(Pittsburgh, Pa.) United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced that Lawrence County has been officially designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy.
According to Chung, Lawrence County is being utilized by multi-jurisdictional drug traffickers as a destination for the large-scale distribution of controlled substances into Lawrence and the surrounding counties in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The large number of illegal drug users, the network of bisecting highways and interstates, and a perceived lack of sanctions against drug traffickers has made Lawrence County an easy and attractive target for Drug Trafficking Organizations.
Lawrence joins five other western Pennsylvania counties – Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, and Erie – in receiving dedicated federal resources to coordinate federal, state, and local governments to fight drug trafficking and abuse.
(Pittsburgh, pa.) 54-year-old Amy Snow of Butler has pleaded guilty to one count of Theft of Government Funds before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
According to information presented to the court, from Aug. 7, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2017, Snow falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that her spouse was not a member of her household knowing that his status as a member of the household and his income would affect her entitlement to Social Security Income benefits. The amount of loss suffered by the Social Security Administration by reason of Snow’s theft was $45,422.61.
Sentencing will be scheduled by the court. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) 50-year-old Cadee Akins Sr. formerly of Monaca was sentenced yesterday in federal in court to 15 years of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Akins. According to information presented to the court, he conspired to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base. The investigation revealed that from November 2017 to September 2020, the defendant distributed cocaine to multiple individuals who in turn distributed cocaine to lower-level dealers and end users. Additionally, during a July 2019 traffic stop, law enforcement seized two kilograms of cocaine from the defendant, who was operating a rental vehicle. In a subsequent traffic stop in March 2022, law enforcement seized approximately $50,600 in drug proceeds from the defendant.
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
MIAMI (AP) — Jesús Aguilar hit a tying single and scored the winning run on a wild pitch as the Miami Marlins rallied for three runs in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4. The loss snapped the Pirates’ four-game winning streak. Pittsburgh last won five straight in April 2019. Jon Berti hit an RBI single that trimmed Miami’s deficit to 4-3. Aguilar followed with a one-out RBI single against All-Star closer David Bednar. One out later, the first pitch from Bednar to Jesús Sánchez got past catcher Jason Delay, scoring Aguilar. Zach Pop allowed Daniel Vogelbach’s RBI groundout and Ke’Bryan Hayes’ run-scoring single that put the Pirates ahead 4-2 in the top of the 10th.
While amusement parks are operating their rides for the summertime, the Beaver County Commissioners rode a bit of a roller-coaster of their own at Wednesday’s work session.
The high point of the meeting was a disclosure by controller Maria Longo in regards to the financial audit review of Beaver County in 2021. Among the positives:
Treasurer’s office collected an increase of $2 million in taxes for 2021 compared to 2020
Overall debt lowered by $8.8 million
Pension 100% funded
$3.8 million General Fund revenues over expenses
The full list of numbers can be found in a document located at the Beaver County website, along with past reports.
On the downward slope, however, was the encouraging news regarding the staffing of essential services in Beaver County. Commissioner Jack Manning had attended a safety meeting earlier in the day, and came away concerned about the current state of affairs.
“We have police departments down to minimum staffing numbers…we have some fire departments that can’t respond,” Manning lamented. “One police chief called me and said that he was waiting 45 minutes for an ambulance to show up in his township. I talked to the Medic Rescue people, and they’re 30 drivers short.” Manning cited a lack of competitive wages and general lack of interest in those positions.
“I don’t know what we do,” Manning added. “It’s a municipal-by-municipal issue, but again we have an overall responsibility for the health and safety of Beaver County residents.”
The next work session is scheduled for July 20 at 10:00 AM at the Beaver County Courthouse.
“I’ve been in local government for twelve or thirteen years, and I have not once heard anyone say what they’re going to do for the kids. What are we going to do for them?”
The pleas coming from Rochester mayor Keith Jackson during his July 13 chat with Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County reflect a disconnect between council members and the youth. As the mayor noted, several of those who work for the borough have kids of a young age, but others have kids who are much older and may see the needs of the youth differently.
Jackson also spoke about taking chances on businesses in the borough: “You can’t just pick and choose who you want to come in to start a business…I believe in giving everyone a first chance and second chance, because each and every one of us out here has received not just a first chance, but a second chance and third chance. Let them come in and open up their businesses…if they can’t stay in business, I’m pretty sure they have enough sense where they’re back away from it. But give them an opportunity to make something happen for our town.”
To watch the full interview with Mayor Jackson, click on the Facebook feed below!
(Photos Provided with release by Beaver County Humane Society)
(Center Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Beaver County Humane Society said via release that they rescued 11 Dogs from deplorable conditions in a Beaver Falls residence on Tuesday afternoon.
The release stated that Beaver County Humane Society Humane Officers were called by the Beaver Falls Police Department after they received a call about a dog running at
large. Neighbors identified the dog and provided information that led the police
to the Beaver Falls residence. Upon arriving at the property, three of the dogs
were seen standing on the windowsill of a second story open window.
Officers said that all of the animals lacked access to clean water, dirty food was strewn around, there were feces, urine, and trash covering the floors; and flies were swarming around the animals.
“It was clear to our officers that these animals needed to be immediately removed from the filthy environment where they were living so they could receive medical treatment and care,” commented Susan Salyards, Executive Director of the Beaver County Humane Society.
“A number of the dogs were dehydrated, underweight, and are suffering from medical
issues including overgrown nails and dirty coats with fecal staining and a stale odor of urine.”
In addition to the filthy living conditions, several animal carcasses, including the decaying body of a dog, were also found at the residence.
“Brittany Sanner and Essence Jackson were arrested and charged with six felonies for
aggravated cruelty to animals, 11 misdemeanors for cruelty to animals, and 11
misdemeanors for neglect of an animal living in unsanitary conditions,” Salyards said.
The good news is that most, if not all, of the animals are expected to fully recover. The bad news is that the Humane Society is bursting at the seams, especially
with homeless dogs.
These animals are not available for immediate adoption as they are being medically
evaluated. “The need is going to be ongoing. Over the next week or two, our team will
be doing medical and behavior evaluations of all the animals taken in,” Salyards said.
The mother dog and three newborn puppies are being sent to foster care.Salyard’s said that “This confiscation comes at one of Beaver County Humane Society’s busiest times and they are accepting all of the help they can get. Salyard’s said the Humane Society is glad to provide these vital services as our way of serving the community, but humane cases are taxing on financial resources. Monetary donations to the TLC Fund are urgently needed to cover the costs for these extra animals; however, donations of dog and puppy food (Purina One or any meat-based food) and supplies for the ferret are always welcome.
The Humane Society is averaging $150/dog in vet care and that does not include those who need bloodwork, X-rays, dentals, biopsies, etc. It also does not include daily costs, which currently run about $50/day,” reported Salyards
Other ways to help include becoming a volunteer or a temporary foster home; anyone interested should visit their web site. Donations can be made to the shelter at https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org
Salyard’s said the BCHS thanks the Beaver Falls Police and Code Enforcement Departments for their incredible teamwork and collaboration with our humane society police officers.
(Photo taken by Ashley Inman and used with her permission)
Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio (Chippewa Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Chippewa Township Police responded to an accident at 3:45 PM Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Route 51 and Darlington Road according to Beaver County 9-1-1. A female driver hit the traffic post, knocking out the traffic lights, necessitating the road to be closed until almost 5 PM. The driver wasn’t injured. Traffic was backed up following the accident. As of 7:45 AM Wednesday morning 9-1-1 said the traffic lights were still out in the area near GetGo.
No other information was available Wednesday morning.
(Photo and Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio)
(Ambridge, Pa.) Jake Turner and Lawrence Charlton were approved by Ambridge Council at Tuesday night’s meeting. Jake Turner’s starting date is September 6, 2022, Charlton will begin his duties on January 2, 2023. Fire Chief Donnie Larrick, Jr. introduced the officers to the council and the citizens present.
Councilman Jerome Gill resigned as chairman of the finance committee. He wants everyone to work together..
Councilwoman Mary Jane Gilliam , who chairs the code committee reported that 159 high grass letters were sent, 153 properties were abated, and 13 citations were issued by code enforcement.
Council approved the switching of phone service for police and fire cell phones from Verizon to AT&T FirstNet. All police officers and first responders will have their own phones, according to Borough Manager Marion Leone.
(Gov Wolf signing the Budget, Photo Courtesy of Pa Media Services)
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers have wrapped up a budget package nearly two weeks late, approving billions of dollars in new spending, tax breaks for businesses and substantial sums for public schools. The package caps the eighth and final budget for the Democratic governor. Pennsylvania is in its best fiscal position in years, with the state treasury benefiting from federal coronavirus subsidies. Wolf secured big new subsidies for public schools, perhaps his top priority as governor. Pennsylvanians won’t see a cut in income or sales taxes. But Wolf and lawmakers are cutting the corporate net income tax rate, one of the nation’s highest.
