Category: News

Inappropriate and Disgraceful Comments Made to New Brighton Basketball Players at Freedom Game Under Investigation

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published February 13, 2022 9:12 A.M.

(Freedom, PA) Freedom Area School District released a statement on their Facebook page Saturday stating that they are aware of “inappropriate and disgraceful comments” made to New Brighton basketball players during a game Friday night. “We are taking this very seriously and have begun an investigation.” Freedom ASD said along with “This is not the culture we want in our district”.  Social media posts have circulated showing an image of a list that was said to be found at the game.  The list contains multiple New Brighton players names, along with names of their girlfriends and a column labeled “S*** to say” which includes negative comments towards specific players.  Freedom ASD also stated that they are working with New Sewickley Police Department to investigate reported threats made against Freedom students.

Geneva Falls To Washington & Jefferson In Afternoon Barnburner

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

When the ball tipped off at Metheny Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon, it featured the two hottest teams in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference…and the two rivals showcased why.

Despite drilling 16 three-pointers and eclipsing over 100 points for the first time this season, the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes fell to Washington & Jefferson by a score of 111-103 on Senior Day. Senior Matt Veynovich had six of the three-pointers for Geneva, and he finished with 20 points on the afternoon. The Tipton brothers–junior Lyle and freshman Trevor–each led Geneva with 23 points a piece. Amos Luptak, another senior, and junior Ryan Rachic each had 15 points for Geneva.

W&J–now winners of six straight–were led by sophomore Michael Bigley who had 26. He was joined in double figures by Nick Gearhart (23), Kyran Mitchell (20), Isaiah Langston (16), and Okikiola Agbale (14). The Presidents outscored Geneva 80-24 in the paint, and stay atop first place in the PAC (with Chatham) at 13-2 to go with their 18-4 overall record. Geneva’s loss drops them to 10-5 in the PAC–tied with Westminster for third–and their overall record stands at 12-9.

Northbound Route 65 Daylight Lane Restrictions Next Week in Glenfield

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane restrictions on northbound Route 65 in Glenfield Borough, Allegheny County, will begin Monday, February 14 weather permitting.

Single-lane restrictions will occur on northbound Route 65 at the Neville Island Bridge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Friday, February 18 for paint containment removal work.

The $43 million I-79 Neville Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project includes structural steel repairs, full structure painting, bearing and deck joint replacements, deck repairs and overlays, bridge barrier repair, substructure concrete work and drainage improvements.  The project also includes concrete roadway reconstruction, guide rail replacement and preservation work on four sign structures. Additionally, preservation work will occur on the I-79 bridge over Deer Run Road, north of the Neville Island Bridge.  Motorists will see ramp closures and single-lane and shoulder closures in each direction on I-79 during daylight off-peak and overnight hours. Other traffic impacts include four southbound weekend closures in 2022. The overall project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.

The Trumbull Corporation is the prime contractor.

Work on this project will be in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and state Department of Health guidance as well as a project-specific COVID-19 safety plan, which will include protocols for social distancing, use of face coverings, personal and job-site cleaning protocols, management of entries to the jobsite, and relevant training.

To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for the I-79 Neville Island Bridge rehabilitation including traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – I-79” in the subject line.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

A VALENTINE TELEFORUM MONDAY (with Eddy Crow)

Monday’s Teleforum program with Eddy Crow will be brimming with love-it’s Valentine Day after all. Eddy will announce the winner of the Beaver County Radio Valentines’ Giveaway during his show; Teleforum holds forth from 9 till noon on am1230, am1460, 99.3fm presented by St. Barnabas, and now also on 95.7fm.

Eric Fontana Releases Newest Book: “Restaurant Gems Of Pittsburgh: Master Edition”

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

To all those who’ve ever dreaded hearing the words “Where do you want to eat tonight?”, knowing that it’ll cause the brain to fritz…a guide has come to your aid. Well, at least if you live in Western Pennsylvania.

Local author & restaurant critic Eric Fontana has released his latest book, “Restaurant Gems Of Pittsburgh: Master Edition“, a in-depth look into over 100 local establishments in seven different counties across Western PA (including Beaver). He sat down with Matt Drzik on the February 11 edition of A.M. Beaver County to talk about the new book, which comes two years after his first release.

“Most of these restaurants are going to be your mom-and-pop, private owned [establishments],” Fontana said, “and to the best of my knowledge, there’s no other book like this.” Fontana grades each establishment on its food quality, portion size, and atmospheric ambience, along with an in-depth look into each establishment’s origins and journeys to success.

Fontana, whose website and Facebook page also provide regular restaurant critiques and analysis, says he’s happy with where this journey has taken him. “I will get you more business, I know how to promote, I know what people are looking for,” he said, “and it’s fun. I’m using my gift.”

To watch the full interview with Eric, click on the Facebook feed below OR check out the audio-only version under that!

Audio only-version:

Yasmeen Manyisha Talks About PennDOT’s “Safety Citizens” Program

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“We weren’t able to get into schools and interact with communities the same way we had been doing for many years…and at a time where social media is just utilized more than ever, it really seemed like a fitting way to interact with a large variety of people.”

Those are the words of Yasmeen Manyisha, the Safety Press Officer for PennDOT District 11, who spoke with Matt Drzik on the February 11 edition of A.M. Beaver County about PennDOT’s “Safety Citizens” program, which allows members of the Commonwealth to submit images, messages or videos regarding a certain safety topic; selected choices will be displayed on PennDOT’s social media platforms.

Manyisha talked about the necessity for “Safety Citizens” being borne from the aftermath of the 2020 pandemic, and how virtual connection has created a new avenue for residents statewide to keep up with safety information. “That’s the great thing about this platform,” she stated. “You’re not keeping that information to yourself…you’re sharing it with everyone else.”

More details about the “Safety Citizens” program can be found by clicking here.

To hear the full interview with Matt and Yasmeen, click on the player below.

Oz gets Walk of Fame star as rival says he’s too ‘Hollywood’

Oz gets Walk of Fame star as rival says he’s too ‘Hollywood’
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Mehmet Oz, the celebrity cardiologist who recently ended his daytime TV “Dr. Oz Show” to run for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony is Friday, just as he’s being attacked 2,000 miles away in a rival’s TV ad saying he’s too “Hollywood.” The award underscores how successful Oz was before he gave up his TV career to run for public office. That same career is now being used against him by rivals who are picking apart his TV shows and past as a self-styled wellness advocate. They’re aiming to raise doubt about his conservative credentials as a Republican.

US Congressman Lamb Announces Pa Eligible for $25 Million To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Network

(File Photo)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Energy announced today that nearly $5 billion will be made available under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build out a national electric vehicle charging network.  This is an important step towards making electric vehicle (EV) charging accessible to all Americans.  Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced that Pennsylvania is eligible to receive up to $25 million in the first funding phase for Fiscal Year 2022.  Lamb supported this program’s inclusion in the infrastructure package.

“This is great news for the environment and for union jobs,” said Lamb.  “This $25 billion federal investment will jump start the work to build the electric vehicle transportation technology and infrastructure for our state and our region.”

“Conor Lamb has been fighting in Washington to create good jobs for our members,” said Thomas R. McIntyre, Business Manager, IBEW Local Union No. 5.  “We’re already training the men and women who are going to build this network of electric vehicle charging stations here in western Pennsylvania.  The federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Conor helped to pass will ensure that work gets done.”

The program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System.  States must submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access these funds.  Lamb’s bipartisan Grid Modernization Research and Development Act was passed in the Energy Act of 2020, which was signed into law in December of 2020.  This authorized a research and demonstration program at the Department of Energy to integrate electric vehicles onto the electric grid, improving its resilience and facilitating EV deployment.

Earlier this week, the White House detailed actions taken to date to prepare for this historic EV investment and increase in manufacturing, including the creation of a new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.  The Joint Office will play a key role in the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program, by providing direct technical assistance and support to help states develop their plans before they are reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration, which administers the funding.

Click here for more details on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver for Pennsylvania.

Fire Breaks Out at Hopewell Twp. Machine Shop on Thursday

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Firefighters were called to Bright Machine Shop at 11:39 AM Thursday, February 10, 2022. When crews arrived they found the framed office building was on fire. Hopewell Township Fire Chief Mike New said the building  sustained extensive damage, but the  metal shop attached to the building only sustained smoke and water damage.  Chief New said the fire was  out just after 1:30 PM.  Aliquippa was the first department on scene, the chief said and several other departments assisted.

The fire’s cause has not been determined.

Person Air Lifted After Crane Falls on Them at a Darlington Twp. Plant

(Darlington Twp., Pa.) The Darlington Twp. Fire Department is reporting on their Facebook page that they responded Thursday morning, February 10, 2022, at 10:40 AM to reports of an accident at the Danzer Veneer Americas facility in Darlington Township.

The post said an overhead crane fell on a worker’s head, knocking them unconscious. EMS and fire crews advised dispatch to have air medical on standby. Crews arrived on the scene and assisted EMS personnel with patient care. EMS personnel then advised dispatch that they did need air medical and to have them land at the St. Monica Church on Route 51 .

The unnamed victim was then air lifted to a local hospital. There is no word on their condition at this time.