Another Catholic diocese seeks bankruptcy after abuse deals
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is seeking bankruptcy protection six months after disclosing it had paid millions of dollars to people sexually abused as children by its clerics. The diocese made the filing Wednesday. It previously announced paying 106 people a total of just over $12 million to compensate for claims of sexual abuse they suffered as children from its clerics, deacons and seminarians. Harrisburg Bishop Ronald Gainer is expected to address the filing at a news conference.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Though brief, the Commissioner’s work session on Wednesday did yield a couple of notable nuggets.

First off, Commissioner Jack Manning spoke appreciably about his tour of the county’s recycling center with representatives from Fayette County, and giving praise to Waste Management head Holly Vogt for leading the tour and showcasing the strong model of the recycling center. Vogt was at the work session, thanking Manning for his kind words and pointing out that he wasn’t the only one left impressed:

 

Vogt was also commended by Commissioner Tony Amadio, who hired her earlier on in his tenure as County Commissioner.

Meanwhile, chairman Dan Camp responded to last weeks suggestion by Treasurer Sandie Egley in regards to having online dog licensing available, and then asking Commissioner Manning a question in regard to the subject:

 

Manning responded by saying “that is a possibility”, acknowledging that whoever decides to take over the dog licensing (the Treasurer or the Humane Society) determines where the money for the services will go.

CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich gushed about Donald Trump a day after the Republican president commuted his sentence for political corruption. Blagojevich spoke Wednesday outside his Chicago home, praising Trump throughout his remarks. A large sign hanging on a porch of the home outside home expressed gratitude to the Republican Trump. It read, “Thanks Mr. President.” The former governor walked out of a federal prison in Colorado on Tuesday after serving eight years of a 14-year sentence for wide-ranging political corruption and just hours after Trump officially commuted his sentence.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has ousted the Pentagon’s top policy official who had certified last year that Ukraine had made enough anti-corruption progress to justify releasing congressionally authorized aid. The Trump administration’s delay in releasing that aid was central to the president’s impeachment by the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate voted to acquit the president. But in the wake of the Senate trial, an emboldened Trump has gone after officials he has perceived as being disloyal. John Rood, the undersecretary of defense for policy, is the latest official to be purged.

UNDATED (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has been endorsed by a Texas congresswoman who was an impeachment manager in President Donald Trump’s Senate trial. Biden is looking ahead to the critical Super Tuesday primary slate with the endorsement of Democratic Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Houston. Garcia is the sixth Congressional Hispanic Caucus member and 43rd member of the House to back Biden publicly. Both marks lead the Democratic presidential field. Yet Biden still stands at a perilous point in his candidacy after disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. The former vice president looks to rebound in Saturday’s Nevada caucuses, the first nominating contest to prominently feature Hispanic voters.

The first major test of billionaire Mike Bloomberg’s presidential campaign plays out in the city of high rollers when he faces questions and sharp elbows on a debate stage for the first time. Bloomberg is a last-minute qualifier for the Democratic debate in Las Vegas on Wednesday night. Bloomberg joins Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren. All Bloomberg’s rivals are debate veterans at this point, which may put the former New York mayor at a disadvantage. The swift rise of Bloomberg’s self-funded campaign has landed him in the top tier of hopefuls, though he won’t appear on ballots until the Super Tuesday primaries on March 3.

(Photos of Midland Council listening to residents and Evaluation Resources Rep.,
taken by Sandy Giordano)

Midland Borough’s financial situation was addressed at a public meeting last night. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was there. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

An overnight crash has led to the closure of a major road in Center Township. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — A former Lancaster County mail carrier has accused the Untied States Postal Service of violating his rights by requiring him to work Sundays. Gerald Groff filed a lawsuit Friday against the federal agency, claiming he was let go from his position after refusing to work Sundays for religious reasons. The federal lawsuit claims the evangelical Christian worked “flexibly” to accommodate his convictions by offering to pick up holiday, evening and Saturday hours. A statement from Groff’s defense states the agency began enforcing a no-exceptions Sunday policy on him and “needlessly disciplined him” before he was eventually let go. A USPS spokeswoman says that the agency does not generally comment on pending litigation.