Kennedy Boulevard is closed in Aliquippa temporarily due to flooding, according to an Aliquippa police spokesperson. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.
According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, heavy rains are the cause of the flooding, and it is the area always affected.
Two people are dead after a car crash that happened in Butler County this morning. The crash happened on I-79 northbound in the area of mile marker 87 in Jackson Township, Zelienople. State police confirm a man and a woman were killed in the crash. Their identities have not been released. The northbound lanes of I-79 were shut down for hours after the crash, but have since been re-opened.
Beaver County’s latest contract offer to union workers has been voted down. The rank and file vote for the commissioners residual unit – the court-related workers – was 124 to 8 in favor of denying the county’s latest offer. Joe Mann of the S.E.I.U. tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that the sticking points were a one percent pay increase in the first year…. and the emergency room co-pay would double from $50 to $100. He says no new talks are scheduled. The union plans to strike Tuesday morning.
Aliquippa police are continuing an investigation into a homicide that took place in the 2100 block of McMinn St. early Wednesday morning.
28-year-old Sjvante Gilliam, a Marine vet who received the Purple Heart after being injured in Afghanistan in 2010, was identified as the victim.
He was the father of 2, a 2005 Aliquippa graduate. He played basketball and football for the Quips.
Meanwhile, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is reporting that City Council’s meeting was cancelled last evening. Mayor Dwan Walker and brother Donald’s uncle passed away.
The death of a Beaver County Jail inmate is being ruled a suicide. Matthew Henry was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday. Staff members tried CPR and used an automated external defibrillator but could not revive him. Henry was placed in the facility last week on robbery and theft charges. He was 35.
An early morning fatal shooting is under investigation in Aliquippa. According to Beaver County Radio News correspondent Sandy Giordano, the homicide occurred shortly before 5:00 this morning in the 21-hundred block of McMinn Street. No other details are being released at this time.
Local authorities have released the identity of the Rochester man killed in a motorcycle crash in Lawrence County. Wampum police say 40-year-old Heath Smith was traveling east on Route 288 just off Route 18 Friday evening when his motorcycle left the road. Smith – who was not wearing a helmet – came to rest in the Wampum train station parking lot beneath his motorcycle. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by a Lawrence County deputy coroner after unsuccessful attempts by police officers, firefighters and bystanders to revive him.
A Beaver Falls motorcylist is listed in serious condition today at a Pittsburgh hospital following an accident Saturday night in Ellwood City. The victim is identified as 24-year-old Michael Stevenson. Police say he was thrown about 30 feet after a car turned into his path on Mount Vernon Drive. The driver who hit him – 47-year-old Michael Rozzi – told police he never saw the motorcycle, although he admitted he was drinking prior to the crash. The investigation continues.
The cause of a New Sewickley Township garage fire is under investigation. The homeowner – 49-year-old Ken Castelucci – and two North Sewickley firefighters – Randy Syphrit and Ryan Main – were injured in the blaze. The victims were treated and released at a local hospital. The garage housed several vehicles, a large inventory of tools and at least one vintage car.
ANOTHER BEAVER COUNTY STRIKE DEADLINE IS LOOMING. 250 COUNTY WORKERS – INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND 9-1-1 DISPATCHERS – COULD BE ON THE PICKET LINES NEXT WEDNESDAY IF A DEAL ISN’T REACHED. AL SMITH AND JOE MANN – WHO ARE BOTH WITH THE S-E-I-U AND REPRESENT THE WORKERS – APPEARED ON TELEFORUM THIS MORNING WITH MIKE ROMIGH. MANN SAID THAT HE’S NEVER SEEN SUCH POOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ON THE COUNTY’S BEHALF AS HE HAS IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION. THE BEAVER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WERE INVITED TO COME ON THE PROGRAM AS WELL TODAY…BUT THEY DECLINED THE OFFER. NO NEGOTIATIONS ARE SCHEDULED.