State Representative Rob Matzie has introduced legislation to extend a heating asistance deadline…all part of a package of bills designed to address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports…
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BREAKING NEWS: Emergency crews were called to the Beaver County Courthouse this afternoon for an electrical fire. Beaver County Emergency Services tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that the fire broke out shortly after 2pm. Three fire companies were called to the scene: Beaver, Brighton Township, and Vanport. Officials tell us that the fire broke out in the basement of the building and was out by the time firefighters arrived on the scene. It’s not clear if there was anyone inside the building at the time of the blaze. No word on any injuries. Firefighters were still on the scene as of 2:25 pm.
We’re getting local reaction in regards to Gov. Tom Wolf’s sweeping shutdown order to tens of thousands of “non-life-sustaining” businesses. The governor decreed they must close their physical locations to slow the spread of the coronavirus or face enforcement by state police and other government agencies. Wolf cited his authority under the state’s disaster declaration law in ordering more than 150 types of businesses to close their physical locations. It was among the harshest measures yet taken by a U.S. governor in response to the virus pandemic. Republican State Representative Aaron Bernstine tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak he doesn’t believe the governor has the authority to do that:
Bernstine says he believes our state government needs to do all it can to stop this pandemic from growing, but he also says that the governor is taking this too far:
Bernstine says the governor’s actions are too harsh for businesses:
Bernstine was asked what state lawmakers could do to help remedy the situation…
Bernstine warned of economic devastation…
Bernstine accused Wolf of setting off panic….
Some new service adjustments have been announced for bus riders who use the Beaver County Transit Authority. Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak spoke Mary Jo Morandini, BCTA’s General Manager…who says ridership along Express Routes 3 & 4 will be limited beginning next week…
…here’s how she says Route 4 will be affected….
Morandini explains the reason behind the changes…
Morandini says extra steps have been taken to keep the buses especially clean during this health crisis…
Morandini also talked about the changes being made at the BCTA buildings in Rochester and Center…
Riders can check the schedule adjustments on their website at BCTA.com.
BREAKING NEWS: The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Beaver County until 4pm today.
Due to flooding, the following roads are currently closed:
BREAKING NEWS: A car crashed into the back of a garbage truck in Beaver Falls this morning. The accident happened at arounld 6:30 this morning…right in front of the Beaver County Radio building in the 13-hundred block of 7th Avenue. No word on any injuries. The accident scene has since been cleared.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH, 2020
TODAY – SOME HEAVY RAIN THIS MORNING WITH SHOWERS
CONTINUING THIS AFTERNOON. HIGH NEAR 70.
TONIGHT – CLOUDY SKIES. LOW NEAR 30.
SATURDAY – BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY IN THE
AFTERNOON. HIGH – 45.
SUNDAY – MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES. HIGH – 52.
Governor orders non-life-sustaining businesses to shut down
By MARC LEVY, MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is tightening his directives to shut down, saying Thursday that all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania must close their physical locations by 8 p.m. to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Wolf said in a statement that enforcement actions against businesses that do not close their physical locations will begin Saturday. Wolf’s statement came as Pennsylvania reported another big jump in confirmed coronavirus cases and Wolf’s administration worked to help hospitals create more bed spaces in anticipation of a surge in coronavirus patients.
Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning says he is self-quarantining to protect his family from coronavirus…
This morning, in an exclusive interview with Beaver County Radio News, Manning said he and his wife will remain at their Chippewa Township home for, at least, the next ten-to-14 days…
Manning says they both are susceptible to the virus due to their age, as is every resident of Beaver County…
Manning adds that they are both healthy, not showing signs of infection, and don’t believe they have been exposed to the illness. Septak asked Manning if he believes the courthouse should be shut down…
Concerning the Courthouse potentially closing, Manning says that is still the Courts call and he says he’s not sure if or when anything further than what they have implemented to close the Courthouse to the public will take place…
Manning was asked if the reason behind his decision to quarantine himself has anything to do with setting an example for others during this crisis…
This afternoon, Manning tells Beaver County Radio News there has been no decision on closing the Courthouse completely, which Manning doubts will ever happen. Discussions on potentially scaling back hours and reducing staff exposure is ongoing.
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro has announced that his office has received more than 1,300 complaints from Pennsylvanians reporting price hikes since this coronavirus outbreak began. Shapiro told Frank Sparks during yesterday’s edition of Teleforum…that during these uncertain times, taking advantage of consumers in need of cleaning supplies and paper products that not only is it outrageous, it’s illegal…
Shapiro defined the term ‘price-gouging’…
Shapiro gave some examples of some of the price-gouging that is occurring in the state as a result of this health crisis….
Shapiro says his office is following up with cease and desist letters and subpoenas. If you have a complaint about price-gouging that you would like to report, send an email to pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov.