Rochester Twp. Man Arrested During Drug Raid in Rochester Twp.

(File Photo)

(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.

Pa State Rep. Rob Matzie (16th): More than $227,000 awarded to upgrade Laughlin Memorial Library

(File Photo)

(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.

US Rep. Lamb (17th) Votes for Yes For Bill That Provides Funding For Local Projects and Supports Ukraine

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) voted to pass H.R. 2471, bipartisan legislation that provides $1.5 trillion in discretionary funding across the government to help lower expenses for working families, create American jobs, strengthen national security and support Ukraine.

“This legislation invests in our infrastructure, helps working families facing rising costs, protects our national security and supports Ukraine in their fight against Putin’s unlawful attack,” said Lamb.

 In addition to the FY 2022 appropriations bills, the legislation contains a supplemental funding package which provides $13.6 billion to support Ukrainian security and humanitarian needs.  Lamb also voted today to pass H.R. 6968, bipartisan legislation to ban the import of Russian oil and energy products into the United States.  This will cut off a major source of revenue for Putin and the Russian economy.  The bill also reauthorizes and strengthens the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to impose further sanctions on Russia.

The FY 2022 Appropriations bill also includes $4,258,262 for nine Community Project Funding requests that Lamb secured for PA-17.  These include:

  • $550,000 for Body-Worn Camera and Technology Project (Allegheny Police Chiefs, Inc.)
  • $224,000 for Communication System Improvement Project (South Beaver Township Police Department)
  • $894,941 for RiverWise Franklin Avenue Park (Beaver County Regional Council of Governments)
  • $375,000 for Coraopolis Train Station Project (Coraopolis Community Development Corporation)
  • $584,322 for Millvale Ecodistrict Clean Energy Initiative (The New Sun Rising)
  • $150,000 for The Cornerstone of Beaver County Men’s Shelter Rehabilitation (The Cornerstone of Beaver County)
  • $80,000 for Water Treatment Plant Improvements (Municipal Authority Borough of Midland)
  • $999,999 for Center Grange Road Waterline Replacement (Center Township Water Authority)
  • $400,000 for Filter Media Material Upgrades (Creswell Heights Joint Authority)

H.R. 2471 moves to the Senate for consideration before it will be signed into law by President Biden.  A detailed summary of the bill is available here.

Male Body Found in Ohio River Near Pa./Ohio Line

(File Photo)

Story by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director
(Glasgow Borough, Beaver County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were dispatched to the Ohio River near Glasgow Borough yesterday afternoon around 3:45 PM for a male subject that was found in the Ohio River near the Pennsylvania/Ohio State Line.
Troopers said via release that the white male appears to be in his 20’s or 30’s and is described as having a medium build with black hair. He was also wearing jeans with a black belt, no shirt, Tommy Hilfiger shoes, black socks, and a silver diamond tennis necklace.
Troopers said that preliminary indications are that he may have been in the water for a substantial amount of time, however the investigation is currently on-going.
Troopers are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver at 724-773-7400

Aliquippa Makes a Comeback and Wins Against Brookville 53-50!


Brookville travelled to Aliquippa for a playoff showdown Wednesday night.  Brookville started the game out strong, keeping the lead for the most part of the first half.  The score at halftime was Brookville 27 Aliquippa 16. Aliquippa went on a run in the second half cutting their 15 point deficit and creeping back up the scoreboard. The Quips finally managed to grab the lead with around a minute left in the game and didn’t let it go, winning the game with a final score Aliquippa 53 Brookville 50.
Listen to the postgame recap here:

Reps and Romigh and Tady-Oh MY! Thursday Teleforum’s Whirlwind of Information

Teleforum is a talk program hosted by Eddy Crow, and Thursday’s version includes a cast of thousands! (give or take) State representatives Josh Kail and Aaron Bernstine join Eddy in the first hour for Rappin with the Reps; Mike Romigh hosts Best of Beaver County at 11; and after the 11:30 news Beaver County Times entertainment editor Scott Tady drops by. Teleforum is on the air live and local every weekday from 9 till noon on am1230, am1460, fm99.3 presented by St. Barnabas, on 95.7fm, and available worldwide with the free Beavercountyradio app!

VIDEO: Rochester Mayor Keith Jackson Emphasizes Communication Between People & Personnel

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“What direction do you think these communities are going to be [going in], if there’s not no rules and regulations that start from the top down?”

Those words, from Rochester Mayor Keith Jackson, summarized the concerned and ambivalent tone regarding the lack of progress in Rochester–insofar as establishing a connection between the desires of the public and the efforts of its leaders. Jackson made those thoughts clear during his monthly appearance with Matt Drzik on the March 9 edition of A.M. Beaver County.

“We have kids running around in Beaver County that are labeling ‘bad’,” Jackson said, “but what are we doing for them?” Jackson fears that the kids being raised in Rochester currently will be led in a direction that will drive them out of the area once they become young adults, thus creating missed opportunities where the younger citizens can stay and support Rochester’s growth.

“With these steel mills shutting down around here,” he added, “these towns aren’t like they used to be…but do something for these kids.”

To see the full interview with Mayor Jackson, click on the Facebook feed below!

Ambridge Council Selects Streetscape Consultant

(File Photo)
Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent
(Ambridge, Pa.) Ambridge Borough Council  voted Tuesday night, March 8, 2022, to select  SGA as the streetscape consultant for the 8th to 12th  Street program . Borough Manager Mario Leone, Jr. said the estimated cost for consulting is $287,000.00. In other business Council authorized  Mr. Leone and the borough engineer to advertise for bids for  the 2022  road program. The Henning Street Park and Playground Project   will receive a total of $917,000 for the project.
The borough and Laughlin Memorial Library received letters that  a 2021 Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund grant proposal for $227,336.14  was awarded to the library.

Pa. Rep. Josh Kail (15th): “We Should Not Have Any Foreign Interference When it Comes to Our Policies”

(File Photo of 15th District Rep. Josh Kail from previous appearance at Beaver County Radio)
Story by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director, Beaver County Radio 
(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pa State Rep. Josh Kail (15th) joined other legislators at a press conference yesterday morning in Harrisburg to discuss legislation and policy initiatives that will have Pennsylvania divest from Russia and invest in freedom by empowering Pennsylvania energy production.

Kail said we should not have any foreign interference when it comes to our policies, and he will soon be proposing a bill to ensure that in our energy sector.

You can see Kail’s speech below from yesterday’s Divesting from Russia and Investing in Freedom Press Conference:

(Video used with permission of Rep. Kail)

Pittsburgh City Councilman Proposes 1% Tax on Tuition and Medical for Infrastructure

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(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pittsburgh councilman Ricky Burgess is sponsoring a bill that would impose a 1% tax on people seeking higher education and those receiving medical care in the City Of Pittsburgh. The reason for the bill would be to have the money from the tax go toward a new fund to repair roads and bridges in the city.
the tax is estimated to bring in more than $50 million each year for the city.
Any students attending colleges, universities and advanced technical schools in the city would be required to pay. Additionally, people receiving services at hospitals, clinics, rehab facilities and “any other facility furnishing medical, therapeutic, psychological or vocational care” would face the extra cost. It would be applied to the full tuition amount at colleges and universities, and the full amount of medical bills.