(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 4, 2024 at 7:55 A.M.)

(Brighton Township, PA) The Lodge at Brady’s Run Park is hosting the second annual Forest Fantasy Fundraiser on October 30 from 5-9 p.m. The event will begin with a tour of the Native Tree Nursery and Forest Education Center, which is adjacent to the lodge. There will also be speakers sharing about local forests and the environmental movement in western Pennsylvania, a cider tasting by local brewers A Few Bad Apples, a seasonal feast, and a musical performance by the Wolf Tones bluegrass band. Tickets cost $60 at ReforestOurFuture.org/events.

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 4, 2024 at 7:45 A.M.)

(Center Township, PA) Last week, the Beaver County Humane Society held their “Fall in Love” adoption event, which became a huge success. An anonymous donor waived fees for families to adopt animals that need loving homes. The director of the Beaver County Humane Society Allison Yazer expressed gratitude for both those who made the event possible and the adopting families, who helped one-hundred and fifty-five homeless pets find their homes. The Beaver County Humane Society staff encourages those considering adopting to adopt animals that still need a home, while their services continue from monetary donations as well as donations on their pet wish list. 

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 4, 2024 at 7:27 A.M.)

(Pennsylvania) PennDOT is beginning its preparations for winter. PennDOT confirmed that new measures signed into law by Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro will not only keep travelers safe, but also roadways can be cleared quickly thanks to new equipment funded by Governor Shapiro’s first budget. New green lights were also added to vehicles. PennDOT has prepared 4,700 on-the-road workers, 728,000 tons of salt, and over $186 million budgeted for statewide operations this winter. 

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 4, 2024 at 7:24 A.M.)

(Harrisburg, PA) The voting for the 2024 presidential election has begun in Pennsylvania, the state that could quite possibly decide the winner between Former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Several counties increasingly begin mailing out ballots, offering over-the-counter voting in election offices and opening places to vote. According to data from the Department of State, more than 1.45 million voters have applied for a mail-in ballot ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Nearly 9 million people have registered to vote, almost the same number as in 2020’s presidential election. 

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 4, 2024 at 7:22 A.M.) 

(Butler, PA) Former President Trump returns to Butler on Saturday, the site of an assassination attempt in July, for another rally, where he will honor the two men that were injured in the shooting, as well as the man who was killed, fire chief Corey Comperatore. Security is paramount, and Butler County Commissioner Leslie Oche confirmed that the Butler County Emergency Services Agency will be the primary communication between the United States Secret Service, state and local police, fire, and EMS. The security for Saturday’s rally will also feature one individual working from each law enforcement and emergency service agency. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, asserts the agency is in charge of the rally, and the Secret Service expects between 15,000 to 60,000 people to be there.

Source for Photo: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent, Published on October 4, 2024 at 6:48 A.M.)

Aliquippa homecoming events have been announced. Friday, October 4, 2024 will be a busy day in Aliquippa. At 3:30 p.m. the unveiling of the New Champions of Aliquippa sign will take place. The sign is a part of a project by the Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation.  Participants are to meet in the Mount Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church parking lot. At 4 p.m., the lineup for the  annual homecoming parade is at  Auto Zone on Main Street. The parade begins at 5 p.m. and will proceed to Heinz Field. Drivers should find an alternate route during the parade.

Through MCC’s MOMobile programs, advocates meet parents and families for pregnancy, parenting, and community reproductive health education. Parents and families can also receive baby items to help with their child’s development. (Maternity Care Coalition)
Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Service

About one in eight new mothers reports symptoms of postpartum depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A community-based organization works in Pennsylvania and Delaware to reduce that figure, and infant mortality as well. “MOMobile” family therapy is one of the Maternity Care Coalition’s programs.

Louise Jones, a clinical supervisor for MOMobile, said they also include evidence-based home visiting, childcare through early Head Start, and parenting education.

“We also provide doula and lactation programs. We have doula trainings, which there’s one actually going on right now. So if a client is interested in a doula, that’s something that we do as well. We provide trainings to the community, and once someone’s completed the training, they can become certified,” Jones explained.

Jones pointed out the collaboration between her group’s home visitation advocates and family therapists is crucial, since social factors have a big impact on mental health. The home visiting staff focuses on basic needs – like healthcare, finances and housing – while the therapists focus on clients’ behavioral health concerns.

Dr. Donna O’Shea, chief medical officer with UnitedHealthcare, said risk factors for postpartum depression include a personal or family history of mental health issues, or living in an under-resourced community. She suggested people who are concerned about postpartum changes consult their healthcare provider, and noted that treatment options are available, even for the most severe postpartum depression cases.

“This year, Zurzuvae is an option that is in pill form that’s taken daily for two weeks – and can make a difference in three days. There are many available treatments and paths a woman can go, depending on the severity of her symptoms,” she said of the new postpartum pill zuranolone.

O’Shea added that many businesses provide an Employee Assistance Program, which allows their workers to seek help confidentially from a behavioral health clinician, often free of charge.