Ambridge Streetscape to be Completed

THE AMBRIDGE STREETSCAPE PROJECT IS JUST ABOUT COMPLETE. CREWS WILL BE PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THE PROJECT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS MORE. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

Pence Says Trump a Better Choice than any Democratic Nominee

ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence told South Carolina conservatives Monday night that another four years for the Trump administration is a far better choice than anything the Democratic Party might offer from its nomination race.

“Have faith in the American people,” Pence told about 3,000 people attending a fundraising barbecue in the town of Anderson. “When the American people are given a choice between more freedom and more government, they’ll choose freedom every time.”

Pence spoke at the Faith and Freedom BBQ, an annual fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, one of the more conservative members of South Carolina’s congressional delegation. Organizers tout the event as the state’s largest annual gathering for conservatives, who packed out a civic center for plates of barbecue, cole slaw and homemade ice cream.

Other speakers Monday included Duncan, Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, as well as U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio.

Pence said that South Carolina — 55% of its voters backed Donald Trump in 2016 — is a beneficiary of military victories and economic successes pledged by Trump during his campaign.

“It’s been two and a half years of promises made and promises kept. We’re just getting started, South Carolina,” Pence said. “With God’s help, we will keep America great.”

Pence visited the state in March to help Graham kick off his reelection bid. On Monday night, Graham playfully swiped at the president, with whom he said he got off to a “rocky start.”

“I’ve come to like the president, admire the president,” said Graham, who frequently sparred with Trump when both sought the 2016 nomination but now counts as an ally and frequent golfing partner. “He likes himself, so we’ve got a lot in common. … This is a hell of a country, and we’re not going to give it over to a bunch of socialists.”

To applause and cheers, Graham also told the crowd, “If you’re not here to support Trump/Pence, you came to the wrong place.”

Before the program, former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who is mulling a primary challenge to Trump, worked the room, speaking with attendees and calling for a conversation on what he sees as the ignored topic of the national deficit.

Sanford visited the early-voting state of New Hampshire earlier this month, where he said he felt he got “another greenlight” in terms of making a decision to challenge Trump. The former 1st District congressman, who is set to visit Iowa this week, has said he will take until Labor Day to make his decision.

As Sanford spoke with reporters, attendees waving Trump/Pence signs surrounded him, some chanting, “Trump! Trump!” and “Go take a hike,” a reference to Sanford’s 2009 disappearance to visit a mistress in Argentina while telling his gubernatorial staff he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Earlier Monday, Pence visited a metal fabrication business to promote the proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.

“The USMCA is a win for South Carolina,” Pence said at Sargent Metal. “It’s a win for the United States. And it’s going to strengthen our economy and strengthen our hand on the world stage. It’s time to get it done.”

Women Speak Out Against Epstein in Court

NEW YORK (AP) — More than a dozen women who call themselves survivors have spoken out in court about sexual abuse they say they’ve suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein. The emotional testimony Tuesday came weeks after the 66-year-old killed himself in a New York jail cell while awaiting his sex trafficking trial. The extraordinary court hearing was called by the judge presiding over the trial. He set the hearing after prosecutors asked that he scrap charges against Epstein since he’s dead.

Prosecutors Announce Plans to Seek Death Penalty in Slaying of Pgh Police Officer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Prosecutors have announced plans to seek the death penalty in the slaying of an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer shot to death in a street confrontation last month. The Allegheny County district attorney’s office informed the court Monday of intent to seek capital punishment should 30-year-old Christian Bey be convicted of first-degree murder. Prosecutors also unsealed the homicide and firearms crimes criminal complaint against Bey in the July 14 shooting of 36-year-old Officer Calvin Hall.

Hopewell Commissioners Hear More Complaints About Shooting Range

THE HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP COMMISSIONERS HEARD MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHOOTING RANGE LAST NIGHT. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO WAS THERE. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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State Rep. Aaron Bernstine Appears on ‘Teleforum’ To Discuss Hereford Manor Lake

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) appeared on Teleforum this morning…expounding more on yesterday’s announcement that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will move forward immediately with the initial geotechnical study to restore Hereford Manor Lake, which was drained in 2012…

Bernstine has secured $150,000 for the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Gas Prices Continue to Drop Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, AAA Says

Ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, the average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is four cents cheaper this week at $2.77 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. Drivers in Beaver are paying 2.70 a gallon while in New Castle the average price is at 2.69. At $2.59, the national gas price average is on track to be potentially the cheapest Labor Day weekend average in three years. A year ago the average price in Western Pennsylvania was at 3.09 a gallon.

No Charge Planned in In Ex-Rep Sex Assault Case

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A county prosecutor won’t charge a state lawmaker who resigned amid an investigation into an allegation that he sexually assaulted a woman. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said Monday that a grand jury recommended no charges against former Rep. Brian Ellis, a Butler County Republican. Ellis resigned in March but has denied the allegation.

Two People Hurt in Cranberry Twp Accident

Two people were taken to the hospital following a one vehicle accident on Interstate 79 in Cranberry Township. State Police report 46 year old John Zazado of Millsboro was northbound when he slammed on his brakes to avoid approaching traffic and turned into the median. Zazado and a passenger, 89 year old Alonzo Lawver of Clarksville were both taken to Allegheny General Hospital for treatment. Police said Zazado was cited.