WASHINGTON (AP) — Negotiations between the White House and Senate Republicans over President Joe Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan are hitting a crucial stage ahead of talks Friday. The latest GOP offer has left some dismay in the administration that there hasn’t been more movement off the Republicans’ initial $568 billion proposal. A Republican says GOP lawmakers did increase their offer and have been working in good faith with the White House. But the slog of the closed-door talks is certain to spark fresh worries from Democrats. The president’s team had set a soft Memorial Day deadline to determine if a deal was within reach.

ORIENT, Ohio (AP) — Farming techniques that are good for the soil may also play an important role in fighting climate change. A growing number of U.S. farmers are planting winter cover crops, reducing tillage and taking other steps that keep carbon underground instead of releasing it to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the primary gas causing global warming. President Joe Biden’s administration is encouraging government programs and private markets that pay farmers to use the carbon-trapping methods. Some farmers are reluctant to change their ways, and some scientists question the effectiveness of the new practices against climate change. But other experts say the measures can have a significant impact if used more widely.

President Joe Biden spoke with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu six times over nine days as the U.S. pressed a flurry of diplomatic efforts to try to quell the furious fighting between Israel and Hamas. By Thursday afternoon, Netanyahu had called the American president to say a cease-fire was coming. But Biden remained wary even after that call, concerned that things still could go crosswise before the truce took effect. Finally, after a second call with reassurances from the Israeli leader, Biden stood before the cameras to celebrate the agreement. Biden had conducted his diplomacy largely by avoiding the cameras and maneuvering instead behind the scenes.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

Greg Durkis, Hopewell Township Police Detective and Beaver County Impaired Driving Task Force Coordinator, announced that the task force will be out conducting checkpoints, roving patrols, and mobile awareness checkpoints beginning this weekend. There will be occupant protection enforcement through Memorial Day. He stated that the enforcement is in support of the state impaired driving enforcement initiative. The checkpoints and roving patrols will be at undisclosed locations throughout the county to keep roads safe, save lives, and reduce DUI crashes.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Chippewa Township, PA) Chippewa Township has finally passed their Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance 261 that we spoke about earlier this year. Under the ordinance, possessing a small amount of marijuana, 30 grams or less, or 8 grams of hashish, will now be treated as a summary offense, resulting in a $300 ticket rather than a criminal charge. The ordinance also applies to paraphernalia. Chippewa is the first township in the state to pass an ordinance of this kind. The driving factor behind the ordinance is that the police face issues involving hours of paperwork and overtime pay to officers for marijuana related offenses. This ordinance will apply mainly to first time offenders, those who are caught with marijuana on multiple occasions will still face the risk of a criminal charge.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

Central Valley School Board met on ZOOM Thursday night and approved the 2020-2021 graduating class of 2021. Dr. Nick Perry, superintendent reported 150 students will graduate June 4, 2021
Classes for 2021-22 school year were approved by the board. The board approved a contract with Medic-Rescue for medical transport beginning July 1, 2021- June 30, 2020. Cost is $3,400 a year.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) On Wednesday, the City Council of Aliquippa, Mayor Dwan B. Walker, Councilman Donald C. Walker III and their team received the 2021 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence in a remote ceremony at Governor Wolf’s residence. The award was in recognition of the city’s contribution to local government in Pennsylvania. The award was supported with a House of Representatives, according to PA State Representative Rob Matzie.. He said the state looks forward to a continued partnership for a better Aliquippa.

Aliquippa School Board approved several motions at Wednesday night’s meeting. An agreement between the school district and the Beaver County Mental Health Association , an agreement with Pressley Ridge, and 1 year contract with Medic Rescue at a rate of $3,400 effective July 1, 2021 through and including June 30, 2022. A new one year contract with Nutrition Group, Inc. is effective July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Adult cafeteria prices for lunch were increased by .$.25 for the 2021-2022 school year.
Summer school sessions for the elementary school are June 14-July 9, July 12 to August 5, and August 9-20, 2021 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. JSHS summer school is scheduled for June 14-July , 2021 from 8:15 a.m. to noon. All costs are covered by ESSR funding. Dates are subject to change based on student enrollment. Board secretary Delcine McBride’s salary beginning July 1m 2021 and ending June 30, 2025 will be an annual stipend of $1,800.00.
The board tabled the resignation of business manager/board treasurer Debbie Engleman.
The board’s next regular meeting, is. scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. in the JSHS Black Box Theater.

Nearly one-third of federal correctional officer jobs in the United States are vacant, and that’s forcing prisons to use cooks, teachers, nurses and other workers to guard inmates. At a federal penitentiary in Texas, prisoners are locked in their cells on weekends because there aren’t enough officers to watch the inmates. Elsewhere in the system, fights are breaking out and inmates have escaped in recent months. The Justice Department budgeted for 20,446 full-time correctional officer positions in 2020, but the agency that runs federal prisons says it currently employs 13,762 officers. The Bureau of Prisons insists that many of its facilities still have a full complement of officers who focus solely on maintaining order.