As the state budget impasse continues to drag on, with no end in sight, many Beaver County school districts are just hanging on by a thread, without any of the much-needed funding they’ve come to rely on from Harrisburg. Today Beaver County Radio News began a four-part series on what long-term impact this lack of a budget will have on local districts. Gary Ceccarelli -Business Manager for the Big Beaver Falls Area School District – tells us that they’re very close to bankruptcy. He says they’re probably be okay through June, but eventually they’ll need to take out a loan, raise property taxes and possibly even close their doors.
Category: News
Butler Man Charged In Skillet Attack At Group Home
Police say one man beat another with a skillet when they argued about doing the dishes at a charity-run transitional housing facility in Butler County. The Butler Eagle reports 26-year-old Joseph Parker faces a hearing March 28 on a charge of simple assault. The charges stem from an incident Feb. 18 at a home run by The Lighthouse Foundation. Police say 23-year-old Randy Fenstermaker Jr. told them that Parker didn’t like how Fenstermaker was washing the dishes so Parker grabbed a skillet and hit him in the head until it broke.
Dennis Nichols Speaking Out, Responds To Accusations of Current Board of Commissioners
Former Beaver County Commissioner Dennis Nichols is speaking out, and responding to accusations from the present board of commissioners and financial officer that the former board didn’t manage county finances very well, which they say contributed to a potential 17-million-dollar deficit. Nichols that’s not true, that he and former commissioners chairman Tony Amadio and former commissioner Joe Spanik managed are not guilty of mismanagement. Nichols – who recently changed his party affiliation to Democrat – is running for State Representative in the 15th District.
Double Shooting In Beaver Falls Under Investigation
New details are being released regarding a weekend shooting in Beaver Falls. Police Chief Charles Jones tells Beaver County Radio News that the shooting did not occur at Harmony Dwellings, as was earlier reported. Actually it happened early Saturday morning at an underage party in the 1000 block of 10th Avenue. Chief Jones tells me two juveniles were shot. One was treated and released for chest injuries…and the other victim – who was shot in the arm and leg – remains in the hospital and is listed in stable condition. Chief Jones says they are interviewing two persons of interest, but are getting limited cooperation from witnesses, so anybody who has any information on this shooting, please call the Beaver Falls police department at (724) 846-7000.
Unstable Road Causes Traffic Disruption In Hopewell
A section of Steuer Lane at Kane Road in Hopewell Township is closed to vehicle traffic indefinitely. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that, according to township manager Norm Krause Jr., the status of the road’s condition – which is unstable – will be discussed at next Monday’s township workshop meeting.
Wolf To Sign Executive Order
Governor Tom Wolf today is set to sign an executive order ensuring that many state employees and state-contracted employees make at least $10.15 an hour. It is unclear exactly which workers the order would apply to. Pennsylvania is among 20 states with minimum wages at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour.
Bolland family guests on “The Lead Lap”
(Beaver County, PA) The temperatures really heated up figuratively and literally as a milder than normal winter has gotten Beaver County Radio listeners thinking about racing. Along that line, The the airwaves got revved up like a big block chevy at red line speed as Beaver County’s first family of racing, the Bollands were special guests
on the “The Lead Lap” which aired from 10 to 11 A.M. on WBVP and WMBA. Show sponsor Don Bolland, from Bolland Machine company, along with his sons, local dirt race car “trip 7’s” driver Kevin Bolland and crew chief, Keith Bolland Joined hosts Frank Sparks and Jason Colangelo.
Listeners were treated to lively discussion about local racing, local track schedules and National racing events during the one hour special racing oriented broadcast.
Coroner Identifies 25-year-old Found Dead Near Beaver County Creek
Authorities in Beaver County say they have identified the body of a 25-year-old man who was found near a creek. Andrew Verba, of Zelienople, was found in a wooded area in Marion, county coroner David Gabauer said. Verba was found around 6 p.m. near Connoquenessing Creek in the area of Veka Drive. The cause and manner of death have not been determined.
Central Valley Volleyball Coach Under Investigation
Police are investigating the reported inappropriate conduct of a Central Valley Volleyball coach. No charges have been made, but school administrators notified Center Township police about the coach’s alleged inappropriate communications with a student athlete. The school district has not identified which coach is under investigation, but the coach was relieved of his position Wednesday afternoon.
New Sewickley Police Searching For Missing Teenage Girl
New Sewickley Police are searching for a missing teenage girl. 15-year-old Jessica Coburn has been missing for over a month and is currently being considered a runaway. Coburn has ties to the Uniontown and Turtle Creek areas, but police have been unable to determine her location. She is 5’1′ tall with brown hair and brown eyes, has piercings in her ears and upper lip and has a tattoo of a miniature cupcake on her right thumb and a tattoo of birds extending from her right thumb to her wrist. Anyone with information on Coburn’s whereabouts cab call New Sewickley police at (724) 774-2473 or the Beaver County Emergency services at (724) 775-0881.