Story by Beaver County Radio Staff (Rochester Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Rochester Township Police Department posted on their Facebook Page Wednesday announcing that Wednesday was the end of an era and Police Chief George Yaccich was retiring after 25 years as an officer in Rochester Township and the last 21 plus as the Chief of Police. The post went on to say that they wish him well in the next chapter of his life as he enjoys retirement. They thanked him and his family for his service to the Township and said You have made this department something to be very proud of and have garnered the respect of the county and beyond. Good luck and enjoy your much deserved retirement.
Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano (Aliquippa, Pa.) PA state Police in Beaver issued a press release Thursday morning in regards to reports of shots fired on Sheffield Avenue in the City of Aliquippa at 10 p.m. Wednesday night, August 31, 2022. Troopers said via release that original reports alleged that shots were fired in the direction of the police department and Towne Towers Apartment Building. Troopers said some of the allegations have been unsubstantiated and the investigation will be ongoing.
This is a developing Story and Beaver County Radio will keep you updated as information becomes available.
“We love giving back to the community, we love making the community a better place where we work, live and play every single day.”
That statement from Kim Campbell of Vistra Energy mirrored what was written on the big check–a check for $20,000 from Dynegy (a Vistra subsidiary) to Dollar Energy Fund that was presented at the Housing Opportunities of Beaver County headquarters in Beaver on Wednesday. The $20,000 comes in the form of a grant that will help assist the Hardship Program that Dollar Energy Fund has established in Beaver County.
Local lawmakers gather at Housing Opportunities of Beaver County’s main offices in Beaver, as HOBC Executive Director Zabriawn Smith (in blue shirt to immediate right of Rep. Jim Marshall) speaks about the offices.
For many, this grant comes at the perfect time–albeit with cooperation from a less-than-ideal reason for it. The Public Utility Commission recently announced more rate increases for energy, which could lead to higher bills for Pennsylvania residents. “We know our low-income customers are struggling,” Campbell stated. “Rent has gone up, gas has gone up, and utilities have gone up, as well as food and everything else they need…so anything we can do to help our customers really meet those needs and ensure they don’t have to worry about their electricity, we’re here to do that.”
The event was attended by several local lawmakers, including State Senator Elder Vogel along with State Representatives Jim Marshall and Josh Kail. All three applauded this grant and agreed that it is imperative that the citizens of Pennsylvania receive some help.
“There’s no better time for a contribution like this than now,” Kail said. “We really appreciate what this means, and it’s true–my wife was just complaining to me about it a week ago that our electric bill went up–thankfully we have the means to pay for bills like that, but there’s a lot of people who are struggling.”
State Representative Rob Matzie was scheduled to attend, but couldn’t due to other business.
The County Commissioners met on August 31 for their regularly scheduled work session, which focused heavily on two major departments–Public Works and Parks & Recreation.
DPW director Dan Colville addressed several key components to the budget for his department, including the purchase of a new pickup truck to replace one that “is not gonna pass inspection” according to Colville. The new truck that the DPW is considering would be bought at a price of $39,295 with its association with COSTARS, which is $8,000 less than the amount that is proposed for the same truck beginning on January 1 of 2023.
Colville also provided an update on quotes for the roofing replacements at Beaver County magistrates’ offices, referring to the price quotes as “outrageous” and openly discussing other options to attempt to save costs within the DPW budget.
Parks & Recreation director Tony Caltury provided updates on the ongoing renovation of the outdoor courts at Brady’s Run Park. The basketball courts will undergo a sandblasting technique to finish the bonding of the acrylic elements–the surface became “too smooth”, per Caltury–but the final touches for the tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts seem to be on schedule.
The only untouched element of those outdoor courts is the outdoor hockey rink, and Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp asked Caltury about the possibility of when and how that renovation could take place. Caltury said that he was in talks with Sport Court of Pittsburgh about pricing quotes, and stated that the process takes only a few weeks to process–leaving the door open for completion by the end of 2022.
The next Commissioners’ work session is scheduled for September 7 at 10:00 AM.
(Photo of Brian Lee Colbert provided by Beaver County Sheriff’s Office)
(Beaver, Pa.) The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 21-year-old Brian Lee Colbert. Colbert was on work release from the Beaver County Jail, mowing grass with other workers, on July 8, 2022, when he walked away from the workers at a Rochester Township cemetery and hasn’t been seen since . He was in jail for a simple assault probation violation. Colbert is described as 6 foot 3 inches tall, 195 pounds, brown hair, hazel eyes.
He was last seen in the area of Valley Terrace Apartment Complex in Aliquippa. A Sheriff’s Department representative said Colbert has a violent past. Deputies are saying do not approach him, he may be armed. If you see him dial 911 or to provide any information on Colbert call the Sheriff’s Office, Warrants Division 724-378-9063. As of 7 a.m. this morning Thursday, September 1 , 2022 he hasn’t been apprehended.
(File Photo of the Beaver County Commissioners during a work session at the Beaver County Courthouse. Photo taken by Matt Drzik, Beaver County Radio Staff)
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Tune into 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, 95.7 FM or beavercountyradio.com this Thursday August 4, 2022 at 9:10 a.m. for “Ask the Commissioners” Commissioners Chairman Dan Camp, Commissioner Tony Amadio, and Commissioner Jack Manning will be live in studio to answer your questions on Beaver County Radio during hour one of Teleforum with Eddy Crow. You can submit any questions you might have to news@beavercountyradio.com or by sending a direct message to the Beaver County Radio Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/beavercountyradio/
You can also click on the Facebook Logo below at show time to watch the show streaming live on the Beaver County Radio Facebook Page. You can also download our free apps by clicking on the proper store icon for your platform of a device:
With August ending and the school year beginning, not only are the students returning to the classrooms–but the signals in the school zones to slow down are returning too.
Focusing on the activity in those school zones is one of the major focal points of AAA’s “School’s Open–Drive Carefully” campaign, which has been operating since 1946. AAA East Central safety advisor Lynda Lambert joined Matt Drzik on the August 31 edition of A.M. Beaver County to discuss the do’s and don’ts of driving within a school zone–from the basic elements of paying attention to the road to the modern struggles with phone technology.
To listen to the full interview, click on the play button below:
Story by Beaver County Radio Staff (Summit Township, Butler County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they have filed charges of Animal Cruelty and Endangering the Welfare of a child against a Summit Township, Butler County Couple after State Police along with two officers from the Beaver County Humane Society and the ANNA Shelter in Erie, Pa. served a search warrant at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at a residence on Saxonburg Road in Summit Township for ongoing animal cruelty.
State Police are reporting that 10 German Shepherd Dogs and 3 cats were seized from the residence of 48-year-old Regina Pruitt and 55-year-old Robert Pruitt. Troopers said that the conditions were so deplorable that they had to wear hazmat suits and breathing apparatuses to conduct the search. It was determined the animals were in poor health. the animals were covered with feces, mites, fleas, and lice.
Butler County CYS was contacted and went to the scene and determined that the house was unlivable. The Summit Township Zoning Officer was contacted and traveled to the scene and immediately condemned the residence due to the terrible conditions.
Both Regina and Robert were placed into State Police custody and was arraigned before Magistrate Lewis Stoughton on all related animal cruelty and Endangering the Welfare of a Child Charges.
(File photo of Shell Cracker Plant in Potter Twp. during construction)
(Potter Twp., Pa.) The Shell Cracker Plant in Potter Twp., Beaver County is just about complete and the company is holding a virtual community meeting next Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from 6-7PM.
Shell will have members of the leadership team that will be sharing updates in the path to startup of operations at the plant.
You do have to pre-register on Shell’s community information page at www.shell.us/poly-e.
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pa State Police at the Rivers Casino are reporting that they have cited 25-year-old Shane Golling of McKees Rocks with Defiant Criminal Trespass after he was identified as being on Casino property at 2:15 AM Wednesday morning after he was issued a lifetime ban in 2018. Summary charges were filed at the local magistrates office.
