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.

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.

The Class of 2020 from Penn State Beaver Campus, about 120 of them, came by bus to Franklin Center in Aliquippa on Saturday. The students mission was to paint wooden pallets to be placed on windows and doors in a blighted 2 block area of the town. Valerie McKelvy is the director of Serving U Beaver County and she told Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano,  “I believe the city has potential where the once flourishing business stood.” Students from all over the United States, not just Beaver and surrounding counties participated the project. The university’s director of student activities and residence life said “”We hope it becomes a tradition the program went well , and it allows for our campus to live outside the community and give back.” Students had orientation at the university on Friday, met with their advisers, and a bonfire was held Friday night .  Local art studio owner Marlon Gist assisted with the project.

Trisha Hannah of Brighton Township has been hired by the Hopewell Commissioners to replace Pam Fiejdasz as the township’s new Recreation Director. Fiejdasz took a position in the Central Valley School District as a paraprofessional. Hannah is a 1999 Penn State University Park graduate and did internships and worked for several park and recreation boards before coming to Hopewell. She tells Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, “I want to try and serve a variety of variety of recreation programs , and get the township’s fall events organized.” Local musicians she said, are invited to attend the ‘COUCH POTATO JAM” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Pavilion 1. Refreshments and concessions will be sold.