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.

6:49 AM
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s highest court says people can to sue to challenge a city’s gun restrictions even if they haven’t been charged with violating them. A divided state Supreme Court said Wednesday that Firearm Owners Against Crime and other plaintiffs have legal standing to take on the Harrisburg city gun ordinances. The majority says the plaintiffs don’t have to wait until they’re charged with violating the ordinances before challenging them. At issue are local laws with criminal penalties. They include discharging a gun outside a gun range, possessing guns in parks, failing to report lost or stolen guns within two days, or unaccompanied children having firearms outside their homes.

6:46 AM
By CURT ANDERSON Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The FBI and a family attorney say items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains have been found in a Florida wilderness park during the search for clues in the slaying of his girlfriend, Gabby Petito. Searchers including Laundrie’s parents found unspecified articles that belonged to Laundrie and law enforcement efforts were ramped up. Laundrie is a person of interest in the death of Petito, who was reported missing Sept. 11. Her body was found Sept. 19 on the edge of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park and the coroner concluded she was strangled.

Part 3 of 4 In A Special Series Designed To Raise Awareness During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

By Mark Peterson – Beaver County Radio. October 21, 2021 5:41 A.M.

(Beaver County, PA) October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Women’s Center of Beaver County has partnered with Beaver County Radio to produce and publish a four part series on issues associated with Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence affects many people in a family, including children.  Jodie McGovern is a Therapist with the Women’s Center of Beaver County and she recently told Beaver County Radio about the importance of making it easy and convenience for the children of families affected by domestic violence to have access to help. Often times the home might be too busy and active to conduct effective therapy sessions.  In addition, transportation to get to a therapy session can be an issue, especially in Beaver County.  That’s why McGovern was excited about a new Community Therapist position recently added on Women’s Center of Beaver County.  Ms. McGovern spoke to Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County earlier this ,month about the benefits of having a Therapist go out into the community.

The Women’s Center of Beaver County provides free therapy services around the clock, 365 days a year. and makes one of their therapists available daily via their 24 hour helpline for those who need assistance regarding domestic violence situations.  For more information about meeting with a domestic violence therapist from the Women’s Center of Beaver County, call 724-775-0131.

 

This is the third segment in a four part special series that is focused on domestic violence, as part of an overall effort to educate and raise awareness of the issue during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent 
10:48 AM
(Center Twp., Pa.)It’s been more than 3 years since the Energy  Transfer pipeline  explosion occurred on Ivy Lane  in Center Township at 5 a.m. September 10,2018.  . Two homes were destroyed and extensive damage occurred in the area, the DEP didn’t permit ET  to do anything along the pipeline until the area was restored. Center Township  Supervisor chairman Bill DicCioccio  said the   matter  has been completely resolved