(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier issued a press release yesterday after a defendant entered a guilty plea in 3 criminal cases of rape of a child under age 13. 

On May 20, 2022 New Sewickley Township Police received a complaint that a child had been sexually assaulted. A Forensic Interview was held at  A Child’s Place in Beaver Falls, PA. This is when the female minor revealed that she had been sexually assaulted numerous times by 29-year-old Austin Reefer. The child delayed in reporting the assault at age 9 because she saw an assault by Reefer and feared for their safety. She reported it after Reefer was arrested and jailed for the domestic violence of an adult known to the child.

Reefer was charged with felony strangulation and simple assault arising from  him assaulting the adult. Arising from Domestic violence, he was charged with 94 criminal counts, including 10 counts each of a rape of a child under age 13, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion. The third case is a criminal felony, endangering the welfare of children arising from domestic violence regarding another sexual partner.

He offered a guilty plea in all 3 cases on Monday, May 15, 2023. After the jury heard the case, the Commonwealth asked the court for a 8 1/2 to 20 year prison sentence and Megan’s Law Registry. The Commonwealth agreed to the plea with the consent of all 3 victims to spare the child further trauma. He is currently in the county jail. Sentencing  is scheduled before Judge Mitchell Shahen on August 28, 2023.

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)
(Photo courtesy of The Efficiency Network

Troy Geanopulos, CEO of The Efficiency Network issued a “service of excellence” award “to the Aliquippa School District to Dr. Phillip K. Woods and Buildings & Grounds supervisor Pat Collins, at Wednesday night’s school board meeting.

Upgrades were done at the junior senior high school and the elementary school, and the award was to recognize their commitment to a sustainable learning environment.

PITTSBURGH   Duquesne Light Company (DLC) today released its inaugural environmental, social and governance (ESG) report — titled “Advancing a Clean Energy Future for All” — which discloses the company’s performance in three core areas of its ESG strategy: climate conscious, powering people and responsible performance. The report is DLC’s most comprehensive ESG disclosure to date, building upon previous disclosures with new information on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as environmental performance. Creating transparency around initiatives that impact DLC’s customers, workforce, communities and the environment is an important step in measuring the company’s progress in positioning the Pittsburgh region for a transition to an equitable clean energy future.

“For more than 100 years, DLC has been deeply involved in our local communities by serving and adapting to our customers’ needs and conducting business safely and responsibly,” said Kevin Walker, president and CEO of DLC. “We are proud to formally demonstrate our commitment to ESG in this inaugural report, which reflects the contributions of every DLC employee and our external partners in delivering a clean energy future while acknowledging the importance of safety, access, reliability and equity in the essential service we provide today.”

In 2022, DLC was able to advance its ESG efforts related to a number of important topics, including those identified by internal and external stakeholders through a recent materiality assessment. These include areas such as energy efficiency, electrification and access to renewables. Some highlights included:

• Reducing more than 40,000 idling hours compared to 2021, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, including 170 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in Scope 1 emissions.
• Adding 12 new all-electric Ford-150 Lightnings to DLC’s fleet, totaling 50 electric vehicles — or 8% of the company’s fleet — to date.
• Contributing more than $2 million in charitable funds to local organizations.
• Participating in 170 volunteer events, resulting in more than 4,000 hours of service.

While these initiatives represent near-term progress, the company is dedicated to long-term success on its ESG journey. Some forward-looking targets presented in the report include:

• Reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2027.
• Investing nearly $2 billion in critical transmission and distribution infrastructure through 2027.
• Contributing at least $5 million to local, diverse-led nonprofits through 2027, whose work supports social and economic equity, workforce development and sustainability initiatives.
• Electrifying 30% of the company’s fleet by 2030, including 100% of light-duty vehicles such as sedans and standard pickup trucks.

As an electric utility serving more than 600,000 customers in Allegheny and Beaver counties, DLC acknowledges the considerable role it plays in leading the region’s clean energy transition.

“We are proud of the progress we have made and recognize the need to continue doing more to support a clean energy future,” said Christine Waller, vice president of communications and corporate responsibility at DLC. “The key metrics we solidified in 2022 will ensure that we continue to look at ESG risks and opportunities as part of our business model and as a way of measuring our overall impact. This report, along with other tools, will help us demonstrate our commitment to corporate responsibility while holding ourselves accountable for driving performance in areas that are most relevant to our customers and industry.”

AMBRIDGE, May 17 – Improvements are coming to Beaver County’s Center at the Mall thanks to new funding of $71,910 from the Department of Aging, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver, said the funding from the Senior Community Center grant program will enhance a key community resource.

“The center provides a place for thousands of area seniors to connect, engage and stay active,” Matzie said. “It’s hugely popular, but staff have identified some improvements needed to ensure visitors continue enjoying the best possible experience. Securing this new funding will enable those renovations to move forward.”

The funding is part of a package of $2 million awarded to senior centers throughout the state for capital improvements and renovations, programs and services, nutrition and technology, and other resources. Funding for the grants comes from the Pennsylvania Lottery.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Most borough or city councils in Beaver County as of late have taken to unanimous approval of many of its resolutions on their regular agenda, but all that is necessary is a majority vote–and when the verdict isn’t unanimous, such a majority is required.

That was the case at the May 18 meeting of the New Brighton Borough, as a resolution to adopt a new contract for waste collection and recycling services was presented by councilman Robert Lizzi. A “yes” vote on the resolution would allow for the current contract with Valley Waste Management to expire in favor of a new contract with Aiken Refuse of Ellwood City, with new multi-day collection services beginning on July 23, 2023.

Board vice president John Ramer–filling in for the absent Robert Hartwick–opposed the resolution, feeling that the slight increase in money saved for the consumer did not outweigh the potential burnout that borough employees might feel having to collect waste for four days a week. “I personally am not in favor of changes or having more work for th borough employees,” Ramer stated. “I understand we try and save the people money, and I have no problem with Aiken…but I also don’t have any problem with Valley.”

Another opponent to the resolution was councilwoman Valerie McElvy, who cited potential problems with citizens taking advantage of multiple days of operation. “I feel that we’re going to be, in the long run, dissatisfied with the look and feel of the town with four days of garbage pickup,” she said. “I think people are going to abuse it.”

However, Lizzi pointed out that the main reason for the change in service provider is that the borough and Valley Waste mutually agreed to not renew the contract; the reasons for which were explained by Joe McWilliams, the General Manager for Valley Waste Management.

“To be quite honest,” McWilliams stated, “with the prices you were paying for the service you were getting for the last two years, we were actually losing money–due to the rising cost of everything–picking up New Brighton.” McWilliams also pointed out that “unlimited service” is dying out and that costs for the act of dumping trash have doubled.

Additionally, councilman Donald Mittner stated that potential fears of abusing the new multi-day system could (and should) be handled with personal responsibility and accountability.

“The fact is that if they’re putting garbage out on Monday when it’s Thursday, they should be issued a warning the first time and they should be fined the second time,” Mittner said. “It may take a few months to change that, to get people to adhere to a four-day if that’s the route we’re gonna go, but people have to become responsible. We can’t sit here and worry about what people are going to do; we have to worry about making the right choice for our town.”

The vote passed 6-2, with Ramer and McElvy dissenting. Representatives from Aiken and Valley were both present, and no hard feelings were held by McWilliams. “We will finish the contract strong and make sure that you guys are taken care of,” he concluded.

All other motions were passed unanimously and without dissent, including the allotment of $150,000 in ARPA grant money to fund projects to improve three New Brighton playgrounds: the Hunky Alley playground, the Oak Hill Playground, and the playground located at New Brighton Middle School. The New Brighton Recreation Commission will be overseeing those projects with that funding, along with a $10,000 donation to Everest Events Group for sponsorship of the “Fire & Ice” event taking place in December.

ARPA grant funding was also allotted to the New Brighton Business District Authority to improve the downtown area at a total of $145,000. Improvements include painting of utility poles for the Central Business District and mini-grants for signage. The New Brighton Police Department will also be receiving ARPA funding through expenditures of up to $75,000 in funding. The borough paid their monthly bills in the amount of $363,572.26.

The next New Brighton Borough Council meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 7:00 PM.

The photo above shows the prank at Aliquippa High School (Submitted by Jason Harvey)
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published May 18, 2023 3:15 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Seniors at Aliquippa High School have allegedly been told they aren’t allowed to walk at graduation, attend prom, and participate in other activities such as Senior Day and Field Day. That’s according to a Senior Class Officer at Aliquippa, Jason Harvey. Harvey tells Beaver County Radio a typical Senior prank that he participated in, along with other students, resulted in “terrible punishment” by the school administration.
On the night of May 10th, students put eggs, chocolate syrup, honey, and ranch on doors and windows of the school as their Senior prank. The students also say they cleaned it up on their own after it was seen by the school. Aliquippa School District stated that the full clean up costed them between 4-$5,000. Harvey says, “if you aren’t on the football team, or a favorite student, you get the worst treatment”, “it’s not right at all, everyone should get the same treatment”. In addition to the previously mentioned punishments, he was also suspended for 3 days. He notes this was his first offense at the school, and 3 other students are also facing the same punishments.
Harvey feels the response by the district has “gone too far”.  A similar incident took place in 2021 at the district, and the district reversed their decision to not allow students to attend graduation in that case.

 

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

The Aliquippa School District has a new business manager.

Paul Soroka was approved by the board at Wednesday night’s meeting as their new business manager, replacing Scott Korba who had previously resigned. Soroka received a 3 year contract, and will earn $96,300 annually.

Berkheimer will collect taxes until Mr. Soroka begins his duties.

Also from Wednesday night’s School Board Meeting:

• The preliminary 2023-2024 budget will be on display for residents for thirty days in the district office.
• The district’s 2023-24 transportation contract has increased from $1.5 million to $1.75 million a year.
• Boys basketball coach Nick Lackovich’s salary for next season will be $9,000.00.
• Girls basketball coach Dwight Lindsey will earn $5,000.00 next season.
• The athletic trainer’s salary for the 2023-2024 school year will be $48,425.00.
• Jennie Gunther’s retirement was approved. She was a teacher at the elementary school.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing improvement work requiring the closure of the 10th Street Bypass (Route 2128) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County will occur Friday and Saturday, May 19-20 weather permitting.

A full closure of the 10th Street Bypass in the southbound direction between Fort Duquesne Boulevard and I-279 Parkway North/Fort Duquesne Bridge will occur around-the-clock from 9 p.m. Friday continuously through 5 p.m. Saturday. Traffic will be detoured via Fort Duquesne Boulevard. Northbound traffic will not be impacted.

Crews from Gulisek Construction will conduct joint sealing and cleaning, and sign structure clip removal and replacement work on this $1.37 million improvement project.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 17, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) met in his Washington office with Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw to discuss his concerns and issues stemming from the February train derailment in East Palestine, just over the state line from Pennsylvania’s 17^th Congressional District.

At the meeting in his office, Rep. Deluzio made clear to Mr. Shaw that Norfolk Southern needs to make whole all residents of Beaver County who have experienced harm to their health, property, farms, or businesses due to his company’s toxic derailment in February. He also called on the railroad to act as a positive partner in the community to help rebuild trust.

The Congressman also asked Mr. Shaw and his company to support legislation to make rail safer, such as the bipartisan Railway Safety Act that Congressman Deluzio leads in the House, which just saw its companion bill pass out of committee in the Senate with support from both parties.

Congressman Deluzio has been to Darlington Township, East Palestine, and Conway (the site of a major Norfolk Southern railyard) several times and has spoken with residents, local officials, and rail workers to discuss their ongoing concerns.

Along with The Railway Safety Act, which he introduced with Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) as a House companion bill to the Senate legislation, Rep. Deluzio has also sponsored the DERAIL Act to strengthen the overall safety standards for High-Hazard Flammable Trains, as well as the Assistance to Local Heroes During Train Crises Act with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to support and reimburse the first responders who answer the call in the case of train emergencies.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrat Dan McCaffery and Republican Carolyn Carluccio won their parties’ primaries for a vacant seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday, setting up a fall contest to join a high court that is at the center of cases on guns, abortion and elections in a presidential battleground state.

Each nominee won a two-way primary race. McCaffery defeated Deborah Kunselman, a colleague on the Superior Court, and Carluccio defeated Patricia McCullough, a Commonwealth Court judge who lost a primary for a high court seat in 2021. Party allies reported spending nearly $1 million to help her beat McCullough.

On the campaign trail, McCullough repeatedly boasted of being the “only judge in 2020 in the presidential election in the entire country” to order a halt to her state’s election certification.

McCullough was ruling in a Republican-backed post-election legal challenge that sought to tilt victory to Donald Trump in the presidential battleground state. The state’s high court quickly overturned McCullough’s order.

Democrats currently hold a 4-2 majority on the court, which has an open seat following the death last fall of Chief Justice Max Baer, a Democrat.

The court has handled a number of hot-button issues over the past few years.

It is currently examining a challenge to a state law that restricts the use of public funds to help women get an abortion as well as Philadelphia’s challenge to a state law that bars it and other municipalities from restricting the sale and possession of guns.

In recent years, the justices rejected a request to invalidate the state’s death penalty law and upheld the constitutionality of the state’s expansive mail-in voting law. The court also turned away challenges to the 2020 election result from Republicans who wanted to keep Trump in power, and ruled on a variety of lawsuits over gray areas in the mail-in voting law.

In one 2020 election case, justices ordered counties to count mail-in ballots that arrived up to three days after polls closed, citing delays in mail service caused by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling spurred an outcry among Republicans, who challenged the decision in the U.S. Supreme Court.

The nation’s highest court ultimately declined to take the case. The ballots — nearly 10,000 of them — were never counted in any federal race, including for president, because the election was certified while their fate remained in legal limbo. State elections officials said the votes weren’t enough to change the results of a federal election.

In lower court races, Republican Megan Martin and Democrat Matt Wolf each won a two-way primary for an open seat on the Commonwealth Court while Democrats Jill Beck and Timika Lane captured the nomination in a three-way race for two open seats on the Superior Court, which hears appeals of civil and criminal cases from county courts.