Category: News

Hopewell Area School Board Rejects Fact-Finding

The Hopewell Area School Board rejected 2 fact finding reports from the PA Labor Relations Board regarding fact finders reports on contracts for the secretaries and aides, and the second one for the custodial and maintenance staff. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, the reports stemmed from the collective bargaining  units of the secretaries and aides, and the custodial and maintenance staffs.

Pittsburgh Region Gas Prices Expected To Drop Soon

Gas prices could be soon going down in the Pittsburgh region , according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. She spoke with Tony Tammaro, director of police and communications for Senator Elder Voge, Jr.  Our gas prices are 10-15 cents more here because odf the road and bridge conditions that had to be rehabilitated, and we are nearing the final line with the appropriate regulatory bodies in the process our region will soon see cheaper gas prices as a result..  Gas tax here in our region rose 8 cents on January 1, a total of 58 cents in tax is currently being paid, Tammaro said.

Orthodox Christmas Celebrations Underway In Beaver County

Today begins the celebration of Orthodox Christmas.  According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Father Branislav Golic ,pastor of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa announced that Badnjdan service begins at 9 a.m. with confessions, 9:30a.m divine. liturgy, 4 p.m.is cutting of the Yule Log at the Serbian picnic grounds.  A children’s program  reenacting the Birth of Christ is at 4:30 p.m.  At 10 p.m. tonight the  Christmas Eve service  will be held, and the Feast of the Nativity service is at 10 a.m., Sunday, the second day of Christmas  service is at 10 a.m. The Feast of St. Stephen  divine liturgy is at  10 a.m. Father Golic his brother Father Vladislav, who has a parish in Lackawanna, N.Y., the sons of a Serbian priest   who lived in Bosnia shared his memories about  going out before sunrise to the woods in  search of a young oak  tree.  The young oak tree is used as a yule log , and there  is no Christmas tree he explained. They brought the yule log to church.
They had to walk to church  3 miles  away with the badnjak in frigid temperatures  , he explained Badnjivece meal consists of the warm pogaca(fasting bread), baked, sauerkraut, and other fasting foods.” Father Golic said the parishioners had to walk about 5 miles and the spirit of Christmas warmed the church. He said, “It truly felt like we were in a cave”We would truly enjoy the Birth of the Newborn King.” .After church, they walked home , the  straw under the table  contained   candy or nuts and he and his brother were in search of the treats.  The celebration was only with immediate family, he said.  On the family table was the traditional lighted candle, the wheat which was planted on St. Nicholas Day,  and the icon depicting Christ’s birth.
Father Robert Perpelka, pastor of St. John’s Orthodox Church in Ambridge said that the Christmas Eve Service, known as the Holy Supper begins at 8 p.m. tonight and on Christmas Divine Liturgy is at  9:30 a.m. Christos Razahdajetsja (Christ is Born)Slavite Jeho!  Glorify Him!! (Russian) In Serbian the greeting is Mir Bozi, Hristos se Rodi, Voistinu se Rodi!!. Father Perpelka has a multi ethnic parish , he explained, not just Russian, Carpatho Russian, or Ukrainian .He has been busy baking , and one of his traditional favorites are medovniki (honey cakes). Joe  Kauer, Ambridge boro manager shared his story about Orthodox Christmas his family attends St Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in  Carnegie  . The family and friends joining them will have a traditional ham dinner and many pastries . They attend the church’s midnight service., he said.
I (Sandy Giordano) GREW UP IN ALL ALIQUIPPA AND I ATTEND ST.ELIJAH SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, AND STILL DO,SERBIAN CHRISTMAS MEMORIES ARE PLENTY. THE PREPARATION FOR THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IS NOT COMMERCIALIZED  LIKE DECEMBER 25.  On St. Nicholas Day psenica (wheat seeds) are planted in special soil and watered daily.   The wheat represents  the ‘NEW LIFE” After Christmas  the wheat is fed to the birds. The wheat is sold as a fundraiser for our choir. WHILE THE WOMEN OF THE HOUSE ARE BUSY PREPARING FOR BADNIJDAN (CHRISTMAS EVE)  the men of the house set out before dawn in search of a young oak tree  that they will cut down  for  the badnjak (yule log) that will burn throughout the Christmas season. Straw is strewn under the family table commemorating the manger where the Christ Child was born. The women prepare the pogaca(fasting bread),   grai crumpir(bean soup), the pastries for the Christmas feast which includes the chesnica (coin bread). Attending badnjak services at church at 4 p.m., matins at 10 p.m. with responses by the St. Elijah Choir , and on Bozic (Christmas Day) The women of the house continue preparing the chicken noodle soup, Serbian potato salad, sarma, ham, and preparing the table that is never empty during the feast , just replenished. The men of the house roast the pig on  a spit specially made to hold a whole pig.  Many  Serbs just order the delicacy from  those that specialize in roasting   the  pig. The pig’s head has the traditional apple in its mouth and is placed in the center of the Christmas table. At the beginning of the feast my grandfather would propose a toast to Christmas . As a child I went to Sunday School, belonged to the youth group, sang in the junior choir, and later the St. Elijah Choir which was directed by  the late Veda Milanovich and my kuma (godmother) Natalie Rebich.  Being in the choir offered a lot of activities such as caroling which is no longer done . The one memory that I cherish is my  kum ( godfather) the late Eli Rebich coming to our house Christmas Eve with the gifts he had for my brother, sister, and I.  He usually came after matins, and sometimes we crept down the steps wishing him :Mir Bozi, “Hristos  se Rodi” Many times we visited on Christmas at their home. When I was small, my great grandfather presented us with an apple or orange on Christmas, which is a Serbian tradition to have children receive fruit , nuts or candy . This is a special time of year for me with the memories, my dad loved Christmas, it was his favorite holiday My mom always was busy in the kitchen if we had guests.  My dad’s parents hosted a dinner for family and kumovi which made it extra special.  I look forward to more Christmas memories being made this year I was unable to be home last year because of an auto accident I was in the hospital  and unable to celebrate Christmas, my granddaughter’s birthday, and my son’s birthday.  I hope Christmas 2017 is a happy safe one for all.

Warming Centers Available To Public In Beaver County

The following Warming Centers will be available to the public on January 6th, 9th and 10th from 9:00am to 4:00pm:

The Cornerstone – 1217 7th Avenue, Beaver Falls

New Brighton Municipal Building – 610 Third Avenue

The Franklin Center – 524 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa

The Ladle and The Hearth – First Presbyterian Church at 9th and Maplewood, Ambridge

For more information, please call the Cornerstone at (724) 846-6400, ext. 14.

Ambridge Area Teachers Still Looking For New Contract After Returning To Classrooms

Students are back in the classroom at Ambridge Area schools. The district’s 25-hundred students were back on campus yesterday after teachers held a strike for three weeks. Teachers are looking for a new contract, which has not been agreed to despite returning to work. Teachers have been working under an expired contract, which ended in June 2015. There are ten proposed dates between January 24th and March 2nd to get back to the bargaining table.

New Castle Man Facing Drug Charges

A New Castle man faces drug charges following an incident last week in Ellwood City. According to the Ellwood City Ledger 28 year old Anthony Moss Jr., of Phillips Street was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance last week after he was questioned by police in the parking lot of a convenience store, on North Street. Officers on patrol smelled marijuana from a vehicle parked in the lot being driven by Moss. Police found nearly 10 grams of marijuan in the car. The investigation is continuing.

Pat Catan’s In Green Garden Plaza Closed Fue To Flooding

A water line under the floor of Pat Catan’s in Green Garden Plaza  caused flooding on December 28, necessitating the store to be closed, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent.  A  supervisor for the store said they are hoping it will reopen in March.  All merchandise was removed , and workers are on the scene to fix the problem. Glimscher Management Group from Pittsburgh manages the company, according to township zoning officer John Bates

Ambridge Teachers Back To Work

Students and teachers in the Ambridge Area School District return to class today, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. No new talks have been scheduled  between the teachers union and the board to award a new contract.  Ira Weiss, district solicitor said yesterday that the state mediator hasn’t been in contact with the district to schedule any negotiations. The teachers contract expired on June 30, 2015.  Wages and health care costs are the sticking points, according to Chris Konkus , spokesperson for the teachers union .

Aliquippa City Council Searches For A New City Controller

Aliquippa City council held its reorganization meeting  and agreed to advertise  the opening for a city controller, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. Mayor Dwan Walker said that the former controller resigned from the elected position., and the post wasn’t filled.  Anyone interested that has an accounting and finance background must submit a letter of interest and resume   to the city. All other positions supporting city government, including the solicitor and engineer were reappointments. Council went into executive session for several  to discuss personnel issues at its regular meeting,  Following the executive session , council voted unanimously to implement a more cost effective way to monitor workers hours and cut down on payroll. Recent audits revealed that a system must be implemented  Options will researched before the new plan is put into place.
Mayor Dwan Walker announced that  25 small new businesses  are opening  in the city.  One that opened recently is a soul food restaurant.  He announced that the Burger King construction starts  next month.  Zoning and code enforcement officer Mike Demcak announced an orientation meeting for the Blight and Vacant  Property Committee will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the city building.