A Beaver Falls man accused of setting nearly a dozen fires and causing neighbors to live in fear was held for court today. Zachary Metcalf is charged with arson and risking a catastrophe. Police say the 21-year-old started nine fires this summer in Beaver Falls and two more in White Township. Metcalf allegedly told police he was tired of seeing all the abandoned houses in the area. His preliminary hearing was held this morning.
A local consultant has been named as the new president of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce. Jack Manning of Chippewa Township will take over the position last held by Erica Loftus. She left the position in early September. Manning tells Beaver County Radio his long-term goal for the organization is to grow and expand the reach the chamber has in the region. Manning will begin his new position tomorrow.
Head Start of Beaver County is throwing a party today – a community block party. It’s in honor of the program’s 50th Anniversary. Angela Abiatti – the Parent Family Community Engagement Manager at Head Start – tells Beaver County Radio that today’s event will honor past and present Head Start children, parents and staff with refreshments, a national message from the office of Head Start and artwork from each Head Start classroom. It all gets underway at 4:30 this afternoon at the Head Start headquarters at the Beaver Valley Mall. Those interested in attending can call (724) 728-2110 to RSVP.
“Dance Moms” star Abby Lee Miller has been charged with hiding $775,000 worth of income from the Lifetime network reality show and spinoff projects during her Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 50-year-old Abigale Lee Miller was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, and false bankruptcy declarations. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton. They say she hid income in 2012 and 2013 from her TV appearances as well as from dance sessions, merchandise and apparel sales.
Restaurant owners are trying to change a law banning outside eating in Ambridge. Borough zoning regulations still prevent that, but council could change that. Council is considering an ordinance to allow food establishments to have outside dining. Borough Manager Joe Kauer tells Beaver County Radio that council could vote to legally advertise the proposal at its meeting tonight, which begins at 7:00 in the borough building at 600 11th Street.
Ellwood City teachers did not go on strike today. It was feared that teachers in the district could go on strike today. However, Ellwood City Schools tweeted late last night that there wouldn’t be a strike and that a tentative agreement had been reached. The last contract expired June 30th.
Police say a New Brighton man who was driving a stolen all-terrain vehicle when he was hit by a train and had his leg amputated has been charged in the incident. It happened in June, but police only recently charged 32-year-old Lawrence Hammer the Fourth. The man faces a preliminary hearing January 7th on theft and related charges. Hammer is accused of stealing the ATV from a Chippewa home on June 12th, then riding around on it as he broke into cars, stealing various items inside early June 13th. One victim heard the ATV drive away around 6 a.m. Hammer was hit by the train about 40 minutes later, losing one leg and a portion of his other foot.
Teachers in one Lawrence County school district could go on strike tomorrow. The Columbus Day holiday and more negotiations are all that’s keeping teachers in the Ellwood City School District from going on strike. The 130 teachers in the Ellwood City Education Association say they’ll strike Tuesday if a new contract isn’t struck before then. The last contract expired June 30. The school board and the teachers’ union have both expressed optimism that they’ll work out a deal before then but, so far, it hasn’t happened.
A two vehicle accident at the intersection of 9th Street and Washington Avenue in Monaca Friday afternoon had area motorists taking a detour around the affected area. For about an hour, drivers were inconvenienced while the scene was cleaned up and cars towed away. By late afternoon, traffic patterns were back to normal. No information was available on the condition of the drivers or anyone involved in the accident.
