The Beaver County Commissioners say they plan to hold off on making any big decisions until the new board of commissioners takes office in January. Republicans Sandie Egley and Dan Camp won election earlier this month to become the first GOP majority to control the county in 60 years. They ousted Republican commissioner Dennis Nichols in the primary and then defeated Democratic commissioner Joe Spanik in the general election and will serve with current commissioners chairman Tony Amadio, a Democrat, come January. Amadio tells Beaver County Radio’s Pat Septak that the current board of commissioners wants to avoid the risk of having their decisions or votes challenged or overturned by the new board come January.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter says enhanced security measures will be in effect for Sunday’s marathon, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of people to the city. Nutter says he’s spoken to Homeland Security officials, and there’ s “no known threat” to the city.

Governor Tom Wolf has sent a letter informing state lawmakers he will not back down from a willingness to accept Syrian refugees. Wolf says states don’t have the authority to refuse refugees if they’re admitted by the federal government.

An industrial fire that destroyed a plant and damaged at least one other building in Leetsdale is under investigation by the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office. Emergency and company officials say workers at a warehouse in the Leetsdale Industrial Park were pouring hydraulic fracturing chemicals into a production tank Tuesday when the fire started, forcing residents from more than 70 nearby homes for several hours and injuring several people. Parts of Beaver County were affected due to the thick heavy smoke along the river, leading to an early dismissal for students at Hopewell Area High School. Beaver County Commissioner spoke with Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak, saying he was able to stay on top of the situation by receiving continuous updates from Beaver County Emergency Services Director Wes Hill. The evacuation order was lifted late yesterday afternoon after the chemical fire was contained.  The case has been turned over to Allegheny County investigators but officials say it could be days before more information is released.

Governor Tom Wolf says Pennsylvania will continue working with federal authorities to resettle Syrian refugees in the state following last week’s attacks in Paris. State officials say Pennsylvania so far has seen 14 Syrian refugees arrive in the state since October 1st.