  in  the nationally recognized program. A catered event was featured for all attendees.

Aliquippa Diversity Council helkd a Women’s Empowerment Dinner Saturday  at Uncommon Grounds.  Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was there. Several speakers shared their  stories to about 60 women in attendance. The program is an effort to provide role models for girls age 8 to 18, according to Catherine Colalella, president.  She said  the program is especially vital for those girls 12 to 16, because they are growing up so fast. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Beverly Meade, Bernice Mason, Eleanor Redd,, Hope Fuller, and Mary Olden.  The five women are retired educators and still are active in the community,  The ladies received framed certificates and flowers  for their contributionsin the community.