HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives is defeating legislation to send $33 million to the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school. That’s after the school’s president resigned amid criticism that it has tolerated antisemitism. The legislation on Wednesday night failed after the House Republican floor leader said the university must make it clear that it opposes antisemitism. Penn’s president Liz Magill resigned Saturday amid pressure from donors and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing last week where she was unable to say that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy. The funding is an annual appropriation that normally draws strong bipartisan support.

FILE – Taylor Swift performs during “The Eras Tour,” May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Swift is adding one more accolade to her repertoire this year: a resolution recognizing 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in her home state of Pennsylvania. The resolution passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, Dec. 13. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Taylor Swift is adding one more accolade to her list of accomplishments this year: a resolution recognizing 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in her home state of Pennsylvania. The resolution passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday. Lawmakers approved the resolution on Swift’s 34th birthday. Swift grew up in West Reading, and has nods to the Commonwealth in some songs. She left as a teenager to move to Nashville pursue a country music career. The resolution recognizes her musical, cultural and economic power.

(Pittsburgh, Pa) There’s even more time to get into the spirit of the season at Kennywood’s Holiday Lights this Friday and Saturday! With the weather looking unseasonably warm and sunny for a December weekend, the park will extend its hours offering guests the chance to visit from 4 – 10 p.m. on Friday and 1 – 9 p.m. on Saturday, that’s four extra hours to enjoy the rides, festive food and holiday cheer that make Kennywood Pittsburgh’s Home for the Holidays.
Holiday Lights transforms Kennywood into a winter wonderland with 20 rides, new seasonal culinary delights, and the nightly tree lighting at the tallest Christmas tree in Pennsylvania, standing at 100 feet. The enormous evergreen lights up the park with more than 125,000 sparkling lights strung across its nearly 2,500 branches. This year’s event is highlighted by an all-new Santa experience in Thomas Town™. Also, guests can indulge in a festive feast at the Dinner with Santa – an all-you-can-eat holiday buffet that is sure to make spirits bright.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Artist depiction of the woman obtained from Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers. Published December 14, 2023 7:53 A.M.

(Economy, Pa) Investigators are still continuing their attempt to determine the identity of a woman whose embalmed head was found in Economy in 2014. The head was found in a wooded embankment along Mason Road.

The Crime Solvers of Beaver County say that the case is a true mystery, and identifying the woman key to solving it. The woman’s remains were buried with a headstone that reads “Jane Doe.”

Tips to Crime Solvers of Beaver County can be made at (724) 774-2000.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Photo from the scene by Keith Walsh. Published December 13, 2023 10:02 P.M.

(Rochester, Pa) An accident occurred on Delaware Avenue in Rochester causing a temporary partial closure of the road.

Emergency responders were called to the scene around 9pm for a car that struck a telephone pole. The dispatch call stated that the operator of the vehicle suffered a seizure and police on scene gave confirmation to Beaver County Radio.

The struck pole suffered damage but did not block the road. Traffic was temporarily detoured northbound but has since reopened.

The condition of the driver is not known at this time.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published Decemeber 13, 2023 5:07 P.M.

(Center Township, PA) The off-duty officer accused of killing Kenneth Vinyard at the Monaca Walmart in November 2022, has now been charged. Center Township officer, John Hawk was recommended to be charged by a Grand Jury on December 8th.

He faces charges of involuntary manslaughter including aggravated assault simple assault, reckless endangerment, and perjury. The Vinyard family accepted a settlement in the case of 1 million dollars earlier this year.

Hawk was accused of shoving Kenneth Vinyard to the the ground while off-duty at the scene of a shooting in the Walmart parking lot. The 48 year old Vinyard was reportedly helping a shooting victim before Hawk struck him in the chest, performed a leg sweep, and took Vinyard to the ground causing him to hit his head on the asphalt.

Attorney General Michelle Henry states that an investigation reveals that Hawk was untruthful while testifying to a Grand Jury. On-duty officers testified that Hawk was only asked to secure the perimeter, and that he had no credentials displayed or announce himself as police at the scene.

The investigation also revealed that Vinyard was compliant to all orders and did not pose a threat to Hawk or anyone else. The Grand Jury ultimately decided that there was no legal justification for Hawk’s use of force against Vinyard.

Hawk turned himself in for arraignment Wednesday, with unsecured bail set at $200,000.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“The nice thing about December is when all your work from the whole year all comes together. ”

Beaver County Commissioner Tony Amadio spoke those words during the Commissioners’ regular weekly work session on Wednesday, pointing to a recent trend of a relaxed and easygoing vibe at the Courthouse with most of the major work for the new year–mainly the 2024 budget–taken care of except for the formalities.

One of the major projects of late has been the construction of a new parking lot located between Market Street in Beaver and Courthouse grounds. Public Works director Dan Colville stated that completion of the project is rapidly approaching completion, with final paving slated for Thursday and line painting to be completed Friday and Monday if necessary.

Colville also said that the renovation and repair for the back entrance of the Courthouse is near completion, and that Constellation Services had been contacted for caulking and sealing operations for that area.

Following a brief congratulations and thank you to the borough of New Brighton for holding their Fire And Ice festival successfully this past Saturday, Parks & Recreation director Tony Caltury announced that the Beaver County Kennel Club has entered a five-year agreement with the AKC (American Kennel Club) to host an annual dog show in October. Caltury mentioned that the show will be hosted at the Brady’s Run Recreational Facility, and that the show will feature an estimated 1500 dogs.

The next Commissioners’ work session is scheduled for Wednesday, December 20 at 10:00 AM.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published December 13, 2023 10:52 A.M.

(Moon Township, Pa) 21-year-old Jacob Rettiger of Moon Township ended up in the Beaver County Jail following a domestic dispute with his 20-year-old girlfriend in Independence Township.   

Officers were called to Service Creek Road where they arrested Rettinger on strangulation charges. The officer on patrol noticed damage to the driver side mirror and a cellphone at the scene.

Charges against Rettiger are pending.

Story by Matt Drzik – Beaver County Radio. Published December 13, 2023 10:52 A.M.

(Sewickley Heights, Pa) Firefighters report that a gas leak led to the explosion of a guest house on the 500 block of Backbone Road in Sewickley Heights late last night. 

A plumber working in the house was taken to the hospital with hand burns, no other injuries were reported.

The cause of the gas leak that led to the explosion remains under investigation.