The proposed cracker plant in Potter Township is on the minds of many, even those not from the  area. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the panel discussion was hosted by the Beaver County chamber of Commerce and included PA Auditor General Pittsburgh native Eugene DePasquale. The auditor general told  the crowd of about 100 that a tax credit  for the proposed site was approved under former Governor Tom Corbett.  DePasquale said with education and training  we can assure that Pennsylvanians get the available jobs at the cracker plant. This is about  job training, we have to make sure we’re ready to go!!. John Goberish, dean of workforce development and continuing education at CCBC said process technology is available and 8 students graduated out of a class of 45 Engineering anf building and construction trades classes are offered.  In the fall, STEM classes will convene (SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND MATH)  will be offered. Members of the local building trades unions were on  the panel that included Jill Valentine of PSU continuing education dept. who said  there  are new programs at the  due to the change in the industry environment. Trades unions have received grants for the training of workers , according to the panelists from those unions.  A representative of WORK READY  reported  that 500 skilled workers have been hired, and we’re going  to communities making sure we have the workers ready to start. DePasquale was interviewed by several media including print and television after the 1 1/2 discussion.  DePasquale said an audit is being done to determine  if there is enough education and training through an audit.

Center Township board of supervisors  announced last night that the SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL  project  completed by Penn DOT is not acceptable, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. The  area is Center Grange Road to CCBC.  Supervisor Richard George said   the paving is unacceptable.  Engineer Ned Mitrovich of Lennon, Smith, and Souleret said no work on the project will be done until spring. Township planning Commission director Frank Vescio said the two hotels under construction  behind Columbia Gas  will bring the number of hotels in the township to 9. Home 2 Sweets  will have 107 rooms, and Hilton Garden will have 147 rooms.  Vescio said that they are  being built by Millcraft .

The Pennsylvania Lottery announced today that a record $2 million Cash 5 jackpot has been shared by three winning tickets sold in Beaver, Allegheny and Lehigh counties. The numbers drawn last night — 03-04-12-15-39 — mean each ticket-holder wins $666,667, less applicable tax. The others were sold at the Marathon convenience store, 3608 Broadhead Road in Monaca.  The record Cash 5 jackpot, which actually totaled $2,000,001, had been growing since Jan. 7.

The Beaver Valley Mall has been sold for 24-point-2 million dollars. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust – the Philadelphia-based company that previously owned the mall – announced the sale on its website last night. The Beaver Valley Mall had been on the market since June. The name of the buyer has not been released.