By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A key trade that sealed a budget deal between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans who control the Legislature was a $100 million injection of cash into Pennsylvania’s poorest public schools in exchange for the governor backing off a regulatory expansion of eligibility for overtime pay. Wolf, a Democrat, had sought more than $1 billion in new, higher funding for public schools, but met Republican resistance. He settled for $300 million, including the $100 million strictly for poorer districts. In exchange, Wolf agreed to repeal the regulation he pushed through in 2020 to expand the range for lower-wage salaried workers who must receive time-and-a-half pay for overtime.

Story By Beaver County Radio Correspondent, Sandy Giordano.

(Hopewell Township, PA) – Hopewell Township Police Department and other local departments are participating in the Drive Sober or Get pulled Over impaired driving awareness campaign. Officers will be working together during this holiday weekend to take drunk drivers off the roads.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent, Sandy Giordano.

(West Aliquippa, PA) – Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer reported Monday night that Richard C. Nolte, 61 of Coraopolis’s cause of death was accidental due to blunt force trauma to the head. Nolte’s injuries were due to a motorcycle accident on Mckee Avenue in West Aliquippa on Sunday night, June 27th, 2021. Police, fire and Medic-Rescue were dispatched to the scene at 7:39 p.m., according to Beaver County 9-1-1.

(File Photo)

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.)  Dr. Michelle Miller’s resignation as the district’s superintendent was announced at Monday night’s school board meeting. The resignation is effective on  August 13.  Dr. Miller  said she has accepted the superintendent’s position  in the South Fayette Township School District. effective   August 16

(Homewood Boro, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel in Homewood Boro Monday morning, June 28, 2021 at 6:20 AM for a report of tools being stolen from a truck.

Upon arrival and investigating Troopers reported that Jose & Aylin Siding & Windows, from Elridge, Maryland, employees were staying at the motel and had their 2009 Chevrolet Silverado parked in a rear parking lot. It was discovered early Monday morning that an unknown suspect loaded tools into his silver Dodge Caravan, which had a black hood and black trim around the vehicle, that he took from the bed and tool rack of the truck.

Troopers say a Gutter Bender, Coil Nailer, Jig-saw and air-compressor valued at $1600.00 were the items that were stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pa State Police in Beaver at 724-773-7400.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(New Brighton, PA)  New Brighton School Board Met tonight for a meeting that started off with Superintendent Joe Guarino stating that as of now, the New Brighton School District will not require masks and will go back to a full 5-day school week for the 2021-2022 school year.  The only stipulation would be if the health department would decide to reinstate any mandates in the future.  One citizen in attendance was not happy with the stipulation and participated in a heated argument with board president John Ludwig, stating that they felt the district was abusing children by requiring the wearing of masks. Ludwig took strong offense to the comment and assured that children wearing masks is in no way child abuse. Audio of Ludwig’s’ response can be heard below, the citizens’ comments were omitted for the privacy of the child.  The board went on to approve a health and safety plan to follow state and CDC guidelines that is required in order for the district to receive funding through ESSER/ARP.  The board also approved resolution No. 7, which allows the superintendent to develop alternate instructional plans to employ in-person, virtual, and distance learning in accordance to the Pennsylvania School Code.  In addition, the board approved a contract with KeySolution Educational Staffing LLC, to provide school psychologist services until the end of July 2022.  Lastly, the board approved the adoption of a new general fund budget of $26,413,399.00.

Segment of Ludwig’s’ response:

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Rochester Township, PA)  Rochester School Board met tonight for their last meeting until August.  The board started off with a private executive session that lasted 15 minutes to discuss a litigation and real estate matter. Once the public meeting got underway, the board paid the general fund bill of $396,682.93 and cafeteria fund bill of $26,652.32.  Three tax exonerations were approved for properties at 824 First Street, 102 Landell Street, and 737 Beaver Street for years that the properties were in the repository.  Also on the agenda was a motion for the purchase of two parcels of unused and undeveloped land on Maryland Avenue at a cost of $8,500 to develop additional parking.  The motion was rejected.  The board also approved a renewal contract for 2021-2022 with Nutrition Group Inc., as it was approved by the state, as well as a sponsor agreement with the YMCA to supply summer lunches until the end of June 2022.  In addition, a lease agreement with Head Start was approved to utilize one classroom at a rate of $12,000 for the 2021-2022 school year.

US airstrikes target Iran-backed militias in Syria, Iraq
By LOU KESTEN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department says the U.S. military conducted airstrikes against what it says were “facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups” near the border between Iraq and Syria. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby says the militias were using the facilities to launch unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq. Kirby says the U.S. military, under the direction of President Joe Biden, targeted three operational and weapons storage facilities Sunday — two in Syria and one in Iraq. He is describing the airstrikes as “defensive,” saying they were launched in response to an “ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. interests in Iraq.”

Taylor Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to the scene of a fatal one vehicle accident on US 422 in Taylor Twp. Lawrence County at 2:31 AM Saturday morning.

Troopers stated via release that 39-year-old Jason Geminiani was driving westbound at an unknown speed on US 422 in the area of the Martha Street overpass when he exited the roadway and struck an embankment which divides the east bound and west bound lanes. His vehicle then struck the guard rail of the eastbound lanes and continued going west in the eastbound lanes. The vehicle then struck the end of a guard rail in the east bound lanes and overturned. Geminiani was ejected from the vehicle at that point and the vehicle continued to travel until it hit a street and came to a final rest overturned on the south embankment of US-422 East.

The Lawrence County Coroner’s Office pronounced Geminiani dead at the scene.  Pa State Police are continuing to investigate.