(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The New Brighton Borough Council held their first meeting of 2023, but the first order of business honored two former citizens for their longtime dedication.

Two proclamations were given for longtime city employees: James Campbell for his work on the New Brighton Sanitary Authority for 38 years (including several as chairperson) from 1985 to 2022, and Bill Edwards for his work at the New Brighton School District (as former principal and social studies teacher) and New Brighton Business District Authority (1989 to 2017). The proclamation ceremony was presided over by borough president Robert Hartwick.

The Central Business District was front and center on Thursday night’s agenda, as the board unanimously passed Ordinance 1268 regarding new parking restrictions in downtown. “It will make three changes,” stated borough manager Tom Albanese. “The first being that there will be a 72-hour parking restriction in the 200 blocks of 8th Street, 9th Street, and 10th Street. That would then require us to number all of the parking stalls within the downtown. And finally, any vehicle that is not fully removed within one of those numbered parking stalls within the posted time limit would be subject to penalty.” Albanese also stated that the changes would take effect immediately, pending the process of properly numbering the parking stalls according to the ordinance.”

The council members also unanimously approved the hiring of Tyler Kelosky as a full-time police officer on the borough staff. A bid package for improvements to the fishing park and Big Rock Park was authorized by council approval, as was the authorization for advertising a used 1995 Chevrolet G30 van previously used by the Public Works Department. The bills were paid at a total of $1,107,825.52.

The Treasury Department is seen near sunset in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The Treasury Department projects that the federal government on Thursday will reach its legal borrowing capacity, an artificially imposed cap that lawmakers have increased roughly 80 times since the 1960s. Markets so far remain calm, as the government can temporarily rely on accounting tweaks to stay open. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department says it has started taking “extraordinary measures” as the government has run up against its legal borrowing capacity of $31.381 trillion. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to congressional leaders Thursday urging them to act to raise the debt limit. Frictions between President Joe Biden and House Republicans are raising alarms about whether the U.S. can sidestep a potential economic crisis. Markets so far remain calm, as the government can temporarily rely on accounting tweaks to stay open. That means any threats to the economy are several months away. But this particular moment seems more fraught than past brushes with the debt limit.

File – A help-wanted sign hangs in the front window of the Bar Harbor Tea Room, Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Bar Harbor, Maine. On Thursday, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits in the U.S. reached a four-month low last week, a sign that employers are holding on to their workers despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to slow the economy and tamp down inflation. The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of Americans applying for jobless aid for the week ending Jan. 14 fell by 15,000 to 190,000, from 205,000 the week before. The four-week moving average of claims declined by 6,500 to 206,000. About 1.65 million people were receiving jobless aid the week that ended Jan. 7, an increase of 17,000 from the week before.

FILE – Actor Alec Baldwin attends a news conference at United Nations headquarters, on Sept. 21, 2015. A Santa Fe district attorney is prepared to announce whether to press charges in the fatal 2021 film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Baldwin during a rehearsal on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said a decision will be announced Thursday morning, Jan. 19, 2022, in a statement and on social media platforms. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Actor Alec Baldwin and a weapons specialist will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer who was killed on a New Mexico movie set. The Santa Fe district attorney issued a statement Thursday announcing the charges against Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who supervised weapons on the set of the Western “Rust.” Halyna Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe in October 2021. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at her when the gun went off. Officials said the assistant director who handed Baldwin the gun has signed an agreement to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Photo of the scene by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 19, 2022 11:40 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA) Firefighters were dispatched to the 1600 block of Seventh Avenue on Wednesday, upon arrival, there was no fire, just smoke that had to be removed from the building. The cause wasn’t reported by Beaver County 9-1-1.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is highlighting safe driving tips in conjunction with Winter Driving Awareness Week, which runs through January 21.

As the winter season is underway, drivers should prepare their vehicles for the winter by checking fluid levels, lights, defrosters and windshield wiper blades, in addition to ensuring proper tire air pressure and adequate tread depth. If maintaining the vehicle is a challenge for the owner, these minor checks can be conducted by an auto care professional.

Emergency kits should be replenished each season to keep motorists and their passengers safe in the event they are stuck in the vehicle. Supplies may include non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. Kits can be tailored to the specific needs of the individuals in the vehicle, with items such as baby supplies, extra medication, pet supplies or even children’s games.

Motorists are reminded the law requires drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of the law are subject to a fine of $50. Additionally, motorists can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious injury.

PennDOT also advises drivers to stay in during inclement weather unless it’s necessary to be out. If traveling is necessary, practice the following winter driving tips:

• Use low beams in snowy weather;
• Keep the gas tank at least half full;
• Reduce your speed;
• Increase the following distance from the vehicle in front of you; and
• Use extra caution on bridges and ramps, where ice can form without warning.

Additionally, when encountering a plow truck on the road, give it plenty of space, staying at least six car lengths behind. There may be blind spots where it is difficult for the plow operator to see the smaller vehicle. Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a “plow train,” and keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle.

To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking 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. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

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

For more PennDOT information, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter.

For regional twitter updates, visit 511PAPittsburgh.

As efforts continue to create a positive, prosperous Commonwealth for Pennsylvania’s future generations, House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) will be hosting a press conference to highlight the vision of the committee and to introduce the deputy policy chairs.

Chairman Kail; Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Cumberland/Adams); Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland); Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana); Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks); and others.

WHEN:     Monday, Jan. 23, at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:  Ryan Office Building Atrium

LIVESTREAM: Barring any technical difficulties, the press conference will be streamed online at www.PAGOPPolicy.com, www.PAHouseGOP.com, www.RepKail.com, www.Facebook.com/RepKail and www.Facebook.com/pagoppolicy.

File Photo

Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) and members of the House Republican Policy Committee will be hosting a hearing titled “Constitutional Amendments – Why We Care” on Senate Bill 1, a joint resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide for a two-year window for victims of childhood sexual assault to file previously time-barred claims, to authorize the General Assembly to disapprove regulations, and require voters to present identification when casting a ballot.

Chairman Kail; members of the committee; Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair/Huntingdon); David Taylor, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association; Grant Gulibon, environmental specialist for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau; and others.

WHEN:     Monday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m.

WHERE:  House Majority Caucus Room, Room 140, Main Capitol

LIVESTREAM: Barring any technical difficulties, the press conference will be streamed online at www.PAGOPPolicy.com, www.PAHOUSEGOP.com, www.RepKail.com, www.Facebook.com/RepKail and www.Facebook.com/pagoppolicy.

File Photo
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 19, 2022

At Tuesday night’s  supervisors meeting  it was announced that they are evaluating the current municipal building’s renovation. Bill DiCioccio, chairman, said that the current site plan for the municipal complex  is also being evaluated. A tax assessment appeal filed by Kohl’s  Department Store  has been settled. The  value of the building   has been  updated. The agreement with Potter Township to provide them with police services  was also approved.