Author: Beaver County Radio

New Brighton School Board Set To Approve New Budget, With Or Without Harrisburg

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The halls were quieter with the students having left for summer vacation, but the New Brighton School Board was preparing for their own final exam before break.

By June’s end, the board will approve a new General Fund budget for the 2023-24 school year, the details of which were revealed at their June 12 committee meeting. Real estate millage has been tentatively set at 73.9627 mills, with real estate transfer tax set at one-half percent. Three taxes–Per Capita Tax under School Code 679, Per Capita Tax under Act 511, and Occupational Privilege Tax–were all set at $5.00 each.

The only thing not established in the tentative budget was a final number for the amount, which superintendent Dr. Joseph Guarino says is a result of a similarly missing number from the state legislature.

“We still have nothing coming out of Harrisburg,” Guarino stated. “I think the House has made a little bit of momentum with where they are; but I know, for example, [that] the Senate is in recess this entire week. So, we’re still going forward and we’ll be talking more about it come the end of the month, when we get to that point.”

The board is also set to vote on a trio of contracts with KeySolution Educational Staffing, LLC for School Psychologist, Behavior Therapy, and other educational support staff for the 2023-24 school year. A one-year moratorium for the collection of Pay2Participate fees for school athletes during the 2023-24 school year will also be voted on.

Scott Sullivan is set to be the new School Police Officer (SPO) at New Brighton pending clearances, forms, and a vote at the next voting meeting; effective July 1. According to Guarino, the hiring of Sullivan comes as the New Brighton Police Department was unable to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) for full operation. The position will be a 12-month position throughout the school year.

The voting meeting will take place on June 26 at 7:30 PM at the Little Theatre in New Brighton High School.

The Riverside Panthers Win 8-5 Over Punxsutawney In A Wild One They Go To Penn State!!!

On an overcast chilly June afternoon at Slippery Rock University ‘s Jack Critchfield Park, in front of a full house . The Chucks  in their red and white and Riverside in their black with green lettering  uniforms with the  wind blowing from left to right as Mike Azadian and Bruce Frey were set to call the game here on Beaver County Radio all anybody knew was that this was probably going to be a good game. And that it was with the Punxsutawney Chucks getting their first runner on with an E-6 recorded then the next pitch was hit into shallow right field and then the Chucks hit a ball deep into right field to put runners at second and third then the next batter Carter Savage belted the ball into center Field and they had runners on the corners with one out, the next batter struck out and the next  walked  to load the bases,  then Zeik Barnet comes up and hits a ball into center field that brought 2 more runs in, that was all for Ronnie Harper as coach Dan Oliastro came out to mound and called for his pitching ace Christian Lucarelli Who was already walking out from the bull pen. Lucarelli was able to stop the rally and to the relief of all the Riverside faithful the inning was over. But the Panthers bats were quiet in the first inning and in the next few innings as the next inning Dinger the Chucks lead off hitter hit a dinger that bounced over the fence for a book rule double but the panthers pitching held off the attack and no runs were scored, But the panthers still have not advanced a runner past second base and the bats were still pretty quiet, in the top of the third Christian Lucarelli retired the side with just 8 pitches and you would have to think that things were about to change with the Chucks getting 3 runs on 4 hits so far and the Panthers 0 runs on 3 hits. In the 5th inning Evan Burry makes a great catch on a very hard hit ground ball into the hole and a great throw and catch by Mitch Garvin at first to get the out, and Lucarelli strikes their #4 batter out and gets the next batter out to go to the bottom of the fifth, Could anybody get on for the Panthers and Drake Fox comes up and hits one at the shortstop and he bobbles the ball and the Panthers have the lead off batter on with nobody out(could it get better) yes it could then Darren McDade gets a hit to put runners on the corners and the Riverside fans came to life you could here the excitement ringing through the air as for the first time in this game they had something to cheer about. With bases loaded Sean Hayes lines into the outfield to bring in 2 runs with runners on first and second Riversides Evan Burry with 2 strikes gets a clutch hit to bring in the tying run as the crowd goes wild. In the top of the 6th the Chucks had 2 runners on and the Panthers Christian Lucarelli went into the stretch and paused to look around and noticed the runners leaning stepped off looked at second and tossed it to first to pick off the runner and end the inning. In the bottom of the 6th Mitch Garvin puts down a nice bunt to get runners to second and third and Darren McDade hits a 2 run double Sam Barber hits a triple and Sean Hayes had 2 runs batted in before it was all over the Panthers had a 8 to 3 lead going into the top of the 7th inning.  the Chucks managed a couple of runs but with 2 outs and the tying run on deck they hit a hard shot down the first base line and as Mike Azadian who was on the call said as Mitch Garvin jumped up and caught the ball that’s was probably the highest he’s ever jumped, it was a great game and a great win for the Riverside Panthers and it was Broadcast right here on 99.3 FM 95.7 FM 1230WBVP/1460WMBA   and around the world on Beaver County Radio .com

2 Students from Monaca refurbishing the Aliquippa Free Library

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 12, 2023 2:04 P.M.

(Monaca, PA) Rocco Petrick, 13,and his sister Remi, 10 came to Aliquippa City Council last to ask if they can restore the Little Free library located at Main Street and Franklin Avenue. They were approved.

Last Saturday they spent a little over 8 hours  cleaning, stripping, repainting and replacing a plexiglass window on the structure. Hinges, a door handle, and a new sign are also part of the project. If necessary repairs or any parts that need replaced the children said they will pay for them. They will check on the Structure monthly, they  said they would maintain it.
The structure was erected for a senior class project at Aliquippa High several years ago. The children’s father, Ryan ‘s family  grew up in Aliquippa.
The Little Free Library is for children and adults. It is a work in progress.

Center Township Fire Chief issues reminder

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 12, 2023 2:02 P.M.

(Center Township, PA) Fire Chief Bill Brucker said the township enacted a no- burning ordinance that has been in effect since 2018. On Sunday he advised residents to be careful with recreational fires.

Aliquippa City Council approves street department hiring

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 12, 2023 2:00 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Willie L. Clark III was hired by city council as a laborer for the street department, he will begin his duties after passing his pre-employment physicals. Councilman Art Piroli reported that there is road work being done in the city and he’s asking residents to be cautious and patient when driving in areas where work is being done. He also reported that new fire hydrants in place when the school was built are now in place at the junior/senior high school. The old ones were put in place.

PA State Police Commander Sgt. Joseph Burello explained the state police’ role in the city. He told council and residents that due to the city’s limited resources and when the city police need assistance they respond.   He said PSP is in the city almost every day. He gave a report  for 2022 to the  council.

No burning in Hopewell Township

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 12, 2023 1:59 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) A no-burning ban was issued late Friday in Hopewell Township due to the conditions caused by the wildfires.  Aliquippa Fire Chief Dave Foringer issued Aliquippa’s no-burning ban last week.

Hopewell Township man sentenced for rape of child

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 12, 2023 1:55 P.M.

(Beaver, PA) Michael Ewing, 50, of Hopewell Township was investigated by Hopewell Police for the sexual assault of 2 victims under age 13. The case was referred to the state police  when a discovery was made that the assaults took place  both in Beaver and Butler counties.  The criminal complaint, according to a press release by the Beaver County DA’s office, alleged that Ewing raped and sexually assaulted one child on multiple occasions in Ewing’s residence on multiple occasions, as well  at one location in Cranberry Township. He sexually assaulted a second child on one occasion in Ewing’s Hopewell home.

A jury trial was held January 9-12, 2022 and it rendered a guilty verdict on 101 criminal counts. They are 15 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a child under age 18, 10 counts of involuntary deviate intercourse with a child, 2 counts of unlawful contact with a minor, 25 counts of statutory sexual assault, 11 counts of indecent exposure person less than than  13 years old,  1 count of corruption of minors, 26 counts of indecent assault person less than 16 years old.
On June 8, 2023 Beaver County Judge Dale Fouse sentenced Ewing to an aggregate sentence, of a minimum of 75 years to a maximum of 150 years , a Lifetime Megan’s Law Registration, and it was determined that Ewing was a sexually violent predator.
DA Lozier recognized the contribution and hard work  of investigators Trooper Clayton McGeary and Hopewell Township Detective Greg Durkos. Assistant DA Angela Reed Strathman was recognized for her hard work and contribution in processing the case.

Matzie: More than half a million dollars awarded to expand housing for low-income residents

AMBRIDGE, June 9 – New funding of $550,000 will strengthen housing stability for low-income residents in Beaver County, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver, said the funding awarded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will support home renovation and remediation work and financial counseling and education, among other projects.

“Safe housing gives folks the foundation they need to find employment, care for themselves and their families, and put down community roots. It’s a springboard to economic stability. Securing this funding is going to allow more folks to stay in their homes, find sustainable housing and receive the services they need to become self-sufficient. When that happens, we all win.”

Matzie said the funding – which comes from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund – includes:

  • $175,000 to Housing Opportunities of Beaver County Inc. to purchase and rehab six blighted properties homes along Wykes Street that will serve low-income tenants, first-time home buyers and transitional housing candidates.
  • $100,000 to Housing Opportunities of Beaver County Inc. for counseling and financial education programs for first-time buyers and tenants in Beaver and Lawrence counties.
  • $100,000 to the Harbor Point Housing Inc. Sheridan Rehabilitation Project to rehab apartments and improve building safety.
  • $75,000 to the Salvation Army to help residents below the poverty rate by providing flexible financial support as needed to ensure sustainable housing.
  • $50,000 to InVision Foundation to provide home remediation support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the organization’s residential program.
  • $50,000 to the Cornerstone of Beaver County for the only 24/7 men’s shelter in Beaver County, which will provide housing as well as case management and support services.