Author: Beaver County Radio

2026 Pirates break all-time franchise strikeout record

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates broke an all-time single-season franchise record for strikeouts in their game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park yesterday.

Pirates pitcher Lake Bachar’s strikeout of Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson in the first inning of that game broke the record and put their strikeout total at that time to 1,444.

The Pirates have 1,453 strikeouts with 4 games to go before the end of their 2026 regular season. 

Three Ambridge Borough police officers promoted

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Ambridge Borough Police Department, Posted on Facebook on September 22nd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge Borough, PA) The Ambridge Borough Police Department recognized the recent promotions of three police officers. 

According to a Facebook post on Tuesday from that department, Alfred Bialik was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Joshua Causer was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and Anthony Phan was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. 

They will continue to serve and protect their borough in their new positions.

Crash occurs in New Sewickley Township involving pipe/bar; no charges filed

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported yesterday that no charges were filed after police responded to a crash in New Sewickley Township on September 17th.

The two drivers involved in this crash were driving on I-76 West on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

According to police, forty-four-year-old Matthew Lents of Fredericksburg, Virginia alleges that a pipe/bar fell from the vehicle driven by sixty-two-year-old Gary Savage of Goffstown, New Hampshire and hit the windshield and roof of Savage’s vehicle.

Lents noted that this caused his vehicle’s windshield’s right side to shatter, which caused a minor injury to forty-eight-year-old Tiffany Lents of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Lents tried to get the attention of Savage after the pipe/bar hit his vehicle, and when Savage did not respond, Lents notified authorities.

Savage kept going west on the turnpike in his vehicle. Police contacted Savage and he told them that it could not have come from his truck and that he does not ever have a pipe/bar object on his truck. 

Southbound Interstate 79 Weekend-long Restrictions Begin Friday Night in Allegheny County

(File Photo of a Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that weekend-long restrictions on southbound Interstate 79 in Robinson and Kennedy townships in Allegheny County will occur from tomorrow through Monday, September 28th, weather permitting. 

From 7 P.M. tomorrow continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday, southbound I-79 will be reduced to a single-lane of traffic between approximately one-half mile north of the Route 60 Moon Run/Crafton (Exit 60 A/B) and the I-376 Airport/Pittsburgh (Exit 59 A/B) interchanges to accommodate patching operations. If the work is completed sooner, these restrictions could be lifted earlier. 

Matthew Liberatore pitches Cardinals to 5-1 victory that halts Pirates’ 5-game winning streak

(File Photo: Source for Photo: St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Matthew Liberatore ended an 11-start winless stretch and Alec Burleson got his major league-best 112th RBI as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday night.

Liberatore (6-14) gave up one run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and no walks. His previous win came on July 11 against Atlanta in the left-hander’s last start before the All-Star break. Liberatore had lost eight straight decisions.

Burleson singled in the first run in a three-run third that put the Cardinals ahead 3-1. Iván Herrera scored on a wild pitch and Leo Bernal hit an RBI single.

Masyn Winn doubled home a run and scored on JJ Wetherholt’s single in the fourth to stretch the lead to 5-1. Wetherholt had three hits and José Fermín added two.

The Pirates’ five-game winning streak ended. It matched their longest of the season.

Brandon Lowe accounted for the Pirates’ lone run when he led off the second inning with his team-leading 34th homer, his first of two hits. Ryan O’Hearn had two doubles.

Brandon Eisert (3-3) retired just two of the five betters he faced and was charged with three runs in relief of opener Lake Bachar.

St. Louis (77-81) must win its final four games to avoid its first consecutive losing seasons since 1958 and ’59. Pittsburgh (80-78) needs to at least split its last four games to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2018.

Up next

The rubber match of the three game-series is Thursday, with St. Louis RHP Kyle Leahy (10-5, 3.65 ERA) facing 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (10-11, 3.91).

Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 835 in 39 Counties, Surpasses 5,000 MMR Vaccine Doses Given at Pop-Up Clinics

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This undated image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Feb. 4, 2015, shows an electron microscope image of a measles virus particle. (Cynthia Goldsmith/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, via AP, File) (JEFFERSON COUNTY, PA-AP))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday that 835 measles cases have been confirmed across 39 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to lead the robust response in Pennsylvania to the ongoing outbreak of measles and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, deaths and hospitalizations available on their measles dashboard at pa.gov/measles (click here to learn more.)

According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, here are the key updates that they include and more information about measles and how to treat it: 

  • New Positive Cases (since September 21, 2026): 43 
  • Total Counties: 39 
  • Total Cumulative Cases: 835 
  • Total Hospitalizations: 164 
  • Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 4 
  • Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases) 

Outreach and Response

  • DOH is proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the Commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
  • State health officials have administered nearly 5,200 MMR vaccinations at 156 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. Overall, state health center staff have administered more than 7,700 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026.
  • Health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In August 2026, more than 49,000 MMR vaccines were administered across the Commonwealth and over the first three weeks of September 2026, more than 38,000 doses have been administered.

Getting Vaccinated

  • The best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection. People who have two documented doses of MMR do not need another. Adults who have only one dose, or who cannot find their vaccination records, should talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about getting vaccinated.
  • Residents interested in getting vaccinated should contact their trusted health care provider.
  • MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

Measles Symptoms and Transmission

  • Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.
  • Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.
  • Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure.
  • People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

Mc Donald’s High School Football Preview for 9/24 and 9/25/26

By Frank Sparks, Beaver County Radio

(Brighton Twp, Beaver County, Pa.) It’s time to take our weekly trip around the area and look at this week’s high school football games involving Beaver County and Beaver Valley teams. This week’s football preview is brought to you by McDonald’s.

As always, we start with the Pond Lehocky Game of the Week on Beaver County Radio.

AVONWORTH AT BEAVER

The Avonworth Antelopes make the trip to Pat Tarquinio Field to take on the Beaver Bobcats Friday night.

Avonworth comes into this one at 3-and-1 and has won three straight since opening the season with a loss to Hopewell.

Beaver comes in at 1-and-3, but don’t let that record fool you. The Bobcats have played a tough schedule and are coming off an absolute heartbreaker against Beaver Falls, falling 28-to-27.

Beaver has shown it can put points on the board, but Avonworth has been rolling since Week Zero.

FRANK’S PICK: AVONWORTH 31 — BEAVER 27.

We’ll have the Pond Lehocky Game of the Week for you Friday night on Beaver County Radio. Pregame coverage starts at 6:30, with kickoff at 7:00.

BEAVER FALLS AT FREEDOM

This might be one of the most intriguing games of the night.

Beaver Falls travels to Freedom for the opening of Midwestern Athletic Conference play. Freedom has been one of the great stories of the young season, while Beaver Falls comes in riding the momentum of that dramatic one-point victory over Beaver.

This could be a shootout.

FRANK’S PICK: FREEDOM 34 — BEAVER FALLS 28.

WESTERN BEAVER AT HOPEWELL

Western Beaver picked up its first victory last week, beating Riverside 28-to-10, while Hopewell made a major statement with a 34-to-6 victory over Central Valley.

Western Beaver is 1-and-3, while Hopewell enters at 3-and-1. The Vikings have also been tough at Tony Dorsett Stadium.

FRANK’S PICK: HOPEWELL 35 — WESTERN BEAVER 14.

SHALER AT BLACKHAWK

Blackhawk has been one of the hottest teams in the Beaver Valley.

The Cougars are 4-and-0 and have scored 188 points in their first four games — that’s 47 points a game.

Until somebody figures out how to slow down that Blackhawk offense, I’m sticking with the Cougars.

FRANK’S PICK: BLACKHAWK 42 — SHALER 21.

HAMPTON AT CENTRAL VALLEY

Central Valley looks to bounce back after last week’s loss to Hopewell.

The Warriors are 2-and-2 and return home to face Hampton. Central Valley has shown the ability to both run and throw the football, and I expect a better performance from the Warriors this week.

FRANK’S PICK: CENTRAL VALLEY 28 — HAMPTON 20.

NEW BRIGHTON AT RIVERSIDE

New Brighton heads to Riverside in Midwestern Conference action.

Both teams are looking for a bounce-back performance after losses last week.

FRANK’S PICK: RIVERSIDE 27 — NEW BRIGHTON 14.

ROCHESTER AT SHENANGO

The Rochester Rams travel to Shenango in the Big Seven Conference.

I think this could be one of the tighter games on Friday night’s schedule.

FRANK’S PICK: SHENANGO 27 — ROCHESTER 21.

NORTHGATE AT SOUTH SIDE

South Side is still looking to break into the win column, but the Rams face a Northgate team that has shown it can move the football.

FRANK’S PICK: NORTHGATE 28 — SOUTH SIDE 14.

GROVE CITY AT AMBRIDGE

Ambridge gets Grove City at home Friday night.

The Bridgers have had an up-and-down start to the season, and home field should help, but I’m giving the visitors the edge.

FRANK’S PICK: GROVE CITY 28 — AMBRIDGE 20.

PROPEL-IMANI VS. OLSH

OLSH takes on Propel-Imani at Quaker Valley High School.

The Chargers are trying to get their season turned around, but this looks like another difficult matchup.

FRANK’S PICK: PROPEL-IMANI 30 — OLSH 20.

THURSDAY NIGHT — ALIQUIPPA AT NEW CASTLE

And don’t forget, the football weekend actually gets started Thursday night when Aliquippa travels to New Castle.

The Quips bounced back in a big way last week with a 49-to-8 win over Shady Side Academy.

FRANK’S PICK: ALIQUIPPA 35 — NEW CASTLE 20.

AROUND THE VALLEY

And if we have a little time, here are the rest of this week’s games.

MOON AT WEST ALLEGHENY — an old rivalry gets renewed at West Allegheny. I’m expecting a competitive one.

FRANK’S PICK: WEST ALLEGHENY 27 — MOON 24.

UNION AT CORNELL — Cornell gets Union at home in a Big Seven matchup.

FRANK’S PICK: UNION 34 — CORNELL 14.

ELLWOOD CITY AT SHADY SIDE ACADEMY — Ellwood City is looking for its first victory after an 0-and-4 start. Shady Side Academy is 2-and-2 after losses to Bishop Canevin and Aliquippa the last two weeks.

FRANK’S PICK: SHADY SIDE ACADEMY 31 — ELLWOOD CITY 14.

And finally, QUAKER VALLEY AT KEYSTONE OAKS.

The Quakers head out on the road Friday night looking to get things going against Keystone Oaks.

FRANK’S PICK: KEYSTONE OAKS 28 — QUAKER VALLEY 14.

And those are my picks for another big weekend of high school football around Beaver County and the Beaver Valley.

Our spotlight Friday night is at Pat Tarquinio Field in Beaver for the Pond Lehocky Game of the Week — Avonworth at Beaver.

Pregame coverage begins at 6:30, with kickoff at 7:00, on 99.3 and 95.7 FM, 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and beavercountyradio.com, plus our live video stream on Facebook and YouTube.

Get out and support your local team this Friday night!

That’s your McDonald’s Beaver County High School Football Preview.

McDonald’s — I’m Lovin’ It!

Achortown Road closure update discussed at Commissioners’ work session

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at today’s Beaver County Commissioners’ work session at the County Courthouse.

One of them was an update on the possible reopening of Achortown Road in Beaver Falls, which has been closed in Beaver Falls since 2018.

Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp informed the audience of a program at the Commissioenrs’ work session on August 5th that is called “The Takeback Program.”

The state of Pennsylvania has money to fix Achortown Road, but if the Commissioners apply for “The Takeback Program,” the state can fix it and then turn it back to the county.

However, the Commissioners will be working with Representative Kail in terms of Achortown Road as well.

Commissioner Jack Manning also praised the fact that Wildwood Road, which was previously closed since April 5th, 2025, has reopened.

County Solicitor Garen Fedeles mentioned that the mail-in ballots for the upcoming November 3rd general election should be mailed out next week.

Fedeles also went over some highlights of local resolutions for tomorrow, and these included most of them for Beaver County Behavioral Health, medical assistant transportation program for the Beaver County Transit Authority, and an LSA grant for the Neighborhood North Museum of Play.

The final resolution had to deal with St. Cecilia Church in Rochester and the possible transformation to senior care apartments, which are living facilities that is low-income.

Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp stated that this project in Rochester has been in the process for “five years or so.”

Fedeles also let the audience know that the Commissioners were presented with a propsed ordinace last week that regarded non-disclosure agreements.

According to Fedeles, “The request essentially was for the county to pass an ordinance that would require both elected officials and employees to not sign any type of non-disclosure agreement.”

Fedeles does not believe that the County Board of Commissioners can sign an ordinance that otherwise would prohibit what elected officials choose and choose not to say or do in their office or role.

This specifically dealt with data centers for its purpose, and Fedeles noted that the Board of Commissioners have stated “numerous” times, data centers do not have any oversight by Beaver County itself.

For example, Fedeles confirmed that water would be handled through the authority that is local and the use of land would be handled through the municipality that is local, and even the type regulations for electricity/power use would not be handled at the county level.

Therefore, Fedeles affirmed that the county itself is not on the front lines of being involved with or approving the recruitment of data centers.

Beaver Falls woman charged after two-vehicle crash in Shippingport Borough

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Shippingport Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported today that sixty-five-year-old Patricia Amati-Scavo of Beaver Falls was charged after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Shippingport Borough on September 9th.

Amati-Scavo and thirty-seven-year-old Farran McBride of Hookstown were driving in opposite directions on State Route 168 at 5:07 p.m.

Amati-Scavo made a turn that was unsafe onto the Shippingport Bridge and crossed in front of McBride’s vehicle, which caused McBride to hit Amati-Scavo’s vehicle with her vehicle.

Both drivers were transported for evaluation of their injuries that they suffered during the crash.

Crescent man charged after two-vehicle crash in Independence Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Independence Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported today that twenty-two-year-old Daniel Fowkes of Crescent was charged after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Independence Township on September 18th.

According to police, the crash occurred in the area of 288 Longs Run Road at 3:32 p.m.

Fowkes was driving east on Longs Run Road, and he looked down at the gas pedal when he was driving.

Fowkes veered into the oncoming traffic lane and hit the vehicle that was driven by seventy-four-year-old Samuel Cercone of Aliquippa.

There were no reported injuries.