06:40 AM

UPDATE: the National Weather Service is conforming that three tornadoes hit southwestern Pennsylvania on Thursday. Two of the tornadoes were in Allegheny County, in the Hampton Township and Mount Nebo areas. Another tornado was in Washington County.

(Beaver County, Pa.) Thousands are still without power this morning after line of strong thunderstorms tore through are area last evening prompting the National Weather Service in Moon Twp. To issue tornado warnings for parts of Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Allegheny, Washington, and Greene counties.
Duquesne Light has not given an estimated restoration time, but West Penn Power anticipates that power will be back on for its customers between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m..
There were reports of wide spread damage throughout the area including reports of trees down along Route 18 but the hardest hit area was Hampton Township where the strong winds ripped the roof off a home on Kirk Avenue. Crews put a tarp over the roof to protect it from the elements. Another nearby home had its roof partially ripped off during the wild storms. and the Hampton Township Fire Department reported on their twitter that they believe a micro-burst came through the township.
Thankfully no injuries were reported due to the storms.

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Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane restrictions on Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in Sewickley Borough, Allegheny County will occur this weekend, Friday night, October 22 through Saturday, October 23 weather permitting.

by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director
9:29 AM
(New Brighton, Pa.) Residents and merchants in Daugherty Township, Fallston Borough, New Brighton Borough, and Pulaski Township are asked to provide additional input on the progress of the New Brighton Area Compressive Plan. Based on community participation, the themes of vibrant, healthy, safe, and collaborative have been defined as the key issues. A first draft of recommendations for the New Brighton Area has also been published. Feedback from the community to make sure the plan is on the right track is appreciated. Go to newbrightonareaplan.com to access the recommendations, survey, and any other information you want to know about the New Brighton Area Implementable Comprehensive Plan.

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
09:24 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to a new low point since the pandemic erupted, evidence that layoffs are declining as companies hold onto workers. Unemployment claims dropped 6,000 to 290,000 last week, the third straight drop, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the fewest people to apply for benefits since March 14, 2020, when the pandemic intensified. Applications for jobless aid, which generally track the pace of layoffs, have fallen steadily from about 900,000 in January.

(Photos Courtesy of Shannon’s Mom, Leigh McIntosh)
by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County  Radio News Correspondent
09:10 AM
(Beaver, Pa.) Beaver High School  senior and Brighton Township resident Shannon Witkouski, who is an accomplished  multi-instrument musician  with the PA Educators Association (PMEA) All State Jazz Ensemble has been chosen to be one of six percussionists to perform  with elite high school talent from across the USA in the 2021 National Association for Music Education’s All National Honor Ensembles Concert Band.

Dr. Carrie Rowe, Beaver Area School District Superintendent  said the event will be virtual from Saturday, January 22 to  Monday, January 24, 2022.

06:55 AM
Will fund project to replace 275 lead lines with copper lines

AMBRIDGE, Oct. 20 – State funding of more than $3.1 million will allow the city of Aliquippa to continue eliminating a potential lead risk in the city’s drinking water, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today.

Matzie said the new funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority will finance the second phase of a project to remove and replace lead service lines – work made necessary after testing revealed concerning lead levels in some residents’ drinking water.

“After water sampling in 2020 showed lead in residents’ drinking water, replacing the system’s lead service lines with copper lines became an immediate priority,” Matzie said. “In spring, we secured initial funding to replace 184 lines. That was a step in the right direction, but more work remains to eliminate the threat to all residents.

“Securing this additional $3 million will allow the water authority to replace 275 lead service lines, including the lines on the customers’ side. People need to be able to put concerns over the safety of their drinking water behind them, and this funding brings us one step closer to that.”

Matzie said the funding to the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa includes a combination of $1.9 million in grant funding and a $1.2 million low-interest loan and that without it, residents would have faced an estimated 3% increase in user fees.

In April, Matzie secured $2 million for the project’s first phase.

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
A Pennsylvania appeals court has heard arguments on whether the Wolf administration had the legal right to impose a mask mandate on K-12 schools and child care facilities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Commonwealth Court is deciding a pair of lawsuits filed by parents who contend that masks interfere with their children’s breathing and cause other problems. The state’s acting health secretary was responding to the rapid spread of the highly contagious delta variant when she ordered masks to be worn inside school buildings. The order has sparked fierce opposition among some school board members and parents.