Over 100 Residents Evacuated After Fire in Downtown Pittsburgh Highrise Apartment Building

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) One resident of the Roosevelt building in downtown Pittsburgh died and another resident was taken to the hospital in critical condition after a fire at the high-rise apartment building. A medic was injured and taken to the hospital, and a firefighter had to be treated injuries at the scene.
Pittsburgh Public Safety said the fire started on the 12th floor of the apartment building around 10:30 p.m. last night at the corner of 6th Street & Penn Avenue, across the street from Heinz Hall.
Firefighters got the fire under control at 12:15 AM and were able to keep it contained to the 12th floor.
The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in response to evacuation of more than 100 residents. The Red Cross says that approximately 75 displaced residents and one pet sought shelter at the convention center overnight.

Beaver Borough to Suspend Overnight Parking Restrictions

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(Beaver Borough, Pa.) Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is reporting that Beaver Police issued a statement over the weekend concerning the suspension of nighttime parking on borough streets which begins this Thursday December 15, 2022 and goes until March 1, 2023. No tickets will be issued. Enforcement will remain in effect on Third Street , according to the release.

“Christmas on Merchant” Brought The Holiday Spirit to Ambridge

(Photos by Beaver County Radio Staff Member Daniel Campbell)

(Ambridge, Pa.) The Ambridge Regional Chamber Of Commerce put a ton of planning into the 2022 Christmas on Merchant Street as communities return to more traditional celebrations after the pandemic. There were many activities planned for members of the community as well as the arrival of the big guy himself.

The Evening got underway with activities for everyone in PJ Caul Park. There was an ice carver, letters to Santa, a blow up extravaganza, petting zoo, carolers, food trucks, and free hot chocolate and cookies from Fritzy’s Bistro.

There was also a parade and the big guy himself, Santa Claus, made an appearance. Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks and Eddy Crow did a live broadcast of the Christmas parade on Facebook Live and the Beaver County YouTube channel. The live broadcast was brought to you by Unabella Beauty and Wellness Salon, Economy Electric, Valley Realty, and Beaver County Radio.

Check out the pictures of all of the fun bellow:

 

Shapiro Announces Charges in Mt. Carmel High School Football Team Hazing Incident 

(Harrisburg, Pa. ) Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced today that his office has filed charges against nine former Mount Carmel High School football players for their involvement in a 2020 hazing incident.

 

Following a referral from the Northumberland County District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Attorney General began an investigation into allegations of hazing that occurred amongst members of the Mount Carmel High School football team in 2020. The investigation revealed that in two separate incidents football players were invited to football captain Reed Witowski’s house to watch game footage. During the watch party, football captains Reed Witowski, Damon Dowkus and another captain who was a juvenile at the time, and other members of the team burned the new starting players with lit burning sticks and sparklers as part of an informal initiation.

 

The team captains, Reed Witowski, Damon Dowkus, and another individual who was a juvenile at the time, have been charged with Hazing, Simple Assault, and Intimidation of a Victim. Other members of the team including, Tyler Owens, Michael Balichik, and four others who were juveniles at the time of the incident, have been charged with Hazing and Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Hazing.

 

This matter is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Joseph Sembrot. The defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Hopewell School Board Welcomes New Superintendent and Reorganizes

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Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Hopewell Township, Beaver County, Pa.) Tuesday night, The Hopewell Area School met and new Superintendent Jeff Beltz  for the first time and thanked the board for hiring him to be the new superintendent. He told the board  he wants to attend  district and community functions if he’s made aware. He thanked the assistant high school principal, who was acting superintendent Dr. Robert Kartychak  for his support during his transition.

Dan Santia was named board president and Lori McKittrick is the vice president..
Peter Retsema was hired as a substitute teacher  for the junior high school effective January 3,, 2023.
Board member Paula Buxton was appointed to a 3 year term as the district representative to BCCTC
Junior high school teachers Paula Battisti and Michael Gill  presented a request to take  seventh and eighth grade student councils to  Cedar Point for Education Day.
The board will meet  on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, for its work meeting and January. 24 for its regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Aliquippa Police Chief, Captain, and Two Sergeants Receive Promotion Letters

(Photo courtesy of Mrs. Lane)

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Due to the pandemic there was a delay in awarding Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane, Captain Don Lane, Sergeants Nico D’Arrgio, and Josh  Gonzalez, with  their promotion letters.  Mayor Dwan B. Walker made  the promotions official  at Wednesday night’s  council meeting. Family members were in attendance for the event.

Aliquippa City Council hears Mayor’s report on Act 47 Exit

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Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Aliquippa, Pa.) The City of Aliquippa Mayor Dwan B . Walker spoke about  the city’s  budget and the  anticipated exit from Act 47 status at the end of 2023 at this week’s council meeting. The first reading of the ordinance in regard to the levying of taxes in 2023 was accepted. An ordinance prohibiting the use of tobacco and any vaping products in recreation areas, parks and playgrounds was also read.

Code and Zoning officer James Bologna reported that 874 properties were submitted to the repository , 281 are actual structures, and 593 are empty lots in the city. He reported that over 900  properties were placed in the repository.
Council meets on Wednesday, December 21, 2022   at 7 p.m.

Congressman Lamb Releases Statement on Citizens Still Wrongfully Detained in Russia

( File Photo of Congressman Lamb)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) issued the following statement following President Biden’s securing the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from wrongful detention in Russia:

“The release of Britney Griner is good news, but the Administration cannot forget about the other Americans wrongfully detained in Russia, including PA-17 native Marc Fogel.  The administration must do more to secure Mr. Fogel’s release.  The State Department must put the full weight of the United States government behind the effort to secure his freedom, and keep his family and congressional advocates better informed about the progress.”

In October, Lamb led letter with Representative Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) and Senator Bob Casey (PA) and a coalition of bipartisan Members of Congress to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to urge the U.S. Department of State to classify Oakmont, PA native Marc Fogel as wrongfully detained.  The letter further calls on the State Department to work to bring Mr. Fogel home safely.

Fogel was detained by Russian authorities on August 14, 2021 and is serving a 14-year hard-labor sentence for possession of medical marijuana used to treat a severe back injury.  This past June, Fogel was sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in a Russian prison and in August, Fogel’s appeal was denied.  Following this denial, he is imprisoned in a maximum-security correctional colony.

Ambulance Stolen in Pittsburgh Recovered in Hopewell, Suspect in Custody

(Hopewell Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) An ambulance that was stolen as paramedics treated a patient on Mount Washington in Pittsburgh was recovered on I-376 outbound from the city on Interstate 376 in Hopewell Twp., Beaver County early Monday morning.
According to police, The incident began around 4:30 a.m. Friday morning as paramedics were called to the 200 block of West Sycamore Street. A man stole the ambulance, which state police later tracked to I-376 near Hopewell.
The man who allegedly stole the ambulance was taken into custody.

Ambridge School Board Reorganizes for 2023

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Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano
(Ambridge, Pa.) The Ambridge Area School Board held their annual reorganization meeting on Wednesday night and Kelly Ramasco was elected board president. Elected to vice president was Amy Fitasko. Meeting dates for the upcoming year and committee chairmen were also announced.
In other business Laughlin Memorial Library representatives will be Tom Cephas and Matt Zatchey Baden Memorial Library representative is Amy Fitsko.