(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The Beaver Falls City Council reunited for their April 11 meeting, and in doing so welcomed some new faces to the city.

One of those faces was Curt Friehs, who was announced as the new director of the Carnegie Free Library on 7th Avenue. Friehs, who most recently was working with a library in Evans City, was formally introduced by previous interim director Ray Gutowski. “He’s also very interested in community activities, and keeping the library involved in all of the activities we have here in town,” Gutowski stated. Friehs himself complimented the city for its “wonderful” people and businesses and “looks forward to working with Beaver Falls.”

Another new face to Beaver Falls is police officer Tyler Ursida, who was unanimously hired by council following submission for approval by Beaver Falls police chief David Johnson. Ursida, a West Mayfield native and graduate of Blackhawk High School, joins the Beaver Falls Department following a stint with the Beaver Borough Police Department. “I’m excited,” Ursida exclaimed; his start date with the Beaver Falls unit will be April 17.

Following a previous hold on the cementing of a new era of government in Beaver Falls, the council finally approved the Administrative Code & Operations for the city as a Home Rule municipality. Though the voters of the city approved the measure during the 2021 election to move to home rule charter, the final approval took place Tuesday night.

“To be quite honest,” spoke Mayor Kenya Johns, “it’s already been in effect for the city for a year and a half now. It’s just officially documented.”

Also officially documented was the approval of general fund expenditures at a total of $670,331.18, the agreement for security services for the Beaver Falls Car Cruise on June 10, and the resignation of Chris Quinn from the city’s Recreation Board–all three of which were unanimously approved by council.

Community Development leader Rochelle Burks spoke about the input of students in the Big Beaver Falls Area School District as to what the new name of Library Park should be. Burks stated that there were stops made at the High School and Central Elementary, and that a future trip to the Middle School is planned. Mayor Johns reiterated that all of the collected data, from students and citizens alike, will be narrowed down to five names as finalists. The citizens will then select the new name of Library Park–set to open in Summer 2023–from the five finalists.

The next scheduled Beaver Falls City Council meeting is scheduled for April 25 at 7:00 PM.

FILE – President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the State Dining Room of the White House on April 4, 2023, in Washington. The U.S. national emergency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic ended Monday, April 10, as Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to bring it to a close after three years — weeks before it was set to expire alongside a separate public health emergency. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. national emergency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. On Monday, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to bring the national emergency to a close after three years — weeks before it was set to expire alongside a separate public health emergency. The national emergency allowed the government to take sweeping steps to respond to the virus and support the country’s economic, health and welfare systems. Some of the emergency measures have already been successfully wound-down, while others are still being phased out. The public health emergency underpins tough immigration restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border, and is set to expire on May 11.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published April 11, 2023 11:47 A.M.

(West Mifflin, PA) Fire crews responded to the abandoned Century III Mall Tuesday Morning.  It has been reported that a fire broke out inside a portion of the building. The cause is not known at this time.  A haze of smoke is said to have been apparent in the surrounding areas. The last remaining store in the mall closed in 2019.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 11, 2023 11:19 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) The School to Work program is in place at the Hopewell  Township Municipal Building.  Twenty year old Gianni Rubino is shown in the photos with his Job Coach Amy and  Program Specialist Jessica at a luncheon at the township building last week. Also joining the group for lunch was Township Manager Jamie Yurcina, and Community Outreach Coordinator Nora Janicki and Police Chief Donald Sedlacek, and several employees.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced today the number of firearms purchase denials and subsequent investigations for the first quarter of 2023.

The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police of first-class cities, and licensed firearms dealers to determine an individual’s legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer. When an individual attempts to provide false information on a state or federal form, an investigation is initiated, and an investigation referral is sent to a law enforcement agency.

According to Pennsylvania law, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive the seller, licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer. During the PICS process, some individuals are identified as having an active warrant for their arrest.

In the first quarter, the following investigations were initiated by the PSP Firearms Division and referred to PSP Troops, municipal police departments, or the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Table 1: First quarter PICS statistics

Source: Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Records and Identification, Firearms Division, April 2023

For more information on PICS and carrying firearms in Pennsylvania, visit psp.pa.gov.

Annville, PA – Pennsylvania veterans and their advocates should be aware of scammers looking to poach their military pensions, warns the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Pension Poaching is financial exploitation often targeting veterans who are age 65 or older, or veterans who are disabled and may be receiving monthly pension payments from the DMVA and\or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Older veterans may be the prime target for scammers, but all veterans and their advocates should be vigilant when seeking assistance with benefits earned through military service,” said Joel Mutschler, director, DMVA Bureau of Veterans Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration and Outreach. “The best way to avoid being scammed is for veterans to use an accredited veteran service officer when applying for benefits. These trusted counselors do not charge for their services, and always look after the best interest of veterans.”

Veteran pension poaching occurs when scammers, unscrupulous players or dishonest financial planners charge veterans or their advocates for assistance in applying for or submitting applications for military pensions. The scheme often involves financial maneuvers such as advising claimants to hide their assets in trusts or annuity products sometimes resulting in lost investments and lucrative fees paid to the advisor.

Mutschler said veterans and advocates should be especially vigilant now about PACT Act-related scams. The new PACT Act law expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

Here is how veterans and advocates can protect against PACT Act scams:

• Do not provide personal, medical, financial or VA benefit information online or over the phone. Federal agencies will not contact you unless you make a request.
• Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seems suspicious.
• Look for “https://” at the start of website addresses; that means they’re more likely to be legitimate. Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts, if possible.
• Never share your VA login information or deposit VA benefits directly into a third-party bank account unless the person is court appointed or a VA fiduciary.
• Work with veterans service providers you already know.
• Report any suspected fraud to ftc.gov.

Mutschler said he wants to make clear that veterans or their advocates should never pay for the following:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and/or PA DMVA forms
• Pension application fees
• Restructuring assets in order to “qualify”
• The promise of eligibility for a pension
• Lump sum payment on a pension

There are approximately 200 veteran service officers in Pennsylvania who work within organizations such as the DMVA, county veterans affairs offices and several veterans service organizations.

Contact information for County Directors of Veterans Affairs as well as contact information for Veteran Service Officers can be found on DMVA’s website.

Experienced or suspect a pension scam? Call (717) 783-1944, email PAvets@attorneygeneral.gov, or submit a complaint online at www.attorneygeneral.gov. You can also report any VA-related scam to the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000.

To learn more about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

The image above shows Congressman Chris Deluzio speaking at the event (Curtis Walsh)
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published April 11, 2023 10:50 A.M.

(Monaca, PA)  Beaver County Chamber of Commerce members, along with numerous other guests and sponsors met at the Monaca Hilton Garden Inn Tuesday Morning for a congressional breakfast with Congressman Chris Deluzio.  Chamber President , Donna Lee Siple kicked off the event handing over the mic to Heritage Valley Health System CEO, Norm Mitry, for some opening remarks before Scott Monit introduced the Congressman.

When Deluzio took to the podium, he gave a roughly 15 minute speech on progress in the county.  The congressman had a focus on bringing more jobs back to the county, saying that Beaver County is a place to work, raise families, and retire. One of his goals is to complete the task is producing more apprenticeship and skill teaching programs to enable more union jobs.  Other talking points for Deluzio included helping nonprofits, universities, and small businesses, as well as broadband connectivity and railway safety.  Deluzio stated that congress is working on holding Norfolk Southern accountable along with regulating two person train staffs in addition to changing classification rules for hazardous trains and adding transparency to what is being hauled on the trains moving through our communities.

The congressman spent the rest of the event fielding questions from attendees. When asked about school and gun violence, he stated political moves in Harrisburg and Washington will hopefully result in gun reform with a focus on mental health.  Norm Mitry of Heritage Valley asked about money that is being taken back from health systems following the Covid pandemic. Deluzio expressed interest in talking with him further on the subject.  The final question was in regards to Tik Tok, and what approach the Congressman had on the subject. He said he wants to make sure Tik Tok isn’t an espionage tool, stating that there is a bipartisan interest overall on antitrust with tech and bigtech companies.

More photos from the event:

Harrisburg, PA –The Shapiro Administration today announced the availability of nearly $504,000 in grant funding to boost the ranks of nurses in communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship career model. The Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership program in Pennsylvania is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and supported by Sen. Maria Collett’s Nursing Workforce Initiative (NWI).

“Pennsylvania’s healthcare industry continues to face significant and ongoing challenges, particularly with an unprecedented shortage of nurses,” L&I Acting Secretary Nancy Walker said. “This grant program is a commonsense solution to not only help address critical workforce shortages, but it will help create equitable access to opportunities that build meaningful careers and contribute to a strong economy, while eliminating barriers to quality, family-sustaining employment.”

In February 2023, the Shapiro Administration awarded $700,000 in first-round grants to three Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership programs. With this second round of Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership grant funding, local workforce development boards can continue to offer in-demand training for individuals interested in becoming home health aides, certified nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses. The department is seeking partners to create a new apprenticeship model specifically designed for and targeting underserved populations.

The deadline to apply for grant funding is May 10, 2023. More information about the Pennsylvania Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership grant availability is available on L&I’s website.

Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership Program

Pennsylvania hospitals are grappling with maintaining adequate staffing levels for qualified nurses. A December 2021 survey by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), updated in February 2022, revealed high vacancy rates across various nursing occupations, illustrating the continued need for urgent action.

In September 2021, Sen. Collett introduced the NWI initiative to support and retain nurses across the Commonwealth amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. L&I dedicated ARPA funds to the NWI initiative, allowing the department’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) to administer funding to registered apprenticeship and industry partnerships within underserved communities across the Commonwealth.

Competitive grants up to $250,000 will be awarded per application for programs with a single-county or localized reach, while grants up to $350,000 will be awarded per application for programs with a statewide or multi-county reach (three or more counties). Priority consideration will be given to programs developed in and provided to low- or moderate-income communities. This opportunity is 100% federally funded with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds established under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Apprenticeship and Training Office

Established in 2016, L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) is responsible for guiding and promoting the expansion and compliance of all registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth. The ATO currently supports 868 unduplicated program sponsors and 1,580 occupation-specific registered apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth, with 16,362 registered apprentices currently active. Governor Shapiro’s budget proposes an investment of $2.5 million for apprenticeships that will support the creation of at least 20 new programs serving about 1,200 apprentices.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

BUTLER, PA (March 28, 2023)… Paul and Meghan Sweeney, father and daughter McDonald’s franchisees from Cranberry, granted almost $153,000 in tuition assistance to her student employees last year through Archways To Opportunity.

McDonald’s exclusive education program, Archways To Opportunity offers employees $2,500 per year to assist with tuition at a trade school, community college or traditional four-year college. To apply, students must have worked for McDonald’s at least 90 days with an average of 15 hours per week.

“We’re grateful to our people and want them to achieve their dreams. That’s why we provide flexible schedules, competitive pay and valuable tuition support,” said Meghan Sweeney.  “Our commitment to education is one way we support the people who play a crucial role in our journey to build a better McDonald’s.”

As one of the largest employer brands, McDonald’s is committed to providing restaurant employees with numerous occasions to learn, grow and succeed. Archways To Opportunity is a comprehensive education strategy with multiple offerings that help employees reach their full potential – no matter where they are on their journey. ATO programs can help employees:

• Improve English skills;
• Earn a high school diploma;
• Work toward a college degree; and
• Get help making an education and career plan with advisors.

Since it launched in 2015, Archways to Opportunity has provided more than $165 million in high school and college tuition assistance and increased access to education for nearly 75,000 people in the U.S.

To work with the Sweeneys, text “APPLY” to 38000 or go to www.mcdonalds.com/careers.

For more information about local McDonald’s restaurants, go to the local Facebook and Instagram pages:  McDonald’s of Three Rivers.