Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
Monday, November 22, 2021 at 9:12 AM
(Pulaski Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is reporting that. One person was air lifted to a Pittsburgh hospital for injuries sustained in the fire after Firefighters from Pulaski Twp. and New Brighton responded to a call at 12:45 a.m. Sunday morning for an apartment fire on 51st Street in Pulaski Twp. By the time first responders arrived the fire was out according a to New Brighton Area Police. The name and condition of the injured person has not been released.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

WARREN, Pa. — A Western Pennsylvania conservation group is petitioning the Allegheny National Forest to prohibit bike riding on all non-motorized trails across its more than 500,000 acres of land due to safety concerns.

The Friends of Allegheny Wilderness are calling on the U.S. Forest Service to formally amend its 2007 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Allegheny National Forest because they say the advent of potentially fast-moving electric bikes, which can be indistinguishable from regular mountain bikes, poses a physical danger to hikers.

Kirk Johnson, executive director of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, said the group’s request can help ensure a positive hiking experience.

“E-bikes can travel greater distances in less amount of time at high rates of speed, so they’re a real threat to not only just regular hikers but also especially to younger hikers or elderly hikers,” Johnson explained.

E-bikes are not permitted on non-motorized trails. A spokesperson for the Allegheny National Forest said in a statement they are reviewing the petition and the forest is committed to “balancing the needs of user groups while sustaining the health, diversity and productivity of the forest.”

Johnson said the ban would not apply to the Jakes Rocks mountain biking trail in Allegheny National Forest. The Friends group is asking for a ban on pedestrian access to the trail out of an abundance of caution. Johnson added it is important to keep all visitors to the national forest out of harm’s way.

“I think what they have to do when it comes to trails is get away from the multiple-use concept,” Johnson urged. “We need dedicated hiking trails with no e-bikes, no mountain bikes, and then there should also be dedicated mountain-bike trails. ”

Mountain-bike riders would still be able to utilize other motorized trails in the forest, including Rocky Gap, Willow Creek, Marienville, Timberline and Penoke. Under the petition, mountain bike riders would have nearly 144 miles of trail to use, a reduction of about 45 miles.

Harrisburg, PA – Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today announced that all adults in Pennsylvania are now eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine booster.

“Vaccine providers across Pennsylvania have supplies of the safe and effective vaccines to administer booster shots,” Beam said. “I am impressed by the tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who are stepping up every day to get their first, second or third dose of vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors against COVID-19.”

The expanded eligibility follows an in-depth review process by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and means that everyone 18 and older can schedule a booster dose six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Regardless of which brand of vaccine was received for a primary vaccination, individuals can take any brand for a booster dose.

Individuals who have questions about getting vaccinated are encouraged to talk to their doctor or other trusted healthcare professional.

To find a vaccine provider near you, please visit www.vaccines.gov.

Pennsylvania vaccine providers, including pediatricians, primary care physicians, family doctors, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers and grocery stores, are able to schedule booster appointments now.

AMBRIDGE, Nov. 19 – Two grants totaling more than $326,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund road and playground improvement projects for Hopewell and Harmony townships, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today.
Matzie said a $226,453 grant to Hopewell awarded under the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program will allow the township to construct a new box culvert and bridge along Laird Drive, which leads directly into Hopewell Community Park.

“The work funded by this grant – including nearly 250 square yards of road paving and installation of 200 feet of guardrail – will reduce roadway flooding and provide alternative routes for pedestrians, cyclists and children traveling to three Hopewell schools,” Matzie said.

He said the total project cost is $266,424 and that the township is requesting a waiver of the match requirement but will fund nearly $40,000, or 15% of the project.Matzie said that a $100,000 grant to Harmony Township, awarded under the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, will allow the township to continue improving the playground at Beaver Road Park.

“Securing this funding will allow Harmony Township to install a new play surface; replace outdated play equipment with new, more accessible equipment; and add features that stimulate kids’ senses. Those improvements will make the park safer and more inclusive to kids of all abilities.”

Matzie said the total cost of the playground project is $151,383, and the township has committed $22,708.

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1460 WMBA’s Mike Azadian and Bruce Frey have the call from West Allegheny High School of this 2021 WPIAL Class 3A Semifinals high school football playoff game as the defending champion CV Warriors battle the EF Warriors.

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1230 WBVP, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com’s Bob Barrickman and Jason Colangelo have the call from Martorelli Stadium in West View of this 2021 WPIAL Class A Semifinals high school football playoff game as the Rams battle the Chargers to see who advances to the WPIAL Class A Final at 2PM next Friday at Heinz Field.

If you can’t tune into the game you can click the link below to listen on-line via beavercountyradio.com:

You can also down load our free apps:

Kyle Rittenhouse cleared of all charges in Kenosha shootings
By MICHAEL TARM, SCOTT BAUER and AMY FORLITI Associated Press
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of all charges after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha, Wisconsin, shootings that became a flashpoint in the nation’s debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice. The jury came back with its verdict after close to 3 1/2 days of deliberation. Rittenhouse, 18, could have gotten life in prison if found guilty of the most serious charge against him. He was charged with homicide, attempted homicide and recklessly endangering safety for killing two men and wounding a third with an AR-style semi-automatic rifle. The shootings took place during a night of protests over police violence against Black people in the tumultuous summer of 2020. Rittenhouse is white, as were those he shot. The jury appeared to be overwhelmingly white.

(Photo Courtesy of PENNDOT)

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is pleased to announce the relaunch of the “Paint the Plow” program in Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties.

The safety outreach program was introduced by the department to promote safe winter driving, integrate community involvement, and foster appreciation for high school artists and student creativity. The program invites local high schools to have students paint a plow blade with an original piece of artwork based on a provided theme.
Since 2016, the program has run as a competition, judging the plows based on the ability to create their design, incorporating a designated safety theme. After taking a hiatus in 2020, this year focused on rebuilding the community involvement. The schools were tasked with designing a plow featuring “school spirit” without a judging component.
During the winter weather season, plows designed by this year’s participating schools, including Montour, Beaver Falls, and Neshannock high schools, along with Forbes Road Career & Technology Center, will be used to maintain state-owned roadways in their respective counties.Photos of the plows can be found on PennDOT’s Facebook page and the District 11 Paint the Plow webpage.
For more information on winter driving and PennDOT operations, visit www.penndot.gov/winter.