Union 71, Rochester 68

The loss of a 16-5 lead and a questionable call in the final minute sank the Rochester Rams in Section 1-A action against the Union Scotties, by a final of 71-68.

The loss drops the Rams to 3-2 in the section (9-3 overall), while Union improves to 4-1 (9-3).

Caleb Collins of Rochester and Union’s K’von Huddleston were selected as tonight’s CCBC Players of The Game.

New Deadly Drug Claims Its First Victim in Beaver County

A new deadly drug has claimed its first victim in Beaver County. The drug is a powerful opioid called Carfentanil. The Beaver County coroner’s office has confirmed that a Beaver Falls area resident who died in November has testified positive for the drug. Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier appeared on Teleforum this morning and said that the drug is used to tranquilize elephants. Carfentanil is said to be 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10-thousand times stronger than morphine.

IRS TAX FORMS NOT PRINTED YET

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has no printed forms  for taxpayers yet, according to a spokesperson for Congressman Keith Rothfus. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that many citizens who file early will have to wait if  they use the forms.  B.F. Jones memorial Library is one area where the basic forms can be picked up when available. Long waits result when calling the IRS’s toll free number 1-800.-829-1040 when residents call. No reason for the delays in the form printing is known.

Aliquippa Grad Vying For Judge’s Seat

1975 Aliquippa high School grad and  lawyer Mitchell P. Shahen has announced his candidacy for Beaver County Court of Common Pleas. Mr.Shahen announced his candidacy officially yesterday, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. A Penn State University graduate, Shahen graduated in 1983 Western New England University in  1983, and passed the bar exam that same year. He was associate with layden Sadecky in Beaver until 1993 when he opened his own practice.  He has served as conference counsel for the Beaver County courts since 1996, and is solicitor for Hookstown, and Georgetown boroughs and Lincoln Park.  He is building code solicitor for Hopewell Twp. Mr. Shahen and his wife Cheryl reside in  Center Twp.

Merchant Street Streetscape Project Beginning To Take Shape In Ambridge

Ambridge Borough Council authorized Hancock Architecture  to complete planning, design, and implementation  of its Merchant St. Streetscape project.  The project, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano,  focuses on 4th to 8th Sts. and its cost is $2.5 million, borough manager Joe Kauer, said. Sidewalks and curbs will be replaced, removing utility poles and  overhead infrastructures. New ornamental street lights with electrical outlets to be used for community events and holiday lights will be placed.treet trees/pits, landscaping ADA ramps, and decorative crosswalks , amenties on the street, park benches, bike racks , planters, and bike racks will be placed.

Potter Township Supervisors Grant Conditional Use Permit For Shell Cracker Plant In Monaca

The Potter Township Supervisors have granted a conditional use permit for a $6 billion ethane cracker plant proposed by Shell Chemicals. Township supervisors on Wednesday night approved the plan, but imposed noise limits and promised to address light pollution and traffic problems if they crop up once construction begins in the next two years. Shell says the plant will create 6,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs.

Ambridge Teachers Union Representative Told She Wasn’t Allowed To Speak

Ambridge teachers returned to the classroom without a new contract on January 5.
Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports the board attempted to deny the teachers the right to speak at the work session, according to Chris Konkus, communications director of AAEA. The board solicitor Hoby Webster told Lauren Mawhinney, board president was told the teachers contract wasn’t on the agenda, even though item 8 is listed as budget and finance. Teachers were told they can speak at next week’s meeting under public comment.  In the meantime, the teachers have been working under the old contract since July 1 2015.
Konkus said that the board’s actions are violating the teachers first amendment rights. No date for selection of an arbitrator for both sides to  resolve the contract issues that include salary and health care costs has been scheduled.

Ambridge Council Adopts Ordinance To Establish Food Regulations

An ordinance was adopted at Tuesday’s Ambridge council meeting regarding Food handling establishment regulations, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  Establishments are required to follow the PA Food Employee Certification Act.  One employee per establishment is to be certified in food safety, according to Joe Kauer,  borough manager. The new regulation is in accordance with the PA Dept. of Agriculture Food Code title 7 Act 106 as amended.