(Westmoreland County, Pa.) Suspended Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez’s sexual assault trial is set to begin this morning in Westmoreland County after the jury was picked was picked on Friday
The 29-year-old Pirates closer, has been in jail since his arrest in September 2019. He was charged with statutory sexual assault, 10 counts of child pornography and a number of other criminal charges after he was accused of meeting a then-13-year-old girl for sex in 2017.
Vazquez has maintained his innocence, and his defense attorney says he believes the evidence will show his client believed the girl was almost an adult when they had sex.
He also faces charges in Florida and Missouri after police said he had a sexual relationship with the girl related to those states.
Pennsylvania’s spring primary: ballot issues, judicial races
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Beyond the local races on ballots, Pennsylvania’s primary election will determine the future of a governor’s authority during disaster declarations. Voters statewide Tuesday will decide four separate ballot questions, including two on whether to give state lawmakers much more power over disaster declarations. Voters also must decide primaries for open seats on the three statewide appellate courts, including a three-way GOP primary for state Supreme Court. In four parts of Pennsylvania, there are contests for open seats in the state Legislature. If recent turnout patterns hold, fewer than one-fifth of Pennsylvania’s registered voters will determine the outcomes.
Car found on train tracks, couple freed by first responders
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Authorities in western Pennsylvania say first responders freed a man and woman from a car found on railroad tracks in Pittsburgh. Police say a Pittsburgh officer noticed the four-door vehicle on the tracks shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday. Firefighters and medics and firefighters were able to get the man and woman out of the car and carry them over the railing. They were taken to a hospital and considered to be in stable condition. Police said they believe the car may have entered the CSX tracks from a service road in nearby McKees Rocks.
BEAVER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES A NEW BUY LOCAL INITIATIVE: “Beaver County Rooted Locally e-Gift Card.”
The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce an exciting new initiative to help support our local business community even more, with the launch of the Beaver County Rooted Locally e-Gift Card program.
Keeping Dollars Local: “Now more than ever, the objective is to keep spending local, and ramp-up our continued support of the Beaver County business community” says Helen Kissick, President of the Chamber. “Encouraging our community to shop local has been an ongoing theme, but even more so, especially in the wake of COVID-19. While local businesses work hard to reopen safely, many of us are wondering what we can do to help. The Beaver County Rooted Locally e-Gift Card makes it easy for ALL of us to play a role in boosting our local economy and strengthening our business community.” How it Works: All Gift Card purchases and business enrollments will be processed through the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce website. Business Enrollment-it is easy to participate. Exclusive to Beaver County businesses only, participation is perfect for restaurants, sports & fitness gyms, retailers, hair salons & spas, florists & garden centers, car washes, hotels, service providers plus more! No specialequipment or software is required; if a business accepts Mastercard payments, then it can accept the Beaver County Rooted Locally e-gift cards. There is a nominal enrollment fee for a 12-month long listing, and an Early Bird Enrollment Discount will be offered through June 30, 2021.
Helen Kissick, President of The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce.
Gift Card Purchase: As we head into May, think about all of the gift giving opportunities that come in the form of graduations, teachers’ appreciation, Father’s Day, July 4th and so on. Imagine giving gifts that are guaranteed to support your neighbors here in Beaver County, rather than supporting businesses elsewhere in the world. The card appears on the recipient’s smart phone, and they are occasionally reminded to redeem the gift card at participating businesses through alerts. No more forgotten gift cards sitting at home. Completely contactless (a real plus during Covid), an online purchase can be made from the comfort of one’s home. There are a variety of denomination selections starting at $5 and up to $250.00. The purchase of the Gift Card is face value, plus a processing fee. Gift Card Recipient: The recipient will receive an email or text letting them know that the purchaser has sent them a Beaver County Rooted Locally e-Gift Card. A personal message from the purchaser is seen by the recipient. The recipient is directed to a list of participating merchants, retailers and restaurants that accept the Beaver County Rooted Locally e-Gift. The purchaser receives notifications when the e-Card is delivered, opened and redeemed. Sponsorship Opportunities: Our Chamber is actively seeking partners who will be prominently featured as we roll out and market the program. This is a terrific opportunity to be an integral catalyst for standing together to support our neighbors and local businesses. This program will support those who need it most and help keep LOCAL dollars LOCAL. Thanks to our Community Partners! This program was made possible through a sponteneous, collaborative group effort. Working together since last year to launch the Beaver County Rooted Locally marketing campaign, this will now include this exciting gift card option. Our sincere thanks to our friends at Beaver County Tourism, Beaver County PUSH, Paramount Pursuits, Minuteman Press, Brkich Design Group and Beaver County Council of Governments. Together, we make Beaver County strong!
On Monday’s Teleforum program, host Eddy Crow hosts Stephanie Murdoch from the LIFE Beaver County organization; also an update on the questionnaire for Blackhawk School Board candidates. Teleforum is every weekday from 9 till noon on AM1230, AM1460, and 99.3FM presented by St. Barnabas.
The PA Department of Health’s Acting Secretary, Alison Beam, announced that the commonwealth’s mask order is a solid reflection of the same news announced by the CDC. That order from the CDC addressed a situation that a lot of people have been waiting for since the announcement of the vaccine; When will we be able to leave the mask at home? As of now, fully vaccinated citizens can resume activities prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or socially distancing themselves from others outside, or inside. Beaver Fall’s Save A Lot and Foodland in New Brighton do require masks until more information is released on matter, while some businesses such as Giant Eagle and the Beaver County Fruit Market, are requiring masks to prevent any contamination or spread of the disease within their stores to keep their employees and customers feeling safe while shopping for groceries and other household accessories. McMahon’s Cycle Shop, will keep the same mask policies that they have since the very beginning pandemic, and will continue do so until it’s very end. However some businesses such as the Beaver County Credit Union, Falls City Lumber Supply, and The Shoppe at Beaver Falls will not require a mask upon entry.
US jobless claims fall to 473K as more GOP governors bar aid
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000. That’s new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen. The decline — the fourth in the past five weeks — coincides with a rash of states led by Republican governors that have blamed generous benefits for a slowdown in hiring and are taking steps to cut off the extra aid.
Desperate for workers, US restaurants and stores raise pay
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economic Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. restaurants and stores are rapidly raising pay in an urgent effort to attract more applicants and keep up with a flood of customers as the pandemic eases. McDonald’s, Sheetz and Chipotle are just some of the latest companies to follow Amazon, Walmart and Costco in boosting wages, in some cases to $15 an hour or higher. The pay gains are, of course, a boon to these employees. But they could also contribute to higher inflation, if companies raise prices to cover the additional labor costs.
Street racing surges across US amid coronavirus pandemic
By ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press
Illegal drag racing has exploded in popularity across the U.S. since the coronavirus pandemic began, with sometimes deadly consequences. Officials have reported a dangerous uptick from Oregon and New Mexico to Georgia and New York. Experts say TV shows and movies glorifying street racing had already fueled interest in recent years. Then shutdowns associated with the pandemic cleared normally clogged highways and gave those with a passion for fast cars more time to modify them and show them off. Police in many cities are now stepping up enforcement. And some states are fighting back with harsher punishments.
Fully vaccinated can drop the masks, skip social distancing
By ZEKE MILLER and MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. The new guidance announced Thursday is a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life. President Joe Biden calls it “a great day for America.” The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters but helps clear the way for reopening workplaces and schools. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says: “We have all longed for this moment.” The Pentagon said Friday fully vaccinated personnel no longer need to wear masks at Defense Department facilities.
