(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At Thursday’s work session for the Commissioners at the Beaver County Courthouse, an update regarding the reassessment of county properties by Tyler Technologies was currently reassessing properties in Ambridge, and that they will be making their way towards Economy Borough next week.

Fedeles then proceeded to start talking about the resolutions for the Thursday Public Meeting, but he was halted by Commissioner Tony Amadio before too long. Amadio had received complaints and concerns from county citizens in regard to being safe in their homes, left wondering if reassessment is going to cause any house entrances or similar intrusions.

“So to be clear for everyone, Tyler Technologies is not going to be asking to go into your house,” Fedeles responded. “If anyone asks that question, immediately close the door and contact the police department.”

Fedeles further clarified what will happen during the reassessment process: “It’s just general questions and measurements they’re going to be taking. If you’re not there, they’re going to leave you a tag for you to call them back, that they’ll ask you questions probably over the phone…or arrange a time that they can go back to your house that you’re going to be there.”

Commissioner Dan Camp was not in attendance for the work session; rather he participated via conference call line. Similarly, Tony Caltury (Beaver County’s Chief Clerk) was also absent, and Nicole Long (Administrative Assistant to Commissioner  Amadio) filled in for the brief work session.

The Commissioners will hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 24, at 10 AM at the Beaver County Courthouse.

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to plead to 3 criminal charges
By MICHAEL BALSAMO and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says Purdue Pharma, the company that makes OxyContin, will plead guilty to three federal criminal charges as part of a settlement of more than $8 billion. OxyContin is the powerful prescription painkiller that experts say helped touch off an opioid epidemic. The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States and violating federal anti-kickback laws. The deal doesn’t release any of the company’s executives or owners from criminal liability, and a criminal investigation is ongoing. One state attorney general says the deal fails to hold accountable members of the wealthy Sackler family who own the company.

Route 65 Bridge Inspection Wednesday in Ambridge

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing inspection activities on the bridge that carries Route 65 over French Pointe Creek in Ambridge Borough, Beaver County, will occur Wednesday, October 21 weather permitting.

Single-lane restrictions will occur in both directions on the bridge, located near Merchant Street, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.

PennDOT crews will conduct the inspection work.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

In debate countdown, Trump holds rally, Biden does prep
By ZEKE MILLER, WILL WEISSERT and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press
ERIE, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump is wooing Pennsylvania voters, brushing aside debate practice ahead of what may be his last, best chance to alter the trajectory of the race in the final presidential faceoff. Democrat Joe Biden is taking the opposite approach, opting to hole up for debate prep. In the leadup to Thursday’s faceoff in Nashville, Biden remains atop polls in most battleground states. Trump, who is trailing Biden in fundraising, too, has increasingly relied on his signature campaign rallies to deliver a closing message to voters and maximize turnout among his GOP base.

Bill Cosby, now 83, grins in newly released prison mug shot
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new prison mug shot shows Bill Cosby smiling with a disposable mask hanging off his face. Such mug shot updates are routinely done in Pennsylvania prisons to document changes to inmates’ appearance as they age. The 83-year-old comedian’s photo was taken Sept. 4. A later tweet from Cosby’s verified account showed a picture of him on the telephone and sought to assure viewers that he was doing OK during the coronavirus pandemic. He was convicted of sex assault and is serving a three- to 10-year term. An appeal on two key issues in his case will be heard soon by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Harrisburg, PA – October 20, 2020 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to indefinitely extend the Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP), which was created in 2005 to provide grants of up to $3,500 to Pennsylvania veterans, servicemembers, and their immediate families experiencing hardship. In 2014, the MFRAP’s sunset date was extended to June 30, 2020. The legislation passed today, Senate Bill 1076, would preserve the successful program by eliminating the sunset date and reauthorizing it indefinitely. Today’s unanimous passage in the House follows the Senate’s unanimous passage in May. The legislation will now go to Governor Wolf’s desk for his signature.

The bill was introduced by Senator Pam Iovino, a 23-year Navy veteran, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and current Minority Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

“The majority of veterans are thriving and playing important roles in their community by applying the skills they gained in our armed forces. But veterans can also face unique challenges as a result of their service to our nation, including service-connected mental health or physical disabilities,” said Senator Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington). “The Military Family Relief Assistance Program has proven successful in providing temporary financial security to veterans and their families during a time of hardship. I thank my colleagues for their unanimous support to indefinitely extend this important program.”

The MFRAP is funded by voluntary donations derived largely from Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax refund check-offs. Since the program began, more than $1.9 million has been donated by generous taxpayers filing their Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax returns and through private donations. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, offers grants to servicemembers and veterans who experienced a sudden loss of income or assets as a result of military service; emergency child care needs; natural or manmade disasters resulting in the need for food, shelter and other necessities; the death or critical illness of a parent, spouse, sibling or child; or exigent circumstances beyond the eligible member’s control.