Wolf Says Pennsylvania Will Accept Syrian Refugees

Gov. Tom Wolf says his administration will continue working with the federal government to resettle Syrian refugees in Pennsylvania following the Paris terrorist atttacks. Wolf, a Democrat, said today that the federal government believes it can handle an additional 10,000 refugees that the White House said in September that it would accept from Syria. Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services says 14 Syrian refugees have arrived in the state since Oct. 1. Eight governors, all Republicans, say they’re opposing efforts to relocate Syrian refugees in their states or they’re demanding to know more about the federal government’s security procedures to screen Syrian refugees.

Wolf Orders Flags In PA. Lowered In Honor of Paris Attacks Victims

Gov. Tom Wolf is ordering that Pennsylvania and U.S. flags on state facilities be lowered to half-staff for the victims of Friday night’s terror attacks in Paris. Wolf also said today that the front facade of the Capitol building is being lit up at night with the red, white and blue tricolor stripes of France’s national flag. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Thursday. Wolf also says the Pennsylvania State Police are taking extra security measures, including at major sporting events.

High Winds Knock Out Power to Pittsburgh Region

High winds in the Pittsburgh region overnight brought down trees and power lines in some areas. Duquesne Light says it expects to fully restore power for its customers today for its customers, with roughly 12-hundred customers losing power at one point last night.

PennDOT To Conduct Line Painting in Beaver County on Saturday

PennDOT has issued an alert about line painting in Beaver County this weekend. According to PennDOT, crews will be painting lines along Route 51 in the area of the Ambridge Aliquippa Bridge in the city of Aliquippa and Hopewell Township from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. In an effort to prevent paint from getting on vehicles, motorists are being asked to stay 250 feet behind the painting equipment. Motorists should also wait to pass the painting vehicles until instructed to do so by a member of the crew. PennDOT is not usually responsible for paint on vehicles.

FBI Search For New Clues in Rochester Girl’s Murder

The FBI and other agencies are searching a northeastern Ohio tract where the bodies of two teenage girls were found in 1984. The FBI is working with investigators from Portage County, Ohio and Beaver County during today’s search near the Berlin Lake Wildlife Area. The body of 17-year-old Kathern Menendez was found near the Berlin Reservoir on Aug. 25, 1994, four days after she was last seen near Alliance, Ohio. The remains of 14-year-old Sarah Rae Boehm were found about a half-mile away on Nov. 4, 1994, five months after she was reported missing from Rochester, about 50 miles away. The FBI is looking for DNA and other evidence to determine who killed the girls, and whether their deaths are related.

Public’s Help Sought After 2 Robberies in Hopewell

The Hopewell police department says it is investigating two recent robberies and is asking for assistance from the public. Police say a white man robbed the Gringo Road CoGo’s convenience store shortly before 2:30 a.m. October 29th. In the second robbery, police say a man robbed the Heights Road CVS Pharmacy after 4 p.m. Friday. Hopewell Township Police Chief Brian Uhrmacher tells Beaver County Radio that in both cases, the suspect demanded cash but did not display a weapon. And he tells us that they’re not sure if it’s the same suspect in both robberies. Anyone with information is asked to call Hopewell police at (724) 378-0555.

Debate Over School Property Taxes Heating Up

The debate over school property taxes is heating up in Harrisburg. Democratic Governor Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers are trying to balance the authority of school boards to increase taxes against a budget deal that would raise the state sales tax to finance reductions in school taxes.

Public Forum on How To Protect Your Drinking Water in Aliquippa Tonight

How to protect your local drinking water. That’s the focus of a public forum in Aliquippa tonight. “Protecting Your Drinking Water: A Public Forum” is being sponsored by the Citizens To Protect Aliquippa Water and the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa. Robert Steffes chairs the residents group and is a new member of the water authority. He tells Beaver County Radio they will discuss with residents how to develop a water protection plan. The forum will be held tonight from 7:30 to 9 in the cafeteria of the Aliquippa Junior-Senior High School.