LOS ANGELES (AP) — Elton John is hosting a “living room” concert aimed at bolstering American spirits during the coronavirus crisis and saluting those countering it. The event was announced Wednesday by iHeartMedia and Fox. Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, the Backstreet Boys, Tim McGraw and Billie Joe Armstrong are scheduled to take part in the concert airing at 9-10 p.m. Eastern Sunday on Fox TV and on iHeartMedia radio stations.  The artists will be filmed with cell phones, cameras and audio equipment for safety reasons. Viewers will be asked to support the charitable organizations Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation.

UNDATED (AP) — Italy has added 683 more dead and 5,210 infections to its coronavirus toll, but its initial steep rise in cases has continued to level off two weeks into a nationwide lockdown. The new figures brought the number of infections to 74,386 and placed Italy on track to overtake China in the next day or two in having the most reported cases in the world. Italy last week reported more dead than China and on Wednesday registered a total of 7,503 dead with the virus, confirming its place as the European epicenter of the pandemic.

The city of Aliquippa has declared a disaster emergency. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

AARP has established a toll-free family caregiving line for people taking care of a loved one. Andrea Sears reports…

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The Brady’s Run Ice Arena is about to get a major facelift…after being named the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ‘Renovate the Rink’ campaign. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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The Beaver Falls community is mourning the loss of a prominent businessman. Al Tripodi – founder of the Beaver Valley Federal Credit Union, formerly known as the B & W Federal Credit Union – passed away last week. Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak spoke with  Al’s son – Jim Tripodi – about his father’s legacy…

Jim talked about how many people’s lives were touched by his father during his long career…

Jim talked about his father’s loyalty…

 

Jim tells us that family meant everything to his father…

Jim told us the story of how nearly 20 years ago, his father stopped traffic to pick up a dime off the street…

Jim also told the story of when he was a little boy how his father showed compassion to those in need…

Al Tripodi, who lived in Patterson Heights, was 96 years old.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is quietly allowing gun shops to reopen on a limited basis during the coronavirus pandemic after several justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court urged him to do so. The governor’s office says firearms dealers may now sell their wares by individual appointment during limited hours as long as they comply with social distancing guidelines and take other measures to protect employees and customers from the coronavirus. Wolf on Tuesday also ordered residents of another county, Erie, to stay home, in another sign of the virus’s rapid spread across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania businesses that were considered to be non-life-sustaining are being issued warnings from the PA State Police. Police released data on actions taken against 27 non-life-sustaining businesses who failed to comply with Governor Tom Wolf’s order to close their physical locations by Monday, March 23rd. Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police said the process is two-phased beginning with warnings to gain voluntary compliance, followed by enforcement as necessary. The Wolf administration has provided all local law enforcement with enforcement guidance that mirrors PSP’s.

PennDOT is reopening more highway rest areas across Pennsylvania. The 23 indoor facilities include portable restrooms and handwashing stations, which were temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 guidance from Governor Wolf. The rest areas, returning to normal service and maintenance hours, are meant to keep offering clean sites for interstate truckers to use. More information about open locations can be found online at PennDOT’s website.