(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

October 12, 2021- 6:21 AM

(Darlington Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were called to about a suspicious vehicle Monday morning, October 11, 2021,  in the area of Braden Road and Mc Roberts Road in Darlington Township.
Troopers stated via release that upon checking the area the suspicious vehicle was located and a traffic stop was initiated on a 2015 Chrysler PT Cruiser due to an improper registration plate being displayed. During the traffic stop it was determined that 30-year-old Cortni Rankin from Columbiana Ohio had false identification and had active warrants for her arrest in Ohio. It was also learned that the passenger 27-year-old Jordan McMillan also of Columbiana Ohio also had active warrants for his arrest.
Both McMillin and Rankin were arrested and taken to the Beaver County Jail prior to extradition to Ohio.
Rankin was also charged with presenting false identification to law enforcement and multiple summary traffic violations.

Pennsylvania state-owned university enrollment drops
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — New data shows the total enrollment at Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities has declined to the lowest level in decades. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the State System of Higher Education lost another 5,000-plus students this fall, dropping the universities’ total enrollment below 89,000 students. The newspaper says that’s a level not seen in more than three decades, dating nearly to the system’s founding. PennLive.com reported that the percentage drop in enrollment was the highest in well over two decades. System officials earlier warned state lawmakers and others that the 2021-22 year would be a “very challenging” one for enrollment, citing factors such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

File Photo of the New Brighton High School Main Gymnasium

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published October 11th, 2021 at 9:06 P.M.

(New Brighton, PA)  The New Brighton Area School Board heard from the public at their committee meeting Monday night.  One community member voiced his opinion that the board should terminate the current mask mandate.  He stated that he believes the district is administering a policy that shows no science at all, referencing that he does not believe masks serve any purpose in stopping viruses from spreading.  A parent took the microphone next to voice her concern over certain literature being used in the district.  She spoke about a book being read in high school classes titled “Speak” that heavily involves bullying and self harm.  In addition, the high schoolers are also viewing a movie based on the book in class.  She noted that 8th grade students are reading a book that centers around abortion as well and stated that she feels these books should be nowhere near the children.  The board took note of her concern and said they will handle the matter.  After public comment, the board went through their agenda of items that included school trips, a retirement and the hiring of basketball coaches that will be further discussed at their next meeting later this month.

Story by Sandy Giordano

2:56 PM 

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa’s long history in success and track and field competitions, despite not having a track has been noted by many over the years   Many championships in both girls and boys programs. and  not only locally, but on the state level  A few months ago, the school district’s Athletic Director Brandon LeDonne said he got a call from Dick’s  to see if the program had some needs, and  a representative was sent to the school..

Appeals court throws out life term in 2004 newborn’s death
WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) — An appeals court has thrown out the life-without-parole sentence imposed on a western Pennsylvania woman in the murder of her newborn baby 17 years ago. PennLive.com reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that now-44-year-old Jessica Rizor’s attorney erred in not advising her to take a plea deal that would have allowed her to get out of prison in as little as 5½ years. Authorities said Rizor gave birth in November 2004 in a bathroom and her husband found the baby in the garbage after Rizor told him to take out a trash bag, which she said was full of Thanksgiving leftovers.

Pennsylvania attorney general jumps into ’22 governor’s race
By MARC LEVY, MARK SCOLFORO and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s high-profile attorney general, Josh Shapiro, is set to announce his candidacy for governor on Wednesday. That’s according to his campaign spokesperson. The 48-year-old is a self-described progressive who led a nationally prominent investigation into sexual abuse of children by clergy. He further raised his political profile by pushing back against Donald Trump’s effort to overturn his election loss last year. Shapiro is the only announced Democratic candidate for governor. The Democratic incumbent, Gov. Tom Wolf, is constitutionally barred from running for a third term.

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

(Greene Township, Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver are reporting that 24-year-old Brain Laskowski of Conneautville was robbed at gunpoint by two men in the 400 block of Upper Service Road, Greene Township, Beaver County.

The incident occurred on Friday at 9:15 PM when Troopers say the victim set up the purchase of an ATV with one of the suspects. The victim and two friends arrived at the location and were told that the ATV was being serviced and would be ready in a few minutes. In the meantime, one of the suspects asked for the money, and when the victim went to retrieve it from his vehicle, the suspect put a gun to his head and took a PNC bank envelope with $4,300 in it.

The second suspect slashed the driver’s side rear tire of the victim’s vehicle and the two drove off. The suspects were driving a black 2006 Dodge Journey with silver chrome and fled the area on Upper Service Road towards Route 18.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amid staffing shortages at Pennsylvania’s long-term care facilities, there are growing fears many vulnerable older adults and their caretakers will be left to fend for themselves in the event of closures.

A recent survey of 82 operators and administrators of nursing homes, personal-care homes and assisted-living communities showed nearly 40% said they cannot afford to keep facilities open more than another year.

Many of the issues stem from a shortage of long-term care workers, who have experienced low wages and burnout during the pandemic. A majority of facilities have had to limit new admissions in the last six months as well.

Zach Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, which conducted the survey among its members, said the results are alarming.

“They are being forced to turn potential residents away because they don’t have enough workers to care for those new residents and to continue providing care,” Shamberg observed. “In one of the oldest states, in terms of our population, that should be a real concern for every single Pennsylvanian.”

Wages in Pennsylvania long-term care facilities vary, with registered nurses making an average of $37 an hour and certified nursing assistants making an average of $15 an hour.

For respondents of the survey, more than 80% said maintaining a workforce is their biggest challenge.

Shamberg pointed out one of the issues facing facility operators is 70% of care in state nursing homes is paid for by Medicaid. However, costs have risen while Medicaid reimbursement rates remain stagnant.

“That Medicaid reimbursement allows them to provide care, but it also allows them to increase wages, to offer benefits,” Shamberg explained. “And until we see a meaningful investment from state leaders, we won’t be able to then invest in our workers.”

Reimbursement rates fall short by an estimated $50 per day, according to the association. Shamberg noted another way for Pennsylvania to save long-term care in the state is by passing legislation to cut some red tape and regulatory hoops that hamper entering a career in the industry.