Author: Beaver County Radio

AAA: Gas Prices Stable in PA; National Average Still Rising

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are steady in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $3.96 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of gas $3.99, which is up four cents over the past week and over one dollar since last month. Crude oil prices are still high as the Iran conflict hits the four-week mark. The national average could reach $4/gallon in the coming days for the first time since August of 2022. Gasoline demand is also on the rise as spring break season continues, which is another factor in surging pump prices. The report states that the average price for a gallon of gas in Western Pennsylvania at this time a year ago was around $3.46 and the average price that you can expect for a gallon of regular unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $3.98. According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various Pennsylvania areas:

$3.986      Altoona
$3.975      Beaver
$3.994      Bradford
$3.734      Brookville
$3.987      Butler
$3.951      Clarion
$3.854      DuBois
$3.971      Erie
$3.956      Greensburg
$3.992      Indiana
$3.992      Jeannette
$3.996      Kittanning
$3.958      Latrobe
$3.978      Meadville
$3.996      Mercer
$3.948      New Castle
$3.970      New Kensington
$3.994      Oil City
$3.974      Pittsburgh
$3.877      Sharon
$3.956      Uniontown
$3.999      Warren
$3.985      Washington

Toronto, Ohio man crashes vehicle in North Sewickley Township; no charges filed

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(North Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that sixty-one-year-old Mark Preste of Toronto, Ohio crashed his vehicle in North Sewickley Township on Friday. Preste was driving on I-76 West when he moved too far to the right and hit the end of a guide rail at 6:25 a.m. He was not charged and there were no reported injuries.

Allegheny Health Network Announces Plans to Support Community Health and Safety during the 2026 NFL Draft

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny Health Network announced its comprehensive plans today to provide medical care and support for the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. That health system will deploy various care resources directly within the event footprint, while maintaining hospital readiness across its entire network. AHN Downtown Express Care will be open each day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, April 22nd through Saturday, April 25th. The walk-in clinic which is located at Highmark’s Penn Avenue Place will serve as a crucial first-response point for non-emergent medical needs, including common illnesses and injuries. During this time, patients with previously scheduled primary care appointments at the facility will have the option to instead utilize video visits.24/7 Virtual Urgent Care, which you can find more about by clicking here, is also available to both new and existing patients. The AHN Mobile Clinic will also be stationed in Market Square to offer first aid and address minor health concerns. Patients that require a higher level of care may be directed to the nearby AHN Downtown Express Care or a nearby emergency department. Physicians and nurses from AHN Prehospital Care and AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) will staff a medical fort near Acrisure Stadium to provide immediate medical support to draft visitors closer to the heart of the draft activities. Caregivers will maintain continuous communication with EMS units positioned inside the stadium and across the footprint of the draft for seamless care coordination. AHN officials will also operate a command center at Nova Place on the North Side of Pittsburgh to manage patient flow across care sites and help mitigate potential strain on the emergency department at nearby AGH. AGH is concurrently prepared to treat an influx of patients throughout the event as a Level I trauma center. AGH is also working with City of Pittsburgh and NFL officials to ensure that non-emergency patients have unencumbered access to the hospital for their scheduled medical appointments because large crowds and traffic restrictions are expected for the city’s North Side during draft week.

2026 Easter Bunny Hop and Shop hopping to Downtown New Brighton

(File Photo of a Sign in New Brighton)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Brighton, PA) Downtown New Brighton will host its free 2026 Easter Bunny Hop and Shop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 4th. Kids and their families will be able to take photos with the Easter Bunny in the Central Business District and the event will also have treats and Easter activities. Shops will also be open to sell their items with spring discounts available. Restaurants will also be open to serve meals for your family.

Six Pittsburgh-Area Defendants Charged with Hate Crime and Obstruction of Justice for Late-Night Antisemitic Attack on Jewish Male

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has charged six residents of the greater Pittsburgh area with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act,
obstructing justice, and conspiring to obstruct justice in relation to a September of 2024 attack on a Jewish male in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, The seven-count Indictment named these six individuals as defendants: twenty-seven-year-old Muhammed Koc of Pittsburgh, twenty-eight-year-old Omar Alshmari of Monroeville, twenty-two-year-old Abraham Choudhry of Monroeville, twenty-four-year-old Emirhan Arslan of McKees Rocks, nineteen-year-old Ali of Pittsburgh and twenty-two-year-old Adeel Piracha of Murrysville. According to the Indictment, on or about September 27th, 2024, at 2:01 a.m., the defendants except for Piracha were all part of a group that made virulent antisemitic statements to a passerby in Oakland upon seeing the individual’s necklace bearing a Star of David pendant. After a verbal
confrontation, during which additional antisemitic comments were made, Alshmari and Koc physically attacked the victim, which caused bodily injury that included physical pain, a split lip, and headaches. The Indictment charges Koc and Alshmari, aiding and abetting one another, with willfully causing bodily injury to the victim because of the individual’s actual and perceived race and religion.
Later that day, and throughout the following months, Piracha and the other defendants discussed the incident via social media messaging and group chats, during which Alshmari identified himself and Koc as two of the individuals listed in a University of Pittsburgh crime alert about the attack. In subsequent conversations by text messaging, both Alshmari and Koc admitted to being involved in the attack on the victim. The Indictment further alleges that the defendants conspired with one another to obstruct and did obstruct the due administration of justice regarding this crime by, for example, agreeing to falsely align their testimony about the attack and providing false and misleading information before the federal grand jury. Several defendants testified falsely as to whether they or others struck the victim, whether the attack was related to the victim’s Jewish identity and Star of David necklace, and whether
they had discussed with any others what to say to the grand jury, among other false statements. The defendants could face a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, provided by the law, for the hate crime and obstruction of justice counts. The defendants could face a maximum total sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, provided by the law, for the conspiracy to obstruct justice count.

Charges withdrawn from Aliquippa woman after she crashes her vehicle in Big Beaver Borough

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Big Beaver Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that charges were withdrawn from twenty-year-old Tessa Shaw of Aliquippa after she crashed her vehicle in Big Beaver Borough on March 16th, 2026. Shaw was driving on I-376 East and her vehicle began to slide on the snow-covered roads before she hit a grass embankment median off of the left side of the road at 8 p.m. She was transported from the scene because of a suspected minor injury. 

John “Jack” R. Porter Jr. (1956-2026)

John “Jack” R. Porter Jr., 70, of Independence Township, passed away on March 28th, 2026, at UPMC Mercy Hospital, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Pittsburgh on February 16th, 1956, the son of the late John R. Porter Sr. and Joan Ekas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Karen Porter, and his daughter, Rochelle Porter. He is survived by his loving son, John “J.J.” Porter (Gabriella Muoio), his aunt and uncle, Ed and Marie Kohar of Baden, his stepbrother, Brian (Kathy) Hans of Georgetown and his dear friends, Tony Blum, Carolyn Dunne, Valerie Tilson, and Michelle Pietrzak.He was also loved and remembered by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, along with numerous cousins and friends. Jack also had a special love for his pets: Troy, Crosby, Batman, Junior, and Betty Joe, who were truly part of his family.

John was a 1974 graduate of Moon High School, a 1976 graduate of Robert Morris University, and a 1977 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He faithfully served his community as a licensed funeral director for over 50 years, including 23 years at Derrick’s Funeral Home and 29 years at the John Syka Funeral Home Inc in Ambridge.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, April 1st from 2–4 P.M. and 6–8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. Family and friends will also meet on Thursday, April 2nd in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge, for a Funeral Service at 1:30 P.M. with Father Joe Carr officiating.  Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses at UPMC Mercy Hospital and his devoted traveling nurse Lea of Concordia Visiting Nurses. Finally, to all who provided care, comfort, and support during Jacks final journey.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John “Jack” R. Porter, please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Timothy Lee Sinclair (Passed on March 24th, 2026)

Timothy Lee Sinclair, 76, of Monaca, passed away on March 24th, 2026, at Park Center Rehab Center in Boardman, Ohio. He was the beloved son of the late Thomas and Virginia (Unrue) Sinclair. He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Robert “Whitey” Whitehouse, and his nephew, Ronald T. Nichol. He is survived by his devoted girlfriend of 20 years, Pamela Bukta Dereta, and by Pamela’s daughters, Stephanie and Natalie, along with her grandchildren, Ava, Gianna, Cali, and Chase. He is also survived by his sisters, JoAnn (Ron) Nichol and Sue (Ed) Phillips, who shared in a lifetime of family memories, love, and support. He was a cherished uncle to Richard (Liz) Nichol of California, Michael K. Nichol of Florida, Jodi (Brent) Haller of Monaca, and their children Brooke and Payton, Carri (Rob) Gamache of Bedford, New Hampshire and their children: Alexa, Kasey, and Zachary, and Gini (Bob) Baustart; as well as their children Sydney and grandson Madison, and Leighton. He also leaves behind many cousins from the McCoy and Solomon families, along with countless friends and neighbors who will remember him fondly. Tim took great pride in being a loving uncle, and he was known for never forgetting a birthday. His thoughtful tradition of giving lottery tickets to those he loved became one of the many small but meaningful ways he showed he cared.

Timothy graduated from Monaca High School with their Class of 1967 and was proud of his school years and especially enjoyed playing football, and along the way, gained the nickname of “Harry Sinclair.” Following high school, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he served honorably and earned a Bronze Star Medal among other awards and recognitions. After returning home from the war, he began working for St. Joe Lead as a pipefitter and plumber, a career he pursued with dedication and skill until his retirement at the age of 65. He was a well-respected member of the Monaca community, and his presence was one that many came to trust and appreciate. He was a lifelong member of the Monaca Turners and enjoyed participating in their golf and bowling leagues. He was also a member of the Rochester Elks and the VFW. He was something of a daredevil on a motorcycle, and he loved stereo equipment, animals, birds, the simple satisfaction of growing tomatoes and playing the daily number just as his dad, Thomas did.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 1st from 3 p.m. until the time of a service at 6 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of his arrangements. Interment will take place later with military honors at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville.

The family has suggested those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Tim’s memory to please consider the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Paulette “Polly” May (Kaercher) Lander (1944-2026)

Paulette “Polly” May (Kaercher) Lander, 81, of Independence Township, passed away on March 28th, 2026, at West Penn Hospital. She was born at West Penn Hospital on October 10th, 1944, a daughter of the late Howard Dustin Kaercher and Anna Mae (Roadman) Kaercher. She married the love of her life, Gerald Boise Lander, on May 9th, 1964. He also preceded her in death. They had three children: Kevin (Denise) Lander of Hookstown, Scott (Deb) Lander of Dover, and Marcy (Keith) Whiteman of Aliquippa. Kids were the apple of Polly’s eye especially her grandchildren: Dustin (Shayla) Lander, Kori Lander, and Dalton Lander, Zack (Tasia) Lander, Madison (Jesse) Tinnell, Kirstin Fink, Nick (Lexi) Fink, Collin Whiteman, Samantha Whiteman and Rob. However, her great grandchildren stole her heart forever: Easton and Enzlo Lander, Asher Lander, and Ellie Fink. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews, cousins, and many fabulous friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Diana Tibbetts and her in-laws: Benjamin and Irene Lander and Anna Mae, Grace, and Richard Lander. Polly worked as a dietician at West Penn Hospital. She was a homemaker until taking the position as the Library Aide at Independence Elementary School. She worked full time at Independence as the school secretary. She enjoyed spoiling her teachers, parents, and students. Polly was a member of Mt. Olivet Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, music leader to the children, Vacation Bible School Director, Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir, and bowled many years on the church league. Polly will be remembered for her loving, generous heart and her competitive nature. She loved playing card games especially Skip-Bo.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, March 31st, from 3-7 p.m. in the HUNTSMAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, INC. OF ALIQUIPPA, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa , who was in charge of her arrangements. A funeral service will also be held at the Mt. Olivet Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 4128 Route 151, Aliquippa, on Wednesday, April 1st, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Kevin Neal officiating. Interment will be private for the family.

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Mt Olivet EPC Memorial Fund, 4128 Rt 151, Aliquippa, PA 15001. Independence Elementary Library, 103 School Rd., Aliquippa, PA 15001. Mt Pleasant EPC Honduras Scholarship Fund, 846 St Rt18, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Kathleen “Joyce” Mesko (1939-2026)

Kathleen “Joyce” Mesko, 86, a lifelong resident of Ambridge, passed away on March 26th, 2026. She was born on July 2nd, 1939, the daughter of the late Michael and Rose (Rizzo) Notarianni. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Mesko, her daughter, Linda Mesko and her brother, Carl Notarianni. She is survived by her loving daughters, Lorie (Frank) Jeskey and Amy (Brian) Durbin, her brother, Jim Notarianni and her cherished grandchildren, Luke, Avery, and Eli, who affectionately called her “Nunni.”

Kathleen graduated from Ambridge High School with its Class of 1957. She had a special love for her dogs, especially Rosie and Ritzy. She treasured beach vacations with her family and enjoyed spending time on her porch, chatting with neighbors and passersby.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 30th, from 3-7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a Blessing Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, March 31st. Interment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.