MCKEESPORT, Pa. (AP) — A man having a “mental health crisis” shot and killed a police officer, wounded a second and fired at a third before being wounded in a shootout in a western Pennsylvania city on Monday, authorities said.

Two officers were dispatched shortly after noon to a domestic disturbance call in McKeesport, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said at a news conference.

The officers tried to talk to the man but he walked away from the home, and officers were warned by a family member that he might be armed, Kearns said. The officers encountered him nearby and he “suddenly produced a handgun and shot the two McKeesport officers,” Kearns said.

One officer was taken to a hospital in McKeesport, where he was pronounced dead. A statement from McKeesport Police Chief Adam Alfer identified him as 32-year-old Sean Sluganski, who had worked for the department full-time for two years.

The second officer, 35-year-old Charles Thomas Jr., was flown to a Pittsburgh-area trauma center. Thomas, who has been on the force for four years, was discharged by Monday night and back home recovering with family, Alfer reported.

Kearns said the suspect was shot when he walked around a corner and fired at the third officer, who returned fire.

The suspect was later listed in stable condition at a Pittsburgh-area trauma center.

The McKeesport Area School District said all schools and buildings were temporarily put on an exterior lockdown due to the police activity nearby.

Police said charges were being prepared against the suspect, who is known to McKeesport police. “They have dealt with him on past occasions,” Kearns said.

The mayor’s office asked people to keep the department in their thoughts and to respect the families’ privacy “during this tragic and traumatic time.”

The president of the Fraternal Order of Police state lodge, Joseph Regan, said the officers “left their homes knowing it was their duty to protect and serve McKeesport regardless of the outcome.

“Today, they made sacrifices we hoped and prayed they would never need to make. They are heroes,” Regan said.

About a month ago, a police chief was killed and two officers wounded in an Allegheny County borough northeast of Pittsburgh. The suspect was later shot and killed in Pittsburgh after crashing a carjacked vehicle and exchanging gunfire with police, authorities said.

(HARRISBURG)
At a press conference Tuesday evening in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro provided an update regarding the state’s actions and reactions to the train derailment and subsequent events that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3.

Shapiro stated that Norfolk Southern “carried out the recommended course of action” of a controlled explosion with the intent to burn out the vinyl chloride into the air. The reaction to the controlled explosion was a thick black smoke that emerged over East Palestine and northern Beaver County during the early evening hours.

“I know it was alarming to see the big plume of smoke and the fire,” Shapiro stated. “But I want to reassure Pennsylvanians that the process is proceeding as planned. The EPA is working with our Department of Environmental Protection to continue monitoring the air and water quality closely. Thus far, no concerning readings have been detected. We will continue to monitor as long as we need to, throughout the night and into the day time, and beyond.”

The governor encouraged anyone with questions or concerns regarding shelter to call the Beaver County Emergency Inquiry Line at 724-773-6767.

Shapiro thanked PEMA, the DEP, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local first responders for their efforts during the course of the last several day, as well as those working on the scene in Ohio. He also thanked Ohio governor Mike DeWine for coordination and communication during this time, and President Joe Biden for reaching out to him in regards to the ongoing situation.

(Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

(File Photo of the State of the County Event in February of 2022)

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce will host it’s annual “State of The County” meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. “The  State of The County” will  be be streamed live on all aspects of Beaver County Radio.  and Beaver County . The event will be held at Alexander Hall on the campus of Geneva College  from 8 A.M. to 9:45 A.M.

Beaver County Radio’s Mike Romigh will anchor the broadcast that will start at 7:45 AM and last until 10:15 AM. The Program will feature Beaver County Commissioners Daniel Camp, Tony Amadio and Jack Manning.

You can listen on-air at 95.7 and 99.3 FM along with 1230/WBVP  and 1460/WMBA. You can also watch “The State of the County” video Streaming Live on the Beaver County Radio Facebook Page and You Tube Channel. You can also listen to the broadcast streaming on line at beavercountyradio.com or you can download our apps at the Google Play Store or Apple I-Tunes Store.

Click on the appropriate link below at show time to watch or listen to “The State of The County” :

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director 3:50 P.M.

(East Palestine, Ohio) Ohio governer Mike DeWine issued a statement Monday afternoon that crews at the site of the East Palestine train crash will try a “controlled release” of hazardous chemicals in an attempt to avoid a deadly catastrophic explosion. The release is set to get underway Monday before 5 and is expected to last a few hours. The fumes that will be released from the train are said to be deadly and the one by two mile evacuation is crucial. Emergency crews urgently checked homes to ensure all people are out of the area. Crews will create a hole in the train to drain the dangerous vinyl chloride into a trench.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the closure of Route 51 and several roadways in Darlington Township, Beaver County are currently underway.

The Western Beaver School District issued an early dismissal of students Monday in regards to concerns of the East Palestine train derailment hazards. Blackhawk School District also sent students home early.

Published by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. February 6, 2023 11:50 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, PA) The following statement has been released by the Blackhawk School District in regards to the East Palestine train derailment: “It has been requested from the Command Center in East Palestine that Blackhawk School District begin an early dismissal today, February 6, 2023, pending the possible explosion in East Palestine due to the train derailment. The High School early dismissal will be at 12:15 p.m., the Middle School at 12:45 p.m., and PPS/BIS at 1:15 p.m. Parents who reside in any zone that is not permitting traffic flow should report to your child’s school to pick them up. After 3:00 p.m., all students remaining in the buildings will be transported to Blackhawk High School for their parents to pick their child up. All evening activities are cancelled.”

Harrisburg, PA — With the tax filing season underway, the Department of Revenue is encouraging Pennsylvanians to be on the lookout for scams that are designed to trick people into turning over sensitive data and personal information.

One recurring scam that has been reported to the department involves phony letters that are sent to taxpayers through the mail. The “Final Demand for Payment” letters threaten wage garnishment and the seizure of property or assets unless the recipient calls a phone number to satisfy a lien.

“We want Pennsylvanians to remember four simple words — don’t take the bait. Take a moment to think over the situation and make sure that you’re taking the proper steps to ensure that any notice you receive in the mail is legitimate,” said Acting Revenue Secretary Pat Browne. “We have received many reports on this scam that involves fraudulent notices. This is a common time of the year for scam artists to impersonate a government agency to victimize hard-working Pennsylvanians.”

Understanding the Scam

The scam notices are sent through the mail from phony entities that closely resemble the name of a collection agency or a state taxing agency. Keep an eye out for dubious claims or suspicious details, such as:

• The phony letters come from “Tax Assessment Procedures Domestic Judgment Registry.” No such entity exists.
• The letters do not include a return address. A notice from the Department of Revenue will always include an official Department of Revenue address as the return address.
• The recipient owes the “State of Pennsylvania” unpaid taxes, rather than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or Department of Revenue.
• The phony letters are very generic and do not include any specific information about the taxpayer’s account. Legitimate letters from the Department of Revenue will include specifics, such as an account number and any liability owed, to give the taxpayer as much information as possible. Letters from the Department of Revenue also include more detailed contact information and multiple options to make contact with the department.
• The phony letters focus on public records, such as tax liens, that anyone can access. Enforcement letters from the Department of Revenue include more detailed information about the taxpayer’s account and any liabilities that are owed.

Tips to Avoid This Scam

The Department of Revenue is encouraging Pennsylvanians to keep the following tips in mind to safeguard against these types of scams:

• Look Closely for Imposters: Scam artists will pose as a government entity or an official business. If you are contacted through the mail, phone or email, do not provide personal information or money until you are absolutely sure you are speaking to a legitimate representative.
• Examine the Notice: Scam notices often use vague language to cast a wide net to lure in as many victims as possible. Examine the notice for identifying information that can be verified. Look for blatant factual errors and other inconsistencies. If the notice is unexpected and demands immediate action, take a moment, and verify its legitimacy.
• Conduct Research Online: Use the information in a potentially fraudulent notice, such as a name, address or telephone number, to conduct a search online. You may find information that will confirm the notice is a scam.

Steps to Follow if You are Concerned About a Notice

If you are concerned about a potentially fraudulent notice, visit the department’s Verifying contact by the Department of Revenue webpage for verified contact information. This will help you ensure that you are speaking with a legitimate representative of the department.

Steps to Follow if You are a Victim of a Scam

The Department of Revenue’s Bureau of Fraud Detection & Analysis is dedicated to protecting and defending Pennsylvania taxpayers and their tax dollars against fraud. The bureau is a one-stop resource for all identity theft and tax fraud issues in the commonwealth. If you believe you are a victim of tax fraud or tax-related identity theft, contact the Bureau of Fraud Detection & Analysis by emailing Ra-rvpadorfraud@pa.gov or calling 717-772-9297. The bureau’s phone line is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Story and photos by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio news Director. Published February 6, 2023 10:58 A.M.

(East Palestine, Ohio) A massive train fire and derailment occurred Friday night just across the county line in East Palestine, Ohio while it was in Route to Conway. The glow of over 50 tankers and box cars burning could be seen numerous miles away. The NTSB has commented that the cause of the accident is believed to be an axle failure and that there were no injuries among the train operators. A full investigation is underway. Multiple emergency responders, hazmat crews, and railroad crews responded from all over the tri state area responded. Firefighters could be seen dousing heavy amounts of water to lessen the blaze. Evacuations in East Palestine began taking place late Friday and most roads leading to the scene were closed down before midnight. Pennsylvania State Police told Beaver County Radio at the scene Friday the Environmental Protection Agency were on scene and that the fire started with tanker cars. A haze of smoke traveled well beyond the scene and decreased visibility on roads and highways. Firefighters were pulled from operations near the fire for their safety Saturday due to the hazardous materials burning and explosions occurring. Unmanned equipment was left in operation.
UPDATE 2/5/23: Those within a one mile radius of the train derailment were told to evacuate immediately Sunday evening in response to the potential of a catastrophic failure of a tank car. The radius includes parts of Darlington. In a press briefing held Sunday evening, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated “A drastic temperature change has taken place in a rail car, and there is now the potential of a catastrophic tanker failure which could cause an explosion with the potential of deadly shrapnel traveling up to a mile”. The National Guard was deployed to the scene. On the Ohio side, authorities report anyone breaching the area are subject to arrest, and anybody with children who do not evacuate within the zone are subject to arrest. Those on the Pennsylvania side are subject to different precautionary measures under state law. Pennsylvania cannot mandate an evacuation. The tanker of concern is said to contain Vinyl Chloride.
UPDATE 2/6/23: Eric Brewer, Director of Beaver County Emergency Services, told Beaver County Radio about a tenth of Darlington Township is in the evacuation zone. Numerous road closures are taking place nearby the train derailment and fire which is affecting multiple roads in Beaver County. The following roads are closed: Cannellton Road at Route 51, Route 51 between Route 168 and Ohio, Darlington Road at Route 51, Anderson Road at Route 51, Little Beaver Road at Route 51, Taggert Road at Route 51, Valley Road at Taggert Road, Logtown Road at Route 51, Enon Road at Route 51, East Palestine Road at Route 51, Darlington Road at Route 51, Oakdale Road at Route 51, Agnew Drive at Route 51. Check back for more details as they become available, photos and videos can be viewed below.
UPDATE 2/6/23 11:55am: Blackhawk School District in Chippewa Township released the following statement that students will be dismissed early Monday:
“It has been requested from the Command Center in East Palestine that Blackhawk School District begin an early dismissal today, February 6, 2023, pending the possible explosion in East Palestine due to the train derailment. The High School early dismissal will be at 12:15 p.m., the Middle School at 12:45 p.m., and PPS/BIS at 1:15 p.m. Parents who reside in any zone that is not permitting traffic flow should report to your child’s school to pick them up. After 3:00 p.m., all students remaining in the buildings will be transported to Blackhawk High School for their parents to pick their child up. All evening activities are cancelled.”
Western Beaver School District also dismissed students early. Visit Beaver County compiled a list of hotels offering discounts to evacuees Monday afternoon.
UPDATE 2/6/23 4pm: Ohio governer Mike DeWine issued a statement Monday afternoon that crews at the site of the East Palestine train crash will try a “controlled release” of hazardous chemicals in an attempt to avoid a deadly catastrophic explosion. The burn was underway as of shortly before 5pm Monday and is expected to last a few hours. The fumes that will be released from the train are said to be deadly and the one mile evacuation is crucial. Emergency crews urgently checked homes to ensure all people are out of the area. Crews have created a hole in the train to ignite and drain the dangerous chemicals said to be vinyl chloride into a trench. Beaver County opened a public inquiry phone line at 724-773-6767.
Norfolk Southern released a document in regards to frequently asked questions concerning the situation. The documents states:
“A derailment in East Palestine, OH was reported at approximately 9:00 pm on February 3, 2023, to the Norfolk Southern (NS). All personnel on the train were evacuated and remain safe.
As a precautionary measure, the local authorities initiated a temporary evacuation order shortly thereafter. Local, state, and federal responders and NS are on-site responding to the derailment. Cars involved in the derailment contained vinyl chloride, combustible liquids, butyl acrylate, benzene residue cars (rail cars that previously contained benzene), and nonhazardous materials such as wheat, plastic pellets, malt liquors, and lube oil. Investigation is ongoing as to the nature of the derailment and which rail cars have been compromised.
Is the air safe?
Yes – Air monitoring is being performed 24 hours a day in the community for the substances associated with the derailment and fire. Air monitoring results indicate that the air in the community is safe. As a precautionary measure, evacuation and shelter-in-place recommendations will continue as directed by local authorities.
Is my drinking water safe?
Yes – the East Palestine water supply comes from a series of groundwater wells. Due to the location of the derailment, it is improbable that substances from the derailment will impact the groundwater or drinking water wells in the area.
I smell a strange odor; should I be worried?
Some of the substances associated with the derailment can be smelled even when instrument air monitoring findings are non-detect or below a level of concern. Similarly, non-hazardous materials can produce odors when on fire. While these odors may be irritating, they do not indicate that you are being exposed. Air monitoring in the community is ongoing and will continue until clean-up is complete.
I saw a big cloud of smoke. Are there any short-term health effects from breathing smoke?
The fire from the derailment has similar constituents as a wood fire. Short-term exposure to fire smoke can cause respiratory irritation and coughing, but symptoms should subside after exposure ends. Air monitoring for fire smoke and associated combustion products is being performed in the community.
Are my children at risk? What about the elderly or people with medical conditions?
No – Air monitoring in the community has not shown any detections of vinyl chloride or other substances that would indicate a risk for children, the elderly, or individuals with medical conditions. Air monitoring in the community is being conducted and will continue until clean-up has been completed.
Can exposure to substances from the derailment affect my/my child’s asthma?
While smoke from any type of fire can exacerbate asthma or other breathing difficulties, no long-term effect is expected from short-term exposure. Only very high concentrations of vinyl chloride or other substances may affect someone’s asthma, but any aggravation of asthma would be short-term. None of these chemicals are known to cause asthma.”
Photos and Videos from the scene (Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio):