Author: Beaver County Radio

Konnor Griffin has 4 hits as the Pirates rally past the Royals to reach .500

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Brandon Lowe, right, celebrates with Konnor Griffin (6) after hitting a two-run home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher Randy Dobnak during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin had four hits, Brandon Lowe hit his 32nd homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates surged past the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Friday night.

Pittsburgh churned out 15 hits against Kansas City to overcome an early four-run deficit to move back to .500 (77-77) in its bid for the franchise’s first winning season since 2018.

The 20-year-old Griffin, who missed two months with a left-hand injury that coincided with a summer swoon that saw the Pirates’ playoff hopes evaporate, posted the third four-hit game of his young career. His RBI single in the seventh off reliever Nate Pearson (2-2) capped a three-run rally.

Yohan Ramirez (7-4) retired all four batters he faced in relief to pick up the win. Gregory Soto worked the ninth for his 15th save, but just his first since Aug. 1.

Vinnie Pasquantino and Michael Massey homered for the Royals, but Kansas City couldn’t take advantage of a so-so performance by Pirates ace Paul Skenes.

The reigning NL Cy Young winner scuffled at times during his likely next-to-last start of the season. The 24-year-old right-hander was tagged for five runs in six innings with a walk and seven strikeouts but found a rhythm late, retiring nine of the final 10 batters he faced. Still, his ERA ticked up to 3.91, nearly double the 1.97 he posted a year ago while becoming the first Pirate to win pitching’s biggest award since 1992.

Kansas City starter Randy Dobnak, a Pittsburgh native, struggled in his second career start in his hometown. The 31-year-old allowed four runs on seven hits with two walks and a strikeout in 3 2/3 innings, his shortest outing since making his debut with the Royals in July.

Up next

The series continues Saturday. Noah Cameron (9-8, 3.84 ERA) was set to start for the Royals against Pittsburgh’s Bubba Chandler (8-9, 4.28).

Hopewell wins big against Central Valley

Story by Keith Walsh – Beaver Counry Radio. Published September 19, 2026

(Hopewell Township, Pa) On a beautiful night for football, the Central Valley Warriors took a trip down Brodhead Road to Tony Dorsett Stadium.

Hopewell kicked off to the Warriors and Noah Krawchyk ran the ball out to the 50 before Hopewell players got him down with a shoe string tackle.

Two plays later Braddock Ambrose threw the ball to Jackson Sullivan on third and long down to the 40. On fourth and long the Warriors dropped back and got sacked by a host of Hopewell players.

James Armstrong and the Vikings lined up and their first play was a twenty five yard pass play to Brody Rock followed by two runs by Wade. James Armstrong then takes it himself on a twenty yard romp into the endzone. The point was blocked, Hopewell 6 Warriors 0.

The stands were packed on both sidelines for the contest. Central Valley went to the run pass offense but had a hard time of getting a sustained drive.

In the second quarter the Vikings Wade made a nice run dodging would be tackles for twelve yards. Bokor caught a pass from Armstrong for 22 yards then after a fumble Central Valley took over on their 39.

Ambrose threw to Perri for a nice 20 yard Warriors play.

The Warriors moved the ball with Ambose scrambling down to the nine for a first and goal, Ethan Bosco took it into the endzone. Extra point failed.

First play of the third, Armstrong to Tre Cameron for twenty yards and Armstrong busted through the line for a thirty yard touchdown.

On the kickoff, Noah Krawchyk returned it out to the 28 then Ambrose hits Steel on a nice catch and run down to the 40.

A holding call set CV back and Brody Rock makes a table for a loss of 12 that forces a Warriors punt.

Vikings take over at the 31.

First play James Armstrong to Tre Cameron who made a great catch on a 44 yard pass then Armstrong hands off Nisser Wade who took it down to the seven yard line, then a hand off to Wade for the score, 27 for the Vikings and 6 for the Warriors.

The fourth quarter was more for the Vikings.

Final score Hopewell 34 Central Valley 6.

Scores From Across the Valley: 09/18/26

Friday, September 18, 2026:

               Pond-Lehocky Beaver County Radio Broadcast Game 

Central Valley
Hopewell

 6
34  Final
                        WPIAL Class 6A Quad County Conference      
Seneca Valley
Cannon-Mac		 8
28  Final
                        WPIAL Class 2A Mac Conference      
Neshannock
New Brighton		 44
6  Final
Freedom
Mohawk		 39
23  Final
Riverside
Western Beaver		 10
28  Final
                        WPIAL Class 2A Century Conference      
McGuffy
Quaker Valley		 48
9  Final
                        WPIAL Class 1A Big Seven Conference      
Cornell
Laurel		 6
48   Final
Shenango
Northgate		 30
22   Final
Southside
Union		 0
35   Final
Summit Academy
Rochester		 0
44   Final
                                              WPIAL Non-Conference      
Beaver
Beaver Falls		 27
28  Final/OT
Blackhawk
Ellwood City		 49
14  Final
Moon
Thomas Jefferson		 35
70  Final
New Castle
Avonworth		 14
34   Final
OLSH
Berlins-Brothers Valley		 0
16  Final
West Allegheny
Montour		 20
21 Final
West Mifflin
Ambridge		 27
0  Final
Shadyside Academy
Aliquippa		 8
49  Final

New amenity added to Ambridge Borough park, two sets of concrete cornhole boards

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Borough of Ambridge, Posted on Facebook on September 17th, 2026) 

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) Another recreational amenity was recently added to the Ambridge Borough Park, which is located on 1035 Breitenstein Road. 

Two sets of concrete cornhole boards were installed by the Ambridge Borough Public Works Department next to the fitness court of the park.

The Beaver County Realtor Association place making grant fully funded this project. 

The cornhole boards will be ready for public use after the grass of the surrounding area is planted.

Wampum woman arrested for DUI in Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported today that thirty-seven-year-old Krystal Rocco of Wampum was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol/controlled substances on August 18th.

According to police, Rocco was traveling north on State Route 168 in Hickory Township at 3:21 p.m. and then proceeded to make a left turn into the business at 2851 Eastbrook Volant Road, crossing into the oncoming lane of travel without properly checking for traffic.

This caused seventy-one-year-old Gale Gee of Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania to hit the vehicle of Rocco with his vehicle. 

Rocco suffered a possible injury but left the scene of the crash.

Gee stayed on the scene and was not injured.

Police found Rocco away from the scene and she was subsequently arrested for suspicion of DUI. 

Beaver Valley Artists meeting on new time and day; Ron Thurston first guest artist for BVA fall season

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Beaver Valley Artists)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Brighton, PA) The Beaver Valley Artists will now meet on a new time and day.

They will meet at the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton on Saturdays from 12 noon to 3 p.m., and the first meeting will be on Saturday, September 26th. 

The first guest artist for the Beaver Valley Artists’ fall season is Ron Thurston.  

Thurston recently won a 2nd place award in the National Watercolor Society’s International Exhibition, which will begin in October of 2026.

He has also won awards in juried annuals, which included the American Watercolor Society, The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and other national exhibitions.

He is also a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and is a past president of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society.

He is represented by Mark Rengers Gallery in Sewickley.

His painting called “Paint Escape” has been selected for the cover of the 49th edition of Art of Watercolor Magazine including an eight-page feature article.

Eugene Ostavitz (1949-2026)

Eugene Ostavitz, 76, passed away on September 6th, 2026at AHN Beaver Hospital. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio on September 18th, 1949, the son of the late Eugene and Helen Ostavitz. He is survived by his son, Jason (Amanda) Ostavitz, his grandchildren, Bryce, Tanner and Sophia, his sister, Deborah (Eddie) Dorbish, several nephews, great nephews and great nieces, special friends, Albert Dulovich and Ron Dorbish and all of his church family. Eugene worked as a carpenter for the majority of his career, which was a labor of love that he pursued with passion and dedication. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps. A memorial service will occur on Saturday, September 26th at 2 p.m. at Valley Christian Fellowship, 935 Wallace Drive, Rochester, with a luncheon to follow. Pastor Patti Elliott will be officiating the service. Professional services were entrusted to the CORLESS-MATTER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, LLC., 1133 Church Street, Ambridge.

PA License to Carry a Firearm Satellite Event Saturday in Pittsburgh

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) There will be a PA license to Carry a Firearm Satellite Event tomorrow. 

The location of this event is 1520 Roosevelt Road in Pittsburgh and it will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

People should bring $20 cash, a valid identification and a completed application to either get a new license or renew their existing one. 

These events in Ohio Township are part of the effort by Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus to bring government services to the local community and make it more convenient for people who can not get to the Allegheny County Courthouse during its normal working hours. 

Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.7 Percent in August of 2026, Lowest Level in Over Two Years

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) released its preliminary employment situation report for August of 2026 today.

The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was down two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.7 percent in August, which is the lowest rate since May of 2024.

The rate for unemployment in Pennsylvania was four-tenths of a percentage point below the unemployment rate in the United States, which was unchanged over the month at 4.1 percent.

The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania has declined by seven-tenths of a percentage point from its level of 4.4 percent in August of 2025.

The unemployment rate in the United States has declined two-tenths of a percentage point over the past 12 months.