(AP Photo)
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 6:44 AM
(Harrisburg, Pa.) A Pennsylvania court won’t block an entire subpoena to state election officials in what Republican state lawmakers call a “forensic investigation” of 2020′s presidential election. The statewide Commonwealth Court that issued the seven-page order Monday also did not appear to immediately greenlight the release of some information that Democratic state Attorney General Josh Shapiro challenged as being protected by privacy laws. In the unsigned order, the court said state officials did not persuade it that the subpoena issued in September by a Republican-controlled Senate committee had no legitimate legislative purpose.

The featured image above shows the main entrance to the Rochester School District.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Correspondent. Published January 10, 2022 at 9:36 P.M.

(Rochester, PA) The Rochester School Board met Monday night for a work session.  Superintendent, Dr. Jane Bovalino, along with the board and administrators discussed a plan to reintroduce a masking mandate within the district.  A two week mandate was first suggested, followed by a month, and finally an agreement was made to mandate masks until further notice.  The decision was based on rising numbers of Covid cases within the district staff and students, as well as numbers reflecting the general area.  Masking had been optional at Rochester after the state mandate was lifted in early December.

(File Photo)
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 2:23 PM
PITTSBURGH and ERIE, Pa (January 6, 2021) – Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Perinatal Hope Program is pleased to announce today its expansion into Butler and Erie counties to support and care for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorders (OUDs). The program’s expansion was made possible thanks to a recent federal grant, announced by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf late last year, of more than $583,000 as part of a $55 million federal block grant program awarded to the state via the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services SAMHSA.
The Perinatal Hope Program, a part of the AHN Women’s Institute, currently operates out of AHN West Penn, AHN Jefferson and AHN Forbes hospitals. It will now open sites aligned with AHN Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie (232 W. 25th Street) and AHN’s Northern Regional OB/GYN in Butler County (125 Emeryville Dr., Cranberry Township).
Perinatal Hope will further enhance and expand upon AHN Saint Vincent’s Growing Hope program, which has helped opioid-addicted moms in the northwest Pennsylvania Erie for more than five years.
The grant will also be used to bolster the Perinatal Hope program’s overall services and clinical staff – including the addition of a peer recovery specialist, behavioral health consultant, social worker and certified nurse practitioner – across its existing footprint in Allegheny, Beaver and Fayette counties.
“On behalf of AHN, we truly look forward to offering our integrated services and support to even more pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders,” said Krista Flaherty, LCSW, MSW, Manager of the AHN Perinatal Hope Program. “Purposeful resources – accessed early and often – can be integral to mitigating potential long-term impacts on the health and well-being of mother and baby. It’s important to note that today’s announcement also comes at a critical time against the backdrop of the ongoing opioid epidemic.”
The rate of hospitalizations with opioid use disorder per 100,000 residents in 2019 was 293.2 for Pennsylvania, 296.9 for Butler County and 344.3 for Erie County. The rate of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) – a set of complications caused by a newborn’s drug withdrawal due to a mother’s substance use disorder – is two times higher in Pennsylvania when compared to the national average.
Designed to be a “one-stop shop,” Perinatal Hope works to brings together different services, health care professionals and educational materials so women can get maximum support from a routine prenatal visit. The program’s clinical team also works closely with the AHN Center of Inclusion Health and Women’s Behavioral Health to provide holistic care.
Enrolled prenatal patients may access medication assisted therapy for opioid use disorder, care coordination, education on relevant chronic conditions and drug and alcohol counseling through POWER, among other resources during their routine OB/GYN exams. The program also extends its services through postpartum.
“New mothers with substance use disorders often face unique challenges, including the relative lack of specialized and prioritized postpartum treatment resources, the stigma of having an infant exposed to substances, postpartum hormonal changes, and postpartum depression,” said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD and Chair of AHN Women’s Institute. “For these reasons, among other factors, overdose rates during the postpartum periods are notably elevated which is why it’s so important to continue access to health care and other community-backed programs to better support the entire family, even after delivery.”
Additional services currently offered by AHN Perinatal Hope include newborn education, lactation support and eased access to care for postpartum depression. The program also plans to launch services to include smoking cessation, STD/HIV education, financial empowerment and safe sleep education.
Perinatal Hope is slated to enroll first patients across Butler and Erie offices by early 2022. For more information, please go to ahn.org/NotAlone or call 412-578-5575.

(Photo provided by CCBC)
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 2:13 PM
Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is announcing the appointment of Angela Hamilton as vice president of student affairs. She will be responsible for overseeing all student affairs functions, including student life, student services, and enrollment services. Hamilton reports directly to President Dr. Roger W. Davis and serves as a member of the Senior Executive Cabinet. 

“We are thrilled that Angela is once again expanding her role at CCBC and joining the senior leadership team,” said Dr. Davis. “She has a proven track record of putting students first, improving processes that advance the college wholistically and departmentally, and collaborating to build effective teams. Her experience and passion throughout her career will play a key role in benefitting our students and culture as we continue to look to the future.”

As a Beaver County native and CCBC alumna, Ms. Hamilton has 14 years of progressive experience at CCBC. Previously, she was associate vice president of student affairs, registrar, and director of enrollment services, as well as served on the admissions staff. She joined CCBC in 2007 and has also taught as a part-time instructor on campus. 

During her time at CCBC she has spear-headed such initiatives as the degree audit, online registration, a remodel of the Enrollment Services area for concierge-style service, and most recently, the launch of community classrooms and the return of athletics post-pandemic.

“Angela exceeds her commitment to CCBC and the students, so this promotion is well-deserved,” stated CCBC’s registrar Rose Whelpley. As a supervisor, she encourages me to achieve my goals and promotes a positive work environment.”

Hamilton is one of only 50 individuals internationally to earn a Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. 

“I am proud to be a part of the CCBC community and to take on this new opportunity,” said Hamilton. “I look forward to representing the student body while helping students unlock their highest potential, providing students with a web of support and opportunity inside and outside of the classroom.”

Hamilton earned her M.S. from the University of Pittsburgh, B.S. from Robert Morris University, and associate degree from CCBC. She resides in Center Township with her husband, two children, and therapy dog Bailey, who she volunteers with on campus and at nursing homes throughout the community.

(File Photo)
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 7:58 AM
(Hanover Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were dispatched to the scene of two vehicle accident on New Years Day on Lincoln Highway in Hanover Twp, Beaver County at 3:06 AM.
Upon Arriving on the scene and investigating it was learned that 19-year-old Alexander Vuckovich of Aliquippa was operating a 2020 Subaru Legacy at the intersection of US 30 and Pa 18 when he failed to stop at a stop sign causing a 2005 Chevy Silverado being driven by 28-year-old Wade Searight to collide with Vuckovich’s vehicle. Vuckovich was charged by Troopers with a stop sign and yield sign violation. His vehicle had to be towed from the scene and no injuries were reported.

(File Photo)
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 7:26 AM
(Glasgow Boro, Beaver County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were dispatched to a residence on Liberty Ave in Glasgow Boro , Beaver County last Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 7:14 PM for a report of a physical altercation involving an ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend.
Upon arriving and investigating Troopers arrested 27-year-old Tyler Laughlin of Beaver on charges of strangulation, simple assault, and terroristic threats in the incident involving him and 28-year-old Kelsea Campbell of Midland.
Troopers did not release any further information involving the incident.

(File Photo)
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 7:16 AM
(Patterson Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver are reporting that they were involved in a pursuit with an unnamed person driving a 2013 Ford Fusion on Darlington Road in Patterson Twp. at 12:40 PM last Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Troopers said via release that the vehicle crashed during the pursuit when the operator of the vehicle left the road and drove through a yard losing control of his vehicle. The vehicle came to a final rest touching the porch of a residence on Darlington Road. The vehicle was towed from the scene due to disabling damage caused during legal intervention during the pursuit and not due to the crash. The porch of the home was slightly damaged. Photos on social media also showed damage to at least one State Police Vehicle. No other information was released by State Police.

(File Photo)
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 6:40 AM

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission, said Friday that it was clear after two days of commission hearings on the proposed plans that changes must be made to the preliminary House map.

“Whether it has been testimony about how communities of interest in southwestern Pennsylvania have been broken apart, how Cumberland County deserves an additional House seat based upon population gain, how the preliminary House map dilutes the voice of Hispanic voters, or any number of other concerns that have been submitted to the commission, it is clear that significant changes are needed to the preliminary House map,” Benninghoff said.

“I have said from the beginning of this process that I want to work toward a product that is both good for Pennsylvania and can receive a unanimous vote. However, two days of hearings on the preliminary House map confirms it fails to achieve either goal.”

Benninghoff also noted he has continued the process of reaching out to fellow commissioners to further discussions on improving the preliminary House map.

“I have had discussions with both Commission Chairman Mark Nordenberg and House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, and I am confident we will work more collaboratively toward a final House map,” Benninghoff added.

“I look forward to those discussions and reaching consensus on a product that will ensure fair and constitutionally sound representation for Pennsylvanians for the next decade.”

(AP Photo)
Monday, January, 10, 2022 at 5:50 AM
Bob Saget, beloved TV dad of ‘Full House,’ dead at 65
By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Saget, a comedian and actor best known for his role on the sitcom “Full House,” has died. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s office says it was called Sunday about an “unresponsive man” and found Saget dead in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use. Saget was in Florida as part of his “I Don’t Do Negative Comedy Tour.” Saget was also the longtime host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and the narrator of “How I Met Your Mother.” Tributes from friends and fellow comics noted both his humor and kindness.

(Photo Provide by Keystone News Exchange)

Monday, January, 10, 2022 at 5:47 AM

Keystone State News Connection

January 10, 2022

Emily Scott

A devastating fire in a Philadelphia public-housing rowhome last week killed 12 people, eight of them children.

In the aftermath, advocates say government leaders need to address the city’s affordable-housing crisis to ensure the tragedy doesn’t happen again.

According to officials, 26 people were living in the duplex apartment at the time of the fire. The Philadelphia Housing Authority does not limit the number of people who can live in a single unit.

Jenna Collins, staff attorney for Community Legal Services, pointed out there are very few large affordable-housing units for multigenerational families. She said it is a symptom of inadequate funding for subsidized housing.

“If you look at the HUD budget for public housing today adjusted for inflation, it has gone down significantly since 30 years ago,” Collins observed. “As families do grow, there’s nowhere to transfer them and allow them to keep that subsidy that is often the difference between them affording rent and becoming homeless.”

An investigation by Philadelphia Fire, the city’s police department and federal support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is under way. The property, which is owned and operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, last received an inspection last April and May.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority said the cost of repairs to its buildings exceeds one billion dollars. It could receive some increased funding if Congress passes the Build Back Better Act. Collins said PHA struggles to keep up with repairs that do not appear immediately life-threatening.

“The housing authority is trying to respond to things that feel emergent in the moment like three inches of sewer water in a basement,” Collins explained. “So they do not have the funds to update the really old housing stock, so we really are seeing the result of that lack of funds to improve infrastructure.”

Some solutions PHA could implement to make older units safer include hard-wiring smoke detectors, which new public housing units in Philadelphia already have. All six smoke alarms in the building were inoperable at the time of the fire, officials said.