MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state appeals court says members of a deeply conservative Amish community in Minnesota don’t need to install septic systems to dispose of their “gray water.” The ruling came Monday from the state Court of Appeals in a long-running religious freedom case that went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. A three-judge panel ruled that the government “failed to demonstrate a compelling state interest” to justify overriding the religious freedom of the Amish families. They sued the state over regulations governing the disposal of gray water, which is water that’s been used for dishwashing, laundry, bathing, and other tasks not involving toilet waste.

Photos by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. 

(Hopewell Township, PA) Games for kids and bands playing music for attendees listening pleasure were a couple of highlights from the Hopewell Annual Park Fest. There were also 13 food venues to choose from at the event that took place Saturday. 

[July 10, 2023] — The American Red Cross continues to see a concerning trend – blood donations are being sent to hospitals faster than they are coming in. The Red Cross has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months. Donors are asked to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to avoid a looming blood shortage.

To help head off a more serious situation, the Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. Discovery for the 35th anniversary of Shark Week and the theatrical release of Meg 2: The Trench. The public is encouraged to celebrate a summer of sharks and help shore up the national blood supply by giving in July.   

In thanks for helping, the Red Cross is offering several incentives to donors who come out to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks. Additionally, in response to the great need for blood, those who hurry in to help by coming to give July 1-16 will receive a limited-time bonus $15 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice.

• July 1 – 11: All who come to give will get an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies last. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.
• July 12 – Aug. 12: Those who come to give will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark.
• July 17 – 31: Presenting donors will receive an officially licensed Shark Week T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark.

By scheduling and keeping appointments in July, donors can help provide for those in immediate need of lifesaving care. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

How to donate blood 

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!   

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we approach the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters. 

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced it has eliminated a backlog of birth certificate amendment requests. In January 2023 when Governor Josh Shapiro took office, the backlog stood at 6,200 requests. As of today, that backlog has been eliminated.

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police today announced Troopers seized cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, and other prohibited drugs with a combined approximate street value of approximately $14 million during the second quarter of 2023.

Troopers seized 144 pounds of cocaine, 164 pounds of methamphetamines, 60 pounds of fentanyl, 11 pounds of heroin, 1,617 pounds of processed marijuana, and 74,074 pills of assorted narcotics.

The Pennsylvania State Police also collected 1,227 pounds of prescription medication in the second quarter as part of its Prescription Drug Takeback Program. Sixty-five state police stations offer boxes for disposing of unused or unwanted medications 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Table 1: Amount and value of prohibited drugs seized, second quarter of 2023

File – A customer uses an ATM at a Bank of America location in San Francisco, Monday, April 24, 2023. Bank of America is being ordered to pay more than $100 million to customers for double-dipping on some fees imposed on customers, withholding reward bonuses explicitly promised to credit card customers, and misappropriating sensitive personal information to open accounts without customer knowledge or authorization. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Bank of America is being ordered to pay more than $100 million to customers for double-dipping on some fees, withholding reward bonuses and opening some accounts without customer consent. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency found that the bank’s double-dipping on fees was illegal. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Tuesday that Bank of America will pay $90 million in penalties to its organization and $60 million in penalties to the OCC.

This booking photo provided by the Warren, Pa., City Police Department shows Michael Burham. Authorities searching for the inmate described by police as “very dangerous” who used bed sheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail on Thursday, July 6, 2023, say they believe he is still in the area and have found stockpiles or campsites in the woods he may have been using. Burham was a suspect in a homicide investigation and was being held on $1 million bail on kidnapping, burglary and other charges, authorities said. (Warren City Police Department via AP)

WARREN, Pa. (AP) — Police searching for a homicide suspect who used bed sheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail say he is likely still in the area and that someone may be helping him to evade capture. Thirty-four-year-old Michael Burham fled the Warren jail late Thursday by climbing on exercise equipment and fashioning a rope from bed sheets to escape through a window. State police say they have found stockpiles or campsites in woods near the jail that indicate Burham may have been staying there. Burham is accused in the May 11 killing of 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin, and a related arson in Jamestown. He’s also suspected of abducting an elderly couple in Pennsylvania before his arrest in South Carolina.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 11, 2023 6:27 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) District Attorney David J. Lozier was joined by Mayor Dwan B. Walker, Aliquippa Police and PA State Police Sunday afternoon at Main and Knoll Streets for a press conference. This is the area where Dahvea Sparrow, 15  was shot to death at 11:19 p.m Saturday night after he left a party.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio New Director. Published July 10, 2023 7:44 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) The “Hills Snack Bar”, a pop up incarnation of the former in store eatery found at the now defuct Hills stores has announced they will be having their official grand opening Saturday, July 15th. They plan to set up at a car dealership in Green Garden Plaza in Aliquippa, across from what they refer to as the former “Hills #28” store. They are set to serve food from noon until approximately 3pm. They state they will close the line at 2:30pm. The snack bar held a “soft opening” this past weekend in Independance Township.