Three mayors walk into an elevator – but what happened next was no joke, though the officials managed to amuse themselves until they could be rescued about 40 minutes later.  Leetsdale Mayor Pete Poninski got stuck in the Westin Hotel elevator last night along with the mayors of Pittsburgh (Bill Peduto) and Millvale. They had been attending a meeting of the Allegheny League of Municipalities. Poninski tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that none of the mayors could get cellphone service but luckily, one of the stranded passengers worked at the hotel and was able to summon maintenance crews and first responders using a walkie-talkie. Poninski says that while the mayors couldn’t call for help, they did manage to use their phones to take a selfie.

Democratic Gov. Tom wolf is rejecting a bill that would have limited the use of seniority when school districts have to layoff teachers. The bill passed the GOP-controlled House and Senate without any support from Democratic lawmakers.

State Rep. Jaret Gibbons (D-Franklin Township) has introduced a bill that calls for school districts and social service agencies to receive funding if the Legislature does not pass a budget by its annual July 1st deadline.  Gibbons tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that last year’s budget impasse was a disappointing failure that should never happen again.

A Superior Court panel will rule later on the appeal of a boy who was 11 when he was charged with killing his father’s pregnant fiancee and her unborn child in Lawrence County. A Lawrence County judge last year turned down Jordan Brown’s request to dismiss the charges or grant a new juvenile court trial. The three-judge Superior Court panel heard arguments from the defense Tuesday. Brown was charged as a juvenile and adjudicated delinquent in the February 2009 shotgun slaying of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk, who was eight months pregnant. Authorities say none of the evidence points to anyone but Brown, who is now 18. The defense contends police rushed to judgment and appealed on the grounds that the evidence was insufficient.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court is set to hear the appeal of a judge’s refusal to grant a new juvenile court trial for a boy who was 11 when he allegedly killed his father’s pregnant fiancee and her unborn child in 2009. The court previously sided with Jordan Brown. But when a Lawrence County judge last year refused to dismiss the charges or grant a new trial, the Wampum teen appealed again.

Center Township Road chairman Richard George  said that catch basins will be part of the  road department’s upgrade of 10-15 roads in the township.  Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the engineering firm of Lennon, Smith, and Souleret  went over the bids, and $1.3 million is budgeted for the roads.

The Center Twp. Board of Supervisors  has authorized solicitor Nick Urick to investigate who owns a vacant home at  113 Cherry Lane in the township.  Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that a resident living in the general area said the property is not kept up.