Author: Beaver County Radio

Ambridge Borough Council Adopts New Budget For 2017

Ambridge residents will not see a tax increase for the 12 th consecutive year Council adopted the 2017 budget last night totaling $4.493.024.72. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, real estate taxes will remain at 34.5 mills, Borough manager Joseph Kauer said”’ Highlights of the meeting include reestablishing an animal control  program through the humane Society, restructure code enforcement program into the fire department, 14 roads will be paved, a partial grant will allow for the upgrade of traffic signals on Merchant St., design of the merchant St. streetscape  project, new fire apparatus, , a new police cruiser, , a dump truck will be purchased with a partial grant, and a tractor. Commercial demolition of blighted structures  with a partial grant is part of the 2017 budget. Council president Mike Mikulich said “the budget is a strategic investment in the community.” The budget may be viewed on the bulletin board in the borough building or online  www.Ambridge Boro.org.

Ambridge Teachers Now In Their Second Day Of Strike

The nearly 190 teachers in the Ambridge Area School District are still out of the classrooms today, on strike and on the picket lines. More than 3,000 students are affected by the cancellation of classes. Pay and health benefits are the big issues keeping the two sides apart. Under state law, the teachers must return to work by Jan. 2, to meet the 180 class days requirement. The teachers union says they won’t go back into classes until they have a new agreement or the state orders them back. They have been working nearly 1 and a half years without a contract. No talks are scheduled.

Over 100 People Turn Out For Shell Cracker Plant Hearing in Potter Township

Tuesday’s nasty blast of winter weather, which included several inches of snow, wasn’t able to keep at least 100 people from attending a hearing  that will determine whether Shell receives permission from Potter Township to build a $6 billion ethane cracker plant. The hearing concerns Shell’s conditional use application that was submitted in August to Potter officials. The application must be approved by the supervisors before Shell can start construction. The project will provide nearly six thousand construction jobs and nearly 600 jobs at the plant once it opens.

St. Lucia Day Celebrated at Beaver County Radio

(Beaver Falls, PA)  The staff of WBVP-WMBA celebrated the Scandinavian holiday of St. Lucia Day with a special Swedish Food Luncheon.  Three varieties of  Korv.  Rice Pudding (made by station Vice President Cyndi Peterson), Lingon Berries, Sill (pickled Herring), Swedish  Chocolate Trojan Horses, Ginger Snaps (Pepparkakor), Swedish Spritz Cookies, Bondost Cheese, Glogg (a hot spiced drink), Cinnamon Cardamon Rolls (Kardemummabullar), Swedish Fish, Swedish Meatballs and Limpa Rye Bread.

According to Wikipedia, Saint Lucia Day is celebrated most commonly in Scandinavia, with their long dark winters, where it is a major feast day, and in Italy, with each emphasising a different aspect of the story. In Scandinavia, where Saint Lucy is called Santa Lucia in Norwegian and Sankta Lucia in Swedish, she is represented as a lady in a white dress and red sash with a crown or wreath of candles on her head. In Norway, Sweden and Swedish-speaking regions of Finland, girls dressed as Lucy carry rolls and cookies in procession as songs are sung.

Here are some pictures from our Celebration earlier today.

Ambridge Area Teachers On Strike

Teachers in the Ambridge School District displayed signs in front of the high school and in front of the Polish Falcons  across the street this  morning. This is day 1 of the teacher’s  teacher’s strike.  The 190 teachers who are members of the  Ambridge Area Education Association haven’t had a new contract since the last one ended 6/30/2015. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that negotiations, according to Chris Conkus, a math teacher and communications director for the teachers, said we want a contract, the board left the meeting last night , and we want to settle. they left the last 2 sessions with the teachers he said.  Conkus said the sticking point is our health care contributions.  Conkus said through plan design changes  we found a way to save 10%. The teachers are ready to sit down with the board, and settle  Conkus said.. AAEA’s last strike strike was 10 years ago, several teachers are still working in the district that experienced the last strike. Media were  referred to Conkus for comments and he said the website is being  set up by the union for public view. No new information as of 1:30 p.m.

Gov. Wolf: Safety A Priority Near Beaver Cracker Plant

State troopers say they’ve shot a suspect following a chase on Interstate 376 in Lawrence County. The incident began when Shenango Township police near New Castle tried to pull over what’s being called a suspicious vehicle about 3:30 this morning. Police didn’t immediately explain what aroused their suspicion. That vehicle drove off, with several local departments and the state police joining in before the suspect was stopped and shot.

I-376 Chase Leads To Shooting In Lawrence County

State troopers say they’ve shot a suspect following a chase on Interstate 376 in Lawrence County. The incident began when Shenango Township police near New Castle tried to pull over what’s being called a suspicious vehicle about 3:30 this morning. Police didn’t immediately explain what aroused their suspicion. That vehicle drove off, with several local departments and the state police joining in before the suspect was stopped and shot.