ERIE, Pa. (AP) — State game commission wardens in northwestern Pennsylvania tranquilized and removed a 127-pound bear from an Erie neighborhood over the weekend. Erie police and game wardens were called to east Erie at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday after the animal was spotted in a tree in a home’s backyard. A game warden fired a tranquilizer dart from the bucket of a fire department ladder truck backed into an adjacent yard near the tree, and the bear dropped to the ground from a branch about 25 feet in the air. Wardens said the bear would likely be taken to Forest County and be released.
Pickup driver faces charges in crash that killed cyclist
BELL ACRES, Pa. (AP) — Authorities in western Pennsylvania say a man is faces charges in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist near Pittsburgh over the weekend. Allegheny County police say Bell Acres officers were dispatched just before 12:30 p.m. Saturday on a report of a collision involving a pickup truck and a 51-year-old cyclist, who died shortly afterward. Witnesses said the truck was heading west in the eastbound lanes and struck the eastbound cyclist head-on. Thirty-three-year-old Justin Michael Miller faces charges including vehicular homicide while driving under the influence. Court documents don’t list a defense attorney. a listed number for Miller couldn’t be found Sunday.
SpaceX’s 1st astronaut launch breaking new ground for style
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first astronauts launched by SpaceX are breaking new ground for style with hip spacesuits, gull-wing Teslas and a sleek, matching rocketship. The color coordinating — white with black trim — is thanks to Elon Musk, the driving force behind both SpaceX and Tesla. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken like the new look. The true test comes Wednesday when Hurley and Behnken climb aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and, equipment and weather permitting, shoot into space. It will be the first astronaut launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center since the last shuttle flight in 2011.
Memorial Day weekend draws crowds and triggers warnings
By CURT ANDERSON and BRIAN MAHONEY Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Memorial Day holiday weekend marking the unofficial start of summer in the U.S. meant big crowds at beaches where the weather cooperated. It also meant renewed warnings from politicians and health experts to be cautious as the coronavirus continues its spread and deaths nationwide draw close to 100,000. On the Sunday talk shows, Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said she was “very concerned” about scenes of people crowding together over the weekend.
Trump’s pitch to voters: Trust me, economy will soar in 2021
By JILL COLVIN and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has a new pitch to voters for this fall. He’s asking them to trust him when it comes to an economic recovery. The coronoavirus pandemic has put more than 38 million people out of work in the United States, and Trump is increasingly talking up a future recovery that probably won’t materialize until after the November election. His argument to voters for another term in office asks them to look past the pain being felt across the country and to look ahead toward the promise of an economic comeback in 2021. And he speaks of “a transition to greatness.”
(Beaver County, PA) For 10 weeks now, reaction to the coronavirus pandemic continues to force the suspension or cancellation of large gatherings, including worship services across Pennsylvania. Along that line, WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M. are pleased to provide a way for worship to still be a part of Sunday even though the sanctuaries are closed . Local listeners and parishioners can tune in to WBVP. WMBA, 99.3 F.M. and the Beaver County Radio live online audio stream to seven different local church and faith based programs this week.
The Line Up For Sunday May 24 – Wednesday May 27, 2020:
Sunday starts off with “Sounds of Faith”, a two hour inspirational segment of worship and praise music that airs from 7 until 9 A.M.
At 9 A.M. live Sunday Mass from St. Monica Catholic Parish in Chippewa will still take place even though the church is closed to the public.
The Chippewa Worship Site of St. Monica Parish.
Then at 10 A.M., A recorded broadcast from First Presbyterian Church in Rochester featuring Reverend Lee Bittner along with special music from Mike Neely.
The Sunday morning 10:30 A.M. slot features Pastor Jan Davis from Central United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls, who will engage with listeners via a recorded sermon.
At noon, Senior Pastor Cliff Reynolds from Word Alive church in Ellwood City will be featured with a recorded message entitled “Apocalyptic Pandemic” The Word Alive broadcast is sponsored by Hamilton Tool and Supply in Beaver Falls.
Word Alive Church in Ellwood City.
Then, from 1 to 2 P.M., a special live broadcast will be aired from The New Galilee Church of the Nazarene featuring Pastor Andy Russell speaking from the “drive in church” pulpit. Much like the old drive in movies of years past, Pastor Russell plans on preaching from the parking lot this Sunday and inviting people to pull up, park, and tune the car radio in to 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA or 99.3 F.M. to hear his special Sunday message.
On Wednesday at 7 P.M., Pastor Rod Smith from Mountain Ministries will present his recorded message: “Good News From The Mountain.”
I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Line Painting Operations Next Week in Beaver County
Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that line painting operations on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in Beaver County, will occur Tuesday through Thursday, May 26-28 weather permitting.
Single-lane restriction will occur on I-376 in both directions between the Hopewell (Exit 48) and Center (Exit 42) interchanges as PennDOT crews conduct line painting operations. Work will occur from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Roadway line painting is an important part of PennDOT’s highway safety initiatives. Paint lines provide direction, delineation, and guidance to motorists.
Lines need repainting each year because of normal wear, tear, and weather. Winter maintenance activities such as plowing, spreading anti-skid materials, and studded tires are very abrasive to paint lines and can cause fading. Normal weathering caused by snow, rain, and ice also contribute to line reflectivity reduction.
Motorists who accidentally get paint on their vehicles should immediately wash the paint off with a high-pressure water stream and detergent. Dried paint can be removed with de-natured alcohol and a soft cloth. Generally, PennDOT is not responsible for paint on vehicles.
Motorists should use caution and be aware of changing traffic patterns when driving through the area.
Flood raises fears of pollution at Michigan toxic waste site
By JOHN FLESHER AP Environmental Writer
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A massive flood is raising fears of setbacks in a hazardous waste cleanup along a central Michigan river. Floodwaters overwhelmed two dams this week, chasing 11,000 people from their homes in or near Midland. The Tittabawassee River flows past Dow Chemical Co.’s headquarters plant, which for years produced dioxins. The highly toxic compounds were dumped into the river, where they became embedded in sediments and floodplains. Dow has been cleaning up the area since 2007 and has made considerable progress. The company says its projects survived a flood three years ago. But some scientists and activists fear this week’s flood could sweep the toxins downstream.
Biden says he was too ‘cavalier’ about black Trump backers
By BILL BARROW Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says he “should not have been so cavalier” in comments earlier Friday in which he suggested African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ain’t black.” Biden addressed the controversy during a conference call with the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce Friday afternoon after his earlier remarks during an interview with a prominent black radio host stirred an uproar over whether he was being condescending to African American voters. Trump’s campaign denounced Biden’s initial comments, contending that “a 77-year-old white man” was trying to tell black Americans how to vote.
Trump deems churches ‘essential,’ calls for them to reopen
By JILL COLVIN and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he has deemed churches and other houses of worship “essential” and is calling on governors to allow them to reopen this weekend despite the threat of the coronavirus. He says: “Today I’m identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential places that provide essential services.” Trump made the announcement during a hastily arranged press conference Friday at the White House, where he didn’t take questions. He says if governors don’t abide by his request, he will “override” them, though it’s unclear what authority he has to do so.
