Ambridge school district solicitor said this morning no new talks have been scheduled betwen the striking teachers and negotiators. He said if the state mediator calls the district will participate. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, unconfirmed reports of pickets going to local businesses picketing have been reported. Teachers have been picketing on Duss Avenue in front of the high school and in front of the Polish Falcons.
Potter Township is asking for more information before it gives a decision on a permit for the Shell cracker. Supervisors held a ten-hour meeting Tuesday that lasted another two hours yesterday about the decision, which ended with the delay. Township supervisors want Shell and the Clean Air Council to submit legal arguments by January 6th. Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak spoke with the State Department Of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin, who says he believes Shell is doing everything possible to not only ensure that the cracker plant isn’t in violation of any environmental regulations, but to also improve upon the conditions that were already in existence at the site. The Department of Environmental Protection is hosting a hearing at Central Valley High School tonight as well.
Police are looking for an armed robber in Ambridge. A man walked into Moh’s Market on Duss Avenue Monday night, pulled a gun and demanded money. He was caught on surveillance video and police say he had a lot of hair stuffed under his hat. He also had facial hair.
Ambridge Area teachers have until January 4th to return to the classroom. The state Department of Education announced the return date yesterday after teachers went on strike Tuesday. The timetable for the return is based on the district’s ability to complete the 180-day school schedule before June 15th. Teachers have been working on an expired contract since June 2015. Union members will be in front of the school Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Fire broke out at at a house at the corner of 8th and Duss Avenue (802 Duss Avenue) this morning, right across the street from Ambridge Area High School. Bevaer County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the flames erupted at the same time that Ambridge teachers were on the picket lines during their 3rd day of their strike. The fire caused a power outage in the area, which prompted officials to open up a warming center at the Ambridge borough building (in the fire station). No injuries were reported.
The Beaver County Commissioners today approved a tax anticipation note of 13-million dollars for 2017. Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti was at today’s special meeting and tells us that the commissioners are still in the process of funding the government for next year.
Ambridge residents will not see a tax increase for the 12 th consecutive year Council adopted the 2017 budget last night totaling $4.493.024.72. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, real estate taxes will remain at 34.5 mills, Borough manager Joseph Kauer said”’ Highlights of the meeting include reestablishing an animal control program through the humane Society, restructure code enforcement program into the fire department, 14 roads will be paved, a partial grant will allow for the upgrade of traffic signals on Merchant St., design of the merchant St. streetscape project, new fire apparatus, , a new police cruiser, , a dump truck will be purchased with a partial grant, and a tractor. Commercial demolition of blighted structures with a partial grant is part of the 2017 budget. Council president Mike Mikulich said “the budget is a strategic investment in the community.” The budget may be viewed on the bulletin board in the borough building or online www.Ambridge Boro.org.
The nearly 190 teachers in the Ambridge Area School District are still out of the classrooms today, on strike and on the picket lines. More than 3,000 students are affected by the cancellation of classes. Pay and health benefits are the big issues keeping the two sides apart. Under state law, the teachers must return to work by Jan. 2, to meet the 180 class days requirement. The teachers union says they won’t go back into classes until they have a new agreement or the state orders them back. They have been working nearly 1 and a half years without a contract. No talks are scheduled.
Tuesday’s nasty blast of winter weather, which included several inches of snow, wasn’t able to keep at least 100 people from attending a hearing that will determine whether Shell receives permission from Potter Township to build a $6 billion ethane cracker plant. The hearing concerns Shell’s conditional use application that was submitted in August to Potter officials. The application must be approved by the supervisors before Shell can start construction. The project will provide nearly six thousand construction jobs and nearly 600 jobs at the plant once it opens.
(Beaver Falls, PA) The staff of WBVP-WMBA celebrated the Scandinavian holiday of St. Lucia Day with a special Swedish Food Luncheon. Three varieties of Korv. Rice Pudding (made by station Vice President Cyndi Peterson), Lingon Berries, Sill (pickled Herring), Swedish Chocolate Trojan Horses, Ginger Snaps (Pepparkakor), Swedish Spritz Cookies, Bondost Cheese, Glogg (a hot spiced drink), Cinnamon Cardamon Rolls (Kardemummabullar), Swedish Fish, Swedish Meatballs and Limpa Rye Bread.
According to Wikipedia, Saint Lucia Day is celebrated most commonly in Scandinavia, with their long dark winters, where it is a major feast day, and in Italy, with each emphasising a different aspect of the story. In Scandinavia, where Saint Lucy is called Santa Lucia in Norwegian and Sankta Lucia in Swedish, she is represented as a lady in a white dress and red sash with a crown or wreath of candles on her head. In Norway, Sweden and Swedish-speaking regions of Finland, girls dressed as Lucy carry rolls and cookies in procession as songs are sung.
Here are some pictures from our Celebration earlier today.
