Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 20, 2023 7:43 A.M.
(Aliquippa, PA) PA State Police have arrested an Aliquippa man, Darnese Darrell Raines, 47, on homicide charges stemming from the 11/11/2021 murder of Brandon Lamar Murray, 38, on Linmar Terrace. Aliquippa Police turned over the investigation to state police. After the criminal investigation was complete and the evidence was sent from the state police crime lab, DA David J. Lozier recommended 1 count of criminal homicide, 1 count of possession of a firearm prohibited, 1 count of firearms not to be carried without a license, and 1 count of possession of a concealed weapon. Raines is lodged in the Beaver County jail without bond. DA Lozier thanked the PA State Police Criminal Investigation Unit for their diligence in solving the case.
Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published February 20, 2023 7:28 A.M.
(Hookstown, PA) PA State Police are investigating the theft of a 5 year old’s video games in Hookstown. The games stolen value over 500 dollars and include a Nintendo Switch System, and games Minecraft, Lego Jurassic World, ARK Survival, Big Buck Hunter, Dragon Dawn of New Riders, and Off Road Racing. A 28 year old female is also listed as a victim in the police report.
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 20, 2023 7:00 A.M.
(Aliquippa, PA) PA State Police reported that a Sewickley man was travelling west in the eastbound lane of I-376 between Center and Aliquippa exit Friday night at 9:09 p.m. resulting in the death of an Aliquippa woman.
According to the report Michael P. Pucci 42, of Sewickley’s vehicle struck unit 2 driven by Earl Travsi, and impacted Unit 3 driven by Christine McClure, 67 of Aliquippa. McClure was transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Her passenger, Lorie J. Thomas, 67 of Hopewell Township, died as a result of the accident. The Beaver County coroner pronounced her dead at the scene. A search warrant was issued for a blood draw from Pucci. A container of alcohol was found in the vehicle, and the smell of alcohol was present. All vehicles involved were disabled and towed from the scene.
State Police reported that the accident is still under investigation.
The Rochester Rams defeat a very sound Summit Academy Knights team in the first round of the single A playoff game at their home gym in front of a happy Rochester crowd. The first quarter wasn’t looking terrific as the Rams had some reason for concern with their player of the game Duke Mullins was sat down with 2 fouls and they were trailing 14 11 after one. Things remained the same in the second quarter down to the last two minutes when the Rams had a 9 point swing that started with a missed layup from Summit and a quick toss to the other end for a bucket then a steal and a three point shot from the rams and they got four more points after that to make the second quarter the onslaught that the Rams needed. At the half the Rams who were trailing most of all the second quarter went into their locker room with a 6 point lead. Rochester remained in charge of the game through the third quarter and were ahead 46 to 37. The fourth quarter the Rams had the Knights charging all around playing with a lot of intensity, but the Rams kept the game under control to close the game out with a 57-52 effort that takes them to the next round . The game was broadcast here on 95.7 99.3 and 1230 WBVP/ 1460 WMBA and world wide on Beaver County Radio by Bruce Frey on the call and Joe Sager on color.
“It’s time to create some ‘buzz’ in Beaver County.”
Those words from chairperson John Hertneky defined the mood in the room as the BHIVE (Beaver Valley Hub for Innovation, Venture, and Entrepreneurship) had a “wallbreaking” ceremony at their location at 1317 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls on February 17. The former site of Adagio Health and WIC offices downtown will now be a space for those who want to start a business to gather, conversate, and use resources that are meant to help them get started and keep going.
The current front of the BHIVE, located at 1317 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls.
Beaver County’s Corporation for Economic Development (CED) owns the BHIVE, and hosted the event on Friday, joining representatives from several groups who are also assisting with the new hub: Geneva College, Penn State Beaver, the Community College of Beaver County, the City of Beaver Falls, the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, the Beaver County Commissioners, and Job Training of Beaver County. State Senator Elder Vogel and State Representative Jim Marshall were also in attendance.
CED president Lew Villotti presided over the ceremony, praising the progress and support that has made the BHIVE approach closer to its full reality. “This is different and important for Beaver County,” he stated. “The many businesses that will spin out of here will need a place to go, and we want to make sure that place is Beaver County.”
It was a packed room for the wallbreaking ceremony, with Beaver County CED President Lew Villotti (center, nearest to the helmets) presiding.
One major component of the BHIVE will be the “Beaver Valley LaunchBox” program, provided in conjunction with Penn State University’s Beaver County branch. The resources for young entrepreneurs and business owners will be free to use through Penn State Beaver and several local donors to the program. “We expect the BHIVE to diversify businesses, and attract and retain young people,” spoke PSB chancellor Jen Cushman. “We’re doing more than just swinging a sledgehammer at a wall…I’d like to think we’re also on our way to breaking down some of the walls that stand in the way of inclusive prosperity in Beaver County.
The renovation of the building comes at a cost of $1,468,050, with 50% of the cost provided through a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant which matches the other 50% provided by the CED. “All of this excitement can’t go away,” Villotti stated. “This will require additional funding.”
The eight honorary “wallbreakers” included Cushman, Marshall, Vogel, Hertneky, Beaver Falls mayor Dr. Kenya Johns, County Commissioners Jack Manning and Tony Amadio, and Geneva College entrepreneurship professor Dr. Curtis Songer.
To see pictures from the ceremony, check out the gallery below.
In this weeks episode of Highmark Heroes, Jim Roddey speaks to Dr. Synowiec, System Vice Chair for the Department of Neurology. Later in the show Roddey is joined by Eric Zahren, the President of the Andrew Carnegie Hero Fund.
“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.
Pastor David Grove of the Church of the Redeemed of Beaver Valley shares a hard message this Saturday on “Wake Up Beaver Valley”.
“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.
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 17, 2023 11:30 A.M.
(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa High School students attended the Black History Summit at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Wednesday. The students wrote essays on the topic Juneteenth. AHS students submitted the most essays, and had a 1st place winner Jahnaya Lay-Harvey, who won an additional $300, and a trophy. 2nd place Melissa Taperncati-Chavero won $50, and 3rd place winner was Myracle Perkimns receiving $25.
Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists a traffic crossover on southbound Interstate 79 in Glenfield, Sewickley Hills, and Franklin Park boroughs and Ohio and Aleppo townships, Allegheny County, will begin Saturday, February 18.
A southbound crossover on I-79 will be implemented at approximately noon on Saturday to allow crews to begin bridge deck replacement work. To accommodate this work, the following traffic configuration and restrictions will occur:
The left lane of southbound I-79 will be crossed over into the northbound lanes between the I-279 and the Red Mud Hollow Road overpass. This is the EXPRESS lane. All traffic using this lane will not have access to the Mt. Nebo Road (Exit 68) or Emsworth/Sewickley Route 65 (Exit 66) interchanges. Southbound express lane traffic will be crossed back over between the Emsworth/Sewickley Route 65 (Exit 66) interchange and the Neville Island Bridge.
The right lane of southbound I-79 will remain in place. This is the LOCAL lane. Access to the Mt. Nebo Road (Exit 68) and Emsworth/Sewickley Route 65 (Exit 66) interchanges must be made from the local lane. Traffic will be shifted slightly at the Red Mud Hollow Road and Glenfield Road bridges to allow crews to conduct half width deck replacement work.
Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on northbound I-79. A barrier will separate the northbound lanes and the crossed over southbound lane.
Emergency pull-off areas will be implemented in various locations through the work zone. Three pull-off areas will be implemented in the northbound lanes, three in the southbound express lane, and three in the southbound local lane.
The southbound crossover will remain in place continuously through late-November.
To prepare for the crossover, single-lane restrictions and traffic stoppages will occur on northbound and southbound I-79 from 9 a.m. Friday until approximately noon Saturday. The crossover is anticipated to be in place shortly after noon on Saturday.
While the crossover is in place, crews will conduct bridge rehabilitation work on the southbound structures over Glenfield Road and Red Mud Hollow Road in half-widths. This work includes bridge deck replacement, approach slab work, bearing pad and expansion dam replacement, substructure concrete repairs, and downspout upgrades.
The work is part of the $26.49 million I-79 improvement project. Improvements include four bridge deck replacements, one bridge preservation, milling and resurfacing, preservation work on seven sign structures, installation of five new ITS signs, guide rail improvements, signage updates, and pavement marking installation. Crossovers will occur on I-79 in 2023 for bridge deck replacement work. The majority of the project will conclude in the spring of 2024.
The prime contractor is the Joseph B. Fay Company. Work on this project will be coordinated with other projects in the area.
To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for the I-79 Neville Island Bridge rehabilitation including traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – I-79” in the subject line.
