Category: News

I-79 Overnight Traffic Stoppages This Week in Marshall Township

(Pittsburgh, PA)  PennDOT District 11 is announcing traffic stoppages on I-79 at the Wexford Run Road Bridge in Marshall Township, Allegheny County, will occur Monday through Friday nights, April 4-8 weather permitting.

Short-term single-lane traffic stoppages will occur on I-79 at the Wexford Run Road Bridge according to the following schedule:

  • Southbound – 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. each night
  • Northbound – 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night

Crews from Mosites Construction will a paint containment system on this $3.10 million bridge preservation project.

Operations on the structure include a deck overlay and repairs, bridge painting, roadway approach repair and replacement, expansion dam and bearing replacement, approach guide rail and barrier transitions, drainage improvements, and other miscellaneous work. Short-term lane restrictions will occur on I-79 in each direction beneath the bridge during off-peak hours. Additionally, a full 115-day closure of the bridge is anticipated, requiring traffic on Wexford Run Road to be detoured. The project is expected to conclude in October of 2022.

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.

Programming Error in Swift911 Causes Message To Be Sent to All County Subscribers Instead Of Just Chippewa Twp. Ones

(Photo of screen shot of Beaver County Radio Program Director’s Phone)

(Chippewa Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) A programming error occurred with the swift911 system last night when a text message was sent out to subscribers in the county around 8PM.
The message read that Chippewa Police is “on the scene of an incident in your area.” “Please keep doors locked and remain inside until advised that the situation is clear.”
A second text message was sent out a short time later stating that the previous message was intended for residents of Chippewa Twp. only
The message was intended only for a part of Chippewa where police were dealing with a barricaded man in the area of Allen Street in Chippewa Township. The unidentified man was eventually taken into custody.

Monday’s AMBC: Mayoral Monday

Mayor Gerald “Duke” McCoy joins Matt Drzik to discuss the latest happening in Ambridge on the Monday edition of A.M. Beaver County following the 8:30 news.

Frank Sparks gets the morning started with news at 6:30 on Beaver County Radio.

“The Entrepreneur Life” Premieres April 2 At 10:30 On Beaver County Radio

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?
What does it take to be an entrepreneur?

Beaver County Radio’s newest show sets to answer those questions and much more, as “The Entrepreneur Life” hits the airwaves on Saturday, April 2, at 10:30 AM. The show will be co-hosted by realtor/podcaster Eric McKenna along with attorney/author Rocco Cozza, and it will be livestreamed on BCR’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

McKenna spoke about the new show with Matt Drzik on the April 1 edition of A.M. Beaver County, expressing the level of collaboration with Cozza that fuels the backbone of what “The Entrepreneur Life” will be about. “The conversations got really deep, really good, and really spurred on the idea of sharing experiences through creativity,” McKenna said. “The conversations got so good, and the podcasts got so good between us, that we thought that there was an opportunity to engage this type of conversation. And we don’t think there’s a lot of conversation about entrepreneurship and what it takes.”

So what certain qualities does it take to be an entrepreneur? “I think all entrepreneurs have a streak of independence in them,” McKenna stated. “Also I think most entrepreneurs have a good level of creativity in their unique field or within their unique idea that they want to take to market.” He also added that anyone can be an entrepreneur if they are prepared: “The entry to entrepreneurship is open to everybody; there just is some really significant conversations one needs to have with themselves to make sure this is a prudent decision for them.”

The full interview between Eric and Matt can be heard by clicking on the player below.

Two Charged in Aliquippa Infant’s Death Last Fall

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Two people have been charged, arrested, and jailed in connection with an Aliquippa infant’s death last fall.

According to the criminal complaint Aliquippa Police and firefighters were called to a Sheffield Road home on  October 30, 2021 at 7:21 p.m.. for an unresponsive seven month old baby. Vincent Edward Owens, 44 was in the room with the child when firefighters arrived. The infant was taken to the hospital where it was pronounced dead.

He was reportedly watching the child while its mother, Melinda S. Cecchi, 34, was at work, according to  the criminal complaint. The  home and the room where the child was being treated  was in deplorable condition  with drug paraphernalia, and also in a room where 2 other  children, ages 10 and 5 had been . Holes in the second floor bathroom were noted where the children could have fallen through

Owens is charged with  endangering the welfare of children2 counts, 1 count of involuntary manslaughter, 3 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 4 more counts of endangering the welfare of children, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, 3 counts,
Owens was arrested, charged, and arraigned on all charges and placed in the Beaver County Jail. Bail was set at $1 million.
 Cecchi is charged with 2 counts of child endangerment, 3 counts of child endangerment, endangering the welfare of children 3 counts, 1 count of child endangerment , and use, possession of drug paraphernalia.  She is  lodged in the Beaver County Jail on $500,000. bond.
The charges were filed on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in District justice Felicia Santillan’s office by  Aliquippa Police Sergeant Steve Roberts. .The home was condemned by the city code and zoning officer James Bologna.

ALIQUIPPA JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL LIMITING SNACKS

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Aliquippa, Pa.) The Aliquippa School District sent a memo to families of junior/senior high school students due to the excessive amounts of snacks being brought to the school. The memo was also posted on the school district website and Facebook Page. A district official stated they will now be limiting what a student can bring to school.
Beginning, Monday, April 4, 2022, each student will only be permitted. one bag (up to 4 oz. in size, of such items as chips, Cheetos, Doritos, etc. and one bottle or canned beverage (up to 20 oz.) If these items are opened or the student has more than the permitted quantities, and none are allowed to be opened. They will be disposed of by security, administration, or other designated school staff members. In addition, if a student packs a lunch, these same guidelines are to be followed and lunches will also be searched.

Southbound I-79 Lane Restrictions Friday Night, Saturday in Allegheny County

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing single-lane restrictions on southbound Interstate 79 in Sewickley Hills Borough and Aleppo Township, Allegheny County will occur Friday night through Saturday evening, April 1-2 weather permitting.

A single-lane restriction on southbound I-79 will occur between Nicholson Road and Glenfield Road from 7 p.m. Friday night continuously through 7 p.m. Saturday. Crews will conduct milling and paving operations, joint sealing, shoulder repairs and line painting work.

Additionally, the following ramps will be closed and detoured during the work:

  • Southbound I-79 off-ramp to Mt. Nebo Road (Exit 68)
  • Mt. Nebo Road on-ramp to southbound I-79
  • Southbound I-79 off-ramp to Emsworth/Sewickley (Exit 66)

Posted Detours

Southbound I-79 off-ramp at Mt. Nebo Road

  • Continue on southbound I-79 past the closed ramp
  • Take the Neville Island off-ramp (Exit 65)
  • Turn right onto Grand Avenue
  • Turn right to northbound I-79
  • From northbound I-79 take the ramp to Mt. Nebo Road (Exit 68)
  • End detour

Mt. Nebo Road on-ramp to southbound I-79

  • From Mt. Nebo Road, take the ramp to northbound I-79
  • Take the Route 910 Wexford off-ramp (Exit 73)
  • Turn left onto Route 910 (Wexford Bayne Road)
  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound I-79
  • End detour

Southbound I-79 off-ramp to Emsworth/Sewickley (Exit 66)

  • Continue on southbound I-79 past the closed ramp
  • Take the Neville Island off-ramp (Exit 65)
  • Turn right onto Grand Avenue
  • Turn right to northbound I-79
  • From northbound I-79 take the ramp to Route 65 Emsworth/Sewickley (Exit 66)
  • Take the ramp toward Glenfield
  • Turn right onto Deer Run Road
  • End detour

Future improvements include four bridge deck replacements, one bridge preservation, milling and resurfacing, preservation work on seven sign structures, installation of five new ITS signs, guide rail improvements, signage updates, and pavement marking installation. Crossovers will occur on I-79 in 2022 and 2023 for bridge deck replacement work. The majority of the project will conclude in the fall of 2023.

The prime contractor on this $26.49 million project is the Joseph B. Fay Company. Work on this project will be coordinated with other projects in the area.

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.

I-279 Parkway North Shoulder Restrictions on Monday

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing shoulder restrictions on I-279 (Parkway North) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will occur Monday, April 4 weather permitting.

Shoulder restrictions will occur on I-279 in both directions over McKnight Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday as crews from Boschung America conduct anti-icing system maintenance work. Additionally, shoulder restrictions will occur on the ramp from McKnight Road to southbound I-279.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways 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 webs

Issue at Central Valley Middle School Being Investigated

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Center Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is reporting that Dr.Nick Perry, Central Valley Superintendent said an issue at the middle school concerning some students is under investigation and those involved will be disciplined. The issue was brought to the administration’s attention , according to Dr. Perry
No other information is being released at this time.
Reports are saying that the incident revolves around accusations of a yearlong problem with some black children being the target of offensive racial gestures and names by white students.
It’s also alleged that a list was circulated last week that has the names of primates next to the names of students.

PA Lawmakers Urged to Invest Federal Relief Money in Working Families

Keystone State News Connection

April 1, 2022

Jonah Chester

Advocacy groups in Pennsylvania are calling on lawmakers to redistribute billions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to Commonwealth residents.

Pennsylvania received more than $7 billion through the American Rescue Plan, and $2.2 billion has not yet been allocated. Nick Pressley, director of campaigns for the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, said investing federal aid directly with working families would help the state’s economy continue to recover from the pandemic.

“The best way to help Pennsylvania families and small businesses,” he said, “is to send them direct checks to help offset the costs that are coming as a result of an economic recovery that was faster than expected.”

Pressley said one approach supported by some lawmakers calls for one-time rebate checks to low-income renters and homeowners, low-to-moderate-income families, and individuals or small businesses that own vehicles below a certain size. They also want to see grants to small businesses affected by the pandemic. Republicans have advised saving the relief aid, pointing to future operating deficits outlined in a
report by the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office.

Most of the proposals are included in Gov. Tom Wolf’s “Brighter Pennsylvania” plan. GOP lawmakers have suggested the federal relief be used for a gas-tax holiday, which would cut the state’s gas tax by one-third through the end of this year. Pressley argued that kind of tax cut would mostly benefit large corporations, who use the roads for shipping.

“The record is very clear,” he said. “When gas taxes go down, wealthy oil companies do not reduce prices at the pump at the same rate, if at all. ”

All told, Pressley said, the proposed rebate checks and small-business grants would cost more than $3 billion, which is more than the state technically has left in federal funds. But Pressley said lawmakers placed most of the Rescue Plan dollars in the state’s general fund, which is on track to have a roughly $4.7 billion surplus at the end of the fiscal year. Some advocates and lawmakers believe Pennsylvania should pull from that fund to support the stimulus programs.