Allegheny County seeks all-mail election in Pennsylvania
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The top official in Pennsylvania’s second-most populous county is pushing for the authority from the state to conduct the June 2 primary election entirely by mail. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Monday said holding an in-person election in the midst of the coronavirus crisis would be a “disaster.” He wants Gov. Tom Wolf to expand the state’s emergency declaration to allow the move. Officials in a pair of suburban Philadelphia counties, Montgomery and Chester, are also backing the idea of an all-mail election. And Philadelphia is making preparations for it in case an all-mail election is ordered.

Pennsylvania reports 13 new deaths among COVID-19 patients
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania officials say there were 13 additional deaths among COVID-19 patients over the prior day, raising the state’s running running total to more than 500. The Health Department announced Sunday there were also nearly 1,200 new cases, for a statewide total of nearly 23,000 infections over the course of the coronavirus pandemic. There were 29 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Pennsylvania on Thursday and 78 on Friday. But officials have cautioned that inconsistent reporting on weekends can result in artificially low numbers. The Pennsylvania House plans to return Tuesday to voting session, and the chamber may consider legislation that would allow more businesses to open during the pandemic.

Game off: Youth baseball leagues scrambling amid pandemic
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on youth sports leagues across the United States. It is a particular blow to baseball and softball, which are two of the top spring sports. Many organizers are taking a “wait and see” approach on whether a 2020 season is possible. But some summer tournaments have already been canceled. There is also concern that some players may not return in 2021 if they don’t play this season.

Ambridge Police Chief Mark Romutis died Sunday evening in Allegheny General from complications related to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Chief Romutis tested positive for COVID-19 on March 20, 2020 and was recovering at home. It’s being reported that Chief Romutis was recovering well until late last week when he took a turn for the worse.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is working on an update and community reaction to this breaking story.

Story by Mark Peterson. Photos by Taylor Murphy and Mark Peterson.

(New Galilee, PA) For the second week in a row, the concept of gathering together for church services was “resurrected” at the New Galilee Church of The Nazarene.  An estimated 80 plus cars piled into three parking  lots adjacent to the the little country church at the corner of Washington Street and Locust Avenue in New Galilee and tuned in to Beaver County Radio for an early afternoon Easter celebration.

The opening act this week was a polished performance by Luke Reynolds, who normally would find himself singing songs and leading worship at nearby Word Alive Church in Ellwood City on a typical Sunday, but today, he was singing his heart out before rows of cars on a slightly overcast, but relatively comfortable afternoon for April in Western Pennsylvania.  The main act then made its grand entrance as Pastor Andy Russell re enacted Jesus’ final act of bearing his own cross before being crucified, by carrying a life size cross himself through the parking lot and then eventually up the the little grassy hill where he would deliver the rest of his sermon.

Click images to enlarge and to view the slideshow.

As one tuned in on the radio,  the periodic honking of horns was easily picked up by the microphones used for Sunday’s service, and replaced what would typically have been applause.  Russell himself was humbled by how well the new drive in church concept was being received so far.  “Many of these people don’t even go to our church, but they are coming here anyways” he observed while gesturing to the lot quickly filling up with cars beforehand.  By all accounts, the two week old tradition of outdoor drive in church coupled with a live broadcast on WBVP, WMBA, 99.3 F.M. and The Beaver County Radio Live Online Audio Stream has gone very well and it’s not stopping just yet.  Pastor Russell stated “We’ve received such positive support for this ministry, we are going to go ahead and do it for two more weeks after this.”

So, the box office drive in hit will run for at least two more weeks with a “matinee” and radio broadcast beginning at 1 P.M. for the next two Sundays at the New Galilee Church of The Nazarene.

(Beaver Falls, PA.) Tune into 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com at 10:10 a.m. Monday April 13, 2020 during Teleforum with Frank Sparks. U.S. Representative for the 17th District Conor Lamb will be Frank’s guest via telephone to talk about the Economic Relief Package. They will talk about the funds that U.S. citizens will start receiving this week, unemployment, and the next round of Economic Relief the House of Representative’s is working on.  Frank  will also get the Representatives thoughts on Sen. Bob Casey’s proposal that would give front line workers a $25,000 bonus.

(Aliquippa,PA.) Aliquippa Police Chief Robert Sealock passed away Saturday April 11, 2020. Sealock suffered a medical emergency while on duty on Thursday March 26, 2020. Sealock had been hospitalized in intensive care since the medical emergency happened.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as News Correspondent Sandy Giordano will have more in a special report Monday during Beaver County Radio News casts.

Department of Aging Offers Online COVID-19 Resource Guide
for Older Pennsylvanians

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has launched an online COVID-19 resource guide to help older adults easily find useful information related to their health, safety and well-being.

The guide is housed on the department’s website under “COVID-19 Resource Guide for Older Adults” and provides older adults, their families and caregivers with information on a variety of subjects, including meals, prescriptions, protective services, scams, and how to stay active and connected.

“The Department of Aging’s top priority is to ensure that the needs of older Pennsylvanians are being met. This online guide presents an overview of the resources that can help older adults maintain their health and safety during this critical time,” Aging Secretary Robert Torres said. “Our department will continue to monitor these essential needs and make any changes required in our effort to provide uninterrupted services.”

In addition to the COVID-19 resource guide, the department has offered guidance for aging services to help meet the needs of older Pennsylvanians while maintaining safety. This guidance, along with all of the programs that the Department of Aging provides, can be found here.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,676 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 21,655

Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 11, that there are 1,676 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 21,655. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The department also reported 78 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 494. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

Locally Beaver County is up 4 positive cases from yesterday to 143, Official deaths in the county from the Department Of Health remain at 13.

“Now more than ever, as we continue to see COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Pennsylvania, we need Pennsylvanians to take action,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Those actions should be to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. If you must go out, please limit it to as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. We need all Pennsylvanians to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and our healthcare workers and frontline responders.”

There are 98,498 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Less than 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 7% are aged 19-24;
• Nearly 41% are aged 25-49;
• 29% are aged 50-64; and
• 21% are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide through the remainder of the academic year. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.

Below is the official County by County breakdown from the Pa. Health Department:

County Case Counts to Date

(Beaver County, PA) For a month 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 be the “pulpit” of the airwaves during this time and help nearby preachers reach their flock by putting their voice into the speaker of the radio.  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 Easter Sunday.

The Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, Line Up:

The day 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. on Sunday morning, April 12, live Sunday Mass from St. Monica Catholic Parish in Chippewa will still take place even though the church is closed to the public.

Then at 10 A.M.,  a recording of Rev. Lee Bittner’s Easter message from First Presbyterian Church In Rochester will reach the”radio congregation”.

As in previous weeks, The Soma Gathering in Beaver Falls is again sponsoring the 10:30 A.M. slot featuring Pastor Jan Davis from Central United Methodist church in Beaver Falls, who will engage with listeners via a recorded Easter sermon.

At noon, Senior Pastor Cliff Reynolds from Word Alive church in Ellwood City will be featured with an archived recording of last year’s Easter Sunday service held at the church. The Word Alive broadcast is sponsored by Hamilton Tool and Supply in Beaver Falls.

At 12:30 P.M. a replay of a popular 2014 dramatic reading  of “The Passion” performed by Holy Family Parish in New Brighton youth will be aired.

Finally, for the 2nd week in a row,  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. Much like the old drive in movies of years past, Russell plans on preaching from the parking lot 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 Easter Sunday message.

All seven segments will air on WBVP,  WMBA,  99.3 F.M. and The Beaver County Radio Live Audio Stream.