Category: News

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.

Beaver Valley Choral Society Working On “God Of Our Fathers” Spring Project

The Beaver Valley Choral Society is going virtual once again this spring–and they’re looking to bring the house down.

Sharon Burchill, who is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for the BVCS, joined Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County to discuss “God Of Our Fathers”, the project that will bring dozens of musicians together virtually to create an ensemble recording of the Daniel C. Roberts-penned song.

Burchill explained the spiritual draw to choosing this piece for the BVCS to perform, from the recovery undertones in lieu of the current state of living in 2021, to the concurrence of using a piece initially written for the United States centennial, now being used to acknowledge the Choral Society’s own 100th Anniversary.

“God Of Our Fathers” is still a work in progress, however, and Burchill acknowledged that the BVCS is still looking for musicians to participate in the virtual ensemble as either a singer or instrumentalist. Full details on participation protocol and fees can be found by clicking here. Deadline to submit material is May 10, and the project will be released Memorial Day Weekend.

To watch the full interview between Matt and Sharon, click on the Facebook feed below!

Teleforum Thursday with Helen

On Teleforum Thursday host Eddy Crow welcomes Helen Kissick, the president of the
Beaver County Chamber of Commerce joins Eddy at 9, on the latest installment of the Huntingdon Business Spotlight. At 11a Mike Romigh steps in to host the Best of Beaver County, and at 11:30 Beaver County Times entertainment editor Scott Tady takes part in the show-it’s Teleforum every weekday on Beaver County Radio.

Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff dies in prison at 82

Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff dies in prison at 82
By MICHAEL BALSAMO and TOM HAYS Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Bernie Madoff, the financier who pleaded guilty to orchestrating a massive Ponzi scheme, has died in prison. Madoff’s death at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, was confirmed by his lawyer and the Bureau of Prisons.  A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that his death was due to natural causes. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. Last year, Madoff’s lawyers filed court papers to try to get the 82-year-old released from prison in the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he had suffered from end-stage renal disease and other chronic medical conditions. The request was denied.

Man Trapped While Working on Machine in Slippery Rock Twp.

(Slippery Rock Twp., Pa.) A man who was trapped while repairing a machine at the Natural Sand and Gravel facility on Route 108 in Slippery Rock Twp., Lawrence County was rescued by first responders with assistance from a neighboring business around 8 AM on Tuesday. The man was taken to an area hospital and his condition was unknown.