Pennsylvania State Police is adding patrols in Beaver, Lawerence, Mercer and Butler counties this holiday season.  Increased patrols are starting midnight Friday and go until midnight Monday.  Last year, there were nearly 50 crashes during the four days surrounding Christmas.  Nearly ten-percent were alcohol-related, and one resulted in a death.  More than 550 citations were handed out in 2015, including 19 drivers arrested on suspicion of DUI.

The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School is looking for a new board of trustees member.  The school board is accepting applications to fill the seat left vacant by Director Francis Komara of Midland.  He resigned December 1st to spend more time with his family.  Applications will be accepted until January 9th.

We now know who will be sending out the property tax bills for 2017. Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti was at this morning’s work session at the county courthouse and says that the commissioners – not county treasurer Connie Javens – will be sending out the bills this time. A heated exchange took place at this morning’s meeting between Javen and commissioners Sandie Egley and Dan Camp, with Javens charging that the commissioners have a vendetta against her and that they are singling out her office with  various complaints.  Javens told Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning that her treasurer’s office will collect the taxes.

At least two, and possibly three, people were seriously injured in a head-on crash in Independence Township last night. A supervisor with the county Emergency Dispatch Center says the accident happened shortly after 10:30 last night on Route 30 in Independence. The supervisor said at least two people were transported for medical treatment. The names and conditions of the victims have not been released at this time.

Authorities have charged 30 people after a six-month-long investigation into drug sales in several Beaver County communities. According to a release sent by the New Brighton Area police department, warrants were served Tuesday in Beaver Falls, New Brighton, Aliquippa and Ambridge. So far, 17 people have been arraigned. Many of those charged stemmed from sales of heroin and cocaine to confidential informants. Police have not yet named those who have been charged.

Republican Donald Trump has scooped up Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes. Members of Pennsylvania’s 58th Electoral College met at the state Capitol amid demonstrations by hundreds of protesters to cast the state’s 20 electoral votes for Trump. Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania by fewer than 45,000 votes out of more than 6 million cast, or by less than 1 percent. The result led to clapping from supporters and boos from the gallery, with yells of “Shame on You.” Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes are fifth-most in the nation, and gave Trump a critical boost to winning the White House when he became the first Republican since 1988 to win the state. Today’s outcome was in little doubt, since the electors were senior members of the Republican Party hierarchy in Pennsylvania, GOP activists or ardent Trump loyalists picked by his campaign

Authorities say a standoff involving police in Monaca ended this morning with no arrests. Officers were called shortly before 6:00 this morning, to a home on Chestnut Street. Dispatchers say that a neighbor called them and said he heard a gunshot from the house. Police left the scene at around 7:30 this morning. No further details have been released.