Tom Zelesnik, retired executive director of the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit, spent 44 1/2 years in education is now  one of eight circuit riders , advocates from across the state advocating school funding spoke at last night’s Aliquippa School Board meeting.  According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Zelesnik said the  program  focuses more on in investment in public education and is funded by the William Penn Foundation out of Philadelphia. Zelesnik told the board, “Don’t be fooled by the Property Tax Independence Act. After hearing Zelesnik’s talk about the program the board unanimously adopted a resolution opposing a resolution to eliminate school property tax. The board approved salaries for spring sports coaches Baseball head coach Danny Bible , $3,762.70, asst. John Simmons, $3,215.60, softball head coach Ray Pranskey, %4,182.90, asst. Charles Brantner, $2,788.60, track and field (boys and girls) Sherman McBride, $5,882.80, asst. coach, Vashawn  Patrick, $3,058.90. Supt. Dr. Pete Carbone announced that the boys basketball playoff game against Charleroi is at Baldwin High School at 2 :30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets will be on sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the high school office, Adults $7, students $5, no  tickets will be sold at the game.

Budget director Ricardo Luckow discussed preliminary figures on the state of Beaver County finances with an audit about four months down the road. Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti, according to Luckow, the actual county debt in 2015 was 9-point-one million dollars. 2016 ended with the county between one and two-million in the red. Seven million dollars from bond refunding and 1-point-two million from the early retirement program helped pay down the debt. As for current expenditures, wage increases to county employees currently total 5-hundred-forty thousand dollars.

Retired crossing guard Mary Ann Rapp was honored by Ambridge Borough Council upon her retirement after 18 years service at last night’s meeting.  According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Council president Mike Mikulich presented her with a plaque  thanking her .. he said that she protected thousands of kids on Duss  Avenue  during her tenure.Mrs. Jula said she misses the kids . Council is submitting a request for a grant  to the local government academy  to9 fund an intern to develop and implement a Business Investment Strategy  plan to develop and promote the downtown and historic district, the borough would pay 1/2 the cost, borough manager Joe Kauer said. Council is also seeking a Beaver County CDBG grant for $124,120 for storm water  outfall, and an application for $43,602.50 for 6th St. and Melrose Ave. , the area is located across from St. Peter and  Paul Church, Kauer said where a  blighted building  was located. Borough manager Kauer said 14 streets are listed for repaving  in the borough this year.  It was also announced PennDOT they plan to repave Route 65 Ohio River Blvd. that includes replacing traffic signals,

A highly intoxicated  male struck the Applebee’s in Center Twp last night with his vehicle at approximately 6:30 p.m., according to Center Twp. Police Chief Barry Kramer.  Chief Kramer tells Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano that the unnamed individual  fled the scene and officers caught up with him and took him into custody.  He kicked a Medic-Rescue worker,in the ankle, causing the worker to fall to the ground, he was extremely intoxicated, combative , assaulted several police officers, kicking them, spitting on them. He will be charged with aggravated assault on the police officers, the Medic-Rescue worker, and the QRS responder from the Center Vol. Fire Department.  He will also be charged with terroristic threats because he threatened to kill the Medic Rescue responder.  He was apprehended near Walmart, chief Kramer said.  the individual’s name will be released once the charges are filed.