Category: News

Pittsburgh synagogue trial is proving the obvious, but ultimately focused on the death penalty

This photo of bullet-damaged prayer book in the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh was entered May 30, 2023, as a court exhibit by prosecutors in the federal trial of Robert Bowers. He faces multiple charges in the killing of 11 worshippers from three congregations and the wounding of seven worshippers and police officers in the building on Oct. 27, 2018. The charges include the obstruction of the free exercise of religion, resulting in death. (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania via AP)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Worshippers, police officers and other witnesses have testified to the horror of the nation’s deadliest antisemitic attack in the ongoing federal trial of Robert Bowers. He is charged with killing 11 and wounding seven at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. The trial may seem an exercise in proving the obvious. Bowers’ own defense attorney admitted he committed the killings, though she is questioning some of the motives the prosecution is attributing to him. Bowers’ conviction seems certain, but even at this phase of the trial, his defense team’s ultimate goal is to spare him the death penalty.

PA Superior Court orders evidentiary hearing in Beaver County Case

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 9, 2023 11:42 A.M.

(Beaver County, PA) Beaver County Court Judge Kim Tesla has been ordered by the PA Superior Court to hold the hearing for convicted killer Sheldon Jeter, Jr. The Superior Court ruled Judge Tesla erred when he denied a request by defense attorneys following Jeter’s trial in the death of Kaezon Pugh in 2021 to explore allegations of a juror’s misconduct at the trial.

The 31 page order was sent to the county, and the order was received on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Ambridge Police looking for drug suspect that fled on Thursday

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 9, 2023 11:38 A.M.

(Ambridge, PA) At approximately 1:55 p.m. Thursday Ambridge Police were patrolling  in a high drug trafficking area of the borough , they came upon a suspicious vehicle with a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. They attempted to initiate a traffic stop in a marked police cruiser with lights activated and sirens at a slow rate of speed.   The vehicle continued travelling at a low rate of speed  before an unmarked cruiser with light activated pulled head on to the suspect’s vehicle. Officers kept a safe distance  from the suspect’s and followed it until reaching 8th St. and Route 65. A female passenger then jumped from the vehicle , running north onto Route 65, she was apprehended a short time later.  The suspect’s vehicle headed southbound on Route 65 toward Leetsdale. Officers recovered the female passenger. She had approximately 90 MDA pills, digital scale, a large sum of US currency, a firearm, and a magazine from a different firearm. Officers recovered approximately 9.4 ounces of powdered cocaine from inside the vehicle. The driver, who hasn’t been apprehended, is described as a light skinned black male from the Pittsburgh area. Any information on the identification of the male is asked to contact the Ambridge Police Department of 9-1-1.

Hopewell Upsets Erie Cathedral Prep 4-2 They Move On To Semi Finals!!!

The Hopewell Vikings did what they were not expected to do as they give the Erie Prep Cathedral a record 22and 1 instead of a future in the High School Playoffs. Landin fox took the mound and had a solid game even picking off Erie’s first base runner at first base but Erie ends up scoring a run, he kept them in check after that not allowing any more runs until the bottom of the 5th inning. Hopewell had some good  hitting after  Slate  drove a ball to the fence and then they get a walk and Fox comes  up to help his cause with a hit up the middle to drive in a run and Lucas Walton hits a 2 run single to give Hopewell a 3-1 lead. Landin fox pitched to the middle of the 7th when the pitch count caught up to him and they had to bring in David Medich who faced the meat of the order and through nothing but junk at them with a change up and 8 curve balls to strike out the next two batters to close the game. Stay tuned for when and who the Vikings will play in the semi finals against right here on Beaver County Radio. This game was Broadcast here on Beaver County Radio by Mike Azadian And Bruce Frye right here on 95.7FM and 99.3FM along with 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA and around the world on Beaver county Radio.com.

Riverside Crushes Fairview 9 to 3 To Advance To Semi Finals In State Playoffs!!!

The Riverside Panthers got out to a fast start scoring 4 times in the bottom of the first, Riverside had a couple of runs on and a double by Hunter Garvin and  then his brother Mitch Garvin comes up with bases loaded and hit a sacrifice fly to bring the third run in and then the next batter followed up with another sac fly to give Riverside a 4 to nothing lead. In the bottom of the third Hunter Garvin gets a single and then Mitch Garvin comes up and hits a ball into left field to put runners on first and second, then Drake fox hits a ground ball fielders choice at second puts runners on the corners for Riverside and they decide to send the runner half way down they had him trapped but a low toss to first got away and the runner on third scored. Riverside will play Monday time or place or who they  hasn’t been decided yet stay tuned to Beaver County Radio for details. The game was Broadcast right here on 95.7FM 99.3FM and 1230 WBVP/and 1460 WMBA by Bruce Frye and Mike Azadian and around the world on Beaver County Radio.com.

Aliquippa Police and fire department give updates to council

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 8, 2023 2:41 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) At Wednesday night’s meeting Police Captain Don  Lane reported that the department is exploring an option to add a second K-9 to the force. He said the new police vehicles will come equipped with computers allowing officers to do their reports while in the vehicles, he said it will allow officers to be more visible.  Officers Andy Golletti and David Mosura are now city detectives and will investigate lesser crimes, Captain Lane told council. He commended Officer Bruce Tooch for his handling of a drug bust, and the case is now in the courts.

Fire Chief Dave Foringer commended the police and fire departments for their professionalism and quick action following a fatal accident recently on Station Street.  A female was ejected from the vehicle and died as a result of her injuries.
A parade on Sunday, June 11 ,2023 will proceed from St. Titus Church to the library at 10:45 am. Drivers are advised to take Sheffield Avenue as an alternate travel route, Chief Foringer reported.
Code and Zoning officer Jim Bologna reminded residents and committee that there is a Blight meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the city building. The group was formed in 2019.

Link To Hopewell/Erie Cathedral Prep Class 4A PIAA Baseball Quarterfinals

99.3 and 95.7 FM along with 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and beavercountyradio.com‘s Mike Azadian and Bruce Frey have the call from Slippery Rock University of this 2023 PIAA Class 4A State Quarterfinal high school baseball game playoff game as the Vikings take on the Ramblers.
If you can’t tune into the game you can click the link below to listen on-line via beavercountyradio.com:

 

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The Efficiency Network (TEN) completed projects in the Aliquippa School District

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published June 8, 2023 11:55 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) A series of projects  were completed in the elementary and junior/senior high schools recently that will.

provide  a more sustainable learning environment for its students and staff, according to Alyssa Battaglia  from Duquesne Light which  operates the TEN   program. Several energy enhancements including Low-E energy efficient windows, masonry repairs , refurbishment of the HVAC systems, and LED lighting upgrades.
Ms. Battaglia said in a release  the improvements will result in an annual savings of nearly 164,000 kilowatt hours and a total cost saving of approximately $24,000.00. The upgrades will reduce  the district’s carbon footprint by 116 metric tons.

Shapiro Administration Eliminates Medicaid Provider Enrollment Application Backlog, Creating More Options for Health Care

Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration today announced it has completely eliminated a backlog of Medicaid provider enrollment and revalidation applications, paving the way for more health care providers to become part of the Medicaid program, and giving Medicaid recipients more options for care. This announcement follows news in late April that the Department of Human Services (DHS) had already reduced the provider backlog by 75 percent within Governor Shapiro’s first 100 days in office.

As of January 2023, there was a backlog of more than 35,000 provider applications and revalidation applications that were more than 30 days old. Within the first 100 days of the Administration, the number of waiting applicants was reduced by 75 percent to under 8,500 applications, and that backlog has now been entirely eliminated.

“Pennsylvania is fortunate to have so many caring, high-quality health care providers and professionals who want to be part of the Medicaid program and care for some of our most vulnerable friends, neighbors, and loved ones,” said DHS Acting Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “I want to thank them and DHS staff who worked so diligently on this issue. They have helped to ensure that Medicaid recipients in the Commonwealth can continue to get the care they need and deserve.”

By federal law, organizations are not able to offer care to patients under the Medicaid program unless they are enrolled providers. In addition, DHS must revalidate Medicaid service providers every five years. Any backlogs in processing applications means that providers who want to offer services to Medicaid recipients cannot do so until their applications are approved.

The Medicaid program in Pennsylvania serves more than 3.7 million people, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Recognizing the scope of the backlog and its impact on Pennsylvanians, the Shapiro Administration and DHS staff and leadership acted quickly to address it, removing roadblocks to processing applications quickly and cutting red tape.

“Because DHS mobilized quickly and provided additional resources to this effort, Pennsylvania’s Community Health Centers (also known as federally qualified health centers) have been able to ensure that they are there for the more than one million Pennsylvanians who count on them for access to quality, affordable medical, behavioral, dental, vision care, and other healthcare services. Access to health care services is paramount to having healthy communities,” said Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers President and CEO Cheri Rinehart. 

The Shapiro Administration is committed to transforming Pennsylvania government to more effectively and efficiently serve Pennsylvanians, and DHS’ efforts to reduce and eliminate wait times and backlogs for Medicaid service providers are in addition to Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order to improve the Commonwealth’s licensing, permitting, and certification processes.

Pennsylvania under Code Red Air Quality Alert Due to Wildfire Smoke

Harrisburg, PA – Today, June 7, 2023, The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a Code Red Air Quality Action Day throughout the entire Commonwealth for fine particulate matter. Pennsylvania residents should limit their outdoor activities. Children, sensitive populations such as older people, those who exercise or work outdoors and those with lung or respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

 

Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Red range on Wednesday, with areas farther east experiencing worse air quality, possibly into Code Purple ranges. For areas in Code Purple, all residents should limit outdoor exertion, and sensitive populations should avoid all outdoor exertion.

 

Residents are encouraged to limit their time outdoors but do not need to shelter in place. Pets and other animals should be kept indoors.

 

The weather pattern pushing the smoke from wildfires in eastern Quebec is forecast to continue until Friday for most of Pennsylvania. DEP will continue to update the forecast to determine ongoing needs for Air Quality Alerts.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

 

An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher. On an Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

 

For more information, visit DEP at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb and EPA’s AirNow at www.airnow.gov.