Pittsburgh Roman Catholic Bishop David Zubik is calling for tighter restrictions on gun purchases, with improved background checks and with limits on high-capacity weapons, such as the one used in the June 12th mass murder of 49 people at Orlando, Florida’s Pulse nightclub. Bishop Zubik – who has extensive ties to Beaver County – also called for improved mental-health treatment. His statement alluded not only to the Orlando victims but also to the five adults and an unborn child killed by gunfire at a Wilkinsburg backyard cookout in March and to the murders of nine at a Charleston church last year. Zubik grew up in Ambridge, where he attended St. Veronica High School.  After his ordination, he was named vice principal of Quigley Catholic High School in Baden and chaplain to the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse and to students at Mount Gallitzin Academy.

Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that he wants to publicly respond to accusations made by County Commissioners Chairwoman Sandie Egley that his department is consistently over budget. Egley made the comments during the commissioners’ work session earlier this week. Sheriff Guy is on currently on vacation but he told us by phone that he plans to talk to WBVP-WMBA Radio News on Monday morning to address this issue.

Yianni’s Restaurant on Sheffield Road in Aliquippa was the scene of a fire yesterday afternoon. The fire was reported at 3:15 p.m. Beaver County Radio Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that heavy fire, smoke and water damage was significant in the kitchen. The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire. Center and Hopewell Fire Departments assisted Aliquippa at the scene. The cause has not been determined.

The Aliquippa School Board met last night and approved the retirements of Assistant Elementary School assistant principal Dennis Drevna and elementary Gifted Education Teacher Debbie Frank. Drevna taught several years before becoming assistant principal.. Frank taught in the district 31 years Both are effective June 30.

Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the board also approved the 2016-2017 budget of $23,312,442.00. Real estate taxes will be 232 mills on land, and 36 mills on buildings. The 2015-16 millage was 224 on land, and 34.75 on buildings.

Salaries for the 8 clerical and secretarial staff members in the district were approved by the board.

THE HOPEWELL AREA SCHOOL BOARD MET LAST NIGHT AND ADOPTED ITS 2016-17 budget of $39-million dollars. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, real estate taxes will be 72.2 mills. The millage is an increase of 2.2 mills from 2015-16.

Giordano says that the board adopted a resolution requesting that the county’s chief assesor direct inspection and reassessment of all taxable properties within the district to which major improvements were made after 9/1/15. Those properties were not included in the tax duplicate for fiscal year 7/1/16 and ending 6/30/17.

The district hired Keelen Fiedler as InnovateED teacher to head the STEAM program for grades 5 through 8 in the district.

Deborah Skiba was hired as a transportation nurse effective May 26, 2016, The purpose of the hiring was to transport students to a Pediatric facility at the former Johnson Street School when necessary.

The board’s next meeting is July 26 at 7 p.m. in the Central Administration Building.