Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 27, 2023 9:19 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Josh Trone is a part time fighter in the city, and the Fire Civil Service Commission recommended at Wednesday night’s work session that he be promoted to full time. City Council approved the status change. Council approved the commission’s request to update the age and residency requirements in the civil service rules and regulations.  The civil service will begin testing to hire new firefighters.

FILE – This image taken from police body cam video shows a police dog attacking Jadarrius Rose, 23, of Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Circleville, Ohio. An Ohio police department has fired an officer who released his police dog on a surrendering truck driver even after state troopers told him to hold the dog back. A statement issued Wednesday, July 26, 2023, by Circleville police said Ryan Speakman “did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers” and that he has been “terminated from the department, effective immediately.” (Ohio State Highway Patrol via AP, File).

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio police department has fired an officer who released his police dog on a surrendering truck driver even after state troopers told him to hold the dog back. A statement issued Wednesday by Circleville police said Ryan Speakman “did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers.” It said he has been “terminated from the department, effective immediately.” The firing came one day after Circleville’s police chief announced Speakman was put on paid administrative leave. The July 4 episode began when troopers tried to stop a semitruck that was missing a mudflap and failed to halt for an inspection. The nearby Circleville Police Department was called to assist.

President Joe Biden speaks during an event to establish the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has made it clear he wants to see President Joe Biden impeached, and Trump’s allies in Congress and rivals in the 2024 presidential race are eager to join that fight. This week, the prospect of impeaching Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden, emerged from the far corners of the GOP’s right flank to its mainstream. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says House Republicans “are absolutely within their rights” to consider an impeachment inquiry against Biden. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a top Trump ally sometimes mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick, says House Republicans “will leave no stone unturned.”

FILE – Yardley Makefield Marine Rescue leaves the Yardley boat ramp heading down the Delaware River on July 17, 2023, in Yardley, Pa. The family of a 2-year-old girl swept away along with another child by a flash flood that engulfed their vehicle on a Pennsylvania road is expressing gratitude at the discovery of a body believed to be hers. The body was found early Friday, July 22, in the Delaware River near a Philadelphia wastewater treatment plant about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from where Matilda Sheils was carried away, authorities said Friday night. (Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, File)

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (AP) — Authorities in Pennsylvania say the active search has ended for a 9-month-old boy swept away in a flash flood earlier this month. The flood also killed his 2-year-old sister and mother as well as four other people. Upper Makefield Township police said Wednesday they have “exhausted all means” of trying to find 9-month-old Conrad Sheils. Hundreds of people have been searching since what authorities called a “wall of water” swamped motorists July 15, including the South Carolina family heading to a barbecue. The father, grandmother and a 4-year-old boy survived but the two younger children and their mother were killed.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a request by lawyers for the Pittsburgh synagogue gunman to exhume the body of his father. Robert Bowers’ lawyers had wanted the body exhumed for a DNA test after prosecutors raised questions about paternity. Bowers is facing a possible death sentence after being convicted of killing 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue. Trying to persuade jurors to spare his life, the defense says Bowers has a family history of mental illness and has introduced evidence that his father was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The judge ruled Wednesday that the defense waited too long to make the exhumation request.

Colder weather may seem far off in the distance, but in the travel world, now is the time to think about cooler days and year-end holidays. According to AAA, many people wait to book holiday travel in September and October, but summer really is the best time to make holiday plans. By planning now, travelers have a better chance of finding the best deals and locking in the destination of their choice.

“When it comes to the holidays, more people seem to have a sense of adventure as they plan those special trips with loved ones,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “Travelers are eager to get their dream vacations on the books now whether it’s a family theme park vacation or a memorable trip abroad.”

Things to Remember When Booking Holiday Travel:

Book now before most families do. With summer vacations and camps in full swing, most people aren’t thinking about the holidays. Many families wait to book until early fall, when schools resume and they’re back into their routine. To ensure the best selection and prices, get holiday trips on the books now.

Nonstop flights fill up quickly. Most travelers want to skip layovers and get right to their destination. That means nonstop flights, especially those going cross-country and internationally, will fill up fast. Prices fluctuate, and the longer travelers wait, the fewer options are available for nonstop flights and premium seats.

Europe, cruises, and theme parks sell out in advance. European travel is booming this year and the holidays will be no exception. AAA travel advisors say touring Christmas markets in Europe is extremely popular and itineraries sell out in advance. River cruises are also in high demand during the holidays, along with Caribbean cruises.

More people are gifting experiences instead of presents. Travelers who are already thinking about the holidays might decide to give the gift of travel instead of presents. And after three years of a pandemic, many people are booking bucket list trips for the entire family like a holiday trip to Disney World.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and Moon Township Police Department hosted an aggressive driving enforcement event today to remind motorists of the dangers that result from aggressive behavior behind the wheel.

The partners teamed up along Business Loop 376 in Moon Township, Allegheny County to conduct aggressive driving enforcement. The corridor is one of many where police often find aggressive motorists behind the wheel.

Aggressive driving is one of the leading factors of highway crashes and fatalities in Pennsylvania. Police will target drivers demonstrating unsafe behaviors such as speeding, texting, careless driving, work zone safety violations and any other aggressive driving actions.
This mobilization also comes in time for motorists to prepare for the upcoming school year. By practicing safe behaviors now, drivers can get into the habit of being especially cautious in residential areas and school zones.

According to PennDOT data, in 2022 there were 7,248 aggressive driving related crashes statewide. Also last year, there were 3,688 speed-related crashes, which is the top offense law enforcement sees in aggressive driving citations.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding fatalities have continued to increase, rising 17 percent from 2019 to 2020 and another estimated 5 percent from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, NHTSA reports in 2020, there were 11,258 people killed in speeding-related traffic crashes, and speeding was a contributing factor in 29 percent of all fatal crashes nationally.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Senator Bob Casey joined with colleagues in the House and Senate to introduce a bipartisan concurrent resolution calling for the immediate release of Marc Fogel. Fogel is a U.S. citizen and career educator who Russia has imprisoned since August 2021 for carrying roughly half an ounce of medical marijuana, for which he had a medical prescription. The resolution urges the Biden Administration to prioritize securing the release of Mr. Fogel—an Oakmont resident and constituent of Rep. Deluzio’s—as well as all other U.S. citizens and permanent residents who Russia has wrongfully detained.

Other bipartisan co-sponsors of the House and Senate include, Representatives Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA-14), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Dan Meuser (R-PA-09), Mike Thompson (R-PA-15), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01), and Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Jon Tester (D-MT), and John Fetterman (D-PA).

“We cannot sit by while Putin’s Russia plays political games with the lives of Americans like my Western Pennsylvania constituent Marc Fogel,” said Representative Deluzio. “Marc faces unjust and disproportionate charges for possession of his legally prescribed medical marijuana. Further, I am concerned that he is living in abysmal and harsh conditions that could threaten his health. We have got to bring Marc home. I am proud to join with Senator Casey and my colleagues to introduce this resolution to both amplify Marc’s story and grow support on Capitol Hill for his safe and speedy release.”

“Marc Fogel has devoted his life to educating students around the world, from Pittsburgh to Oman to Venezuela to Moscow. Because of what can only be understood as a political ploy by Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime, he was unjustly sentenced to 14 years in a Russian maximum-security penal colony,” said Senator Casey. “Marc is a loving father and dedicated teacher whose life is in danger. I urge President Biden and his administration to do everything possible to bring Marc home.”

“This week marks another year Marc Fogel will spend his birthday unjustly imprisoned in a Russian penal colony instead of with his loving family in the Pittsburgh area,” said Representative Reschenthaler. “It’s past time for the Biden administration to bring Marc home and reunite him with his loved ones.”

In his first term in Congress, Representative Deluzio has been pushing the Biden Administration to prioritize Marc Fogel’s case. He has called for the State Department to designate Mr. Fogel as “wrongfully detained” and introduced the bipartisan Marc Fogel Act alongside other House members in the Pennsylvania delegation. Congressman Deluzio and his staff have also met with members of the Fogel family. He will keep fighting to bring attention to Mr. Fogel’s case and to build public and political support to bring him home.

 (Beaver Falls, PA) The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive in Beaver Falls at Broadhead Apartments located at 712 12th Street. The drive will take place on Tuesday, August 8 from 11:00 AM – 04:30 PM. People can sign up by going to redcrossblood.org and searching for BROADHEAD or calling 1-800 RED CROSS. Those who come to give are eligible for a $20 egift card while supplies last as long as a valid email is on file in the Red Cross system.

FILE – Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, walks from Marine One upon arrival at Fort McNair, June 25, 2023, in Washington. Hunter Biden is expected to appear before a federal judge Wednesday, July 26 to plead guilty to two tax crimes and admit to possessing a gun as a drug user in a deal with the Justice Department that is likely going to spare him time behind bars. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden’s son Hunter is expected to appear before a federal judge in Delaware to plead guilty to two tax crimes and admit possessing a gun as a drug user. The anticipated pleas Wednesday are part of a deal with the Justice Department that’ll likely spare Hunter Biden time behind bars. U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika was appointed by then-President Donald Trump and will preside over the hearing. The judge must sign off on the deal, in which prosecutors will recommend two years of probation. The deal was announced last month and ended a long-running Justice Department investigation into the taxes and foreign business dealings of the president’s second son.