Story by Beaver County Radio News Director/ Program Director Frank Sparks

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) So what were your top stories of 2020? The Obvious stories are COVID-19, the impeachment of President Donald Trump, the death of George Floyd and the racial injustice that followed and of course the election for President of the United States. Beaver County Radio News has put together the top ten stories of 2020 based on what our followers reacted to on all platforms of Beaver County Radio.  Throughout the year over 600,00 users accessed beavercountyradio.com with over 1 million page views. Below we take a look at those stories as they were reported on during news casts, on beavercountyradio.com and our social media outlets:

Number Ten on the list squeaked its way in the top ten at the last minute on December 30, 2020 when Beaver County Radio Reported on United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin took to Twitter on December 29, 2020 confirming that the payments and checks were on the way for the second round of stimulus money signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 28, 2020. Mnuchin posted that the U.S. Treasury and IRS would begin delivering the second round of economic impact payments late December 29 and during the day on December 30, 2020,  via direct deposit for those who have their banking information on file through the IRS.

Number Nine  is a pre-pandemic story from February 6, 2020. Republican US Sen. Pat Toomey Now Says President’s Ukraine Phone Call ‘Not Perfect’ Republican Pat Toomey voted to acquit President Donald Trump during the Senate face after the President was impeached by the US Congress. Toomey specifically wrote that while Trump’s actions were not perfect, as the President keeps saying, the American people should decide for themselves if he should stay in office this November.

 

Number Eight is a story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano from March 9, 2020. Sandy reported that a man returning home from work on Boylston street in Ambridge was robbed at gun point by  two black males wearing a mask at 11:45 pm on the night of March 8, 2020.

 

 

Number Seven is a story reported on by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano that homicide charges were dropped against 18 year old Michael Barbuto at a hearing in Beaver County Central Court before District Justice Ed Howe. Barbuto was charged with criminal homicide in the death of his brother on July 15,, 2020. A key witness refused to testify and was held in contempt of court.

Number Six is a story on September 9, 2020  in which U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady  announced that a Rochester, PA woman was one of 27 indicted  in a drug trafficking investigation. 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.

Number Five is a sad story reported on by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano from September 22, 2020. Sandy reported that  an elderly man died as the result of a dump truck falling on him on Monday September 21, 2020 in Center Township. Police Chief Barry Kramer said the accident occurred around 2:30 p.m.  on Fronko Street. Emergency personnel worked to free the man and he was flown to UPMC Presbyterian  where he later died from his injuries according to Chief Kramer.

Number Four was just reported on Wednesday December 23, 2020 by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. Sandy reported that Hopewell Township Police reported Wednesday morning that a vehicle operated by  Boisy Hollins, 70 of Aliquippa  crossed the  center  line  in  the 2400 block of Brodhead Road Monday afternoon, December 22, 2020,  striking  a vehicle with 2 occupants. One of the vehicle’s caught fire, and a passerby equipped with a fire extinguisher put the fire out. Hollins died as a result of his injuries and the two occupants of the other vehicle were treated at a local hospital.

Number Three was reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. Sandy stated that Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker declared Aliquippa in a state of emergency on  March 24, 2020 due to many circumstances including the COVID-19 which was just entering Beaver County at that time.

 

 

 

Number Two was an update about a previous story that Beaver County Radio had reported on.  The original story earlier in the day on September 25, 2020 stated that Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier reported early Friday morning  that a home invasion took place in the 1400 block of 5th Avenue in Beaver Falls around 1 AM.  The suspects shot and killed a male, and wounded a female. The female was flown to a hospital for her injuries.  The investigation is continuing the District Attorney said at that time. In the Number two story Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reported an update that stated Beaver Falls  Police were reporting via press release that the deceased victim was a 22 year-old male and the second victim who was air lifted to a local  hospital is a 23 year-old female.  A couple days later Sandy reported that Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer identified the victim as Dec Latrell Parker, 22 of Beaver Falls. His death was ruled a homicide.

 

And the number one story was one of many stories to come out of the Beaver County Courthouse over 2020. The Beaver County Commissioners felt Beaver County was getting the short end of the stick because of the outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center and said that they support District Attorney David Lozier on the decision to not prosecute any business who can safely open and follow the yellow phase guidelines. In a statement on Monday May 11, 2020 the Beaver County Commissioners stated that they were informed by Gov. Tom Wolf that Beaver County would be the only county in the Southwest region of Pennsylvania that would not be moving to the yellow phase from the red phase governor Wolf issued said via press release that Counties that wish to not listen to his orders will suffer Consequences. The Gov said he will take away Federal COVID-19 funds and that they are risking peoples lives by not following the plan to phase in a return to life in Pennsylvania. The Gov. also said that businesses that make the choice to open while still in the red zone will suffer  by losing liquor licenses  or their license from the health department.

The Beaver County Commissioners have responded to Gov. Wolf’s Statements via a press release sent to Beaver County Radio. Below is a copy of the wording in the Press Release:

The Commissioners of Beaver County were disappointed in Governor Wolf’s remarks today and felt it necessary to issue this press release in response. Nothing the Governor stated makes us change the position we previously held in that it is illogical to keep Beaver County in the “red” phase while moving the entire bordering counties and regions into the “yellow” phase. We do not believe our residents will be corralled inside invisible county lines on the map.

 By now it is well documented one facility within Beaver County is the basis for the vast majority of our COVID-19 cases and deaths. It has also been well documented it is the Department of Health’s responsibility to monitor this facility. If the Governor and his administration are so interested in saving lives, only they can answer the question why they ignored multiple requests for help and statistical counts coming out of Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center by waiting over six weeks to only now send in the National Guard. 

We certainly hope the Governor was not serious when he talked about withholding federal stimulus money as that would only punish those who need that help the most. By putting Beaver County on an island being left in the red, the Governor is crushing the economy, businesses, and morale of this County. 

We once again stand behind our District Attorney in his decision to not prosecute any businesses that can operate in the “yellow” phase to do so on Friday. Our decision to stand behind our District Attorney is a bipartisan and nonpolitical decision based on the analysis of our data, and the best interest of the health, safety, emotional, and economic well-being of the Beaver County residents. 

That concludes our list of based off analytics of the top stories in Beaver County.

One final story deserving honorable mention is that Beaver County Radio 1230 WBVP and 99.3 FM started streaming on air content on February 29, 2020 via beavercountyradio.com and mobile apps for android and apple devices. A few weeks later it was added that you could listen to Beaver County Radio on Amazon Alexa.

This is just a list of the many stories that Beaver County Radio covered in 2020. We  thank everyone who has been a part of supporting Beaver County Radio. We couldn’t do it with out you.

From the Management and Staff of Beaver County Radio we wish everyone a “Happy New Year”

Gettysburg elementary teacher accused of child sexual abuse
GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A second-grade public school teacher in Gettysburg is accused of sexual abuse of a child, and the state police is asking for tips from anyone who believes there may be other victims. Vincent Paul Marfia was arraigned Thursday on charges that include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. He was jailed, with bail set at $50,000. His defense lawyer says the 40-year-old Littlestown resident denies the allegations. A Gettysburg Area School District spokesperson says Marfia won’t be on school property during the investigation.

BEDMINSTER, Pa. (AP) — A hunter who fatally shot a man he apparently mistook for an animal at a state park has been charged with homicide and weapons counts. Kenneth Troy Heller made his initial court appearance Wednesday and was jailed after the judge denied him bail. It wasn’t known if the 52-year-0old Warminster man has retained an attorney. The shooting occurred Oct. 24 in Nockamixon State Park, which straddles the towns of Bedminster and Haycock. Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub says he believes Heller thought he was firing at an animal and didn’t intentionally shoot 18-year-old Jason Kutt. The West Rockhill man was shot once in the back of the head while sitting with his girlfriend.

Keystone State News Connection

December 31, 2020

Groups Demand Cancellation of Federal Student-Loan Debt

Andrea Sears

PHILADELPHIA — Student and community groups will rally outside President-elect Joe Biden’s Philadelphia headquarters Monday to demand he cancel all federal student debt on his first day in office.

Organizers of the rally say Philadelphia was instrumental in securing Biden’s victory at the polls.

Now, after months of unemployment brought on by the pandemic, many have to choose between paying their debts or keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table.

Lauren Horner, community organizer for the PA Debt Collective, said cancelling student debt would relieve some of the burden on people who have gone months without paychecks.

“Philly residents have much higher debt loads – an average of over $37,000 – than many graduates in other major cities, especially our Black and Brown borrowers,” Horner explained.

Biden backed legislation that would cancel the first $10,000 of federal student loan debt, but has not supported a Democratic resolution urging him to eliminate more.

That resolution, proposed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would cancel up to $50,000 of student debt per borrower.

But Horner insists that still wouldn’t be enough.

“To cancel all of the debt would be a much bigger and bolder statement,” Horner maintained. “And it would keep $11.6 billion in the pockets of over 300,000 Philadelphia residents, in particular.”

Nationally, 45 million Americans owe more than $1.5 trillion on student loans.

Biden calls it “questionable” whether he’ll have the executive power to cancel even $50,000 of student loan debt.

But Horner pointed out Congress gave that authority to the Secretary of Education, a presidential appointee, decades ago.

“Basically, with a sign of a pen, the $1.5 trillion of federal student loans can be cancelled,” confirmed. “So, we’re simply demanding that Biden use this power that he already possesses to push this forward.”

She added student debt is one factor contributing to the racial wealth gap, and cancelling it would help reduce wealth inequality.

PennDOT Extends Expiration Dates on Commercial Driver Licenses, Commercial Learner’s Permits

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

The following products’ expiration dates will be extended:

• The expiration date for a commercial learner’s permit scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through February 22, 2021, is extended through February 22, 2021.
• The expiration date for commercial driver licenses scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through February 22, 2021, is extended through February 22, 2021.

Expiration extension deadlines on non-commercial driver license, photo identification cards, learner’s permits and camera cards ended on August 31, 2020.

For a list of open driver license and photo license centers and the services provided, as well as their hours of operation, please visit www.dmv.pa.gov.

Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and schedule a driver’s exam. There are no additional fees for using online services.

PennDOT will continue to evaluate these processes and will communicate any changes with the public.

Additional COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.

‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Dawn Wells dies, COVID-19 cited
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dawn Wells, who played the wholesome Mary Ann on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” has died. Her publicist says Wells died Wednesday morning in Los Angeles of causes related to COVID-19. Besides TV, film and stage acting credits, her other real-life roles included teacher and motivational speaker. Born in Reno, Nevada, Wells represented her state in the 1959 Miss America pageant and quickly pivoted to an acting career. Her early TV roles came on shows including “77 Sunset Strip,” “Maverick” and “Bonanza.” Then came “Gilligan’s Island,” a goofy, good-natured show that became an unlikely but indelible part of popular culture.  Dawn Wells was 82 years old.