Rep. Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) poses with his family after taking the oath of office to begin his first term representing the people of the 14th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. (Photo provided with release)

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) was officially sworn in at the state Capitol to begin serving the 14th Legislative District as state representative.

“I’m ready to get to work fighting for those things we’ve been talking about at our kitchen tables,” Kozak said. “Things like strengthening our economy, ensuring we have safe communities and making sure our education system is working for our students.”

Prior to his election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Kozak worked in the transportation and trucking industry, handling logistics for steel, concrete, brick and dairy manufacturing clients. He then served as a legislative aide to former PA State Rep. Jim Christiana, before becoming a world history teacher at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. He and his wife also own a small business.

Kozak is also very active in the community. He served as a member of the Beaver Falls Planning Commission, chairman of the Republican Committee of Beaver County and a founding board member of the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation. Kozak has also coached youth baseball, basketball and soccer in the county.

The 14th District consists of the city of Beaver Falls; the townships of Chippewa, Darlington, Daugherty, Franklin, Marion, New Sewickley, North Sewickley, Patterson, Pulaski and White; and the boroughs of Big Beaver, Bridgewater, Darlington, Eastvale, Economy, Ellwood City (Beaver County Portion), Fallston, Homewood, Koppel, New Brighton, New Galilee, Patterson Heights and West Mayfield.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pennsylvania state Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, smiles after the chamber’s members elected her as House speaker for the new two-year legislative session, Jan. 7, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers on Tuesday returned Democratic Speaker Joanna McClinton to lead the chamber for the new session after the Republican floor leader bowed out to resolve a deadlock.

Democrats won 102 seats in November, a single-vote majority, but one of their members was absent from swearing-in day after suffering a health crisis.

“My question to each of you distinguished colleagues is, what will you be remembered for?” McClinton said after taking the oath of office.

In the initial vote for speaker, Republican Leader Jesse Topper and McClinton each garnered 101 votes. Topper removed himself from consideration and McClinton, of Philadelphia, prevailed on the second ballot on a voice vote.

Rep. Matthew Gergely had a “medical emergency over the holidays requiring hospitalization,” according to Beth Rementer, the House Democratic caucus spokesperson. She said he is not expected to return “for some time.”

Gergely’s absence, the close House margin and Republican control of the Senate could complicate first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s hopes of getting things done this year. Democrats had the same 102-101 majority in the last session, and other than the two annual budgets, little substantial legislation was enacted.

Democrats won chamber control two years ago and successfully defended it while several vacancies arose and were filled by special elections. In November, not one of the 203 House seats changed parties, meaning Democrats retained majority control by the slimmest of margins.

House Democratic Leader Matt Bradford of Montgomery County thanked Topper, who drew a standing ovation, as Bradford acknowledged the close margin, telling colleagues “we need to be humble and we need to be wise.”

In floor remarks, Topper wished Gergely a full and speedy recovery.

“There are very few days in this job that are not difficult,” Topper said, urging members to feel gratitude for the opportunity to serve and to avoid becoming frustrated or cynical. “We see many of those who we represent not on their best day, but on their worst.”

House Republicans changed leadership since November, turning to Topper of Bedford County to be their floor leader. A former ranking member on the Education Committee, Topper succeeded Rep. Bryan Cutler, a former House speaker and caucus leader who remains in the House after being reelected in a Lancaster County district.

Topper told reporters after the session that he negotiated several changes to House rules, putting more minority party members on committees, requiring an additional “yes” vote for bills to get out of committee and parliamentary changes.

House Democrats meanwhile have five new members after Reps. Mike Sturla of Lancaster County and former House Speaker Mark Rozzi of Berks County retired; Reps. Patti Kim of Dauphin County and Nick Pisciottano of Allegheny County relinquished their seats to make successful runs for state Senate; and Rep. Kevin Boyle of Philadelphia lost in the spring primary.

House Republicans saw Rep. Dawn Keefer win a state Senate seat in York County and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild.

In other GOP caucus changes, Rep. Rob Mercuri didn’t seek reelection while running unsuccessfully for Congress in Allegheny County. Reps. Jim Gregory of Blair County and Mike Cabell of Luzerne County lost in the spring primary and six others didn’t run again: Donna Oberlander of Clarion County, Jim Marshall of Beaver County, Aaron Kaufer of Luzerne County, George Dunbar of Westmoreland County, Paul Schemel of Franklin County and Barry Jozwiak of Berks County.

In the state Senate, Republican Joe Picozzi unseated freshman Democratic Sen. Jimmy Dillon in a Philadelphia district. Because Kim flipped a redistricted Harrisburg area seat, Republicans still control the chamber by the same margin, 28-22. But there is currently one Senate vacancy: Sen. Ryan Aument, a Lancaster Republican, resigned at the end of December to take a top staff job with incoming U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick.

On Tuesday, a special election to fill Aument’s seat was scheduled to be held on March 25.

(File Photo of Health Insurance paper)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the annual period for Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment was announced for this year, which started on January 1^st and goes through March 31^st. Older Pennsylvanians can either switch to an original Medicare plan or find a different one between those three months. The release states that older adults can contact their local Area Agency on Aging to schedule a personalized counseling session. You can call the phone number of the PA MEDI Helpline that is toll-free at 1-800-783-7067 weekdays from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. The link to the PA Department of Aging’s website for more information is below:

Click on these words to find the link for the Department of Aging’s website.

(File Photo of the McDonald’s Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) McDonald’s announced on Tuesday that the McValue menu is available now in participating restaurants in Pittsburgh. According to a release from McDonald’s, the McValue menu includes choices of:

• Buy One, Add One for $1 offerings* to get their favorite breakfast, lunch or dinner menu items for less
• The $5 Meal Deal for a McDouble® or McChicken® sandwich, small fries, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets® & a small soft drink
• Plenty of local offers– Exclusive local deals available in Pittsburgh, like any size soft drink, tea, iced or hot coffee for $1, $2 breakfast sandwiches, free medium fries with $2 minimum purchase, $2 10 piece or Big Mac, and 20% off purchase of $10 or more
• Plus, In-App deals like free medium fries during Free Fries Fridays every Friday through the end of the year and a free McCrispy ^TM for new App users.

McDonald’s will also team up with both WWE superstar John Cena, who will show you his favorite part of the McValue menu on social media. Mcdonald’s and sixteen brands will also collaborate for promotions this year.

 

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published January 7, 2024 6:43 P.M.
Photos of Daniel Lance Felo ll posted by the City of Beaver Falls Police Department

(Beaver Falls, Pa) The City of Beaver Falls Police Department issued a notice to the public Monday afternoon in regards to a man wanted for homicide.

37 year old Daniel Lance Felo ll is wanted as a suspect of a homicide in which 48 year old Eric Mason was found shot in the head at an unoccupied building on 11st Street on December 30th.

Felo was also charged with robbery and a firearms violation.

Authorites say Felo is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. He is described as caucasian, 5’8″, 200 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair.

Anybody with information on his whereabouts is told to call 911 or the Beaver Falls Police Department non emergency number at 724-775-0880.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A handgun from a collection of illegal guns is reviewed during a gun buyback event in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 22, 2021. The Supreme Court, Thursday, June 23, 2022, struck down a restrictive New York gun law in a major ruling for gun rights. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) As the Pennsylvania House reconvenes this week, lawmakers will focus regulating 3-D-printed “ghost guns.” These untraceable firearms, like the one allegedly used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, complicate criminal investigations. For the third time, Representative Melissa Shusterman says she plans to introduce legislation aimed at classifying 3D-printed firearms as standard firearms under Pennsylvania’s laws and regulations and require 3D printer owners to be licensed as manufacturers. The Chester Democrat says she’s already circulated a memo to colleagues and is hopeful action will be taken for the bill. Pennsylvania State Police data reveal a doubling of ghost gun seizures by law enforcement in 2023 compared to 2022. Shusterman adds a bill to ban ghost-gun kits passed the House last session with bipartisan support, but stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

(File Photo of Roman Kozak)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) According to a release from Representative Roman Kozak’s office, Kozak will provide free assistance to 14th Legislative District veterans with appointments on the first Thursday and third Friday of every month. Kozak confirms that on those days, American Legion department service officer Stephanie Wilson will meet with veterans for questions about benefits. Furthermore, Kozak notes that Beaver County native and veteran Tony Crowe will help veterans on the first Thursday of every month with finding a job and other services through the Cornerstone of Beaver County.

According to Kozak, the topics in the meetings include the following:

Topics for Meetings with Stephanie Wilson: VA claims for disability compensation, disability increase and rating decision appeals, veteran or surviving spouse pension, burial and death benefits, addition of dependents, dependency and indemnity compensation and other veteran benefits questions.

Topics for Meetings with Tony Crowe: resume building, job training, job search, interviewing skills, training grants, obtaining GED, retrieving military records, general VA benefit questions, emergency financial assistance, and housing or rent assistance through The Cornerstone of Beaver County.

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan on Monday, a couple from Pittsburgh was sentenced in federal court for obstructing law enforcement during a 2023 gathering and protest. Thirty-seven-year-old Bryan DiPippa was given five years in jail while his wife, forty-two-year-old Krystal DiPippa was given three years of probation. In 2023, the DiPippas were part of a protest at the University of Pittsburgh and Brian lit up smoke devices close to a line of people at an event there. Hidden by Krystal, Brian then proceeded to set off fireworks and threw one at a bunch of officers who blocked people from getting into the building of the protest. The DiPippas were forced to pay fines to both the officer that was injured and the University of Pittsburgh for their actions.

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News (Updated on January 8th, 2025 at 10:35 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) Just prior to 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning, an RV fire in Aliquippa killed two people. According to Aliquippa Fire Chief Tim Firich, the two victims inside the RV were found dead. The victims, whose cause of death is undetermined, have been identified as fifty-four-year-old David Bosh of Aliquippa and twenty-eight-year-old Jenny Bosh of Leetsdale. Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report at around 5:57 a.m., a fire occurred at 622 Sohn Street in Aliquippa. The Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall are investigating this incident. If you have any information about this incident, please call 724-773-7400.  This is a developing story, and we will have updates as soon as they are available.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Jan. 15, 2018, file photo Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington speaks to the media concerning the trade of outfielder Andrew McCutchen at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The team said Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, that it has fired general manager Huntington, the third high-profile dismissal following a last-place finish in the NL Central. (Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A lawsuit was withdrawn this week by MLB Players Inc. after the affiliate accused both Sheetz Inc. and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ parent company of misusing pictures and names of their players on social media. On August 14 of last year, MLB Players Inc. filed a complaint stating Pittsburgh Associates and Sheetz unauthorized both the likeness and names of six Pittsburgh Pirates players. The affiliate accused the two organizations on X, Facebook, and Instagram for using the images of Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Andrew McCutchen, Nick Gonzales, Carmen Mlodzinski and Connor Joe improperly.