PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will transfer leadership during a Change of Command ceremony Friday, Aug. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh.

 

Colonel Adam Czekanski, commander of the Pittsburgh District since July 2021, will transfer command to Colonel Nicholas Melin during a traditional military ceremony. Major General William Graham, Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters, will preside over the ceremony.

 

The Change of Command ceremony symbolizes the continuation of leadership and unit identity. It represents the transfer of responsibility and authority from one individual to another while continuing the mission. The ceremonial passing of the unit colors from the departing commander to the incoming commander physically represents the transfer of authority.

 

“I had the honor of commanding truly great people who give their best for the betterment of our district,” said Czekanski. “As a commander, I’m thankful for my role in bringing people together for a common goal and earning the trust of those we serve. I’m excited to see the district continue its standard of excellence under new leadership.”

 

Melin comes to the Pittsburgh District following an assignment as the division chief for Oceania, South, and Southeast Asia in the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from West Point, a Master of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from Madras University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science from Oxford University. Melin served in key leadership positions such as commanding a Security Force Assistance Battalion. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Missouri.

 

As commander and district engineer, Melin will lead the Pittsburgh District in delivering integrated solutions that minimize risk and enhance reliability for the region’s water resource infrastructure while improving the environment. The Pittsburgh District covers an area of approximately 26,000 square miles comprising the upper Ohio River Basin and extending into five states: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and New York.

 

The district supports commercial navigation on the upper Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers, operating and maintaining 23 locks and dams. Pittsburgh’s flood-damage reduction mission encompasses 16 multi-purpose reservoirs that have prevented an estimated $866 million in flood damages during 2022. The district’s flood-risk management portfolio also includes more than 80 local flood protection projects, which have prevented more than $5.3 billion in flood damages during their lifetime.

 

Media note:  Members of the media are invited to attend the Change of Command ceremony. No RSVP is required.

President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting of his Competition Council in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, July 19, 2023 in Washington. Biden will court unions as a cornerstone of the country’s economic future with a speech on Thursday at a Philadelphia shipyard — right as more major unions are weighing strikes that could disrupt the growth he wants to campaign on in 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is courting unions as a cornerstone of the United States’ economic future with a speech at a Philadelphia shipyard. Thursday’s speech comes just as some major unions are weighing strikes that could disrupt the growth the Democratic president wants to campaign on in 2024. Tensions are rising between unions and companies about a rapidly evolving economy in which artificial intelligence, clean energy and e-commerce are rewriting some of the basic rules of work. Biden is trying to allay those concerns by saying unions should be part of that future. But Biden also knows a strike could harm his reelection chances.

FILE – A Star of David hangs from a fence outside the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, Apr. 19, 2023. Robert Bowers. Bowers, the gunman who massacred 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, has a “very serious mental health history” from childhood and a “markedly abnormal” brain, a defense expert testified Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in the penalty phase of the Bowers’ trial. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Survivors of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack have testified to the severe physical and emotional injuries they suffered during the deadliest antisemitic massacre in U.S. history. The testimony Wednesday came in the sentencing phase of the trial of Robert Bowers, who was convicted last month of killing 11 worshippers and could face the death penalty. Officer Tim Matson, who was shot in the head and body, spoke of being in a “dark place” emotionally. But he has drawn support from friends and family, as well as inspiration from an unlikely buddy: a resilient weed in his yard. Bowers’ lawyers presented testimony from a clinical psychologist who says Bowers was exposed to extraordinary risk and instability as a child.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published July 20, 2023 8:03 A.M.

(Hookstown, PA) State Police responded to an incident in the driveway of a home on Heizler Drive in Hookstown. The report says 28 year old Antonio Butera fired a warning shot in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. The altercation ended and parties were separated , with non residents leaving without further incident. During the Troopers investigation, it was discovered that the single round fired traveled approximately 100 yards through the woods and went through the siding of a neighbors house, travelling through a picture frame and through living room drywall before coming dislodged in a bathroom wall.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio news Director. Published July 20, 2023 7:49 A.M. (Photo obtained from Provident Charter School Website) 

(Baden, PA) A grand opening has been announced for the new Provident Charter School West in Baden. The new school is a tuition-free, public school designed for educating students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia.  The institution will offer an environment tailored to supporting students who are struggling to read. The grand opening will feature tours, kids games and snacks. The event will run from 10am til 1pm, with a ribbon cutting set for noon. The school is located at the former site of Quigley High School, and Provident says Quigley Catholic alumni are welcome to attend the event.

(Photo obtained from Beaver Borough Facebook page)
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 19, 2023 2:34 P.M.

(Beaver, PA) The borough of Beaver has announced that renovations will take place at the former Beaver Pool House. They say it will serve as a “modernized hub for events, parties, meetings, and more.” The space is set to accommodate large gatherings indoors, while also offering an outdoor venue. The Beaver Pool closed and was filled in after being deemed unsafe in 2022.    

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 19, 2023 11:32 A.M., updated 3:11 P.M. 

(Beaver Falls, PA) The City of Beaver Falls released a statement Wednesday morning in regards to the ongoing wave pool revival project that was led by Tigerland Inc.. The City states that they had begun the process of transferring the property to Tigerland in January, but ultimately Tigerland denied their sale offer. The city says they are considering other development options for the future of the land with a purpose of betterment of the youth and community.  Tigerland Inc. raised funds and worked with the City Council for years in an attempt to restore the pool, with many snags along the way. The city says they will not be moving forward with Tigerland Inc. and will share more information when they have a concrete direction determined for the property.

Tyrone Ziegler of Tigerland Inc. issued a statement on Facebook alleging that the city’s statement was “lies”.  “We have presented and prepared several proposals of our progress to them (Beaver Falls City Council), which have fallen on deaf ears.” Ziegler is calling or residents to sign a petition to encourage the council to reconsider their decision. He went on to post a statement that “They never once put out a public statement to let the public know that the money was safe, or that the deal was even moving along. But here they are today pulling the deal off the table.”  Tigerland Inc. plans on presenting a final presentation at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 25th.

Tigerland Inc. released a statement on Facebook in April stating that just over $88,000 raised for the project was safe accompanied by bank statements. The following photos were obtained from the Tigerland Inc. Facebook page:  

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Right-hander Paul Skenes, taken by Pittsburgh with the first pick in this month’s amateur draft, agreed Tuesday to a contract that includes a $9.2 million signing bonus.

The amount is the highest for a drafted player, topping the $8,416,300 Detroit agreed to with first baseman Spencer Torkelson, the top pick in 2021.

Skenes helped LSU to this year’s NCAA title after transferring from Air Force. He was selected Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series after going 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 19 starts with 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3. innings.

“It was a pretty easy decision, with the organization and the people that are here,” Skenes said. “I was very comfortable wanting to come here. It was overall, a very easy offer, in my opinion, to take.”

Skenes’ first step as a professional player will be to report to the Pirates’ spring training complex in Bradenton, Florida. The Pirates will then decide when and where Skenes will make his debut.

General manager Ben Cherington said Skenes could win up pitching in the minor leagues this season or possibly in the Arizona Fall League.

“I think in terms of my stuff, I think I’m very close,” Skenes said when asked if he thought he was ready to jump directly to the major leagues. “It’s a different game, and I’ve never obviously been on a big league field. I’m going to do everything I can to get there as soon as possible and whatever that takes physically, mentally, whatever it is, I’m going do whatever it takes to get there as soon as possible There are different challenges, and I think it’s a lot more demanding than college.”

Skenes spent two years at Air Force as a two-way player, pitching and catching. He concentrated just on pitching once he got to LSU.

Neither Skenes nor Cherington ruled out Skenestrying to be both pitcher and hitter in pro ball.

“We’ll see,” Skenes said with a smile “I think that’s something we have to decide. We’ll see, that’s a different set of challenges.”

Pittsburgh is in a youth movement and started six rookies Monday night in an 11-0 loss to Cleveland. The franchise has not been to the World Series since 1979 or won a postseason series since 1992.

“I’m excited about the opportunity and looking forward to being a big part of a group that is going to win the World Series,” Skenes said.

(AP) A Pennsylvania woman who used a bullhorn to direct rioters attacking the U.S. Capitol was convicted on Tuesday of charges that she joined the mob in an attempt to keep President Joe Biden out of the White House.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth heard testimony without a jury before he convicted Rachel Marie Powell of felony charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. Powell, who was convicted of all nine counts in her indictment, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17, according to court records.

Powell, wearing a distinctive pink hat and fur-lined jacket hoodie, joined a mob of rioters who confronted police officers at bike rack barriers on the west side of the Capitol. She used her back to push against the police line, prosecutors said.

A video captured Powell using a bullhorn to encourage other rioters to “coordinate together if you’re going to take this building.” She also gave them “very detailed instructions” about the layout of the Capitol, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.

Powell told rioters they had “another window to break.” She herself used an ice-axe and a large pipe to break a window, according to prosecutors.

Powell, 41, of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, waived her right to a jury trial. The judge convicted her of charges that she interfered with police and obstructed the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying Biden’s 2020 electoral victory over Donald Trump.

Prosecutors asked Lamberth to jail Powell until her sentencing, but the judge agreed to let her remain free until the hearing.

A lawyer for Powell had no comment on the verdict.

Powell played a “leading role” during the riot, a prosecutor said at a February 2021 hearing.

“She is front and center in the incursion.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Aloi added, according to a transcript.

Powell was arrested nearly a month after the riot. FBI agents found several smashed cellular telephones, gun paraphernalia and other weapons when they searched her home.

Powell and her ex-husband shared custody of six minor children in 2021. She left her children at home when she went to Washington to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally, according to prosecutors.

Shortly before her arrest, The New Yorker interviewed Powell for an article headlined, “A Pennsylvania Mother’s Path to Insurrection.”

“Listen, if somebody doesn’t help and direct people, then do more people die?” she asked her interviewer.

Prosecutors said Powell “showed an inclination towards violence” before the Jan. 6 riot. She posted on Facebook in October 2020 that she agreed “with the possibility of civil war happening.”

“Unfortunately, the only way this is probably capable of being fixed is bloodshed because I’m not so sure our government can be fixed the political way anymore either,” she wrote.

Prosecutors also said Powell described her “surveillance” of an unidentified public official’s home in a November 2020 message to somebody who replied that they were “afraid to ask why” she was there.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot. Approximately 100 of them have been convicted by juries or judges. More than 600 others have pleaded guilty.