The Beaver County Commissioners Unit and court-related workers are mulling over a tentative contract offer by the county. Joe Mann of the S.E.I. U. tells Beaver County Radio News that the county’s latest offer is a big improvement over it’s previous offer. It includes a one and a half percent raise for the first year with no retro…but the big issue in the talks was health insurance. Workers contribution to their insurance would go up a half percent for the first year, two and a quarter for the second year and three percent in the third. Union leaders will meet with the rank and file tonight to decide whether to set a date for a vote.
Author: Beaver County Radio
Verdict Expected Today In Beaver Falls Arson Case
A judge is expected to reveal the verdict today in the non-jury trial of accused Beaver Falls arsonist Zachary Metcalf. Metcalf was arrested last fall and is accused of setting multiple fires in Beaver Falls and in the Mount Washington neighborhood. All testimony in the trial was heard last Monday. Metcalf faces 17 counts of arson and one count of criminal trespassing.
Man Found Shot To Death In New Castle
Investigators say a man was found shot to death in a car behind a funeral home in New Castle last night. Neighbors reported hearing fireworks around 8 p.m. A short time later, the victim was found dead in his car. The victim has not been identified. No word on any arrests.
Aliquippa School Board Announces Fund For Carl A. Aschman Memorial Stadium
The Aliquippa School Board announced recently that a fund has been established for the Carl A. Aschman Memorial Stadium upgrade. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the move was made because a group of citizens expressed concerns over the stadium’s need for repairs, painting, and replacement of bleachers. The board approved some repairs and replacement of the press box roof at the May meeting.
The stadium was renamed after the death of Carl Aschman, veteran football coach. He died on Thanksgiving Day 1971 of a heart attack. Coach Aschman retired in 1965 due to ill health
Anyone wishing to donate to the fund must do so by check or money order. The donation is to the Aliquippa School District Stadium Capital Reserve Fund. The district’s address is Aliquippa School District 100 Harding Ave., Aliquippa, PA 15001
ONE ALIQUIPPA, a group of concerned citizens is planning to sell t shirts and baseball caps to raise money. Cost of the items has yet to be announced.
Beaver County Native Bishop David Zubik Calls For Controls On Gun Purchases
Pittsburgh Roman Catholic Bishop David Zubik is calling for tighter restrictions on gun purchases, with improved background checks and with limits on high-capacity weapons, such as the one used in the June 12th mass murder of 49 people at Orlando, Florida’s Pulse nightclub. Bishop Zubik – who has extensive ties to Beaver County – also called for improved mental-health treatment. His statement alluded not only to the Orlando victims but also to the five adults and an unborn child killed by gunfire at a Wilkinsburg backyard cookout in March and to the murders of nine at a Charleston church last year. Zubik grew up in Ambridge, where he attended St. Veronica High School. After his ordination, he was named vice principal of Quigley Catholic High School in Baden and chaplain to the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse and to students at Mount Gallitzin Academy.
Surveillance Video Captures Man Ransacking Community Garden In Ambridge
Police are trying to identify a man seen in surveillance video ransacking a community garden in Ambridge. The garden is located behind the borough building. The video shows the man – along with three children – picking vegetables and tearing plants out by the roots. Rachel Reinders discovered the damage when she went to tend the garden Monday night. Nearly everything she had planted was destroyed. The incident was captured on several cameras.
Cranberry Township Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
A Cranberry Township woman is guilty of stealing from a UPMC subsidiary. 46-year-old Elizabeth Rotto pleaded guilty on Thursday to a count of embezzlement for taking 150-thousand dollars over a span of about 12 years. Rotto stole the money from Askesis Development Group from 2003 through 2014.
Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy To Respond To Sandie Egley’s Accusations Regarding Budget
Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that he wants to publicly respond to accusations made by County Commissioners Chairwoman Sandie Egley that his department is consistently over budget. Egley made the comments during the commissioners’ work session earlier this week. Sheriff Guy is on currently on vacation but he told us by phone that he plans to talk to WBVP-WMBA Radio News on Monday morning to address this issue.
Fire Damages Aliquippa Restaurant
Yianni’s Restaurant on Sheffield Road in Aliquippa was the scene of a fire yesterday afternoon. The fire was reported at 3:15 p.m. Beaver County Radio Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that heavy fire, smoke and water damage was significant in the kitchen. The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire. Center and Hopewell Fire Departments assisted Aliquippa at the scene. The cause has not been determined.
Woman Faces Charges After Allegedly Threatening Children With Knife In Ambridge
A woman is facing charges after authorities say she threatened at least five children who were playing in their Ambridge neighborhood with a knife. Surveillance cameras at a home on Henrici Street in Ambridge captured the incident earlier this week. Police say Vera Smith can be seen holding a knife in her right hand, waving it around and yelling at the children, who were as young as 8 years old. Ambridge police say that they took the knife into evidence and said Smith admitted to everything, telling officers that she simply lost her cool. Smith is charged with making terroristic threats and simple assault.