Author: Beaver County Radio

Bill from Senators John Fetterman and Katie Britt to Help Protect Mental Health of Minors Passes U.S. Senate Commerce Committee

(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington D.C.) U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Katie Britt’s (R-AL) Stop the Scroll Act passed the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today in Washington D.C. by voice vote. The bipartisan bill would create a mental health warning label requirement for users under the age of 18 on social media platforms, ensuring that minors are aware of the potential mental health risks posed by social media usage and are provided access to mental health resources. 

NFL Spotlights Pittsburgh Artists and City-Inspired Creative Activations for 2026 NFL Draft Presented by Bud Light

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The NFL recently announced its artist partnerships and creative activations that spotlight Pittsburgh’s vibrant art, design and
sports culture for the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light on April 23rd-25th. The league will collaborate with two Pittsburgh artists, Kim Fox and Burton Morris, who
will each create pieces that honor all 32 clubs; design a stunning projection show on the centrally located Wyndham Hotel; and visually welcome fans in NFL Draft creative throughout the region. Kim Fox is a Pittsburgh-based mixed-metal artist. She will create a special art installation for the Player Walkway, which is the path that each prospect will take as they get drafted to their new team and walk onto the Main Stage. Burton Morris, a Pittsburgh native and pop artist, is creating 32 separate pieces that will be displayed as one large installation in the Prospect Green Room built by Lowe’s. Fox’s installation will feature handcrafted mixed-metal interpretations of all 32 NFL team marks, with each piece made from tin and mixed-metals which are in a quiltlike pattern. Over the past few months, she has spent hours creating unique pieces of artwork to bring each of the logos of the clubs to life. In the process, Fox combines reclaimed wood, vintage maps, collected tins and other found materials to manufacture each piece of art. She overlays these materials and patches the pieces together to highlight the uniqueness of each city. Fox is also including hidden symbolism pertinent to each city within her pieces. All 32 of Morris’ 20×20” pieces are customized with his signature “energy lines” to highlight unique team colors for each team, and they are built on a steel frame to honor Pittsburgh’s history. Authentic team helmets are also seamlessly attached to each piece to create dynamic, 3D mixed-media work celebrating all 32 clubs. The NFL is also partnering with The Andy Warhol Museum and its Youth Workforce Program to bring a live Pop Art studio to the NFL Draft Red Carpet presented by Toyota to celebrating pop art’s origins in Pittsburgh and to highlight the league’s larger commitment to art-driven storytelling. NFL prospects will co-create silkscreen self-portraits on the red carpet, printing them on hand-painted backgrounds to transform their images into custom works of art. The final portraits will accompany players down the carpet for photos and interviews to give media and fans a firsthand look at Warhol’s iconic silkscreen process in action. The pieces will also be available for prospects to take with them as they enter their journey into the NFL.

Sheetz named finalist for Best Gas Station for Food in the United States for USA Today’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

(File Photo: Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of (PRNewsFoto/SHEETZ, INC.) Caption for Photo: Sheetz logo.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Altoona, PA) Sheetz was recently named as one of twenty finalists for Best Gas Station for Food in the United States category of USA Today’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. Panelists from the magazine recognized Sheetz for its “consistent, fresh, and affordable menu” with the made-to-order menu items and a variety of beverage options. You can vote for Sheetz or your favorite gas station once per day until May 4th at noon by going to https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-gas-station-for-food/. The ten winners will be announced on May 13th.

Former Lincoln Park standout basketball player and University of Arkansas freshman Meleek Thomas declares for the 2026 NBA Draft

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Eakin Howard, Eakin Howard, Imagn Images, Caption for Photo: March 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Meleek Thomas (1) goes to the basket against Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) during the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Fayetteville, AR) Former Lincoln Park standout basketball player and five-star recruit Meleek Thomas declared for the 2026 NBA Draft in a post on Instagram yesterday after spending his freshman season at the University of Arkansas. Thomas averaged 15.6 points per game, while shooting 43% from the field and 41% from the three-point line his first season with the Razorbacks. The 2026 NBA Draft will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on June 23rd and June 24th. As Thomas enters the draft, he is most likely to be a late first-round or early second-round selection after the most recent mock drafts. If he is selected in the first round, Thomas would become the third player in the Beaver Valley to be drafted in the opening round, joining Monaca graduate Brad Davis, who was drafted 15th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1977, and OLSH graduate and current Denver Nuggets small forward Cameron Johnson, who was selected 11th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves before he later joined the Phoenix Suns via trade. If Thomas is selected in this year’s draft, he would become the second consecutive Beaver Valley player drafted to an NBA team after Quaker Valley alum Adou Thiero was selected by the Brooklyn Nets and was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft at 36th overall. Moon Township native John Calipari also coached both Thomas and Thiero in college during his current stint as the head coach of the University of Arkansas. Thomas was ranked as one of the top high school prospects in the country when he played for Lincoln Park and helped the team capture back-to-back WPIAL and PIAA titles during his sophomore and junior seasons. He will maintain his collegiate eligibility if he undeclares for the draft by May 27th, 2026.

Tax Day 2026: Remember to file your 2025 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns!

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Feb. 5, 2020, file photo, a W-4 form is viewed in New York. The IRS will delay the traditional April 15 tax filing due date until May 17, 2021, to cope with added duties and provide Americans more flexibility. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Tomorrow is the deadline for filing 2025 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns. There is still time to finish them, and there are several resources you can use to do so. One of them is myPATH, which you can access by clicking here (mypath.pa.gov.) You can use this website to file your PA-40 return for free. You can also call 717-787-8201 from now until 7 p.m. and tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is the phone number of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Customer Experience Center, which was extended last week to give more help over the phone for people to file their tax return by the deadline of midnight on April 15th. You can also access the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Online Customer Service Center, which can be accessed by clicking here, (revenue.pa.gov/help/.) This website will provide answers to hundreds of questions regarding you personal income tax and allows people to submit questions easily. Taxpayers can also go to the District offices of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue for in-person help with their tax returns after scheduling an appointment, and they need to bring a valid photo ID and their Social Security card. The locations can be found by going to revenue.pa.gov/offices, which you can access by clicking here. District offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Man pleads guilty to providing fentanyl that killed a fifteen-year-old girl in Allegheny County

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) A man will face time in jail in Allegheny County for providing fentanyl that killed a fifteen-year-old girl from Oakdale in 2024. Twenty-nine-year-old Shakeirs Foster pleaded guilty in court yesterday to involuntary manslaughter and delivery and was sentenced to two and a half to six years in state prison. Investigators tracked the fentanyl delivery to Foster after investigative methods which included reviewing cellphone evidence and talking with witnesses. According to a release from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday’s office, witnesses saw Foster enter the victim’s apartment on May 7th, 2024, and leave a short time later. 911 was called after the victim became unconscious. First responders provided life-saving measures before transporting her to a hospital; however,  she never regained consciousness and died a week later on May 14th, 2024.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette acquired by Baltimore nonprofit Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism; will continue publishing

(File Photo: Source for Photo: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette logo is displayed on the newspaper’s Pittsburgh office Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will no longer cease publishing in May because it is being acquired by a nonprofit media group. Block Communications Inc. of Toledo, Ohio is the current owner of the paper and has operated the publication since 1927, but they announced back on January 7th that the 240-year-old newspaper will cease its operations on May 3rd. However, the newspaper announced today that Block Communications Inc., is selling it to the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, which is based in Baltimore, Maryland and is the publisher of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Baltimore Banner. The sale will go into effect on May 4th, which is the day after the paper was supposed to publish its final edition. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will be the second news organization that is operated by the nonprofit that founded the Baltimore Banner in 2022. Newsroom and local business leadership of the newspaper will remain in Pittsburgh, while its name will stay unchanged, and other functions will be combined with the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette started back in 1786, and it is the first newspaper to open west of the Allegheny Mountains. If it had closed, it would have left Pittsburgh as the nation’s largest community without a city-based paper. The terms of the deal are unknown at this time but according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it would continue to publish print editions on Thursday and Sunday.

Steven Pyecha (1950-2026)

Steven Pyecha, 75, of Center Township, passed away on April 13th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Health System – Beaver Campus. He was born in Pittsburgh on May 11th, 1950, the son of the late Stephen and Ruth Ann (Smith) Pyecha. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 31 years, Christine (Belkowski) Pyecha. He is survived by his three sons, David (Kalyn) Menges, Frank (Karla Forsythe) Menges, and Brian (Barbara) Menges, his grandchildren: Cody, Casey, Allison, Ashley, Sean, Dylan, Stacy, Penelope, and Landon; as well as his great-grandchildren: Alexander, Greyson, Brayden, Cecelia, Callum, and one on the way; along with a dear cousin, Virginia Voegler, his sister-in-law, Janet Maccrindle, a neighbor, Chris Kloss and his wife, and many friends.

Steven retired from Laborers Union Local 833 following many years of service as a business agent. He was most proud of his three sons and loved his late wife, Christine, endlessly. He was also a member of the New Brighton Eagles Club, Monaca Turners, as well as many other local social clubs. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing golf.

Friends will be received for a memorial visitation on Saturday, April 18th from 3 p.m. until the time of services at 5 p.m. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Steven’s name may be directed to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Amelia Rita DiCenso (Passed on April 12th, 2026)

Amelia Rita DiCenso, 85, of Monaca, passed away on April 12th, 2026, at her residence in Monaca. She was born in Pacentro di Aquileia, Italy, and came to the United States at the age of fifteen. She was a beloved daughter of the late Antonio and Rosa (Celeste) DiMatteo. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Anna Kozar and Lucia Troia. She is survived by her husband, Francesco DiCenso, her son, Frank DiCenso, her daughter, Anna Marie DiCenso and her three grandchildren, Dr. Madeline A. DiCenso (finance, Devan Durbin), Sophie M. Gaff and her husband, Creighton Gaff, and Ethan S. DiCenso, along with two brothers, Salvatore (Adelina) DiMatteo and Giovanni (Gemma) DiMatteo and numerous nieces and nephews.

On June 16th, 1962, Amelia was united in marriage to Francesco DiCenso at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca. Their marriage was a lifelong partnership marked by devotion, companionship, and shared commitment to family. She was a devoted homemaker whose greatest joy was caring for her family. Every Sunday, she made certain that her family gathered together for dinner, creating cherished memories around the table and strengthening the bonds that connected generations. Her homemade meatballs, sauce, wedding soup, and Italian cookies were beloved by all who were fortunate enough to enjoy them. She was a member of Mary, Queen of Saints Parish and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca. She lived a full and meaningful life, and her memory will remain a source of comfort and inspiration to her family and friends.

Friends will be received on Thursday, April 16th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a blessing service will be held on Friday, April 17th at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow in Beaver Cemetery Mausoleum, Buffalo Street, Beaver.

Norma Jean Lash (1934-2026)

Norma Jean Lash, 91, of Patterson Township, passed away on April 10th, 2026, at Quality Life Services in New Castle. She was born in Beaver Falls on November 8th, 1934, the daughter of the late Howard “Hud” and Margaret May Carlson Young. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John “Bob” Lash in August of 2024, and brother, Ronald Young. She is survived by her children, David (Rhonda) Lash and Bonnie (Tom) DeMaria, her grandchildren: Krysta, Jennifer, John and Jessica; as well as her great grandchildren, Hazel, Sawyer, Layla and Haven; along with her sisters-in-law, Karen Lash, Linda Smith and Fran Young and numerous nieces and nephews.

Norma met her husband, Bob, in elementary school, beginning a friendship that would span decades. Even as life took them in different directions: including her time at Junior College in California as their bond only grew stronger. They made their relationship official through heartfelt letters exchanged across the miles; a love story built on patience, friendship, and enduring affection. She had a gift for creating beauty with her hands. She loved making afghans, hooked rugs, and embroidery pieces, each one crafted with care and given with love. She was also known for sending greeting cards to family and friends: small gestures that made others feel remembered and cherished. Above all, she treasured time with her family. Visiting, talking, laughing, and simply being together brought her the greatest joy. Her presence was gentle but deeply felt, and her love will continue to live on in the people she held close.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a service will be held on Friday, April 17th, at 11 a.m.