Category: News

Man Wanted In Aliquippa Escapes Police and SWAT In Valley Terrace: Drugs and Guns Seized

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) On Monday at approximately 5 p.m. security officers at the Valley Terrace Housing  Complex In Aliquippa  spotted Richard Mcleod 21, who they knew had an outstanding warrant for his arrest  on a gun possession charge without a permit. According to the report, he fled into one of the apartments, and ultimately fled the scene., Aliquippa Police were called, and at 5:10 p.m. Beaver County ESU (SWAT)  responded  to clear the apartment. Search warrants were obtained  for McLeod, a search of the apartment revealed that the suspect fled the scene. With additional search warrants, Guns and drugs were  seized.. The incident is under investigation and additional charges may be filed .

Aliquippa Police and the ESU were assisted  by the  Sheriff’s Department, PA State Police , and the Aliquippa Fire Department.
As of  Wednesday morning , McLeod was not in custody. Anyone with information on McLeod  can contact the Aliquippa Police Department 724-375-6682 .

Jam Packed Teleforum Thursday

On Thursday’s Teleforum program, host Eddy Crow welcomes Aliquippa police officer Fran Conkle to discuss the rash of ultra-realistic looking bb guns being seen on the streets; at 11am Mike Romigh Hosts the Best of Beaver Country and will be talking about tobacco use; afterwards local musician Samuel Mancini will play live and the Beaver County Times’ Scott Tady will be in the studio to talk about all the entertainment news in Beaver County. Teleforum is 9 till noon every weekday on Beaver County Radio.

Pa. State Bar Leader Charged with Patronizing Prostitute Quits

State bar leader charged with patronizing prostitute quits
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association is quitting after being charged with patronizing a prostitute who police accused of trying to extort him. David Eric Schwager was also put on leave from his job as an assistant solicitor in Luzerne County. His attorney is declining comment. Luzerne County detectives say that in late December 2019 the 58-year-old Schwager answered an advertisement for an escort by going to a house in Wilkes-Barre and paying Emily Ann Merth to engage in sex acts. The 25-year-old Merth faces charges of prostitution, theft and sexual extortion. She’s accused of demanding hundreds of dollars or she would release a video she recorded of him.

Semi-Truck Rears Ends Vehicle On I-376 in Hopewell Twp.

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were called to the scene of a two vehicle accident Monday, April 26, 2021, at 5:10 PM  on Interstate 376 in Hopewell Twp.

Troopers reported via release that when they arrived on scene and investigated they found that both vehicles were traveling West on I-376 in Hopewell Twp. . The vehicles were in the left lane when traffic slowed. The driver of a 1996 Peterbilt truck did not notice traffic slowing and and rear ended a 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 pushing it into the grassy median. Both vehicles were able to be driven away from the scene only sustaining minor damage. Neither driver was identified in the release and no injuries were reported. The driver of the Peterbilt truck was given a citation for following too closely.

Trailer Becomes Detached From Pick-up Truck on I-376 in Hopewell Twp.

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting via release that they were called to the scene of a one vehicle accident on Interstate 376 Eastbound in Hopewell Twp. on Monday, April 26, 2021, at 3:15 PM.
Troopers reported upon arriving on the scene and investigating they found that a 2013 GMC Sierra was traveling Eastbound when the trailer that it was towing got a flat tire and became unattached from the truck. The trailer continued traveling east on I-376 and struck a guard rail causing damage to both the trailer and guard rail. The trailer came to a final rest on the berm of the road. The drivers name was not released and there were no injuries in the incident.

Early In-Person Voting by Mail Underway in Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, Pa. – Acting Secretary of State Veronica W. Degraffenreid reminded Pennsylvanians today that they can vote early in-person by mail ballot until May 11, the deadline to apply for a mail ballot.

“Once your county’s ballots are available, voting early in person by mail ballot is one of the new options under the bipartisan Act 77,” Secretary Degraffenreid said. “It’s simple, secure, easy and convenient.”

Once their county has finalized and printed ballots, voters can visit their county election office or satellite office and apply for a mail or absentee ballot. County election officials will check their eligibility while they wait and, once verified, will provide them with the ballot. Voters can then complete their ballot and cast it all in one visit.

Voters can use this option until 5 p.m. on May 11, the deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the May 18 primary election.

Before making the trip to vote in person by mail ballot, voters should check the hours of their county’s election office or satellite office, Secretary Degraffenreid advised. A list of satellite voting locations designated by county election boards will be updated as information is made available.

Whether voting at home or in person at the county office, voters should make sure they enclose their mail ballot first in the inner secrecy envelope and seal it, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope and sign and date the outer envelope.  Voters must complete these steps in order for their ballots to be counted.

Voters have until 5 p.m. on May 11 to apply for a mail ballot through their county election board. Voted mail ballots must be received by county election boards by 8 p.m. on May 18, Election Day. More than 677,500 Pennsylvanians already have applied for a mail-in ballot and more than 36,000 Pennsylvanians have applied for an absentee ballot.

Pennsylvania voters can choose to vote by mail ballot or to vote in person at their polling place on Election Day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 18.

The deadline to register to vote in the municipal primary, May 3, also is fast approaching. Pennsylvanians can register to vote and check their registration status online. Or they can download and print a registration form and mail it to their county election board. Applicants using the online voter registration system must complete and submit their application by 11:59 p.m. on May 3 to vote in the primary. Traditional paper voter registration forms must be received in county voter registration offices by close of business on May 3.

Individuals wishing to register to vote in the May 18 primary must be:

  • A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the primary
  • A resident of Pennsylvania and of the election district in which the individual plans to register and vote for at least 30 days before the primary
  • At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary

On May 18, voters who are registered as Republican or Democrat will choose their parties’ nominees for seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, county Common Pleas Courts, and Philadelphia Municipal Court.

Also on the party ballots will be a wide variety of county, school board, and local seats such as mayor, city or borough council member, township commissioner or supervisor, magisterial district judges, and precinct election officials.

All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, will be eligible to vote on four ballot questions. Three of the questions are proposed constitutional amendments, and the fourth question is a referendum on making municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies eligible for an existing state loan program.

In addition, all registered voters in the following four districts, regardless of party affiliation, will be voting in special elections to fill vacancies:

  • 22nd State Senate District (Lackawanna County and parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties)
  • 48th State Senate District (Lebanon County and parts of Dauphin and York counties)
  • 59th State House District (parts of Somerset and Westmoreland counties)
  • 60th State House District (parts of Armstrong, Butler, and Indiana counties)

For more information on voting and elections, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

President Biden To Pitch Sweeping ‘Family Plan’ In Speech To Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will use his first joint address to Congress to pitch a $1.8 trillion investment in children, families and education that would transform the role government plays in American life. Biden delivers the Wednesday speech on the eve of his 100th day in office. Biden will make his case before a pared-down gathering of mask-wearing legislators due to coronavirus restrictions. Biden will lay out a sweeping proposal for universal preschool, two years of free community college, $225 billion for child care and monthly payments of at least $250 to parents.

Blackhawk High School Closed Until Monday, May 3, 2021

(Chippewa Twp., Pa.) Blackhawk High School students will be learning remotely until Monday, May 3, 2021. The high school is closed to in-person instruction due to recent cases of COVID-19.
Students will have classes via TEAMS during the building’s closure.

The closure affects only the high school and all other schools and buildings will remain open for in-person instruction.

High school athletics and activities are also canceled until Monday, May 3, 2021.

Pa. Department of Health Updates Mask Guidance Following CDC Announcement

Department of Health Updates Mask Guidance Following CDC Announcement

Harrisburg, PA – Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced that the department has updated its mask guidance to reflect the announcement made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier today.

“Today’s CDC announcement allows those who are fully vaccinated the opportunity to spend time outdoors, in some situations, without wearing a mask,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “This is both welcomed and exciting news for individuals who are fully vaccinated and are at a significantly lower risk to serious illness from COVID-19. However, those who are not vaccinated will still need to wear a mask in most situations, and those who are fully vaccinated should still wear a mask when in crowded spaces.”

The CDC provided information today about activities that fully vaccinated people can do, including:

  • Visiting with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
  • Visiting with unvaccinated people (including children) from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
  • Participating in outdoor activities and recreation without a mask, except in certain crowded settings and venues.
  • Resuming domestic travel and refraining from testing before or after travel, or self-quarantine after travel.
  • Refraining from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refraining from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States.
  • Refraining from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings.
  • Refraining from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
  • Refraining from routine COVID-19 testing if asymptomatic and if feasible.

However, for now, fully vaccinated people are still advised to continue to:

  • Take precautions like wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings.
  • Wear masks that fit snuggly when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.
  • Wear well-fitted masks when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people from multiple households.
  • Avoid indoor large-sized, in-person gatherings.
  • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Follow guidance issued by individual employers.
  • Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.

Additional guidance for those who are fully vaccinated is available on the CDC website.

“Today’s announcement underscores the importance of getting vaccinated to protect yourself from COVID-19,” said Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson. “It is important that people who have compromised immune systems consult with their physician as to whether they may need to continue to wear a mask in some of these situations.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s masking order from March 2021 incorporates CDC masking guidance for fully vaccinated individuals, including this guidance.

The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient. To keep Pennsylvanians informed about vaccination efforts:

  • All Pennsylvanians age 16 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. The provider map is available here.
  • A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
  • Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
  • All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
  • Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
  • The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week.
  • Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.
  • Frequently asked questions can be found here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
  • Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

 

DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline

DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the REAL ID full enforcement date by 19 months, from October 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023, due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has significantly impacted states’ ability to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards, with many driver’s licensing agencies still operating at limited capacity. DHS will publish an interim final rule in the coming days to effectuate this enforcement date change.

“Protecting the health, safety, and security of our communities is our top priority,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “As our country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the REAL ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver’s licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card.” 

Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.  

All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are now compliant with REAL ID security standards and are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. However, many state licensing agencies have extended the deadline for renewing expiring licenses due to a widespread shift to appointment-only scheduling protocols during the pandemic that has significantly limited states’ capacity to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. As a result, only 43 percent of all state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards are currently REAL ID-compliant.  DHS and various states also need time to implement requirements mandated by the REAL ID Modernization Act, including changes that will streamline processing by allowing the electronic submission of certain documents.

DHS continues to work closely with all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to implement REAL ID Act requirements. For more information on REAL ID, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id.