FILE – President Joe Biden responds a reporters question after speaking about the economy in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Washington. Virtually everything was going right for Biden to open the year. His approval ratings were ticking up. Inflation was slowing. And Republicans were at war with themselves after a disappointing midterm season. But Biden’s rosy political outlook veered into uncertainty after the Justice Department appointed a special counsel to investigate Biden’s handling of classified documents. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Virtually everything was going right for President Joe Biden to open the year. Biden’s approval ratings were ticking up. Inflation was slowing. And Republicans were at war with themselves after a disappointing midterm season. But Biden’s rosy political outlook veered into uncertainty Thursday after the Justice Department appointed a special counsel to investigate the Democratic president’s handling of classified documents. Democrats concede the stunning development is at best an unwelcome distraction at an inopportune time that muddies the case against Donald Trump. The Republican former president faces a special counsel of his own and is under federal criminal investigation for his handling of classified documents and other potential transgressions.

File Photo of Rob Matzie

AMBRIDGE, Jan. 13 – Two state grants totaling nearly $2.4 million will bolster Beaver County anti-violence programs and strengthen resources for survivors, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, announced today.

Matzie said the funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency includes $1.5 million to the Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. in Monaca to support the center’s P4:247 CommUNITY program.

“It’s a unique program that uses strength and fitness training as a way to empower Beaver and Allegheny County youth and families victimized by violence and help them channel their anger, develop self-control and build back self-esteem,” Matzie said. “The program also provides education and work readiness training.”

A second grant of $887,767 to the Women’s Center of Beaver County will support both survivor support services and violence-prevention programs for at-risk youth.

“The Women’s Center of Beaver County runs powerful anti-violence and trauma support programs, and a key part of those efforts involves tapping the skills of professionals in multiple fields, from criminal justice to human services to medical and counseling,” Matzie said. “Securing this new funding will ensure the center has the resources it needs to continue those connections and expand services for our community.”

The funding comes from PCCD’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Competitive Grant program.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff, published January 13, 2023 10:22 A.M.

(Pittsburgh, PA) Andrew McCutchen will be returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2023, one a year year contract pending a physical, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. McCutchen was a five time all star, and 2013 National League MVP and led the Pirates to three playoff appearances in 2013,2014, and 2015.

(WMBA van  in 1971 Courtesy of John Poister)

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Tune into Beaver County Radio at 9:10 AM today as the 1968 WMBA VW Bus Time Machine makes a rare appearance on Teleforum.
Frank Sparks will once again be behind the wheel as we go back in time to the 1950’s as part of Beaver County Radio’s 75th Anniversary celebration. Frank will be spinning the number one tunes of the 50’s that you would of heard Chuck “Waxy” Wilson spin on “Wilson’s Wax Works” back in the day.
Frank will also pay tribute to Lisa Marie Pressley to start the show after her passing yesterday.  William Day the CEO of St. Barnabas broadcasting will join Frank at 10:15 AM to talk about life in the 1950’s in Beaver County. Frank will also take your requests to play in hour three at 724-843-1888 and 724-774-1888.
You can listen to the show at 95.7 and 99.3 FM along with 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and beavercountyradio.com.

The featured photo shows the damage at the house hours after the crash
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director, published January 13, 2023 8:00 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA) A house on seventh avenue in Beaver Falls suffered damage caused by a vehicle crashing into it early Friday morning for the second time in 3 years.  The house sits across the intersection from the Eastvale Bridge and was previously heavily damaged in 2020 when an older couple lost control of their vehicle and drove into the residence. This time around, the front porch of the home was destroyed along with other visible damage to the front of the property.  We are working on getting more information.

FILE – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, speaks after Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his budget address for the 2022-23 fiscal year to a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate in Harrisburg, Pa., on Feb. 8, 2022. Former Republican state Sen. Browne will lead the Department of Revenue, said incoming Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two just-retired state lawmakers will help fill the Cabinet of the incoming governor, Josh Shapiro. The Democrat also says he’ll pluck nominees from the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University. Shapiro said Thursday that former Republican Sen. Pat Browne will lead the Department of Revenue and former Democratic Rep. Mike Carroll will lead the Department of Transportation. To head the Department of Community and Economic Development, Shapiro chose Rick Siger. Currently, Siger is chief of staff to Carnegie Mellon University’s president. Sarah Hammer will lead Shapiro’s Department of Banking and Securities. She’s currently managing director of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.

FILE – Lisa Marie Presley arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Mad Max: Fury Road” at the TCL Chinese Theatre on May 7, 2015. Presley, singer and only child of Elvis, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, after a hospitalization, according to her mother, Priscilla Presley. She was 54. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father’s legacy, died Thursday after being hospitalized for a medical emergency. She was 54. Presley’s death was confirmed by her mother, Priscilla, who called her daughter “the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.” Presley, the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, shared her father’s brooding charisma. She followed him professionally, releasing her own rock albums in the 2000s, and appearing on stage with Pat Benatar and Richard Hawley among others. She was married four times, including to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage. She had four children.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff, published January 13, 2023 6:30 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) We are receiving reports this morning that police responded to a shooting in Aliquippa shortly after 5am this morning. The incident took place on Mill Street and one person has been taken to the hospital for a gunshot wound and another person was injured, we do not know the condition of either individual at this time. The State Police have taken over the investigation. We are working to learn more in this developing story.

Beaver County Radio is looking at the photo albums to celebrate our 75th year in operation! We’ll be sharing a few photos every Thursday, so we hope you can take a trip down memory lane with us.

Photo 1: Jim Reynolds broadcasting live from the Beaver Valley Mall, circa 1982

Photo 2: Don Kennedy, Chuck Wilson, and Alan Boal during a live broadcast at the Carnegie Library of Beaver Falls auditorium, circa 1950

Photo 3: Chris Shovlin and Bill Fontana call a game on WMBA at Hopewell High School, circa 1977. Photo Courtesy of Bill Fontana

Published by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director