There’s a new chief solicitor in Beaver County. Commissioners Sandie Egley and Dan Camp have approved Andrea Cantelmi’s promotion from assistant solicitor to chief solicitor. She replaces Bernie Rabik, who was fired by the commissioners a week ago. Minority commissioner Tony Amadio tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that he voted against Cantelmi’s promotion because he was left out of the decision making process regarding Rabik. Commissioners Chief of Staff Joe Weidner denies the claims.

A state Supreme Court justice’s hopes are dashed for a court-approved deal to end ethics charges he faces over the exchange of salacious emails. Justice Michael Eakin angrily declined comment yesterday after the Court of Judicial Discipline would not let his lawyer discuss a hope-for deal.

A Beaver Falls scrapyard is working to develop a plan to decontaminate its facility, along with sites in Ohio to which scrap contaminated with radioactive material was shipped. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection was notified this week that the contaminated recycled scrap was shipped from PSC Metals, Inc. in Beaver Falls to two facilities in Ohio, according to a news release. Readings were taken at the Beaver Falls scrapyard by a  team from the DEP’s Radiation Protection Program, according to the release. Elevated readings were found on one large metal shredder, which has been isolated, and on gloves used by two workers. Additional testing is being done by the DEP to ensure that there was no skin contamination.  Officials say it does not pose a health risk to employees or the general public.

For now, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are polling the best among Pennsylvania residents. According to a new Franklin & Marshall College poll, Clinton holds a steady lead over Bernie Sanders. Clinton is besting Sanders 48 percent to 27 percent. That lead, according to the poll, is very similar to the Democratic numbers from January. Donald Trump continues to lead on the Republican side, but the people in second and third place keep changing. Trump is in first place with 22 percent, while three candidates continue to duke it out for the runner-up position. Marco Rubio is at 16 percent, John Kasich stands at 15 percent and Ted Cruz trails close behind at 12 percent.

There has been no word so far of any serious injuries in central or eastern Pennsylvania from last night’s strong thunderstorms. Just under 20,000 homes and businesses in the state remain without power today. A National Weather Service team today will visit Lancaster County to determine whether a tornado struck the area.

Hearings are scheduled for March 9th and 10th in newly filed court challenges seeking to knock Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and John Kasich off the primary ballot in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s primary election is April 26th.