Nylla Miller speaks during an interview with The Associated Press before she departs for her high school graduation ceremony from her home in Aldan, Pa., Thursday, June 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — By pursuing funding equity in court, financially challenged Pennsylvania districts are following a well-traveled school reform path. For decades, school districts around the country that found themselves on the short end of a resource imbalance have gone to court to force states to give them a fair shake. But school equity lawsuits have not been the solution many once thought they would be. Even though the court sided with some of Pennsylvania’s poorest districts, it could take years for students to benefit from funding changes. In the mean time, students are forced to overcome the shortcomings of their districts.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter July 17, 2023, in Pennsylvania.

Smoke from wildfires is expected to impact Pennsylvania air quality throughout will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range on Monday. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.

Fine particulate matter (or PM-2.5) comes in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires. Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (called “precursors”), which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries, and automobiles.

On a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:

• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all. An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher.

For more information, visit DEP at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb, EPA’s AirNow at www.airnow.gov, Allegheny County Health Department at www.alleghenycounty.us/airquality, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Air Quality Partnership at www.airqualitypartnership.org, Air Quality Partnership of Lehigh Valley-Berks at www.airqualityaction.org, and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership at www.spaqp.org.

This image provided by Pennsylvania State Police shows Michael Burham, a homicide suspect who used bed sheets to escape a northern Pennsylvania jail after being captured. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)

YOUNGSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a couple checking out a barking dog on their northwestern Pennsylvania property led to the capture of a homicide suspect who had used bed sheets to escape from jail. Thirty-four-year-old Michael Burham was recaptured Saturday, nine days after he fled the Warren County jail by climbing on exercise equipment, going through a window and scaling down a rope fashioned from jail bedding. Officials said Burham looked wet, dirty and “worn-out.” After arraignment, he will not be held in the Warren County jail, where an investigation into the escape is going on.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 17, 2023 7:45 A.M.

(Monaca, PA) Early Saturday morning, July 15, 2023, Monaca Police confronted Keenan Anderson on Front Street where he was damaging homes and cars and ranting in an apparent mental health or drug event. Police took control of Anderson with the use of a  drive stun gun. He was handcuffed and placed on an ambulance gurney for transport and possible mental admission.  After police left the ambulance to conduct their investigation, the crew reported he was suffering from a medical emergency and CPR was administered. He was pronounced dead at Heritage Valley, Beaver. Monaca Police turned the matter over to state police enabling them to do an outside investigation. According to DA David J. Lozier, the autopsy performed by the coroner, revealed no sign of trauma. The forensic examination of the lab and other reports will usually take 6-8 weeks, according to the report.  Anderson’s next of kin have been notified.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 17, 2023 7:38 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) A gathering of friends and family of Dahvea Sparrow, 15, who died last Saturday after he was shot and killed at Knoll and Main Streets in the city. Saturday morning the gathering began at Uncommon Grounds Cafe on Franklin Avenue.  A procession of vehicles drove up Franklin Avenue onto Main Street near the site where Daveah was shot down. Another  gathering that included food was offered to those attending.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 17, 2023 7:27 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Lamar Deavion James Seymour, 17, is lodged in the Beaver County  Jail  without bail  following a juvenile/adult interest of Justice Hearing Friday afternoon, according to DA David J. Lozier. Seymour is charged with criminal homicide and  possession  of a weapon by a minor for the murder of  Dahvea Sparrow, 15, of Aliquippa last Saturday, July 8, 2023. The murder occurred at Main and Knoll Streets in the city.

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) Beaver County Radio and The Pennsylvania Hot Rod Company held Cruise number two of four on Saturday at the new Beaver County Radio Studios in Brighton Township.

Drivers showed up early to get their spot and hear Beaver County Radio’s own Curtis Walsh and his band “Better Think Twice” belt out the tunes . The day got started at Beaver County Radio General Manager Frank Sparks along with Pennsylvania Hot Rod Company owner, David Rodenbaugh welcomed the crowd. That was followed by Beaver County Radio’s JD Merkel singing the National Anthem. “Better Think Twice” then played for an hour followed by JD Merkel doing his Solid Gold Show from outside the radio station. There was a Chinese Auction and a 50/50. Check out the photos below of all of the fun.

The third cruise in the series of four is scheduled for August 19, 2023 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM.

In this week’s episode of Highmark Heroes, Jim Roddey talks with Allegheny Health Network’s Dr. David Stapor about his practices and experiences as an orthopedic surgeon.  Then, Mr. Roddey sits down once again with Eric Zahren from the Carnegie Hero Fund to discuss civilian heroes who’ve been awarded the Carnegie Hero Medal for sacrifice to fellow civilians.

“Heroes” is presented by Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the Allegheny Health Network, airing Saturdays at 10:00 AM and Sundays at 12:30 PM on Beaver County Radio. Archived editions of “Heroes” can be heard at the Beaver County Radio Podcast Library.

Who are the “enemies of the cross”? Pastor Dave Grove takes a look at the scripture in the book of Corinthians to discuss that, as well as how worshippers should conduct themselves in their time here on Earth.

“Wake Up Beaver Valley” airs every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 10 AM on Beaver County Radio and is presented by the Church of The Redeemed of Beaver Valley. Archived editions of “Wake Up Beaver Valley” can be heard at the Beaver County Radio Podcast Library.