Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 10, 2023 11:35 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) On Friday, February 10, 2023, 250 students will receive academic awards, according to High School Principal Stacey Alexander.  The groups receiving the awards are:  high school events, junior high school events, and the Aliquippa  School District JSHS. The event will be held at 1:15 p.m. in the AJSH gym, and is open to the community.

Ambridge File Photo
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 10, 2023 11:45 A.M.

(Ambridge, PA) Ambridge Borough Manager Mario Leone announced earlier this week that the borough is going to have a winery to complement the 2 breweries in town. He said Harkins Mills will be opening at 564 Merchant Street next to the chamber of commerce office. 2 Sisters Bakery will soon occupy the former Old Economy Cafe in the borough’s 1200 block. The former PNC Bank at 5th and Merchant Streets is being transformed into the Monroy Supermarket, according to Mr. Leone. The owner is Nery Monroy. South American and Caribbean food products will be sold there. Bids for the streetscape design for Eighth to Twelfth Street will go out at the end of August or early September.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, unveiled a military occupational crosswalk to assist veterans and service members in translating their work experience into civilian jobs in the commonwealth. The crosswalk is a series of charts for each occupation licensed by the Department of State that compares the licensing requirements with the typical duties, training, qualifications, and related credentials associated with military occupations.

The Shapiro Administration is committed to transforming Pennsylvania government to more effectively and efficiently serve Pennsylvanians and our veterans. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Governor Josh Shapiro signing an Executive Order to improve the Commonwealth’s licensing, permitting, and certification processes, by beginning a comprehensive review of how long it takes agencies to process applications and setting a date-certain by which applicants will hear back. This new occupational crosswalk builds on Governor Shapiro’s commitment to improving how government works and creating economic opportunity for Pennsylvania’s veterans.

“The Shapiro Administration is making the people of Pennsylvania and customer service our top priority. This new resource will make it easier for service members returning from deployments and veterans moving into Pennsylvania to obtain professional and occupational licensing by aligning their military experience, education, skills, and credentials to civilian career opportunities,” Schmidt said. “The crosswalk compares qualification details from nearly 300 military occupations to the initial requirements for Department of State licensure for related professions.”

The crosswalk helps determine which military occupation qualifications are “substantially equivalent” to the state’s requirements for licensure and identifies gaps between civilian occupational licensure requirements and a veteran’s current knowledge, skills, education, and training. The crosswalk will inform licensing boards and commissions, the veterans’ community, and employers how military training and experience align with civilian education and work experience.

“We are grateful to Acting Secretary Schmidt and the Department of State for acknowledging and working to break down employment barriers that veterans and service members face when applying to civilian jobs,” Schindler said. “Our service members and their families face many stresses and challenges while serving our nation. Connecting the dots between military experience and licensure requirements for civilian jobs alleviates a huge burden to assist them in their transition. This is a great opportunity to assist those who have sacrificed so much for all of us.”

The crosswalk was created under Act 35 of 2022 to remove barriers to professional licensing and employment for military applicants. Along with the crosswalk, the act also does the following:

• defines a military applicant as a service member, veteran or military spouse;
• allows a professional or occupational license to be issued even if a military applicant does not meet educational requirements for that license if the applicant has been engaged in active practice for at least two of the previous five years prior to applying and passes all required exams for licensure;
• provides expedited license application reviews and discretionary temporary licensure for military applicants;
• provides initial licensure fee waivers for military spouses who must relocate because of a service member’s military orders;
• allows service members to reactivate an expired professional or occupational license without a penalty if the reactivation coincides with a deployment and is completed within one month of returning from the deployment;
• provides service members with continuing education extensions for up to six months following a deployment; and
• requires consideration of acquired military experience when determining qualification for licensure.

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (Authority) Executive Director Brandon Carson is asking Pennsylvanians to provide input on several questions related to the upcoming Pennsylvania Broadband Infrastructure Program guidelines and provide feedback by February 23, 2023. The program will provide a total of $200 million in grant funding through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF), targeting locations that do not currently have access to 25/3 Megabits per second reliable service. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to provide feedback on the definition of affordability; award amounts; match requirements; and the challenge period. Feedback can be provided online until February 23, 2023.

“The Authority is excited to help bring high-speed internet access to Pennsylvanians,” said Executive Director Carson. “This crucial federal funding will help us close the digital divide in the Commonwealth. That’s why it’s important for Pennsylvanians to provide feedback on this new program so that our investments are as impactful as possible.”

Under the new program, eligible projects will deploy wired and/or fixed wireless high-speed broadband service infrastructure in unserved areas of the Commonwealth. Unserved areas are defined as designated geographic areas in which households or businesses do not have access to at least 25 Megabits per second download speed and 3 Megabits per second upload speed.

The program will accept applications under two categories: line extension and development; and large-scale regional infrastructure projects.

The line extension category will fund extensions of existing last-mile cable modem and fiber-to-the-premise broadband networks that can be constructed quickly. Internet service providers are eligible if they have an existing fiber-to-the premise or cable network offering service of at least 100 Megabits per second download speed and 20 Megabits per second upload speed to mass-market users that can be extended to eligible premises in the Commonwealth.

The large-scale regional project category is designed for projects that can transform broadband availability across a significant portion of the Commonwealth by serving large numbers of eligible addresses.

Applicants may be private for-profit or non-profit corporations, cooperatives, local units of government, or regional consortia of local governments.

Upon completion, eligible projects must, at minimum: deliver service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical download and upload speeds of 100 Megabits per second; and ensure affordability by participating in a federal program that provides low-cost options to consumers and/or establish a low-cost option for consumers that meets CPF guidance.

The Authority is charged with creating a statewide broadband plan and distributing federal and state monies for broadband expansion projects in unserved and underserved areas of the commonwealth.

Rochester, Pa.—The Beaver County Democratic Committee is partnering with prospective candidates as well as area food pantries in a one-stop collection event. To help candidates gather ballot signatures, registered Democrats are invited to visit the Committee’s headquarters at 426 Adams Street in Rochester, Pa., from 10 am until 4 pm Saturday, February 25, 2023. At the same time, voters who are able, are asked to drop off canned goods to benefit the Little Free Pantries of Beaver County.

“In 2023, Democrats are dedicated to building a more perfect Beaver County,” said Committee Chair Erin Gabriel. “We are proud to find ways to pair our political work with service to our communities.”

With this event, voters can enjoy an easy way to ensure Democratic candidates get on the ballot — an essential step in the Pennsylvania election process — while also lending a helping hand to neighbors in need.

This year marks the third anniversary of the Beaver County donation/petition combination event. Prior events were so successful that the Committee has decided to make it a tradition.

In 2022, through this effort, the Beaver County Democratic Committee provided over 200 items to each of the 11 pantries, and they are hoping to exceed that donation amount this year.

 All non-perishable foods, except for glass jars, will be accepted. Especially requested:

Pasta, Pasta sauce in plastic jars, Mac and Cheese, Ramen Noodles, Canned or pouched meat or fish, Peanut butter and jelly, Canned soup, chili, and stews, Shampoo/conditioner, Toothpaste, Bars of soap, Deodorant

Donations can be brought to the Committee office beginning at 10 am February 25th. Petitions can only be signed by registered Democrats.

The image above shows Lambert being escorted away in handcuffs (Curtis Walsh)
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published February 10, 2023 9:03 A.M.

(East Palestine, Ohio) Body cam footage has been provided to Beaver County Radio by Ohio State Highway Patrol showing the arrest of Evan Lambert, a NewsNation reporter from Washington D.C., who was broadcasting live during the East Palestine train derailment press conference with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.  Lambert is seen broadcasting live before being told to stop by Ohio National Guard Major General John Harris.  Audio was redacted by police during the altercation between Lambert and Harris. Harris can be be seen grabbing Lamberts chest briefly before State Police and the Columbiana County Sheriffs Office step in.  An Ohio State Police officer is seen keeping Harris away from Lambert.  Lambert was then asked by police to leave and pleads with them that he is going to listen to the conference and do his job. A member of the Columbiana County Sheriffs grabs Lamberts arm and begins pulling him towards the door before him and a female officer take Lambert to the ground and handcuff him.  Lambert was charged with Criminal Trespassing and Disorderly Conduct, and released from the Columbiana County jail hours later with a court date for later this month. Beaver County Radio was also in attendance and caught the incident on camera. Both videos can be viewed below.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Body Cam Video:

Beaver County Radio Video (Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director):

PITTSBURGH (February 10, 2023) – For more than a century, candy “conversation hearts” have been an annual staple of Valentine’s Day festivities. This year, in a nod to National Heart Month and the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” initiative, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is repurposing the iconic sweet treat to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease among women.

AHN printed customized one-liners on heart-shaped candies – messages such as “Ur  Is Unique” and “Know Ur Risks” – all in an effort to reach AHN patients in an unexpected but impactful way and encourage women to schedule their annual heart-health screening.

The candies are available in specially designed “Heart to Hearts”-themed stands that have been strategically placed at high-traffic OB/GYN and primary care offices throughout AHN’s footprint. The stands also feature a QR code that connects patients to AHN’s heart screening resources and information to make an appointment.

AHN Cardiovascular Institute and AHN Women’s Institute collaborated on the awareness initiative.

“Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, and yet not even half of all women in the U.S. recognize that it’s their greatest health threat,” said Indu Poornima, MD, cardiologist and director of the AHN Women’s Health Center. “We’re extremely excited about this awareness campaign as the candy kiosks are an interactive, inviting way to reach women with this critically important call to action.”

The AHN Women’s Heart Center, a part of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at AHN Cardiovascular Institute, supports women through effective, preventive measures as well as the latest technologies and tools to diagnose heart disease and holistic, gender-specific care paths. In addition, clinicians work closely with patients to promote heart-healthy lifestyles, proper diets, exercise, sleep schedules and stress management.

The Center works collaboratively alongside the AHN Women’s Institute, its OB/GYN practices, and its Maternal Fetal Medicine division. Earlier this month, AHN announced the opening of its dedicated AHN Cardio-Obstetrics clinic to care for patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or in the postpartum period.

For more information or to make an appointment, please visit ahn.org/womenscardio.

Photos submitted by Ambridge Police
Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published February 9, 2023 1:41 P.M.

(Ambridge, PA) Ambridge police are asking for the public’s help in identifying this individual pictured. He has been involved in several thefts from retail stores in the borough. Please call Ambridge Police at 724-775-0880 or 9-1-1 if you have any information that could lead to his arrest.

HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced friendly bets with Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly ahead of Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Like millions of Pennsylvanians, Lori and I are excited to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles and watch them bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Commonwealth,” said Governor Shapiro. “Pennsylvania is home to the greatest small businesses in the country – and while I love to share the best Pennsylvania has to offer with my friends in other states, the Eagles have been so good this season that I’m willing to double down on a win this week. Go Birds!”

Ahead of the game, Governor Parson and Governor Shapiro will exchange Eagles and Chiefs flags – and the Governor of the losing team will hang the flag of the winning team in their office next week.

As part of the wager with Governor Kelly, Governor Shapiro has bet an assortment of food from Pennsylvania small businesses, including soft pretzels from Philly Style Hand Twisted Soft Pretzel Bakery in Levittown, Bucks County, Cheesesteaks from Tony Luke’s in Philadelphia, and Eagles Mini Donuts from Collegeville Italian Bakery in Montgomery County. Governor Kelly has wagered Creekstone Farms Black Angus Beef and chocolate-covered sunflower seeds. The losing Governor will send the winning Governor those local foods so that they can enjoy the taste of victory themselves.

Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro will attend Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, February 12th, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles alongside thousands of fellow Pennsylvanians. Governor Parson and Governor Kelly will also attend Super Bowl LVII, and Governor Shapiro plans to meet with them in Arizona ahead of the game to talk trash and ensure both Governors are ready to fulfil their end of the bet.