Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Photos by Keith Walsh. Published January 11, 2024 3:25 P.M.

(Beaver Falls, Pa) An investigation is underway in Beaver Falls at the walking trail behind Geneva College. The coroner arrived at the scene around 2:30pm. We have heard unconfirmed reports that a deceased woman’s body was found along the trail. We have no further information at this time. Numerous departments are on scene.
Photos from the scene:

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — A police officer in Pennsylvania was shot and critically wounded early Thursday as he helped investigate two other shootings, authorities said.

The shooting in Scranton occurred around 4:30 a.m. and also left a suspect wounded, state police said. Both were treated at a hospital and were listed in critical but stable condition, but further information about their injuries was not disclosed.

The wounded officer was among several Scranton officers who were investigating two other shootings that had occurred in the city earlier in the evening, state police Maj. Mike Carroll said. When the officers encountered a suspect, gunfire was exchanged, Carroll said, but he declined to provide further details.

Neither the name of the officer nor the wounded suspect was released. No other injuries were reported.

The officer-involved shooting and the earlier shootings are all believed to be connected to gang-related activity in Scranton and its surrounding areas and were not random, Carroll said. He did not provide details on the earlier shootings but said no victims had been found as of Thursday afternoon.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

It was less than ninety days ago that the shovels were placed in the ground at the site of what would become the new Educational Discovery Center at Brady’s Run Park, a state-of-the-art facility that would showcase the ways that Beaver County excels in environmental efficiency and recycling practices.

However, as was made the focal point of the latest Commissioners’ work session, the progress of the Educational Discovery Center is at a standstill due to several major factors. The discussion about the feasibility of the EDC’s construction laid heavily on the fact that the project will require nearly double the initial cost expected, jumping from roughly $4 million to over $8 million.

Waste Management director Becca Naber, who is overseeing the project following former director Holly Vogt’s departure, faced a flurry of questions from the Commissioners and Row Officers regarding the project, which she stated was dealing with a floodplain issue at the site located along Park Road.

One person at the meeting who disclosed her concern about the cost was controller Maria Longo, who felt that taxpayers would not want to front that bill.

“The fact we’re still considering eight-and-a-half million for an Environmental Center without considering how much man power the County’s going to have to pay for…and all the other stuff…I’m a taxpayer, I still can’t believe we’re considering this,” Longo stated. She added that the aftermath of reassessment and an increase in bills would lead taxpayers to develop a similar sourness.

Naber countered by stating that the adjusted cost estimates for the project have inflation considered into the final numbers, noting that grant funding–if acheived–could help reduce any or all of the brunt that taxpaying citizens would have to deal with.

Commissioner Tony Amadio said that the best way to approach the current situation is to proceed cautiously, considering that costs may inflate even higher.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

PGT Trucking in Hopewell will be receiving $3.3 million in grant money from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to upgrade part of its trucking fleet with zero-emission vehicles.

State Representative Rob Matzie of Beaver County announced the funding yesterday that was awarded under the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program in Pennsylvania.

“All the improvements will save PGT Trucking on fuel and maintenance costs while cutting diesel emissions to our region. It’s an investment that’s also a great step into the future.”, Matzie stated.

Rep. Matzie also mentioned that there will be an additional $1.1 million in matching funds that will bring the total funding of the project to $4.4 million.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

As State Senator Judy Schwank described it: “It truly is amazing that we have something that no one else in the country has.”

That “something” is the 2019 Farm Bill that has been in ink for Pennsylvania farmers for five years, and on Wednesday–concurrent with the Annual Farm Show nearby–the Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees met with several local farmers and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding to discuss the impacts that the Farm Bill has had not just on agriculture, but other parts of everyday life such as education.

The hearing was led by Senate committee leaders, Majority Chair Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) of Beaver County and the aforementioned Democratic Chair Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11), along with House committee leaders Majority Chair Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121) and Republican Chair Rep. Dan Moul (R-91).

“Today’s hearing was incredibly productive as we witnessed the immense impact of the PA Farm Bill since its inception in 2019,” Vogel stated. “Many of the grants that were instituted through this bill have allowed for farmers and agricultural organizations to expand their practices, acquire needed equipment, and better educate those involved in their day-to-day business. This feedback will allow for us to formulate future legislation that will build on the foundations we began with as well as provide improvements that were brought to our attention today.”

The focus now shifts to establishing a newer–and possibly bigger–farm bill in 2024, which Secretary Redding hinted at during the committee session. “The beauty of the Farm Bill is that you can add to it,” he said, “you can put an emphasis on different places if you want to.” Redding said that the new bill would focus on dairy farms and vitality grants.

The full session can be watched by clicking here.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

While several communities across Beaver County have been using American Rescue Plan Act funds to rejuvenate their business culture following the pandemic shutdown, it turns out that some communities haven’t spent any money at all.

This was spoken out loud by County solicitor Garen Fedeles at Wednesday’s work session, as he spoke about the next steps for those communities.

“Probably within the next week, a letter is going to be sent out to those communities who have not spent any money at all, asking for a detailed plan as far as what they plan to utilize that money for, any sitting contracts they have signed…just some type of idea to understand where they plan on utilizing that money,” Fedeles stated.

The reasoning for this push by the County to inquire about the update is simple, according to Solicitor Fedeles: “If that money isn’t spent–and the county has been pretty clear with this–we lose it. So we want to ensure that we don’t lose it.”

Fedeles did not disclose which communities did not spend any money; however it was pointed out by Controller Maria Longo that the ARPA Tracking page on the County website does display a comprehensive breakdown of money spent as opposed to money allocated based on category.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published January 10, 2024 11:12 P.M.

(Daugherty Township, Pa) The Daugherty Township Supervisors heard from the Daugherty Township Fire Department Wednesday evening at their first regular meeting of the new year. Fire Chief Brad Stone brought up concerns about funding for the department. He noted that the department recently applied for a state grant to repair and replace the station garage doors. One door can no longer be operated automatically and requires parts that are no longer available.

The Chief also asked about discussing having the Township assist the Department in standard bills associated with the station building. The Department says there has been a decrease in funds brought in by the station due to the lack of hall rentals and lower gains during fundraising. Board Chairman, Bill Pasquale, relayed that the Township does not assist with those types of expenses because the building is owned by the Fire Department and not the township. However, he said that they could discuss possibilities at a later time.

The Department is also requesting funds from the Township for a new brush truck that would cost approximately $145,000. The Chief says their current truck has limited power and capabilities and can’t pull a trailer with their UTV.

Also discussed briefly was a plan being explored to consider consolidating local New Brighton Area Fire Departments, however no additional details were given.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Screenshot obtained from amesstores.com. Published January 10, 2024 3:19 P.M.

The defunct department store chain Ames may be making a return. Silver Knight Group, Inc, the parent company of Ames Department Stores, Inc, released a statement that “Ames will be reopening their brick & mortar stores starting in June 2026, with 35 planned stores opening from June 2026 to April 2027.” The release was made public on amesstores.com. No further details or locations have been announced. The statement also says “We can’t wait to see you in our stores”. Ames formerly operated stores locally at Northern Lights Shopping Center in Baden and Green Garden Plaza in Aliquippa.