The massive, multi-billion-dollar Shell ethane cracker plant that is being built in Potter Township is expected to use an estimated $100-million worth of steel, but an investigative report done by WTAE-TV’s Paul Van Osdol claims that the steel used to build the cracker plant may come from China, instead of coming from local steel companies. Van Osdol spoke with Mike Romigh in an interview on Teleforum this morning. A Shell spokesman says the company has not yet decided where the steel will be produced.

A fire on Anchortown Road in South Beaver Twp.  occurred around 7 p.m.  last night, according to Fire Chief Keith Girting. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, the home sustained a lot of smoke damage, and damage to the right side of the  home.  Cause of the fire was an outside wood burner.  Noone was home at the time.  Firefighters rescued 2 dogs, Chief Girting said. The home is owned by John  McCarter, Jr.

PA Senator Camera Bartolotta, 46 District representing a portion of Beaver County held a teleconference last night on issues  such as the opiod crisis facing the state,, property tax reform, domestic violence,  and the  public   school budget crisis, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. Some callers felt that the domestic violence laws aren’t sufficient.Many callers were from Greene County, only a few from Canonsburg.  She addressed those at length, not so with other callers. Constituents were able to address Bartolotta on the issues during the one hour conference.   She held a  poll on some of the issues that were addressed. She said if property tax is eliminated personal income tax   could rise to 4.9%  School taxes would have to be paid until the debt is erased.She said I’m looking to help areas like Beaver County. she said seniors can’t afford the high property taxes, and I can’t stand to see seniors lose their homes. Bartolotta addressed the problem of school funding, she said the  $2 billion dollar deficit is due in part to  the pensions.  She said the formula needs changed.  Several teachers in Beaver County have to pay out of pocket for classroom needs. Bartolotta is  scheduled to  have a representative in H opewell. at the Municipal building on Monday morning.. The representative is scheduled the second Monday of every month.

Cindy Baldrige, Principal of St. Peter and Paul Catholic School was on
“A.M. Beaver County” Tuesday, January 31st from 8:40 – 9:00 a.m.    The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2017 is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.

The Wolf administration is planning to close Pittsburgh State Prison. Governor Wolf made the announcement yesterday, saying the move will save money. Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy says he wasn’t surprised by the announcement, but he did concede that the closure will have an effect on his office. Guy tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that the closure will mean increased travel time to transport jail inmates who receive state prison sentences and will add an additional cost to the budget.