Two Beaver County mayors join Matt Drzik on the Friday show, as Beaver Falls mayor Kenya Johns comes on A.M. Beaver County at 8:10, followed by Aliquippa mayor Dwan Walker at 8:35. Both interviews can be heard on Beaver County Radio, as well as seen on Facebook Live.
Frank Sparks starts your morning with news at 6:30 on BCR.
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has picked a consortium of companies to manage construction on up to nine major interstate bridges, of which upgrades are to be paid for by tolls. Wolf’s Department of Transportation selected the group from among three finalists, but also said Wednesday that it hasn’t decided which of the nine bridges to toll. The winning application includes three international firms. They are U.S.-based subsidiaries of Israel-based Shikun & Binui, a development subsidiary of Australia-based Macquarie Group and Spanish construction firm FCC Construccion. It also includes four other firms that have U.S.-based parent companies with a headquarters in Pennsylvania. Construction is expected to begin in 2023 or 2024.
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a .WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 7 inches possible. * WHERE...Portions of east central Ohio. Portions of northwest, southwest, and western Pennsylvania. Portions of northern and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. * WHEN...From late Friday night through late Saturday night. * IMPACTS...Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel treacherous. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
US inflation soared 7.9% in past year, a fresh 40-year high
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Propelled by surging costs for gas, food and housing, consumer inflation jumped 7.9% over the past year, the sharpest spike since 1982 and likely only a harbinger of even higher prices to come. The increase reported by the Labor Department reflected the 12 months ending in February and didn’t include most of the oil and gas price increases that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Even before the war further accelerated price increases, robust consumer spending, solid pay raises and persistent supply shortages had sent U.S. consumer inflation to its highest level in four decades.
(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
Though there may yet still be snow to fall from the sky, it’s never a bad time to discuss summer weather and fireworks.
And that was the topic of conversation on the March 10 edition of A.M. Beaver County, as Matt Drzik welcomed back Mark Kopsack and Nate Kopsack of PUSH Beaver County to discuss the 2022 Beaver County BOOM. The event will be heading into its 13th year in 2022, and the excitement has not ceased for the next one.
“We’re real excited to be back for year thirteen,” Nate said, “getting to the rivers, having a good time, and seeing what Zambelli has in store for us.” Zambelli, of course, refers to Zambelli Fireworks, who has provided the ongoing audiovisual explosion of lights and sound over the confluence of the Beaver and Ohio Rivers for over a decade. The Kopsacks also showcased their gratitude to all of the local sponsors for their continued support and efforts to make Beaver County BOOM possible.
As to what the theme of this year’s event will be, that was still being decided upon. “We have it narrowed down to two or three,” Mark said, “and eventually we’ll be discussing that in a meeting later today with Zambelli Firework Company about what that theme will actually be.” Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio for the revelation of the theme later this spring.
For the full interview with the Kopsacks, click on the Facebook feed below!
(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
“We cannot say enough good about the people in Beaver County. You guys are incredible, and thank you so much for supporting us…because you do it with style.”
Karey McIntyre, who is a co-founder of Twelve Loaves Soup Kitchen in New Brighton, spoke those words in regard to the overwhelming gratitude that has made the operation so successful in its first two-plus years of existence. McIntyre joined Matt Drzik on the March 10 edition of A.M. Beaver County to talk about the venture that started back in December of 2019.
“It sounds kind of strange, but it was God,” McIntyre said in regards to the origin of Twelve Loaves. “My boss, Dr. [Jason] Rodriguez, was working up in Chippewa, and was told that he needed to come down to New Brighton and set up a soup kitchen.” He reached out to McIntyre, who at the time was running the New Brighton Soup Kitchen, and since then the whole crew at Twelve Loaves have overcome the wrought of the coronavirus pandemic to thrive in helping the needy citizens of Beaver County.
McIntyre also mentioned that Twelve Loaves also accepts and donates clothing to those who are in need, on top of the many meals they serve a day. Their location is at 1031 Second Avenue in New Brighton, and can be contacted for donations at (724) 561-6491, and for volunteer opportunities at (724) 678-1287.
To watch the FULL interview with Matt and Karey, click on the Facebook feed below!
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(Muddy Creek Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that they have arrested Cecil James Shuck of Portersville with 36 counts of possession of child pornography.
Troopers said via release that the investigation began when State Troopers seized a USB Thumb Drive that was left behind at Shuck’s residence which was found to contain at least 36 images of nude children and approximately 730 images of pre-puberty modeling.
Shuck was taken into custody in Muddy Creek Township Wednesday, March 10, 2022, and arraigned in district court.
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(AMBRIDGE, Pa.) Beaver County veterans will benefit from new job training thanks to nearly $200,000 in state funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant to NuPaths LLC – awarded through the state Department of Labor and Industry – will fund practical training to help veterans transition to civilian IT jobs.
“Military members transitioning to the civilian workforce have strong skills to offer, and our workforce needs talented workers more than ever as we build back from the pandemic,” Matzie said. “Securing this grant will allow NuPaths to train 24 veterans in Beaver County and surrounding areas for network technician and IT security analyst jobs.
“That’s a win-win because it helps strengthen our economy while giving those who served a promising path to a productive civilian life.”
Funding for the grant comes from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Industry Partnership and Reemployment funds. More information about the funding is available at this link: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-800000-in-grant-funding-for-veteran-employment-support-after-service/.
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(Rochester Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Rochester Twp. Police Department announced on their Facebook Page on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, that the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics with assistance from the Rochester Twp. Police, The Beaver County Emergency Services Unit and the new Brighton Police executed a narcotics search warrant, on March 8, 2022, at 741 Fox Ave. in Rochester Township. The post said they found crack cocaine, marijuana and large sum of money. Police arrested the target of the investigation William McGraw and he was placed in the Beaver County Jail for possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine. No other information was available as Police are continuing the investigation.
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(AMBRIDGE, Pa.) The Laughlin Memorial Library in Ambridge will be receiving a roof replacement and other needed upgrades, thanks to $227,336 in newly awarded funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant from the state Department of Education, awarded under the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, will help finance critical repairs to the nearly 100-year-old building.
“The library, which first opened in 1929, has served our community for nearly a century, providing rich resources and lending special character to our landscape – but updates are desperately needed,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to help finance replacing the roof, which has been leaking; upgrading outdoor security lighting and cameras; cleaning the exterior; and new accent lighting to highlight the library’s unique architecture.”
Matzie said grant will fund half the total project cost of $454,600.