Center Township Municipal Center file photo 
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published August 16, 2022 11:44 A.M.

(Center Township, PA)  Center Township Engineer Ned Mitrovich reported to the supervisors that the Beaver Valley Mall Boulevard paving is underway and is a priority project. Cost of the project is close to $1 million dollars. The paving at the township park is expected to be complete in a few days.  Mitrovich reported that the Golfview Road paving for the intersection’s cost is $100,000.00
Resident Christine Ventresca told the supervisors that there have been 3 wrecks in front of her home located at 1236 Chapel Road . The speed limit is 35 miles per hour there. She thanked Police Chief Barry Kramer and the department for slowing the traffic down in that area. Resident Bob Williams reported that there is speeding from PSU to the top of the hill. Supervisor Lesa Mastrofrancesco advised the residents since the roads are state to contact State Representative Josh Kail. Police Chief Kramer said he’d address the issues also.
A public hearing preceded the regular meeting to amend the zoning ordinance to have storage units eliminated from the C-2 district in the township.  The supervisors reported that the township and county planning commissions didn’t respond to the proposed action.

Center Township Municipal Center file photo 
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published August 16, 2022 11:44 A.M.

(Center Township, PA) Center Supervisors conducted a conditional use hearing for the MTR MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO that would be located at 108 Grandview Avenue.  The supervisors, Solicitor Vince Tucceri and Police Chief Barry Kramer asked questions of the person who would be operating the studio, the number of students, their ages.  Solicitor Vince Tucceri reported that the township has 45 days to render a decision on whether the studio would be approved.

HARRISBURG – After the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, where children and educators were killed at an elementary school, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler, Lawrence) has introduced legislation to enhance the safety of children and staff while on school property.
“Mass murderers are often attracted to “soft targets” where they know victims are not armed,” said Bernstine. “According to the Crime Prevention Resource Center, there has not been a single mass shooting in a school where staff were clearly allowed to carry a firearm.”
House Bill 2771 would allow school employees who possess a valid Pennsylvania concealed carry permit to be armed while on school property. An employee who wishes to carry a firearm on school property would also be required to complete a rigorous firearms course from a certified instructor with a signed certificate showing completion of a training and proficiency course for the firearm the employee intends to carry on school grounds.
At the present time, 28 states make it clear in statute that teachers or school staff can be armed while on school property. Pennsylvania is not one of them.
“Unfortunately, we live in a time when every day that we send our kids to school, their lives are at risk,” said Bernstine. “Allowing school employees to be armed may help protect our children, and it would increase the amount of security around school campuses.”
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Cumberland/Franklin/York) has introduced Senate Bill 1288, legislation which is the same as Bernstine’s bill that would end Pennsylvania’s “gun-free school zones.”
“Sen. Mastriano and I are committed to securing our schools and ensuring that every child is safe. I’m proud to partner with him on this legislation,” Bernstine added.
House Bill 2771 will most likely be referred to the House Education Committee for consideration.

Kraft Heinz is recalling thousands of pouches of Capri Sun after some cleaning solution accidentally mixed with the juice on a production line. The company says it’s recalling about 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry flavored juice blend. The “Best When Used By” date on the packages is June 25, 2023. Kraft Heinz says the diluted cleaning solution is used on its food processing equipment. The company says it discovered the problem after getting consumer complaints about the juice’s taste. Consumers who bought the affected drinks should return them to the store where they were purchased to receive a refund.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have pulled off a quiet first in legislation passed this month: the creation of a tax targeting stock buybacks. The bill includes a new 1% excise tax on companies’ purchases of their own shares, a tactic that companies have long used to return cash to investors and bolster their stock’s price. Democrats say that instead of buying back shares, big companies should use the money to increase employees’ wages or invest in their business. But is that likely to happen with the tax? Some experts are skeptical. The tax on stock buybacks is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the U.S. of trying to encourage extended hostilities in Ukraine as part of what he described as part of Washington’s alleged efforts to maintain its global hegemony. Addressing a security conference attended by military officials from Africa,, Asia and Latin America on Tuesday, Putin reaffirmed his long-held claim that he sent troops into Ukraine in response to Washington turning the country into an “anti-Russia” bulwark. The speech represented the latest attempt by the Russian leader to rally support amid bruising Western sanctions that targeted the Russian economy and finance along with its government structures, top officials and businesses for Moscow’s action in Ukraine.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators have finalized a long-awaited rule that’s expected to allow millions of Americans to buy hearing aids without a prescription. The rule announced Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration goes into effect this fall. The action creates a new class of hearing aids that don’t require a medical exam, a prescription and other specialty services. Instead the devices will be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and other retail stores. The move follows years of pressure from medical experts and consumer advocates to make the devices cheaper and easier to get.

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — First lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing “mild symptoms.” The White House announced it on Tuesday. The first lady has been vacationing with President Joe Biden in South Carolina and began experiencing symptoms Monday. She has been prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid and will isolate at the vacation home for at least five days. Joe Biden tested negative for the virus on Tuesday morning but will wear a mask indoors for 10 days in line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. The president recovered from a rebound case of the virus Aug. 7. The Bidens have been twice-vaccinated and twice-boosted with the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that a man was wounded in a shooting during an annual 10-day music festival in eastern Pennsylvania over the weekend. Spectators in Bethlehem scrambled for safety after a gunshot was reported just before the Musikfest entertainment was to end for the night at 11 p.m. Saturday. The festival was shut down for the night and resumed at noon Sunday. Police said Monday that a 20-year-old man was wounded in the abdomen and was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Police said their investigation so far indicates that it was what they called “an isolated incident between two individuals.”