Author: Beaver County Radio

Moon Area student brings weapon into school

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 20, 2024 at 9:48 A.M.)

(Moon Township, PA) According to a letter from the superintendent of Moon Area High School, police were informed that a student brought a weapon into the school on Wednesday, but no immediate threat was identified. Moon Township police do not believe that the incident happened because of threats on social media that were brought up last week. After police intercepted the weapon, police presence increased at the school. It is not clear if the student will face charges at this time. 

Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate Remains at 3.4% in August, Total Non-Farm Jobs Hits Record High

 

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remains well below the national average.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for August 2024.

For the 11th consecutive month, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate in August remained unchanged over the month at 3.4%. The rate remained well under the U.S. unemployment rate which fell by one-tenth of a percentage point from its July rate to 4.2%.

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percentage point above its August 2023 level of 3.3%, while the national rate was up four-tenths of a percentage point over the year.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was down 22,000 over the month to 6,581,000 in August. Resident employment (-20,000) accounted for the majority of the labor force decline.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 8,000 over the month to a record high of 6,200,000, setting the 13th consecutive record high for Pennsylvania’s jobs count. Jobs increased from July in seven of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest supersector movement was a gain of 4,500 jobs in education & health services which reached a record high for the 15th consecutive month.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 102,600 with gains in nine of the 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+59,600) had the largest volume over-the-year gain.

Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

ABC Transit representatives explain reason for late bus arrivals and dropoffs in Ambridge

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 20, 2024 at 9:02 A.M.)

(Ambridge, PA) After buses have been consistently late for picking up and dropping up students, frustrated parents at Ambridge Area School District have found out the reason for the late arrivals. Representatives from the ABC Transit at Wednesday’s board meeting confirmed that the delays happened because of the change to updated software from old software to make bus routes. Those using the software also accidentally used demo versions of the bus route software by mistake. Vice President of Operations at ABC Transit Kristen Anthony also noted that some members of staff will be hired to make exclusive routes for the district. 

Source for Photo: Students catch their bus near Ambridge Area Senior High School, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, in Ambridge, Pa. Pennsylvania school districts will soon be allowed to modify or end the mask mandate for K-12 students in January, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 saying it is “time to prepare for a transition back to a more normal setting.” (Andrew Rush /Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

Car in Beaver Falls hits into pole and causes brief power outage

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 20, 2024 at 8:35 A.M.)

(Beaver Falls, PA) A car crashed into a pole in Beaver Falls overnight Thursday and left a good amount of homes without power. Beaver County 911 said the pole that was hit knocked down some power lines on Route 18. Duquesne Light crews came to fix the pole, which caused the road between 40th and 38th Street to be closed. According to Duquesne Light, people in Beaver Falls that lost power that night totaled three hundred and thirty-six. 

Flora S. Hetrick (1933-2024)

Flora S. Hetrick, 91, of North Sewickley Township, passed away on September 18, 2024, at her residence, surrounded by family.

She was born on March 22, 1933, in Pinecreek, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Lon and Margaret Mottern Stormer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bruce A. Hetrick, two sisters, and five brothers.

She is survived by two daughters, Cindy (Bill) Cotherman of North Sewickley and Lori (David) Wright of North Sewickley; three grandchildren, Carol (Brian) Sprinker of Chippewa, Bryan (Stefanie) Wright of Chippewa and Luke (Andrea) Wright of Charleston, South Carolina and six great-grandchildren, Stella and Will Wright, Max and Levi Bruce Sprinker, and Scarlett and Ellie Alden Wright.

Flora was a devoted homemaker who found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Her love for quilting, baking, and gardening was only surpassed by her love for her family. She was a steadfast participant of the Concord Church, where her faith was nurtured and strengthened.

In accordance with Flora’s wishes, all services were private.

Professional services were entrusted to CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

Howard R. Begley II (1942-2024)

Howard R. Begley II, 81, of Vanport, formerly of Rochester, passed away on September 15, 2024.

He was born on October 20, 1942 in Rochester, a son of Howard Begley and Elizabeth (Betty) Strobel Begley. He is survived by longtime friends and caregivers Bonnie and Jim Dinsmore and family and Bob and Jane Hawthorne and family; sisters, Betty (Ted) Beitsch-Highland, Karen (Jim) Retzer and Sherrie (Chris) Sherren; nieces and nephews, Lisa, Christine, Jamie, Jennifer and Chris; loving cousin, Gayle Verrico; special caregiver, Sandy Platz and numerous other friends and relatives.

Howard graduated from Rochester High School and Penn State University. He was a retired Hearing Officer for the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations department, attended St. Cecilia Church and was a former member of Rochester Borough Council and former President of Rochester Library.

Special thanks is given to Gallagher Home Health Services, Darcie Faller and Jenn Cunningham, as well as Dr. Brian Everhart for their wonderful care given to Howard.

Per Howard’s request, there will be no visitation or services held. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Roundabouts built and investigated for crash data in Pennsylvania

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT announced today that at intersection locations replaced with roundabouts, injury-involved crashes decreased by 51% and the total number of crashes decreased by 7%, as well as two fatalities at roundabouts on state routes during a twenty-year review period. During this twenty-year period, PennDOT investigated forty-seven roundabouts with at least one crash and three years of crash data seen both before and after these roundabouts were being built. Forty-six roundabouts have been constructed on state routes in addition to the ones that meet PennDOT’s selection criteria.

The eight new roundabouts included in this year’s review are at the following intersections:

Adams County:

  • Route 94 and Stoney Point Road.

Cumberland County:

  • Route 1011 (Lambs Gap Road) and Bali Hai Road.
  • Route 2017 (Lisburn Road) and Rossmoyne Road.

Lancaster County:

  • Route 772 (Rothsville Road) and 6th Street Extension.
  • Route 4022 (Woodcrest Avenue) and West 6th Street.

Mercer County:

  • Route 62 and Shenango Valley Mall.

Philadelphia County

  •  Route 2007 (Frankford Avenue), York Street and Trenton Avenue.

Washington County

  •  Route 1009 (Morganza Road) and Baker Road.

Lawrence J. DeDominicis (1942-2024)

Lawrence J. DeDominicis, 81, of Freedom, passed away on September 16, 2024 with his family by his side in Heritage Valley Sewickley.  He was born on September 30, 1942, a son of the late Anthony and Angeline DeDominicis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 6 siblings: Thomas, Toni, Richard, John, Anetta, and Agnes;  and a grandson, Zachary Lawrence DeDominicis.  

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Agnes (Wichryk) DeDominicis, 5 children: Jeffrey & Janet DeDominicis, Christopher & Kim DeDominicis, Greg & Joya DeDominicis, Michele & Terry Bourne, and Patrick & Pam DeDominicis, 9 grandchildren: Mckenzie, Logan, Anthony (Jaimie), Lexi,  Nikolas, Vincent, Ryan,  Roman DeDominicis, and Domenique Bourne, 5 great grandchildren: Arianna, Angela, Tanner, Sienna, and Joey, and 3 sisters: Janice (Jim) Sarver, Joyce Porter and Joanne Flook. 

Lawrence was a retired construction worker with the Local 833 Labor Union. He was an US Airforce veteran. He loved to hunt, camp and especially go fishing as an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and enjoyed spending time in his Jigs and Rigs shop making lures. He loved his family and friends more than anything else, as well as being able to cook for everyone especially on holidays.  

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 28 in St. Felix Roman Catholic Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services. 

Aliquippa driver taken in to custody after traffic stop

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 19, 2024 2:47 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Aliquippa Police initiated a traffic stop in the 900 block of Main Street on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 10:30pm. A backup officer responded to assist when a blue Chevy Impala pulled in front of the cruiser, almost striking it. The driver of the Impala fled the scene and police stopped him in the 800 block of Franklin Avenue.   The driver refused to provide his identification to the officer, telling the officer that under PA law he wasn’t required to do so. Antwonne Jones, 40, was taken into custody and charged with obstruction, according to police.