(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

The Blackhawk School Board met virtually tonight for their monthly meeting.  They went over a variety of topics. The district spoke about improvements to their high school building that include a new elevator and also new fridge and freezer systems for the cafeteria.  Board members announced that senior and junior class officers have been working on a plan to host a prom.  The class officers have suggested an event where the students can go out to eat together, followed by meeting at the school for the actual prom, which they would like to be held outdoors.  Holding the prom outdoors will give a sufficient amount of space, opposed to indoors, and allow parents and guests to be in attendance for the grand march.  The Board also spoke about assessment tests that have been given to the students since returning to in class instruction full time. They stated that they have seen a dramatic improvement since the return to class, as opposed to online instruction.  It was also announced that the district intends on using iPads for Keystone and PSSA tests to eliminate the transmission of papers and materials between students and staff members.  One parent spoke out about her concerns that the fact that students wouldn’t be given mask breaks when they returned to school, was not communicated to parents.  The board members stated that they cannot give students masks breaks due to the students not being able to be distanced enough in the building, according to the attestation agreement they signed with the state. Also debated was if the district is in need of new heating and air conditioning systems to improve air quality.  The Board does not believe that there is an issue with the air quality at the moment, but some staff and parents do.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Tune into 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com at 9:00 AM Friday morning. Mike Romigh will be the guest host and he has an action packed show planned for the listeners. At 9:10 AM Mike will be joined in studio by Lew Vilotti from the BC Corporation for Economic Development to talk about money that is available for for small businesses. Mike will then be joined in studio at 10:10 by Dallas Kerr from the Center at the Mall to discuss changes due to the pandemic and how the center is surviving. Mike will then have open talk for hour three. Both interviews w will be streamed live on the Beaver County Radio Facebook Page. You can participate by calling 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888.

PennDOT Announces New Scenic Byway Designation for the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway in Chester and Delaware counties has received a National Scenic Byways (NSB) Designation from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

“We are thrilled that another one of our Pennsylvania’s Byways has achieved National Scenic Byways status,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “The beautiful, historic Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway is more than deserving of this honor.”

The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway directly adjoins a national scenic byway of the same name in the state of Delaware and extends the route into Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley. The history encompassed within the Byway spans from the settling and early development of the nation through the Revolutionary War, the struggle for freedom on the Underground Railroad, to the creation of world class cultural institutions by the families who had made the Brandywine Valley their home. The scenic qualities arise from the land itself, which fortunately has been protected due to its fine agricultural assets and the forward thinking and means that the residents possessed to protect and conserve the landscape.

The 25-mile route in Pennsylvania, when joined with the Delaware Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway, forms a figure eight encompassing Route 52 starting at the Delaware state line, traveling north to Route 162, and returning via Creek Road back to the Delaware state line.

Commenting on the designation, John Haedrich, Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Commission chair said, “The vision for the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway is that it will continue to be a place with a deep and varied history recognizable in the landscape and intertwined with a distinctive natural environment and pastoral scenic vistas—vibrant threads which together make a rich tapestry for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.”

This effort also entailed the support of seven participating municipalities including Birmingham Township, Chadds Ford Township, East Bradford Township, East Marlborough Township, Kennett Township, Pennsbury Township, and Pocopson Township.  In addition, letters of support were provided to FHWA by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Chester County Planning Commission, Delaware County Planning Commission, Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, and numerous other stakeholders.

The National Scenic Byways Program, established by Congress in 1991, recognizes historic, scenic, natural, archeological, cultural and recreational qualities and promotes tourism and economic development in nearby communities. Pennsylvania created its own Byways Program in 2001 – as a local grassroots program – and is managed by PennDOT. Pennsylvania boasts 21 byways, four of which now are FHWA National Scenic Byways.

AMBRIDGE, March 10 – As more community organizations begin plans to reopen, a $12,000 state grant to Beth Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge will help Beaver County’s oldest operating synagogue meet security needs, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today.

Matzie said the grant, awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program to protect potential hate-crime targets, will ensure that when the congregation – which suspended activities during the pandemic – decides to welcome back families, it will be able to provide the safest possible environment.

“We need to ensure that the folks returning are safe from security risks,” Matzie said. “The funding will help ensure those protections are in place.”

In addition to the funding to Beth Samuel, Matzie said 29 organizations in Allegheny County were awarded grants totaling approximately $1.53 million.

He said organizations may use the funding for a broad range of resources, including safety and security planning and training, threat assessments, security upgrades, and the purchase of metal detectors, electronic locksets, surveillance equipment and other technology.

The grants are part of a larger package of more than $5 million awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, which provides funding to nonprofit organizations serving people or groups the FBI has identified as potential hate-crime targets. Now in its second year, the program was established by Act 83 of 2019, largely in response to the Tree of Life shootings in Pittsburgh.

It is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Because of the large number of applications and limited funding, priority was given to applicants whose organization or membership was the victim of a hate crime and had clearly justified a credible hate-crime threat.

More about the grants is available here.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Monaca, Pa.) Monaca Borough Manager David Kramer reported Wednesday afternoon  that a 24 hour boil water advisory went into effect last night after water service was restored in downtown Monaca.  A scheduled valve replacement  took place yesterday, Kramer reported. Anyone in need of water during the advisory can go to the water filling station  at Fire Department #4 on Monaca Heights.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) At Monday night’s work session for the Hopewell  Area School Board the board  approved a letter written to teachers who are eligible for retirement  under the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive program. The letter was effective, Monday, 8, 2021.