(File Photo)
Story by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director
October 29, 2021 6:42 AM
(Harrisburg, Pa.) The Pennsylvania Game Commission is warning drivers to careful and be on the lookout for deer in the next few weeks as deer will be on the move as the breeding season heats up.
the Game Commission also says that with Daylight Saving Time on the horizon, this means more drivers will be on the road at both dusk and dawn the same time deer are most likely to be more active.
The game commission reminds drivers that if they see one deer, that usually means there are a few more nearby and to use caution.

October 28, 2021 01:21PM
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was joined by Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Chair Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) to reintroduce the Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act.   Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.  The legislation would prohibit Amtrak from requiring forced arbitration agreements from passengers, restoring the customer’s ability to sue the company in U.S. court in the event of safety issues.

“Requiring forced arbitration agreements unfairly limits consumer rights and protections,” said Lamb.  “Congress needs to take action to restore the legal rights of Amtrak passengers and their families.”

“This bill will restore vital legal rights to the travelers who are injured on Amtrak trains and seek just redress,” said Blumenthal.  “Amtrak’s current forced arbitration and class action ban policies are unjust and unfair.  Riders are often unaware they’ve signed away their legal rights with the purchase of a ticket until the worst happens, like so many passengers impacted by the Montana crash discovered first hand.  Legal accountability will be a powerful incentive to safer Amtrak practices.”

“This bill would ensure customers can pursue legal remedies in court and give them more options to resolve problems they experience with Amtrak travel,” said Payne, Jr.  “In addition, it would hold Amtrak more accountable for actions and issues that occur during rail travel.”

“Rail travel can reduce emissions, connect underserved communities, and bolster our economy, but these benefits should not come at the cost of passenger rights.  When tragedy strikes, passengers deserve their day in court.  I’m proud to join Representative Lamb, Representative Payne, and Senator Blumenthal in introducing legislation to restore the legal rights and protections of Amtrak riders and their families,” said Strickland.

On January 1, 2019, Amtrak revised its requirement that legal action against the company be resolved through a mandatory arbitration process.  Under this change, with the purchase of an Amtrak ticket, customers waive their right to sue Amtrak in a U.S. court for any reason.  Amtrak’s 2019 forced arbitration agreement applies to all possible claims that could be brought, ranging from ticket disputes, to discrimination, to catastrophic injury and wrongful death.  Additionally, the policy covers passengers whose tickets were bought for them – including minors – and prohibits customers from joining class action suits.  Forced arbitration also discourages customers from filing complaints for smaller violations by instituting high fees and extended timelines.  Airlines are already prohibited from using mandatory forced arbitration.

The Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act is endorsed by Public Citizen, American Association for Justice, National Disability Rights Network, and the National Association of Rail Passengers.

Visit Lamb’s website to learn more about the Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act.

(The all new Baden Mc Donald’s opened to the public on Wednesday)
Story and Photos by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
October 28, 2021, 10:56 AM
(Baden, Pa.) The long anticipated re-opening of a brand new Mc Donald’s restaurant on Route 65 in Baden happened on Wednesday morning. The original Baden McDonald’s was built in  1961,  and reconstructed in 1991. The old Baden Mc Donald’s closed for business on May 30, 2021 and torn down.  Construction of an all new modern and up to date facility  began in June 2021.
The updated restaurant  is one of 19 owned by the  Sweeney family, Meghan Sweeney is a 3rd generation family member  and her father Paul Sweeney is still a part of the management.
A Ribbon cutting was held on Tuesday with local police, fire, and community officials, and Vietnam Vets, who conducted flag raising.
George Culhame, the  supervisor overseeing operations of the Baden restaurant said the store opened to customers on Wednesday at 8 a.m.  and by 2 p.m.  over, 1,100 customers had crossed the red carpet. The first 100 customers to cross the red carpet received a coupon for  one free combo meal every week for a year.. At 5 p.m. the Hamburglar was on hand for Family Night.

(Photo of Dawn and Gabi Sparks Trick or Treating in New Brighton in 2018) 
Story by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
October 28, 2021 09:28 AM

(Beaver County ,Pa.) These Communities will have Trick or Treating from 6-8 pm tonight: Aliquippa, Ambridge, Baden, Beaver, Beaver Falls, Big Beaver, Bridgewater, Brighton Township, Center Township, Chippewa Township, Conway, East Rochester, Eastvale, Economy, Frankfort Springs, Hanover Township, Harmony Township, Homewood, Hopewell Township, Independence Township, Industry, Koppel, Marion Township, Midland; Monaca, New Sewickley Township, Ohioville, Patterson Heights, Patterson Township, Rochester, Rochester Township, Shippingport, South Beaver Township, South Heights, Vanport, West Mayfield, and White Township.
The Following Communities will have Trick or Treating from 6 p.m. to 7:30 tonight: New Brighton, Daugherty Township, Pulaski Township, Fallston, New Galilee, and Darlington Township. Tomorrow night the Community College of Beaver County will be holding Trick or Treat and Saturday, October 30, 2021, Franklin and North Sewickley townships will have Trick or Treating from 4 to 6 p.m.
On the actual holiday of Halloween Freedom, Greene Township and Hookstown  will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Potter Township from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Raccoon Township from 5 to 7 p.m.

by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director
October 28, 2021 06:25 AM
(New Castle, Pa.)  The New Castle City Police Department needs the publics help in finding a New Brighton man who is wanted for criminal homicide.

18-year-old Daniel Lee Tweedlie is wanted in the death of Devon Thompson. The incident occurred on Sunday night around 7pm when NCPD were dispatched to UPMC for a reported gunshot victim which was brought to the hospital. Responding officers learned that the victim, identified as Thompson had died of his injuries.

Police investigation determined that the shooting occurred at 413 Leasure Avenue 2nd floor, in the City of New Castle and charges of Criminal Homicide and Possession of a Firearm With Manufacturer Number Altered were filed against Tweedlie.

There is currently has an active arrest warrant for Tweedlie arrest. He is described as a white male, 5’5” tall, 150 pounds, brown hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the NCPD at 724-656-9300 or tips can be left their tip line at www.Newcastlepd.com.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — With nearly two weeks to go until the Commonwealth Court hears arguments about whether Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional, members of the Pennsylvania Schools Work campaign took to the state Capitol steps yesterday to highlight the issue.

The Education Law Center and the Public Interest Law Center are representing school districts, parents and educational organizations in the case, arguing the way schools are funded in Pennsylvania violates the education clause and the equal protection provision of the state constitution.

Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director of the Education Law Center, said the demonstration was meant to show residents the Keystone State is failing to support public education.

“Eighty-six percent of Pennsylvania school districts have an adequacy gap, and what it looks like for students and the student experience is crumbling buildings or lack of technology, libraries that are shuttered, limited or no access to career-training programs,” Klehr outlined.

Pennsylvania ranks 45th for the share of K-12 school funding provided by the state. The state constitution requires the Commonwealth to ensure there is a “thorough and efficient” system of education for all students.

Fifty percent of Black students and 40% of Latino students in Pennsylvania are concentrated in 20% of the districts with the lowest wealth.

Tomas Varela, director of advocacy and communications for the Urban League of Philadelphia, said it is time for the state to adequately support all students.

“When we fight for economic and social justice, we know that it starts with ensuring that our children have what they need to achieve their hopes and dreams,” Varela asserted. “The fight for adequate and equitable funding requires a collective effort, a collection of urban, suburban and rural people who demand equal opportunity for all students.”

The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard starting Nov. 12. The state Department of Education, state legislature leadership and Gov. Tom Wolf are among those named as defendants in the suit.