Governor Tom Wolf has sent a letter informing state lawmakers he will not back down from a willingness to accept Syrian refugees. Wolf says states don’t have the authority to refuse refugees if they’re admitted by the federal government.
An industrial fire that destroyed a plant and damaged at least one other building in Leetsdale is under investigation by the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office. Emergency and company officials say workers at a warehouse in the Leetsdale Industrial Park were pouring hydraulic fracturing chemicals into a production tank Tuesday when the fire started, forcing residents from more than 70 nearby homes for several hours and injuring several people. Parts of Beaver County were affected due to the thick heavy smoke along the river, leading to an early dismissal for students at Hopewell Area High School. Beaver County Commissioner spoke with Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak, saying he was able to stay on top of the situation by receiving continuous updates from Beaver County Emergency Services Director Wes Hill. The evacuation order was lifted late yesterday afternoon after the chemical fire was contained. The case has been turned over to Allegheny County investigators but officials say it could be days before more information is released.
Governor Tom Wolf says Pennsylvania will continue working with federal authorities to resettle Syrian refugees in the state following last week’s attacks in Paris. State officials say Pennsylvania so far has seen 14 Syrian refugees arrive in the state since October 1st.
Police are searching for the driver who crashed a vehicle into a pole in Raccoon Township, and apparently ran off after the accident. Green Garden Road was closed shortly before 6:00 this morning after the accident, which brought down a pole and wires. Police say the vehicle was heavily damaged, and firefighters worked to clean up debris. P.C. O’Moore of the Raccoon Township Police Department tells Beaver County Radio that that road has since re-opened.
Firefighters from Ambridge and Crescent Township were among several fire companies called to a chemical fire in Leetsdale this morning. The fire broke out at a structure on Industrial Drive at around 10:00 a.m. At last word, there may be a possible hazmat problem involved with that fire.
New developments in the investigation of an overnight robbery outside of a North Sewickley Township convenience store. Police had been hoping that surveillance pictures would help lead them to the man who held up a gas station attendant. Around 10:00 last night, police say the suspect walked up to the attendant at the B & B Mini-Mart on River Road in North Sewickley. The man held up a knife to the attendant and took between 200 and 300 dollars. North Sewickley Township Police Chief Jeff Becze tells Beaver County Radio that they have have a suspect in this case and that an arrest may be forthcoming. Keep your radio tuned to 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA for the latest developments.
A host of organizations joined to honor about 200 veterans during a program over the weekend at the Beaver Valley Mall. It was held at the Center At The Mall and was part of several similar ceremonies held across the country to honor veterans. Holocaust survivor Judah Samet was the guest speaker. Samet tells Beaver County Radio his memories will be etched in his mind forever. He says the violence and the cruelty he experienced at the age of six was non-stop. Samet speaks to veterans groups and schools over all Beaver County.
Dozens of people turned out at a Pittsburgh park yesterday to show solidarity with Paris in the wake of last week’s terror attacks in France. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the group marked a moment of silence before they released white balloons and sang the French national anthem.
Gov. Tom Wolf says his administration will continue working with the federal government to resettle Syrian refugees in Pennsylvania following the Paris terrorist atttacks. Wolf, a Democrat, said today that the federal government believes it can handle an additional 10,000 refugees that the White House said in September that it would accept from Syria. Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services says 14 Syrian refugees have arrived in the state since Oct. 1. Eight governors, all Republicans, say they’re opposing efforts to relocate Syrian refugees in their states or they’re demanding to know more about the federal government’s security procedures to screen Syrian refugees.
Gov. Tom Wolf is ordering that Pennsylvania and U.S. flags on state facilities be lowered to half-staff for the victims of Friday night’s terror attacks in Paris. Wolf also said today that the front facade of the Capitol building is being lit up at night with the red, white and blue tricolor stripes of France’s national flag. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Thursday. Wolf also says the Pennsylvania State Police are taking extra security measures, including at major sporting events.