Winners of Pens Play-off Puppy Photo Contest Announced

(Photos submitted by Owners) 

Story by Frank Sparks, Beaver County Radio

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Beaver County Radio, 99.3 and 95.7 FM along with 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and beavercountyradio.com is proud to announce the winners of our “Pens Play-off Puppy” photo contest. The promotion was held during the first round of the NHL Play-offs.

Roxie who is owned by Lori Havranek of Pattterson Twp. placed first over all and wins an autographed Sidney Crosby Puck.

 

 

 

 

In a very close race with Roxie, Frosty who is owned Kelly Hays Marcello placed second in the contest and wins an autographed Jason Zucker puck.

 

 

We loved seeing all of the photos of your furry friends and appreciate everyone that took the time to enter.

The prizes in our “Pens Play-off Puppy” photo contest

Notice of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Meetings for Draft 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is seeking input your input on the following important draft documents that will advance investments in the region’s transportation plan:
  • Draft 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which identifies the region’s priority roadway, transit, and multimodal transportation improvements programmed for advancement over the next four years
  • Environmental Justice Benefits and Burdens Assessment of the Draft 2023-2026 TIP
  • Air Quality Conformity Determination for the Draft 2023-2026 TIP
  • Amendment to the region’s long-range transportation plan SmartMoves for a Changing Region to reflect updated revenue projections and a revised project list including project phasing and cost information included in Draft 2023-2026 TIP
  • Access these documents at www.spcregion.org
The public may review these documents and provide comment to SPC between May 9, 2022 and June 7, 2022.
Virtual Public Meetings
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PennDOT District 10 (Armstrong, Butler, Indiana Counties)
Access Meeting: www.spcregion.org
Thursday, May 26, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PennDOT District 11 (Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence Counties, and the City of Pittsburgh)
Access Meeting: www.spcregion.org
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PennDOT District 12 (Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland Counties)
Access Meeting: www.spcregion.org
In-Person Public Meeting
Fayette County
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fayette Chamber of Commerce
65 W Main St #107, Uniontown, PA 15401
Comments on the draft documents will be accepted by SPC representatives during each virtual public meeting. Written comments may also be submitted to comments@spcregion.org, by mail to SPC Comments at Two Chatham Center, Suite 500, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or by fax to (412) 391-9160.
All comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
Upon consideration of public comments received, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission will consider approval of the draft documents at their meeting at 4:30 p.m., on Monday, June 27, 2022. This meeting will be held at Two Chatham Center, 112 Washington Place, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. In the event that this meeting must be held virtually due to COVID-19, notices will be posted at www.spcregion.org and at SPC’s offices.
For individuals without access to the internet, paper copies of draft materials will be mailed upon request. SPC will respond to requests for paper copies as soon as possible. To request paper copies, please contact Shannon O’Connell at (412) 391-5590, ext. 334 or soconnell@spcregion.org.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is committed to compliance with nondiscrimination requirements of civil rights statutes, executive orders, regulations, and policies applicable to the programs and activities it administers. Accordingly, SPC is committed to ensuring that program beneficiaries receive public participation opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or economic status. SPC will provide auxiliary services for individuals with language, speech, sight, or hearing needs, provided the request for assistance is made 3 days prior to the virtual meeting. SPC will attempt to satisfy requests made with less than 3 days’ notice as resources allow. Please make your request for auxiliary services to Shannon O’Connell at (412) 391-5590, ext. 334 or soconnell@spcregion.org. If you believe you have been denied participation opportunities, or otherwise discriminated against in relation to the programs or activities administered by SPC, you may file a complaint using the procedures provided in our complaint process document or by contacting SPC’s Title VI Coordinator by calling (412) 391-5590. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form, please see our website at: www.spcregion.org or call 412-391-5590.
TRANSIT SERVICE INFORMATION
For information regarding transit services in Allegheny County, please call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000. For transit information in other counties, please visit: https://commuteinfo.org/for-commuters/park-ride-locator/transit-operators-map/.
This notice satisfies the program of projects requirements of the Urbanized Area Formula Program of the Federal Transit Administration for Beaver County Transit Authority, Butler Transit Authority, Fayette Area Coordinated Transit, Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority, Port Authority of Allegheny County, Washington County Transportation Authority/Freedom Transit, Westmoreland County Transit Authority, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and CommuteInfo, a program of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

Ellwood City Man injured in Motorcycle Accident in Wayne Township Dies Three Days Later

(Wayne Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa state Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to the scene of a motorcycle accident on River Road in Wayne Twp., Lawrence County around 9:10 PM on Thursday May 5, 2022.
Troopers say that upon arriving on the scene and investigating it was that 58-year-old Todd Kelosky of Ellwood City was operating a 2008 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle north on river Road near Tony Ditko Road when the motorcycle left the east side of the roadway and went into a muddy ditch for an unknown reason. As Kelosky’s motorcycle entered the ditch he was thrown from the motorcycle in the direction of travel before hitting the muddy ditch head first.
Troopers said in the release that Kelosky fled the scene and was found at his residence with multiple head injuries.
Kelosky was then transported to Heritage Valley Beaver for evaluation. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Update: According to a phone call to Beaver County Radio. Kelosky died from his injuries on Sunday May 8, 2022.

 

Enon Valley Man Injured in North Beaver Township Accident

(North Beaver Twp., Lawrence County, Pa.) Pa state Police in new Castle are reporting that they were called to the scene of a one vehicle accident on Mount Jackson Road in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County Saturday afternoon around 12:52 PM.
Upon arriving and investigating it was learned that 34-year-old Cody Schubert from Enon Valley was operating a 2012 Toyota XD north on Mount Jackson Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a guardrail.
Schubert was injured in the accident and transported to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio. His condition is not known at this time. Troopers said in the release that Schubert’s vehicle suffered severe damage and had to be towed from the scene.

Wolf, Community Leaders Seek $2,000 Payments for Pennsylvanians

(Photo provided with Release)

Keystone State News Connection

May 16, 2022

Emily Scott

Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers and community leaders are calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation that would send checks of up to $2,000 to millions of Pennsylvanians.

Earlier this year, Wolf unveiled a $1.7 billion proposal aimed at helping communities recover from the pandemic through American Rescue Plan dollars.

Part of that plan includes the $500 million Pennsylvania Opportunity Program, which would provide direct payments for households with an income of $80,000 or less.

Wolf said with inflation climbing, more Pennsylvanians are experiencing financial insecurity.

“The problem is that far too many people live paycheck to paycheck,” said Wolf. “And even now, with a small increase in living expenses – even if that’s all people were facing with the inflation, that can have devastating consequences. Pennsylvanians deserve better and there are ways we can help.”

Pennsylvania has $2.2 billion unused American Rescue Plan dollars that must be used by the end of 2024.

Democratic leaders in the state Senate and House have introduced legislation to support the Opportunity Program. Both were referred to the respective chamber’s Finance Committee last month.

Wolf and legislative leaders also are continuing their calls to increase the state minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour and has not had an increase since 2009.

State Rep. Patty Kim – D-Dauphin – has introduced a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour by July and would reach $15 by 2028.

“If we learned anything from this pandemic, we need to go back to the basics,” said Kim. “We need safe, affordable housing, we need good schools, we need a living wage, we need to value our workers and we need each other.”

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage calculator shows that today, a single adult in Pennsylvania needs to earn nearly $17 per hour to support themselves – while a single adult with one child needs nearly $33 per hour to support their family.

One Injured in Sunday Night Findlay Township Fire

(Findlay Twp., Allegheny County, Pa.) The Fire Marshall is investigating after one person was injured after a fire broke out inside a home on Ferguson Road near Cork Bocktown Road and Route 30 in Findlay Township around 9:30 PM Sunday night.
There is no word on what caused the blaze and the condition of the person injured has not been released.

Fetterman Campaign Makes Statement About Fetterman’s Stroke on Friday

(File Photo)

(Lancaster, PA) Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman released the following statement from Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital:

“On Friday, I wasn’t feeling well, so I went to the hospital to get checked out. I didn’t want to go – I didn’t think I had to – but Gisele insisted, and as usual, she was right. I hadn’t been feeling well, but was so focused on the campaign that I ignored the signs and just kept going. On Friday it finally caught up with me. I had a stroke that was caused by a clot from my heart being in an A-fib rhythm for too long. Fortunately, Gisele spotted the symptoms and got me to the hospital within minutes. The amazing doctors here were able to quickly and completely remove the clot, reversing the stroke, they got my heart under control as well. It’s a good reminder to listen to your body and be aware of the signs.

“The good news is I’m feeling much better, and the doctors tell me I didn’t suffer any cognitive damage. I’m well on my way to a full recovery. So I have a lot to be thankful for. They’re keeping me here for now for observation, but I should be out of here sometime soon. The doctors have assured me that I’ll be able to get back on the trail, but first I need to take a minute, get some rest, and recover. There’s so much at stake in this race, and I’m going to be ready for the hard fight ahead.

“But our campaign isn’t slowing down one bit, and we are still on track to win this primary on Tuesday, and flip this Senate seat in November. Thanks for all the support, and please get out there and vote.”

John and Gisele also released this video from Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital on Sunday.

The kick-ass staff and doctors at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health are working closely and constantly with our campaign team to ensure there is only one voice speaking on behalf of John. They have been extremely supportive and helpful over the course of the past couple days.

Beaver County Bounces Back in A Big Way

(Story by Frank Sparks, Photos by Curtis Walsh and Frank Sparks)

(Brady’s Run Park, Beaver County Pa.) Beaver County bounced back in a big way on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Beaver County Behavioral Health along with the Beaver County Zero Suicide Initiative hosted Beaver County Bounces Back at the Brady’s Run Park walking trail. The event was held from 11 AM to 2PM.

Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks and Curtis Walsh hosted a live broadcast during the event. The Beaver County Radio Prize Caddy was also there and Sparks and Walsh gave away delicious food from Beaver Falls Mc Donald’s to winners on the world famous Beaver County Radio Personality prize wheel.

Elisia Majors, from Beaver County Behavioral Health, started the day and welcomed everyone who came out to the event. Majors said that it’s been a couple stressful year and they wanted to celebrate our resiliency and also to promote acceptance and recovery from mental health challenges that we have all faced.

There were food trucks, Free Games, a bounce house, health screenings, children’s activities, and give aways. There were also health screenings and many community resources.

Chris Coskey from B-Well Nation showed everyone how to warm up before you exercise. She then led participants on a wellness walk and demonstrated Yoga.

Jared Boyer the owner of Premier Youth and Community Center led a group that he is training to a demonstration of exercise and how good it can make you feel.

The day finished with Elisia pulling the names for different prize baskets that were donated by various offices and  businesses in the county.

Check out all of the photos below of a fun Saturday for a good cause in Beaver County.

VIDEO: Controller Maria Longo Talks ARPA Tracker & Allocation Of 92 Million Dollars

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“To me, it is all taxpayer money…the information should be easily accessible to the taxpayers to see how we’re spending their money.”

Maria Longo, the Controller for Beaver County, joined Matt Drzik on the May 13 edition of A.M. Beaver County to talk about the recently installed ARPA tracker at the Controller’s page on the Beaver County website. The tracker is designed to showcase how much of the $92 million in the ARPA funding for Beaver County has been allocated and how much has been spent/reimbursed.

Longo explained the process of how the ARPA money is dealt with: “When the work is done, you submit the invoices to us, and we reimburse you for the work that’s being done,” she said. “So that way, the county is making sure they’re following the IRS, the guidelines from the feds and all the reporting is correct. It has to be spent on these specific municipality projects that meet the criteria for the ARPA.” Longo says that $70 million worth of projects has already been requested by municipalities.

Despite the system in place, there are still several alleys that could lead to confusion down the line, including the municipalities having their own money to use for projects that hasn’t been allocated by the county, and the federal government’s rulings on the certain situations (such as if a project is incomplete). “They can change the rules however they want along this next three-year process,” Longo said. “As of now, the project has to be completed…but that could change.”

To watch the full interview with Maria Longo, click on the Facebook feed below!