(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

39-year-old Raphael Johnson of Aliquippa has been arraigned and remains in the Beaver County Jail on one misdemeanor count of simple assault, and 2 felony counts of possession of a firearm. Initial bond was set at $15,000.

Johnson was in possession of a semi-automatic handgun while arguing with his girlfriend on Monday morning, before forcibly shoving the girlfriend out of the house, locking the door, barricading himself and beginning what would turn into a seven-hour standoff with Aliquippa police and the Beaver County ESU.

Following his arrest, officers discovered that Johnson’s criminal background includes a guilty verdict on firearms violations in 2005, and another for armed robbery in 2010. The 2005 firearms violation prohibits Johnson from owning or possessing a firearm.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Johnson on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at the Beaver County Courthouse.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Proposals to let independent voters cast ballots in party nomination primaries passed a Pennsylvania House of Representatives committee Tuesday, raising the prospect that changes could pass and take effect in time for next year’s presidential contest.

Two bills passed with support only from Democrats and were advanced toward a full House vote.

The measures would allow independent voters to choose which political party primary they want to vote in. One of the two bills would also allow third party voters to vote in major party primaries if their party did not receive enough votes to be considered an official party.

Electors would be able to vote for the party nomination for public office candidates but not to elect candidates for party offices.

A majority of states have some form of an open primary, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. There are seven states with laws on the books similar to the two Pennsylvania bills, allowing unaffiliated voters to cast primary ballots.

More than 1 million Pennsylvanians are not affiliated with either party, making them the fastest-growing demographic within the state’s electorate, sponsors for the bills said. A large number of veterans and young voters are unaffiliated, sponsors said.

“For whatever reason that our primary elections suffer from so low turnout, there’s obviously something wrong with the status quo in Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, a sponsor of one of the bills. “We have an opportunity to fix that, to overcome one of those barriers to increase voters in our primary and general election system.”

David Thornburgh, who chairs Ballot PA, a nonpartisan effort that supports ending the state’s closed primary system, called the vote historic.

“It’s time to let these voters have a say in who represents them and how their government is run,” he said in a statement.

The measures are part of an effort that has seen broader support — including a bipartisan group of former governors — to weed out the most extreme candidates before a general election.

“Candidates elected by those more extreme voters don’t have as much incentive to engage in the compromise and give and take that is so essential to effective governing,” the governors — Republicans Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker and Tom Corbett and Democrats Ed Rendell and Tom Wolf — wrote in an open letter last month. “Adding independent voters to the primary mix will help.”

The proposed change comes on the heels of an attempt by the Legislature to move up the state’s 2024 presidential primary date, which would allow the state to have more say in deciding the presidential nominees, and avoid a conflict with the Jewish holiday of Passover. The chambers have not agreed on a date — though it would come weeks sooner than the current date set in law, April 23 — and counties in Pennsylvania have warned it is too late to make a change to successfully run the election.

Uncertainty about the date of the primary adds to the challenges faced by the counties that run the nuts-and-bolts of Pennsylvania elections, said committee member Rep. Brad Roae, R-Crawford, who voted no on both proposals.

“The election process has gotten very frustrating, very contentious,” he said. “We can only throw so many changes at the poll workers and at the election office staffs at the same time.”

House Democrats who supported the bills said the election staff could get up to speed quickly.

Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, said Pennsylvania had to reach the particularly young and new voters who weren’t ascribing to either political party in growing numbers.

“It may change back again one day. But for now, allowing taxpaying citizens the right to vote, I believe, is the core of democracy,” said Conklin, the committee chair.

Eleven days after 57-year-old Anthony Talotta arrived at a Pittsburgh jail, he died from what his family says was a treatable and preventable infection from a foot wound. Talotta, who had autism and developmental disabilities, had been brought to the jail after a fight with a staff member at the group home where he lived.

In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, Talotta’s family alleges doctors and medical staff at the Allegheny County Jail provided substandard care. The lawsuit claims jail policies prohibiting prisoners with mental illness or developmental disabilities from being housed in the medical unit violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by creating a system that makes it harder for them to get adequate medical care.

The lawsuit also notes that at least 17 people died at the medically understaffed jail in a two-and-a-half year timeframe from March 2020 to September 2022, the majority of whom had mental health or chronic medical needs.

“This lawsuit is intended not only to find full and fair justice for Anthony, but it is also intended to find justice for the individuals who came before him and took their last breaths at the Allegheny County Jail as well and to protect those who enter that jail after them with the same or similar chronic care and mental health needs,” said Alec Wright, an attorney representing Talotta’s family along with attorneys at the Abolitionist Law Center.

The lawsuit names the Allegheny Health Network, which is the contracted jail medical care provider; Allegheny County and Medical Director Donald W. Stechschulte. The lawsuit also names Wilson Bernales, a doctor who dismissed or went against hospital recommendations in his treatment of Talotta and who, at the time of his employment with Allegheny Health Network, had had his medical license revoked or suspended in eight states. The lawsuit also names the unknown staffing agency that screened and hired Bernales.

The lawsuit alleges negligence in hiring Bernales without thoroughly researching his license issues in other states. It also alleges denial or delay of medical care, lack of supervision and training, wrongful death and discrimination.

A message was left for Allegheny Health Network seeking comment. A spokesperson for Allegheny County declined to comment on an open lawsuit.

Bernales, who is now living in Nevada, said he has never had any malpractice issues and called the medical license issues in other states “administrative concerns.”

Attorneys for Talotta’s family said the jail’s medical staff was aware of both Talotta’s injury, which included fractures, a torn ligament and blistering from burns, and that because of his autism and intellectual disabilities he was unable to communicate his medical needs or care for himself.

Jeff Lagrotteria, Talotta’s cousin, said Anthony called him from the jail but never mentioned his injury.

“He just said he was scared and asked how he was going to get out of that place… so that’s what we were working on,” Lagrotteria said, adding that no one from the group home or the jail told him about the injury from the fight either. “For years, he was taken care of by the group homes, and there were no issues. As soon as he gets into the jail, he got treated so horribly he died within days.”

Luciana Randall, president of Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, works with families all over the state who have incarcerated family members with developmental disabilities. But she said there are no comprehensive numbers of how many people incarcerated in the state have autism or developmental disabilities because jails do not screen for them.

“Then, since jails are designed to punish, the people who work there are generally not willing to or able to support people with disabilities like this. I hear most often from those employees: Why are they here? They don’t belong here. Isn’t there somewhere else they can go?” Randall said, adding that there are no diversionary programs designed for people with these disabilities, but she believes there should be.

Talotta was taken to a hospital two times as his injuries worsened, according to the lawsuit. He was ordered not to put weight on his foot, but jail staff removed a walking boot and took away his crutches because those devices were not allowed in the mental health unit.

The hospital also prescribed antibiotics and daily dressing changes and wound care. But the antibiotics were never provided, jail staff confiscated the medical supplies given to him by hospital doctors and jail medical staff never performed any wound care, the lawsuit alleges.

On Sept. 20, Talotta was found clutching his chest and unable to speak, from what attorneys assert was sepsis. Bernales gave Talotta a Benadryl for allergies and sent him back to his cell, where he was found a few hours later frothing at the mouth and unresponsive, according to medical records cited in the lawsuit. He was taken to the hospital where he died the next day.

Speaking to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Bernales challenged that narrative and the medical records, saying Talotta was allowed to keep the wound care supplies. He said the boot and crutches were taken away because no prisoners are allowed to have them since they could be made into weapons.

“I had planned to do the dressing changes all in house. He went to the hospital twice to receive care,” Bernales said. “It’s not like a hospital. I can’t just go to the patient’s cell and provide care. If the corrections officers say we don’t have enough staff to bring him out of his cell to get care, then I have to listen.”

Talotta did not have any brothers or sisters, and his parents spent most of their lives making sure he would be taken care of when they died, setting up a trust so his needs were met. He spent his time with all of his cousins in their big Italian family, becoming the official sausage tyer when they would gather to stuff homemade sausages. He also enjoyed going to the zoo or to the movies, getting most excited about the popcorn.

“Nothing can bring Anthony back,” said cousin Tina Talotta. “But I just feel that if my aunt Lena was still here, she would want other people taken care of, that this never happen to anyone else.”

(Dee-Ann Durbin/AP Business)

Reese’s may be in violation of state and federal laws with its new sweepstakes offer currently advertised on packs of peanut butter cups.

The promotion on two-cup packages reads “You could win $25,000” and, in smaller print, “See details inside.” But only after consumers have bought and opened a package can they see the small print: no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes.

The Reese’s contest was first reported Monday by Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and former assistant attorney general in Massachusetts, who runs the Consumer World website.

Sweepstakes are primarily governed by state laws, which require that no purchase is necessary to participate. A contest that requires a purchase is a lottery, which is subject to different rules.

Three federal agencies — Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Postal Service — also enforce laws governing sweepstakes depending on the type of promotion. The Postal Service requires mailed sweepstakes offers to make clear that no purchase is necessary, for example. The FTC doesn’t govern sweepstakes specifically, but has broad laws prohibiting “unfair and deceptive acts.”

Hershey Co., that Pennsylvania candymaker that owns the Reese’s brand, said late Monday that its website contains full details of the promotion. It also said some packages have QR codes that link consumers to more information.

“As with all of our promotions, we place great care and diligence to ensure they are compliant with all regulations,” Hershey said in a statement.

The company also said in-store displays showed abbreviated rules for the sweepstakes, including how to enter without making a purchase. But Dworsky said a spot check of candy displays in multiple states, including California, Virginia and Washington, found no such signs.

Packages purchased by an Associated Press reporter at a Michigan drugstore didn’t contain QR codes, and the store had no signage explaining the promotion.

The FTC said Monday that it can’t comment on the practices of particular companies outside of an investigation. It wouldn’t confirm or deny an investigation against Hershey.

Dworsky noted that Reese’s ran a similar promotion earlier this year that ended in April using the same packaging. Some of those packages are still for sale, even though the sweepstakes code has expired, he said.

Dworsky said he’s concerned that the packaging could lure consumers into thinking they need to buy it.

“You never have to pay to play. All these packages should be recalled,” he said.

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

Aliquippa police responded to a 911 call Monday morning, to a home on Irwin Street when 39-year-old Raphael Johnson locked his girlfriend out of the house and wouldn’t let her back in. Aliquippa police responded to the scene, and the county’s ESU was called in when Johnson wouldn’t leave the residence.  

Aliquippa High School and Aliquippa Elementary School were placed on lockdown, according to a district spokesperson.

DA David J. Lozier said tear gas and a battering ram were used, but Johnson didn’t budge. It wasn’t until the use of a robot, along with a phone call asking him to leave, that Johnson was peacefully and successfully evacuated from the home and into police custody.

Lozier said Johnson was evaluated by medical personnel and had to be decontaminated from the tear gas, before being taken to the Beaver County Jail.

Cooler weather and shorter days mean more deer are now gracing Pennsylvania’s roadways. The number of deer-vehicle collisions increases during October and peaks in November and December. With insurance claim expenses for deer-damaged vehicles on the rise, AAA East Central cautions motorists to be especially vigilant on the road to avoid costly and potentially dangerous crashes.

“More collisions between vehicles and deer occur now than any other time of the year,” says Jonathon King, vice president of Insurance sales, AAA East Central. “One of our top claims as winter approaches is for vehicles that have been totaled from hitting animals, and the costs can be staggering.”

In 2022, there were more than 5,848 deer related crashes in Pennsylvania, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Moreover, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 1 million car accidents with deer each year that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries, and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage.

AAA’s Recommendation: Check Your Coverage.
AAA Insurance reports that its average deer-related claim in the region is about $5,600, though costs can be much higher depending on the damage to a vehicle. This year’s average is more than $600 higher than last year.

Collision coverage pays for damage to a vehicle that results from a collision with an object (e.g., a telephone pole, a guard rail, a mailbox), or because of flipping over. AAA East Central recommends motorists opt-in for comprehensive coverage, which is for damage to vehicles covered by disasters “other than collisions” (in this case, contact with animals).

“While adding comprehensive coverage may add a small amount to your premium, it could save you money down the road,” continued King.

To help prevent a crash or to reduce damage from an animal collision, AAA suggests motorists:

• Pay attention to road signs. Yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer indicate areas with high levels of deer activity.
• Keep focused on the road. Ditching distractions is one of the easiest ways to be ready if a deer comes out of nowhere.
• Be especially attentive in early morning and evening hours. Many animals, especially deer, are most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., prime commuting times for many.
• Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic. Animals can be spotted sooner and the light reflecting off their eyes will often reveal their location.
• Slow down and watch for other deer to appear. Deer rarely travel alone, so if there is one, more are likely nearby.
• Resist the urge to swerve. Keep both hands firmly on the wheel and don’t change lanes. Swerving away from animals can confuse them so they don’t know which way to run. It can also put motorists in the path of oncoming vehicles or cause the vehicle to crash into something.
• If the crash is imminent take your foot off the brake. During hard braking, the front end of a vehicle is pulled downward which can cause the animal to travel up over the hood towards the windshield. Letting off the brake can protect motorists from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side of the vehicle or over the top of the vehicle.

In the event of a deer strike, AAA recommends:

• Call the police.
• Avoid making contact with the animal. A frightened or wounded animal can hurt people or further injure itself.
• Put the vehicle’s hazard lights on, whether it’s light or dark outside.
• If possible, immediately move the vehicle to a safe location, out of the roadway, and wait for help to arrive.
• Motorists should contact their insurance agent or company representative as quickly as possible to report any damage.

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) On Tuesday October 17, 2023 Tom Young from 1st Consultants, Inc. in Beaver will join Eddy Crow on “Teleforum” and co-host a guest segment on 99.3 FM and 1230 WBVP to discuss “The Secret Single Product” That Avoids Taxes and Government Confiscation. This is information everyone needs to be able to make great money decisions. Tune in to find out the answers to your questions. The special show starts at 9:10 A.M. as part of an ongoing monthly series of multi media forums.

Change your mindset and you change the future.

Tune in on Tuesday, October 17, 2023,  the special multi media presentation  begins at 9:10 A.M. on Beaver County Radio

You can participate in the show by calling 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888. You can also ask your questions on Facebook Live.

Click the picture below on Tuesday’s showtime of 9:10 A.M. to be directed to the WBVP and WMBA Facebook page where the special multi media simulcast will be streamed on Facebook Live.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published October 16, 2023 10:34 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, Pa) A new policy on what books are allowed in the Blackhawk School District has been posted to the District website. The Policy draft states that “resource materials available in the District’s library media centers should implement, enrich, and support the educational programs of the district, with age-appropriate content that reflects the District’s educational philosophy and aligns with Board policies.”.
As part of the policy, students and parents with concerns with material found in the district should first submit a written request of reconsideration to the principal of the building. Within 10 days, the principal shall meet with the Reconsideration of Resource Material Review Committee. If the issue remains unresolved, Board will determine a final resolution. According to the policy, access to the challenged material will be restricted during the reconsideration process.
The policy states that books in the district libraries should be free from information and images that are obscene, harmful to minors, and/or constitute child pornography.

The Borough of New Brighton released the following statement:

(New Brighton, Pa) Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania customers in parts of Daugherty Township and Pulaski Township are temporarily without natural gas service. Columbia Gas shut down service as a safety precaution after Columbia Gas technicians identified an issue with natural gas introduced into the system by a third-party upstream gas supplier.

Columbia Gas has taken this measure out of an abundance of caution. The restoration of service is expected to take several days.

A full list of streets affected by the outage and updates on the status of the outage can be found at www.ColumbiaGasPA.com/services/alert-center.  A new update will be at posted at 1:00 PM this afternoon, October 16, 2023.

Columbia Gas is working with the American Red Cross and local emergency management officials to open a warming center today at 12:00 Noon with refreshments and cots/blankets for affected customers who may want overnight accommodations.  The center is located at the Conway Borough Municipal Building, 801 First Avenue, Conway, PA  15027.

Once the flow of natural gas into the system is restored, Columbia Gas crews will go door-to-door to perform safety checks and relight natural gas appliances. Homes where service has not been restored yet are asked to keep their porch lights on.  To learn more about the relight process, please visit www.ColumbiaGasPA.com/relight.

All Columbia Gas employees and contractors wear a company-issued ID badge with their photo on it.

For customers not home during the service restoration process, door hangers will be left at their homes informing them of the outage and requesting they call Columbia Gas at 1-888-460-4332 for a service technician to be dispatched to restore service to their homes.