MIDWAY – To provide gun owners with the information they need to be responsible with their Second Amendment rights, Rep. Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) will be hosting a concealed carry seminar on Wednesday, April 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the McDonald Sportsmen’s Association, located at One Sportsman Way, Midway.

 

“As gun owners, it is our responsibility to know how to safely operate our firearms and work within the law, particularly for anyone with a concealed carry permit,” Kail said. “This seminar is a convenient opportunity to become more informed.”

 

Jim Stoker, president of Firearms Owners Against Crime-Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action (FOAC-ILLEA), will share information and answer questions about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws.

 

While there is no charge for this seminar, space is limited. Please RSVP to Kail’s district office at 724-728-7655 or online at RepKail.com to reserve a spot.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At a time of year when many schools, clubs, and other groups are very busy, the April 5 work session proved that the Beaver County Commissioners were no exception to the rule.

The meeting started with Public Works director Dan Colville notifying the Commissioners that there is an issue with power at Brady’s Run Lodge, and that the current status for its restoration remains up in the air. The Lodge is the main site for the upcoming Maple Syrup Festival on April 22 and 23, and there are traffic restrictions in the area with the power lines down.

“There’s actually a wire down,” Colville stated, “the main road is closed down going through the park.” Colville added that the delay to response for the Lodge is due to the priority of returning power to all residences in Beaver County following this past weekend’s storms.

Solicitor Garen Fedeles informed the Commissioners that Governor Josh Shapiro has mandated that Norfolk Southern set up a $1 million fund to help assist those dealing with the fallout from the East Palestine train derailment for Pennsylvania residents. “We’re still in the process of trying to get clarification from the governor’s office on what [are the] parameters, or how that money should be spent,” Fedeles said, adding that it’s still unclear how much money Norfolk Southern will pay.

The Commissioners addressed the request for an inspection for the public garage next to the Beaver County Courthouse, and if a full renovation and repair of the facility is needed. Dan Colville pointed to recent discoveries of water damage and “chunks of concrete falling from the ceiling” as to major concerns for the garage, and the Commissioners decided that the next phase would be to hire a professional engineer to give a full inspection. The repairs to the garage could come at a price surpassing $1 million.

Following the Commissioners’ remarks, they were given a presentation from the non-profit Inspired Hearts & Hands, presented by founder/executive director Mindy Schnitgen along with Sue Vogel. The organization headquartered in Gibsonia is looking to bring its programs for helping and assisting children to Beaver County, having started some of its programs in the Freedom School District as a “lily pad”.

The meeting concluded with praise for District Attorney David Lozier following the evacuation of Hopewell High School one week prior while all parties involved dealt with the possibility of an active shooter on campus–a possibility that turned out to be a hoax. The Commissioners shared their emotional testimony of the situation, and gave credit to the DA and its staff for the preparedness of the students, teachers, and officers in the school district.

The next Commissioners’ work session is scheduled for 10:00 AM on April 12.

Ohio – The season is underway for 1,071 student athletes participating in the Pennsylvania State High School Target League (PASHSCTL) this spring. Those athletes are competing on 44 high school teams across the state, supported by over 250 coaches, team staff, and other volunteers.

“Parents want safe, school-based, non-traditional outdoor activities for their students. They want their youth to have the sense of belonging and camaraderie that team activities provide without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional high school sports.” said John Nelson, President of the USA Clay Target League, the program’s parent organization.

“Every year 95% of non-graduating students return to participate in the League’s programs, and nearly 9,800 new athletes joined the League this spring through their school’s teams nationwide. In the League there are no benchwarmers – everyone participates thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches, and parents that make teams flourish.”

For high school athletes, their nine-week spring season is already underway, and will conclude May 20th. The season is followed by State Tournaments in June, leading up to the High School National Championship in July.

About the USA Clay Target League

With over 47,000 participating athletes in the 2022-23 school year, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.

The League the only 100% school-approved clay target shooting sport program in America. Every team must have school approval to participate. Most participating schools have lettering programs as well as yearbook inclusion for the teams. In addition, tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships are provided to qualifying seniors by the League and post-secondary institutions each year.

The League’s co-ed and adaptive nature are key attractions to schools nationwide: it’s fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team, and it’s an ‘adaptive’ sport, which allows students with physical disabilities to take part.

The League’s priorities are safety, fun, and marksmanship – in that order.

The League is the safest sport in school, with not one reported injury since the inception of the League in 2001. Each athlete must complete firearm safety certification before participation.

Kennywood – Pittsburgh’s Thrill and Entertainment Destination – launches its season-long celebration of 125 years starting April 22 and 23 by honoring First Responders with free admission. All first responders, including Police, Fire, Dispatch, Corrections, EMTs, Military Personnel, and Healthcare Workers, will receive free admission for themselves and discounted admission for up to four (4) friends and family members at the gate with proof of valid identification. There is no better way to begin this momentous season than by celebrating the brave individuals in our community and showing our appreciation for their hard work and sacrifices.

Also starting with opening weekend, Kennywood kicks off the all-new 125^th Celebration Weekends. Over the first five weekends of operation, April 22 through May 21, the park celebrates decades of thrills and innovation. This special event will pay tribute to the eras of the park’s past with entertainment, nostalgic photo opportunities, historical displays, commemorative giveaways, and specialty merchandise honoring the past 125 years.

The fun continues with a non-stop line-up of thrills with the biggest birthday party all season long. With the debut of the first ride of its kind in the U.S., Spinvasion, coming Memorial Day Weekend, plus an expanded Bites & Pints Food & Drink Festival, and much, much more – Kennywood’s 125^th season cannot be missed.

For more information about First Responder Days, 125^th Celebration Weekends, and Kennywood’s 2023 Season, visit Kennywood.com.

President Joe Biden adjusts his microphone during a meeting with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says it remains to be seen if artificial intelligence is dangerous. But he says technology companies have a responsibility to make sure their products are safe before making them public. Biden met Tuesday with his council of advisers on science and technology about the risks and opportunities that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence pose for individual users and national security. Artificial intelligence burst to the forefront in the national conversation in recent months after the release of the popular ChatGPT AI chatbot. That helped spark a race among tech giants to unveil similar tools, while raising ethical and societal concerns about technology that can generate convincing prose or imagery that looks like it’s the work of humans.

FILE – The General Motors logo is displayed outside the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, Jan. 27, 2020, in Hamtramck, Mich. General Motors is offering buyouts to most of its U.S. salaried workforce and some global executives in an effort to trim costs as it makes the transition to electric vehicles. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

DETROIT (AP) — About 5,000 white-collar workers at General Motors took the company’s buyout offers, which the automaker says is enough to avoid layoffs at this time. GM says in a statement Tuesday that the offers will save about $1 billion per year in costs, about half of the $2 billion it wants to cut annually by the end of 2024. The company now has about 58,000 salaried workers in the U.S. Last month GM offered buyouts to white-collar workers with at least five years of service, and global executives who have been with the company at least two years. The offers come as the auto industry is in the midst of a transition from internal combustion to electric vehicles.

FILE – Airmen with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron use a forklift to move 155 mm shells ultimately bound for Ukraine, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Officials say the U.S. will send Ukraine about $500 million in ammunition and equipment and will spend more than $2 billion to buy an array of munitions, radar and other weapons in the future. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration says the U.S. will send Ukraine about $500 million in ammunition and equipment and spend more than $2 billion to buy an array of munitions, radar and other weapons for that country in the future. The latest aid comes as Ukrainian troops prepare for a spring offensive against Russian forces and as NATO foreign ministers discuss how the military alliance can step up its support for Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says much of the ammunition will be taken from military stockpiles so it can be in the war zone quickly.

Former President Donald Trump appears in court for his arraignment, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York. Trump surrendered to authorities ahead of his arraignment on criminal charges stemming from a hush money payment to a porn actor during his 2016 campaign. (Timothy A. Clary/Pool Photo via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump turned his head toward photographers as he sat, stone-faced with shoulders rounded, at the defense table in a downtown Manhattan courtroom. “Not guilty,” he said in a firm voice during a historic appearance before a judge. Trump became the first U.S. president — former or current — to be charged with a crime.

Prosecutors state in a 34-count felony indictment that Trump conspired to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election through hush money payments to two women, including a porn performer, who said they had sexual encounters with him. In addition, charging documents say a payoff went to a doorman who claimed to have a story about an out-of-wedlock child allegedly fathered by Trump.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump struck a defiant pose, raising a clenched fist as he exited Trump Tower for the short ride from midtown to lower Manhattan. He wore a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie. Television news helicopters followed his motorcade’s route, allowing viewers around the world to see the Republican former president arrive at New York County Criminal Court.

But demonstrators who gathered at a park across the street were unable to glimpse Trump as he made the short walk from his SUV into the courthouse for the arraignment. Trump supporters, many in red hats, decried the district attorney’s actions, while counter-protestors cheered the indictment. They were nearly outnumbered by police officers and journalists. The court appearance lasted about an hour, and the small crowd dwindled after word spread that Trump had left the building.

(BVARA File Photo)

The Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association will celebrate it’s 100th Year anniversary with a week-long series of events and celebrations to respect and commemorate the founders of our organization.    The BVARA, the oldest amateur radio club in Western Pennsylvania, has a long, proud heritage of helping the community in times of emergency including floods, tornadoes, power failures, and many special situations.  For the kick-off event, the BVARA will erect and operate a remote, fully functional  ham radio station at the softball fields in Brady’s Run Park Saturday April 15th and 16th.   All amateurs and any interested person are certainly invited to attend, observe, and possibly participate in the activity.            

The seven day long observation commences Saturday April  15th at 9:00 am to Sunday 6:00 pm on the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands.  At the ball fields, many styles of interesting antennas will be deployed for optimum performance.   Club members expect to receive many on-air calls from other hams throughout the United States and Canada.  If atmospheric conditions are favorable, they expect to receive hundreds of calls of congratulations from around the world.  The public and any interested person of any age is certainly invited to observe and learn what a great hobby amateur radio is.  Please join us. 

The usual club call sign of W3SGJ will be swapped to the “special event station” callsign of W3S.The Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association encourages all amateur radio operators to contact the Special Event Station(s).  Those who do will receive a commemorative  “QSL card”, a special postcard that signifies a confirmed radio contact.  A special certificate is available to those who make multiple  contacts with the club.  Additionally there will be operations from member’s “shacks” (home stations) during the week as well as dinners and other get-togethers.   The observance will be concluded the 22nd with another club operating session.  

We look forward to seeing you.  For additional information, please visit W3SGJ.org.

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Lawrence/Butler) today released the following statement regarding former President Donald Trump’s arraignment in New York City:

 

“This is another example of liberal politicians weaponizing the government for political gain. When parents showed up at school board meetings to voice concerns about what their kids were being taught, they attacked and silenced them. When citizens challenged the oppressive restrictions during the pandemic, the left used the government to shame and shut them down. They have weaponized big tech to spread misinformation and silence the truth. Now, they are using the judicial system against President Trump because they can’t win elections on their own. The left has lost touch with Americans, and instead of abandoning their losing, extreme agendas, they are using their power to censor citizens and chip away at our freedoms.”