Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

Pennsylvania’s Senate race is garnering national attention, with Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz running to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. A new report examines how outside spending from Super PACs and national donors affects voters.

The report from American Promise includes recent survey results that say more than 70% of Pennsylvanians think big donors have too much political influence.

As they can expect to see hundreds of millions of dollars poured into political ads for the Senate race, Bill Cortese of American Promise said “dark money” can create a sense of mistrust among voters.

“Pennsylvania voters deserve to learn about the candidates who are running and make their own decisions on this, without being influenced by outside groups,” said Cortese. “Democrats, Republicans, Independents all agree that this outside money – from people who, most of the time, don’t reside in Pennsylvania – is troubling.”

Lt. Gov. Fetterman’s team has raised over $16 million, a large portion from organized labor, as well as a big donation from a D.C.-based progressive super PAC.

TV Celebrity and patent medicine pitchman Oz has raised over $15 million. He’s supported in part by the American Leadership Action PAC, which raised over $4 million.

Jennifer Mann is an Allentown-based consultant and former state representative. She said over the years, the money funneled into races has skyrocketed, in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

Mann added that when a majority of campaign donations are coming from a small but wealthy group of people, it discourages others from participating in the electoral process.

“What we want to do is go back to what the intent is, in the founding of this country,” said Mann. “And that’s for citizen legislators, for regular folks from all walks of life, to participate in the process. They’re just being drowned out by specific agendas and big money.”

State Rep. Meghan Schroeder – R-Bucks – is calling on Congress this month to enact the “For Our Freedom” constitutional amendment, which would give state lawmakers the “authority to regulate” political campaign donations.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

(File Photo)

(Portersville, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that the body of 32-year-old Fredrick Orr of Columbus Ohio was found along along Kelly Road in Portersville on Saturday around 3:30 AM.
Troopers said in the release that the investigation in what led to ORR’s death and a pending autopsy are currently ongoing. His death is being investigated as a homicide and State Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call them at the State Police Barracks in Butler at 724-264-8100

(Featured Photo is of Gary Snair’s Rat Rod Tow Truck. Photos taken by Keith Walsh, Curtis Walsh, and Frank Sparks)
Story by Frank Sparks, Beaver County Radio
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The weather was beautiful on Saturday for the 31st Annual Beaver Falls Car Cruise. The forecast early in the week was calling for rain and in an interview on Beaver County Radio earlier in the week Car Cruise Co-Chairman Tom Gargaro explained to the listeners that his father Vince was a weatherman and he was watching over from heaven and wouldn’t let it rain. Beaver County Radio Program Director, Frank Sparks called it the Vince Vortex and Gargaro agreed.

Record crowds showed up for the opening ceremonies that were emceed by Sparks and featured LInwood Alford as the Grand Marshall of the Car Cruise. After Sparks welcomed everyone to the cruise Linwood spoke about what a great event for the community that the cruise is and that he is honored to be the Grand Marshall and a lifelong resident of Beaver Falls.

Following Linwood, Beaver County Commissioners Tony Amadio and Jack Manning spoke followed by Pa State Rep. (14th) Jim Marshall spoke and Beaver Falls Mayor Kenya Johns finished up the list of dignitaries to speak.

Beaver Falls Car Cruise Committee Co-Chairman Tom Gargaro then presented Beaver Falls Police Chief David Johnson with a $500 Check from the Beaver Falls Car Cruise Committee for a second K-9 dog that the City is working on acquiring. Beaver County Radio’s Eddy Crow donated a handmade quilt to the committee that was made by his mom Sue Crow. The committee sold $5.00 tickets for the quilt and is donating all the proceeds to will go to the Beaver Falls Police Departments to help with acquiring the K-9. Chief David Johnson thanked the car cruise committee and Eddy and Sue Crow.

The opening ceremony finished with the presentation of the colors by Beaver Falls Legion’s Duane Jones and the National Anthem was sung by 2022 Beaver Falls graduate and Mancini award winner for best actress in a musical Maelyn Isenburg. After Maelyn finished singing the National Anthem there was a fly over by Air Heritage in Chippewa’s C-47 Plane “The Luck of The Irish”.

Beaver County Radio then did a live broadcast from 11 AM to 7 PM featuring Sparks, Eddy Crow, Curtis Walsh, Keith Walsh and Bob Barrickman. Patrons at the car cruise stopped by the Beaver County Radio Studios and spun the Beaver County Radio Personality Wheel for prizes that including Pittsburgh Pirate tickets, a gift card to Smokin Dave’s BB, and trinkets from St. Barnabas Health System.

Beaver County Radio did a video stream from the roof of the studios the whole cruise. Check it out and see if you see your ride or someone’s you know:
You can check out photos of all the fun at the 31st Beaver Falls Car Cruise below:

(Photo of Aliquippa Elementary School sixth grade graduation by by Dr. Rob Motte)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Dr. Robert Motte, Aliquippa Elementary School Principal reported on Wednesday, June 8, 2022,  that 74 students graduated from sixth grade. A ceremony was held in the school gym on Tuesday night with teachers, students, and families in attendance. Only a few schools in the county have k-6 in the elementary school, according to reports.

Check out some of the photos below of provided by Dr. Motte of the graduation ceremony:

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge School Board met on Wednesday night. The Board voted, approved, and announced that its 2022-2023 budget of $52,995,542 was complete and that the tax  millage rate will remain at 83.4709.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Rochester Twp, Beaver County, Pa.) A report was filed with Rochester Township Police on May 27, 2022  about an attempted luring of an 11 year-old boy  that occurred on May 25, 2022.  Rochester Township  Police Sgt. Kevin Foltz said the incident occurred at Cleveland and Penn Avenues.  An elderly grey haired female reportedly asked the youth to go to Giant  Giant Eagle with her, he refused, according to police.  A second incident was reported  after a nine year-old  boy riding his bike  was confronted by a female driver in a grey or silver SUV and she asked him to go to Giant Eagle. Sgt. Foltz reported that a vehicle fitting the description was behind Dairy Queen in Rochester  for several days  before police were notified. Rochester Police haven’t responded  to a request for a comment.

The vehicle is  described as a dark colored SUV or a silver Chevrolet Trailblazer. Police are asking if anyone observes any vehicles matching this description and acting in a strange manner to call police immediately. Try to give a direction of travel and if possible a registration plate number. You can call 911 or if the vehicle has already left the area call the non-emergency number 724-774-7278.

(File Photo)

(AMBRIDGE, Pa.) Beaver County housing assistance programs are receiving nearly $600,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding will expand housing-related services at a critical time.
“Everyone needs a safe place to call home, but the pandemic has driven up the need for emergency housing while reducing the out-of-county shelter options that previously filled that need,” Matzie said. “Part of the funding secured today is going to support construction of a new men’s emergency shelter. Other funding will expand rapid rehousing, rent and utility assistance, and home modification programs. All of these dollars will work to bring greater stability to families needing it most.”
Matzie said the funding to Beaver County includes:

• $200,000 to The Cornerstone of Beaver County for shelter operations.
• $175,000 to The Salvation Army for a rapid rehousing program.
• $100,000 to the Beaver County Commissioners for a home modification program.
• $50,000 to Community Development Program of Beaver County for rent/utility assistance.
• $50,000 to Housing Opportunities of Beaver County, Inc. for reverse mortgage counseling.

In addition, Matzie said organization in Allegheny County will receive $600,000 for housing resource and home modification programs.

The PHARE fund – also known as the state’s Housing Trust Fund – is supported by impact fees collected from natural gas companies and from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

The awards are part of a package for projects statewide. More information on the funding is available here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-funding-to-support-affordable-housing-across-pennsylvania/.

(File Photo of the Rivers Casino)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pa State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh are reporting that 57-year-old Pittsburgh resident Richard White is being charged by Troopers with Forgery and Counterfeiting after he tried to use motion picture money to play a table game.
Troopers say the incident occurred on May 14, 2022 at 4:21 PM on the gaming floor of the Rivers Casino.
Troopers say that White a casino patron attempted to buy in at a table game in the amount of $300.00. As the dealer counted out White’s money he abruptly grabbed one of the $20 bills. He began inspecting it and tore the bill in pieces. As the dealer proceeded to count out the rest of White’s bills he attempted to grab the notes from the dealer and demanded its return. the dealer refused and advised a supervisor of the situation. Rivers Casino Security interviewed White and he denied knowing the money is fake. He did acknowledge that the bill looked fake and that is why he grabbed it from the dealer. White said he became nervous and that is why he destroyed the note. White refused to identify where he received the fake bills and would only refer to him as Bruddah Man” despite knowing his identity. Troopers reviewed video footage and then filed charges against White.

(File Photo)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania state lawmakers are advancing proposed new limits on fireworks in response to growing complaints after a 5-year-old state law greatly liberalized their sales and use. The House of Representatives voted 160 to 38 on Wednesday for legislation that would restrict their use to 10 a.m.-10 p.m. except during July 2-4 and Dec. 31, when they could be used until 1 a.m. There would be greater penalties for improper sales or illegal use. Until the 2017 law change, fireworks in Pennsylvania were largely limited to sparklers and similar novelties. The changes permitted the sale of the full array of fireworks that meet federal consumer standards.