Tuesday, Jan. 21 2025
Why we chose to highlight this story: The Institute for Self-Reliance (ISLR) believes that centering local priorities is key to building a strong economy and democracy. In an end-of-year look-back with the organization's co-directors, they consider questions worthwhile for Beaver County neighbors to consider, especially how to turn "voter frustration" into "positive political change." Listen to the podcast here.
Why we chose to highlight this story: How has steel become part of our DNA and what does it look like to face a future without it? Read this moving report on the latest with U.S. Steel's presence in our region.
Why we chose to highlight this story: January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and we joined a local event at the Beaver County Courthouse earlier in January that set out to educate the public about what human trafficking is, how it happens, and what we can do to help prevent it and stop the abuse of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Why we chose to create this section: Many of our Beaver County neighbors tragically lost their lives over the holiday — many due to violence. We wanted to make space in The Bridge to honor some of the lost.
Aliquippa: David and Jenny Bosh, died in an RV fire.
Beaver Falls: Eric Mason and Darell Love Jr., both murdered.
North Sewickley Twp.: Connor Lutz, died in a car accident; Clifford, Michelle, Clifford Jr. and Cody Hunt, all allegedly murdered by Clifford Jr.
Rochester: Meghan Kelker, died in a car accident.
South Beaver Twp.: Joyce and John Kostandin, both murdered in an alleged murder suicide.
South Heights: Diane D’Amico, died after being hit by a train.
Preston Coleman was severely beaten in an Aliquippa bar and is slowly recovering in the hospital. A GoFundMe for Preston Coleman is available here.
A GoFundMe to help the Hunt family finance the cost of four funerals is available here.
The Church of the Incarnation and Beaver Falls Street Ministry are hosting a Hymn Sing and Blue Eucharist at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Fermata Brewing, 918 Merchant Street, Ambridge.
In this public event, Beaver County neighbors will gather to sing some old favorites together and participate in an artistic-sung Eucharist, following the order of service in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and chanted in a minor key inspired by the blues.
The Rev. Deanna Briody will be joined by local musicians to offer an experience that blends the richness of traditional Christian worship
with the living beauty of the arts. All are warmly welcome to attend this event, including children. Coffee and pastries will be served, and
Fermata will host a bluegrass music festival following the service.
With a practically balmy predicted high of 35 degrees after this week's brutal cold snap, hundreds of hearty community members will take the "Polar Plunge" on Saturday to raise money for the Special Olympics and programs for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Even if you're "Too Chicken to Plunge," you can still help the group reach its goal of raising $150,000.
Who remembers? ❄️ Reply and send us your photos of Beaver County's best snowfalls!
The Bridge is a project of
The Bridge is a prototype for what RiverWise envisions as a growing center for relevant community news + resources for Beaver County residents.
Owen Rossi-Keen
Owen Rossi-Keen is the Founder and Principal Software Engineer at Iliad.dev, LLC, a web development agency focused on delivering enterprise-grade customization without the enterprise price-tag.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania