(Photo Courtesy of AHN)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Allegheny Health Network’s  Cardiovascular Institute  announced the opening of its newest cardiac catheterization laboratory at the new AHN Wexford Hospital, following approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The new cath lab at AHN Wexford will provide advanced heart care to patients throughout the growing northern region of Allegheny County as well as adjacent communities of Butler, Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer counties. With more than 60 years of experience among them, interventional cardiologists Samer Azouz, MD, Prudencio Lucero MD, and Yadavendra S. Rajawat MD, will provide service in this new catheterization lab.

Cardiac cath labs are specialized facilities where physicians perform state-of-the-art, minimally invasive cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease. They are used for both elective and emergency procedures.

During a cardiac catherization procedure, interventional cardiologists insert a thin, hollow tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in either the wrist or groin and advance it under X-ray to the heart. This allows for measurement of pressures within the heart and determines how well the heart is pumping blood throughout the body. In addition, coronary angiography – which involves injecting contrast dye into the vascular system of the heart – produces images that identify blocked arteries which then may be treated with the placement of a stent.

“Following diagnostic testing, all kinds of coronary and peripheral vascular interventions can take place in this new facility which includes identifying blockages within the arteries, performing stent placement and balloon angioplasties as well as clot removal procedures in order to restore vital blood flow,” said Dr. Azouz. “Our ability to bring the full spectrum of these services to a community hospital can’t be overstated, especially in an emergency heart attack case when every second counts. Now, patients can access the highest quality, state-of-the-art care, closer to home.”

AHN Wexford opened its doors to first patients in late September. The 345,000-square-foot facility features a 22-bed emergency department, state-of-the-art operating rooms with minimally invasive robotic surgery capabilities, a labor & delivery unit, a hybrid OR for advanced surgical procedures, short-stay observation unit, adult intensive care unit, advanced diagnostic imaging, and more.

For more information on cardiovascular services at AHN Wexford, visit ahn.org.

(File Photo)

(New Galilee, Pa.) The Beaver County Humane Society has filed charges against 31-year-old Frank Pagani Jr. after a video, on November 30, 2021, from a home security system went viral on social media showing him hitting stray cats on purpose with his pick-up truck. Pagani was a councilman in New Galilee until he resigned last week after the video was brought to the attention of the borough council. Pagani promptly resigned as a councilman.  He faces a misdemeanor charge for cruelty to animals and a felony charge for aggravated cruelty towards animals.

No Date has yet been set for his preliminary hearing.

(Allegheny County,Pa.) At least three people were injured in a four vehicle accident Saturday morning around 8:30 AM on I-376 near the Parkway Center exit.
The accident occurred in the westbound lane and Traffic was blocked in the center and right lane.
There’s no word on the cause of the accident or the condition of the injured people.

(File Photo)
Story by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Pa State Police Beaver via press release said that they were called to a home on Superior Avenue in Aliquippa on Saturday to assist Aliquippa Police in the investigation of the death A 2-month-old baby was found unresponsive. .
Police officers, fire department personnel, and medic rescue personnel all attempted life-saving measures but the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Baby’s name or circumstances around the baby’s death have been released.
The Pa State Police Criminal Investigation Unit will assume investigative responsibility of the investigation at the request of the Aliquippa Police Department. The Investigation is ongoing at this time.

Pennsylvania high court throws out mask mandate for schools
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s highest court is throwing out a statewide mask mandate for schoolchildren, raising the prospect that at least some students in the state may soon be allowed to attend classes without a face covering. The state Supreme Court announced its decision on Friday but the court didn’t issue a full opinion that explains their reasoning. The justices upheld a lower court decision that the masking mandate, which also applies to child care facilities, is not valid because it was imposed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s acting health secretary without legal authorization. The practical impact of the decision will depend on which schools and school districts impose their own masking requirements.

(Photo courtesy of Bob Barrickman, Beaver County Radio Sports Director
(Hershey, Pa.) The Central Valley Warriors claimed another state title by defeating  Wyomissing, 7-0, in the PIAA Class 3A title game on Saturday afternoon, December 11, 2021. The Warriors (15-0) became only the seventh team from the WPIAL to win back-to-back state titles.
For the second straight year the Warriors faced off against Wyomissing.
The game was scoreless for three quarters, but on the fifth play of the fourth quarter, Central Valley’s Landon Alexander ran off the left side, got through a few defenders and ran 28 yards for a touchdown. The Warriors victory has run there current winning streak that includes to straight titles to 27 straight games.

(Beaver County, PA)  Once again this year, WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M. will air continuous, commercial free Christmas Music around the holiday.  “Christmas Music ‘Round The Clock “ is a  44 hour Christmas music marathon that will begin at 11 A.M. on Friday, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021 and run through 7:00 A.M. on Sunday, December 26, 2021.  What makes the presentation special is the fact that any and all local church, civic, school choral groups, bands and recording artists are welcome to participate and be featured on the program. Last year, over 50 special, locally recorded segments were included in “Christmas Music ‘Round The Clock “, including recordings of everything from the annual Genevans  and Beaver Valley Choral Society Christmas concerts to local elementary school choruses, to local rock bands singing Christmas carols, and more!

Even if you’ve submitted in the past and have new material we want it!!!!!

We want  to air your Christmas Music!

Beaver County Radio is still looking for home grown talent to fill the airwaves as part of “Christmas Music ‘Round The Clock “. There are no auditions, or requirements.  Virtually anything that is submitted will get aired!  All you need is a desire to hear your music on the airwaves on WBVP,  WMBA and 99.3 F.M. this holiday!  Almost any media format will work, so if you have a CD, DVD, MP3 file, or even an old cassette tape, or vinyl album from years gone by with Beaver County people performing holiday favorites, Let the whole county enjoy your music this season!  It’s free, fun, and one of the things that  makes Beaver County Radio unique, and part of your community! Call 724-846-4100 for more details.  You can also E mail music files and links to fsparks@beavercountyradio.com or drop of your submission at WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M. at 1316 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls, PA .

To help get you in the mood, here is a recording of “The Hallelujah Chorus” as sung by the Beaver Valley Choral Society recorded at Rochester High School on Sunday December 8, 2019:

Deadline to participate is Monday, December 20, 2021.  Professional onsite recording of your group by WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M. is also available.  Call for details.