The Aliquippa School Board approved  a request from elementary principal A’Frica Shepard  to participate in the PNC School Bank program.  That’s according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. She says that Ms. Shepard explained the program  for kids that the bank offers.  She told the board she is hoping  to have a banking night where parents will be invited  and they will  be required to bring their child’s social security card and fill out permission for the child to open a savings . Ms. Shepard said it takes $5 to open a savings , and savings can help them buy  a bike.Under the program the students train as tellers, also.  At the Aliquippa Elementary School there are over 650 students. Final approval to hire Brittany Halbig as the district’s athletic trainer was given.  She will be paid $15 an hour with a cap of $10,000.  The Pittsburgh Steelers will pay her $25,000 from 8/31- 5/31.  The payment is retroactive to August 17, 2016. Danny Sonsini was  approved as the detention monitor  for the junior/senior high school at a  rate of $30 an hour. The board accepted the resignation of  Ola  Jaber JSHS  Spanish teacher  effective October 16, 2016.

Ambridge Borough Council met last night and council president Mike Mikulich was presented the Carol Sambol award from PA Boroughs Association representative Wendy Nickerson, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  Mikulich has been serving on council for 25 years. The borough entered a 2016  Borough news Municipal Newsletter Contest  for  a population of 5.001 to 7,500, and won first place .  Nickerson presented the plaque to officials , according to Joe  Kauer, borough manager..On Friday, September 23 at 6 p.m. the church tour  will be conducted.  Anyone wanting the $10 tickets should stop at the borough office. From 7 to 9:30 p.m.  The Laughlin Memorial Library’s Oktoberfest will take place., and  tickets can be purchased at the library. On Saturday, September 24 the Ambridge Fall  Festival of churches begin  at 11:30 a.m. begin in PJ Caul Park.  At noon church bells from the 12 participating churches will ring The festivities will conclude  at 7 p.m. Activities will   be sponsored by the borough’s parks and recreation committee..  Ethnic foods, vendors, and entertainment will be available.

Beaver County Radio News has learned that charges are expected to be filed by the end of the week, as a result of an investigation of a report that a parent pulled out a gun at a youth football game. As we reported yesterday, officers were called to the Rochester School District’s football field Sunday after the man displayed the gun during an altercation behind the bleachers. Rochester Township Police Chief George Yasich tells newsman Pat Septak that charges in the case will likely be filed Thursday or Friday.  It’s still not known if any of the fifth and sixth grade players saw the gun. Chief Yasich is in the process of interviewing witnesses and is still asking anyone with information to call police.

Budget Director Ricardo Luckow gave the first indication that next year’s Beaver County budget is going to need an influx of revenue, leaving the door open for a tax increase, according to Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti. Minus chairman Sandie Egley, Commissioners Dan Camp and Tony Amadio had no comment on Luckow’s report. Luckow said about 50 county departments are being asked to cut their budgets 12 percent for 2017. So far, three departments have submitted a completed budget and the rest are expected to follow suit by the end of the month. Luckow definitively said projections indicate a budget for next year cannot be accomplished without an increase in revenue. At present, the current budget is projected to end with a two-point-nine-million-dollar deficit.

Hopewell Area School  Board gave unanimous approval last night to establish Christa Harmotto Day in the district on the second Friday in October, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  Harmotto-Dietzen was captain of the US Women’s Volleyball team that won the bronze in Rio de Janiero earlier this month. Superintendent Dr. Michelle Miller said last Sunday’s celebration  honoring Harmotto Dietzen  was wonderful  Dr. Miller thanked board president Dave Bufalini for spearheading the event .  Bufalini said it was a team effort with assistance from staff. Dr. Miller  announced there is a pilot program for third graders during this current school year  where they will receive a pass/fail grade for science and social studies.  She said third grade is a critical year , they are reading to learn , and it allows them to join the content.  She said,” we’ll give it a try and see how it works. ” The Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association will conduct blood lipid screening for seventh graders on March 15, 2017.  Cost of the test is $5.. all students participating will be provided with breakfast.  Dr. Miller said  Beaver County is one of the only counties that has a cancer and heart association. The Viking Marching Band request to travel to New York City 4/28-4/30 2017 was approved. Mike Shuleski’s request for the jv and varsity baseball teams to go to spring training  at the Ripken facilities in Myrtle Beach, S.C. .March 29-April 2, 2017.  Dr. Miller said they attended spring training  there before. The board accepted the resignation of Rob Tapler 1st assistant golf coach effective 8/29/16.  Mark Musulin was appointed to replace Tapler at a stipend of $1,602.00. Next meeting is September 27 at 7 p.m.