Just after 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Aliquippa with sirens blaring, firefighters from several departments responded  to fire at Beyond Parsley Catering..  Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that firefighters were still at the scene at  1p.m.  Owner Joe Ozimok posted that it was an electrical fire. A fire official said that  the origin of the fire is under investigation, and there is considerable smoke and water damage  as the fire traveled to the ceiling.

‘COMING OUT OF THE SHADOWS- SHINING A LIGHT ON THE NEEDS OF THOSE AFFECTED BY ADDICTION”, a program presented at  the third step church at Monacrest Free Methodis Church in Monaca was held Saturday, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. RaeAnn Thompson Barlow, chair person and  facilitator for the event on Wednesdays said she is a social worker and a pastor , and worked at Staunton Clinic and a lot of her work was drug and alcohol related , and she has addiction within her own family . The event began at 10 a.m. , there were 6 sessions, each 45 minutes long, attendees were allowed to pick 4 to attend. Dr. Jeff Barlow spoke on the many emotional issues addicts those who love, snd those who help the encounterr. Parenting an addict was presented by Ed and Bev McCombs, their daughter became addicted while in high school , and stole from her family, overdosed in front of her 2 year-old daughter, and other acts that have put the family “through the fire.”  Bev and Ed said that they will give her food, but not money  The baby’s father died from a drug overdose, and the teen lives with the other grandmother , and they have visiting privileges. Other speakers included” Mike Matotek a counselor,,  discussed ideas for the recovering ddict to start living again.  His focus was on time management , as well the impact of recovery on an addict..Ian Lyda  counselor at Recovery House in Cranberry  He spoke on maintenance . meds    as part of treatment for opioid addiction. Rev. Hal hire talked about emotional situations from a personal prospective. Dr. michael Alexander , from Five Star medical Services in ambridge spoke on the disease model: a medical perspective.  Lunch was provided to the attendees

Beaver County Behavioral Health  with Keystone Wellness   presented a Community Drug Forum entitled PROGRESS THROUGH EDUCATION about the drug epidemic  Thursdayevening   at CCBC’s Learning Center .  According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, the event was held during NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK. Beaver County DA David J. Lozier  said between 55-70 drug dealers have been arrested, but that ‘s  not going to solve the problem Drugs are coming into the county  from Detroit and Chicago  He said,”We have to recognize the problem . He touched on vets and minorities that had drug problems in the 70’s, in the 80-90’s it was cocaine .  the cocaine was coming from Latin America, Colombia, Thailand  and Turkey  He said firearms went from six shooters to the semiautomatic weapons.   He said, “We are trying to roll back some sentences, this is a very difficult situation now.” He added 80% of the heroin and fentanyl addicts start out using percocet for wisdom teeth and other surgeries , or 30 oxycontin  for pain, a doctor said it wasn’t addictive.   He said “Kids become more addicted and get  “hooked.”They steal oxy and other opiates out of medicine cabinets .  They an also purchase the drugs for $25 or $100 on the black market. He added”It costs $10 to snort heroin and a straw.’  once they snort, their life is done.”  They steal from everyone you know.  80 start on their legal scripts.  We got to schools and churches to educate the community about the problem.”  500 pounds of unused drugs were in the drug take back program in 2016.  There are 14 sites in the county, and Aliquippa is to be added soon. Under Act 53 a state law, a parent and child can be forced into therapy Judge Debbie Kunselman , the sheriff, and a probation officer will be involved in a hearing to put the child in rehab. Kate Lowery, SCA Adminstrator from Behavioral Health  said that providing rehab  once there’s a plea before a district justice , a plea can be made to a low level mideameanor .. her office does an evaluation t the court house the same day.  If the defendant is drug free for 90 days , they’ll go rehab, not jail . The hope to have the, it will save the county money.  She said, “there isn’t a municipality in this county that hasn’t had an overdose death.” program in place next month . Beaver County Detective Lt. Robert Chamberlain , who  heads the county’s drug task force  is looking for for addicts by working with informants , police departments, the state police  and the U.s. marshall’s office is a 17 member task froce including 2 females, and a k-9.. Full time police officers from the pd’s are selected by the DA’s office. They found 29 operations last month ,and issued 24 search warrants. He explained that fentanyl is 50-100 times stronger than heroin . 2mg of carfentanyl  will kill  10 men.  In one recent drug seizure with a search warrant 18 guns were seized. pills,and money. Kim Andrews of Keystone Wellnes said kids are wired for risk , the brain isn’t fully developed until 25 , the younger you use tobacco, your brain function diminshes .  Alcohol used and abused is something of a concern   for under 21, it is illegal.In 8th grade inhalants such as spray cans become a problem , the rob the body of oxygen , white out and sharpees give off fumes Cocaine seems to be coming back, , mollies are now, and are snorted through a hollowed out pen..  Be in charge of your children’s meds, keep a journal , monitor inhalers, rubber bands, bloody tissues, and cotton balls , this is a red flag.”They hide kits in bibles, old cell phones, in back of pictures, air vents.  Monitor your child’s after school activities ,”Follow your gut.” Deputy coroner and Medic-Rescue operations  director Bill Pasquale  said  how and when to use narcan, which is now available  for the epidemic caused by the availability of heroin carfentanyl, and users are overdosing .  He said narcan reverses the effect of an overdose  He said, sometimes you have to administer more than one dose.  If there is a needle in a user’s arm or hand call 911 before administering the narcan.  You will be immune from prosecution.”Time is of the essence.” Tracy Irwin case manager for BC Behavioral Health said  if you or someone you know is addicted to drugs, you don’t have to go through it alone.”Our office will work with EMS and the hospital , we want to act on it right away to find out what level of care is needed.   She said, there are many s teps to recovery, and our managers are there to follow them.”There is individual group  or  counseling  for 5-6 days , 14-28 or 90 days.  Insurance can be difficult , the addict may not have insurance or owe a bill from before.available . There are resources and help out there , events like this are critical, we have a partnership with law enforcemnt.”

Beaver County Radio News has learned that a Center Township firefighter that was hit by a truck last night is going to be fine. The incident occurred following a three-car accident in Center. The collision happened shortly before 3:30 yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Baker and Brodhead Roads in Center. The firefighter was reportedly hit by one of the tow trucks at the scene. A spokesman for the fire department tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak the firefighter suffered only minor injuries and is now resting comfortably at home.