Update on Ambridge Drug Raid

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 31, 2024 1:42 P.M.

(Ambridge, Pa) Michael, Motton, 34, is lodged in the Beaver County Jail on $900,000 bail. He is charged with 4 felony counts of manufacturing, delivering or possession with intent and 4 misdemeanors. The warrant was served Wednesday by police and the PA Attorney’s Drug Task Force.

Ambridge Police had gone to the Ambridge Towers Apartments to arrest Motton on a felony warrant when the defendant asked an officer to retrieve his cell phone from the bedroom where the drugs were located.
14,000 fentanyl pills, 110.7 grams of fentanyl powder, 104.5 Xanax pills, 19.26 grams of cocaine, 26.7 grams of  powder cocaine, a bag of unknown pills broken into powder form, $2,725 in U.S. currency, and drug paraphernalia were seized during the search.
Motton faces a preliminary hearing on Tuesday June 11, at 10:30 a.m. in Beaver County Central Court. The charges were filed in District Court in Ambridge.
The second defendant in the case, Jalonte Williams, 26, of Michigan, faces the same charges. Williams is also lodged in County Jail, and bail is set at $900,000.

Donald Trump Guilty On All 34 Charges

Donald Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex.

14,000 fentanyl pills and more seized during Ambridge drug raid

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 30, 2024 2:20 P.M.

(Ambridge, Pa) On Wednesday, with a body warrant issued that led to a search of an apartment, 2 suspects were arrested and placed in the Beaver County Jail. The search revealed 14,000 fentanyl pills, 110.7 grams of fentanyl powder, 104.5 Xanax pills, 19.26 grams of cocaine, 26.7 grams of  powder cocaine, a bag of unknown pills broken into powder form, and $2,725 in U.S. currency, as well as drug paraphernalia.

An investigation is continuing, according to a police spokesman and no other information was released.

Jurors Request Instructions To Be Reread In Trump Hush Money Trial

The jury in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial will soon resume deliberations after asking to rehear potentially crucial testimony about the alleged scheme at the heart of the history-making case. The  jury met for 4 1/2 hours of deliberations Wednesday without reaching a verdict and will return Thursday. The jury asked to rehear testimony from a tabloid publisher and Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer. The jurors also requested to revisit at least part of the judge’s instructions to them. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records at his company. The presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee denies any wrongdoing.

State Police Release Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Details

As part of its ongoing effort to protect Pennsylvania roadways, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today released the results of their annual Memorial Day Weekend enforcement detail.

During the four-day period from May 24 – 27, the PSP investigated 756 crashes that resulted in 181 injuries and six fatalities. Intoxicated driving was a factor in 46 of those crashes, one of which was fatal.

Troopers arrested 467 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and issued 28,036 citations,

Funnel clouds possible today due to atmospheric conditions

Showers and thunderstorms will move slowly across the area today.
Some moderate to heavy rainfall rates may accompany any stronger
shower and create a localized flooding concern, especially in urban
areas and in locations that see several rounds of rain. In addition,
atmospheric conditions may promote brief funnel clouds or cold air
funnels, but instances of making contact with the ground will be
rare.

Aliquippa School district announces early dismissal for Thursday

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 29, 2024 1:37 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Graduation exercises will be held at 6 p.m. at the high school Thursday. The elementary and junior senior high school students will only be in school for a half day of classes, a message from Dr. Phillip K. Woods, superintendent,  reported in a letter to parents. Sixth graders graduated on Tuesday night, and the event was live streamed from the elementary school.

Hopewell Commissioners hired new Community Outreach Coordinator

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 29, 2024 1:34 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Nora Janicki will be retiring from her position in August 2024 and Chrissy Abiraj- Rubino was hired to replace her. Mrs. Rubino will begin  transitioning to her duties on June 3, 2024. Her salary will be $17 an hour.

Police officer Miles Newton was approved to be a School Resource Officer. His salary will be $39.54 an hour while performing those duties.  He will receive his regular pay when not performing his SRO duties.

Ten seasonal park employees were rehired, and will be paid $10.25 an hour, seven new seasonal employees were hired and will be paid $10.00 an hour. Douglas Rogers was hired as a part time park maintenance worker and will be paid $14.00 an hour. Kenneth Gorton was hired as an alternate depository guard, he will be paid $10.00 an hour.
The commissioners approved a resolution to apply for a PA DCED Greenways, Trail, and Recreation Program (GTRP) Grant.
The township’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, June  24, 2024 at 7pm.

Several property issues discussed by Hopewell Commissioners

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 29, 2024 1:31 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Attorney Kelly Tocci is a township resident and brought some major issues to the commissioners attention at Tuesday night’s meeting. She spoke of high grass, an abandoned home, and an abandoned vehicle on South Beverly Drive where there is a blind curve making it dangerous not only for motorists, but for children who ride their bikes. Zoning Officer John Bates told the commissioners he sent notices to the property owner, but the issues still exist. Solicitor Mike Jones said the property owner has been taken to court before. The township was advised that  they can seek a court injunction because the property owner to correct the situation isn’t living in the area.

Hopewell School Board hires new assistant high school principal

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 29, 2024 1:29 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Jeffrey Miller was hired at Tuesday night’s regular board meeting as the new assistant principal. One hundred and sixty seniors will graduate  Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held at Tony Dorsett Stadium.

A head Start classroom will be added to  the Hopewell Elementary School per an agreement with the Private Industry Council for the 2024-25 school year.
High School secretary Alayna McDonald ‘s resignation was approved, effective June 28, 2024.
A sixth grade classroom will be added at the junior high school beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
The board will meet on Tuesday, June 11 in the high school auditorium at 7 pm, and it will also be virtual.  The regular meeting will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2024 at 7 pm in the board room at the junior high school.