Category: News

HOUSE BILL TO CREATE ONE MILLION APRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The House passed the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 (H.R. 8294) on a bipartisan basis to reauthorize national registered apprenticeship programs and expand access to high-quality apprenticeships to create nearly one million new apprenticeship opportunities.  The bill included a bipartisan amendment from Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) and Representative Van Taylor (TX-03) to include veterans in the national apprenticeship system.

“Apprenticeships connect workers with good jobs in my District,” said Lamb.  “My bipartisan amendment requires that the bill includes veterans to ensure that they can take advantage of apprenticeships.  This legislation will immediately help people who lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), 94 percent of people who complete registered apprenticeship programs are employed upon completion.  However, apprenticeships today only make up a small percentage of the overall workforce.  H.R. 8294 creates a critical bridge to apprenticeship opportunities by authorizing the DOL to award grants to state workforce agencies, local workforce development boards, education and training providers, labor unions and other eligible entities to grow registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.

Prior to final passage the House adopted an amendment sponsored by Lamb and Taylor to utilize veteran service organizations (VSOs) to help promote and raise awareness about apprenticeship opportunities.  Furthermore, the amendment includes the status of veterans as one of the demographic identifiers to better understand veteran participation in apprenticeship programs.  Tracking veteran involvement in apprenticeship programs will also better equip program providers to ensure veterans are accessing their education benefits.

This legislation is supported by the Union Veterans Council,  American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Jobs for the Future (JFF), Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), National Skills Coalition (NSC), National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues (TWTF), North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), National Urban League, and Third Way.

Visit Lamb’s website to see him speak on the House floor in support of his amendment, and click here to learn more about the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020.

Owner of Young’s Custard Stand Dies after Short Battle with COVID-19

 

(Zelienople, Pa.) A local longtime businessman known by many as the “Ice Cream Man”, Paul Young has died after a short battle with COVID-19.  The Announcement was made Saturday via the Young’s Custard Stand Facebook Page. Paul passed away last Thursday at UPMC Passavant in McCandless Twp.. Paul and his family own Young’s Custard Stand on Route 68. For many summers over the last for 52 years Paul would be at the window spinning out that yummy Young’s Custard greeting his customers with a smile and a pleasant hello, how can I help you. Young was 79 years-old.

President Trump appeals rejection of effort to block Pennsylvania vote

Trump appeals rejection of effort to block Pennsylvania vote
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump is appealing a federal judge’s dismissal of his campaign’s effort to block the certification of votes in Pennsylvania. The president and other plaintiffs filed notice of appeal Sunday, a day after the judge issued a scathing order shooting down claims of widespread irregularities with mail-in ballots. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann wrote in his order that Trump had asked the court to disenfranchise almost 7 million voters. In seeking such a “startling outcome,” he said, a plaintiff could be expected to provide compelling legal arguments and “factual proof of rampant corruption” — but “That has not happened.”

$11B budget package passes Pennsylvania Legislature

$11B budget package passes Pennsylvania Legislature
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — An $11 billion no-new-taxes spending package won passage in a lame-duck session in Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Legislature, as lawmakers sought to plug a multibillion-dollar deficit brought on by the pandemic. A coronavirus outbreak in the House of Representatives caused hours of delay Friday before the spending bill passed both chambers. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, will sign it, his office said. Most Democrats opposed it, reflecting unhappiness with using federal coronavirus relief aid to underwrite state government costs, rather than provide hazard pay to frontline workers and to aid universities, schools, hospitals, restaurants and businesses and institutions. Public schools, universities and many programs will have to get by without an increase in funding.

Beaver County Citizens Join Together In “Sharing The Bounty”

It was a very successful day for the Beaver Valley Choral Society as the organization, teaming up with Rome Monument and Beaver County Radio, gathered hundreds of non-perishable food items for Families Matter Food Pantry in Monaca.

Beaver County Radio broadcast from the main drop-off site at Grace Lutheran in Monaca, while others donated their food items to New Brighton United Methodist Church and Chippewa United Methodist Church. Overall, the goal towards helping eradicate hunger for the holidays in Beaver County took a grand step forward during the “Sharing The Bounty” food drive!

Wilmington Leading at Halftime over Beaver Falls.

Darren Miller scores on a first quarter run for Wilmington High.

(Beaver Falls, PA) The Wilmington Greyhounds have been as good as advertised. At halftime, they lead Beaver Falls 13-6 at the half in the class 2A PIAA High School Football State Semi Final. Darren Miller has been the workhorse for the Greyhounds, grinding out 87 yards rushing thus far in the contest at Reeves Field in Beaver Falls.

Forget Toilet Paper and Paper Towels There’s a Shortage of Turkey’s

(Photo From New Brighton Foodland used with permission)

Story by Beaver County Radio Program Director Frank Sparks with contributions from News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Beaver County, Pa.) There have been reports that paper products and other non-perishable foods are starting to be high in demand and stores inventory is evaporating like it did earlier in the spring when the COVID-19 Pandemic first hit. As cases start to rise and the threat of another lock down looms consumers are headed to stores to stock up in case there is another Stay at Home Order.

Fully stocked shelves of paper towels at New Brighton Foodland

Beaver County Radio Program Director Frank Sparks and News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reached out to local retailers to find out what there supply and inventory is like. Frank talked with Mike Fischer, he and his brother Ron own the New Brighton Foodland, and he said that he has everything in stock his main problem is variety of the products. Mike said he is well stocked now and is stock piling products from the warehouse to be able to supply his customers. Fischer added that the thing that surprises him is that turkeys are becoming hard to re-inventory and that we are facing a shortage of turkeys and he was told to expect the same with hams. Mike isn’t sure if it’s because of the restaurants being closed or eating capacity drastically reduced and more people are eating at home or what.

Toilet paper shelves at New Brighton Foodland display that toilet paper is in stock it's just a lack of variety
Toilet paper shelves at New Brighton Foodland display that toilet paper is in stock it’s just a lack of variety says Mike Fischer store owner

Sandy Giordano reported that  Giant Eagle in Green Garden Plaza’s manager said this morning that they are well stocked on all products and food during this pandemic.. There is a limit of 1 package of paper towels, 1 package of toilet paper, any cleaning supplies have a limit of 1 per customer.

 

Kuhn’s Market in the Hopewell Shopping Center said customers have a limit of 1 package of paper towels and toilet paper, and any cleaning supplies.

The Dollar Tree  located in the Shops on Brodhead Road in Aliquippa  is not experiencing any shortages of products, but  the manager said they don’t have enough employees”, no one wants to work during the pandemic.”
A shortage of cleaning supplies at the local Dollar General on Brodhead Road  is their only problem, according to a manager.
CVS in the Aliquippa Shopping Center’s manager said they don’t get the normal amount of supplies they used to get prior to the pandemic.
Dick Roberts a representative for Giant Eagle released the following statement to Beaver County Radio about supplies at Giant Eagle Corporate locations locally:
File Photo of Rochester Giant Eagle taken by Frank Sparks in April of 2020
“Giant Eagle has been working tirelessly from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to keep its shelves well-stocked with essential grocery and household items. Through daily deliveries to each location, strong relationships with existing suppliers, and the identification of new partners and alternate supply sources, we have been able to return to a strong stock position across the most in-demand items and categories in our stores.
 
“As we enter an uncertain holiday season, we encourage guests to help one another by continuing their traditional grocery shopping and refraining from bulk purchasing. If we all work together, we can ensure that everyone has access to the items they need for themselves and their families. We do not currently have any purchase limits in place but will continue to closely monitor inventory of various household items and will consider implementing purchase limits if and when necessary.”
 
Sandy Giordano put in media request to Walmart and they haven’t responded, local management doesn’t talk to the  media is what Sandy was told.

Pastor Rod Smith Talks About The Return Of Mountain Ministries To The Beaver County Airwaves

In a year full of bad news, it’s good to know that good news is coming back.

Pastor Rod Smith, leader of Mountain Ministries, announced on A.M. Beaver County with Matt Drzik that “Good News From The Mountain” will be returning to the Beaver County Radio Airwaves on December 2 at 6:30pm. The half hour will be a presentation of worship that can be heard locally or worldwide at beavercountyradio.com.

Not only did Pastor Rod make the announcement to Matt, but the two of them discussed the importance of having faith in this time of constant strife, and the difference between happiness and joy that many different people get confused with.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!

Beaver Falls man arrested in Monaca by Pa. State Troopers

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Monaca, Pa.) Dwayne Randall Wells, 30 of Beaver Falls, PA  was arrested Thursday following a traffic stop  at Beaver and Pennsylvania Avenues in Monaca Thursday afternoon.  Wells was a passenger in the vehicle , he pushed the operator from the vehicle, and took control of it.  State police pursued the vehicle, the vehicle left the road, crashing into an embankment. Wells fled from the scene and was later apprehended, according to the report. He was taken to heritage Valley for treatment of his injuries.

He is lodged in the Beaver County Jail on an outstanding bench warrant and charges of robbery, drug possession, and numerous traffic violations stemming from the incident, according to the report.