Bridge Street Properties In Beaver Falls Have New Owners

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

After a lengthy process, the properties on Bridge Street in Beaver Falls have a secure future.

At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, the council approved the bid results for the sale of nine different property lots along Bridge Street to Himlooking, LLC. The Aliquippa-based non-commercial entity is set to purchase each lot at $500, for a total of $4,500 for the properties.

Himlooking representatives Robert Moore and George Dudley were in attendance for the official announcement, which received considerable praise from city council members. “We’re excited,” Dudley stated. “We want to bring work to Beaver County, because there are deficiencies here, there are things that need to be protected, and we want to work towards that.”

The council also approved general fund expenditures totaling $526,287.90 over the period of June 28 through July 10 of 2023. City treasurer Sandy Wilkins stated that the fund numbers were in conjunction with the repaying of several ARPA measures that were taken care of during that period. Also approved was the subdivision of the parking lot located at 234 9th Avenue in the city to be completed by the Barron Agency.

The next Beaver Falls City Council meeting is scheduled for July 25 at 7:00 PM.

US probes complaints that Ford Escape doors can open while SUVs are being driven

FILE – In this Oct. 20, 2019 file photo, the company logo shines off the grille of an unsold vehicle at a Ford dealership in Littleton, Colo. U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating complaints that the doors on some Ford Escapes can open while the SUVs are being driven. The investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers 346,000 Escapes from the 2020 and 2021 model years. The agency says in documents posted Tuesday, July 11, 2023 on its website that it has 118 complaints that spot welds in a door assembly bracket can fail. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating complaints that the doors on some Ford Escapes can open while the SUVs are being driven. The investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers 346,000 Escapes from the 2020 and 2021 model years. The agency says in documents posted Tuesday on its website that it has 118 complaints that spot welds in a door assembly bracket can fail. Investigators contacted some of the owners and found 25 reports of minor injuries. The agency says continued use could dislodge the door, and it could fail to latch when closed. Ford says it’s working with the agency to support the investigation.

Court sides with Amish families in case that pits septic tank rules against religious beliefs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state appeals court says members of a deeply conservative Amish community in Minnesota don’t need to install septic systems to dispose of their “gray water.” The ruling came Monday from the state Court of Appeals in a long-running religious freedom case that went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. A three-judge panel ruled that the government “failed to demonstrate a compelling state interest” to justify overriding the religious freedom of the Amish families. They sued the state over regulations governing the disposal of gray water, which is water that’s been used for dishwashing, laundry, bathing, and other tasks not involving toilet waste.

Hopewell’s Annual Park Fest draws large crowd

Photos by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. 

(Hopewell Township, PA) Games for kids and bands playing music for attendees listening pleasure were a couple of highlights from the Hopewell Annual Park Fest. There were also 13 food venues to choose from at the event that took place Saturday. 

Donors needed in July to prevent a blood shortage

[July 10, 2023] — The American Red Cross continues to see a concerning trend – blood donations are being sent to hospitals faster than they are coming in. The Red Cross has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months. Donors are asked to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to avoid a looming blood shortage.

 

To help head off a more serious situation, the Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. Discovery for the 35th anniversary of Shark Week and the theatrical release of Meg 2: The Trench. The public is encouraged to celebrate a summer of sharks and help shore up the national blood supply by giving in July.   

 

In thanks for helping, the Red Cross is offering several incentives to donors who come out to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks. Additionally, in response to the great need for blood, those who hurry in to help by coming to give July 1-16 will receive a limited-time bonus $15 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice.

 

  • July 1 – 11: All who come to give will get an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies last. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.
  • July 12 – Aug. 12: Those who come to give will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark.
  • July 17 – 31: Presenting donors will receive an officially licensed Shark Week T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark.

 

By scheduling and keeping appointments in July, donors can help provide for those in immediate need of lifesaving care. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

 

How to donate blood 

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

 

Amplify your impact − volunteer!   

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we approach the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters. 

 

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Department of Health Completely Clears Backlog of Birth Certificate Amendment Requests

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced it has eliminated a backlog of birth certificate amendment requests. In January 2023 when Governor Josh Shapiro took office, the backlog stood at 6,200 requests. As of today, that backlog has been eliminated.

“Streamlining our processes eliminated a large backlog of requests over the past six months,” said Dr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary of Health. “I am very proud of the birth amendment unit staff, who aggressively addressed the backlog and increased efficiency to better serve Pennsylvania residents. This is one example of how the entire Shapiro Administration is striving to become more efficient and effective in service to the Commonwealth.”

Last year, the Department received more than 32,000 requests to amend birth certificates and continues to receive approximately 2,400 requests each month. The backlog developed from an increase in requests and workforce shortages. To tackle the backlog, the Department made significant process improvements that focused on streamlining staff workflow. This aligns with Governor Shapiro’s goal to create a better customer experience across all agencies of the Commonwealth, and follows similar accomplishments in the Department of Human Services.

While the backlog was being addressed, new amendment requests were completed on schedule. With the backlog now eliminated, the Department is working to further decrease response times for birth amendment requests.

Pennsylvania State Police Seized $14M in Prohibited Drugs during Second Quarter of 2023

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police today announced Troopers seized cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, and other prohibited drugs with a combined approximate street value of approximately $14 million during the second quarter of 2023.

 

Troopers seized 144 pounds of cocaine, 164 pounds of methamphetamines, 60 pounds of fentanyl, 11 pounds of heroin, 1,617 pounds of processed marijuana, and 74,074 pills of assorted narcotics.

 

The Pennsylvania State Police also collected 1,227 pounds of prescription medication in the second quarter as part of its Prescription Drug Takeback Program. Sixty-five state police stations offer boxes for disposing of unused or unwanted medications 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

Table 1: Amount and value of prohibited drugs seized, second quarter of 2023

 

Drug Total Seized Estimated Value
Cocaine  140.43 lbs. $3,089,460
Crack Cocaine  4.84 lbs. $77,440
Heroin  10.95 lbs. $372,300
Fentanyl  57.97 lbs. $927,520
LSD – Pills and Paper  81 doses $1,620
Marijuana THC – Liquid  62.73 pints $420,291
Marijuana THC Solid  72.87 lbs. $364,350
Marijuana Plants  2,277 plants $375,705
Processed Marijuana  1,617.34 lbs. $4,852,020
Methamphetamines  163.73 lbs. $1,637.300
MDMA – Ecstasy  .44 lbs. $14,520
MDMA – Pills  179 DU $2,685
Other Narcotics  19.54 lbs. $39,080
Other Narcotics (pills)  73,814 $1,845,350
  Total Value $14,019,641

Bob Huggins says he plans to stay in rehab and wants to return to West Virginia as coach

FILE – West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins reacts to a call in the second half of a first-round college basketball game against Maryland in the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., March 16, 2023. In a statement released Monday, July 10, Huggins said he checked into a rehabilitation facility following a drunken driving arrest and disputes that he resigned at West Virginia, accusing the university of releasing a “false statement” about him stepping down. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

Bob Huggins says he has checked into a rehabilitation facility following a drunken driving arrest and disputes that he resigned at West Virginia. Huggins issued a statement Monday saying he wanted to “set the record straight” on the events of the past two weeks since his arrest in Pittsburgh on June 16. Huggins says he never gave formal notice to resign under the terms of his contract. He also says a resignation statement issued by the university on June 17 indicating it was from Huggins was not drafted or reviewed by him. The university says it has no plans to reinstate Huggins.

Bank of America to pay more than $100M for doubling fees, opening accounts without customer consent

File – A customer uses an ATM at a Bank of America location in San Francisco, Monday, April 24, 2023. Bank of America is being ordered to pay more than $100 million to customers for double-dipping on some fees imposed on customers, withholding reward bonuses explicitly promised to credit card customers, and misappropriating sensitive personal information to open accounts without customer knowledge or authorization. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Bank of America is being ordered to pay more than $100 million to customers for double-dipping on some fees, withholding reward bonuses and opening some accounts without customer consent. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency found that the bank’s double-dipping on fees was illegal. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Tuesday that Bank of America will pay $90 million in penalties to its organization and $60 million in penalties to the OCC.

Pennsylvania police searching for escaped homicide suspect find possible campsites near jail

This booking photo provided by the Warren, Pa., City Police Department shows Michael Burham. Authorities searching for the inmate described by police as “very dangerous” who used bed sheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail on Thursday, July 6, 2023, say they believe he is still in the area and have found stockpiles or campsites in the woods he may have been using. Burham was a suspect in a homicide investigation and was being held on $1 million bail on kidnapping, burglary and other charges, authorities said. (Warren City Police Department via AP)

WARREN, Pa. (AP) — Police searching for a homicide suspect who used bed sheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail say he is likely still in the area and that someone may be helping him to evade capture. Thirty-four-year-old Michael Burham fled the Warren jail late Thursday by climbing on exercise equipment and fashioning a rope from bed sheets to escape through a window. State police say they have found stockpiles or campsites in woods near the jail that indicate Burham may have been staying there. Burham is accused in the May 11 killing of 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin, and a related arson in Jamestown. He’s also suspected of abducting an elderly couple in Pennsylvania before his arrest in South Carolina.