Category: News

Ambridge Council Removes Interim from Police Chief John DeLuca, Also Promote and Hire Police Officers

(File Photo of Chief DeLuca and Kate Lowry from an interview at Beaver County Radio in March of 2017)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.) Interim Ambridge Police Chief John DeLuca  was  hired officially Tuesday night as Ambridge Borough’s new police chief. He was awarded a  5 year contract, according to Borough manager Mario Leone. Part time police officers Austin Turner and Josh Kauser  were also promoted to full time.

Dan Pritchett was hired as a part-time police officer  and part-time parking enforcement officer . His salary   will be $12.50  an hour as recommended by Chief DeLuca.
The borough  phone system will be upgraded , and a 5  year contract with Midnight Blue  was awarded. Cost to the borough  is $819.56 per month.
A contract with Mobilize 360 to upgrade the borough’s website, and to develop a new borough app was recommended to council by Leone. It will enable residents to  report potholes, high grass, and other issues according to the borough manager.

Hit and Run Accident on 376, Pittsburgh Woman Suspected of DUI has Seizure on Way To Hospital

(Potter Twp., Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver are reporting that they responded to a report of a hit and run crash on Pa 18 in Potter Twp. that supposedly occurred on Interstate 376 Westbound near the Monaca Exit on 8 PM on Tuesday night, April 13, 2021.

Upon arriving on the scene and interviewing a 24-year-old female from Pittsburgh it was determined that her vehicle was involved in the accident with a dark green in color SUV with unknown registration. Police later took the 24-year-old into custody for suspected DUI. During transporting her to the hospital for a blood test she suffered a suspected seizure. The Trooper then summoned Medic Rescue and she was transported to Heritage Valley for a medical evaluation. The Investigation continues according to State Troopers via release.

Scrap Pile Catches on Fire at Neville Island Scrap Company

(Neville Island, Pa.) Around 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2021 , there was a large scrap pile that caught on fire at the Metalico Scrap-yard on Neville Island. It’s being reported that witnesses said they heard some loud pops and then fire erupted on the large pile at the business on Grand Avenue.
Firefighters from several departments conducted a large tanker operation to haul in loads of water, dousing the heaping pile of flaming scrap metal from all directions.
Crews also had to tear the scarp pile apart piece by piece with heavy equipment to attack the flames.

More COVID state shutdowns unlikely, despite CDC suggestion

More COVID state shutdowns unlikely, despite CDC suggestion
By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press
A recent spike in coronavirus cases in some states has led one of the nation’s top health experts to suggest that governors could “close things down” like they did during previous surges. But that doesn’t appear likely to happen — not even in states led by Democratic governors who favored greater restrictions in the past. Governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois all are reluctant to return to broad shutdowns. Colorado’s governor plans to turn decisions about public health orders over to local officials later this week. Officials are hoping vaccinations will help counter an increase in cases from new virus variants.

Having An Advocate In The Courtroom Can Make The Difference. Part 2 In A Special Series About Issues Surrounding Sexual Assault

By Mark Peterson, Beaver County Radio Special Assignment Correspondent.

(Beaver County, PA)  April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Beaver County Radio has partnered with The Women’s Center of Beaver County to raise awareness about the topic.  Four weekly segments will air throughout the month with each focusing on different aspects of sexual assault.

 

Today’s installment is the second in the four part series and sheds light on the importance of having companionship and advocacy in the courtroom.  Many times, victims of sexual assault have to relive their horrible ordeal all over again through lengthy court proceedings and testimony.  Having a trusted ally to be present throughout the process with the victim can help lessen the burden and fear of  having to recount their experience in the presence of the perpetrator.  Beaver County Radio spoke with Patty Huselton earlier in a live on air interview about this very subject.  Ms. Huselton is a legal advocate available to victims of Sexual Assault through the Women’s Center of Beaver County.

 

Huselton also shared that many times, the accused will do everything in their power, and exhaust all legal avenues to try and get a case dismissed, or to buy time before ultimately being convicted.   Sometimes, those tactics can lead to a rather lengthy courtroom process.  A long period of fielding questions, and having to recall and provide testimony about the incident can be very intimidating and cause fear and anxiety for the victim of sexual assault. That is why having an advocate to support , encourage and advise throughout the process can have an impact  toward producing a positive legal outcome.  The Women’s Center of Beaver County provides these services and welcomes inquiries.  Raising awareness of this valuable courtroom advocate service is all part of local initiatives from the Women’s Center of Beaver County to coincide with National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which happens in April of every year.

For more information, call the Women’s Center of Beaver County at 724-775-0131. Help and counseling are available 24 hours a day.

Part three in this special series is scheduled to air and be published online next Thursday, April 22nd, so be sure to check back then for more valuable information on the issues surrounding sexual assault  from Beaver County Radio and The Women’s Center of Beaver County.

 

Man accuses NFL’s Aaron Donald of assault at Pittsburgh club

Man accuses NFL’s Aaron Donald of assault at Pittsburgh club
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A lawyer is telling Pittsburgh police that Los Angeles Rams player Aaron Donald and others assaulted his 26-year-old client at a nightclub last weekend, causing multiple injuries. Attorney Todd Hollis said Wednesday that De’Vincent Spriggs required 16 stitches. Spriggs suffered a broken orbital bone in his head, a broken nose and a sprained or broken arm at a bar around 3 a.m. Sunday. Hollis says a misunderstanding that Spriggs bumped into Donald precipitated the alleged assault. Hollis released a photo that showed Spriggs with facial injuries and swelling. Donald played college football at the University of Pittsburgh. The Rams said they were looking into the matter.

Coinbase soars in market debut, valued near $100 billion

Coinbase soars in market debut, valued near $100 billion
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AND ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers
Coinbase has made a rousing debut on Wall Street. The digital currency exchange’s stock rising as high as $429, briefly giving it a market value over $100 billion. The company’s listing on a public stock exchange is seen by some as an inflection point for digital currencies, as Coinbase’s fortunes are seen as closely tied to Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency. Bitcoin has topped $63,000, up from $29,000 at the start of the year, and Coinbase said recently that its first-quarter revenue should total around $1.8 billion, exceeding its revenue for all of 2020. Shares of Coinbase are trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker “COIN,”

President Biden to pull troops from Afghanistan, end longest US war

Biden to pull troops from Afghanistan, end longest US war
By AAMER MADHANI and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he will withdraw the remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan and end America’s longest war. He declared on Wednesday that the Sept. 11 attacks, which were coordinated from Afghanistan, cannot justify American forces still being there 20 years after the deadliest terror assault on the United States. Biden said at the White House that he is the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan and he “will not pass this responsibility to a fifth.”

Wolf Administration Encourages All College Students to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Before the Semester Ends

Wolf Administration Encourages All College Students to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Before the Semester Ends

Harrisburg, PA – The Departments of Health (DOH) and Education (PDE) today encouraged all students at Pennsylvania colleges and universities to receive their COVID-19 vaccination before the semester ends. DOH and PDE officials are encouraging all institutions of higher education to work with local providers to ensure vaccination opportunities are available before students leave for the summer.

“As students are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage them to find a provider and get vaccinated before they travel back home at the end of the semester,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “We look forward to higher education institutions connecting with our provider network or the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partners to coordinate vaccination opportunities for their students.”

The DOH vaccine jurisdiction includes 66 counties across Pennsylvania, and everyone over 16 is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine – regardless of occupation, health conditions, residency, or citizenship. Students do not have to be a resident of Pennsylvania to receive the vaccine here.

“The COVID-19 vaccine will allow postsecondary institutions to provide more in-person learning and improve the safety of our campus communities for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “I encourage all students enrolled in PA’s postsecondary institutions to take advantage of this available resource and get the vaccine before the semester ends.”

“There are safe and effective vaccines available, and we encourage all students to get vaccinated today. Even if students are concerned about not getting their second dose while at school, it is important to seek out the vaccine now and to later find the second dose if needed,” Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “When fully vaccinated, students can travel home safely knowing they are armed with the best protection against this virus. Even when vaccinated, it is important to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently.”

To date, more than 6.6 million doses have been administered to more than 4.3 million people. You can find vaccine demographics in our vaccine dashboard here.

Students can visit the DOH vaccine map to find a provider nearest them or call the PA Health Hotline  at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) with questions.

While vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient.

  • The Your Turn tool provides a way to register to be alerted when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Minnesota cop will be charged in shooting of Black motorist

Minnesota cop will be charged in shooting of Black motorist
By SCOTT BAUER and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota prosecutor says he will charge a white former suburban Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot 20-year-old Black motorist Daunte Wright during a traffic stop. Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said Wednesday that Kim Potter will be charged with second-degree manslaughter. Orput’s announcement comes a day after Potter resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Department, where she had served for 26 years. It carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The shooting ignited days of protests and unrest. It happened while the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, in the death of George Floyd is progressing.