Governor Tom Wolf will head into 2017 with perhaps even bigger challenges than his first two years in office. Wolf, of course, is a Democrat. He will face Pennsylvania’s largest Republican majorities in decades in his re-election year. The state government’s deficit looks as bad as even and there is talk of another drawn-out budget stalemate. For now, the governor is changing strategy. For the first time, Wolf says he’ll give lawmakers a budget proposal that doesn’t include a major tax increase.

Near Pittsburgh, a Homestead woman has been arrested in a stabbing that critically injured a man on Christmas morning. Allegheny County public safety officials said police and emergency medical responders were called to a Homestead residence just before 10 o’clock Sunday morning. They found a 55-year-old man with a stab wound to the chest. He was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital in critical condition. A 56-year-old woman is accused of having stabbed the victim during an argument. Police say she will face charges of aggravated assault and evidence tampering.

In McKees Rocks, police say a five month old boy, his grandmother and uncle died in a fire on Christmas Eve. The fire was reported shortly after 6 o’clock Saturday morning in a two story home in Stowe Township. Allegheny County medical examiner’s office identified the victims as 50-year-old Linda Tschudi, 29-year-old Michael Tschudi Jr. and five month old Gabriel Gilkis. Fire Marshal Martin Jacobs said the child was found on the second floor while the adults were found at the bottom of the stairs.

The Steelers are the AFC North champ;ions by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-27 Sunday. Quarterback Ben Rothlisberger threw a four yard scoring pass to Antonio Brown with nine seconds left to secure the win. The Steelers close out the regular season Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Pennsylvania State Police is adding patrols in Beaver, Lawerence, Mercer and Butler counties this holiday season.  Increased patrols are starting midnight Friday and go until midnight Monday.  Last year, there were nearly 50 crashes during the four days surrounding Christmas.  Nearly ten-percent were alcohol-related, and one resulted in a death.  More than 550 citations were handed out in 2015, including 19 drivers arrested on suspicion of DUI.

The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School is looking for a new board of trustees member.  The school board is accepting applications to fill the seat left vacant by Director Francis Komara of Midland.  He resigned December 1st to spend more time with his family.  Applications will be accepted until January 9th.

We now know who will be sending out the property tax bills for 2017. Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti was at this morning’s work session at the county courthouse and says that the commissioners – not county treasurer Connie Javens – will be sending out the bills this time. A heated exchange took place at this morning’s meeting between Javen and commissioners Sandie Egley and Dan Camp, with Javens charging that the commissioners have a vendetta against her and that they are singling out her office with  various complaints.  Javens told Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning that her treasurer’s office will collect the taxes.

At least two, and possibly three, people were seriously injured in a head-on crash in Independence Township last night. A supervisor with the county Emergency Dispatch Center says the accident happened shortly after 10:30 last night on Route 30 in Independence. The supervisor said at least two people were transported for medical treatment. The names and conditions of the victims have not been released at this time.

Authorities have charged 30 people after a six-month-long investigation into drug sales in several Beaver County communities. According to a release sent by the New Brighton Area police department, warrants were served Tuesday in Beaver Falls, New Brighton, Aliquippa and Ambridge. So far, 17 people have been arraigned. Many of those charged stemmed from sales of heroin and cocaine to confidential informants. Police have not yet named those who have been charged.