Category: News

Tally may bring challenges under Pennsylvania recount rules

Tally may bring challenges under Pennsylvania recount rules
By MARC LEVY and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania counties are grinding through ballot counting after a high-turnout election that tested a new vote-by-mail law, as President Donald Trump sought to reverse a winning margin for former Vice President Joe Biden. Preliminary counts due at the close of business Tuesday from counties to the state elections bureau will be watched for how they might affect the presidential race numbers. Thousands of ballots, however, will not make it into those counts. But they’re being watched for how they might affect the presidential race. They also may lead recount requests by precinct. Biden held a 48,000-vote margin Tuesday night. That’s too wide a gap for a mandatory recount.

Legendary Blackhawk Baseball coach Bob Amalia Dies

(Chippewa Twp. Pa.) Legendary Blackhawk baseball coach Bob Amalia passed away on Monday afternoon after losing his battle with prostate cancer. He was first diagnosed with the cancer in October of 2018.

Amalia a 1974 Blackhawk graduate started coaching Blackhawk’s American Legion baseball team in 1988 and then his Alma Mater  high school team in 2000.

Over his Coaching career his  high school teams won 13 section titles, three WPIAL titles and made it as far as the championship game six other times. Overall, those teams compiled a 307-116 record.

Under Amalia’s direction, Blackhawk’s American Legion won over 700 games, 16 Beaver County titles and one state championship. In July of 2019, he celebrated his 1000th overall victory in high school and legion.

Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame Announcer and one of Beaver County Radio’s play by play commentators Tom Hays, who was close friends with Bob for many years, joined Eddy Crow on Teleforum Tuesday morning to talk about Bob’s life both as a coach and a person. During the interview Hays was asked to tell everyone about the personal side of Bob Amalia.  Click the play button below to hear his response:

Bob Amalia was just 64 years old.

You can hear the entire interview as it was aired on Beaver County Radio by pressing the play button below:

Trump campaign sues to block Pennsylvania election result

Trump campaign sues to block Pennsylvania election result
By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s campaign is launching a lawsuit to stop the certification of the election results in Pennsylvania. It sued Monday as counties continued to sort through provisional ballots and mail-in ballots nearly a week after the election. The Associated Press on Saturday called the presidential contest for former Vice President Joe Biden, after determining that the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up. But Trump’s campaign filed litigation in federal court over Pennsylvania’s presidential election, saying registered Democratic voters were treated more favorably than Republicans. Pennsylvania’s attorney general, Democrat Josh Shapiro, called the lawsuit meritless.

Experts say no need to cancel Thanksgiving, but play it safe

Experts say no need to cancel Thanksgiving, but play it safe
By CARLA K. JOHNSON AP Medical Writer
Health experts say a safe Thanksgiving during a pandemic is possible, but they know their advice is as tough to swallow as dry, overcooked turkey. U.S. health officials say small household gatherings have contributed the the rise in COVID-19 cases. But there’s no need to cancel the holiday. Spending time with loved ones is important for health too. The coronavirus spreads more easily when people are crowded together inside, so experts encourage new outdoor traditions such as hiking as a family. Guest lists for indoor feasts should be small enough so people can sit six feet apart while unmasked.

A TRIBUTE TO VETERANS IN MIDLAND NOVEMBER 20

Story by Beaver County News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Midland,  Pa.) Midland School District Superintendent Sean Tanner announced last week that a tribute to veterans and service personnel will take place  Friday, November 20  from 11 a.m. to noon. The event will be a drive thru  event where vets will receive a free meal    at the bus turnaround on Seventh Street..

Mr. Tanner said through a team effort  the district planned the event , and food will be delivered to the VFW, American Legion and any vets that are shut-ins.
Deadline  for  reservations is today . Vets are asked to call the school at 724-643-8650.

GOP tries again to get high court to ax health care law

GOP tries again to get high court to ax health care law
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican elected officials and the Trump administration are advancing their latest arguments to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, a long-held GOP goal that has repeatedly failed in Congress and the courts. Arguments are scheduled for Tuesday in the Supreme Court’s third major case over the 10-year-old law, popularly known as “Obamacare.” Republican attorneys general in 18 states and the Trump administration want the whole law to be struck down, which would threaten coverage for more than 23 million people. California is leading a group of Democratic-controlled states that is urging the court to leave the law in place.

AAA: Gas Prices Lower in Pennsylvania; Demand Continues to Trend Low

AAA: Gas Prices Lower in Pennsylvania; Demand Continues to Trend Low
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is two cents lower this week at $2.482 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.482
Average price during the week of November 2, 2020                                $2.501
Average price during the week of November 11, 2019                              $2.785

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.490      Altoona
$2.525      Beaver
$2.557      Bradford
$2.541      Brookville
$2.413      Butler
$2.475      Clarion
$2.345      DuBois
$2.552      Erie
$2.395      Greensburg
$2.599      Indiana
$2.294      Jeannette
$2.587      Kittanning
$2.555      Latrobe
$2.585      Meadville
$2.577      Mercer
$2.178      New Castle
$2.574      New Kensington
$2.599      Oil City
$2.478      Pittsburgh
$2.426      Sharon
$2.510      Uniontown
$2.599      Warren
$2.235      Washington

Trend Analysis:
The national gas price average pushed a penny cheaper this week to $2.11, following an increase in gasoline stocks and a dip in demand. The Energy Information Administration reports stocks added 1.5 million barrels to total 227.6 million, while demand decreased to 8.3 million b/d.

Domestic crude prices fluctuated last week due to market concern about increasing coronavirus infections worldwide, which is likely to lower crude demand. While oil prices rallied on the week, up from a four-month low of $35/barrel to as high as $39/barrel, they remain relatively inexpensive. This is a dominant factor, along with already low demand, contributing to the cheaper prices seen at pumps around the country.

On the week, only four states saw gas prices increase: Indiana (+6 cents), Ohio (+6 cents) and Illinois (+2 cent) and Washington, D.C. (+1 cent). As has been the trend for weeks now, the majority of states gas price averages continue to push cheaper. Nearly 20 states start the week with an average at least three cents cheaper than last Monday. Today’s national average is seven cents cheaper than last month and 51 cents less expensive than last year.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 76 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Hopewell School Board, Addresses the Pandemic at Monday Nights Meeting

Last’s night ‘s Hopewell School Board work   session    was held in person and on ZOOM centered around the pandemic.

A resident  addressed the board about her concerns, and another sent many questions concerning the  educational process underway during the pandemic at all  grade levels.

An eighth grade student tested positive  and the administration was made aware  last Thursday, according to Dr. Michelle Miller, superintendent. The female student was last in school on Wednesday November 4 and played in the junior high girls  basketball last week. The junior high school building and all district busses have been cleaned and  disinfected, and voluntary contact tracing and following DOH  guidelines are in place, she said.
The board hired a  daily substitute and long-term substitute science  teacher  Shannon Staver beginning on or about December 7,2020 through June 11, 2021.

‘Tis The Season to Give Back to Aging Adults in our Community Home Instead’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” Finds New Ways to Spread Cheer 

ZELIENOPLE, Pa. – Nov. 9, 2020 At a time when it may be more important than ever, Home Instead’s® seasonal favorite Be A Santa to a Senior returns stronger than ever with new options for community participation.

Program coordinators evaluated the important holiday program and made adjustments with the safety of donors, seniors and volunteers in mind. With seniors in Beaver and Butler counties more isolated than ever because of concerns due to the virus, this year, for the first time in the local program’s 10-year history, Home Instead is teaming up with Amazon Business, to create a contactless gift-giving experience for volunteers and recipients. The new Amazon Business collaboration will provide the same holiday cheer to local seniors while also prioritizing the safety and wellness of all who are involved.

“The Be a Santa to a Senior program brings so much joy to seniors in our community,” said Brendan Kenny, owner of the Zelienople Home Instead office. “We’ve all felt isolated at some point during the pandemic, but seniors are especially at risk of feeling isolated and a simple gift can show them that we are thinking of them. And that’s more important this year than ever.”

 Be a Santa to a Senior relies on the generous support of community members and volunteers, as well as area businesses, nonprofit organizations, and retailers across Beaver and Butler counties.

It’s easy to help. Members of the community can visit BeASantatoaSenior.com and enter their zip code to view Wish Lists for local seniors in the area which are available on Amazon Business through December 11. A personalized greeting can be included with the gift which will be safely delivered to the senior.

“We need the community’s help more than ever to make sure our seniors feel connected this year,” said Kenny. “With all that’s happened this year, we knew we had to find a way to reach those seniors with some holiday cheer, and we are grateful for the community’s support.”

Since the program’s creation in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior® has provided approximately 2.1 million gifts and brightened the season for more than 750,000 deserving seniors nationwide. With adjustments, Home Instead will be able to continue the annual gift-giving program while following social distancing and safety precautions during COVID-19.

For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 724-452-6691.

For ideas and inspiration around helping seniors in your community, visit ReadytoCare.com.

Beaver County Commissioners Cancel Wednesday Work Session, Will Pass Proposed 2021 Budget on November 19, 2020

(Beaver County, Pa.) The Beaver County Commissioners have cancelled their work session scheduled for tomorrow due to Veteran’s Day. The Commissioners also announced they have cancelled their regularly scheduled Public Meetings on November 12th and 26th.

There will only be one Public Meeting in November and that will be on Thursday, November 19th at 10AM in the Commissioners Meeting Room.  At that meeting is when they will pass the proposed budget for 2021. The budget will be placed on display after that meeting.