Beaver Falls City Council Approve 41.25 Million Dollar Sale of Sanitary Sewer System

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Beaver Falls, PA)  “This is the biggest thing to happen in Beaver Falls since the mills shut down”. Those were the words of Mayor Quay after City Council approved a 41.25 million dollar asset purchase agreement with Aqua Pennsylvania at Tuesday nights council meeting.  Discussions of selling the Beaver Falls Sanitary Sewer system began in early 2020 when the city took part in the Commonwealth Strategic Management Planning Program to assess current and future financial sustainability.  The city was faced with the inevitable fact that sooner or later they would have to sell the sewer system, and they determined that it would be better to sell it now, before they are forced to.  “We own a valuable asset that we cant make money on” Kevin Kunselman said.  It is expected that over half of the sale proceeds will go into an interest-bearing trust that will generate annual revenue and a portion will be used as a rainy day fund.  The city is estimating that they will bring in $1,120,000 in annual positive cash flow as a result of the deal.  Aqua will also contribute $1,250,000 to various charitable activities within the city for things like a new firetruck and improvements to the Carnegie Library.  Beaver Falls will begin a new plan called Beaver Falls Revive as well, which will fund blight removal and improve recreation, playgrounds, and the downtown streetscape.  The city is also slated to decrease property taxes by 5 mills.  The current monthly sewage rate of of 38.34 is expected to remain the same through 2025.  Their best case scenario estimates it will be at $58.18 in 2025, and the worst case scenario puts it at $83.12.   It was also noted that the Beaver Falls Water System itself is not being sold.  All 7 Sewer System employees will be retained, as part of the contract.  Other actions that took place at the meeting were the hiring of new accountant Sandra Wilkins, a Department of Public Works budget transfer of $7,090.93, and the paying of general fund expenditures at a total of $131,094.76.

Aqua Pennsylvania currently operates in 33 counties, serving 1.4 million.

Win with Wednesday’s Teleforum Show

Wednesday’s Teleforum program brings your chance to win Pirates tickets! Just listen between 9:10 and noon for your shot at Buccos tickets for the last homestand of the season! Teleforum with Eddy Crow happens Every weekday from 9:10 till noon on am1230, am1460, and 99.3fm presented by St. Barnabas.

VIDEO: Geneva Homecoming Weekend Will Include First Parade Since 2006 (And Much More)

It’s an event that’s been multiple years in the making.

Geneva College will be celebrating Homecoming Weekend from September 29 to October 3, and included in the festivities will be the first Geneva College Homecoming Parade to take place since 2006, prior to the re-routing of Route 18 in Beaver Falls. The parade will begin at 12th Street in Beaver Falls and will travel northbound up 7th Avenue to the campus on College Hill.

Kelly Sanzari (Director Of Alumni Relations) and Cheryl Johnston (Director of Marketing Services & PR) joined Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County on September 28 to discuss the many events taking place during Homecoming Weekend, including (but not limited to):

  • A live broadcast by Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks from Noon to 2:00 PM featuring the Personality Prize Wheel
  • A live performance by the Genevans on Friday, October 1 at 8:00 PM
  • A 5K event on Saturday morning at the Merriman Complex track
  • Geneva vs. Washington & Jefferson football game at 3:00 PM on Saturday (pregame at 2:30 on Beaver County Radio)
  • The inaugural Military Ball taking place at New Galilee Community Hall at 6:00 PM on Saturday

A full list of the events can be seen by clicking here, and additional info can be found by going to geneva.edu.

To watch the full preview of GC Homecoming Weekend, click on the Facebook feed below!

Cement truck Driver Injured in Turn Over Accident in Bridgewater

(Photos used with permission from New Brighton Area Volunteer Fire Department)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Bridgewater, Pa.) Bridgewater Police Chief Paul Smith reported to Beaver County Radio that a fully loaded cement truck  that was traveling down  Beaner Hollow Road over turned  onto Sharon Road  in Bridgewater Monday morning at 7:30 AM. The driver was trapped in the vehicle. Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department were assisted on the scene by New Brighton Volunteer Fire Department Rescue 84 and Engine 84. They were the first arriving rescue and engine on the scene and starting stabilization and extrication of the victim. New Brighton Fire Department reported on their Facebook Page that “thanks to a team effort between all departments, the patient was extricated from the vehicle in 9 minutes”. The Driver sustained unknown injuries and was air-lifted to Allegheny   General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Chief Smith said the accident’s cause is still under investigation.

New Brighton Volunteer Fire Department works at the scene of a cement truck accident in Bridgewater Monday morning, September 27, 2021 (photo used with permission of New Brighton Fire Department)

Hopewell Officers Honored For Stopping a Robbery in Progress

Story and Photo by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. 
(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Hopewell Township Police officers  Jared Rogers  and Bob Clark were honored by the Hopewell Township Commissioners at Monday night’s  meeting for bravery in stopping and capturing  robbers at the Sunoco at Five Points .  They were in the area on Sunday, August 29 and saw something wasn’t right at 12:40 AM and received a 9-1-1 call  from county dispatch , confirming there was  a robbery in progress.

Local Man in Serious Condition after Accident with Chippewa Twp. Police Cruiser Responding to a Call

(File Photo)

(Chippewa Twp, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were dispatched to the scene of a two vehicle accident involving a Chippewa Township Police Cruiser around 6:56 PM yesterday.
Upon arriving on the scene and investigating Troopers said via release that 30-year-old Chippewa Township Police Officer Jacob Delmonico was responding to a call at the Chippewa Wal-mart in one of the Township’s Cruisers. While leaving the police station via Adams Street and entering onto Darlington Road Delmonico collided with a 2012 Ford Escape that was being driven west on Darlington Road by 65-year-old Michael Isaac. The force of the collision caused Isaac’s vehicle to strike a utility pole before coming to a final rest in the grass. Isaac was air lifted to UPMC Presbyterian for suspected serious injuries. Delmonico was driven to Heritage Valley Beaver for minor injuries to his left hand. Troopers did state in the release that Isaac was not wearing a seatbelt. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Two Men Hospitalized After Being Assaulted in Shenango Township.

(Shenango Twp., Pa.) Shenango Township Police were dispatched to the scene of a possible assault a little after 1 p.m. yesterday in 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in the township.
When police arrived and investigated they found that two 38 years old men had been assaulted with blunt objects and edged weapons.

One of the victims was flown to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown in critical condition.

The other victim sought treatment at UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle.

Charges are pending against two unnamed suspects. No other details have been released as police continue to investigate.

New Brighton School Board Holds Meeting

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(New Brighton, PA)  The New Brighton Area School Board met Monday night for their second meeting this month.  The board approved 2022 Pennsylvania School Boards Association candidates David Schaap, Allison Mathis, Richard Frerichs, William LaCoff, and Nathan Mains.  The board also approved to exonerate school property taxes for a parcel located at 1120 6th Avenue in New Brighton.  The resignation of one teacher was approved as well.  School Board President John Ludwig, and Vice President Christeen Ceratti were both awarded for 12 years of school board service by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Rochester School Board Holds Meeting

Rochester School

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Rochester, PA)  The Rochester Area school board met Monday night for a voting session.  The board voted to approve a request by Dance, Inc. to use the building to host a holiday production in December at a cost of $1,665, and also for Eugina Priest to host a Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration for the Annual Student Oratorical Semi-Final Program in November at a cost of $51.  The board also approved Michael Cunning to serve as Bocce Co-Coach for the Winter Interscholastic Unified Bocce Team, due to the resignation of Jennifer Milne.  The bills were paid at at cost of $1,096,830.96 for the general fund and $21,323.79 for the cafeteria fund.  The board approved 3 new paraprofessionals for the district as well as a new head cook and general assistant for the Nutrition Services Department.  School Board member Annette Hubbard was awarded for 8 years of service by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.