Democratic Gov. Tom wolf is rejecting a bill that would have limited the use of seniority when school districts have to layoff teachers. The bill passed the GOP-controlled House and Senate without any support from Democratic lawmakers.
State Rep. Jaret Gibbons (D-Franklin Township) has introduced a bill that calls for school districts and social service agencies to receive funding if the Legislature does not pass a budget by its annual July 1st deadline. Gibbons tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that last year’s budget impasse was a disappointing failure that should never happen again.
The American Red Cross is assisting residents who were displaced by a house fire in Rochester yesterday afternoon. The blaze broke out around 2:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Ohio Avenue. No one was injured but the fire displaced 10 young people who lived there, all between the ages of 19 and 26. Officials say the fire broke out on the back porch of the home and spread to the kitchen…causing about 30-thousand dollars in damage. The home is expected to be repaired within days.
A Superior Court panel will rule later on the appeal of a boy who was 11 when he was charged with killing his father’s pregnant fiancee and her unborn child in Lawrence County. A Lawrence County judge last year turned down Jordan Brown’s request to dismiss the charges or grant a new juvenile court trial. The three-judge Superior Court panel heard arguments from the defense Tuesday. Brown was charged as a juvenile and adjudicated delinquent in the February 2009 shotgun slaying of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk, who was eight months pregnant. Authorities say none of the evidence points to anyone but Brown, who is now 18. The defense contends police rushed to judgment and appealed on the grounds that the evidence was insufficient.
Pennsylvania State Police have identified the body found in the Ohio River in the Haysville/ Glenfield area. The discovery was made around 11:30 Monday morning. Investigators have identified the man as 31-year-old Yusef Ahmed, who was reported missing last week. No further details have been released.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court is set to hear the appeal of a judge’s refusal to grant a new juvenile court trial for a boy who was 11 when he allegedly killed his father’s pregnant fiancee and her unborn child in 2009. The court previously sided with Jordan Brown. But when a Lawrence County judge last year refused to dismiss the charges or grant a new trial, the Wampum teen appealed again.
Center Township Road chairman Richard George said that catch basins will be part of the road department’s upgrade of 10-15 roads in the township. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the engineering firm of Lennon, Smith, and Souleret went over the bids, and $1.3 million is budgeted for the roads.
The Center Twp. Board of Supervisors has authorized solicitor Nick Urick to investigate who owns a vacant home at 113 Cherry Lane in the township. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that a resident living in the general area said the property is not kept up.
A 2013 law that increased gas taxes and motorist fees is helping 109 Pennsylvania municipalities – including one here in Beaver County – improve their traffic signals. The Wolf administration says it is distributing 12-million dollars in grants for PennDOT’s Green Light-Go program. Ambridge borough will receive more than 16-hundred dollars to replace L-E-D’s at the intersection of Route 989 (Eighth Street) and Duss Avenue.
Francisco Cervelli and the Pittsburgh Pirates came to terms on Tuesday to a three-year deal, which reportidly is worth $31 million.
The 30-year-old catcher hit .295 with 17 doubles, five triples and seven home runs in 2015 to help the Pirates advance to the postseason for the third straight season. He started 124 games behind the plate, a career high and most by a Bucs catcher since Jason Kendall started 145 in ’04.
Cervelli is a .284/.360/.382 career hitter in parts of nine Major League seasons with the Yankees and Pirates.
Photo courtesy of Frank Sparks