Today kicks off a series of 2017 Beaver County budget hearings that will be held in the commissioners’ conference room of the Beaver County courthouse. There will be a total of 38 meetings that will include the county commissioners, financial administrator Ricardo Luckow and the row officer/ department head who oversees the particular section of the budget that’s being addressed. Today’s meeting begins at 2 p-m and will involve the coroner, the library commission, central services, records management…and victim witness. The meetings will continue thru December 1st.

As the Beaver County Commissioners face another sizeable budget dilemma for next year, they have some questions they’d like answered before they vote on the new budget. Budget director Ricardo Luckow told the commissioners yesterday that they face a 10-million-dollar deficit in 2017. But commissioners Tony Amadio and Dan Camp told Mike Romigh on Teleforum on Beaver County Radio this morning that they want to know more about revenues. Comissioners chairwoman Sandie Egley did not appear on this morning’s program.

Aliquippa City Council met last night  in executive session and once they reconvened,  terminated firefighter Christopher A. McCune, based on a ruling by the fire civil service commission.  According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, he had been suspended without pay for operating  the city’s ladder truck and had a blood alcohol level of .22. Engineer Ron Rizzo and  City Administrator Sam Gill  met with Penn DOT Dist. 11  last Monday  about hazardous steps going up to the Henry Mancini Bridge.   Council voted unanimously last night to remove the steps., instead of replacing them.  Had they been replaced it would have cost $62,000. City Administrator Gill outlined what was discussed at last week’s Vacant Property and Blight Review Committee’s  briefing on what it is expected of them.Coordinator Alicia Hunt Williams and Gill  prepared a chart showing the eight zones in the city  and explained what is expected of the committee members, and council and the public were given an overview last night. Mayor Walker said that the city does need help to  get us on the right track.” A city guide will be  printed  for all residents listing regulations, events, and other valuable information , he said.  The last one was printed in 2012. Councilman Donald Walker announced that all 4 Little Quips football teams  are playing for the championship, and he’s coached 15 years and it’s the first time all 4 have made it to the championship.

Fedele Eberhardt, 25, of Aliquippa is being sought  by Aliquippa police on a felony warrant for  the shooting of a 23 year old resident last Wednesday evening, Chief Don Couch said. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the shooting took place on Plan 11 extension.  Eberhardt absconded from state parole, and is armed and dangerous Chief Couch said.

Beaver County Budget Director Ricardo Luckow told commissioners today that they face a 10-million-dollar budget deficit for 2017. According to Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti, Luckow says all departments have submitted their budgets for next year and most were not able to cut the budget to 12 percent, as recommended. A meeting to formally adopt a budget for next year is scheduled for December 28th.

The Beaver County Recorder of Deeds office is warning local residents about a group that is targeting senior citizens. A Harrisburg-based company – Local Records Office – is selling people their own deeds for 89 dollars, when in reality, you can get it locally online for free! Jan Beall – Recorder of Deeds – appeared on Teleforum this morning, explaning to Mike Romigh what it’s all about. She says it’s technically not a scam because what they’re doing is actually legal. But don’t be fooled, she says….you can call her office for more information or visit the county website at www.beavercountypa.gov and toggle down to “Recorder of Deeds”.