(Story & photo by Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“All I know is that I don’t believe we’re providing equitable education opportunities across the entire county.”

Those words came from Commissioner Jack Manning at the February 16 work session at the Beaver County Courthouse, one day after the Beaver County Partnership released a study done by Johns Hopkins University in regards to education and educational opportunities in Beaver County. Manning, who himself has been working with the BCP on this process, feels that there are greater opportunities for students to have.

“I’m not a fan of mergers, and this isn’t about mergers in my mind,” Manning stated, “but there are plenty of examples where 9 through 12th graders–when they really start to identify with their career paths and could have opportunities to go to centers for excellence that meet their and their families needs for them to be successful in life, and I think some of the smaller school districts struggle with that–with resources and capability.”

The study made mention of Beaver County’s declining population coinciding with increasing numbers in “wealthier neighboring counties”, and Manning hopes that certain improvements in attainable and affordable options within the county can reverse that trend and keep families here.

“It’s not about bigger being better,” Manning added, “it’s about equitable opportunities that will really prepare kids for life and the career path that’s right for them and their families…and I think we can do better.”

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The Beaver County Partnership along with John Hopkins University and the Community Catalyst Partners partnered for a study conducted by John Hopkins University that looked at what education will look like in Beaver County in 2030. The Beaver County Partnership, which was formed in 2016, started the research in 2018 and in 2020 they handed the study over to the researchers at John Hopkins University. Those results were released yesterday.

The study focused on 5 factors: Economic and job growth, desirable housing, quality of place, good government, and quality Education.

Skip Homan, Vice Chair, Board of Directors Beaver County Partnership, Sarah Dettinger, Blackhawk High School Student, and Dr. Rob Postupac Superintendent for Western Beaver and Blackhawk School and part of the Beaver County Partnership joined Eddy Crow on Teleforum this morning  to talk about the results of the study.

You can watch the interview as it streamed live on our Facebook Page at 10:00 AM this morning.

(File Photo)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) The Diocese of Pittsburgh is easing its COVID-19 restrictions for churches and schools on Saturday February 26, 2022
Priests, deacons, ushers, and others will no longer be required to wear masks at mass.
Parishioners can once again share the sign of peace. Also, parish events outside of mass will be allowed to be held in-person.
For schools, masks will not be required inside elementary or high schools. However, students must continue to wear them on school buses per federal law.
Anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 will not only have to quarantine at home for five days but will also have to wear a mask for five days after they return to school.

(File Photo)
Story by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director
(Beaver County, Pa.) The Beaver County Partnership along with John Hopkins University and the Community Catalyst Partners partnered for a study conducted by John Hopkins University that looked at what education will look like in Beaver County in 2030. The Beaver County Partnership, which was formed in 2016, started the research in 2018 and in 2020 they handed the study over to the researchers at John Hopkins University. Those results were released yesterday.

The study focused on 5 factors: Economic and job growth, desirable housing, quality of place, good government, and quality Education.

Steven Ross, Director of the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University headed up the study.
The results of the study showed that
• Enrollments in nearly all of the 14 school districts have declined; overall county population has declined over the past decade.
• Compared to the “benchmarking” communities examined, Beaver County had the lowest ratio of local to total funding.
• Compared to the four other PA districts, Beaver County also had the lowest proportion of total spending for instruction.
• Revenues increased less than expenditures for six districts.
• Clear inequities exist across districts in financial health.

The Community Perceptions about Beaver County said that
• Positive about the community as a safe and pleasant place to live.
• Citizens polled were Concerned about:
• The capacity of small school districts to provide cutting-edge and comprehensive programming.
• Inequities in educational opportunities across districts.
• Ability of BC to attract and keep younger families relative to wealthier neighboring counties.
• (From students) Insular environments at small schools, over-emphasis on athletics (football), lack of opportunity in BC.

Major Findings that could help the school districts now and in 2030.
• Strengthening School Districts by sharing resources. AKA Mergers
• Enhancing County Education
• Engaging the Community

The Beaver County Partnership will be holding 5 town hall meetings
The first in person town hall will be this Saturday at the Community College of Beaver County starting at 10:00 AM
The second is on Saturday 2/26/22 at the Beaver County YMCA in Rochester Twp. at 2 PM
Three zoom sessions will also be held on Thursday 2/17/22, Monday 2/21/22, and Wednesday 2/23/22 all at 6 PM .
You can view the full report as well as get a link for the Zoom meetings on the Beaver County Partnership Page. https://beavercountypartnership.com/

(Photo Courtesy of Ambridge Borough)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge Council recently issued a proclamation to the owners of Orbit inn, a restaurant located next to Harmony House in the  historic district. Borough Manager Mario Leone said the restaurant has served customers for over 50 years.

Legislative maps draw legal challenge over county’s division
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new legal filing claims redrawn district maps for the state House of Representatives improperly carved up a western Pennsylvania county. The lawsuit docketed on Tuesday focuses on changes made to Butler County in district lines approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission earlier this month. People have more than two weeks left to take their objections to the General Assembly maps to the state Supreme Court. Additional challenges are expected, likely including from state House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, a Centre County Republican. Benninghoff cast the lone “no” vote when the Legislative Reapportionment Commission approved the revised maps by a 4-1 vote.

(File Photo)
By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania state senator who was in regular communication with then-President Donald Trump as he sought to reverse his re-election loss and was outside the U.S. Capitol the afternoon of the Jan. 6 rioting is among those getting subpoenas from congressional investigators. The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack issued the subpoena to state Sen. Doug Mastriano on Tuesday.  Mastriano is currently seeking Pennsylvania’s Republican gubernatorial nomination in the May primary. He’ s being asked  for documents and information about efforts to name a slate of alternate Electoral College electors for Trump, among other things. Mastriano didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

Chesapeake Bay states have until 2025 to implement practices to reduce watershed pollution, and a new report shows “climate-smart” farming can help prevent farm runoff.

In the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint, roughly 80% of the remaining pollution reduction must come from agriculture – and Pennsylvania is farthest behind among the Bay states. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation report said implementing regenerative farming practices, from rotational grazing to planting forest buffers along streams, can reduce animal waste and soil erosion.

Bill Chain, the foundation’s senior agriculture program manager, said Pennsylvania has a lot of farm conservation work to do.

“Farmers are ready to adopt conservation practices, but need funding,” he said. “Both the state and federal conservation funding fall woefully short of what’s necessary to make that investment with family farms in improving water quality.”

He said one step the state could take is to establish an Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, which would fund best-management practices such as planting streamside trees and cover crops.

The report included real-life examples of farms that have converted to rotational grazing, including Blue Mountain View Farm in Lebanon County. Research has shown that nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution in local waterways decreased significantly after the farm made the switch.

Beth McGee, the foundation’s director of science and agricultural policy, said these steps can have economic benefits for farmers, too.

“Adoption of these practices can also reduce the use of fertilizer,” she said. “If we put less nitrogen on the ground, either in the form of manure or synthetic fertilizer, we will reduce the amount of nitrous oxide that is produced – and nitrous oxide is a very potent greenhouse gas.”

The report said Pennsylvania needs an estimated $3 billion in agricultural funding to meet the 2025 Blueprint requirements.

(File Photo)

(New Sewickley Twp., Pa.) A fatal crash has that happened around 3 AM this morning had the westbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike closed between Cranberry and New Castle. The accident happened at mile marker 20 in New Sewickley Twp.
Pa. State police are reporting that two tractor-trailers and a box truck were involved in the crash. , as well as a pedestrian, and one person was killed.
Police believe the pedestrian was along the shoulder of the road when a tractor-trailer struck them. They were then hit by other vehicles.
The lanes were expected to reopen around 7:00 a.m.
The Westbound Lanes will be closed until police and emergency responders clear the scene.
Traffic is being detoured from the Cranberry exit and drivers will be able to get back on the Turnpike at the New Castle Interchange.

The featured image above shows a sign leading to the Freedom Area School District. Photo by Carissa Sutter.
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published February 15, 2022 1:30 P.M.

(Freedom, PA) Beaver County Radio spoke to Freedom Area Schools Superintendant Diane Workman regarding the student actions that took place during a varsity basketball game against New Brighton last Friday. Workman confirmed the district has identified multiple people involved at different levels in the incident. When asked how many people, the superintendant declined to answer stating that the investigation is ongoing.  At the New Brighton Area School Board meeting Monday night, Dr. Joseph Guarino stated that Freedom had identified some of the perpetrators and are handling it from a discipline standpoint within their district. Workman said that Freedom “took it seriously”, and “We’re sorry it happened”.  During the varsity basketball game Friday night at Freedom, organized chants were typed on paper and demonstrated against New Brighton players including one that involved a players deceased father. You can read the original story here: https://beavercountyradio.com/news/inappropriate-and-disgraceful-comments-made-to-new-brighton-basketball-players-at-freedom-game-under-investigation/