Extreme cold, travel chaos: Woes from deadly storm continue

In this drone image, snow blankets a neighborhood, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Millions of people hunkered down against a deep freeze Sunday morning to ride out the frigid storm that has killed at least 24 people across the United States and is expected to claim more lives after trapping some residents inside houses with heaping snow drifts and knocking out power to several hundred thousand homes and businesses.(John Waller via AP)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The deep freeze from a deadly winter storm that walloped much of the United States will continue into the week as people in western New York deal with massive snow drifts that snarled emergency vehicles and travelers across the country see cancelled flights and dangerous roads. The massive storm has killed at least 34 people across the U.S. and is expected to claim more lives after trapping some residents inside houses and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. The extreme weather stretched from the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande along the border with Mexico. Temperatures plummeted drastically below normal from east of the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians.

Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to 565 Million

PA Lottery file photo
Story by Beaver County Radio Staff

The Mega Millions jackpot is up to $565 million after nobody claimed the prize following Friday’s drawing. The numbers drawn Friday were 15, 21, 32, 38 and 62, and gold Mega Ball 8. The next drawing will take place on Tuesday. A 6 number match would award you with the 6th largest prize in Mega Millions history.

Christmas Fire Destroys Town Market

(West Sunbury, PA) A local town market in Butler County is no longer standing after a fire took place on Christmas. West Sunbury based Thompsons Market was destroyed along with the homes of 4 people living upstairs. It was reported that the fire took several hours to get under control. One man was transported to the hospital, while all others were unharmed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Dirtbikes Stolen in Darlington

PA State Trooper file photo
Story by Beaver County Radio Staff

(Darlington, PA) State Police in Beaver say they were called to Oakdale Road in Darlington on December 19th for a burglary at a residence. They say thieves removed two dirtbikes from a shed behind a house. Police are continuing to investigate.

Nearly 500 Conway Residents Without Power

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published December 23, 2022 7:15 P.M.

(Conway, PA) While the temperature has dropped below zero going into the holiday weekend, nearly 500 Conway residents have had to suffer an hours long power outage. Conway mayor, Debbie Giska-Rose, released a statement on Facebook to let residents know that the Conway Borough Building is open as a warming center, located at 801 First Avenue.
UPDATE 7:20 PM: Power is expected to be restored shortly.  

Senate passes $1.7 trillion bill to fund gov’t, aid Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a $1.7 trillion bill to finance federal agencies through September, aid Ukraine and provide assistance to communities recovering from hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters. The bill passed by a vote of 68 to 29 and now goes to the House for action. Lawmakers are working to complete action on the bill before a partial government shutdown begins at midnight Friday. Supporters say the bill will boost national security with a 10% increase slated for defense programs, but detractors criticize the amount of overall spending with the country already facing a $31 trillion national debt.

Jan. 6 Committee Releases Final Report

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee has released its final report on the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. It reveals new details about the mob assault by supporters of the defeated president, Donald Trump, that shook the nation and exposed the fragility of American democracy. The 814-page account provides a gripping narrative of Trump’s monthslong effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. It spells out 11 recommendations for Congress and others to consider to bolster the nation’s institutions against any future attempts to incite insurrection. Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi writes that prior to Jan. 6, “it was unimaginable.”

No tax increase in Aliquippa for 2023

Story by Sandy Giordano, Published December 23, 2022

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa City Council adopted its 2023 budget Wednesday night, and it calls for no tax increase. The millage is 16.25 mills on buildings, and 86 mills on land, the total budget is $6,170,663.00.

Non uniformed employees Kelly Callen, the city’s administrative assistant, road department superintendent Alex Scott, and code enforcement officer Jim Bologna’s pensions will be vested after 12 years, instead of 20 years.
The second reading of an ordinance prohibiting the use of tobacco and vaping products in parks and playgrounds was approved.
Council meets in regular session Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 7 p.m.