(File Photo)

(AMBRIDGE, Pa.) Beaver County housing assistance programs are receiving nearly $600,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding will expand housing-related services at a critical time.
“Everyone needs a safe place to call home, but the pandemic has driven up the need for emergency housing while reducing the out-of-county shelter options that previously filled that need,” Matzie said. “Part of the funding secured today is going to support construction of a new men’s emergency shelter. Other funding will expand rapid rehousing, rent and utility assistance, and home modification programs. All of these dollars will work to bring greater stability to families needing it most.”
Matzie said the funding to Beaver County includes:

• $200,000 to The Cornerstone of Beaver County for shelter operations.
• $175,000 to The Salvation Army for a rapid rehousing program.
• $100,000 to the Beaver County Commissioners for a home modification program.
• $50,000 to Community Development Program of Beaver County for rent/utility assistance.
• $50,000 to Housing Opportunities of Beaver County, Inc. for reverse mortgage counseling.

In addition, Matzie said organization in Allegheny County will receive $600,000 for housing resource and home modification programs.

The PHARE fund – also known as the state’s Housing Trust Fund – is supported by impact fees collected from natural gas companies and from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

The awards are part of a package for projects statewide. More information on the funding is available here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-funding-to-support-affordable-housing-across-pennsylvania/.

(File Photo of the Rivers Casino)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pa State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh are reporting that 57-year-old Pittsburgh resident Richard White is being charged by Troopers with Forgery and Counterfeiting after he tried to use motion picture money to play a table game.
Troopers say the incident occurred on May 14, 2022 at 4:21 PM on the gaming floor of the Rivers Casino.
Troopers say that White a casino patron attempted to buy in at a table game in the amount of $300.00. As the dealer counted out White’s money he abruptly grabbed one of the $20 bills. He began inspecting it and tore the bill in pieces. As the dealer proceeded to count out the rest of White’s bills he attempted to grab the notes from the dealer and demanded its return. the dealer refused and advised a supervisor of the situation. Rivers Casino Security interviewed White and he denied knowing the money is fake. He did acknowledge that the bill looked fake and that is why he grabbed it from the dealer. White said he became nervous and that is why he destroyed the note. White refused to identify where he received the fake bills and would only refer to him as Bruddah Man” despite knowing his identity. Troopers reviewed video footage and then filed charges against White.

(File Photo)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania state lawmakers are advancing proposed new limits on fireworks in response to growing complaints after a 5-year-old state law greatly liberalized their sales and use. The House of Representatives voted 160 to 38 on Wednesday for legislation that would restrict their use to 10 a.m.-10 p.m. except during July 2-4 and Dec. 31, when they could be used until 1 a.m. There would be greater penalties for improper sales or illegal use. Until the 2017 law change, fireworks in Pennsylvania were largely limited to sparklers and similar novelties. The changes permitted the sale of the full array of fireworks that meet federal consumer standards.

(File Photo)

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano is reporting that Aliquippa Police and first responders responded to a 9-1-1 call after a male was stabbed in the 1000 block of Clinton Street in Aliquippa around 4PM. An unnamed male was flown to UPMC Presbyterian and no other information has been released. State Police were called in to investigate and no update has been released.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio and we will update you as soon as more information is released.

(Robinson Twp., Pa.) A customer refused to leave at the Eat’n Park in Robinson yesterday morning.
According to reports Stephen Foreman was watching a profanity-laced video on his phone when a manager asked him to turn it down because there were families with little kids in the restaurant. Foreman complied initially, before cranking the volume right back up and then was asked by a manager to leave
Foreman refused to leave and police were called. when officers arrived they observed that Foreman had a bulge in the right front pocket of his jeans. At that time Foreman placed his hands in his hoodie before running towards an exit and knocking an elderly woman out of the way.
The report said the altercation then spilled out into the parking lot, where Foreman got in his car and almost slammed an officer’s hand as he closed the car’s door. Foremen is then accused of punching two police officers in the face until a Taser was used. Police said a third officer jumped in and shocked Foreman again before he could be arrested.
Police said that the bulge in Foreman’s pocket turned out to be a marijuana grinder.
Foreman was evaluated at a local hospital before being booked in jail.

(File Photo/AP Photo/John Raoux)
By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has firmly laid blame on Donald Trump. In Thursday’s prime-time hearing, lawmakers said the siege was no accident but an “attempted coup” and a direct result of the defeated president’s effort to overturn the 2020 election. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democrat from Mississippi, said the attack put America’s “constitutional democracy at risk.” Thursday’s hearing showed new video and other evidence from the deadly Capitol assault. The panel also detailed the chilling backstory as defeated President Donald Trump tried to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Live testimony included a police officer who was pummeled in the riot and a documentary filmmaker tracking extremist Proud Boys leading the melee.

(File Photo)

(Portersville, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they were called to the 488 Park and Ride in Portersville Borough Butler County for a report of tires being slashed on a New Castle man’s vehicle.
Troopers reported via release that sometime between 2:00 PM Tuesday and 2:22 AM Wednesday morning someone slashed three tires of 57-year-old Scott Hempfling’s 2005 Dodge Neon while it was parked at the park and ride.
Troopers are asking anyone with information to call them at the Butler Barracks

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Video testimony played for jurors at a civil trial shows Bill Cosby denying sexually abusing a teenage girl at the Playboy Mansion in the mid-1970s. The 12 minutes of clips played Wednesday for Los Angeles County jurors represent the first time Cosby’s voice has been heard in the six days of trial. In one clip he flatly denies forcing Judy Huth, who is suing him, to perform a sex act. Asked whether he knowingly sought relationships with girls under 18 in the 1970s, Cosby answers “no” but says he also did not generally make sure those he pursued were 18.

(AP Photo/File)

By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Dr. Mehmet Oz has won Pennsylvania’s Republican U.S. Senate primary after a dayslong recount. The celebrity heart surgeon will face Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in November in a race that could help determine control of the closely divided Senate. The state revealed the results of the recount Wednesday, which determined that Oz had beaten former hedge fund CEO David McCormick by 951 votes out of more than 1.3 million cast. Oz had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Fetterman is recovering from a stroke he suffered four days before the May 17 primary election.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man accused of having set a Pittsburgh blaze that killed three firefighters more than a quarter of a century ago has entered a plea that carries a conviction but spares him further jail time while allowing him to continue to maintain his innocence. Forty-four-year-old Gregory Brown Jr., who served 20 years of a life sentence before winning a new trial, appeared in federal court Wednesday to enter the plea. The judge called it a “just and reasonable” end to the case, saying “It’s time to move on.” The 1995 Valentine’s Day blaze killed Capt. Thomas Brooks and firefighters Marc Kolenda and Patricia Conroy.