HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf will ask lawmakers for an extra $40 million-plus to help improve services for the vulnerable, including children and the elderly, and expand direct care services to more disabled people who are on a waiting list. The request for money unveiled Wednesday is designed to expand training for direct care workers, reduce waiting lists for care and increase staff in specific service areas, including child welfare. Many of the proposals that Wolf’s administration rolled out ahead of his Feb. 4 budget proposal reflect recommendations by a council Wolf established to find ways to improve services for vulnerable populations.

A Center Township man is being selected as the Democratic Party’s candidate for an upcoming special election to fill an open seat in Harrisburg. Phil Heasley’s name will be on the Democratic side of the ballot March 17th for the special election to fill former State Representative Tedd Nesbit’s seat. Nesbit vacated the eighth legislative district seat after being elected to the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas in 2019.

Weather conditions are expected to increase pollution problems across western Pennsylvania today. State environmental protection officials have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for six counties including Beaver and Butler counties. Air pollution concentrations will be unhealthy for children, the elderly and people with lung and heart diseases.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY, JAN. 23RD, 2020

 

TODAY – OVERCAST. HIGH – 44.

TONIGHT – CLOUDY SKIES. LOW – 32.

FRIDAY – CLOUDY WITH PERIODS OF RAIN. HIGH – 46.

SATURDAY – CLOUDY WITH RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
TEMPS NEARLY STEADY IN THE UPPER 30‘S.

SUNDAY – VARIABLY CLOUDY WITH SNOW SHOWERS.
SNOW ACCUMULATION LESS THAN ONE INCH.
TEMPS NEARLY STEADY IN THE MID-30’S.

A call to improve options and safety measures for the disabled citizens of Beaver County was brought to the attention of the Board of Commissioners, and Matt Drzik has further details:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate is poised to hear opening arguments  in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.  Democratic House managers are set to make their case that Trump abused power and should be removed from office. Trump himself said on Wednesday he wants top aides to testify, but he qualified that by suggesting that “national security” concerns will keep that from happening. Republicans have for now blocked Democratic motions to immediately call witnesses and subpoena documents. On Tuesday, the Senate approved rules for Trump’s trial on two articles of impeachment.

UNDATED (AP) — The days of passengers bringing rabbits, turtles and birds on planes as emotional-support animals could be ending. The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced plans to tighten rules regarding service animals, the biggest change being that only dogs could qualify. Airlines have complained that some passengers are abusing rules that let them bring other animals on board by saying they need the animal for emotional support.

NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial has begun in a landmark moment for the global #MeToo movement. New York prosecutors painted him as a sexual predator who used his movie-magnate stature to abuse women in an opening statement Wednesday, while his lawyers sought to discredit the accusers and argue the encounters were consensual. More than two years after allegations against Weinstein gave rise to #MeToo, the trial is seen as a key point in a global reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful men. Weinstein said little as he arrived at a Manhattan court Wednesday, though when asked whether he believed he would have a fair trial, he said yes.

The State House Judiciary Committee has passed a bill drafted by State Representative Josh Kail that would provide parents with precious time with their children that was unfairly taken from them. Representative Kail tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that House Bill 437 addresses violations of custody orders by giving the courts the power to temporarily modify the schedule without creating a new custody order…

Kail says that if one party keeps the children for an extra week, the bill would allow a judge to award the other party who has missed that time the week that he or she is owed…

Kail says under current law, if one parent breaks the custody order, there is no mechanism to give that time back to the other parent without a new custody order…

The bill now moves to the full House for consideration…and Kail says he’s hopeful it has enough support to pass:

 

Ambridge Area High School hosted a Youth/ Law Enforcement Forum for students yesterday. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was there. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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