In a year of social distancing, virus alters Sept. 11, too
By JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped how the U.S. is observing the anniversary of 9/11. The terror attacks’ 19th anniversary will be marked Friday by dueling ceremonies at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza and a corner nearby in New York. Vice President Mike Pence is expected at both remembrances. The two ceremonies reflect a divide over how to observe the anniversary in a time of social distancing. The double beams of light that evoke the fallen twin towers were nearly canceled because of virus concerns, until an uproar sparked a change of heart. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden plan to attend a truncated ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa School Board held its monthly work session and voted unanimously to furlough,  the para educators  alone with student and teacher’s aides  for the first nine weeks of school effective September 8, 2020.   Dr. Peter M. Carbone  said hopefully they will be able to return  after the first nine weeks of school. Due to the pandemic, classes are being taught virtually.

HARRISBURG―Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has shut down price gouging efforts at The Medicine Shoppe in Jeanette, Pennsylvania.

“Since March my office has been hard at work holding those who would take advantage of the pandemic to make a profit accountable. Our work has not slowed or stopped. We are still in a state of emergency, and for as long as that remains the case, Pennsylvanians have a right to purchase life-saving goods at reasonable prices. I want to encourage Pennsylvanians who see suspicious price increases on products like groceries and medicine to contact my office.”

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) with The Medicine Shoppe after the Office received tips alleging that the store was selling masks and 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer for unlawful prices. The Office learned that The Medicine Shoppe engaged in at least 267 transactions in which it sold N95 Masks, KN95 Masks, and 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the average price at which the same or similar products were obtainable in the affected area seven (7) days prior to March 6, 2020.

Under the Price Gouging Act, a price increase of more than 20 percent during a declared state of emergency is considered price gouging. The AVC requires The Medicine Shoppe to pay restitution to all consumers who purchased the N95 Masks, KN95 Masks, and/or 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer at excessive prices.  The Medicine Shoppe also agreed to fully comply with all provisions of the Pennsylvania Price Gouging Act moving forward.

Consumers who purchased N95 Masks, KN95 Masks, and/or 2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer from The Medicine Shoppe in Jeanette may be eligible for restitution if they paid more than they should have.  In order to be considered for restitution, consumers should file a consumer complaint form and attach a copy of their receipt showing they purchased the masks and/or hand sanitizers between March 6, 2020 and September 9, 2020.  Complaints must be submitted by November 9, 2020 to be considered.

UPS says it plans to hire more than 100,000 holiday workers
By DAVID KOENIG AP Business Writer
UPS says it plans to hire more than 100,000 extra workers to help handle an increase in packages during the holiday season. UPS said Wednesday that it expects a record peak season. Volume of packages for delivery usually rises starting in October and runs through January. The company says it will have full-time and part-time seasonal jobs, mostly package handlers, drivers and driver helpers. The Atlanta-based company touts the seasonal jobs as ones that can lead to year-round employment.

Norwegian lawmaker nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
By JAN M. OLSEN Associated Press
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A far-right Norwegian lawmaker says he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East. Norwegian parliament member Christian Tybring-Gjedde said Trump should be considered because of his work for a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. The lawmaker told The Associated Press on Wednesday, “No matter how Trump acts at home and what he says at press conferences, he has absolutely a chance at getting the Nobel Peace Prize.” Tybring-Gjedde was one of two Norwegian lawmakers who nominated Trump for the peace prize in 2018 for his efforts to bring reconciliation between North and South Korea.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Rochester, Pa.) U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady  announced last week that a Rochester, PA woman, Rachel M. Novalesi, 37 was one of 27 indicted  in a drug trafficking investigation. She is charged with conspiring to to distribute and possession with intent to distribute  five kilos of cocaine or more  from October 2018 until around June 22020  The 27 were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh  for trafficking significant quantities of cocaine from Mexico to the United States. ‘OPERATION TRIPWIRE””, was a 2 year investigation  with international, federal, state and local partners.  It began  shortly after Allegheny County’s  designation as a HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA.

Trump and Biden run vastly different pandemic campaigns
By ZEKE MILLER and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden are taking diametrically opposite approaches to campaigning during a pandemic. With less than eight weeks until the Nov. 3 election, the candidates are effectively staking out different visions for the country. Biden is emphasizing guidelines supported by local health officials. Trump is railing against restrictions that he argues are politically motivated, though he isn’t backing up those claims with evidence. Trump prefers indoor arenas, but after a June rally in Oklahoma, when the president addressed a half-empty arena, his campaign decided to move to airport hangars and tarmacs. Biden has appeared in public sparingly since the pandemic, and with the strictest adherence to state guidelines..

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(East Rochester, Pa.) PA State Police reported this morning that Harlan Snipes, 24 of Aliquippa was stopped on August 7, 2020 in East Rochester at Walnut Avenue/Oak Street for a traffic violation. He was identified and it was determined that he was wanted on a warrant issued by the Beaver County Sheriff’s Department . He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and . It was reported that he was in possession of marijuana and was impaired. Charges were filed in District Justice Ed Howe’s office.