Philadelphia, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the approval of $36 million through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) to assist low-income individuals and improve distressed areas in Pennsylvania communities. The NAP, which provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities, will support 261 projects across the Commonwealth.

“Since day one, my Administration has made a commitment to strengthening our communities and making Pennsylvania a better place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “By encouraging businesses to make impactful investments in their local communities, the Neighborhood Assistance Program is driving investment to worthy causes and helping improve the lives of our fellow Pennsylvanians. This program is a great example of the impact we can have when we connect the dots between the private sector, public sector, and nonprofits – and my Administration will continue to support and grow these kinds of partnerships.”

Through the NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 80 percent on the contributions they make to a qualifying community project.

“The Shapiro Administration knows that when local communities are healthy and vibrant, our entire Commonwealth will grow and thrive, and these investments through the Neighborhood Assistance Program are just one way we’re making that happen,” said Secretary Siger. “The NAP helps our low-income areas in a way that very few state or federal programs do – by promoting and encouraging the public-private partnerships that put communities on the right track to fiscal health and long-term prosperity.”

Secretary Siger announced the new statewide NAP funding during a visit to Philabundance food bank in Philadelphia, which will receive nearly $3 million in charitable food contributions from 12 regional businesses participating in the NAP.

“The Neighborhood Assistance Program is a crucial tool that enables Philabundance to build consistent food donor relationships, provide incentives, and show support for our most generous and longstanding food donors, helping ensure that our food distributions continue to be robustly supported by Pennsylvania food businesses,” said Loree Jones Brown, Philabundance CEO. “We want to thank the Shapiro Administration for this vital support.”

The approved funding will support a variety of important community projects across Pennsylvania, including:

• 34 community investments in the central region. One project in Lycoming County will renovate two existing electrical labs at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, allowing the enrollment and graduation of more low-income students at the school.

• 28 community investments in the Lehigh Valley region. One project in Berks County will renovate a long-vacant, four-floor, 51,000-square-foot building in Reading. Three non-profit organizations with high community impact will occupy the building once the renovations are complete.

• 33 community investments in the northeast region. One project in Wyoming County will improve access to additional healthcare services by helping Geisinger build a new Convenient Care Plus clinic at one of their facilities in Tunkhannock.

• 36 community investments in the northwest region. One project in Crawford County will renovate three vacant former student houses at Allegheny College and convert them into housing for qualified low-income buyers.

• 60 community investments in the southeast region. Philabundance in Philadelphia County, the host of today’s announcement, will utilize contributions from the NAP program to leverage monetary and in-kind food donations that will be distributed to food-insecure households across their service area, which includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

• 70 community investments in the southwest region. One project in Allegheny County will help provide healthcare worker uniforms to 500 women undertaking employment or training programs in rural communities and vulnerable neighborhoods.

The NAP has five main components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), Special Program Priorities (SPP), the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP), Charitable Food Program (CFP), and the Enterprise Zone Program (EZP). More information is available on the NAP fact sheet.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, the national average for a gallon of gas is steadily declining. Since last week, pump prices have fallen six cents to $3.30. Since the price peak for 2023, the national average has either fallen or remained flat for 60 straight days. Ten states now have averages below $3 per gallon. Today’s national average is 25 cents less than a month ago and 37 cents less than a year ago.
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Beaver County is currently $3.76.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published November 21, 2023 10:06 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, Pa) The City of Beaver Falls Police Chief, David Johnson, released a statement regarding a shooting incident that took place Saturday, November 18th. Officers were dispatched at 8:20pm Saturday to the area of the 400 block of 33rd Street for a report of a single gunshot.
When officers arrived, they found that the involved parties fled the scene. After launching an investigation, police and detectives determined that a physical altercation took place that led to a juvenile recieving a non life threatening gunshot wound.
During the altercation, there was a struggle over control of the firearm that the juvenile possessed, resulting in the weapon being fired. The juvenile recieved treatment at a local hospital.
The City of Beaver Falls Police say the incident was isolated and they have no reason to believe that there is any ongoing danger to the community. The incident is still under investigation.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published November 20, 2023 3:14 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) On November 1, 2023, Hopewell Township was notified that they received a DOJ/COPS HIRING GRANT. It’s a competitive process to receive the grant Chief Sedlacek said. The township collaborated with the state representatives, the commissioners, and the school district. The commissioners made the decision concerning the difficulty in hiring officers, and the upswing in active shooter swatting incidents. The need for additional school resource officers was addressed. The grant is for $250,000. Eventually the SRO will be a shared investment by the township and the school district.

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Tom Young from 1st Consultants, Inc. in Beaver will join Eddy Crow on “Teleforum” and co-host a guest segment on 99.3 FM and 1230 WBVP to talk about the ways in which human nature can create “pitfalls” that lead to financial mistakes. How does one turn into their own worst enemy when trying to combat other elements that can bring them down? Tune in to find out the answers to your questions. The special show starts at 9:10 A.M. as part of an ongoing monthly series of multi media forums.

Change your mindset and you change the future.

Tune in on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. The special multi media presentation begins at 9:10 A.M. on Beaver County Radio.

You can participate in the show by calling 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888. You can also ask your questions on Facebook Live.

Click the picture below on Tuesday’s showtime of 9:10 A.M. to be directed to the WBVP and WMBA Facebook page where the special multi media simulcast will be streamed on Facebook Live.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published November 20, 2023 8:26 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Hopewell Commissioner’s chairman Rich Bufalini, the Police Commission, Police Chief Don Sedlacek, and the department received PLEAC accreditation on October 26, 2023.
To attain the certification the department, worked diligently over the past 10 months.
PLEAC officials will be in the township at the Monday, January 22, 2024 commissioner’s meeting to re-present the certification to the township, in which Hopewell is only the second township to receive.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published November 20, 2023 8:02 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) At approximately 3:48 pm Friday, Aliquippa Police and firefighters were called to a home in the 2100 block of Buchanan Street for a structure fire. When firefighters entered they discovered that a 63 year old white male was on fire. He was the only one in the residence according to Police Chief John Lane.
State Police are assisting with the investigation. Crews were on scene for almost 6 1/2 hours. The coroner was called to the scene and Fred Edward Poore, II of 2100 Buchanan Street has been identified as the homeowner. No foul play is suspected, and the investigation into Poore’s death is ongoing. PSP was called to assist Aliquippa Police at the scene Friday afternoon at 4:21 pm.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing utility work on Route 151 (Laurel Road) in Hopewell Township, Beaver County will begin Monday, November 20 weather permitting.

Single-lane alternating traffic will occur as needed on Route 151 near the intersection with Brodhead Road weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the end of November. Crews from Peoples Natural Gas will conduct gas pipeline relocation work.