Category: News

Hopewell Police Officers explain SRO program

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 12, 2024 2:54 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Hopewell Township Police officers Jared Rogers and Miles Newton explained the School Resource officer program in the Hopewell Area School district. The 2 officers explained that the program has been in effect for 6 years and was preceded by the DARE program and having a juvenile officer in the schools.

Officer Rogers explained that with new legislation and training for officers, the SRO program was introduced and mandated by the state. Both officers go to all 3 elementary schools, Officer Newton goes to the junior high school, along with Officer Newton, and Officer Rogers is at the high school. The officers said the biggest issue in the junior and senior high schools is vaping.  Sanctions are filed against the students by the district and they are cited by the Hopewell Police Department.  There are detectors in the bathrooms, and the SRO’s check the cameras when the detector goes off. They both comment that the they think the students enjoy seeing them in the schools.

I-376 Parkway West Nightly Ramp Closures Next Week in Robinson and Collier

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing nightly ramp closures on I-376 (Parkway West) in Collier and Robinson townships, Allegheny County, will occur Monday through Friday night, September 16-20 weather permitting.

Nightly ramp closures on I-376 will occur next week from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to the following schedule:

  • Monday night through Tuesday morning – Ramp from northbound I-79 to westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) towards the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • Tuesday night through Wednesday morning – Ramp from northbound I-79 to westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) towards the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • Wednesday night through Thursday morning – Ramp from southbound I-79 to westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) towards the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • Thursday night through Friday morning – Ramp from southbound I-79 to eastbound I-376 (Exit 59A) towards Pittsburgh

Traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detours

From northbound I-79 to westbound I-376

  • Continue northbound on I-79
  • Take the Crafton/Moon Run (Exit 60) exit
  • Turn left onto Route 60 (Steubenville Pike)
  • Turn right onto the southbound I-79/Washington ramp
  • Take southbound I-79 to the westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) exit toward the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • End detour

From southbound I-79 to westbound I-376

  • Continue southbound on I-79
  • Take the Carnegie (Exit 57) exit
  • Turn left onto West Main Street
  • Turn right onto the northbound I-79/Erie ramp
  • Take northbound I-79 to the westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) exit toward the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • End detour

From southbound I-79 to eastbound I-376

  • Continue southbound on I-79
  • Take the Carnegie (Exit 57) exit
  • Turn left onto West Main Street
  • Turn right onto the northbound I-79/Erie ramp
  • Take northbound I-79 to the eastbound I-376 (Exit 59A) exit towards Pittsburgh
  • End detour

Crews will conduct milling and paving operations.

This $12.6 million I-376 Parkway West preservation project is located between the Campbells Run Road (Exit 62) interchange and I-79 (Exit 64A) exit in Robinson and Collier townships. Work includes milling and resurfacing, base repair, structure preservation and rehabilitation, with signage, guide rail, drainage, pavement marking upgrades. Motorists will see daytime and overnight lane restrictions on the Parkway West, overnight single-lane closures on five I-79 interchange ramps, and as needed weekend lane closures on I-376.  Additionally, in the summer 2025 an approximate six-week full closure and detour will occur on Boyce Road and the two associated ramps at the interchange. The project is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2025. Northeast Paving is the prime contractor.

Sheetz featured as second in Fortune’s list of Best Places to Work in Retail in America

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 11, 2024 at 10:40 A.M.)

(Altoona, PA) Sheetz has been recognized by Fortune and Great Place to Work as their second-best place to work in retail in the United States of America. The popular convenience store in Western Pennsylvania has been ranked on Fortune’s list for the ninth consecutive year, while Wegman’s takes first place and Target took third. As Sheetz celebrates their highest Fortune ranking ever, they are featured on a list of companies that Fortune highlights thanks to their business success, as well as them showing respect to both their employees and their communities. 

 

Charles Wesley Godwin and his six bandmates of Beaver County performing at Stage AE again on Friday

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 11, 2024 at 10:06 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) A band made up of mostly Beaver County natives, Charles Wesley Godwin and the Allegheny High, will perform at Stage AE in Pittsburgh this Friday. This is their third time there, and their first appearance included headlining country singer Zach Bryan. They also played alongside Grammy-winning country superstar Luke Combs and have been featured on shows including “The Jimmy Kimmel Show” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”  

Box tree moth discovered in Pennsylvania for the first time and currently puts Erie County in quarantine

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 11, 2024 at 10:00 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvanians should be aware of an insect that is threatening the environment. The box tree moth has been discovered here in Pennsylvania as a new insect in North America and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture located the bug in two cemeteries in Erie County, which caused the county to be quarantined. The moth destroys the largest selling evergreen shrubs in the United State, boxwood trees, and are spread from the shipping and selling of the infected trees. These bugs have already been spotted in Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Ontario, Canada. 

UPMC Children’s Hospital fundraiser is increasing care for residents and their families

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published at September 11, 2024 at 9:55 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) A fundraising campaign was arranged on Tuesday thanks to the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. The company is looking to bring up health disparities, upgrade clinical care, increase research, and to enhance the caring experience for both their patients and their families. The UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation has raised over $147 million and they are aiming for a goal of $200 million, which would make the event the largest fundraiser in the history of the Pittsburgh hospital. 

Pittsburgh couple pleads guilty for disturbing protests on University of Pittsburgh campus with somke bombs and fireworks

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 11th, 2024 at 9:49 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) After a protest on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus last year, a Pittsburgh couple has pleaded guilty in court for throwing smoke bombs and setting off fireworks. Bryan and Krystal DiPippa were involved in an incident in which Bryan let off two smoke bombs near a bunch of patrons waiting for a guest speaker. Several police were also injured when the fireworks were thrown by the couple after police were trying to stop various other protesters. Both were charged with obstruction and law enforcement during civil disorder, while Bryan faces one conspiracy charge. A judge gave a sentencing for the couple for the date of January 6, 2025, and they also are looking at up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. 

Tributes for victims of September 11th attacks being held in Shanksville as people honor them across the United States

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 11, 2024 at 9:44 A.M.)

(Shanksville, PA) On the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, on September 11th, 2024, people here in the United States will be paying tributes all around the country. In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the Flight 93 National Memorial tribute will start at 9:45 a.m., and President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Former President Donald Trump will make an appearance to honor the victims. A private wreath laying ceremony will also be held. According to reports from the Associated Press, President Biden and Vice President Harris will visit the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. after the ceremony, while Former President Trump will visit both a fire station and the 9/11 memorial in New York City. 

Source of Photo: FILE – In this Sept. 11, 2002, file photo, the sun rises on Mt. Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone, S.D. as the flag is flown at half staff in honor of the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the United States. President Donald Trump is planning to kick off Independence Day weekend in South Dakota with a show of patriotism _ fireworks popping, fighter jets thundering overhead and revelers crowding beneath a piece of classic Americana _ Mount Rushmore. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch, File)

Blood supply still fragile after blood emergency; donors urged to help save lives this fall

[Sept. 9, 2024] — In September, the American Red Cross stresses the continuing critical need for blood products to ensure patient care. Donors of all blood types are asked to give now to keep blood supply levels rising after a summer shortage. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed. 

 

A steady increase in lifesaving blood products is vital to ensuring hospitals stay ready for any situation this fall. As National Preparedness Month continues, the Red Cross highlights the importance of having a strong supply of blood products already on hand for disasters and emergencies of all kinds and to meet the needs of patients every day.

 

Now is the time to book an appointment and help patients counting on lifesaving transfusions. To schedule a time to give blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. In thanks, those who come to give Sept. 1-15, 2024, will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last. 

 

All who come to give Sept. 16-30, 2024, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall. 

 

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

 

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Pitt fires athletic director Heather Lyke months before her contract was set to expire

FILE – In this March 20, 2017, file photo, Heather Lyke makes remarks during a news conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The University of Pittsburgh has fired athletic director Heather Lyke, a somewhat surprising move that came a few months before Lyke’s contract was set to expire.

Pitt chancellor Joan Gabel made the announcement Monday.

While Gabel thanked Lyke for her leadership, Gabel also noted that with the landscape of college athletics changing rapidly, she felt it was time for a fresh start.

“We need a new vision and a new leader of our athletics department,” Gabel said in a statement.

Lyke arrived at Pitt in 2017 and helped the Panthers start to find their footing in the Atlantic Coast Conference after treading water in their initial years following their departure from the Big East.

The football program won its first ACC title in 2021 and her decision to hire Jeff Capel as the men’s basketball coach in 2018 helped bring that program back to life. The women’s volleyball team has become a national power and the men’s soccer team reached the College Cup twice, 2020 and 2022.

In a statement posted on social media, Lyke thanked the many she worked with at Pitt.

“Today, I reflected of the wise words from a mentor: ‘If you leave a place better than you found it, you can be proud of your work,’” she said. “I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of the student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors and community members that I have had the privilege to serve alongside at the University of Pittsburgh.”

Lyke’s most ambitious project was “Victory Heights,” a $240 million facility currently under construction next to the Petersen Events Center. When completed, Victory Heights will serve as the home for 16 of Pitt’s 19 intercollegiate programs and will accommodate seating for up to 3,000 for volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics.

The building, launched in 2020 just before the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025.

Lyke, however, will not be around to see her vision come to fruition. She was in the final months of a contract that ran through 2024 but had explored other options lately, most recently when she was a finalist for the athletic director job at Northwestern.

The Wildcats ended up hiring Villanova athletic director Mark Jackson for the job.

Gabel said the school will launch a “comprehensive search” for Lyke’s replacement. Jennifer Tuscano will serve as interim athletic director until the search is complete.