FILE – Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., leaves an intelligence briefing on the unknown aerial objects the U.S. military shot down this weekend at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 14, 2023. A spokesman for Fetterman says the Democrat is “on a path to recovery” after checking himself into a hospital for clinical depression earlier this month, and that he is still expected to be away from the Senate for several weeks. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokesman for Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says the Democrat is “on a path to recovery” after checking himself into a hospital for clinical depression earlier this month, and he is still expected to be away from the Senate for several weeks. Fetterman communications director Joe Calvello said in a statement Monday that the senator’s recovery will be a “weeks-long process.” He is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he checked in Feb. 15 as he was still struggling with the aftereffects of a stroke. His office said then that he had experienced depression before but it had become severe.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 28, 2023 1:13 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane issued a statement Tuesday morning about a large number of vehicle break-ins that have occurred in the city. The chief said 6 reports have been made in the last 2 nights. Residents are advised, “Lock your doors, secure your valuables, and park in lighted areas.” Chief Lane said Hyundai’s and Kia’s are the main targets in the thefts reported.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published February 28, 2023 1:11 P.M.

(Cranberry Township, PA) Cranberry Township are investigating the report of an armed break-in and the kidnapping of a 17-year-old boy Tuesday in Cranberry at a gated community. Beaver County 911 was contacted from a store in Rochester for the 17 year old and he was able to return home to his mother. Investigators believe the incident was not random, and that the family was targeted. Police are asking anyone with further information to contact them at 724-776-5180.

HARRISBURG– Have you received a text message, email or letter inviting you to participate in a research project as a secret shopper without the need for an interview because you’re the perfect person for the position?

In this scam, the recruiter typically sends a check worth more than the items you buy, so you get to keep the rest as a bonus. They will instruct you to deposit the check right away, buy gift cards, and provide the scammer with the number and pin on the gift cards.

Unfortunately, the check they send you is fraudulent and it will take a few days to clear, but in the meantime, you’ve made these purchases out of your account. When you find out three or four days later that the check was fraudulent, you’ve already bought those gift cards and sent them off to the scammer.

“Pennsylvanians should know the tricks these scammers use so they can proactively keep themselves, their money, and their personal information safe,” said Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry. “Anyone receiving suspicious emails, calls, or texts should report them to my Office to help protect yourself and others.”

Warning Signs of This Scam

• A job listing or unsolicited mailing, call, text or email that guarantees you will make a lot of money as a secret shopper.
• A secret shopper job that requires you to pay up front to get started.
• An “employer” that sends you a check or money order with instructions to deposit it in your account and return a portion to the sender.

Consumers with any questions or feel that they have been victimized by this scam or any similar scams may submit a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting the website, https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/scams-complaint/, by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov or by calling the Office at 1-800-441-2555.

Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Mark Rozzi is photographed at the speaker’s podium, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Smith)

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) on Tuesday made the following comment upon the announcement Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) has resigned as speaker of the House:

“As former speaker of the House and the twice-elected leader of the House Republican Caucus, I know that trust is the basis of a successful legislative leader and provides the ability to move our chamber forward. Unfortunately, despite the attempt to find a unique solution for an evenly divided House, Rep. Rozzi openly broke that trust essentially from the moment he was elected.

“Right now, the House is in dire need of a reset, and I remain committed to working with anyone who is willing to work with us to find solutions. However, the only way we will be able to move forward is by lowering the temperatures that have risen due to an unforeseen lack of integrity that has set back our ability to work across the aisle.

“It is time to move on. I hope our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will join us in doing so.”

The photo above shows Joe Hamilton (Blackhawk), Pat Tarquinio, and Karl Florie (Riverside) during a Coaches Corner on WBVP/WMBA in 2016.

(Beaver, PA) A longtime well known Beaver educator and football coach Pat Tarquinio passed away Monday. Tarquinio was in the Beaver County Sports and WPIAL Hall of fame. He coached Ellwood City before spending 34 years with the Beaver Bobcats. Gypsy Glen Stadium in Beaver was renamed Pat Tarquinio Field years back in honor of him. Many looked up to him as a mentor over the years. Tarquinio held the title of most winningest coach in the WPIAL when he stepped down from coaching in 1999. He was 89.

Gas prices are four cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.766 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Beaver County is $3.768.

The national average for a gallon of gas fell five cents over the last week to $3.36. The main reason is the price of oil, which fell into the mid $70s per barrel, nearly $5 cheaper than earlier this month. Today’s national average of $3.36 is 14 cents less than a month ago and 24 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased slightly from 8.27 million barrels per day to 8.91 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.8 million barrels to 240.1 million barrels last week. However, decreasing oil prices have contributed to pushing pump prices lower.

Crude prices have declined over the last few weeks due to the strengthening of the dollar and market concerns about increasing domestic oil inventories. EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories increased substantially by 7.6 million barrels to 479 million barrels last week.

The PA Fish and Boat Commission announced they will be stocking 3.2 million trout in 697 streams and 126 lakes in Pennsylvania this year. This will consist of 2.3 million rainbow trout, 707,000 brown trout, 168,000 brook trout, and 14,000 golden rainbow trout. 70,000 trout are trophy size. Opening day for trout fishing is April 1st.

The photo above shows a mobile Primary Health clinic truck outside the Darlington Township Municipal Building.
 Story and Photos by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published February 28, 2023 11:55 A.M.

 (Darlington Township, PA) Residents arrived in Darlington Township Tuesday morning at 10am for the opening of a Health Resource Center in response to the East Palestine train derailment.  The resource center was made possible due to efforts made by the Shapiro Administration along with local leaders Senator Elder Vogel, Senator Camera Bartolotta, and Representative Jim Marshall.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is providing a Primary Health Clinic, along with specialists in behavioral health and chemical exposure at the center along with tables with Department of Health representatives to answer questions and provide information.  Nate Wardle, Special Response Project Manager for the PA Dept. of Health, told Beaver County Radio that the center is open to anybody and not limited to just Beaver and Lawrence counties.

The Health Resource Center is located in the rear of the Darlington Township Municipal Building at 3590 Darlington Road.  It will be open weekdays from 10am to 8pm until at least March 10th.  Signs have been posted outside the building directing people in the right direction.