HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is unveiling a $1.1 billion package intended to help eliminate lead and asbestos contamination, primarily in Pennsylvania’s schools. The initiatives discussed Wednesday at a news conference in the Capitol includes money in the Democratic governor’s upcoming budget proposal and expanding existing grant programs. Top Republicans took no position on it, saying they’ll discuss it in budget negotiations. The proposal comes as school districts, including Philadelphia and Scranton, are increasingly grappling with environmental hazards, such as lead, mold and asbestos. Wolf has discussed the need in the past, but a sprawling infrastructure plan he floated last year never saw a vote.

The Eastvale Veterans Memorial is sinking… and now the community is raising money to try and rebuild it. As a sinkhole opened up, there was concern that the entire memorial would fall in… so the town council decided to take the plaques down to at least save the plaques, which contain the names of the veterans. As for what’s next for the memorial, council applied for a community grant, but they won’t know if they’ll receive it until summer. The’re hoping that community donations can help speed up the process. Council hopes to discuss possibilities on where to rebuild the memorial at its next meeting on Monday.

Aliquippa City Council has approved a handicapped parking resolution. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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New Brighton police have a warrant out for a man who they say targeted an 80-year-old man. Police said Darrin Saunders burglarized his home and his property over and over again since August. Detectives tracked down a small portion of what was stolen, including antique guitars, antique car parts and construction equipment. They arrested a group of people, including the main suspect’s girlfriend — Jennifer Goldman. Police are not identifying where the elderly man lives because he lives on a highly visible street, has a lot of collectibles still at the home and officers don’t want more people to victimize him. According to investigators, the suspects stole the merchandise to buy drugs. The search for the ring leader is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

A Baden woman has been arrested on child endangerment charges. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has the story. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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A missing 79-year-old woman, Frances Zernich, has been found safe. She was found at a home in Center Township, not far from where she lives. A search crew gathered early this morning after she was reported missing around midnight.

A Patterson Township man is charged with simple and aggravated assault and child endangerment after he allegedly assaulted his step-daughter. According to police, 42 year old Timothy Paul Smith got into an argument with his step-daughter, , at about 8 p.m. on Jan. 12th. Smith allegedly slammed the girl’s head against a wall and threw her down the stairs. Smith was released from the Beaver County Jail after posting a 25 thousand dollars bond.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY, JAN. 30TH, 2020

 

TODAY – CLOUDY SKIES. HIGH NEAR 40.

TONIGHT – PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW – 24.

FRIDAY – CLOUDY SKIES WITH AFTERNOON SNOW
SHOWERS. HIGH – 41.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

For months, the Commissioners had been hearing about the improvements and success in renovating Brush Creek Park in Marion Township, but such announcements came with a twist at the January 29 meeting. Public Works Director Dan Colville announced that the park would be closed to the public for a temporary time, during which the repairs and renovations would continue. He said that the main reason for this move is for worker and public safety:

 

Colville did mention, though, that the park would be open on certain days depending on the work schedule and weather forecast. The park was also addressed about by a group of locals who asked permission from the commissioners to start a committee to renovate the park in co-ordinance with Beaver County, called the Friends of Brush Creek.

Meanwhile, the Department of Waste Management is looking to have less waste, and to expand the amount of recycling in Beaver County. Waste Management Director Holly Vogt spoke about how the school program currently being used, in cooperation with Shell Chemicals, has the potential to be used beyond the schools:

 

The school recycling program was started in 2019.

3 Local Schools to upgrade cafeteria equipment

Rochester Area, New Brighton Area and Freedom Area school districts received a collective
$34,000 in state grants to upgrade cafeteria equipment.

Rochester Area School District plans to use its
$2,689 to buy a milk cooler for use at the high school. New Brighton Area School District will use its $24,144 grant for a gas tilting kettle at the middle school. Freedom Area School District will use its $7,150 grant for an electric convection oven for the middle school.

Funding for the program was made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Schools where at least 50 percent of students are eligible for free-and-reduced lunches through the National School Lunch Program.