Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 28, 2024 1:55 P.M.
(Aliquippa, Pa) Some residents in the Aliquippa and Hopewell township area experienced cable, internet and phone outages early Tuesday morning. The area behind Hopewell Shopping Center was restored just after 8 am. Periodically, the provider does updates causing issues for those that use internet and phone for work or emergencies, when they have no cell phones.
It started on Tuesday at 7 a.m. with a right lane closure heading toward Rochester. PennDOT said that will last just one week, but not long after that in mid to late June, the entire bridge will shut down for 67 days. It’s part of a nearly $6.7 million project to rehab and preserve the structure.
The detour will take drivers down to the Monaca East Rochester bridge. That detour brings concerns about the heavy traffic now traveling through downtown Monaca.
The bridge will still be open for pedestrians and bicyclists during the full closure. The hope is for the entire project to be wrapped up by the end of the year.
Pennsylvania lawmakers want Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Department of Aging to disclose more about the shortcomings it finds when it evaluates whether county-level agencies are properly investigating complaints about the abuse or neglect of older adults.
The effort comes as Republican state lawmakers have pressed Shapiro’s administration to do more to investigate the deaths of older adults who are the subject of an abuse or neglect complaint after Pennsylvania recorded a steep increase in such deaths.
Rep. Louis Schmitt, R-Blair, introduced legislation Wednesday requiring the department to publish the compliance status of each of the 52 county-level agencies that it’s supposed to inspect annually, and to publish a report on the findings.
“The public needs to know. The public deserves to know. The public has a right to know,” Schmitt said in an interview. “You cannot hide if you’re going to conduct public business, especially public business that affects the health and safety and welfare of seniors in Pennsylvania.”
The department told lawmakers earlier this year that it had deemed seven of the agencies to be noncompliant. The year before that, 13 were noncompliant when lawmakers asked.
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published May 26, 2024 1:06 P.M.
(Aliquippa, Pa) Numerous crews responded Sunday morning to the scene of a dump truck crashed into a building. The incident took place in the 400 block of Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa.
We currently do not have an official report on any injuries, but a man was seen talking to police with a bandage and visible injuries on his face. It is unclear if anyone was inside the building at the time.
Beaver County Radio was on scene as the truck was pulled out of the building shortly before 12:30pm. The entire entrance to the building was destroyed. Fluids did appear to leak from the truck but crews had them under control.
We currently do not have word on what caused the accident. We are working on gathering more details.
Photos from the scene:
Aliquippa’s request for a preliminary injunction was granted by Beaver County Judge James Ross, which means that the Quips will stay in Class 4A for the 2024 football season.
The ruling came after the school district filed a lawsuit seeking to block Aliquippa’s move up to Class 5A under the PIAA competitive balance rule, citing concerns about health and safety.
In his ruling, Ross pointed to previous testimony from Aliquippa’s team physician, who recounted the increase in injuries when Aliquippa moved up from 3A to 4A.
A $50,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development will fund improvements to a core downtown business corridor in Ambridge, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced Thursday.
Matzie, said the work funded is part of the Merchant Street Façade Revitalization Initiative and will build on improvements to borough’s business district.
PennDOT is announcing a lane closure on the Rochester-Monaca Bridge, which carries Route 18 over the Ohio River, in the Rochester and Monaca boroughs, Beaver County will begin on Tuesday, May 28.
The right-hand turning lane from the Rochester-Monaca Bridge to Pleasant Street in Rochester Borough will close to traffic beginning Tuesday, May 28 at 7 a.m. and remain closed through 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 to allow crews to conduct replacement work. Traffic will still be able to turn right onto Pleasant Street from the through-lane.
PITTSBURGH, PA: May 22, 2024 – Kennywood, a USA Today 10 Best Theme Park, unveils the all-new Potato Smash with its mouthwatering mashup fully fried, just in time for the unofficial start to summer. Potato Smash sprouts on the scene with a grand opening ceremony set for 9:45 a.m. Saturday, May 25 as the all-new bumper car ride is inducted into Kennywood’s lineup of classic and thrilling attractions.
“Kennywood kicks off the unofficial start to summer with tons of thrills and fun, beginning with Potato Smash’s delicious debut, plus Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival and brand-new entertainment,” says Kennywood Assistant General Manager Rick Spicuzza. “This Memorial Day Weekend sets the tone for what is sure to be the park’s most exciting summer season yet.
The park’s classic bumper car ride has been totally transformed, themed to Kennywood’s iconic fresh-cut Potato Patch® fries. Potato Smash features 20 new cars modeled after the park’s signature snack, each fitted with fries, oozing cheese sauce and an oversized fork. The new a-peel-ing attraction is a perfect mix of Kennywood’s modern thrills and iconic traditions.
To further celebrate the new appetizing attraction, Kennywood announces a Potato Smash-ing Contest to be held at the park on Wednesday, June 12. Potato enthusiasts and smashing aficionados can enter for a chance to participate in the contest or attend and root for their best spuds. Potato Smash swag will be given to all contestants, with the top tubers receiving two 2024 Kennywood Gold Season Passes.
Potato Smash deep-fried debut is just the start of the fun beginning Memorial Day Weekend. The park’s gastronomic extravaganza, Bites and Pints, spotlighting eight different international cuisines, kicks off on Friday. The chef-inspired tasting event features unique menu items with dishes inspired by Brazil, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, South Korea, Mexico plus brand-new electrifying entertainment. This Saturday, The Nerveless Nocks’s Jetpack Flying Water Circus featuring daredevils Cyrus Nock and Troy Stowe, will wow guests with incredible demonstrations and stunts performed with jet ski-powered jet packs that thrust the stuntmen 50 feet in the air. Visitors can catch the all-new show at select times daily, from May 24 through July 7, at the park’s Garden Stage.
Also, for the extended holiday weekend, Kennywood is offering free admission to active duty and retired military members and veterans. Beginning Thursday, May 23, the park’s first day of daily operations through Monday, May 27, all military members and veterans will receive free admission, plus discounted tickets for only $34.99 for up to four friends and family members at the gate with proof of valid identification.
Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Service
A new poll for AARP Pennsylvania revealed candidates must focus on issues critical to voters age 50 and older ahead of the November elections.
The influential voting bloc makes up more than half the state’s electorate, and 85% told pollsters they are “extremely motivated” to cast their ballots.
Bill Johnston-Walsh, state director of AARP Pennsylvania, said voters age 50+ will be key in determining who wins in November.
“Voters age 50+ are the largest voting bloc in Pennsylvania and the country,” Johnston-Walsh explained. “They consistently show up to the polls, and we anticipate that this year will be no different.”
Johnston-Walsh added in the 2020 elections, older voters accounted for 55% of all Pennsylvania voters, and in the 2022 midterms, they made up 62% of the state’s voters. He noted they expect those numbers to grow this year for the general election.
Bob Ward with the public-opinion firm Fabrizio Ward said voters age 50+ prioritize economic issues and will back candidates who protect Social Security and support family caregivers.
“When we look at it from an electoral standpoint, it is not surprising that older voters are more likely to vote for the candidates who say they will make sure workers get the Social Security they paid into,” Ward observed. “The big picture here among voters 50+ is that economic issues are paramount.”
Jeffrey Liszt, partner at Impact Research, said Pennsylvania voters, particularly 31% of those ages 50-64, have a high rate of family caregiving responsibilities and voice concerns about services.
“Over 40% of these family caregivers are spending more than 20 hours a week caring for a loved one, which is why it’s such an important issue for them,” Liszt explained. “That’s why more than three-quarters of voters 50-plus say that they will reward candidates who provide more support for family caregivers.”
A significant portion of older voters, 63%, also expressed concerns about their personal financial circumstances, citing the rising costs of food and utilities as reasons for financial strain.
FILE – Taylor Swift performs during “The Eras Tour,” May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Swift is adding one more accolade to her repertoire this year: a resolution recognizing 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in her home state of Pennsylvania. The resolution passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, Dec. 13. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry is leading a bipartisan coalition of 30 states, along with the U.S. Department of Justice, in an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster, LLC.
The suit filed Thursday alleges that Live Nation — owner and operator of numerous venues nationwide, including Pennsylvania — and Ticketmaster — the ticketing service giant — form an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry. The suit also alleges that Live Nation has engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain its monopoly.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s dominance has impacted fans across the Commonwealth. In 2022, Pennsylvanians spent approximately $1.5 billion dollars on live entertainment, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
“Live Nation and Ticketmaster have long had a chokehold on much of the live entertainment industry,” Attorney General Henry said. “Consumers who want to see one of their favorite bands, artists, or shows, are likely to encounter Live Nation and Ticketmaster at the gates. Pennsylvanians deserve to have fair and competitive choices when it comes to tickets to live entertainment.”
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for Southern District of New York alleges that:
The lawsuit asks the court to restore competition in the live entertainment industry by: