(File Photo)
Story by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director Beaver County Radio
(New Sewickley Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Gibsonia are reporting that they were called to the scene of an incident that occurred on the Pa. Turnpike in New Sewickley Township on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 4:03 PM.
Upon arriving and investigating it was learned that 29-year-old Stephanie Gibbs of New Castle was operating a 2021 Mercedes-Benz 250 Series west bound in the left lane when another unknown vehicle traveling east bound in the left lane had a decent size piece of ice come off of it and strike Gibbs’ vehicle in the windshield causing it to crack. Her vehicle became disabled due to the crack in the windshield and had to be towed from the scene.
Gibbs was not injured in the incident.
This is a good time to remind motorists that it is the law in Pennsylvania to remove snow and ice from your vehicle. If snow or ice from your vehicle causes an accident you could face charges and fines.

(File Photo)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Hopewell Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Hopewell Area School Board held a work session on Tuesday night and hired Judy Brice as a substitute secretary for the district. The effective date is today, February 9, 2022. Three bus drivers had their request for a  leave of absence approved, and a substitute custodian was hired.

(Photo of Captain Tom Lococo in 2018 when he received the Howard Murray award as a Sergeant.  He is standing with Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier. Photo courtesy of City of Beaver Falls Police Chief David Johnson)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) City of Beaver Falls Police CaptainTom Lococo  recently submitted his letter of retirement to the Beaver Falls City Council. He said last week he has   worked in many capacities in the law enforcement team of 19, including Chief Dave Johnson.
Captain Lococo said in an exclusive interview with Sandy Giordano that he likes working on criminal investigations. The last  homicide he worked on was in 2016 with Beaver County Detective Pat Young. Javonte Eric Simmons was murdered  by Tyrone Savage in Morado Dwellings at a  New Year’s Day barbecue.

(File Photo)

(HARRISBURG, PA)  Pa State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) attended and  joined his colleagues in a joint session of the General Assembly on Tuesday as Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his eighth and final state budget address. Bernstine released the following statement on the governor’s proposal:

“It’s easy for a lame duck governor to propose a massive spending wish list when he knows he won’t be around to clean up the economic mess he caused. Families are dealing with record-setting inflation, higher prices, and supply chain shortages because of excessive government spending and borrowing. We don’t need to set them up for future tax hikes too. The governor’s proposed 16.6% increase in spending is a slap in the face to taxpayers who are already being asked to pay more for everything.

“Time and time again, Harrisburg has proven it has no restraint when it comes to growing government and spending responsibly. Now is the time to enact the Taxpayer Protection Act and put in place constitutional spending limits that will permanently curb chronic overspending like the governor is proposing.”

(Butler County , Pa.) Carlos Carril and Damian Blystone, the two men charged in the shooting outside of the Clearview Mall on January 18, 2022, were both in court on Tuesday, February 8, 2022,  for their preliminary hearing.
Both men were held over to stand trial in the incident in which police say that Carril and Blystone got into an argument with two other men at the Rural King store last month. That argument then spilled outside and then guns were drawn and Carril fired shots at the other men’s car.
Blystone was shot that night and needed to be taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment and was later charged with gun crimes, assault, and terroristic threats but the most serious charge was withdrawn.
Both men are currently being held in the Butler County Prison without bail.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

Gov. Tom Wolf shared his final budget proposal on Tuesday, with a focus on taking advantage of a $2 billion to $3 billion surplus to invest in public education, a pillar of his 2013 campaign.

In the budget address to a joint House and Senate session, Wolf spoke about progress made in his two terms as Pennsylvania governor. When he took office in 2014, the Commonwealth had a budget deficit of $2 billion to $3 billion, and the Rainy Day Fund was down to its last $231,000. As the first governor since 1987 to turn over a budget surplus to a successor, Wolf wants $1.9 billion to benefit students, from pre-K through college.

“We can afford to invest a whole lot more in the Fair Funding Formula without raising one penny in state taxes, and we can afford to do that without asking any school district, anywhere in Pennsylvania, to sacrifice one penny in state funding,” Wolf said. “Let’s not waste this opportunity.”

In Republicans’ response to the budget, Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, said a spending increase of $4.5 billion would “intensify personal financial pressures on all Pennsylvanians,” and that the budget “requires discipline that continues to move our Commonwealth toward a path of economic stability and success.”

Wolf proposed $70 million for high-quality pre-K programs, along with $1.4 billion for K-through-12 public education, with a focus on equitable support for underfunded schools. He also continued his long-standing appeal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25.

“Our failure to increase the minimum wage is costing us right now,” he said. “When people are able to earn a decent wage, they can contribute to the economic lives of their communities and the Commonwealth. When they work full-time but still don’t earn enough to pay for bare necessities, taxpayers end up footing the bill.”

Wolf is requesting a minimum wage of $12 an hour by July 1, with annual 50-cent increases to get to $15 in 2028. Senate President Pro Tem Jake Corman, R-Centre, said hearings will begin soon for a final budget by June that, in his words, “meets the needs of the Commonwealth.”

The featured image above shows City Manager, Mick Jones, holding a donation check to the Library Park project

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Correspondent. Published February 8, 2022 9:35 P.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA)  The Beaver Falls City Council met Tuesday night.  Council  approved for a feasibility study on the wave pool project to happen, under the agreement that a document is provided naming The City of Beaver Falls as additional insured, meaning that the city is not liable for any possible accidents or injuries during the study.  The city also voted to enter into a first reading of an agreement with Garlans Company to repair the City Building roof and structure.  Additionally,  Council approved Resolution 1618, which allows the sale of additional refuse cans to city residents.  The price of the cans is $100 each and they are delivered.  City Manager Mick Jones also announced that the city received a $10,000 donation for the library park project from a new company in Beaver County based out of Australia.

Aliquippa and Seton LaSalle played a hard fought game with it coming down to  late in the 4th quarter with the 2 powerhouses running neck and neck. It was the Quips defense and rebounding that kept the game in check even though the Quips turned it over more than 20  times, this would seem like a losing performance against a foe like Seton LaSalle but with their strong rebounding and hustle they held off a very good  Seton LaSalle team who were within 3 pts of the Quips late in the 3rd. Aliquippa is has now won  6 of their last 7 games. Final score Aliquippa 59 Seton Lasalle 46.