(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

With warmer days ahead (allegedly), the Beaver County Commissioners are on the cusp of seeing several new additions to the county officially become a reality.

One of those realities took place over the weekend, as the Maple Syrup & Music Festival returned to Brady’s Run following a multi-year absence. Commissioner Jack Manning praised the “exceptional effort” for all parties involved, including all volunteers and PUSH Beaver County (in their first year running the festival). Parks and Recreation director Tony Caltury said that the numbers for attendance were still not yet finalized due to the last stages of “breakdown mode” from the weekend, but said that he was “pleasantly surprised” by the turnout over the two-day festival.

Two more anticipated happenings in the near future are the opening of the Old Economy Pool and the grand opening of the new Beaver County Men’s Shelter in Vanport. The Old Economy Pool will be opening this summer in conjunction with the Beaver County YMCA, who will be employing lifeguards and other staff to operate the facilities following no operation of the facility in 2022. The Men’s Shelter is tentatively scheduled to open in June of 2023, with a change order request sent to the County Commissioners for approval. County solicitor Garen Fedeles introduced these two resolutions, along with 45 others, as submitted for approval at Thursday’s public meeting.

Additionally, Emergency Management Services director Eric Brewer spoke about the latest updates on the installation of new radio communication devices for the county, with Brewer hoping that the new equipment would be installed before fall. “I’m yelling,” Brewer stated. “I’m jumping up and down every day just to get this done.” Brewer added that he is pressuring to get a deadline date for the operations to be done.

Commissioner Tony Amadio was not in attendance for the April 26 work session.

The next work session is scheduled for May 3 at 10:00 AM.

FILE – A statue of Walt Disney and Micky Mouse stands in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Jan. 9, 2019. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ oversight board of Disney World has voted to claw back authority over the company’s theme park properties. The vote Wednesday, April 26, 2023, by the governor’s appointees voids a last-minute deal that placed control of theme park design and construction decisions Disney’s hands. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Disney is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over the Republican’s takeover of its theme park district, alleging Wednesday that the governor waged a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” after the company opposed a law critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” The suit was filed minutes after a Disney World oversight board appointed by DeSantis voted to void a deal that placed theme park design and construction decisions in the company’s hands. The DeSantis board said Disney’s move to retain control over their property was effectively unlawful and performed without proper public notice.

FILE – The New York Stock Exchange is seen in New York, Tuesday, June 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — A big rally for Microsoft and other Big Tech stocks is helping to prop up Wall Street. The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in midday Wednesday trading. A day earlier, it fell to its worst drop in a month on worries about the strength of U.S. banks. Microsoft jumped after reporting stronger profit for the first three months than analysts expected. Facebook’s parent company was also pushing the market higher ahead of its earnings report, which will arrive after trading closes for the day. First Republic Bank is continuing to slide after nearly halving the day before. Treasury yields rose.

President Joe Biden speaks at the North America’s Building Trades Union National Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is casting himself as a defender of freedom in his first campaign ad since launching his 2024 reelection bid. The television ad released Wednesday will air in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states Biden carried in 2020 that are key to keeping the White House. The ad aims to cast Republicans as part of an “extreme movement” bent on overturning elections, restricting abortion access and undermining voters’ economic security. The Democratic president wants to portray Republicans as embracing ex-President Donald Trump and out of the step with popular opinion and U.S. values. “Freedom” is a common buzzword among Republicans who would challenge Biden for reelection, typically around cultural issues.

FILE – A Norfolk Southern freight train makes it way through Homestead, Pa. on April 27, 2022. Norfolk Southern reports earnings on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Norfolk Southern said it expects February’s fiery Ohio derailment to cost it $387 million, but that total will likely increase over time and that doesn’t reflect how much the railroad’s insurance companies will eventually cover. The Atlanta-based railroad provided that estimate of the cost of the Feb. 3 derailment outside East Palestine, Ohio, Wednesday when it released its first-quarter earnings report. That derailment and several others since then have prompted a nationwide focus on railroad safety. That cost estimate includes the $30.9 million the railroad has pledged to help the community recover, but it doesn’t reflect how much Norfolk Southern will put into funds to cover any long-term health problems and compensate residents.

This summer could be record-setting when it comes to travel by air. Earlier this year, AAA reported a significant increase in international travel bookings. And in a recent interview, the head of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) said the agency is bracing for passenger levels above pre-pandemic numbers.

Many airlines, including Delta, have already announced a record number of advanced bookings for summer. To ensure travelers have the best vacation experience possible, AAA recommends booking as soon as possible.

“There is a lot of positive energy surrounding leisure travel this summer, which is very encouraging to see,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “To ensure vacations are as seamless as possible, it’s very important to lay out a game plan early with a trusted travel advisor.”

The Best Time to Book for Summer:
If travelers want the best choice of options for this summer, the time to book is now. AAA booking data shows demand is high this year, especially for international destinations. Waiting too long to book can result in limited inventory and sold-out cruises, tours, or direct flights.

“If you can be flexible with your travel dates and destinations, that can help you find better deals. But, given what could be record-setting demand, travelers who have grown accustomed to last-minute deals should think twice about waiting,” continued Powell.

AAA Recommendations:

• When booking, aim for the first morning flight. It’s more likely to depart on time because mornings have less air traffic congestion and fewer weather delays, especially in the summer.
• Reserve airport parking ahead of time to save time on departure day.
• Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights, 3 hours before international flights. Remember, international hubs will be extra packed with passengers this season.
• Sign up for TSA PreCheck or Clear to speed up the security process.
• Avoid checking a bag. Carry-on luggage allows for more flexibility and speeds up the process when flying.
• Make sure phones are fully charged. Download airline apps to receive notifications and use FlightAware to track flights the day of departure.
• Weather is generally considered an “Act of God” and not the fault of the airline. Working with a travel advisor gives travelers peace of mind when it comes to finding rebooking options.
• If a flight is canceled due to what is in the control of the airline, like a mechanical issue, the airline is responsible for rebooking passengers and providing some amenities, like food or lodging. For entitlements, see the DOT website: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/fly-rights.

(BEAVER, PA) —  On Tuesday, 20 therapists at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center voted unanimously to send an Unfair Labor Practice strike notice for owner Comprehensive’s failure to bargain in good faith. For six months, workers say Comprehensive delayed negotiations weeks on end, showed up to bargaining sessions unprepared on multiple occasions, and canceled or failed to attend scheduled negotiations.

“We are willing to negotiate, but it’s Comprehensive who has not shown us they want to work together toward a fair contract.” said Alysia Franitti, a Physical Therapy Assistant who has worked at Brighton for 5 years. “They’ve shown us nothing but disregard and disrespect.”

“The therapy staff continually gets high praise and good reviews from residents, but our wages do not reflect that,” said Franitti. “So when the company failed to show up with serious contract proposals and once never showed up at all, we felt disrespected. We hope to be compensated fairly for the work we do so we can continue to provide good outcomes for our patients and make a livable wage.”

Therapists at Brighton formed their union last year and are negotiating their first contract following 200 other union caregivers at Brighton settling a strong contract with Comprehensive. Brighton therapists have gone years without a raise, even throughout the pandemic. At the peak of COVID-19, management told the therapists that they did not qualify as essential workers — despite directly interacting with residents —  and would not receive any COVID hazard pay.

“No healthcare worker ever wants to go on strike,” said Laura Vorrias, a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at Brighton. “It’s been clear the company isn’t bargaining in good faith, even after we showed continued dedication to Brighton through this pandemic. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to reach a fair contract with real wage scales that recognize our experience, including going on strike together for each other! You cannot grow what you won’t water.”

Over 2,000 union nursing home workers won historic contracts after going on strike last September at some of the largest chains in Pennsylvania, including multiple Comprehensive-owned nursing homes. The contracts, which included increased wages and benefits designed to recruit and retain a skilled workforce, have paved the way for dozens of standards-setting contracts at other nursing homes across the state.

As President Joe Biden prepares to unroll new federal nursing home guidelines, including improving national staffing standards, questions of owner accountability have been heightened after the former co-owner of Brighton was federally indicted for healthcare fraud. Last month, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) met with constituent union caregivers from nursing homes in Beaver County, where Brighton’s located, to discuss these issues of accountability as well as improving staffing, training, and wages and benefits to address the care crisis.

By law, nursing home administrators must receive a 10-day notice before a strike at a healthcare facility takes place. If they are not able to reach an agreement, workers will begin their strike on May 6th.

Photos supplied by Superintendent Dr. Phillip K. Woods and AD Dr. Jennifer Damico.  
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 26, 2023 10:13 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa High School ‘s football stadium the ‘PIT’ was built in 1936 and was home for many games, including several championship games . Demolition took place at the site last year and work is still being completed for the 2023 opening of the stadium.  Funding and grants were pursued making it possible to demolish and construct a new stadium which is nearing completion. Dr. Phillip K. Woods, superintendent, has worked with the school board and, staff, and administration along with the state to pursue the necessary funding for the much-needed, and appreciated project. The lighting and bleachers are in place.
Additional photos can be viewed below:

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 26, 2023 10:09 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) At Tuesday night’s school board meeting the collective bargaining agreement by and between the Hopewell Area School District and Hopewell Education Association for the period beginning July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027 was ratified. The teachers have been working under the contract that expired June 30, 2022.