(Photo provided with release)

(WEST MIFFLIN, PA) Pittsburgh’s Thrill and Entertainment Destination – Kennywood – will take flight next season with a new, out-of-this-world attraction unlike anything else in America. Spinvasion, an intergalactic multi-action spin ride, will blast off as the centerpiece of the all-new Area 412 in the spring of 2023. Spinvasion provides an electrifying combination of speed and gravity, along with its unique single rider experience.

“Spinvasion is a first of its kind attraction, which offers our guests something they can’t get at any other park in the country,” says Kennywood General Manager Mark Pauls. “This extra-terrestrial thrill ride is the centerpiece of the all-new alien-inspired Area 412 section of the park. Featuring a massive themed ride backdrop, along with a fresh new look to the Cosmic Chaos and an improved retail shop, this is one giant leap for all Kennywood fans and Season Passholders.”

Spinvasion puts its daring pilots in the middle of the Battle for the ‘Burgh. Set against a giant interplanetary space mural, riders strap in to their solo manned aircraft and prepare for a classic swing experience after takeoff. Next-level fun quickly begins by crisscrossing with other pilots, flying sideways at certain points parallel to the ground. Spinvasion thrills with every revolution while gliding along the giant waves. The illusion of close encounters with the rider in front fuels the excitement and energy while in flight. The whole experience is enhanced by a spectacular, colorful light display that makes riders feel as if they’ve entered the fourth dimension.

The new Area 412 will feature otherworldly upgrades and additions as part of the multi-year park enhancement project celebrating Kennywood’s 125^th season in 2023. Along with the new ride construction, Cosmic Chaos recently received a vibrant, new paint job, and the nearby Cosmic Gift Shop will get an out-of-this-world overhaul to tie the section of the park together.

Guests can start preparing their flight plans for next summer now with the just-launched Black Friday Season Pass Sale. The annual blockbuster offers the best deal of the year, with savings up to $40 off 2023 Gold Passes. A Gold Season Pass offers unlimited visits now through 2023, including admission to Holiday Lights for free this year at Kennywood, where more than two million sparkling lights will illuminate the park from November 19 through January 1. The Brightest Holiday Lights Event ever will include new rides, loads of live entertainment, and festive treats like fresh doughnut holes and peppermint shakes. Plus, can’t-miss favorites like the nightly tree lighting of the tallest Christmas tree in Pennsylvania sponsored by Clearview Federal Credit Union

Kennywood’s sister parks – Idlewild & SoakZone, plus Sandcastle Waterpark – also begin their Black Friday Season Pass Sales, featuring:

• Unlimited visits all of 2023 at Idlewild & SoakZone for only $99.99 –a savings of $30 per pass with the free upgrade to a Gold Season Pass. Enjoy all the thrilling family-fun during the summer, soak up the sun at Soakzone and trick-or-treat in Story Book Forest during HALLOWBOO!
• Enjoy the Better, Brighter and Fresher Than Ever Sandcastle Waterpark for only $59.99 with a 2023 Bronze Season Pass. – a savings of $40 per pass good for unlimited weekday admission all summer long for as low as 6 payments under $10.

For the best value, guests should purchase a Platinum Pass – Pittsburgh’s Passport to Fun. Enjoy unlimited admission through 2023 to Kennywood, Idlewild & SoakZone plus Sandcastle for one low price. The Platinum Pass also includes free admission to Kennywood’s Holiday Lights in 2022, free friend tickets, free drink refills, the biggest discount on food and retail, plus much more. Black Friday Season Pass Sale continues until Sunday, December 4.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — Authorities have identified the remains of a World War II soldier from Pennsylvania who was killed during an ambush in France in 1945. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on Monday announced scientists used DNA, dental and anthropological analysis to determine unidentified remains buried in Belgium were 25-year-old Army Pfc. Francis Martin of Scranton. Officials say Martin was on truck convoy bringing supplies to the front lines in France when it was attacked by German forces in January 1945. His was among 37 unidentified sets of remains that were recovered in 1947 and buried. They were disinterred in 2021 and taken to Nebraska for analysis. Martin will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be determined.

FILE – Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro speaks at an election night event, Nov. 8, 2022, in Oaks, Pa. Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro will take office with a decisive mandate from Pennsylvania voters, who overwhelmingly rejected a Republican drive to pare back abortion rights and voting laws in the premier battleground state. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro will take office with a decisive mandate from Pennsylvania voters, who overwhelmingly rejected a Republican drive to pare back abortion rights and voting laws in the premier battleground state. The state’s two-term attorney general will take the reins in a state riven by bitter partisanship over voting laws and the management of the COVID-19 pandemic by his predecessor. And, with the 2024 presidential election looming, big questions remain unresolved over the state’s voting laws. Still, Shapiro stresses that his blowout victory is a salute to crossover support from Republican voters. He says he has a “mandate” to bring people together and work with Republicans.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff
(Perry Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to the scene of a two vehicle accident at 7:02 PM Saturday, November 12, 2022, along Wilson Ave. in Perry Twp., Lawrence County,
Troopers reported via release that upon arriving and investigating that 20-year-old Tyler Bettner  of Ellwood City was operating a 2005 Ford Mustang downhill on Wilson Ave. towards River Road when he said he heard a noise and his vehicle started pulling to the right. Bittner said he attempted to turn the vehicle to the left but it kept going to the right. He said he then hit the brakes to try and stop and slid on gravel that caused him to strike a 2013 Kia Optima that was parked. The crash disabled both vehicles.
No injuries were reported but Bittner was charged by Troopers with operating a vehicle without official certificate of inspection.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff
(North Beaver Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to the scene of a one vehicle accident at 10:22 PM Saturday, November 12, 2022 along Pa. Route 18 in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County.
Troopers said when they arrived on the scene near McKinley Lane 33-year-old Derek Monaci informed them that he was driving a 2005 Cadillac Escalade southbound on route 18 when he swerved to the left to miss a deer.  Monaci informed Troopers that he woke up inside the vehicle that was on its roof.  Troopers reported that the scene showed evidence that the vehicle went through a field, struck a hill and came to a final rest on its roof facing east.
Monaci was transported via Medavac to UPMC Jameson Hospital for unknown injuries. Troopers charged him with Driving under the influence.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio staff
(Baden, Pa.) Baden Community leaders and citizens are left with many questions on  Tuesday after David Christner the borough Police Chief suddenly retired yesterday. There have been many rumors circulating the borough about an internal investigation that is being conducted and there was no reason given for the chief’s abrupted departure.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as this is a developing story.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff
(Potter Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC, a subsidiary of Shell plc, announced Tuesday morning that it has commenced operations of the  Shell Polymers Cracker Plant in Potter Twp. .

The facility is the first major polyethylene manufacturing complex in the Northeastern United States and has a designed output of 1.6 million tons annually.

“Building this world-class facility is a fantastic achievement and one the team can be proud of; it’s a showcase of Shell’s project delivery expertise,” said Huibert Vigeveno, Shell Downstream Director. “With great market access, innovative offers and connected infrastructure, Shell Polymers Monaca is well positioned and ready to serve customers with high-quality, competitive products.”

Strategically located within a 700-mile radius of 70 percent of the U.S. polyethylene market, the Potter Twp. facility  sits on 384 acres adjacent to the Ohio River in Beaver County. The facility has contracted most of its natural gas feedstock at Final Investment Decision from the nearby Utica and Marcellus basins. The advantages of proximity are not limited to production; SPM also offers customers shorter supply chains, which translates to increased flexibility and access to polyethylene pellets that can be used in a wide variety of products such as common household goods, consumer and food packaging, as well as industrial and utility products.

The start-up of Shell Polymers Monaca represents an important step in growing Shell’s chemicals business as part of its Powering Progress strategy. The company is increasingly participating in value chains closer to end-use customers and using advantaged feedstocks to deliver more high value products while reducing exposure to commodity chemicals over time.

“I’m proud that in delivering this facility we’ve had a strong and innovative safety focus; invested in the community through employment and education; and helped repair and improve the local environment by remediating a brownfield site. These commitments are core to Shell’s Powering Progress strategy today and will remain so in the years to come,” said Vigeveno.

 

 

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The New Brighton School Board met for its first–and only–meeting of November 2022, thus making it a regular voting meeting instead of the usual planning meeting that preludes the voting meeting that would take place two weeks later.

In this meeting, the board unanimously accepted the resignation of Travis Whalen from the School Board. School board President John Ludwig thanked Mr. Whalen for his time and service to the board, and Whalen responded in kind. “To everybody here, thanks for being such great colleagues. We have great leadership here, and great board members,” Whalen said. “I’m not going very far, I’m literally right there.” Whalen joked that he is relocating to the “wrong side” of Wises Grove Road; his resignation takes effect on December 6, 2022.

The board also unanimously approved the building of a new playground by Snider Recreation at a cost not to exceed $70,000. “This will replace what I call the ‘original’ playground, the main playground that’s closest to the building,” stated Superintendent Dr. Joseph Guarino, saying that it will not replace the newer playground donated by HeadStart that is located outside the high school gymnasium.

“The original playground has far exceeded its life expectancy,” he added, “and it’s starting to need serious repairs, which obviously is not worth it for playground equipment.” Guarino said that the funding for the playground comes from surplus money held back from as far back as the 2018-19 school year, and that the timeline for construction relies heavily on the supply chain.

Also approved by the school board were the implementation of Act 57 of 2022 Property Tax Penalty Waiver Provisions, as well as a 10-year agreement to renew the lease between the New Brighton School District and New Brighton Youth Baseball. There will be no additional meetings by the School Board for November; their next meeting will be their Reorganization meeting on December 5.