Category: News

AUDIO: “211 Day” Honors Phone/Text Service For Citizens In Need Of Assistance

It’s true that Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but one way to show someone you care that works all year around is three simple numbers: 2-1-1.

Mike Rubino, who is the director of the Beaver County chapter of United Way, joined Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County to discuss the 211 assistance system. Rubino described the many different non-profit portals in which citizens can receive navigation towards help towards finding food, resources, and counseling.

Rubino also took time to mention how the 211 service can also be used via text, and how the United Way is trying to spread the word about the resourcefulness of the service.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!

FRIDAY VALENTINE SINGALONG ON TELEFORUM

Friday’s Teleforum program has music and motor oil! The show starts with a visit from the law firm of Luxemberg, Garbett, Kelly and George; later on Teleforum we’ll talk to Mike Lysakowski of Motorsport Aspects, Daytona happens this weekend; and Fridays show brings your chance to sing a love song for Rosalinds candy. Teleforum starts after the 9 oclock news on Beaver County Radio.

Pa. State Trooper Among Four Arrested on Gambling, Prostitution, Other Charges

State Trooper Among Four Arrested on Gambling, Prostitution, Other Charges in Lackawanna County
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced today the arrest of Trooper Robert E. Covington Jr., of Olyphant, PA, for his alleged involvement in illegal activity occurring at Sinners Swing Gentlemen’s Club in Mayfield Borough, Lackawanna County. Covington, 48, is a 13-year veteran of PSP and was assigned to the Bureau of Gaming Enforcement, Pocono Downs Wilkes-Barre Office. He had been on restricted duty during the investigation and is currently suspended without pay pending resolution of the charges against him.
Also charged were: David P. Klem, 39, of Eynon, PA; Michael P. Ball, 49, of Dalton, PA; and Deanna E. Tallo, 32, of Troop, PA. The arrests follow a 17-month investigation by members of the Pennsylvania State Police, in partnership with prosecutors from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
“Members of the PSP take an oath to seek justice without consideration of class, color, creed, or condition, and that means conducting thorough and unbiased investigations into our own troopers when necessary,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “The criminal conduct uncovered in this case betrays the trust of the communities we serve, and we hope the investigation and the resulting charges demonstrate our department’s commitment to fairness and transparency.”
In November 2018, the PSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation received information from PSP Troop R that David Klem and his business partner, an active-duty member of PSP later identified as Covington, owned and operated Sinners Swing Gentlemen’s Club. Initial allegations indicated the club was being used to promote illicit activity.
Investigators developed and presented evidence to the statewide investigating grand jury alleging Covington, Klem, and others were operating a corrupt organization involving prostitution, gambling, and money laundering. The grand jury recommended the following charges:
Robert Covington Jr., Club Co-owner:
  1. Corrupt Organizations, 18 Pa.C.S. § 911(b)(3),(4)
  2. Criminal Conspiracy, 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(1)
  3. Prostitution and Related Offenses, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902 (b)(1)
  4. Gambling Devices, Gambling Etc., 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513 (a)(2),(4)
  5. Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5111(a)(1)
  6. Criminal Use of a Communication Facility, 18 Pa.C.S. § 7512 (a)
  7. Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (a) (1)
  8. Financial Interest Statement Violation, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105 (a)
David Klem, Club Co-owner:
  1. Corrupt Organizations, 18 Pa.C.S. § 911(b)(3),(4)
  2. Criminal Conspiracy, 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(1)
  3. Prostitution and Related Offenses, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b)(1)
  4. Gambling Devices, Gambling Etc., 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513 (a)(2),(4)
  5. Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5111(a)(1)
  6. Criminal Use of a Communication Facility 18 Pa.C.S. § 7512 (a)
Michael Ball, Club Manager:
  1. Corrupt Organizations, 18 Pa.C.S. § 911(b)(3),(4)
  2. Criminal Conspiracy, 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(1)
  3. Prostitution and Related Offenses, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b)(1)
  4. Gambling Devices, Gambling Etc., 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513 (a)(2),
Deanna Tallo, Club Employee:
  1. Corrupt Organizations, 18 Pa.C.S. § 911(b)(3),(4)
  2. Criminal Conspiracy, 18 Pa.C.S. § 903(a)(1)
  3. Prostitution and Related Offenses, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b)(1)
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Senior Deputy Attorney General Erik L. Olsen and Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Adrian S. Shchuka, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, are prosecuting the case.
“Thank you to our partners at the Pennsylvania State Police for their work on this investigation. At the recommendation of the 44th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, we are charging four individuals for running an illegal gambling and prostitution ring,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “No one is above the law, and when a member of law enforcement breaks the law and breaks the public trust that all officers are duty-bound to protect — there must be accountability.”
The four individuals charged surrendered today at Troop R, Dunmore. Charges were filed in Magisterial District Court 45-3-04.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Office, at 215-452-5239.

New Brighton Police Issue a Fraud Alert for Residents

(New Brighton, Pa.) The New Brighton Area Police Department is issuing a fraud alert to warn citizens of reports that New Brighton Borough telephone numbers have been used recently as part of a telephone spoofing scam targeting individuals in the area. Spoofing is the deliberate falsifying of information transmitted to a caller ID display to disguise an identity.

The warning was sent out via e-mail and social media outlets warning residents that the
perpetrators of the scam represent themselves as employees of the New Brighton Area Police Department or a New Brighton Borough Wmployee. They alter caller ID systems to make it appear that the call is coming from a local number (724-843-xxxx) and attempt to obtain or verify personally identifiable information. Individuals receiving phone calls from these numbers should not provide any personal information.

New Brighton Police Department is asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this telephone spoofing scam to call the New Brighton Area Police Department at (724) 846-2277.

Wrong Way Driver on Route 28 To Be Charged

(Etna, Pa.)  According to Pa. State Police, a man in a pickup truck drove south in the northbound lanes of Route 28 from Fox Chapel to Etna hitting several cars. The driver finally crashed as he was exiting the highway on the Etna ramp in Sharpsburg.

State Troopers say the man was taken to the hospital to be evaluated and they believe the he was under the influence of alcohol.

The Driver is now facing charges of reckless driving and additional charges may be added after toxicology reports come back.

Garbage Truck Hits House in Baden Thursday Morning

(Baden, Pa.) A garbage truck crashed into a home shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday on Berry Street in Baden. The truck slid down a hill and went through a railing before hitting a house.

A family of five was sleeping inside the home when the truck crashed into the living room. No one was hurt in the accident.

Crews pulled the truck out of the house just after 8 a.m.

Thursday Marks 20th Anniversary of Three Rivers Stadium Implosion.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the implosion of Three Rivers Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Three Rivers was the home of the Pirates, Steelers, and even the Pittsburgh Maulers at one point during its history.
Both the Steelers and Pirates played there from the time the $55 million multi use stadium opened on July 16, 1970 when the Bucs donned a new style uniform to take on the The Reds until its implosion in 2001. The Bucs lost to the Reds 3-2 that day. The stadium’s capacity was 59,000 people.
The Final game ever played at was on Dec 16, 2000 as Steelers Legends Jack Lambert, Franco Harris, Jack Ham, and Mel Blount twirled Terrible Towels as they walked out for the coin toss, which was the only thing to go the Redskin’s way that afternoon.

Coach Bill Cowher started quarterback Kordell Stewart who, combined with Jerome Bettis, steamrolled over the Redskins to a massive 24-3 victory.

The Steelers did not qualify for the play-offs that year.

Thousands of people watched the implosion from Point State Park, Mount Washington and at home on TV.

Beaver County Women Accused of Sexually Assaulting a 15 Year-Old Boy

(Darlington, Pa.) 37 year old Janine Young of Beaver is accused of sexually assaulting a 15 year old boy. Pa State Troopers are reporting that Young allegedly sexually assaulted the boy numerous times between October of of last year and earlier this month.

She faces charges including statutory sexual assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors

Young faces a preliminary hearing later this month.

Delta Airlines Plane Slides off Runway Wednesday Evening at Pittsburgh International Airport

(MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.) It was a tense moment yesterday for 77 passengers on A Delta Air Lines flight that slid off a runway at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Flight 2231 heading to Atlanta slid off a taxiway shortly before 6:30 p.m.

Crews are working to remove the plane, an airport spokesperson said Thursday morning, and there is no impact to operations at the airport.

The plane involved was a Boeing 717.

Heavy snow showers were pushing through the region Wednesday evening, but it is not clear at this point if weather was a factor in the incident.

No injuries were reported as all 77 passengers were assisted off the plane by first responders and bused back to the terminal.

Statewide judges get party endorsement to run for high court

Statewide judges get party endorsement to run for high court
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s two major political parties have endorsed statewide appellate court judges to run in this year’s election for an open state Supreme Court seat. In state party committee meetings over the weekend, Republicans endorsed Kevin Brobson, the president judge of the Commonwealth Court. Democrats endorsed Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin. The seat is open because Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Saylor is retiring. Brobson, 50, of Harrisburg, was first elected in 2009. He spent 13 years at a law firm before getting elected. McLaughlin, 54, of Philadelphia, was a prosecutor for 19 years in Philadelphia before becoming a judge in Philadelphia and getting elected to Superior Court in 2017.