Woman accused of theft from Pelosi’s office during riot

Woman accused of theft from Pelosi’s office during riot
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — FBI authorities are seeking a woman in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol after an accusation from a former romantic partner that she took a laptop from the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The FBI said in an arrest warrant Sunday that Riley June Williams is charged with illegally entering the Capitol and disorderly conduct. FBI officials said a caller claiming to be a former romantic partner of Williams said friends showed him a video of her taking a laptop computer or hard drive from Pelosi’s office. Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, confirmed Jan. 8 that a laptop “only used for presentations” was taken from a conference room. Court documents don’t list an attorney for Williams.

MLK Day service calls for nonviolence amid turbulent times

King Day service calls for nonviolence amid turbulent times
ATLANTA (AP) — The annual celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in his hometown in Atlanta is calling for renewed dedication to nonviolence following a turbulent year. The slain civil rights leader’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, said in an online church service Monday that physical violence and hateful speech are “out of control” in the aftermath of a divisive election followed by a deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol in Washington by supporters of President Donald Trump. Bernice King quoted her father’s words from more than 50 years ago, saying mankind must choose between “nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation” and that it’s possible to respond too late.

Coronavirus deaths rising in 30 US states amid winter surge

Coronavirus deaths rising in 30 US states amid winter surge
By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Coronavirus deaths are rising in nearly two-thirds of American states as a winter surge pushes the overall toll toward 400,000 amid warnings that a new, highly contagious variant is taking hold. As Americans observed a national holiday Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pleaded with federal authorities to block travelers from countries where new variants are spreading. He cited new versions detected in Britain, South Africa and Brazil. A vast effort is underway to get Americans vaccinated, but the campaign is off to an uneven start. According to the latest federal data, about 31 million doses of vaccine have been distributed, but fewer than 11 million people have received at least one dose.

President Elect Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US

Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US
By AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
President-elect Joe Biden will take the stage for his inaugural address at perhaps the most difficult starting point for a president since Franklin Roosevelt began his first term by assuring a nation scarred by the Great Depression that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” But memorable turns of phrase like Roosevelt’s are more the exception than the rule when it comes to inaugural addresses. In a dark moment, Biden will aim to deliver a speech that reaches out to all Americans while trying to turn the corner on the rancorous presidential messages of the last four years.

WHO chief lambasts vaccine profits, demands elderly go first

WHO chief lambasts vaccine profits, demands elderly go first
By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press
GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization chief says it’s “not right” that younger, healthier adults in wealthier countries get vaccinated against COVID-19 before older people in poorer countries. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus kicked off WHO’s week-long executive board meeting by lamenting that one poor country got only 25 vaccine doses while more than 39 million doses have been made in nearly 50 richer nations. He says that “the world is on the brink of a moral catastrophic failure” in assuring access to vaccines. The WHO chief also raised the issue of the “profits” that drug makers can make in richer countries. Austria’s envoy raised questions about WHO’s program to get vaccines to poorer countries.

President-Elect Biden picks Chopra, Gensler for financial oversight roles

Biden picks Chopra, Gensler for financial oversight roles
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is set to nominate Rohit Chopra as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tapping a progressive ally of Sen. Elizabeth Warren to helm the agency whose creation she championed. Chopra, a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission, helped launch the agency after the 2008 financial crisis and served as deputy director, where he sounded the alarm about skyrocketing levels of student loan debt. The pick comes as Democrats are eyeing ways to provide student loan relief to millions of Americans as part of a COVID-19 relief package. Biden announced the move Monday, along with his intent to nominate Gary Gensler, the former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fire reported at Sewickley home Monday Morning

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Sewickley, Pa.) No injuries were reported  in a two alarm house fire in the 800 block of Centennial Avenue in Sewickley Monday morning.  Firefighters from several departments responded to the scene, according to police. No injuries were reported, and the cause hasn’t been determined. The family dog did not make it out and died in the fire.

Theft of equipment from South Side Garage in Hookstown

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hookstown, Pa.) PA State Police reported Sunday that   there was  a reported  theft of old vehicle parts from South Side Garage in Hookstown  last Wednesday night just after 8 p.m. Unknown persons in a red GMC Envoy stole rotors, drums, struts, and a hydraulic cylinder.  Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call PA State Police 724-773-7400.

Beaver County 9-1-1 reports a lot of Slip and Slide Accidents From Overnight Snow

(File Photo)

(Beaver County, Pa.) No injuries were reported  in a slip -n-slide fender bender in the area of Nova Chemical in Potter  Township Monday morning. In a separate accident Two cars had to be towed from the scene of  an accident  in the area of Phillips Street and Ridge Road in Economy  Borough. Beaver County 9-1-1 said there were no injuries in the accident.

The dispatcher reported that due to the snowfall overnight there are have been several slip and slides and fender bender accidents.

Victim of Friday’s Deadly Hopewell Fire Identified

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio news Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Hopewell, Pa.) Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer issued a report Saturday  that William E. Whiting, Jr., 84  was  identified as the victim found by firefighters  early  last Friday morning. at 5144 Mcintosh Drive  in Clearview Estates.   Firefighters were called to the scene  at   2:45 a.m. according to Beaver County 9-1-1.

Fire Chief Mike Wasik said Saturday that the state police are handling the investigation into the fire. he said it’s not known how many persons were in the home besides the victim, but they were able to escape.