Beaver County Commissioners Chairwoman Defends Financial Administrator’s Salary Approved By County Salary Board

Beaver County Commissioners Chairwoman Sandie Egley is defending the salary that was approved by the county salary board yesterday, for the county’s new financial administrator. Ricardo Luckow will be paid 120-thousand dollars a year. The new salary is 41-thousand dollars more than was paid former financial administrator Vince LaVelle. LaValle’s salary was just over 78-thousand dollars a year. In an interview with Beaver County Radio’s Pat Septak this morning, Egley said the job requires that wage and that LaValle is worth every penny. Commissioner Tony Amadio told Mike Romigh on Teleforum today that he voted against the wage because he had a problem with the salary itself, and that his vote had nothing to do with the person who is currently in that position.

Beaver County Sheriff Declines To Comment On Lawsuit Filed By Former Deputy

New Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy has declined to comment this morning on reports of a lawsuit that was filed by a former deputy sheriff, alleging wrongful termination and damages. Paul Clark worked for the sheriff’s office from July 2010 until January 4th, when Sheriff Tony Guy took office and fired him. According to the complaint, Clark claims he did his job without any complaints, but because of his Democratic Party ties, he was terminated. Sheriff Guy is a Republican. Clark also claims he was not given 30 days notice of termination or 30 days of paid leave. Beaver County Radio’s Pat Septak spoke with Sheriff Guy this morning and requested a comment, but after speaking with county solicitor Bernard Rabik, Guy declined to comment for legal reasons, although he did admit there’s a lot he wish he could say on the matter.

FBI Offering Reward That Leads To Arrest Of Armed Ambridge Bank Robber

The FBI is offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of a man who authorities say robbed an Ambridge bank at gunpoint on Friday. Police say surveillance cameras captured the robbery at the New Alliance Federal Credit Union on Merchant Street. In the video, the armed robber is seen jumping over counters and going to several different tellers, grabbing cash and leaving the bank within 34 seconds. No one was injured, but police confirmed that the robber had a gun and threatened the tellers with it. Ambridge police say they’re not ruling out the possibility that Friday’s robber is the same man responsible for robbing the Wesbanco on Merchant Street on Dec. 9. Officers say both robbers used the same tactics . Anyone with information on either robbery is asked to contact police by calling (724) 266-3270.

Man With Halloween Mask Attempts Robbery in Monaca Armed With 12-inch Knife

Monaca borough police are investigating an attempted robbery that took place over the weekend…and they’re asking for the public’s help. Sergeant Patrick Young tells Beaver County Radio that a man wearing a Halloween mask attempted to rob the Shanks’s Citgo with a 12-inch knife and then fled towards 9th Street. Sergeant Young says no one was hurt and the robber left empty-handed. If anyone has information, Sergeant Young can be reached at (724) 775-9613.

MLK Day Celebrated at Penn State Beaver

Close to 50 students at Penn State Beaver took part in the schools regional Martin Luther King Day of Service today. This year…about a dozen students from the Beaver campus headed to the Greater Allegheny campus in McKeesport to serve….while more stayed closer to home to help out at the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden….or to conduct a community discussion with the Franklin Center. Penn State has done the regional day of service since 2007.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Closings

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Most schools were closed in honor of the holiday. Post offices are closed. Regular mail is not being picked up or delivered. Banks and liquor stores are closed as well.