Judge dismisses 1 charge against former cop in Floyd’s death
By AMY FORLITI Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge has dismissed a third-degree murder charge against the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck, but the more serious second-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin remains. Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill’s ruling was made public Thursday. Chauvin now faces two counts going forward: second-degree murder and manslaughter. Cahill denied defense requests to dismiss the aiding and abetting counts against three other former officers, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao. Floyd, a Black man who was in handcuffs, died May 25 after Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe.

September existing home sales climb 9.4%, highest since ’06
By KEN SWEET AP Business Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Sales of existing homes climbed 9.4% in September, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday, the latest sign that the housing market remains red hot despite the coronavirus pandemic. On a seasonally-adjusted rate, the selling pace of existing homes climbed to 6.54 million annualized units. That is the highest level for that metric since February 2006, at the peak of the previous housing bubble.

GOP-led Senate panel advances Barrett despite Dems’ boycott
By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate. Republicans powered past a Democratic boycott of the session Thursday to keep confirmation of President Donald Trump’s pick on track before Election Day. Democratic senators refused to show up in protest of the GOP’s rush to install Trump’s nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Senate has never confirmed a Supreme Court nominee so close to a presidential election. Senators plan to convene a rare weekend session for procedural actions ahead of a final confirmation vote expected Monday.

(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.