The Bridge 2/18

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025

Why we chose to highlight this story: Supply chain disruptions and bird flu are increasing costs for eggs. Farm and Dairy shares some helpful details from agricultural experts about how to stay safe while getting the best bang for your buck when it comes eggs.

Read the full article here.

By Dani Brown for The Bridge

Beaver Valley LaunchBox is seeking nominations for local women entrepreneurs to share their story during Queen B, an annual networking event at the B-Hive in Beaver Falls.

The B-Hive is a nonprofit located along Seventh Avenue in Beaver Falls that seeks to be a hub that educates and connects local entrepreneurs to the support, resources and facilities they need to build a sustainable and scalable business with a viable plan for growth. The LaunchBox is a Penn State initiative that accelerates early stage businesses and entrepreneurs.

"We are inviting nominations for women who are starting a new business or running their existing businesses in the Beaver Valley area," the webpage reads.

Last year's panelists were Allison Hutchins of Hutch and Home, Kristi Harper of Café Kolache, Renee Suhr of Stray Cat Studio and The Baby Bello, Debbie Del Monte of A Sense of Eden, Kristen Greco of Nurtured Moms and Stephanie Mason of Mason’s Delectable Delights.

Nominations for the 2025 Queen B event are due by Feb. 28. To submit a nomination, click here.

By Dani Brown for The Bridge

If you've narrowly escaped the flu so far this season, you likely know someone hasn't.

According to data from the Allegheny County Health Department, in the first week of February, Influenza A surpassed 1,000 infections — the highest since the end of 2022. In Beaver County, state data show that since the end of September, there have been 1,751 confirmed cases of influenza. Over the same period, in Allegheny County, 12,325 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases have been reported.

Hospitalizations are on the rise as well. According to state data, 17% of hospitalizations during the first week of February were for respiratory symptoms.

Some hospital systems are taking additional precautions to mitigate the spread of respiratory viruses like flu, COVID and RSV.

On Feb. 10, UPMC initially issued a mask mandate for its facilities but then two days later withdrew the mandate. Masks are now recommended at UPMC facilities.

"The Health Department recommends that Pennsylvanians stay updated with their annual flu vaccination and continue fundamental health and hygiene practices, like hand washing, staying home when sick, and avoiding contact with people who have suspected or confirmed respiratory illness," said Neil Ruhland, deputy press secretary with the state Department of Health.

Flu cases are rising around the country, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. Which, according to Ruhland is "a normal annual occurrence this time of year, as people spend more time indoors."

Why we chose to highlight Black History Month: Black history is Beaver County history.

Check out an original Bridge video of Dr. Don Sheffield discussing the value of cultural competency, and a photo gallery from the Tabernacle Baptist Church's 40th annual Black History Symposium.

By Dani Brown for The Bridge

"Greatness begins with how well we treat each other," according to Dr. Don Sheffield.

Sheffield, a local speaker and educator, teaches leadership equity and cultural competency throughout the region to schools, churches, law enforcement officers, athletic associations, community groups, and more.

Last Tuesday, Feb. 11, he conducted a cultural competency training during an event in Beaver Falls. 

Speaking to the crowd of approximately 50, he dissected the state of American democracy by paraphrasing a quote from former president Thomas Jefferson: “Virtue is the highest order of democracy," Sheffield said.

Can democracy exist, Sheffield asserted, if virtue isn’t embedded in who we are?

“Often in the lives of those who are isolated from others, they become fearful,” he said. “We must be engaged in a practice that leads to togetherness.”

But diversity simply for diversity’s sake shouldn’t be the goal, Sheffield said. There must be a concerted effort to learn from one another, and respect each other’s differences — that’s cultural competency, according to Sheffield.

And with that posture, some discomfort is likely.

"Europeans when they came to America taught people that they had to melt. It's so important to understand that America should have never been a 'melting pot.' What American truly is, is a salad bowl," Sheffield said. "And the worst thing that will happen to you in a salad, is that you will be — and you will be! — lightly tossed."

"So that means we have to learn to relate to each other, because we're all a part of this America," he added.

Sheffield calls these cultural competency skills "salad-bowl skills."

"And they're crucial for us to be a great country," he said.

Neighborhood North Museum of Play is hosting a "Learning in the Neighborhood" event. This installment, hosted by Neighborhood North, TRAILS Ministries and Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, will explore scenarios that impact the Black community.

The event, which takes place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, will include a panel of Black community members and leaders who will highlight how the choices we make inform and shape the future communities we and our children will ultimately live in.

The event is free but registration is required. Register here.

Digital Detox: Feb. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Tree ID Walk: Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Learn more about Reforest Our Future's "Wander the Winter Woods" events and register on their website here.

According to the application, the Empowering Appalachia Cohort is a six-month program for caregivers, daycare workers and parents in the Appalachian region along the Ohio River Valley. This initiative focuses on healing and repair, mitigating burnout, economic inclusion and using storytelling for advocacy and policy change.

Participants will receive monthly stipends and access to workshops, peer support and advocacy training.

Application Deadline: Feb. 28

Cohort Duration: 6 months

Location: Virtual; in-person retreat at the end

Monthly Stipend: $600

Complete the application here.

Why we chose to highlight this report: Black Appalachian Coalition is a multi-state campaign that uses story-based strategies and solutions that center the voices and lived experience of Black Appalachians.

Read the coalition's 2022 report here about the value of Black storytelling and policymaking in the region.

Candy Young is an Olympian and Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame member. In 1980, she set a world record in the 100-meter hurdles (12.94 seconds) during her senior year at Beaver Falls. That same year, she earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic 100-meter hurdle team.

Read more about Young on the Little Beaver Historical Society's Facebook post here and in a 2024 Beaver County Times article here.

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