House passes $2.2T rescue package, rushes to Trump
By ANDREW TAYLOR, ALAN FRAM and LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a $2.2 trillion rescue package, rushing it to President Donald Trump for his signature. The measure tosses a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic.  The House approved the sweeping measure by a voice vote, as strong majorities of both parties lined up behind the most colossal economic relief bill in the nation’s history. It will ship payments of up to $1,200 to millions of Americans, bolster unemployment benefits, and offer loans, grants and tax breaks to businesses large and small. It also will flush billions more to states, local governments and the nation’s all but overwhelmed health care system.

New Castle police are attempting to identify a man who robbed the 7Eleven convenient mart on the North Hill while holding a knife to an 11-year-old girl. The incident took place around 8 o’clock Wednesday night. According to a police report, the suspect’s identity was hidden by a mask and a hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to call New Castle police. No one was hurt.

The Aliquippa School District has a second employee diagnosed with COVID-19. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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A police officer in Ambridge is being diagnosed with COVID-19. In a letter sent to borough staff Thursday, their borough manager said the police department member tested positive and was recovering at home. The officer began to exhibit symptoms during his shift on March 20th and has been off the job since. Their internal investigation showed that no one had close personal contact with the officer on that date.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases here in Beaver County has jumped to the double digits. The county now is at 13 cases. Statewide, the number has leaped by 50% and record numbers of Pennsylvanians are filing for unemployment compensation, the most in the nation. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration said Thursday that five more people stricken with coronavirus died, bringing the death toll to 16. With 560 new cases confirmed by the state Department of Health, there are now more than 1,680 cases in 48 counties. Meanwhile, Pennsylvanians filed about 650,000 unemployment compensation claims over the past 11 days as Wolf unveiled an order for “non-life-sustaining” businesses to shut down to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

WEST DEER, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a fast-moving fire roared through a western Pennsylvania home, killing a 14-year old girl and her dog. Emergency responders went to the West Deer home around 9:15 a.m. Thursday. Firefighters tried to enter the residence to reach the girl, but were forced back by the intense heat and flames before part of the home collapsed. The girl was identified as an eighth-grader in the Deer Lakes school district. Her name has not been released. It wasn’t clear if anyone else was in the home when the fire broke out, but no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(Beaver County, PA) Local reaction to the Corona Virus pandemic has forced the suspension or cancellation of large gatherings, including worship services across Pennsylvania.  Along that line, WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M. are pleased to be the “pulpit” of the airwaves during this time.  Local listeners and parishioners can tune in to four different church and faith based programs this weekend.  at 7 A.M. on Saturday Morning, March 28, Pastor David Grove from The Church of The Redeemed of Beaver Valley hosts his weekly “Wake Up Beaver County” program.  At 9 A.M. on Sunday morning, March 29, live Sunday Mass from St. Monica Catholic Parish in Chippewa will still take place even though the church is closed to the public.  Then, at 10 A.M. on Sunday March 29, a recorded version of this week’s message from Christian Dimensions, featuring Aliquippa native Jackie Billingslea-Davis, will provide worship and inspiration from a Jewish tradition and perspective.  Finally,  at 10:30 A.M. on Sunday March 29, Pastor Jan Davis from Central United Methodist church in Beaver Falls will engage with listeners via a broadcast recorded earlier this week.  All four segments will air on WBVP,  WMBA,  99.3 F.M. and The Beaver County Radio Live Audio Stream.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2020

 

TODAY – CLOUDY SKIES. HIGH – 63.

TONIGHT – SHOWERS IN THE EVENING, BECOMING A MORE
STEADY RAIN OVERNIGHT. LOW – 52.

SATURDAY – RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH – 64.

SUNDAY – SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING.
REMAINING PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE AFTERNOON.
HIGH – 71.

3.3 million seek US jobless aid, nearly 5 times earlier high
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — A record-high number of people applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs engulfed the United States in the face of a near-total economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus. The surge in weekly applications for benefits far exceeded the previous record set in 1982. Layoffs are sure to accelerate as the U.S. economy sinks into what most economists expect to be deep and painful recession. Revenue has collapsed at restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, gyms and airlines. Auto sales are plummeting, and car makers have closed factories. Most such employers face loan payments and other fixed costs, so they’re forced to cut jobs to save money.