Allegheny County health officials say two more people have died from flu related complications. The deaths of a woman in her 90s and a man in his mid-60s brings the death total this season to 14. Health officials say while the flu is on the decline at this point in the season, it is still circulating.

A judge is giving former Penn State President Graham Spanier three weeks to report to jail and start serving a sentence imposed over his handling of a complaint about Jerry Sandusky showering with a boy. A judge’s order made public Wednesday says Spanier can do his time in the jail near his home in State College if county jail wardens approve. Spanier has remained out on bail since his 2017 conviction for misdemeanor child endangerment. A lawyer for Spanier declined to comment Wednesday.

The administration of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is pushing a regulation to control methane emissions from existing natural gas facilities that doesn’t directly target the potent greenhouse gas. That is raising alarm among environmental groups. Instead, the proposed rule sets limits on smog-forming volatile organic compounds emitted by Pennsylvania’s enormous gas industry, with methane reduction listed as a “co-benefit.” Environmental advocates say the administration needs to do far more.

A group of state Senators has once again introduced legislation to abolish the statute of limitations for sexual assault victims. Don Rooney has more…

The Pennsylvania House has approved legislation that would ensure that strangulation is appropriately recognized as a crime of violence under Pennsylvania Law. The bill – sponsored by State Representative Torren Ecker of Adams and Cumberland counties – was a part of an extensive package of victims’ rights legislation being moved forward this week by Republican lawmakers that are designed to protect the welfare of children, bring justice for victims of domestic abuse, and provide support for abuse victims when they must testify against their abusers. Rep. Ecker said it was particularly gratifying to know that his first piece of legislation to be approved by the House will help to protect victims of strangulation…

A man who was a co-defendant and key witness in the shooting deaths of two sisters during a robbery gone bad is facing 10 to 40 years in prison following guilty pleas. Twenty-one-year-old Miras Kelly II pleaded guilty in Allegheny County to charges including third-degree murder, conspiracy, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and robbery. He testified against a co-defendant who was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.

THE HOPEWELL POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED AN UPDATE ON A HOME BURGLARY THAT OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS DETAILS. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 11TH, 2019

 

TODAY – SOME SUN THIS MORNING WITH INCREASING
CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON. HIGH – 68.

TONIGHT – OVERCAST. LOW – 58.

FRIDAY – THUNDERSTORMS. STORMS MAY CONTAIN
STRONG GUSTY WINDS. HIGH – 71.

SATURDAY – CLOUDY. HIGH NEAR 70.

SUNDAY – SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.
HIGH – 64.

By Mark Peterson, Beaver County Radio.

(Beaver Falls, PA) The Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation continued their annual lecture series last night and hosted a public meeting  at the Carnegie Free Library in town with the theme of  “Education And Church” to give attendees an overview of the what the roles of those two institutions play in the development of the city.   A large crowd, including many Geneva College students,  filled up parts of the lobby and side meeting room in the library for the second of three planned meetings, and those in attendance heard two very eloquent orators including  Dr. Calvin Troup, President of Geneva College, and Rev. Bernard Tench, Pastor of Second baptist Church in Beaver Falls.  Beaver Falls City Manager, Charles “Mick” Jones, Jr.  served as the host as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Dr. Troup took the stage first and talked about “Coming to Beaver Falls”, and offered contrasts in what it was like arriving via train as an eight year old with his family when they moved to town from Chicago in 1969, compared with his pilgrimage  two years ago when he traversed back to the city to begin his current assignment as the President of Geneva College. Troup’s years in higher education and having to speak in front of classrooms have evidently payed off, as he very easily held everyone’s attention in the room with a very well prepared and engaging talk.  In speaking about his latter arrival to Beaver Falls, Troup  painted a picture about how things have changed in the present and also how the future is a very positive one.  Troup pointed to many different proactive cooperative efforts between Geneva College and the City of Beaver Falls on many different levels that have produced big benefits, like helping to secure government grant money for road construction and sidewalk upgrade projects. One of those projects is an upgrade to the century old narrow sidewalk and fence that currently lines the side of the street heading up to the college from Beaver Falls. Troup’s slide show included artist’s renderings of  what the proposed, upgraded lighted walkway from downtown along route 18 up to Geneva College will look like.  Construction for that  project is scheduled to begin later this year.

Reverend Bernard Tench then wowed those in attendance as he spoke about amazing new things happening in the church community of Beaver Falls.  Tench spoke about how new innovative ways of reaching community worshipers, including  a city wide Pentecost Service and a combined Vacation Bible School scheduled for the week of July 29 through August 2, 2019, were helping to stimulate interest and participation again in church activities.  Tench’s church, Second Baptist Church in Beaver Falls, is one of the oldest congregations in area, gathering for Sunday worship and serving the community for over 125 years, and yet, he he couldn’t help but get a bit excited himself as he spoke about these new developments.  In addition to changing and adapting worship styles and options available, Tench proudly talked about and showed off pictures of the nearly completed SBC Center, a multi use meeting room and gathering place facility housed in the former McElwain Cadillac car dealership on 7th Avenue. The historic structure, which was the home to Beaver Falls’ first car dealership in 1936, when Ed Sahli, Sr. acquired a Chevrolet franchise, is nearing the end of a ten year renovation process to covert the space from a car showroom and service area to an elegant building.

The “State Of The City” meeting was organized by Wendy Whelpley, Executive Director for the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation.  Last night’s meeting, which centered around the topic of Education and Church, was the second in a series of three gatherings, each focusing on a different aspect of Beaver Falls.  The third and final meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24.  Education and Church will again be the themes of that upcoming lecture which will include commentary from Dr. Donna Nugent, Superintendent of Big Beaver Falls Area School District and Pastor Marc deJeu, from The Soma Gathering Church in Beaver Falls. Admission is free and the programs start at 7 P.M. at the Carnegie Free Library in Beaver Falls.  More information and upcoming schedules can be found here.