About a dozen state and local officials attended a roundtable discussion yesterday at Aliquippa City Hall yesterday to talk about preparing the town and its residents for the arrival of Shell’s ethane cracker plant. Jim Palmer – President of the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development – attended the meeting. He told Mike Romigh on Teleforum this morning that the meeting was productive and that the economic impact of the cracker plant will felt countywide and beyond. He believes other communities in Beaver County – in addition to Potter and Center Townships – are positioning themselves to take advantage of the potential economic benefits from the cracker plant. The Beaver County Commissioners were not in attendance at yesterday’s meeting. Commissioner Tony Amadio tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that a meeting of the Beaver County Retirement Board was held during that same time and that they had an obligation to be there. He called the scheduling conflict a “mistake” and says it was not designed that they missed the meeting.

The Aliquippa School District announced this morning that Saturday’s football game at New Castle starts at 8 p.m., not  7 p.m. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, District officials announced no backpacks are allowed in the stadium.

Nick Trombetta, founder of the Beaver County-based Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, has decided to plead guilty to federal charges related to siphoning about $1 million from the school. Trombetta, of East Liverpool, Ohio, was indicted in 2013. He was facing 11 counts of mail fraud, theft or bribery, conspiracy and tax offenses related to his involvement in entities that did business with PA Cyber. He is pleading to one count of tax conspiracy from January 2006 to July 2012 before U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti. When charges were filed,  prosecutors claimed the educator and entrepreneur stole nearly $1 million.

“Angie’s Tale”,  a book written by 10 year-old Jaylee Duncan of Aliquippa, a  fifth grade student at Baden Academy, was introduced at  last night’s BF Jones Memorial Library’s Summer Olympics. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Ms. Duncan held a book signing.  Anyone interested in the book can contact librarian Linda Helms at 724-375-2900. Helms said 18 children attended last night’s event  in the library’s garden. An obstacle course, javelin throw with a pool noodle, water balloon toss, a bounce house and bubble catching were featured.

A small group of city residents attended last night’s crime watch meeting in Aliquippa council chambers. According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Crime Watch chairperson Catherine Colalella told those present: “we need people to speak up if they see something unusual going on.”” She had Crime Watch signs that can be affixed on, Several violent crimes have taken place  in the city recently and all those present agreed that something needs to be done. Councilman Donald Walker told those present if you fear retaliation you can take info to the station .  The crime tips email line is also in operation, and if you see a crime and have photos they can be sent to the line, he said. The biggest complaint residents have is the drug traffic, and most aren’t from Aliquippa.  Several drug overdoses have taken place in the city recently. Another concern is inoperable street lights.  Residents were advised to write down the pole numbers off the tag and give them to Kelly Callen in the city building, and Duquesne Light will be called. It was announced last night that 3 men face 44 charges  in a recent rape  in the city.

The Hopewell Commissioners met last night  and approved a contract with Youngblood Paving , Inc., for the road improvement project for a total of $342,679. Township engineer Maria Hartman tells Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano that several roads will be paved. The township  is looking to hire a new employee for the road department; applications are due by August 31. Police Chief Brian Uhrmacher announced that  first aid and medical equipment has been installed in all department vehicles. The commissioners adopted a resolution  that will enable the police department to secure grant monies through the DUI GRANT PROGRAM .  Chief Uhrmacher said that the monies will be  shared by  local departments to set up DUI checkpoints . The township will be getting a Dairy Queen soon; the current one has been closed for a few years and is being remodeled; no other details were available. Township manager Norman Kraus, Jr. said that the 2 summer office interns  were done last week. He said, “I hope they want to come back next summer.”  He said he was very satisfied with their work.

The Class of 2020 from Penn State Beaver Campus, about 120 of them, came by bus to Franklin Center in Aliquippa on Saturday. The students mission was to paint wooden pallets to be placed on windows and doors in a blighted 2 block area of the town. Valerie McKelvy is the director of Serving U Beaver County and she told Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano,  “I believe the city has potential where the once flourishing business stood.” Students from all over the United States, not just Beaver and surrounding counties participated the project. The university’s director of student activities and residence life said “”We hope it becomes a tradition the program went well , and it allows for our campus to live outside the community and give back.” Students had orientation at the university on Friday, met with their advisers, and a bonfire was held Friday night .  Local art studio owner Marlon Gist assisted with the project.