(Story by BCR Intern Isaiah Wise)

A man from Homestead, Pennsylvania has been indicted on drug trafficking and machine gun charges. 27-year-old Erik Addison will be indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws.

On May 8th Addison possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. He then went on to possess a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,and that he possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

According to the law, for a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment for possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, with a maximum total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

(AP) Thousands of U.S. ride-hailing workers plan to park their cars and picket at major U.S. airports Wednesday in what organizers say is their largest strike yet in a drive for better pay and benefits.

Uber and Lyft drivers plan daylong strikes in Chicago; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Miami; Orlando and Tampa, Florida; Hartford, Connecticut; Newark, New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Providence, Rhode Island. Drivers also plan to hold midday demonstrations at airports in those cities, according to Justice for App Workers, the group organizing the effort.

Rachel Gumpert, a spokesperson for Justice for App Workers, said ride-hailing drivers in other cities may also demonstrate or strike for at least part of the day.

Uber said Tuesday it doesn’t expect the strike to have much impact on its operations on Valentine’s Day.

“These types of events have rarely had any impact on trips, prices or driver availability,” Uber said in a statement. “That’s because the vast majority of drivers are satisfied.”

Gumpert described ride-hailing as a “mobile sweatshop,” with some workers routinely putting in 60 to 80 hours per week. Justice for App Workers, which says it represents 130,000 ride-hailing and delivery workers, is seeking higher wages, access to health care and an appeals process so companies can’t deactivate them without warning.

Gumpert said last year’s strikes at U.S. automakers — which led to more lucrative contracts for their unionized workers — helped embolden ride-hailing workers.

“It’s incredibly inspiring. When one worker rises up, it brings courage to another workers,” Gumpert said.

But ride-hailing companies say they already pay a fair wage.

Earlier this month, Lyft said it began guaranteeing that drivers will make at least 70% of their fares each week, and it lays out its fees more clearly for drivers in a new earnings statement. Lyft also unveiled a new in-app button that lets drivers appeal deactivation decisions.

“We are constantly working to improve the driver experience,” Lyft said in a statement. Lyft said its U.S. drivers make an average of $30.68 per hour, or $23.46 per hour after expenses.

Uber said its U.S. drivers make an average of $33 per hour. The company also said it allows drivers to dispute deactivations.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrats retained their slim majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday after voters elected a former school board member to represent them in a Philadelphia suburb that has been trending more to the left.

Jim Prokopiak’s election to the Bucks County seat will give Democrats a 102-100 majority in the House, which they have sought to defend in four special elections in the past year. A Republican lawmaker’s resignation last week shifted the power back to Democrats, and Prokopiak’s win kept it in place.

He defeated Republican challenger Candace Cabanas and will replace former state Rep. John Galloway, who resigned to serve as a magisterial judge. Cabanas has said previously she plans to run again during the general election.

“What I heard from voters is that Bucks County residents need help supporting their families, want control over their own bodies, and ensure they have the ability to chart their own paths in life,” Prokopiak said in a statement. “I’m committed to taking my conversations with voters to Harrisburg and making their dreams a reality.”

While campaigning, Prokopiak, 49, said his goals as a lawmaker aligned with the party’s larger ambitions since they retook the chamber — more money for K-12 education, preserving access to abortions and a higher minimum wage.

“No one can afford to live on the federal minimum wage in this area,” he said. “If we’re going to be talking about good-paying jobs and creating life-sustaining jobs, the first thing we have to do is raise the minimum wage because it’s clear that is not sustaining anybody.”

Democrats have kept all six seats that have gone up for special elections in the past year, in mostly reliably Democratic districts. Prokopiak will represent a seat that has favorably elected Democrats in past election cycles.

Galloway’s seat has trended Democratic, and Republicans have slowly been losing their grip on the county as a whole.

The race drew national attention from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which spent $50,000 to protect the party’s majority in the chamber.

It was a first step for the committee, which has said it is planning to spend at least $60 million on statehouse races nationally this cycle, the group’s largest-ever budget. It will feature special emphasis on erasing GOP majorities in Arizona and New Hampshire and in the Pennsylvania Senate while holding small Democratic majorities claimed in 2022 in Minnesota and Michigan.

“This victory is a promising sign for Democrats up and down the ballot this year – it’s clear that momentum is on our side,” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams said in a statement, adding that their focus will be on defending the House majority and flipping the state Senate.

Democrats in Pennsylvania have used their newfound power this year to advance a number of the caucus’ priorities, and they have a philosophical ally in the governor’s office with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. The Legislature remains politically divided with a firm Republican majority in the Senate.

“Over the last year I think, since the Democrats have been in the majority, they’ve pushed legislation that has helped the middle class,” Prokopiak said previously. “I want to do that.”

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

The Hopewell Area School District is seeking to fill the front seats on their school buses, as Superintendent Dr. Jeff Beltz spoke about the shortage of drivers at the School Board’s latest meeting on Tuesday night.

The announcement came on the heels of a pair of resignations by bus drivers that were approved by the school board, along with the resignation of a paraprofessional at the elementary school.

Beltz said that there is free CDL training for those who are interested in being a school bus driver for Hopewell.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published February 13, 2024 10:24 P.M.

(Beaver Falls, Pa) A month after a woman identified as 41-year-old Rebecca Miller of Beaver Falls was found dead on a walking trail behind Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Beaver County Radio has learned new information regarding the homicide case. At a Beaver Falls City Council Meeting Tuesday evening, we asked the Council why residents were told there was no danger to the community, even though very little information about the situation has been released including if police have actually identified any suspects.

Beaver Falls Mayor Kenya Johns responded initially saying that “right now it’s an active investigation and we can’t get involved with that, so that’s not a question we really could answer, if there’s anything we could give, we would.”

Deputy Mayor Peggy Evans proceeded to then tell Beaver County Radio, SOMA prays out front of Geneva on Thursdays at 8am. She says they pray “for the woman who was murdered in our city” and added “we’re just praying that whoever done it will just reveal themselves, we’re just praying that their hearts become heavy enough and come to the frontline on their own”. Evans statement suggests that police currently do not know who killed Miller.

SOMA is a Christian community organization in Beaver Falls and Evans says any community members are welcome to join in the prayer sessions.

Beaver County Radio also reached out to Coroner David Gabauer Tuesday to find out if the autopsy report had been completed. Gabauer responded, “it is an ongoing investigation and there is no new evidence including the autopsy report”.

The City of Beaver Falls Police Department have yet to publicly say the case is a homicide or if they had a suspect. However, hours after the scene was cleared on January 11th, Police Chief David Johnson and District Attorney Nate Bible released a statement that they do not “believe there is a danger to residents or the community”.

A week after Miller was found, they released a statement asking for help obtaining security footage from anyone in the area but wouldn’t say what they were looking for. Beaver County Radio witnessed police back at the scene two weeks after the body was found, appearing to be collecting or searching for evidence.

While there is no evidence that the events are connected, Beaver County Radio has noticed that 3 Beaver Falls Police officers have resigned since the incident.

Miller was last known to be going on a walk with a male friend on January 7th before being reported missing on January 9th.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
(Photo/Ceisler Media)

The Center In Midland has received a $3,000 donation from Vistra Energy and its subsidiary Dynergy on Monday, which will go to its youth development program.

Along with the youth development program, the Center is also responsible for a food bank, thrift shop, mentoring services and counseling among other resources. They have on-site counselors and community volunteers to help run the operation.

“We are beyond grateful for the support of Vistra/Dynegy,” said Jen Miller, Executive Director of The Center. “On behalf of the lives of so many beautiful children and families their generosity will impact, thank you!”

Members from Vistra and Dynegy were at the Center yesterday along with State Representative Josh Kail to present the award, which is part of a $10,000 initiative by Vistra to organizations in Beaver, Butler, and Washington counties.

“The Center in Midland is all about helping neighbors. Their goodwill is changing lives and giving hope and strength to children and families throughout the region,” said state Rep. Joshua Kail (R-15th), who represents portions of Beaver County, including Midland. “I’m grateful for the commitment Vistra and Dynegy have made to support these local efforts.”

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)
(Photo/BCR Archives)

Following candid remarks from fans across the WPIAL and similar injunctions from local politicians, the citizens of Aliquippa are taking their matters with the PIAA into their own hands.

An online petition that is seeking for the Aliquippa Quips to continue playing in Class 4A instead of Class 5A is currently seeking 1,000 signatures. As of Tuesday morning, the petition had already achieved 950 signatures.

Once all 1,000 signatures are collected, the petition will be sent to the PIAA for request. The PIAA has recently denied Aliquippa’s formal appeal sent by the school to prevent moving up in classification.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
(Photo/BCR Archives)

Twenty-two teams. Ten boys’ rosters. Twelve girls’ rosters.

One golden goal.

The 2024 WPIAL Basketball Playoffs are set to get underway on Friday night, and nearly two dozen local teams will be tested among the rest of the top teams from District 7 for a chance to qualify for the PIAA playoffs and to participate in the WPIAL Championships–which take place from February 29 through March 2 at the Petersen Events Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

The first-round matchups are listed below, with local teams listed in boldface.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

Class 5A
#10 Moon at #7 Indiana 7:00 PM Tue 2/20
#13 Penn-Trafford at #4 Lincoln Park 7:00 PM Tue 2/20

Class 4A
#10 West Mifflin at #7 Central Valley 7:00 PM Tue 2/20
#9 Hopewell at #8 Greensburg-Salem 7:00 PM Tue 2/20
#12 Quaker Valley at #5 Laurel Highlands 7:00 PM Tue 2/20
#1 Blackhawk BYE

Class 3A
#10 Ellwood City vs #7 OLSH 12:00 PM Sat 2/17 (at Avonworth)
#14 McGuffey at #3 Beaver Falls 12:00 PM Sat 2/17

Class 2A
#9 Rochester at #8 Burgettstown 7:00 PM Fri 2/16
#12 South Side at #5 Chartiers-Houston 7:00 PM Fri 2/16
#10 Clairton at #7 Freedom 7:00 PM Fri 2/16
#15 California at #2 Aliquippa 7:00 PM Fri 2/16

BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

Class 5A
#1 Moon vs #16 Trinity/#17 Woodland Hills 7:00 PM Mon 2/19

Class 4A
#9 Beaver at #8 Knoch 7:00 PM Fri 2/16
#16 Freeport at #1 Lincoln Park 7:00 PM Fri 2/16
#15 Central Valley at #2 Hampton 7:00 PM Fri 2/16
#13 Quaker Valley at #4 Uniontown 7:00 PM Fri 2/16

Class 3A
#9 Ellwood City vs #8 Washington 7:00 PM Mon 2/19
#14 Beaver Falls at #3 Shady Side Academy 7:00 PM Mon 2/19

Class 2A
#16 Nazareth Prep at #1 Aliquippa 7:00 PM Tue 2/20
#11 Sewickley Academy at #6 Jeannette 7:00 PM Tue 2/20

Class 1A
#14 Saint Joseph at #3 Rochester 7:00 PM Fri 2/16

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Patterson Township Police released a warning on Monday for residents to lock their vehicles and retain all belongings following multiple break-ins along the 400 block and 700 block of 18th Avenue on Sunday evening

The police department released the warning on their Facebook page at around 8:30 on Monday morning, asking that if anyone in the area has camera footage of the incidents, they call Patterson Township police at (724) 846-8400.

No names or further details have been released at this time.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary election may lack drama in the high-stakes races for president and U.S. Senate, but the field for lower-ballot contests are filling up for the state’s attorney general’s office and a handful of its 17 seats in the U.S. House.

The deadline is Tuesday at 5 p.m. for Republicans and Democrats to submit voter signatures to get on the April 23 primary ballot.

The battleground state’s primary election is relatively late — and, by then, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden may have locked up the delegates they need to become their parties’ nominees in the November general election for president.

Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger David McCormick appear unlikely to face primary opponents. Control of the U.S. Senate is on the line in 2024, and Casey’s bid for a fourth term is expected to be one of the nation’s most expensive and closely watched races.

Still, primary voters will have choices in other races.

The state allows one week to file court challenges to a candidate’s paperwork, and courts have one more week after that — until Feb. 27 — to render a decision. April 8 is the last day to register to vote before the primary and April 16 is the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot.

Independents and minor party candidates file paperwork on a different timeline, with a deadline of Aug. 1.

A look at who has filed in each race, according to information from state election officials:

___

PRESIDENT

Biden, Trump and Trump’s remaining primary opponent, Nikki Haley, have filed to run for president.

___

U.S. SENATE

McCormick and Casey have filed.

___

CONGRESS

All 17 incumbents — nine Democrats and eight Republicans — are running for reelection in Pennsylvania’s 17 congressional seats, although Democratic U.S. Rep. Summer Lee of the Pittsburgh area had not filed paperwork by close-of-business Monday, according to information from the state elections office.

Only a handful of the seats are expected to be competitive in the November general election. For the primary, 40 candidates filed to run, including 13 Democratic challengers and 11 Republican challengers.

Most notable are challengers in two districts.

In the 7th District in eastern Pennsylvania, there are three Republicans vying for the nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild of Allentown. They are state Rep. Ryan MacKenzie, IT firm owner Kevin Dellicker and lawyer Maria Montero.

Meanwhile in southcentral Pennsylvania’s 10th District, which includes Harrisburg, three Democrats — former TV news personality Janelle Stelson, Harrisburg City Council member Shamaine Daniels and retired Marine Corps pilot Michael O’Brien — are seeking the nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry of York County.

Every incumbent has a general election challenger, except for two: Democratic U.S. Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon of Delaware County and Dwight Evans of Philadelphia.

In the primary, just four have a challenger: Democrats Lee and Evans and Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly of Butler and Bryan Fitzpatrick of Bucks County.

___

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Four Democrats filed for the party’s primary.

They include Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, former state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, former federal prosecutor Joe Kahn and Keir Bradford-Grey, the former head of Philadelphia’s and Montgomery County’s public defense lawyers. State Rep. Jared Solomon of Philadelphia also was expected to file.

On the Republican side, York County’s district attorney, Dave Sunday, filed to run.

___

TREASURER

Stacy Garrity, the Republican incumbent, filed to run for a second four-year term. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Ryan Bizarro of Erie filed to run.

___

AUDITOR GENERAL

The Republican incumbent, Tim DeFoor, filed to run for a second four-year term. On the Democratic side, two filed to run: state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley.