(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At a relatively quick work session on Wednesday, the Beaver County Commissioners were in discussions with department heads on two main subjects: construction at the County Courthouse and the future funding for the County’s 911 operations.

Public Works director Dan Colville updated the Commissioners that the outdoor construction near the front of the courthouse may be completed sooner than expected. “They’re gonna attempt to get this entire project done,” he spoke. “Instead of waiting until the spring, they’re gonna try and get this all done, and they are anticipating–with good weather–that they’ll be done by next Friday.”

Colville also stated that the back steps on the Courthouse that are currently being worked on should also be completed by the end of the month.

Another department head, Eric Brewer of Emergency Management Services, made a plea to the Commissioners to “call our Senators” in regards to an upcoming vote on a PA State House Bill (HB 1304) that would increase the surcharge rate from $1.65 to $1.97 in order to fund the 911 centers across Pennsylvania.

“I’m not sure if it’s going to benefit me to go to Harrisburg and knock on doors if nobody’s going to be there,” Brewer stated, adding that one reason that there is a struggle for support of a surcharge raise is “political”, since the initial proposal for the surcharge raise came from Governor Josh Shapiro.

The next work session for the Beaver County Commissioners is scheduled for December 13 at 10:00 AM.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published December 6, 2023 2:53 P.M.

(Potter Township, Pa) Three Rivers Waterkeeper has filed a lawsuit against Beaver County polystyrene pellet producer Stryropek. Heather Hulton Vantassel, Executive Director of Three Rivers Waterkeeper, joined Mike Romigh during “Live Mic” on Beaver County Radio Wednesday to discuss their findings.
Vantassel says Styropek has been disposing plastic polystyrene beads, referred to as “nurdles”, from their plant in Potter Township into the confluence of the Raccoon Creek and Ohio River in Potter Township. The pellets were initially discovered when crews were testing for baseline samples around the Shell Polymers plant prior to it being operational. Litter and debris in water exposed the nurdle buildup. They have also found them in the sediment and “all over the vegetation”. Currently, it is not known how many have been discharged, or for how long.
Vantassel says it’s “really hard to clean up, it’s not just plastic pollution. Aquatic and birdlife think they are fish eggs and can eat them, they can actually continue to break down in the envirement until they are microscopic. Without proper filtration in our water systems, we can end up consuming them”. She adds that they can also aid in carrying other toxic materials. She says that the more time they have to break down further, they will pass the point of being able to be filtered and will make their way into local water supplies and eventually to the ocean.
Three Rivers Waterkeeper filed their initial complaint as soon as they realized the pellets were being found everywhere in the water with the PA Department of Environmental protection. Styropek has currently been communicating with Three Rivers Waterkeeper, holding themselves accountable and willing to negotiate for a remediation strategy.
Vantassel says the discharges are believed to be accidental and were not intentional by Styropek and simply part of other discharges of alternate substances. The issue that Three Rivers Waterkeeper has however, is that even after Stryropek was made aware of the problem in 2022, they have not made an attempt to prevent the discharges to this day. The lawsuit filed against them will help Three Rivers Waterkeeper pursue the issue if Stryopek were to stop coorperating with them.
Monthly patrols of the water are still resulting in finding more nurdles. Vantassel says it is currently unclear if the nurdles pose an immediate threat, partially because they don’t know how long they have been there. It is possible that water quality could be impacted at this point, and Three Rivers Waterkeeper recommends filtering water at the home level.
Three River Waterkeeper actively monitor the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, and you can learn more about them by visiting www.3rwk.org.

FILE – Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., chair of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 14, 2023. Texts and emails sent by Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania have emerged publicly in a court filing that hints at how Perry worked to keep Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Texts and emails sent by Republican congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania have emerged publicly in a court filing that hints at how he worked to keep President Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss. The court case is over federal authorities seizing Perry’s cellphone last year as part of the investigation into attempts to subvert the results of the election Democrat Joe Biden won. It was Perry’s efforts to elevate Jeffrey Clark to Trump’s acting attorney general that have made him a figure of interest to federal prosecutors. Perry has said he merely “obliged” Trump’s request to meet Clark. But the messages suggest Perry was a key ally for Clark.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after participating in a video teleconference call with members of the military on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

BOSTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has told campaign donors that he isn’t sure he’d be running for reelection if Donald Trump wasn’t also in the race. Biden warned Tuesday that democracy is “more at risk in 2024” and that the former president and his allies are out to “destroy” democratic institutions. Biden is using a trio of fundraisers to caution against what might happen should Trump again claim control of the White House. He noted that Trump has described himself as his supporters’ “retribution” and has vowed to root out “vermin” in the country.

PITTSBURGH (December 6,2023) – Pediatricians across Allegheny Health Network (AHN) are providing useful guidance for parents and caregivers this holiday season amid a local uptick in pediatric cases of respiratory viral infections and influenza.

“Our AHN outpatient pediatric offices have seen an increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, which tracks with what we’re seeing nationally, and we anticipate these numbers will continue to rise this month as we gather and travel for the holidays,” said Joseph Aracri, DO, Chair of AHN Pediatric Institute. “The AHN Pediatric Institute is available to support and help families navigate this season and address any areas of concern.”

Most recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported national increases in cases of RSV, influenza and COVID-19. And in Pennsylvania, weekly RSV cases have nearly tripled since early November, while Allegheny County is reporting the state’s highest flu totals.

RSV is a common cause of mild cold-like symptoms, but it can be dangerous for infants and older people, causing lung infections and trouble breathing in severe cases. Symptoms associated with respiratory viruses in children include runny nose, decrease in appetite, cough, fever and wheezing.

Dr. Aracri, alongside his peers throughout the AHN Pediatric Institute, offers the following guidance for families as the number of respiratory infections continue to rise both locally and nationally:

• Treat the symptoms – there are no antibiotics for these viruses; the best approach is to make your children comfortable by treating their symptoms with appropriate over-the-counter medication, rest and plenty of fluids. Lukewarm baths also help with reducing mild to moderate fevers and nasal aspirators can clear excess mucus. Always consult your pediatrician’s office for specific questions or concerns and remember that some viruses can last up to two weeks.
• Recognize when to head to the emergency room – if your child has a rectal temperature higher than 104°F (or 100.4 °F if younger than three months), trouble breathing, abdominal pain, extreme lethargy and/or persistent vomiting or diarrhea, we recommend seeking immediate, emergent care at the nearest emergency room. For a full list of AHN emergency/urgent care locations, visit https://www.ahn.org/locations.
• Rely on your pediatric team for support – if you have any questions or concerns outside of emergency circumstances, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your pediatric team. AHN maintains a 24/7 pediatric nurse line for families and provides same-day/next-day appointments for children who need to be seen in person. To reach the AHN nurse on call, contact your pediatrician’s office direct line to be connected.
• Practice preventive measures – during the holiday season, it’s important to wash your hands frequently and help little ones develop a vigilant hand washing routine, maintain social distance when appropriate, and stay home if under the weather.  The most impactful preventive measure, however, is to stay up to date with vaccinations for all members of the household. To schedule your child’s vaccinations for COVID-19 or influenza, contact your pediatrician’s office directly.

“While it’s important to follow preventive measures and practice good health hygiene, it’s just as important to maintain normal routines and encourage socialization around the holidays,” continued Dr. Aracri. “This season is an opportunity for children to enjoy spending time with family, friends and loved ones, while also participating in festive activities at school or daycare.”

A recent study published in JAMA (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39355) also indicated that children are much less likely to contract COVID-19 in a childcare environment, compared to when a family member becomes ill. Transmission rates at childcare centers among those studied remained between 2 and 3 percent, while 50 percent transmission rate was found when COVID was on the home front.

To schedule a new patient visit with AHN and establish your care team, call 412-DOCTORS.

[Dec. 6, 2023] — As people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays. 

From a record number of people expected to travel to seasonal illnesses and the potential for hazardous winter weather, it can be difficult for the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients during the winter months. When donors come to give the gift of a blood or platelet donation in December, the Red Cross will say thank you with several exciting opportunities: 

• Thanks to Prime Video and their new film Candy Cane Lane, featuring an all-star cast, including Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, and directed by Reginald Hudlin, those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 1-31, 2023, will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and a 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV. Details available at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon.
• Those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 1-17, 2023, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Details available at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon.
• Those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 18, 2023-Jan. 5, 2024, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. 

Making and keeping appointments throughout the month can help safeguard the national blood supply into the new year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Photos provided by Commonwealth Media Services

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil kicked off the 2023 holiday season at the Capitol in Harrisburg with the 2023 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“I love this time of year and how it brings people together, and I’m so excited to light my first Christmas tree as Governor — a beautiful Douglas Fir from Carbon County,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “No matter what holidays you celebrate, I hope all Pennsylvanians get a chance to spend time with loved ones and count their blessings. Lori, our children and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”

The tree is a 20-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with 1,250 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by Pre-K for PA students and Pennsylvania Department of Aging seniors from across the Commonwealth.

The Governor was joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich, Reverend Anjel Scarborough of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hershey, PA, and dozens of Pre-K for PA students and staff for the holiday celebration.

The Central Dauphin High School Choir led the audience in singing Christmas carols and Santa Claus made an appearance. In addition to the Rotunda Tree, there is another 20-foot Douglas fir – also from Crystal Spring Tree Farm – located outdoors on the Capitol steps.

The tree in the Rotunda will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the tree on the Capitol steps will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight through January 8, 2024.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane and shoulder closure on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in the City of Aliquippa, Beaver County, will begin Wednesday, December 6 weather permitting.

A single-lane and shoulder closure in each direction on the I-376 bridge that carries traffic over Bunker Hill Road will occur around-the-clock from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 3:30 p.m. Friday, December 15. Crews will conduct milling and concrete deck overlay work.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published December 6, 2023 7:38 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) At the Hopewell School Board meeting Tuesday night, Dan Engen, president of Draw Collective did a relaunch of a feasibility study of the facility master plan. The last one was in 2019. On January 15, 2024 the full district staff will assemble, and the next meeting will be with the department heads.

Story by Sandy Giordano with contributions by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published December 6, 2023 7:29 A.M.    

(New Brighton, Pa) A fully involved structure fire destroyed a residence in New Brighton. Several fire departments assisted New Brighton at a duplex on the 700 block of 10th Avenue Tuesday night. According to Beaver County 9-1-1, all residents were evacuated from the structure and the Red Cross is assisting the residents. We have no additional details at this time.