The Aliquippa Fire Department received a call  just after 5 p.m. for a house fire in the 500 block of Beaver Ave in West Aliquippa, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.   A fire department spokesman said there were downed wires blocking the street, which caused power to be out for a short time.  A cause for the downed wires wasn’t known A home on the street had minimal damage from the sparking wires, but no major damage to the exterior. Duquesne Light  was called and restored power to the area, the spokesman said..

During the Ask the Commissioners’ segment during Teleforum on Beaver County Radio this morning, Beaver County Commissioners Tony Amadio and Dan Camp refused to discuss the update that the solicitor Andrea Cantelmi had on Friendship Ridge and why it was reserved for executive session. When asked by Mike Romigh if the public deserves to know that information, Commissioner Amadio responded, “Yes, eventually”, but declined to give specifics of their discussion with Cantelmi.

Aliquippa City Council  is accepting  applications for full time police officers, according to Beaver County News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  Two officers quit, one was fired last year, and one retirement has resulted in the need for more officers to be hired, according to police Chief Don Couch.  Applicants can  pick up applications at the city building between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Council approved  a motion to request HUD monies for the demolition of the Union Grill, Joseph Building, and the old P.M. Moore building , owners didn’t respond , and the properties are on the county repository list,.   Zoning and code enforcement officer Mike Demcak said the structures continue to collapse  and a court order is needed   and we’re reaching out to  the county to tear the structures down.  Union Grill is on Franklin Ave., PM Moore is on Dtation St. and the Joseph Building is located on the corner of Hopewell and Franklin Avenues. Mayor Dwan Walker and councilman Mark Delon were appointed to  be the city’s reps on the Beaver County Council of Governments. City administrator Sam Gill said that  municipalities  collaborate to make purchases collectively to same money  and resources.  Gill and Mayor Walker spoke on the Beaver County Partnership and how  it can help the city  with blight and clearing out old buildings  Walker said  it will bring about change , and we have to be vigilant.and with pooling  of resources, the city has the biggest need  Mayor Walker will represent the city  on February 10 at a HUD meeting. The blight and vacant property committee will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. in the city building, Demcak said.  Zone assignemts and strategies will be discussed at that time.

Walmart in Economy was searched, evacuated, and locked down yesterday afternoon after police received a call  around 1:30 p.m. that a man with a gun was entering the store, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  Chief Michael O’Brien said the call came from a fast food store next door, and officers from New Sewickley, Baden, Conway,  Harmony Township and Ambridge assisted in the search  and the man hadn’t entered the store. The man never  entered the store there was no gun, and the male was found at the fast food restaurant. Chief O’Brien said there was no threat, and the store was reopened, it was just a misunderstanding.

Beaver County Radio News is investigating unconfirmed reports that a manhunt is underway following the evacuation of the Economy Borough Walmart. Newsman Pat Septak called the Walmart office today and they would tell us “We have no comment”. Our own Sandy Giordano is in the process of trying to track down the Economy borough police chief, and as soon as she does, we will have a full report on Beaver County Radio.