Midland borough manager Diane Kemp, Ohioville retires on June 30 after 14 years in the borough.  Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports Betsy McIntyre was hired at council’s April meeting to  be the secretary-treasurer, a newly created position. McIntyre said last night she’s getting used to her new position.  She’s been working closely with Mrs. Kemp to make  the transition.McIntyre  had been executive director of Midland Development Corp., was a consultant previously for the borough and drafted an economic development plan in 2013. Fred Miller, Lincoln Learning Solutions Communications director and editor of the Midland Today Magazine  worked closely with McIntyre on the publication, also retires June 30. Miller worked for East Liverpool’s Evening Review for several years before being hired by Dr. Nick Trombetta, founder of NNDS and PA Cyber.

State Police Lieutenant Eric Hermick, at a press conference yesterday in Beaver, said the extradition process has begun to bring accused murderer 26-year-old Edward Baker of Brighton Township back to this area. Baker is accused of killing Addaleigh Huzyak of Beaver. County Coroner David Gabauer said cause of death was a single gunshot to the head. According to Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti, Lieutenant Hermick said Baker is cooperating with police in Kentucky and is in good physical shape. The lieutenant said there is little information being made public, as to not to jeopardize the murder case.

At their work session yesterday, the Beaver County Commissioners agreed to look into the possibility of offering a second round of contract buyouts to workers who qualify. According to Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti, this time social services are being targeted, especially Children and Youth Services and Domestic Relations. Those who take the buyout would be encouraged to return to work at a substantially lower wage. The commissioners must now determine how many qualify for the buyout and how much it would save the county.

Another shooting in Aliquippa is under investigation. This one happened late last night. Police Chief Don Couch Jr. tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that a 19-year-old man was shot in the back in the 800 block of Davis Street. The victim was taken to a Pittsburgh trauma center. Police are talking to persons of interest but so far no arrests. The shooting comes one week after a 28-year-old man was fatally shot on McMinn Street in Aliquippa. His death was ruled a homicide.

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, plans a visit to Pittsburgh this weekend. Trump’s campaign confirmed that he will make an appearance at the Pittsburgh International Airport on Saturday. No details of the time or other plans for the event were released. Trump’s presumptive Democratic opponent – Hillary Clinton – had previously announced that she will be visiting Pittsburgh on Tuesday of next week.

We continue to gather local reaction to yesterday’s announcement that Shell has decided to build an ethane cracker plant in Beaver County. Tim Veith – General Manager of the Beaver Valley Mall – told Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning – that shoppers can expect to see lots of major changes at the mall over the next several years now that the announcement has been made. And State Representative Jim Marshall of the 14th District says he is pleased that Shell has decided to go ahead with the project, saying it’ll be a major jobs boost to the area.

Shell Chemical says it is definitely building a petrochemical plant in Beaver County that will recreate up to 6,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs at the plant once it begins production early next decade. The plant will be located in Potter Township. Shell says construction will begin in the next 18 months. Beaver County Commissioner Tony Amadio told Mike Romigh on Teleforum today that the county can expect to see business boom in the region now that the announcement has been made.

After failing to reach an agreement Monday, dozens of Beaver County workers, including many at the courthouse, went on strike this morning. Many courthouse workers, clerical workers and other union members of the Beaver County Commissioners Residual Unit went on strike at 7:30 a.m. The strikers said they are fighting for better wages and healthcare benefits. SEIU business agent Al Smith told Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning that the public has been very supportive of their cause. Smith also claims that Beaver County Commissioner Dan Camp nearly hit some of their members with a vehicle about an hour into the strike, but no one was injured. Camp also appeared on Teleforum, denying the allegations. Camp also said today on Teleforum  that their final offer to the union is fair and includes an 8.5 percent pay increase over three years. The union said they are prepared to fight for the long-term.