Fewer in US turn to food banks, but millions still in need
By ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunger and food insecurity across the United States have dropped measurably over the past six months, but the need remains far above pre-pandemic levels. Specialists in hunger issues warn the situation for millions of families remains extremely fragile. An Associated Press review of bulk distribution numbers from hundreds of food banks across the country reveals a clear downward trend in the amount of food handed out by food banks across the country. It started in the spring as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout took hold and closed sectors of the economy began to reopen. Feeding America CEO Katie Fitzgerald says, “It’s come down, but it’s still elevated.”

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

(Slippery Rock, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they have charged three 17-year-old males with criminal mischief after they were called to Slippery Rock High School on September 29, 2021, at 11:48 AM.

Troopers said via release that the three teens were involved in the undescribed incident that damaged a soap dispenser valued at $150.00. The release said that the teens told Troopers that they were taking part in a TIC TOC Challenge.  Charges were filed at the local magistrate’s office.

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

October 12, 2021- 9:39 AM

(Glenfield Boro, Pa.) Pa State Police in Pittsburgh are reporting that they were called to 206 East Beaver St in Glenfield Boro at 10:45 AM last Friday, October 8, 2021, where they found 76-year-old David Cunnard deceased at home. Troopers are reporting that it appears that Cunard died from natural causes. No further information was available.

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

October 12, 2021 – 7:59 AM

(Ambridge, Pa.) A baby who was revived with Narcan in late September on Rice Avenue in Ambridge after she ate a stamp bag of heroin has died.

Ambridge Police Arrest Mother After 10-Month Old Gets Into Heroin, Found Unresponsive

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner says 10-month-old Myla Rushman from Ambridge died at Children’s Hospital on Saturday. The cause of her death is still under investigation.

Police received a 911 call of a baby not breathing on September 25, 2021 at a house on Rice Avenue. The baby was given two doses of Narcan by police and they conducted CPR on her until paramedics arrived and she was flown to Children’s Hospital.

Police said at the time they were told the baby had gotten into a bundle of heroin and was overdosing.

Melissa Miller the child’s mother was charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child and taken to the Beaver County Jail.
There is no word at this time if the charges will be upgraded.

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Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

October 12, 2021- 7:28 AM

(Beaver, Pa.) Beaver County Coroner David Gabauer’s office needs the publics assistance in locating the next of kin for a 81-year-old Katherine L. Yoho who was born October 17, 1939. Gabauer stated in a Facebook post on his offices page that Yoho lived in New Brighton and that his office has extinguished all of the resources using all of the online listings. The post also stated that they know there are MANY Yohos in the area and they are hoping someone can help them so that they may give her a proper burial.

Gabauer is asking IF YOU KNOW ANYONE related to Katherine, please private message his Facebook page, David J. Gabauer- Beaver County Coroner.

https://www.facebook.com/David-J-Gabauer-Beaver-County-Coroner-433367620159923/

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

October 12, 2021- 6:53 AM

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Eric Kortz who is charged in the death of a postal worker, Louis Vignone, will appear in front of a federal judge for a preliminary hearing this afternoon.
Federal Authorities say that Kortz admitted to killing Vignone while he was working on his postal route last Thursday morning in Collier Township. Kortz turned himself in after the shooting saying that he did it because when he previously lived by Vignone he believed that Vignone poisoned him and his family with cyanide back when they were neighbors.

Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are six cents higher this week at $3.446 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                $3.446
Average price during the week of October 4, 2021                                  $3.380
Average price during the week of October 12, 2020                                $2.542

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.451      Altoona
$3.439      Beaver
$3.557      Bradford
$3.493      Brookville
$3.378      Butler
$3.524      Clarion
$3.413      DuBois
$3.534      Erie
$3.297      Greensburg
$3.362      Indiana
$3.363      Jeannette
$3.467      Kittanning
$3.358      Latrobe
$3.554      Meadville
$3.569      Mercer
$3.403      New Castle
$3.357      New Kensington
$3.546      Oil City
$3.366      Pittsburgh
$3.510      Sharon
$3.380      Uniontown
$3.559      Warren
$3.375      Washington

Trend Analysis:

The national average price for a gallon of gas increased eight cents on the week to reach $3.27. This is the highest price since October 2014. The key driver for this recent rise in the price of gas is crude oil, which typically accounts for between 50% and 60% of the price at the pump. For the last several days, the cost of crude oil has been over $80 per barrel. And last week’s decision by OPEC and its oil-producing allies to not increase production further only exacerbated the upward momentum for crude oil prices.

According to new EIA data, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 3.3 million barrels to 225.1 million barrels last week. Gasoline demand also increased slightly from 9.40 million barrels per day to 9.44 million barrels per day. This increase in gas demand aided in the national average’s rise.

Meanwhile, an October 1^st breach and spill in a key pipeline supplying fuel to parts of the southeastern U.S. led to tightened regional supplies. Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) originally said it expected repairs to its southeastern products pipeline to be completed October 9, with a restart afterward.  The repairs were slowed by the recent heavy rain and flooding around Birmingham, Alabama. The pipeline serves various metropolitan areas including Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Washington, D.C.

Today’s national average of $3.27 is 10 cents more than a month ago, $1.09 more than a year ago, and 63 cents more than pre-pandemic in 2019.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

October 12, 2021- 6:21 AM

(Darlington Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were called to about a suspicious vehicle Monday morning, October 11, 2021,  in the area of Braden Road and Mc Roberts Road in Darlington Township.
Troopers stated via release that upon checking the area the suspicious vehicle was located and a traffic stop was initiated on a 2015 Chrysler PT Cruiser due to an improper registration plate being displayed. During the traffic stop it was determined that 30-year-old Cortni Rankin from Columbiana Ohio had false identification and had active warrants for her arrest in Ohio. It was also learned that the passenger 27-year-old Jordan McMillan also of Columbiana Ohio also had active warrants for his arrest.
Both McMillin and Rankin were arrested and taken to the Beaver County Jail prior to extradition to Ohio.
Rankin was also charged with presenting false identification to law enforcement and multiple summary traffic violations.

Pennsylvania state-owned university enrollment drops
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — New data shows the total enrollment at Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities has declined to the lowest level in decades. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the State System of Higher Education lost another 5,000-plus students this fall, dropping the universities’ total enrollment below 89,000 students. The newspaper says that’s a level not seen in more than three decades, dating nearly to the system’s founding. PennLive.com reported that the percentage drop in enrollment was the highest in well over two decades. System officials earlier warned state lawmakers and others that the 2021-22 year would be a “very challenging” one for enrollment, citing factors such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

File Photo of the New Brighton High School Main Gymnasium

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published October 11th, 2021 at 9:06 P.M.

(New Brighton, PA)  The New Brighton Area School Board heard from the public at their committee meeting Monday night.  One community member voiced his opinion that the board should terminate the current mask mandate.  He stated that he believes the district is administering a policy that shows no science at all, referencing that he does not believe masks serve any purpose in stopping viruses from spreading.  A parent took the microphone next to voice her concern over certain literature being used in the district.  She spoke about a book being read in high school classes titled “Speak” that heavily involves bullying and self harm.  In addition, the high schoolers are also viewing a movie based on the book in class.  She noted that 8th grade students are reading a book that centers around abortion as well and stated that she feels these books should be nowhere near the children.  The board took note of her concern and said they will handle the matter.  After public comment, the board went through their agenda of items that included school trips, a retirement and the hiring of basketball coaches that will be further discussed at their next meeting later this month.