Educators voice concern of Pennsylvania immigrant student protections

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: Schoolgirl rising her hand at geography lesson. Rear view)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Immigration policy changes under the Trump administration are instilling fear in Pennsylvania schools, as educators and advocates warn of their effects on students and families. Over 62-thousand immigrant children are residents in the Keystone State. Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner with Moms-Rising says children are living in fear of family separation and a terrified child in a classroom full of fearful children can’t learn or thrive. Pittsburgh Public Schools’ website states that ICE requests to access student information or school grounds must be reviewed by the district’s Law Department and the Superintendent’s Office. ICE officials cannot access students without prior legal approval and required documentation.

Pennsylvania State Representative continues to urge for Pennsylvania private and public elementary schools to teach cursive handwriting

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this April 9, 2020, file photo, Sunnyside Elementary School fourth-grader Miriam Amacker does school work in her room at her family’s home in San Francisco. Teachers across the country report their attempts at distance learning induced by the pandemic are failing to reach large numbers of students. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Luzerne County, PA) A Pennsylvania State Representative is proposing legislation to make Pennsylvania another state to have its private and public elementary schools teach handwriting in cursive. On January 8th, State Representative Dane Watro started legislation which would bring cursive as another part of the Pennsylvania Public Schools Code for “subjects of instruction.” Public schools in twenty-three states teach cursive, which include Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. 

 

Hopewell Senior High School holds first-time Unified Robotics Competition

(File Photo of Hopewell High School Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hopewell, PA) Hopewell Senior High School hosted a Unified Robotics Competition last week with over one hundred students from schools around the area for the first time. The event focused on both robotics and coding as robots were timed in a race and specific tasks had to be completed by the robots themselves through the coding of the students. Fields in STEM were also incorporated through the company Unified Robotics, while the school got support from local organizations such as CCBC and Penn State Beaver.

Conway recycling plant catches fire

(File Photo of Conway Fire Truck and Fire Department Station 49)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Conway, PA) On Wednesday, a Beaver County recycling plant was spotted with smoke rising through it. According to Beaver County emergency dispatchers, emergency crews went to Freedom Conway Recycling on Crows Run Road in Conway for this incident. The initial report from investigators was that a dumpster fire occurred. There were no reported injuries.

Driver hits tree and goes off of Hardins Run Road in single-vehicle crash

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hanover Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a single-vehicle crash occurred in Hanover Township on January 11th, 2025. According to police, at 3:12 a.m., an unidentified female driver did not have control of her truck on Hardins Run Road. The driver went down the side of a hill after going off the road and then hit a tree. The vehicle had to be towed following the incident.

Police investigating theft of 100,000 eggs from the back of a Pennsylvania trailer

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Eggs are seen for sale at a Safeway, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

ANTRIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The heist of 100,000 eggs from the back of a trailer in Pennsylvania has become a whodunit that police have yet to crack.

Four days after the theft that law enforcement say could be tied to the sky-high cost of eggs, no leads have come in, Trooper First Class Megan Frazer, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police, said Wednesday.

“We’re relying on leads from people from the community. So we’re hoping that somebody knows something, and they’ll call us and give us some tips,” she said.

Police are also following up with any possible witnesses and looking into surveillance footage that could help them identify the perpetrator as they race to solve the mystery.

“In my career, I’ve never heard of a hundred thousand eggs being stolen. This is definitely unique,” said Frazer, who has a dozen years on the job.

Bird flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost in the summer of 2023. And it appears there may be no relief in sight with Easter approaching.

The average price per dozen eggs nationwide hit $4.15 in December. That is not quite as high as the $4.82 record set two years ago, but the Agriculture Department predicts egg prices are going to soar another 20% this year.

The 100,000 eggs were snatched from the back of Pete & Gerry’s Organics’ distribution trailer on Saturday about 8:40 p.m. in Antrim Township, according to police.

They are worth about $40,000, which means this crime is a felony, Frazer said.

Pete & Gerry’s Organics LLC said in a statement that the company is working with law enforcement to investigate the theft.

“We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible,” the statement said.

 

Real ID preparation from AAA

(File Photo of AAA site)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) May 7th, 2025 is the deadline for those in Pennsylvania and around the United States to have a real ID. According to a release from AAA, to get a real ID, you must have a proof of identity in either a valid passport or the original or certified copy of your birth certificate. The release also states that you need two proofs of your present Pennsylvania address, a proof of all legal name changes and your social security card. Thirteen centers in the State offer a real ID as soon as you go in. However, you must pay a fee that is one-time of $30 and a renewal fee after the upgrade for a real ID.

According to the same release from AAA, here are some options and inquiries to get a real ID and what you need to get one.

Options and inquiries for obtaining a REAL ID:

  • Customers who have been pre-verified may order their REAL ID online, and their REAL ID product will be mailed to them within 15 business days.
  • Visit any PennDOT Driver License Center to have documents verified and imaged.  The REAL ID will be sent in the mail within 15 business days.
  • Visit one of 13 REAL ID Centers statewide to have documents verified and imaged and receive a REAL ID on-site.
  • Anyone who received their first driver’s license or photo ID after September 2003 may be able to pre-verify for REAL ID. To determine if the required documents are on file with PennDOT, visit www.PennDOT.gov/REALID. Additionally, travelers can consult PennDOT’s website with any questions regarding REAL ID.

What you need for a Real ID:

  • Proof of identity (Original or certified copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal or valid U.S. Passport).
  • Proof of Social Security number (Card must be original and the name on the S.S. card must match the identity document).
  • Proof of all legal name changes (Marriage certificates or court orders approving a legal name change).
  • Two proofs of current, physical PA address (examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or ID, a PA vehicle registration card, or a computer-generated utility bill showing your name and address).

You can click below for a link for the locations to get a real ID.

Click here for the link to find the locations for the 13 Pennsylvania REAL ID Centers.

Cancellations and Delays for Thursday, 02/06/2025

 

Thursday, February 6th, 2025

 

                         School or Organization       Cancellation or Delay  ( If blank no cancellation or delay reported)
  Adelphoi Education in Rochester
  Aliquippa Area School District                 
  Ambridge Area School District                                                 
  Avonworth Area School District                                                 
  Baden Academy Charter
  Beaver Area School District           
  Bethel Christian-Racoon Twp.       
  Beaver County CTC          
  Beaver County Christian School           
  Beaver Valley Montessori School
  Big Beaver Falls Area School District         
  Blackhawk Area School District           
Butler County Community College (All Locations) Opens at 9:30 A.M. Thursday morning 
  Center at the Mall in Monaca            Closed Thursday (All Activities Cancelled)
  Central Valley School District         
  CCBC
  CCBC School of Aviation Sciences
  Chippewa Alliance Church
  Cornell School District
  Early Years (All Locations) 2 hour Delay Thursday Morning
  Eden Christian Academy
  Ellwood City Area School District 2 hour Delay Thursday Morning
  Freedom Area School District  
  Head Start of Beaver County -All   Centers
  Hope Academy- Conway
  Hopewell School District
 Life Family Pre-School
 Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter   School
  Mc Guire Memorial EOC     
  Mc Guire Memorial School
  Midland Borough school District
  Montour Area School District
  Moon Area School District
  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus                       Pre-school (Moon Twp.)
 My Family Preschool in New Brighton
  New Brighton Area School District
  New Horizon-Beaver County
  North Catholic High School 2 hour Delay Thursday Morning
  Our Lady of Fatima-Hopewell
  Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
  Parkway West CTC
  Penn State-Beaver
  Provident Charter School West
  Quaker Valley School District
  Riverside Area School District   (Beaver  County)
  Road to Emmaus Baptist Church in Beaver Closed Thursday (No Service and No Zoom)
  Rochester Area School District
  Seneca Valley School District 2 hour Delay Thursday Morning with a Modified Kindergarten
  Sewickley Academy
 South Side Beaver School District
  Sto-Rox School District
 St. James School of Sewickley
  St. Kilian Parish School in Cranberry 2 hour Delay Thursday Morning
  St. Monica Catholic Academy (Beaver Falls)
  St. Peter & Paul (Beaver)
   St. Stephen’s Lutheran Academy in Zelienople 2 Hour Delay Thursday Morning
  Vanport VFD
  West Allegheny
  Western  Beaver

 

 

PennDOT and PA Turnpike Update Vehicle Restrictions Ahead of Winter Weather

(File Photo)

Go to 511PA.com or the 511PA smartphone app for the most up-to-date information on weather impacts and vehicle restrictions

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and the PA Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) are updating planned vehicle restrictions in response to updated weather forecasts. Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and to exercise caution when driving.

Vehicle restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for personalized alerts on the website. Restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe. Restrictions can be changed based on conditions on the roadways, and reports from first responders, law enforcement and PennDOT and PA Turnpike personnel.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the Breezewood exit to the Harrisburg East exit.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • PA Turnpike I-70/76 from the New Stanton exit to the Breezewood exit.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • PA Turnpike Northeast Extension I-476 from the Lehigh Valley exit to the Clarks Summit exit.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • I-70 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the Maryland border.
  • I-79 from PA Turnpike I-76 to the end of I-79 North.
  • I-80 from Exit 4 to Exit 173.
  • I-81 from the Maryland border to I-80.
  • I-83, entire length.
  • I-99, entire length.
  • I-376 from Toll 376 to I-80.
  • Route 22 from Route 119 to I-99.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 4:00 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • I-78, entire length.
  • I-80 from Exit 173 to I-81.
  • I-81 from I-83 to I-80
  • I-180, entire length.
  • I-283, entire length.
  • Route 22/322 from I-81 to I-99.
  • Route 22 from I-78 and Route 33.

The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 7:00 AM on Thursday, February 6, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.

  • I-80 from I-81 to the New Jersey border.
  • Route 33, full length.

Under Tier 2 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:

  • Tractors without trailers.
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers.
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers.
  • Tractors towing loaded tandem trailers without chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs).
  • Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV.
  • Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
  • Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.
  • School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches, regardless of the availability of trains or ATDs.
  • Motorcycles.

On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.

For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a free smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X.

To report an incident or emergency on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 on your mobile phone. The PA Turnpike will provide updates on their social channels, on their roadway and at all service plazas.

Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts or subscribe to news in a specific county or region. Find PennDOT news on X,Facebook, and Instagram. The PA Turnpike will provide updates on their social channels, on their roadway and at all service plazas.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center presents “Tom Sawyer: A Ballet” from February 20th-23rd at their Main Stage Theater

(Photo Courtesy of Rick Orienza, Director of Marketing and Relations at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Midland, PA) Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center will present the musical, “Tom Sawyer: A Ballet,” from February 20th-23rd at the Main Stage Theater. This compelling story retells the Mark Twain tale with folk dancing, comedy, and ballet with a live orchestra. Tickets are $18 at LincolnParkArts.org or you can call 724-576-4644 for the Lincoln Park Box Office. The shows start at 7:30 p.m. on February 20th, 21st, and 22nd, as well as at 2 p.m. on February 22nd and February 23rd. You can see Lincoln Park’s upcoming shows and events in the link below:

https://www.lincolnparkarts.org/events