Maureen Morelli, Program Manager at the Center at the Mall was a guest of Frank Sparks on Teleforum  on Tuesday April 5,2017. Frank and Maureen discussed exactly what the Center at the Mall does and how it benefits our community. They also discussed the Many programs  and activities that occur at the center. If you’d like more information on the center you can check it out online at https://www.centeratthemall.com/

A DRUG FORUM SPECIFIC TO THE OPIOID ISSUE IS SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT, ORGANIZED BY BEAVER COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. IT WILL INCLUDE COMMUNITY LEADERS, SUCH AS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID LOZIER AND BILL PASQUALE, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT MEDIC RESCUE. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE CCBC DOME FROM 6 TO 9:00 TONIGHT. KATE LOWERY OF BEAVHIORAL HEALTH RECENTLY TOLD FRANK SPARKS ON TELEFORUM THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE EDUCATED ON OVERDOSE PREVENTION. AN R-S-V-P IS REQUESTED BY GOING TO KEYSTONEWELLNESSPROGRAMS.ORG…OR BY CALLING (724) 432-3474. BEAVER COUNTY NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO WILL BE THERE AND WILL HAVE A FULL REPORT ON AM BEAVER COUNTY TOMORROW MORNING.

Former Aliquippa police officer John-Joe Fratangeli was presented a “One Aliquippa” Award for his valor act of heroism by Mayor Dwan Walker last  night, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.   He said  was leaving  his parents home recently on Linmar recently and observed a black male retrieving an assault style rifle from a vehicle, in the 1500 block of Tyler St. , he notified city    police , he described the male and the vehicle immediately. City detectives apprehended the suspect on Maratta Road. Inside the vehicle were 3 young males in the back seat , one passenger was in possession of  cocaine and cash,Chief Don Couch said   Fratangeli, son of councilwoman Vickie Fratangeli worked in the city from  1997 until 2008 before taking a job in the sheriff’s office  until 2016.  He currently works as a part time officer in Beaver.  He said,” I don’t live here anymore, but my heart’s in Aliquippa.”  Three new police officers were hired Nicholas Darrigo, who has background in the military, Vincenzo DiNunno, and Kent McCusker   The must pass their physical  and psychological tests, and they will be one probation for one year. A drug take back box could be placed in the police department soon, according to Chief Couch, the county program expired but  CVS was contacted, and hopefully the city will have one soon, he said.  A 16 year-old  male is in the county jail following a homicide last week in the city.  Chief Couch said Cordell Wimbs was charged with criminal homicide after he shot  Tremayne Foster to death on Plan 11. Foster  was a relative of the Walker family. The Joseph Building, the PM Moore building, and the Union Grill will be demolished . The city went to court so they could get the CDBG monies approved  for the dangerous structures demolished. Complaints from residents of Plan 6 living near the city’s new playground were registered because youths in vehicles, using foul language dumping beer, bottles and a lot  of trash.  Residents are advised to call police. A city woman is in the county jail for panhandling throughout the city, and police have gotten many calls, and she was finally apprehended, Chief Couch said.

Aliquippa School Board heard a presentation at last night;s work session from  Premier Fitness and Boxing Club owners who want to put the facility in the recently purchased old Eat’n’ Park on Sheffield Road, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  The groups have a facility in Rochester and said that they want to oopen the facility and  give kids somewhere to go.  It is a 501c3 organization, and a floor plan was also presented. The board meets in regular session on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

TONIGHT’S BLACKHAWK SCHOOL DISTRICT MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED. OFFICIALS WERE EXPECTED TO MEET TO DISCUSS THEIR PERSONAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE DISTRICT’S SPENDING. THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING WAS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS ANY CONSENSUS OF DOING ANYTHING ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICT SPENDING AHEAD OF THE MAY PRIMARY ELECTION, IN WHICH THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS SIX OPEN SEATS, ALL OF WHICH ARE CONTESTED. . THE MEETING – WHICH WAS TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO  BE HELD AT THE DARLINGTON TOWNSHIP BUILDING – WAS BEEN CANCELLED. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO’S GREG BENEDETTI REPORTS THAT THE INTEREST WAS THERE…BUT MEETING SPACE WAS NOT.  APPARENTLY THE FACILITY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BIG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE CROWD THEY WERE EXPECTING TONIGHT. NO WORD ON WHEN THAT MEETING WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

Beaver Area School District and the  Beaver Police Department  hosted an informational  forum on  the Beaver County Community heroin epidemic last night.  According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, school resource officer Ken Stahl said that the event  had the biggest crowd so far in the district. Phil Little, a Beaver County native and  a representative of the PA Atoorney General’s Office of Public Engagement  said  overdoses start with users taking prescription opioids, then turning to the streets for heroin because it is cheaper. He said there were 34,000 overdoses in the state in 2015.  He added, “Raid raid the medicine cabinets, get rid of all drugs,  the county is participating in the drug take back program… He said 50,000 pounds of drugs have been destroyed so far. .”  He told the crowd to use the take back boxes in the 14 locations in the county.  He praised DA David Lozier’s office , he said,”It’ s a great initiative.” He said if you see a drug overdose say something! use the anonymous tip line 1-800-442-8006. He said there are 12.7 million residents, and 800 on the state’s drug task force.   “Stop it before it Starts.” Phil’s number is 1-412-565-3150. He presented aslide show on heroin terminology , a stamp bag of heroin is  1/2 the size of a sweet n low packet, 10 stamp bags are a bundle, 1 brick is 5 bundles, 50  stamp bags. He said fentanyl is a strong opioid when mixed with heroin, and cutting it makes it stronger. ” Do not touch fentanyl without gloves on it can kill you.” Don Sedlack CCBC law enforcement instructor  for 26 said it is important to educate the public . he teaches a narcotics and drug abuse class , and stressed the importance of being educated on drug issues . he said, talk to children  to about drugs, and many turn from alcohol to drugs He taught the DARE  program in the 80’s, he said, don’t be afraid to go for help, all services are available for overdoses.” He said law enforcement can’t do it alone.”, the epidemic has turned into a medical health turmoil.” He added prison won’t help addicts get better, it’s important to talk in an open forum.” “We  do have a serious epidemic , and we have to work to gether and figure out how to curb it.” Dr. Suzane Vogel-Scibilia  it’s out of control, it’s unacceptable.” she said an opioid  use disorder  is  prolonged use of  self administration of opioids.  She said focus on prevention and treatment , and talked about the of vivitrol. A mom of a recivering addict spoke about how she found her son lying on the floor, when he overdosed, the son spoke about his addiction and siad he’s been clean for 5 months now. Bill Pasquale chief deputy coroner  We’re trying to keep them alive in the ems field.”, Medic-Rescue said they received 6,500 overdose calls in 2016 , he said there were 102 deaths, it’s stealing away a generation, 2 generations.  Judge Kim Tesla said a statute by the state legislature said if you see an od you are immune from prosecution so that a life can be saved.”