(File Photo Taken by Frank Sparks in 2018)

(Beaver, Pa.) Beaver County Radio news Correspondent Sandy Giordano is reporting that the sentencing phase started yesterday in the trial of 33- year-old Joshua Diegdio who shot and killed Litrell Parker on September 25, 2020. Diegdio was found guilty earlier this week with Parker’s death. On Friday, September 25, 2020. 22-year-old Littrell parker died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. An unnamed 23- year- old female was also shot and wounded. Diegdio also known as (BIG PUN), of Beaver Falls and 23-year-old Patrick Haynes, of the Harrisburg area were charged in the incident. According to Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier’s office no ruling has come from the jury on the death penalty yet.

(Sewickley, Pa.) Classes have been canceled today for students at the Sewickley Academy Senior High school following an incident on campus that led to police being called.
In a letter sent to the school community Thursday, Head of School Dr. Ashley Birtwell said tensions have been heightened on campus after some senior faculty members “inappropriately” shared information about personnel changes with students.
In the letter it stated that Following a meeting with those faculty members yesterday, a large group of students and parents came to her office and were acting disorderly and law enforcement was called to the school as a precaution.
Pre-K through 8 students will have class as usual.
Reports say that there is a protest being planned across the street from Sewickley Academy this morning

PITTSBURGH – The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions to forego potentially life-saving cancer screening tests such as mammography. In order to provide easy access to screening to as many people as possible, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute is offering monthly screening events, free and open to the public, at locations throughout western Pennsylvania.

Registration is now open for the next screening, scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at AHN Cancer Institute-Beaver, located at 81 Wagner Road, Monaca (Center Township.) Registration is open until March 17, or until the session is filled, and can be made by calling 412-359-6665.

Screenings will be available for cervical cancer (ages 21-65), colorectal cancers (age 45-75), head and neck cancers (age 18+), lung cancer (ages 50-80 with a history of smoking), prostate cancer (ages 45+) and skin cancer (ages 18+). The event is open to AHN and non-AHN patients, and health insurance is not required.

Mammography for breast cancer screening and low dose CT for lung screening will be available at AHN’s Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion, 12311 Perry Highway, Wexford.

“The five screening clinics we offered in 2021 were quickly booked to capacity and very well received. As physicians we were thrilled to see this response, as we are very concerned about the possibility of an increased number of cancer diagnosis due to missed screenings,” said David Bartlett, MD, Chair, AHN Cancer Institute. “Our goal for 2022 is to reach even more people, and to try to ensure easy access to screening in all the communities of our region.”

Upcoming events are planned for AHN Cancer Institute locations in New Castle, Hempfield, Grove City and Allegheny General Hospital, the East Side Health + Wellness Pavilion in Erie, and West Penn and Jefferson hospitals. More details will be announced at a later date.

The American Cancer Society urges all people to follow recommendations for regular cancer screenings and to take steps to prevent cancer, including not smoking, exercising, staying at a healthy weight, following a healthy diet and limiting alcohol consumption.

AHN is taking numerous steps to help patients stay safe in its facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic including around-the-clock disinfecting and screening, spaced appointments, distancing in waiting areas and use of personal protective equipment. All patients attending the AGH event will be screened for COVID-19 on the day before the event and on arrival at either facility.

(AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, Pool)
By DYLAN LOVAN Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky jury has cleared a former police officer who fired shots during the 2020 drug raid that ended in Breonna Taylor’s death. The jury on Thursday found Brett Hankison not guilty of three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that ripped into a neighboring apartment. A judge handed the case to jurors Thursday after lawyers for the prosecution and defense wrapped up their closing arguments.

(AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
By WAYNE PARRY Associated Press
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The gambling industry and some of its allies in Congress are renewing a push to decrease the number of slot machine jackpots that get reported to the IRS. Legislation introduced Thursday is being touted as a benefit to casinos, which would need to take fewer slot machines out of service temporarily while tax forms and filled out for winning patrons. But it also would have the practical effect of preventing more slot jackpot winners from having their winnings reported to the government. The bill would increase the threshold for IRS reporting of slot jackpots from the current $1,200 to $5,000.

(File Photo of Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro)

HARRISBURG—Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that a Fayette County priest was sentenced to 2 1/2 to 5 years in state prison for repeatedly assaulting an 11-year-old altar boy starting in 2004 and continuing until the boy was 14.

“The bravery of this survivor helped us hold Andrew Kawecki accountable, and he will now go to prison for his unthinkable crimes,” said AG Shapiro. “My office will continue to seek justice and accountability for those who use their position of power and trust to prey on their communities.”

Andrew Kawecki was charged by the Office of Attorney General in August 2020 after a victim reported to investigators that Kawecki forced sexual encounters with the victim starting when he was 11 years old. The assaults continued for three years in the back room of St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Fairchance where Father Kawecki prepared for services before mass.

Kawecki was identified following the release of the Grand Jury on Clergy Sexual Abuse in 2018, but was not named within the report. The report has generated over 2,000 tips to the Office of Attorney General, including the information that led to this conviction.

Kawecki was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Linda Cordova of Fayette County. Upon his release from state prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years under Megan’s Law. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye.

(Feature Photo Provided by CCBC Shows Current CCBC President Dr. Roger W Davis (Left), Dr. Margaret Williams-Betlyn (Center), and an unnamed staff person from CCBC) 

(Monaca, Pa.) The CCBC Foundation announced the endowment of a new scholarship opportunity for the 2022 fall semester on Thursday morning, March 3, 2022.

The new scholarship is the Dr. Margaret Williams-Betlyn Scholarship for a Diverse Workforce. This scholarship focuses on diversifying the workforce pipelines for underrepresented careers in the U.S.

“The CCBC Foundation is honored to accept such a generous donation from a significant member of our campus community. Scholarships like this reduce financial burden for students while accelerating their educational opportunities and relieving financial obligations after graduation,” said Kolton Codner, CCBC Foundation Executive Director. 

The Dr. Margaret Williams-Betlyn Endowed Scholarship for a Diverse Workforce honors the legacy of Dr. Betlyn, CCBC’s first and only female president in the College’s history (serving from 1990-1999). Dr. Betlyn established the $15,000 scholarship endowment to support students with the hopes of increasing diversity in the workforce. At least one scholarship will be awarded each fall. Preference will be given to students who are females pursuing a career in Aviation Sciences, males pursuing a career in Health Sciences, females pursuing a career in Process Technology, and any students who represent underrepresented minorities in particular fields of study.

 “Data continues to show us that diversity in the workplace is a key driver of innovation and success. Providing opportunities for minorities and underrepresented students to pursue meaningful careers is just one way to broaden the pool of talent for employers,” said Dr. Williams-Betlyn. “I encourage students to take advantage of opportunities like these to support them financially and to accelerate their paths to success.”

Scholarships will be awarded, according to the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a full-time student enrolled in for-credit courses at CCBC.
• Applicants must have applied for financial aid.
• Applicants must submit a completed scholarship application by the stated deadline to the Executive Director of the CCBC Foundation.

“The purpose of this scholarship is to champion the need to develop a diverse workplace,” said the President Emeritus. “My hope is to allow future students to know that “no dream is too big” thus providing the encouragement they need to inspire others.”

As CCBC’s first and only woman President, Dr. Peggy Williams-Betlyn led the College through a period of student-focused growth and expansion in the 1990’s as the library, now known as the Learning Resources Center, was constructed, and dedicated, providing more spaces for students and the community to learn and grow.

Through quality instruction, CCBC also received National League of Nursing (NLN) accreditation in recognition of the excellence of its programs during this time. Bolstered by Dr. Williams-Betlyn’s leadership, CCBC’s nursing and allied health programs, which will celebrate their golden anniversary this spring, continue to thrive as areas of excellence and pride at CCBC.

“CCBC is synonymous with opportunity. CCBC was the home of my personal career development. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of CCBC’s legacy,” stated Dr. Williams Betlyn.

For more than fifty years, CCBC has transformed the lives of students in the community. Through the generosity of donors and friends, the CCBC Foundation supports students where and when they need it the most. With over 25 current scholarship opportunities, CCBC uses a single application process to match students with scholarships that will be most impactful for that individual and achieve the philanthropic goals of the donor. 

No gift is too big or too small to have an impact on CCBC students. To learn more about other scholarship opportunities, apply or donate: https://www.ccbcfoundation.org/scholarships