(Image/Commonwealth Media Services)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania will direct up to $400 million in federal money over the next five years to reimburse organizations that train new infrastructure workers on the job, under an executive order signed Monday by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.

A portion of the $19 billion that the state will receive from two federal programs for infrastructure projects will, under the governor’s order, fund the new training program.

Organizations doing infrastructure work — such as repairing roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes and expanding high speed internet — could receive up to $40,000 for each new worker they train. A maximum of $400,000 could be reimbursed through the program, which will be managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

The grants are meant to reimburse the cost of workers’ salaries and other training costs. Additionally, the money can be used to help employees with housing, child and dependent care, tools, uniforms, educational testing and transportation. The Shapiro administration aims to create 10,000 new jobs.

Shapiro said that reopening a collapsed section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia in less than two weeks showed “what’s possible when our highly skilled workers get to work and when we have their backs.”

“We need the workforce to be able to do it,” the governor said at a press conference in Pittsburgh. “So one of the biggest hurdles we face is having enough workers trained and ready for these kinds of projects at a time when we now have more money than ever before for this type of investment.”

Photo obtained from Beaver Valley Regional Police Website
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 31, 2023 1:48 P.M.

(Baden, PA) Beaver Valley Regional Police released a statement that they are investigating numerous car entries that occurred early Sunday morning between 2am and 3am. According to a press release, all of the targeted vehicles were left unlocked. Beaver Valley Regional Police wants to remind residents to keep their vehicles locked, secure valuables, and report any suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1.  The incidents of Sunday morning are currently under investigation and police ask that any information be forwarded to Beaver Valley Regional Police. The non emergency number for BVRPD is 724-869-9530. You can also contact them by visiting bvrpd-pa.gov. 

Photo of Ambridge charging station by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio with contributions by Curtis Walsh. Published July 31, 2023 12:22 P.M.

(Ambridge, PA) Ambridge has become the first city in the county to install their own electric vehicle charging stations. Borough officials authorized the purchase of electric vehicle chargers earlier this year. 2 are for the public’s vehicles and 2 are for police vehicles. The chargers are located in front of the borough building  and were placed there earlier this month, according to a spokesperson. The first charging station overall in the county was built approximately two years ago in the Beaver County Courthouse parking garage. That charging station is operated by the county and is free for the public.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 31, 2023 12:13 P.M.

(Baden, PA) A Baden Borough official said less than 3,000 residents are affected by the water line break at the Ambridge Water plant. Residents were advised by email and on Facebook about the issue and advised to use bottled water for drinking.

San Rocco Festival 2013 with WBVP/WMBA Pontiac van shown above.
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 31, 2023 7:53 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) At 8 a.m. sharp the banner will be received at foundation member Jean Rosati’s home at 1715 Polk/Street. Italian music will be played by the San Rocco   Foundation Band and refreshments will be provided by the foundation. Many of the foundation’s current members are descendants of original foundation members, when it got started in 1925 according to Eugene Frioni, foundation president.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say a helicopter hit power lines and crashed near an interstate in Ohio over the weekend, killing the pilot and causing a series of crashes. The Ohio state highway patrol said the Bell 206L-4 aircraft was flying near I-70 in Springfield Township in Clark County when it hit the lines and crashed into a cornfield shortly after noon Saturday. The pilot, 36-year-old Isaac Lee Santos of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was killed. The Springfield News-Sun says the aircraft was owned by a firm doing aerial applications such as herbicide and insecticide. Power lines fell onto the westbound and eastbound lanes of I-70, resulting in minor crashes of seven vehicles.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal trial for a man who fatally shot 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue is approaching its conclusion as the defense makes its case that mental illness spurred the United States’ deadliest antisemitic attack. Lawyers for Robert Bowers are trying to persuade a federal jury to spare his life. A defense psychiatrist who met with Bowers testified Friday that Bowers has schizophrenia and acted out of a delusion that Jews were trying to cause a genocide of white people. Bowers’ relatives also testified, with his aunt saying he had a difficult childhood.

The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.05 billion after no one took home the $940 million top prize. The numbers drawn Friday night in the nationwide lottery were: 5, 10, 28, 52, 63 and the gold ball 18. Mega Millions says the new potential jackpot is the fourth-largest in the history of the game and the fifth over $1 billion. No one has won the jackpot since April 18. The $1.05 billion prize would be for a sole winner choosing to be paid through an annuity over 30 years. Jackpot winners almost always opt for a lump sum payment, which for the next drawing Tuesday night would be an estimated $527.9 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 302.6 million.

(Ambridge, PA) Ambridge Water Authority customers are being advised to boil their water, the authority released the following statement on their website:

The Ambridge Water Authority may be at increased risk from microbial contamination.  We routinely monitor the conditions in the distribution system.  On Sunday, July 30, 2023, we experienced a loss of positive water pressure due to a water line break.  A loss of positive water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through back-flow by back-pressure or back-siphonage.  As a result, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms.

Bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using; or use bottled water.  You should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice.  Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms.

As more information becomes available we will send additional messages.  Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these significant issues.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 29, 2023 9:55 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Shadow Lakes Country Club was the site of the 2023 Larry Bruno Foundation Hall of Achievment Induction Ceremony. Inductees for 2023 were Patti Bellan-Gillen, Ed DeRose, Lance Jeter, Larry Matrazzo, Jim McCarl, Ron Sciarro. Posthumous inductees were Pete Kinkead, Tom Kirpatrick, and Bill Livingston. A wide array of special guests and notable community members spoke with Mike Romigh during a live broadcast on Beaver County Radio. Scholarships were also awarded to select local seniors. One of the main guests of the event was none other than Joe Namath, who was set to appear via zoom.