Category: News

Students Go Back To School In Hopewell School District Today

It’s back to school for students in the Hopewell Area School District today.  According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Superintendent  Dr. Michelle Miller said  at last night’s school board meeting she and assistant superintendent Dr. Jacie Maslyk  will got to the schools and welcome the students back today. Dr. Maslyk said that the district is partnering  with  NASA and Montour School District in a project called Global Moonshot  for seventh and eighth grade students.   Two of the district’s teachers attended the training at the Carnegie Science Center , Dr. Maslyk said. Dr. Miller said there is a lot of enthusiasm for science and social studies in the district .   Nicole Lash, junior high school librarian applied for a PA Dept. of Education Library Technology grant for almost $30,000 for a video  production studio, that will include ipads, 1 IMax video camera , and lighting sound board. One of the district’s  junior high math teachers  attended a training   and 4 robotic kits were donated to the district for use in the classrooms, Dr. Miller said.
She also said she was inspired by her staff colle will be engaged in a proactively , paraprofessionals and the teachers  on Monday when they met Monday .  She said the event kicked  off instructional student engagement , and how the students can be lifelong learners.   Third graders  will have a program that is in intense in content, learning to read, and reading to learn, she said, there is a a lot of enthusiasm for the program . The school district was presented with a $675 donation for the ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROG from the San Rocco Cultural Committee  by Henry Bufalini,  a member of the band.  Bufalini said the district permitted  the band to rehearse prior to the  91st annual festa 2 weeks ago.  They used the high school  and junior high band rooms for rehearsal. Rob Harmotto ‘s daughter Christa brought a bronze medal home for volleyball from the Olympics in Rio, and Rob, who was absent from last night’s meeting was extended congratulations  by video conference call. Four years ago, Christa brought home a silver medal. Other local school districts that went back to school today include the Beaver Area Schools, The Big Beaver Falls Area School District, Ellwood City Area Schools, the Midland School District, grades K through 9 in the Quaker Valley School District and the Rochester Area School District.

New Burger King Coming To Aliquippa

Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker announced last night that Burger King is coming to Aliquippa. The popular restaurant will be located on the corner of Brodhead Rd and McLean Street.  No date for the opening was announced.

State And Local Officials Attend Roundtable Discussion In Aliquippa Regarding Shell Cracker Plant

About a dozen state and local officials attended a roundtable discussion yesterday at Aliquippa City Hall yesterday to talk about preparing the town and its residents for the arrival of Shell’s ethane cracker plant. Jim Palmer – President of the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development – attended the meeting. He told Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning that the meeting was productive and that the economic impact of the cracker plant will felt countywide and beyond. He believes other communities in Beaver County – in addition to Potter and Center Townships – are positioning themselves to take advantage of the potential economic benefits from the cracker plant. The Beaver County Commissioners were not in attendance at yesterday’s meeting. Commissioner Tony Amadio tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that a meeting of the Beaver County Retirement Board was held during that same time and that they had an obligation to be there. He called the scheduling conflict a “mistake” and says it was not designed that they missed the meeting.

PA Cyber Charter Founder Trombetta Pleads Guilty to Tax Conspiracy

Nick Trombetta, founder of the Beaver County-based Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, has decided to plead guilty to federal charges related to siphoning about $1 million from the school. Trombetta, of East Liverpool, Ohio, was indicted in 2013. He was facing 11 counts of mail fraud, theft or bribery, conspiracy and tax offenses related to his involvement in entities that did business with PA Cyber. He is pleading to one count of tax conspiracy from January 2006 to July 2012 before U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti. When charges were filed,  prosecutors claimed the educator and entrepreneur stole nearly $1 million.

BF Jones Memorial Library Book Signing Caps Off Aliquippa Summer Olympics Event

“Angie’s Tale”,  a book written by 10 year-old Jaylee Duncan of Aliquippa, a  fifth grade student at Baden Academy, was introduced at  last night’s BF Jones Memorial Library’s Summer Olympics. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Ms. Duncan held a book signing.  Anyone interested in the book can contact librarian Linda Helms at 724-375-2900. Helms said 18 children attended last night’s event  in the library’s garden. An obstacle course, javelin throw with a pool noodle, water balloon toss, a bounce house and bubble catching were featured.

Aliquippa Crime Watch Meeting Addresses Violence Crime, Drug Trafficking and Street Lights

A small group of city residents attended last night’s crime watch meeting in Aliquippa council chambers. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Crime Watch chairperson Catherine Colalella told those present: “we need people to speak up if they see something unusual going on.”” She had Crime Watch signs that can be affixed on, Several violent crimes have taken place  in the city recently and all those present agreed that something needs to be done. Councilman Donald Walker told those present if you fear retaliation you can take info to the station .  The crime tips email line is also in operation, and if you see a crime and have photos they can be sent to the line, he said. The biggest complaint residents have is the drug traffic, and most aren’t from Aliquippa.  Several drug overdoses have taken place in the city recently. Another concern is inoperable street lights.  Residents were advised to write down the pole numbers off the tag and give them to Kelly Callen in the city building, and Duquesne Light will be called. It was announced last night that 3 men face 44 charges  in a recent rape  in the city.

Hopewell Township Commissioners Meet To Discuss Road Improvement Project and First Aid

The Hopewell Commissioners met last night  and approved a contract with Youngblood Paving , Inc., for the road improvement project for a total of $342,679. Township engineer Maria Hartman tells Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano that several roads will be paved. The township  is looking to hire a new employee for the road department; applications are due by August 31. Police Chief Brian Uhrmacher announced that  first aid and medical equipment has been installed in all department vehicles. The commissioners adopted a resolution  that will enable the police department to secure grant monies through the DUI GRANT PROGRAM .  Chief Uhrmacher said that the monies will be  shared by  local departments to set up DUI checkpoints . The township will be getting a Dairy Queen soon; the current one has been closed for a few years and is being remodeled; no other details were available. Township manager Norman Kraus, Jr. said that the 2 summer office interns  were done last week. He said, “I hope they want to come back next summer.”  He said he was very satisfied with their work.