(Aliquippa, Pa.) Due to a rockfall, southbound Route 51 (Constitution Boulevard) is closed between Franklin Avenue in the City of Aliquippa and Hill Road in Hopewell Township. Northbound Route 51 remains open. Southbound traffic is being detoured.

Southbound Route 51 Detour

• Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
• Turn left onto Brodhead Road (Route 3007)
• Turn left onto Route 151
• Follow Route 151 back to Route 51
• End detour

PennDOT officials and geotechnical engineers will evaluate the hillside today. Work to begin clearing the drop zone is anticipated to begin Tuesday morning.

(File Photo)

(New Castle, Pa.) A Rochester man is facing charges after he was accused of stabbing an adult victim earlier this weekend in nearby Lawrence County.

According to the New Castle Crime Unit of the State Police, Pa State Troopers were dispatched to a Bessemer, Lawrence County, residence around 3am on Saturday morning to investigate an incident in which a Rochester man is being accused of stabbing an adult victim.

Troopers say that during their investigation, 19-year-old Michael Conrad of Rochester was accused of threatening to kill two adults and a child at the residence earlier in the evening.  Officials say that Conrad then returned later and stabbed an adult man in the face and shoulder.  The condition of the victim is currently unknown.

Police say that a warrant was later issued Conrad and he is now in police custody.  He faces several charges including Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Center, Twp.) Central Valley School Board  authorized Dr. Nicholas Perry to begin implementing the project for all day kindergarten at last Thursday night’s meeting. The intended starting date is 2023-2024 school year. Five members voted in favor of  all day kindergarten. The board members voting no were: Tom Mowad , who said, “I’m questioning whether we are ready to implement all day kindergarten.” Joe O’Neil’s response was,” The district lost tax  appeals at the mall, and the district is losing money.”  “We have a 90% fixed cost budget, and only have 10% wiggle room.” Dr. Nick Unis said financially  all day day kindergarten will set us back.” George Zaritaki also voted  no, stating it would put the district in a concerning financial  position..

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver, Pa) Melinda Crisci, 31  of Aliquippa was found not guilty at her trial in Beaver County Court on charges she supplied fentanyl and heroin to Steven  Naim, 54 of New Brighton that led  to his death  on Christmas Eve 2019.  He was the brother of Aliquippa Police officer James Naim who was murdered  while on patrol in Aliquippa 20 years ago. The jury  did find her guilty felony drug possession with intent to deliver and  of a  drug deal to narcotics agents . Due to her past record of drug dealing she still faces prison time . Her sentencing will be in 60 days, according to Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier

(Aliquippa, Pa.) An unidentified male was shot in Aliquippa Saturday night just before 11 p.m.at Meadow and Irwin Streets.   Aliquippa Police requested assistance from PA State police who are investigating.  No new information is available as of Monday morning. It was reported that 20 shell casings were found at the scene. A resident living in the area said she heard  shots being fired at  the time the man was shot.

HARRISBURG – The calls for a Pennsylvania Congressman resign who is is accused of trying to help overturn the election results in Georgia, according to a report in the New York Times have intensified

According to the report, Rep Scott Perry connected former President Donald Trump with a member of the Justice Department that was willing to pressure Georgia election officials to overturn the results.

Rep. Perry has not commented but Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has said there must be consequences for Perry’s actions.

Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Environmental advocates say President Joe Biden’s actions on clean air and climate will make a big difference for air quality in the Keystone State.

The executive orders signed by the president on his first day in office will start reversing some of the most aggressive moves by the Trump administration to weaken or eliminate clean-air and climate-protection regulations.

Joe Minott, executive director and chief counsel for the Clean Air Council, said that’s welcome news for areas such as Pittsburgh, which are consistently on the American Lung Association’s list of cities with the worst, year-round air pollution.

“We’re going to see a tightening of some of the pollution standards that will be allowed,” Minott observed. “And I think we may see better enforcement of environmental laws in general.”

While some Republicans are calling for Senate review of Biden’s order rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, Minott noted both major parties generally are in agreement on environmental issues.

“The new normal is coming back, where the Environmental Protection Agency is in fact going to protect the environment, which means protecting public health, and I think that’s a great thing,” Minott commented.

He pointed out many of the environmental regulations weakened by the Trump administration also are being restored by the courts.

Last week, a federal court overturned the Trump EPA’s replacement for the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. Minott believes the trend will continue.

“I think that we will see a resurgence of regulations at the federal level to deal with mercury from power plants, greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants, and that is absolutely needed,” Minott contended.

He added because regulations such as auto-emission standards had been rolled back, new regulations will have to be even tighter to meet clean air goals, but the technology to do it is there

Jimmie Rodgers, singer of ‘Honeycomb’ and other hits, dies
PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — The singer who recorded the hits “Honeycomb,” “Kisses Sweet Than Wine” and many other popular songs during the 1950s and 60s has died. A publicist says Jimmie Rodgers died Monday from kidney disease in Palm Desert, California, at age 87. He had also tested positive for COVID-19. Rodgers appeared on a talent show and subsequently won an audition and contract with Roulette Records. His musical style ranged from folk and pop to country and traditional ballads. Rodgers’ career in music and movies was disrupted by a severe injury he suffered on a Los Angeles freeway in 1967. He said an off-duty police officer had attacked him, but police said Rodgers had fallen.