“Diamonds in the Rough – Remount Event” LIVE broadcast at King’s Jewelry, 2/8/2017

On Wednesday, February 8th, WBVP and WMBA will broadcast the show “Teleforum” LIVE from King’s Jewelry in the Beaver Valley Mall from 10 A.M. until Noon. Beaver County Radio and King’s Jewelry are proud to host the first ever “Diamonds in the Rough – Remount Event.”
This year’s lineup includes: Rita Swesey from the Rochester-Beaver Lions Club, Mike Rubino from United Way, Dennis Nichols from the Inclusion Diversity and Awareness Council, Dan Flick from the Beaver County Rotary Club, Joyce Lewis-Andrews from McGuire Memorial, Katie Snyder from St. Barnabas, Beaver Meadows, and Tim Mascari from the Beaver Valley Mall.
Join WBVP and WMBA as we interview these community leaders and discuss their impact on the community.
Don’t forget to bring your old jewelry to King’s for their wonderful remounting event!

Gov. Wolf Proposes $2B In Spending Cuts To Balance Budget

Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing more than $2 billion in spending cuts to help balance the state budget. Wolf delivered his third budget speech to the state legislature this morning. It didn’t take him long to lay down a key marker — no broad-based tax hikes.However, that does mean cuts in spending to balance the budget. Addressing an overwhelmingly Republican general assembly, the Democratic governor hailed the accomplishments that both Republicans and Democrats had made together. Those accomplishments include, liquor reform, medical marijuana, more funding for schools and 82,000 more Pennsylvanians working today than two years ago when he took office. But, said Wolf, the budget deficit could be at least $2 billion in the fiscal year beginning July 1. He said it was time to get serious about balancing the budget. In order to save more than $2 billion, the governor proposed consolidating or merging a number of state agencies. He also said it was time to close corporate loopholes. The governor said his budget’s primary focus continues to be educating our children and protecting senior citizens.

Man Accused In Fatal Hit And Run In Industry Waives Hearing

An Ohioville man accused in the hit and run death of a 25-year-old Industry man is scheduled to face trial in July. 62-year-old William Aeschbacher is accused of hitting Brandon Bixler with car on November 27th…as Bixler was walking home in the 24-hundred block of Route 68 in Industry. Aeschbacher was arrested after a neighbor reported to police that his car matched the description of the one involved in the hit-and-run. Aescbacher yesterday waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

10-Year-Old Child Calls Police After Witnessing Adult Overdose On Heroin In East Rochester Home

Two people are facing child endangerment charges…after a 10-year-old child called police when one of the adults overdosed on heroin. Shawn Wiggins and Devone Fike – both 38 years old – are accused of using drugs while a child was in their care. According to police, the 10-year-old child called 9-1-1 after Fike had overdosed in their Sixth Street Extension home in East Rochester.

Baden Writer/ Author Displays Works For Public

Alicia Stankay of Baden is a  self published, writer , author, editor, and photographer.  She graduated in 1968 from St. Benedict’s Academy in North Hills, attended Pitt for 2 years where she majored in English , and admitted she’s been writing since age 10, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  At age 12 she had an original book published. She said her love for nature prompted her to have a sunroom for her plants, she said her husband calls it “the jungle.”  One of her books, one that would be of local interest is Cathi and Ktrina:ADVENTURES IN OLD ECONOMY VILLAGE.  The book combines her love of history  and her wish to give young readers a sense of curiousity about the past.  She used the museum as the setting of past and present  for the book. Mrs. Stankay;s books can be found on Amazon and Kindle . A poets and writers group is being formed at Baden library next week on Tuesday. The group is meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Beginners and advanced writers are invited.  Advanced registration is welcome  call 724-266-2463.

Conway To Remove All Handicapped Spaces In April

The borough of Conway is removing all handicapped access signs in the borough in April, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  An ordinance was changed on December 31 eliminating the restricted residential parking space program .  The reason , it was determined   there is insufficient   space  to accommodate  the significant and growing demand. Residents were notified by letter, and Catherine McLaughlin  a Fourth Ave. resident, one of those who is upset with the decision said it is unfair.  She has lymphedema in her leg, from a fall, walks with a cane, and reiterated that the decision to remove the spaces isn’t fair. In a press release  after further judging one handicapped resident’s circumstance being more compelling than another is impossible. Council said that the spaces in front of homes over time have been overtaken by residents as their own, they were never guaranteed to any individual , the mayor and council reitereated. Council and the mayor will work with residents to understand their issues individually , study the matter and look for alternatives Mayor Debbie Rose said on Friday that if a resident needs a handicapped ramp installed because of their handicap, some volunteers from churches may step in as needed. The borough  is committed to providing equal accessibility  to its public amenities, which includes its streets, residents, businesses, and visitors.

Teen Reading Lounge At Aliquippa’s BF Jones Memorial Library

Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the B.F. Jones Memorial Library in Aliquippa  played host to 16 students in grades 5-9 from Aliquippa, Ambridge, and Hopewell ., according to Kris Jancey, teen librarian  A Pennsylvania Humanities Gran through the Humanities council of $1,500 was awarded to the library for the biweekly program  that meets for one hour every other Saturday. The program’s focus is on the humanities civic engagement, literacy, and interest in the community.  Jennie Honi the program coordinator   Jancey said a few libraries were chosen last year to host the program.  This year it’s Aliquippa’s turn. The  students are engaged in drawing, painting, writing, and were given the book “Yummy” the Last Days of a Southside Shorty” by G. Neri.  Once they read the  book they’ll have a mock  trial  to determine who committed the murder.

Pirates to shift outfield!!

Over the weekend the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that they will be shuffling their starting outfield for the 2017 season.  Gregory Polanco will move from right field to left field, Sterling Marte will shift from left field to center field, and Andrew Mc Cutchen will shift from center field to right field.  I personally think this will be a great move for the Pirates. Sterling Marte has won two consecutive gold gloves in left field and has more than proven he is capable and deserving of being the Pirates center fielder. Cutch not only had a bad year batting his defense was less than adequate all season long. Polanco was more than average in left field when filling in for Marte last season.  We are less than two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training and the position players soon to follow. The timing of the announcement was perfect and let everyone know before spring training exactly where they would be playing this year.  This coming Saturday on the Saturday Sports Slam we’ll be discussing this and taking calls on your opinion. Tune in from 8 to 10 AM.

Story by Frank Sparks, co-host of The Saturday Sports Slam

Downed Wires Causes Damage To Home In West Aliquippa

The Aliquippa Fire Department received a call  just after 5 p.m. for a house fire in the 500 block of Beaver Ave in West Aliquippa, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.   A fire department spokesman said there were downed wires blocking the street, which caused power to be out for a short time.  A cause for the downed wires wasn’t known A home on the street had minimal damage from the sparking wires, but no major damage to the exterior. Duquesne Light  was called and restored power to the area, the spokesman said..

Aliquippa Man Pleads Guilty In Ambridge, Sewickley Bank Robberies

A former Aliquippa High School basketball standout pleaded guilty yesterday to his involvement in bank robberies in Ambridge and Sewickley. 28-year-old Herbert Pope pleaded guilty to robbery, armed robbery and brandishing a firearm. Pope was charged along with 31-year-old Tyler Bridges. Both are accused of robbing banks, obtaining more than 14-thousand dollars in total. Pope is scheduled to be sentenced in May and is facing between seven years and life in prison.