Story and Photo by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Dr. Robert Motte is  in his third year at Aliquippa Elementary School. He started out as assistant principal, and at the school board’s July 15, 2021 meeting was promoted to elementary principal. He will earn $80,000.00 a year . Superintendent Dr. Phillip K. Woods said in a recent interview that Dr. Motte is  ready to lead  at the elementary school.”He is a 1993 graduate of Fort Cherry High School, he graduated from California University of PA with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology in 1997, he received  his masters in education in 2001 from Cal U., and in 2020 received his Doctorate in Education from Point  Park University in 2020.

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson,
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick
McDonnell, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary
Cindy Adams Dunn today met at Boyd Big Tree Preserve to discuss the high
prevalence of ticks in Pennsylvania, highlight the numerous diseases that ticks can
carry and remind residents of ways they can protect against tick bites.
“Ticks are most active during warmer months, which is why we typically see more
instances of tick bites and cases of tick-borne diseases this time of year,” Dr. Johnson
said. “This year in particular, we are seeing increases in the number of Lyme disease
reports across the state, and clinicians are reporting that they are seeing more cases of other tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis. As Pennsylvanians continue to spend more time outdoors, we are urging everyone to take steps to prevent tick bites, such as
wearing insect repellent, putting permethrin on their shoes, gear and clothing, and doing
frequent tick checks.”
DEP collected two times more Blacklegged tick nymphs compared to last year. This is
especially concerning considering the extremely small, poppy seed-like size of the
nymphs.
“The increase in nymphs really drives home the message that we all need to adhere to
the necessary precautions to stay safe from ticks,” said McDonnell.
The Wolf Administration reminds Pennsylvania residents and visitors of simple ways to
reduce their chances of being bitten by ticks:
• Cover exposed skin with lightweight and light-colored clothing
• Avoid tick-infested habitats such as areas dense with shrubbery or tall grass
• Use an EPA-approved insect repellent
• Once returning home, immediately check yourself, children, and pets for ticks
• Take a shower immediately to remove ticks that may be crawling on skin
• If possible, dry clothing and gear in a dryer to kill any ticks
“It is always important to take preventative measures so you can enjoy the mental and
physical health benefits of being in the outdoors, especially with regard to ticks,”
Secretary Dunn said. “As tick-borne diseases are becoming more prevalent in
Pennsylvania, it is critical to be aware of the risks and be prepared when spending time
outdoors year-round, whether that is visiting one of our 121 state parks, hiking our more
than 2.2 million acres of state forestland, or enjoying your own backyard.”
Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are the most common carrier of Lyme
disease, anaplasmosis and Powassan virus. Ticks typically thrive in tall grass, brush
and wooded areas, but deer ticks have been found in every county in the
commonwealth and can live in any habitat.
Common signs of a tick disease include fever, headache, chills and muscle aches.
Lyme disease is often characterized by a bullseye-like rash, although Lyme disease
may not always present itself with this obvious sign. Additional symptoms for Powassan
virus may include vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty
speaking, or even seizures in severe cases. While transmission for Lyme disease from
tick to human takes approximately 24 hours or more, Powassan transmission from a tick
bite can happen in as little as 15 minutes. If you have symptoms that are consistent with
a tick-borne disease, it is important to speak to a doctor immediately.
For more information on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Pennsylvania, visit the
Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and
Twitter.

(File Photo)

No mask mandate, but Pennsylvania urged to follow guidance
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf says he’s not considering a statewide mask mandate as coronavirus cases surge in Pennsylvania and across the country, while his administration said it isn’t requiring masks in schools. Wolf, speaking on KDKA-AM radio in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, said his strategy to fight the spread of COVID-19 has been the vaccine. Wolf’s comments came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed course Tuesday, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges. Wolf’s administration says it is recommending that Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania schools follow federal guidance.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Beaver Falls, PA) Beaver Falls City Council started off their meeting tonight with Mayor George Quay presenting a Certificate of Appreciation for Dr. Troup, Geneva College President, to Tim Baird, Associate V.P. of operations at Geneva. The purpose of the certificate is to acknowledge Geneva College’s thoughtful and generous donation to the ongoing efforts of revitalizing the Beaver Falls Library March Park.  The council then went on to approve two second readings which were for regulations regarding ownership and maintenance of lateral sewer lines as well as an agreement for special council services.  Council also agreed to enter into a first reading of Ordinance 4047, which is to prohibit the repair of motor vehicles on public streets and sidewalks.  Council did make clear however, that working on your personal vehicles will still be allowed.  This ordinance is aimed at individuals who are making a business out of working on cars at their homes, causing parking spaces to be taken and in some cases, blocked roads.  Violating the ordinance would result in a fine of no more than a thousand dollars.  Council also paid their general fund expenditures totaling $305,347.58, as well as approve multiple repository purchases which include, 1712 5th Avenue, 2226 8th Avenue, 1905 11th Avenue, and 1907 11th Avenue.

Collaborative effort between Giant Eagle and United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State results in new agreement covering more than 5,000 essential workers and includes improved opportunities for current and future Team Members

PITTSBURGH, PA – On July 21 and 22, Giant Eagle Team Members represented by UFCW Local 1776 overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year agreement that improves wages and benefits for Team Members who serve Pittsburgh area customers.  The new agreement covers approximately 5,300 current Team Members working in 35 corporate-owned Giant Eagle supermarket locations in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“Our members turned out to vote 90% in favor of this new agreement. I want to thank our bargaining committee for all their hard work negotiating a great agreement for our members,” said Local 1776 president Wendell Young IV, “This agreement increases wages across the board, strengthens retirement programs, and maintains the excellent health and welfare benefit our members have at zero dollar member contribution.”

Young continued, “I am very proud of the work our members did on this bargaining committee. We were able to keep the discussion going with the company and through collaboration and open dialogue and found solutions to important issues. Our members care deeply about the work they do, serving their communities and they appreciate the respect the company’s representatives showed them during this process.”  In addition to the increased wages and maintenance of health benefits, the new agreement also includes non-discrimination protections for gender, gender expression, and gender identity, an important protection for LGBTQ+ members.

“We very much appreciate the continued collaborative and innovative spirit that the UFCW Local 1776 leadership team and our Team Members on the bargaining committee brought to these negotiations,” said Giant Eagle Executive Vice President Bill Artman, “The ratification of this agreement by the Team Members it positively impacts is both very exciting and gratifying.” Artman continued, “This agreement demonstrates our appreciation of the exemplary work of our Team Members, particularly over the last 18 months, and it ensures that we continue to provide our communities with the highest quality of products and service.”

UFCW Local 1776 serves workers in the grocery, retail, food manufacturing, health care and medical cannabis industries throughout Pennsylvania, the Ohio Valley and Hudson Valley, and is proud to be a voice for the 35,000 workers they represent.

Giant Eagle is a Pittsburgh-based food, fuel, and pharmacy retailer with more than 470 locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Pastor Rod Smith from Mountain Ministries joined Eddy Crow on Teleforum Tuesday morning, July 27, 2021, on 1230 WBVP/ 1460 WMBA, and 99.3 FM to discuss an event coming up on August 18, 2021 titled a Night of Food, Fun, and Music.

The event is a fundraising campaign to help put Mount Pleasant Church in Darlington. The church recently suffered a devastating fire on May 24, 2021.

The event is being held August 18, 2021 at Prayer Mountain Retreat Center located at 114 Fisher Drive, Darlington, Pa. 16115. The event starts at 5:00 PM and music starts at 7:00 PM. A BBQ Dinner will be provided by McGee Smokehouse and there will be a silent auction, games, games, prizes, music, and fellowship.

You can hear Pastor Rod’s interview  from this morning by clicking the play button below:

Story and Photos by Sandy  Giordano

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.)  A resident of Gringo-Clinton Road in Hopewell Township addressed the commissioners at  Monday night’s meeting concerning  a tree service being operated on Bethlehem Church road near his home. The area is zoned residential, according to township code and zoning officer John Bates. He said an application for grading on the property has been sent to the property owner, and the township hasn’t received it yet. If the application’s not received the business owner will be cited by the township.

Commissioner’s chairman Rich Bualini speaks with  Township Manager Jamie  Yurcina and Police Chief Donald Sedlacek.

By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The lawyer for Charlie Gerow, a Republican candidate for governor, says it appears Gerow didn’t hit the motorcyclist who was killed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike last week. Lawyer Joseph P. Green Jr. also says Gerow wasn’t driving impaired. Green says it appears that the motorcycle was lying in the roadway when Gerow hit it, impaling it on his Mercedes. An attendee at the political fundraiser Gerow had been attending in suburban Philadelphia last Wednesday evening said she did not see him drinking and that he seemed sober when he left. The accident shut down the Pennsylvania Turnpike for seven hours and left motorcyclist Logan Carl Abbott dead.