Pennsylvania House Republican Leaders Call on Rep. Aaron Bernstine to Resign Immediately

HARRISBURG – The leadership of the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus issued the following statement today regarding the conduct of Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence):

“As parents and fellow legislators, we are disgusted by Rep. Bernstine’s conduct. In order to take the time necessary to focus on his family and repair his relationships, we call on Rep. Bernstine to immediately resign.”

Trump vows not to participate in virtual debate with Biden
By ZEKE MILLER and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he won’t participate in next week’s debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden if it’s virtual. Debate organizers announced Thursday that the debate would be virtual because of Trump’s diagnosis of COVID-19. The Commission on Presidential Debates made the announcement a week before Trump and Biden were scheduled to face off in Miami. It said the candidates will “participate from separate remote locations,” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami. But Trump said he’s “not going to do a virtual debate.” Biden’s campaign insisted its candidate was ready to move forward, but the future of the event is now in serious doubt.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa City Council met Wednesday night  via zoom and hired a full time laborer, John Coffey was hired for Aliquippa’s street department.   Two part-time hires, Troy Dawkins and Ke’Shawn Sheppard  were approved conditionally upon passing pre-employment testing. Street department superintendent Alex Scott  reported  that  paving of streets in key  areas  is nearing completion.

(Bridgewater, Pa.) A construction crew that was working at the former Oak Arbor Restaurant at Stone Point Landing in Bridgewater struck a water line Thursday morning around 9:20 a.m. . As seen in the picture a Geiser of water flooded out the nearby area including a portion of the drive thru lane at Beaver Valley Federal Credit Union. Crews have been working over the last couple of months at renovating the former restaurant that has housed many businesses over the years. The Building once housed Keystone Bakery.

2nd Trump-Biden debate to be virtual due to Trump’s COVID-19
By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Commission on Presidential Debates says the second Trump-Biden debate will be ‘virtual’ amid concerns about the president’s COVID-19. The nonpartisan host of the debates made the announcement Thursday morning, a week before the two were scheduled to face off in Miami. Now, the candidates will “participate from separate remote locations,” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami. Trump was diagnosed with the coronavirus a week ago and said he looked forward to debating Biden on stage in Miami.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

What initially began as a simple request for paperwork bloomed into a terse discussion between the County Commissioners, Treasurer Sandie Egley, and Controller Maria Longo at the October 7 work session.

Egley asked towards the end of the meeting why she was not allowed access to the resolutions for the October 8 Public Meeting, and Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp responded by saying it was an issue of security.

“At this time we are not giving them out, because when we were giving them out prior to the meeting, there was a leak of one of the resolutions that was eventually going to be pulled, but they had no knowledge of that, and it became a news story,” Camp said.

“I certainly don’t appreciate getting a phone call about a resolution I haven’t seen yet, and that happened a couple months ago,” Commissioner Jack Manning said. “So I’m all in favor of ensuring that nothing goes public until I have a chance to see those resolutions.”

But Egley wasn’t buying the explanation of security, claiming that “the resolutions come from downstairs, so that leak is happening somewhere in that table.” Manning and Camp denied that the leak came from the Board of Commissioners.

Egley then asked who else would have access to the resolutions prior to a public meeting, and Camp noted that the Controller’s office had access to them, “not saying that there was a leak from her office.” Controller Longo, though, took offense to Camp’s answer, saying “I got that same call you did before I saw them.”

Assistant Solicitor Nathan Morgan spoke about the issue, adding “really, it’s a matter of putting out accurate information. When a list of resolutions is being put out to you guys, ultimately…it’s not being voted on, because it’s misinformation. So the way to provide more accurate information is to wait until after the work session, when we know the complete and accurate list of resolutions to be voted on is.”

The full audio of the conversation surrounding the release of public meeting resolutions, courtesy of the Beaver County Courthouse, can be heard in full below.

Wolf Administration: Protect Yourself from Ticks, Mosquitoes While Outdoors During Fall Months

Harrisburg – As people continue to spend time outdoors during the fall months, the Wolf Administration wants to remind residents of the dangers of tick and mosquito-borne illnesses, and to take steps to protect themselves.

“Autumn is a wonderful season to spend time outdoors and participate in many activities, such as hiking and observing the fall foliage, but we want to make sure people protect themselves when they are outside,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Both ticks and mosquitoes  carry a number of serious diseases. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and protect yourself from these diseases.”

Before heading outdoors, it is important to cover exposed skin, wear light-colored clothing (to aid in insect detection), tuck your pants into your socks and use an insect repellent containing 20 percent or more DEET. You can also treat your clothing with a product containing permethrin to repel ticks. These steps will help protect you from both ticks and mosquitoes.

“Fall is for many the best time for hiking with beautiful colors, crisp air and fewer bugs, but many people are surprised to learn that there are ticks that remain active throughout the year, so it’s always important to take preventative measures so you can enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of being in the outdoors,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said.

Adult blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are the most common carrier of Lyme disease and are the only tick species that is active during the fall and winter months in Pennsylvania. These ticks emerge during the fall and are typically active during the winter months on days where the temperature is above 40 degrees. In addition to Lyme disease, these ticks also can carry several other diseases, such as Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan Virus, that have been reported in the state. Ticks typically thrive in tall grass, brush and wooded areas, but deer ticks have been found in every county in the state and can live in any habitat.

Once returning home, immediately check yourself, children and pets for ticks. Then, take a shower to remove any ticks that may be attached to your skin. Carefully check your clothing and gear and put them in the dryer on high to kill any ticks.

Areas to check where ticks can become attached are:

•               Under the arms;

•               In and around the ears;

•               Inside belly button;

•               Back of the knees;

•               In and around the hair;

•               Between the legs; and

•               Around the waist.

Symptoms of Lyme disease can include a bull’s-eye rash, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. It is important to know that someone who has been bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease may not always get a bull’s-eye rash.

If you believe you have been bit by a tick, it is important to speak to a doctor immediately. Antibiotic treatment during the early stages of Lyme disease can help prevent the onset of more severe symptoms. If not treated promptly, Lyme disease may lead to severe health concerns affecting the heart, joints, and nervous system.

West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by mosquitoes that breed in areas with standing and stagnant water. These areas include urban catch basins, clogged gutters, discarded tires, poorly maintained swimming pools, flower pots, roof gutters and other containers that hold water. Reduce your chance of being bitten by an infected mosquito by eliminating standing water around your home.

Although mosquitoes can bite at any time of the day or night, the mosquitoes that transmit WNV are most active at dawn and dusk. To keep mosquitoes from entering a home, make sure window and door screens are in place and are in good condition.

WNV can cause a serious neurological infection, including encephalitis and meningitis. Symptoms of these infections include a severe headache, high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, paralysis, possible confusion and disorientation, tremors, and even death.

For more information on ticks and mosquitoes, visit www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on Pennsylvania’s West Nile virus control program, visit http://www.depgis.state.pa.us/WNV/index.html.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

2020 has been a volatile year both within the world of politics and in the world in general, and with the 2020 Presidential Election proving to be one of the most publicly divisive in history, some are left wondering how safe going to the voting booths will be on November 3.

Beaver County is no less in that position than other counties across Pennsylvania and the U.S., and the Commissioners explained at the work session on October 7 that security measures are in place to ensure that polling places are properly patrolled and that voters will not have to worry about their safety.

“Normally we have four deputies that roam the county; that is their jurisdiction of the election precincts,” said Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp. “It was agreed upon yesterday to have 8; to double it.”

“Ultimately the municipalities also are on-call if there’s an emergency.”

Camp also reiterated that social distancing and mask-wearing are encouraged at voting places, and that any citizen can only turn in one mail-in ballot under current law.

Appeals court: Trump must turn over taxes to prosecutor
By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court says President Donald Trump’s accountant must turn over his tax records to a New York state prosecutor. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled Wednesday. It said a stay of a lower-court decision will remain in effect so Trump’s lawyers can appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. A district court judge had rejected their renewed efforts to invalidate a subpoena that the office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. issued to Trump’s accounting firm. A Justice Department spokesperson said the department was reviewing the ruling.