(Beaver County, PA) Local reaction to the Corona Virus pandemic has forced 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.  Local listeners and parishioners can tune in to three different church and faith based programs this weekend.  at 7 A.M. on Saturday Morning, March 28, Pastor David Grove from The Church of The Redeemed of Beaver Valley hosts his weekly “Wake Up Beaver County Program”.  At 9 A.M. on Sunday morning, March 29, 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. on Sunday March 29, a recorded version of this week’s message from Christian Dimensions in Beaver Falls, featuring Jackie Davis, will give church members and attendees a chance to engage with their church and their faith.  At 10:30AM, Pastor Jan Davis from Central United Methodist will engage with attendees via broadcast.  All three segments will air on WBVP,  WMBA,  99.3 F.M. and The Beaver County Radio Live Audio Stream.

Singer, actor, ‘The Gambler’: Kenny Rogers dies at 81
By KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writer
Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, who embodied “The Gambler” persona and whose musical career spanned jazz, folk, country and pop has died at 81. A representative says Rogers died at home in Georgia on Friday night. The Houston-born balladeer with a husky voice had hits like “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton. He sold tens of millions of records and was the star of TV movies, making him a superstar in the late ’70s and ’80s. With his silver beard and folksy charm, the Grammy winner excelled as a musical stylist for more than six decades.

Wolf retrenches sweeping order, amid complaints, lawsuits
By MARC LEVY, MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Under fire from business groups and Republican lawmakers and facing lawsuits over a broad shutdown order designed to slow the spreading coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration defended its actions as critical to preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed. But Wolf also made a series of concessions Friday with enforcement expected to soon begin. Late Thursday, Wolf directed all “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close their physical locations. Even before Thursday’s order, unemployment compensation filings in Pennsylvania this week smashed the state record. Pennsylvania has reported one death and more than 260 people sickened from the coronavirus so far.

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:

• Route 68 between the Shippingport Bridge and Wolf Run Road in Industry Borough
• Route 551 between I-376 and Route 18 in Big Beaver Borough

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.