HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A proposal to allocate $100 million in federal funds to pay for adult mental health programs easily passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The measure was developed with guidance from a state commission charged with making recommendations for coordinated care. The bill passed 173-30 on Wednesday and goes to the Senate. Funding of the American Rescue Plan Act would bolster the behavioral health industry’s workforce, improve the criminal justice and public safety systems and expand access to support. Other bills eyeing mental health are also in the works, including proposals to support children’s mental health in schools and ongoing funding for a suicide prevention hotline.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s attorney general says thousands of dollars raised by a charity that falsely claimed it would help residents affected by a train derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border earlier this year will be turned over to a food bank that serves the area. The Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine spilled hazardous chemicals into nearby creeks and rivers and led to the evacuation of half of the 5,000 residents. Following the accident, authorities say the Ohio Clean Water Fund sent text messages to solicit contributions, claiming it had partnered with the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley to collect donations for bottled water. The charity raised $141,000 from roughly 3,200 donors, but eventually spent more than $100,000 on fees and gave just $10,000 to the food bank.

A concerning shortfall in blood donations last month could stress the American Red Cross blood supply. The Red Cross collected over 26,000 fewer blood donations than needed in May to meet the needs of patients. The need for blood is constant, with someone needing a blood transfusion in the U.S. every two seconds. Platelet donors are especially needed at this time. The public can help ensure continuity for patients by making an appointment to give blood or platelets now and in the weeks ahead.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply and to recognize volunteer blood donors. This is the perfect time to give, especially for those who haven’t given in a while, or who have never given before.

In thanks for taking time to help, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice.

99.3 and 95.7 FM along with 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and beavercountyradio.com‘s Mike Azadian and Bruce Frey have the call from Slippery Rock University of this 2023 PIAA Class 3A State Quarterfinal high school baseball game playoff game as the Panthers take on the Tigers.
If you can’t tune into the game you can click the link below to listen on-line via beavercountyradio.com:

 

You can also download our free apps:

Photo obtained from Big & Rich Website
Published by Beaver County Radio New Staff. Published June 7, 2023 1:38 P.M. 

(Beaver County, PA) The vibrant and dynamic Beaver County is set to witness a truly explosive event this summer, as “Boom on the Bridge” takes stage as a collaborative expansion of the much-anticipated annual fireworks extravaganza, Beaver County BOOM!. Visit Beaver County, and PUSH Beaver County are joining forces to make this year’s festival bigger, better, and more awe-inspiring than ever before thanks to title sponsorships from Rochester Shop n Save, True Value Hardware at Rochester Plaza.

Boom on the Bridge will transform the county’s skyline and riverfront into a mesmerizing tapestry of color, light, and sound. Showcasing the finest pyrotechnic artistry from Zambelli Fireworks, this extraordinary event promises to captivate visitors with an unforgettable sensory experience. For the first time ever, Veterans Memorial Bridge will be shut down during the day for the festival and will be lined with food trucks, beer gardens featuring Beaver County’s breweries, and stages for musical acts. At night, the bridge is the perfect vantage point for watching the fireworks display. 

Country stars Big & Rich will be headlining this FREE festival. Big & Rich are America’s Technicolor cowboys, brothers-in-arms in service to the creed that great music has no boundaries. Individually, John Rich and Big Kenny are first-rate musicians, songwriters, producers, entertainers. With 2004’s triple-platinum “Horse of a Different Color,” they were able to tap into the best strands of a wide spectrum of popular music, filter them through their pens and voices and produce a sound that is instantly recognizable. Numerous local acts will be performing at various stages alongside Riverside Drive throughout the day. A secondary barge will shoot off fireworks closer to Veterans Memorial Bridge casting a spell of wonderment and awe upon all who attend.

“Beaver County BOOM! has been a beloved tradition for our community, and we are thrilled to partner with PUSH Beaver County to take this event to new heights,” said Tony Caltury, Beaver County’s Recreation & Tourism Director. “Boom on the Bridge will be an unprecedented celebration, combining stunning fireworks displays with an array of exciting activities and entertainment for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.”

The collaboration between Visit Beaver County, and PUSH Beaver County ensures that Boom on the Bridge will offer an expanded festival experience that goes beyond traditional fireworks shows. Attendees can anticipate an array of engaging activities, including live music performances by renowned local musicians, giant lawn games, theatrical performances, delectable food trucks and vendors serving culinary delights, and an artist market. In addition, a dedicated Children’s Creativity Zone, sponsored by Bruster’s Ice Cream, in the green space next to Jerry’s Curb Service will feature exciting activities tailored to the youngest festival-goers, and those young at heart.

“We are excited to join forces with Visit Beaver County and PUSH Beaver County to bring the community an extraordinary event that not only dazzles with fireworks but also showcases the spirit and talent of our local performers and businesses,” said JD Turco, spokesperson for Shop n Save and True Value Hardware at Rochester Plaza. “Boom on the Bridge will undoubtedly be an occasion to celebrate our vibrant community, uniting residents and visitors alike in an unforgettable celebration of unity, joy, and excitement.”

Events, festivals, and concerts are often major contributors to trash and pollution. Beaver County’s Recreation and Tourism Department is at the forefront of embracing sustainability and environmental responsibility through its efforts to focus on zero-waste tourism. “Recognizing the importance of preserving our natural resources and reducing our carbon footprint, the department has implemented sustainability strategies and best practices within the tourism industry with the help of the County’s Sustainability and Waste Management Department,” said Gretchen D’Atri, Assistant Director of Recreation and Tourism for Beaver County. “We’ve partnered with ZeroFossil to produce this event as they are the industry-leaders in implementing energy efficient equipment and practices for events.” 

ZeroFossil was founded on the idea that having a great time shouldn’t result in a negative impact on the planet so they prioritize reducing the carbon footprint of events. They achieve this by powering everything from sustainable sources, delivering their equipment in vehicles that run on used-veggie oil, and implementing energy efficient equipment and practices. Get ready to see sustainable power from Biofuel Generators and Solar Generators, staging including their Solar Powered Stage and mkrStages, full-scale audio production, and lighting.

Beaver County BOOM! Is the County’s signature community event celebrating the arrival of summer and summer homecoming for the community and beyond. Mark Kopsack, President of PUSH Beaver County, and Vice President Nathan Kopsack set out to use BOOM! as a launching point for our communities and businesses to collaborate and out of that intention, Boom on the Bridge was born!

“Boom on the Bridge will showcase the incredible potential of collaboration and community involvement,” said Mark Kopsack, President of PUSH Beaver County.  “Together, we aim to create cherished memories for all who attend while making a positive impact on our community.”

Free shuttle service will be available and provided by Frye Transportation Group, Inc. from various locations around the County to alleviate traffic and parking in Bridgewater. Specifics will be disclosed closer to June 24. For more information, a map of the festival, vendor applications, and the latest updates, visit www.boomonthebridge.com or follow us on @visitbeavercounty on Facebook and Instagram.

Mark your calendars for the most anticipated event of the summer – “Boom on the Bridge” – on June 24, 2023 from 3-10pm. This remarkable celebration of community, culture, and unity is not to be missed!

About Visit Beaver County:

Visit Beaver County is a leading tourism organization dedicated to promoting the rich heritage, vibrant attractions, and thriving cultural scene of Beaver County while enhancing the visitor experience.

 

Tentative Schedule of Events:

June 24 from 3-10pm

Children’s Zone: 3-8pm

6pm – Skydivers

7 and 8pm: Air Heritage Flyovers

8:30pm: Big & Rich take the stage

9:45pm: Fireworks

Band Schedule to be announced

FILE – The Pennsylvania state Capitol is seen on Dec. 14, 2020, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives is advancing legislation to require candidates for a state office to file their campaign finance reports electronically. The bill passed Tuesday, 102-101, on party lines, with Democrats voting for it. The bill goes to the state Senate, which is considering its own version of similar legislation. Sponsors say that many candidates and PACs already file reports electronically, and paper filing is costly and inefficient.

Canada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning. Wind has carried smoke from the fires southward, triggering air quality alerts throughout the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday issued a poor air quality alert for New England, a day after parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota received a similar advisory. Last week, U.S. officials as far south as Maryland, Baltimore, Virginia and Pennsylvania reported being impacted by the wildfires. Fine-particle pollution — known as “PM 2.5” — is what’s being measured. The tiny particles are small enough to get past airway defenses and cause breathing problems.

Oakland Athletics’ Jace Peterson (6) returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chase De Jong during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jace Peterson homered twice on a five-hit night and drove in five runs, and the Oakland Athletics ended a 15-game road losing streak with an 11-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The major league-worst A’s broke open the game late behind Peterson, whose RBI single off Pirates ace Mitch Keller put Oakland ahead 3-2 in the sixth. Peterson gave Oakland a five-run lead with a two-run homer off Chase De Jong in the eighth, then added another two-run shot off De Jong in the ninth. Pittsburgh’s six-game winning streak was snapped.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter for Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in the following areas of Pennsylvania:

 

• The Philadelphia Area, which includes the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia;
• The Lehigh Valley-Berks Area, which includes the counties of Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton;
• The Susquehanna Valley Area, which includes the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York; and
• The Pittsburgh Area, which includes the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland.

 

Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range on Wednesday.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

 

An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher. On an Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

 

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:

 

• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

 

For more information, visit DEP at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb, EPA’s AirNow at www.airnow.gov, Allegheny County Health Department at www.alleghenycounty.us/airquality, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Air Quality Partnership at www.airqualitypartnership.org, Air Quality Partnership of Lehigh Valley-Berks at www.airqualityaction.org, or Southwestern Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership at www.spaqp.org.