No Tax Increase in Ambridge School District

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge School Board met on Wednesday night. The Board voted, approved, and announced that its 2022-2023 budget of $52,995,542 was complete and that the tax  millage rate will remain at 83.4709.

The board voted to  meet on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 and cancelled its July 20, 2022 meeting.
The board approved resignations of the high school hall monitor, a sixth grade teacher, and   ROTC  instructor  effective June 3, 2022.
A weight lifting coach, assistant football coach, and girls volleyball coach were also hired.

Students will return to school on August 24, 2022. . Elementary school students will attend from 7L50 to 3L35 p.m., middle school students from  7L20 a.m. to 2L55 p.m., high school 7:25 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..

Attempted Abductions Reported in Rochester Area

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio
(Rochester Twp, Beaver County, Pa.) A report was filed with Rochester Township Police on May 27, 2022  about an attempted luring of an 11 year-old boy  that occurred on May 25, 2022.  Rochester Township  Police Sgt. Kevin Foltz said the incident occurred at Cleveland and Penn Avenues.  An elderly grey haired female reportedly asked the youth to go to Giant  Giant Eagle with her, he refused, according to police.  A second incident was reported  after a nine year-old  boy riding his bike  was confronted by a female driver in a grey or silver SUV and she asked him to go to Giant Eagle. Sgt. Foltz reported that a vehicle fitting the description was behind Dairy Queen in Rochester  for several days  before police were notified. Rochester Police haven’t responded  to a request for a comment.

The vehicle is  described as a dark colored SUV or a silver Chevrolet Trailblazer. Police are asking if anyone observes any vehicles matching this description and acting in a strange manner to call police immediately. Try to give a direction of travel and if possible a registration plate number. You can call 911 or if the vehicle has already left the area call the non-emergency number 724-774-7278.

Matzie: Nearly $600,000 secured for Beaver County housing programs

(File Photo)

(AMBRIDGE, Pa.) Beaver County housing assistance programs are receiving nearly $600,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding will expand housing-related services at a critical time.
“Everyone needs a safe place to call home, but the pandemic has driven up the need for emergency housing while reducing the out-of-county shelter options that previously filled that need,” Matzie said. “Part of the funding secured today is going to support construction of a new men’s emergency shelter. Other funding will expand rapid rehousing, rent and utility assistance, and home modification programs. All of these dollars will work to bring greater stability to families needing it most.”
Matzie said the funding to Beaver County includes:

  • $200,000 to The Cornerstone of Beaver County for shelter operations.
  • $175,000 to The Salvation Army for a rapid rehousing program.
  • $100,000 to the Beaver County Commissioners for a home modification program.
  • $50,000 to Community Development Program of Beaver County for rent/utility assistance.
  • $50,000 to Housing Opportunities of Beaver County, Inc. for reverse mortgage counseling.

In addition, Matzie said organization in Allegheny County will receive $600,000 for housing resource and home modification programs.

The PHARE fund – also known as the state’s Housing Trust Fund – is supported by impact fees collected from natural gas companies and from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

The awards are part of a package for projects statewide. More information on the funding is available here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-funding-to-support-affordable-housing-across-pennsylvania/.

Man Attempts to Pass “Movie Money” at Rivers Casino Table Game

(File Photo of the Rivers Casino)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pa State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh are reporting that 57-year-old Pittsburgh resident Richard White is being charged by Troopers with Forgery and Counterfeiting after he tried to use motion picture money to play a table game.
Troopers say the incident occurred on May 14, 2022 at 4:21 PM on the gaming floor of the Rivers Casino.
Troopers say that White a casino patron attempted to buy in at a table game in the amount of $300.00. As the dealer counted out White’s money he abruptly grabbed one of the $20 bills. He began inspecting it and tore the bill in pieces. As the dealer proceeded to count out the rest of White’s bills he attempted to grab the notes from the dealer and demanded its return. the dealer refused and advised a supervisor of the situation. Rivers Casino Security interviewed White and he denied knowing the money is fake. He did acknowledge that the bill looked fake and that is why he grabbed it from the dealer. White said he became nervous and that is why he destroyed the note. White refused to identify where he received the fake bills and would only refer to him as Bruddah Man” despite knowing his identity. Troopers reviewed video footage and then filed charges against White.

Amid Complaints, State Lawmakers Move to Restrict Fireworks

(File Photo)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania state lawmakers are advancing proposed new limits on fireworks in response to growing complaints after a 5-year-old state law greatly liberalized their sales and use. The House of Representatives voted 160 to 38 on Wednesday for legislation that would restrict their use to 10 a.m.-10 p.m. except during July 2-4 and Dec. 31, when they could be used until 1 a.m. There would be greater penalties for improper sales or illegal use. Until the 2017 law change, fireworks in Pennsylvania were largely limited to sparklers and similar novelties. The changes permitted the sale of the full array of fireworks that meet federal consumer standards.

Man Flown to Pittsburgh Hospital after Being Stabbed in Aliquippa Thursday Afternoon.

(File Photo)

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is reporting that Aliquippa Police and first responders responded to a 9-1-1 call after a male was stabbed in the 1000 block of Clinton Street in Aliquippa around 4PM. An unnamed male was flown to UPMC Presbyterian and no other information has been released. State Police were called in to investigate and no update has been released.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio and we will update you as soon as more information is released.

Customer Assaults Officers During Incident at Robinson Eat N Park

(Robinson Twp., Pa.) A customer refused to leave at the Eat’n Park in Robinson yesterday morning.
According to reports Stephen Foreman was watching a profanity-laced video on his phone when a manager asked him to turn it down because there were families with little kids in the restaurant. Foreman complied initially, before cranking the volume right back up and then was asked by a manager to leave
Foreman refused to leave and police were called. when officers arrived they observed that Foreman had a bulge in the right front pocket of his jeans. At that time Foreman placed his hands in his hoodie before running towards an exit and knocking an elderly woman out of the way.
The report said the altercation then spilled out into the parking lot, where Foreman got in his car and almost slammed an officer’s hand as he closed the car’s door. Foremen is then accused of punching two police officers in the face until a Taser was used. Police said a third officer jumped in and shocked Foreman again before he could be arrested.
Police said that the bulge in Foreman’s pocket turned out to be a marijuana grinder.
Foreman was evaluated at a local hospital before being booked in jail.

Capitol Riot Panel Blames Trump for 1/6 ‘Attempted Coup’

(File Photo/AP Photo/John Raoux)
By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has firmly laid blame on Donald Trump. In Thursday’s prime-time hearing, lawmakers said the siege was no accident but an “attempted coup” and a direct result of the defeated president’s effort to overturn the 2020 election. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democrat from Mississippi, said the attack put America’s “constitutional democracy at risk.” Thursday’s hearing showed new video and other evidence from the deadly Capitol assault. The panel also detailed the chilling backstory as defeated President Donald Trump tried to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Live testimony included a police officer who was pummeled in the riot and a documentary filmmaker tracking extremist Proud Boys leading the melee.

Tires Slashed on Vehicle Parked at Park and Ride in Portersville

(File Photo)

(Portersville, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they were called to the 488 Park and Ride in Portersville Borough Butler County for a report of tires being slashed on a New Castle man’s vehicle.
Troopers reported via release that sometime between 2:00 PM Tuesday and 2:22 AM Wednesday morning someone slashed three tires of 57-year-old Scott Hempfling’s 2005 Dodge Neon while it was parked at the park and ride.
Troopers are asking anyone with information to call them at the Butler Barracks

Cosby in Video Testimony Denies Sex Abuse of Teen in 1970s

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Video testimony played for jurors at a civil trial shows Bill Cosby denying sexually abusing a teenage girl at the Playboy Mansion in the mid-1970s. The 12 minutes of clips played Wednesday for Los Angeles County jurors represent the first time Cosby’s voice has been heard in the six days of trial. In one clip he flatly denies forcing Judy Huth, who is suing him, to perform a sex act. Asked whether he knowingly sought relationships with girls under 18 in the 1970s, Cosby answers “no” but says he also did not generally make sure those he pursued were 18.