(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The concern and controversy over the recent announcement of Aliquippa football being assigned to play Class 5A football next season has made its way to Harrisburg.

State Representative Rob Matzie of Beaver County announced on Friday that he will be introducing legislation to analyze the operations, policies, finances and structure of the PIAA, including the process in which the PIAA classifies the levels at which schools compete in each sport.

Matzie says that the current way of operations puts student athletes in danger because of a lack of manpower and financial resources compared to the larger schools they would be competing against.

“I would wage this fight for Aliquippa or any student athlete in our commonwealth,” Matzie said. “Simply put, it’s unfair, unsafe and a dangerous disadvantage to our kids. What’s most disturbing is that I believe that this rule comes off as ignorant at best and arrogant at worst. Legislative action is necessary, and necessary now. Be assured, however, this is just the beginning. It’s been nearly 25 years since the last thorough review of the PIAA. It’s well past time for the legislature to have another look.”

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Pennsylvania State Police have released details about an assault following an attempted burglary in Franklin Township.

According to the report, 41-year-old Mark Drum got into an altercation with the unnamed 17-year-old would-be burglar when he noticed him walking down the stairs of his home. During the altercation, the juvenile suspect bit Mr. Drum’s son on the leg after he awoke to help his father, seized a pocket knife from the son, and proceed to slash Mr. Drum’s cheek before escaping barefoot from the scene. It was after the juvenile returned to the scene that he was taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police.

No further details have been released.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published January 5, 2023 7:07 P.M.

(New Brighton, Pa) An accident took place on 3rd Avenue near 19th Street in New Brighton around 5:30pm Friday. Beaver County Radio saw one person on the ground being given medical attention, before being placed in an ambulance. One vehicle was seen with heavy rear end damage. Traffic was detoured temporarily. The scene was cleaned up and cleared by approximately 6pm.  We have no additional details at this time.

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

A new year means a new business manager for the Central Valley School District, as the longtime school board member for Center and Monaca Schools officially retired on December 31, 2023.

John Maly was a 1970 graduate of Aliquippa High School and was part of the school board that decided on the merger of Monaca High School and Center High School in 2010. He also worked as a business manager for Sewickley Hospital for 27 years.

Giordano reports that Joan Wehner is the new business manager at Central Valley High School, replacing the retiring Maly.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
(Image/Commonwealth Media Services)

A 1,000 pound diorama depicting a connection between rural and urban Pennsylvanians gathering around a table to share a locally grown meal was revealed yesterday in Harrisburg in a public display. The catch is that the thousand-pound diorama was sculpted entirely out of butter, carved by Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken in lieu of the upcoming Pennsylvania Farm Show.

There to help unveil the butter sculpture was Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, who thanked everyone in PA’s dairy farms and farms across the commonwealth for their continued hard work.

The sculpture, which is co-sponsored by American Dairy Association North East and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, will be displayed at the Expo Center in Harrisburg during the Farm Show starting tomorrow until January 13.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The Beaver County Unit of Pennsylvania State Police Troop D is asking the public for tips regarding the 1982 homicide of David Legge that took place in Independence Township. The 32-year old Legge was found hanging from the Lynx bridge on January 7, 1982, and multiple gunshot wounds were found on his body following its removal from the crime scene.

Any persons with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police Beaver Station at 724-773-7400 and speak to Tpr. Thomas or the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

Aliquippa’s Zoning Hearing Board will soon be ruling on a decision to use the former Hunter Personal Care Home located at 1916 Main Street for use by the organization Deewalk Promise Hands as an emergency shelter for women and children.

The request from Rayetta Lee was submitted to the Zoning Board last night, and that the board now has thirty days to render a final decision on variance that would allow for the change to move forward. Under current zoning regulations, the building would not be able to be used.

Lee told those in attendance at Thursday’s meeting that 72 individuals have signed a petition in favor of using the facility on Main Street as the new home of Deewalk Promised Hands.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published January 4, 2023 12:33 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Reports indicate that Coach Mike Warfield of the Aliquippa Quips has been informed by PIAA officials that Aliquippa will be required to compete in the 5A division for the 2024 football season. The reason for the bumped up classification is cited as being due to the competitive balance rule, suggesting that Aliquippa has student transfers. Aliquippa has most recently been playing and winning in 4A, including State Championship wins in 2021 and 2023, while their current school enrollment would technically put them in 2A. Aliquippa intends to appeal the PIAA.

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

Nora Lemon and Karma Jackson were sworn in as Aliquippa’s newest members of City Council at last night’s city council meeting, the first of the new year. Beaver County Radio news correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the two women were sworn in by Beaver County Common Pleas Court Judge Mitch Shahen.

Mayor Dwan B. Walker, Councilman Donald Walker, and City Treasurer Lynne Kakiou were sworn in as re-elected officials for 2024. Kakiou will also serve as delinquent tax collector for Aliquippa, with Delphine Gilliam as her assistant. Mayor Walker said that a main focus for 2024 will be to watch finances as the city enters its first year without Act 47 designation.