(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News
(Hopewell Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) School starts on Wednesday in the Hopewell School district and four new teachers were hired at Monday night’s  school board meeting. Dana Maurer will teach math at the high school, Alison Colangelo will teach special education at Hopewell Elementary, Brenna Wandel will teach English at the junior high school, and Carly Belich  will teach 5th grade at the junior high school. Alyssa Myers was hired as  a part time elementary library aide, Pamela Loaskie was hired  as a substitute secretary.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Labor Day typically marks the end of summer road trips and vacations. However, many people will continue to travel during the fall months according to new research from AAA.

An online survey conducted across the United States in early August found that about 32% of Americans will travel for Labor Day weekend. Of those who plan to travel, the vast majority (82%) will go by automobile. The top destinations for hotel, cruise and tour bookings are:

1. Las Vegas
2. San Diego
3. Orlando
4. Alaska
5. Fort Lauderdale
6. Nashville
7. Hawaii
8. Europe

The late summer survey also found that most respondents are planning trips this fall. According to those polled:

• 73% plan to take a leisure trip after Labor Day
• ​​​​​​​52% will take a road trip
• 30% will fly somewhere
• 7% will take a cruise

According to the survey, the most popular international cruises this fall will be voyages to destinations in the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Mexico.

“Travelers can take advantage of some great savings right now, whether it be a trip to see fall colors or a cruise to warmer destinations,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “There is a lot of pent-up demand for travel, so the best advice is to work with a trusted travel advisor and get those plans for future adventures in place as soon as possible.”

Gasoline and Consumer Behaviors

Gas prices and inflation had an impact on some travelers’ behaviors this summer. According to the survey, 80% said they made cutbacks to save money, with those between the ages of 18 to 34-years-old cutting back the most. The top areas where consumers saved included:

• Non-grocery shopping (clothing, electronics, etc.) – 49%
• Driving – 44%
• Going to movies – 36%
• Flying – 29%
• Other recreational activities (sporting events, concerts, theater, etc.) – 29%

More than 16,000 Drivers Will be Rescued this Labor Day

AAA East Central anticipates coming to the roadside rescue of 16,724 stranded motorists from Thursday, September 1 through Monday, September 5.

To avoid a breakdown on a road trip, AAA recommends drivers inspect tires, batteries, belts, hoses, and fluid levels, or have vehicles inspected by a trusted mechanic at a AAA-Approved Auto Repair facility. For those planning road trips, AAA reminds motorists to make traffic safety a priority. Motorists are urged to get at least 7 hours of sleep before a long journey, make sure everyone is buckled up, obey speed limits, and “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated.”

AAA Offers Tips to Keep the Friendly Skies Friendly

For those who are flying over the long Labor Day weekend or this fall, AAA recommends travelers:

• Work with a reputable travel advisor who can be an advocate.
• Download and use airline apps to get boarding passes, track bags and receive flight updates.
• Travel at least a day before important events, such as weddings, funerals, cruises, or international connections.
• Book early morning flights because they are less prone to delays and cancellations.
• Get to the airport extra early and schedule longer layovers – a one hour layover may not be enough time to make a connection these days.
• If sitting with friends or family members, consider fares that allow you to choose seats.
• Consider purchasing travel insurance.
• Pack smart so the boarding process goes smoothly as passengers try to fit carry-ons into overhead luggage bins.
• Remain kind, patient and courteous with airline and airport staff as well as with other passengers.

​​​​​​​

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 71 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  Past news releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff
(Washington D.C.) A Glenshaw man is on of three men who were found guilty in Federal court yesterday of assaulting law enforcement officers and other charges for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021, 29-year-old Robert Morss of Glenshaw, 31-year-old Geoffrey William Sills, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and 36-year-old David Lee Judd, of Carrollton, Texas – were found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding. Morss and Sills also were found guilty of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon and robbery. Judd also was found guilty of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. All of the charges are felonies.
Judge Trevor N. McFadden returned the verdicts after a trial in which all three defendants stipulated to a set of facts agreed upon by the government and the defendants.
Morss was arrested on June 11, 2021 and is to be sentenced on Jan. 6, 2023. He faces a possible jail term of up to 20-years for each offense along with potential financial penalties.

(File Photo)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Democratic US Senate candidate John Fetterman made his first public appearance at a rally at the United Steelworkers International Headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh yesterday since he suffered a stroke in May.
Fetterman appeared with other local and statewide candidates at the rally and also picked up a key endorsement from The United Steelworkers Union.

(File Photo of Gov. Wolf provided by Pa Media Services)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Gov. Tom Wolf granted 102 pardons in August, 26 of which were expedited review marijuana cases and has now pardoned more than 2,000 Pennsylvanians since taking office in 2015
In a release sent out by the Governors office Wolf called pardoning 2,000 Pennsylvanians “one of the greatest honors of my time in office.” He said “We all deserve the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and do better tomorrow—but, oftentimes, a record prevents positive forward motion, sparking a repetitive cycle of defeat,” “I firmly believe that with restored rights, pardoned Pennsylvanians prove themselves by stepping up and giving back to our communities.”
If you receive a pardon it means complete forgiveness by the state for a criminal conviction regardless of whether the sentence included prison time.
Applying for a pardon is free and doesn’t require a lawyer

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff
(Moon Twp., Pa.) The Moon Area School District is working to recover from a ransomware cyberattack that has caused a disruption to certain systems and operations that are used in the district .Parents and students are still able to access the online programs from outside the school buildings.
Students are headed back to the classroom this week and laptops and iPads weren’t affected by the attack.
The district says they’re working with a third-party specialist and government authorities to find the disruption, figure out the full impact, and restore functionality as soon as possible.
They are asking students and parents to please be patient as they work to repair the system.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Though the meeting of the Beaver Falls City Council on August 23 was shorter than usual, it was not without a few major acknowledgements.

Paula Durish, who has served as city clerk for 45 years, was recognized by Mayor Kenya Johns and the rest of the council for her longstanding dedication to the city of Beaver Falls with an honorary plaque and a bouquet of flowers at the end of Tuesday’s meeting.

City Manager Charles Jones expressed his gratitude for Durish’s service: “Every one of us can attest that this city cannot operate the way it does without Paula,” he stated, “so we want to recognize you and thank you for your many years of service.” Durish was overwhelmingly joyed at the recognition of her peers: “For the first time in my life, I’m speechless!”

Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, Community Development director Rochelle Burks spoke about the DCD’s plan to create a community newsletter for the city. The newsletter would feature columns from the local essential services–such as the fire department and the police department–and, to Burks’ hopes, columns from the city council. The council showcased their approval for the plan, which Burks feels may start as a quarterly publication.

General fund city expenditures and transactions were approved by council at an amount $500,194.78. Also approved were the pension calculations for retired police chief Tom Lococo and two other officers, and the purchase of a 43rd Street property by Gino Harris–albeit with an ultimatum from fire chief Mark Stowe that the property be restored within nine months.

The next Beaver Falls City Council meeting is on September 13 at 7:00 PM.

(Photo used with permission)

(Beaver, Pa.) The Beaver Area Heritage Foundation’s Summer Concert Series at the Beaver Train Station returns Friday Night August 26, 2022 at 7:30 PM. The second in the series of three concerts features features Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers along with the 4019’s straight from California featuring local Monaca native Nick Zeigler on drums.  The series is being brought to you in part by The St. Barnanbas Health System and Beaver County Radio. The concert will be held outside and chairs will be provided.
Los Gringos Taco Truck will be onsite at 6 PM and Doors open at 6:30 pm for complimentary beer and wine. The concerts begins at 7:30 pm and chairs are provided.
There is still time to get tickets for Friday’s concert by going to: https://beaverstation.org/product-category/signature-events/
The third and final concert is  Friday, September 23, 2022 at 6:30 PM and features  Nash.V.Ill.
The Beaver Area Heritage Foundation’s Summer Concert Series at the Beaver Train Station is being brought to you in part by:

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver, Pa.) A hearing was held in Beaver County Central Court Tuesday morning for Damian Bradford, 41 of Pittsburgh. Bradford shot PA State Trooper Jonnie Schooley in the leg  on July 29, 2022 at the  Franklin Avenue Mini Mart just after midnight. Bradford faces trial in January for attempted homicide and related charges and remains in the Beaver County Jail.