Author: Beaver County Radio

AAA: National Average Continues to Fall; Crude Oil Keeps Climbing

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $4.68 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a penny lower this week at $4.28.

This drop is fueled by the transition to winter-blend gas, which is cheaper to produce and it costs less for consumers.

However, crude oil prices that are high are preventing steep declines that are at the pump. Currently,

The price for a barrel of crude oil is currently more than $100 per barrel amid instability in the Strait of Hormuz.

This month is poised to set a record as the most expensive October ever in terms of gas prices after similar records set in August and September of 2026.

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:  

$4.462      Altoona
$4.780      Beaver
$4.643      Bradford
$4.486      Brookville
$4.774      Butler
$4.519      Clarion
$4.575      DuBois
$4.697      Erie
$4.726      Greensburg
$4.654      Indiana
$4.717      Jeannette
$4.669      Kittanning
$4.761      Latrobe
$4.682      Meadville
$4.686      Mercer
$4.704      New Castle
$4.710      New Kensington
$4.799      Oil City
$4.715      Pittsburgh
$4.662      Sharon
$4.770      Uniontown
$4.765      Warren
$4.656      Washington 

Governor Shapiro Signs Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Ban into Law, Delivering on Key Budget Address Promise and Ensuring Students Can Learn Without Distractions

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Governor Josh Shapiro’s Office, Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bucks County, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro visited Lenape Middle School in Bucks County today with legislators, educators, parents, and students to sign Senate Bill 1014 into law, which requires that all Pennsylvania public, charter, cyber charter, and private schools to adopt policies which prohibit students from using personal cell phones throughout the school day, including between classes and during lunch and recess.  

Now that this legislation is signed, Pennsylvania joins over two dozen other states in keeping devices out of the hands of students from the beginning of the school day until dismissal to help them engage with peers, focus and build social and emotional skills, which delivers on a priority that Governor Shapiro called for during his 2026-2027 Budget Address. 

Local races take center stage in November 3rd, 2026 election

(Credit for Photos: Photos Courtesy of KDKA)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Registered voters in Beaver County will cast their votes on November 3rd for the next governor in Pennsylvania, the representative for the 17th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and four legislators in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

The election for Pennsylvania Governor features the current governor of Pennsylvania and incumbent Josh Shapiro running on the Democratic ticket against current Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity running on the Republican ticket against Ken Krawchuk running on the Libertarian ticket.

Those three are joined by the respective candidates for Liutenant Governor of the state, Incumbent and current Pensylvania Lieutenant Austin Davis on the Democratic ticket, against Jason Richey on the Republican ticket, against John Thomas on the Libertarian ticket.

Incumbent Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) will face off against current Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy (R) for the spot to represent the 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.

The seat in the Senate’s 46th District is an election between incumbent Senator Camera Bartolotta (Republican) against Independent candidate Jodi Borello.

Beaver Falls native and Republican State Representative Roman Kozak and New Brighton native and Democrat Bradley Jacob “Jake” Young are seeking your votes to get the spot in the 14th Legislative District.

Brighton Township native and incumbent State Representative Joshua Kail (R) will go up against Democrat Sydney Speicher to seek your votes to get the spot in the 15th Legislative District.

Harmony Township native and Incumbent State Representative Robert Matzie (D) will go up against Center Township resident and Republican John Costanza to seek your votes to get the spot in the 16th Legislative District. John Costanza is also part of the ownership of Cesina’s Sausage Company in Aliquippa.

Critical Hours Episode 2: From Steel to Servers

“Critical Hours” is a radio show and podcast that discusses the ideas, movements, and moments reshaping our world, our communities, and our lives. Produced by the Catanzarite Studio LLC, with hosts Lauren Leonard and Stephen Catanzarite. Listen live Saturday mornings at 7.

Episode 2: “From Steel to Servers” with guest Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning

Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning joins “Critical Hours” to discuss whether Beaver County will shape the age of AI – or have it happen to us.

Steel built Beaver County. Now data centers, the physical infrastructure behind artificial intelligence, are arriving in western Pennsylvania. Lauren Leonard and Stephen Catanzarite talk with Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning about what the county got right and wrong in past transitions. They also ask what good data center policy looks like, what commissioners and other elected leaders actually control, and what the next generation of county leadership should know.

Part 1 (listen here):

Part 2 (Listen here):

Part 3 (Listen here):

Part 4 (Listen here):

Critical Hours

 

 

Eric Bauza, actor who voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other cartoon characters, dies at 46

(Credit for Photo: Eric Bauza attends the 2024 Entertainment Community Fund Gala at Marriott Marquis Theater in New York City, on April 8th, 2024. Photo Courtesy of Marleen Moise/WireImage/Getty Images)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Los Angeles, CA) Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning actor who voiced iconic “Looney Tunes” characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, passed away yesterday, according to his manager, Judy Coppage.

Bauza was 46 years old and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that his cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

He was born in Canada and his acting credits include “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “Bob’s Burgers,”  “Puss in Boots,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Teen Titans Go!” and “Woody Woodpecker.”

He also voiced characters that were in the most recent “Space Jam” film and had over 400 acting credits listed on his IMDb page.

Along with being the modern voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, he is credited with voicing other “Looney Tunes” characters such as Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Porky Pig, Road Runner and Tweety Bird.

Bauza was nominated for an Emmy in 2026 and he won Children’s and Family Emmy Awards in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

He was nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards from the years of 2016 to 2021.

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reaches third on NFL’s all-time passing touchdowns list

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass during an NFL football game against New Orleans Saints in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Paris, France) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning for third on the NFL’s all-time passing touchdowns list in the Steelers’ 16-10 win yesterday in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in France.

Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Steelers tight end Darnell Washington at Stade de France in Paris during the second quarter of that game to earn this achievement.

Rodgers now has 540 passing touchdowns in his NFL career.

Long John Silver’s Unveils Newly Rebuilt East Rochester Restaurant

(File Photo of the Long John Silvers Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(East Rochester, PA) Long John Silver’s announced today the reopening of its seafood quick-service restaurant at 750 Ohio River Boulevard in East Rochester.

This restaurant is open from Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Fridays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midnight.

It was rebuilt at its original location from the ground up.

This restaurant offers a setting for guests to enjoy the favorite meals that they love with chicken and seafood that is updated, which includes batter-dipped fish, chicken, hushpuppies, grilled salmon, shrimp, shrimp tacos and more.

The restaurant will feature a coastal-inspired interior that is along with digital menu boards, kiosks for self-order, and an updated layout which still includes seaworthy seating and ordering options that are personalized.

These enhancements create an environment that is more welcoming while supporting carryout, dine-in and mobile orders.

911 dispatchers classified as first responders under new Pennsylvania law

(Caption for Photo: Dispatchers take calls on Tuesday at the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services. (Credit for Photo: (Louis B. Ruediger, TribLive))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) 911 dispatchers in Pennsylvania are now classified as first responders, just like firefighters or police officers, thanks to a new state law.

This bill was passed in both chambers of the Pennsylvania House unanimously and it was signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on Friday.

The legislation is called House Bill 453 and it was introduced by Democratic State Representative Jessica Benham.

This law classifies 911 dispatchers and all telecommunicators from being considered as clerical workers or office clerks to first responders.

Patricia Ann Grimm (1941-2026)

Patricia Ann Grimm, 85, passed away on October 21st, 2026.

She was born a twin in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on September 23rd, 1941, a daughter of the late Daniel and Virginia (Lindsay) Davis of Ligonier. Her and her twin, Carol graduated from Ligonier High School in 1959 (having worked in their father’s Rexall Drug Store through high school years) then went to Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing (Presby) in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1962.

Patricia worked as a registered nurse for 40+ years including at: Presbyterian Hospital, Rochester General Hospital, Beaver County Red Cross Bloodmobile, the Medical Center of Beaver (retiring after 21 years as an Operating Room nurse), and worked 7 years at the Freedom School district as a substitute nurse. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Beaver, as a Deacon, an Elder, a member of Local Missions (fix-it brigade and Beaver County Jail book ministry) and Hodge Band (women’s service group). She also taught Sunday School. She loved people. She was known as “The Hugger” sharing hugs with all she met and driving a car with “Giv Hugs” license plate.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Allen E. Grim. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Jim) Ong of Fort White, Florida, her son, Robert (Jennifer) Thompson of Chicago, Illinois, her step-sons, Robert (Liz Shimkis) and Steven Grim of North Carolina, her step-daughter Barbara Caldwell of Georgia, eight grandchildren: Amanda (LJ) Levy, Megan (Nick) Ledet, Will and Andrew Thompson, Brian (Jacqueline) Ong, Nick Ong, Samuel and Matthew (KayDee) Caldwell; as well as her great grandchildren: Jack and Collins Levy, Stella and Lucy Ledet, Finn and Olivia Ong, a special niece, Cheryl Graves, and other nieces and nephews and many loving friends.

Friends will be received on Friday, October 30th from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, where a Funeral Service will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the luncheon at the church. Private interment will be the next day at Ligonier Valley Cemetery, 105 Nicely Road, Ligonier.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to, Hodge Band (C/O of First Presbyterian Church) College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009 or Pine Valley Bible Camp, 504 Chapel Drive, Ellwood City, PA 16117.

To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Anna Marie Brown Rader (1966-2026)

Anna Marie Brown Rader, 60, of New Galilee, passed away on October 22nd, 2026, at UPMC Passavant – McCandless, surrounded by her family and closest friends.

She was born in Beaver Falls on February 3rd, 1966.

Anna graduated from Lawrence County Vocational-Technical School in 1984, which was where she studied cosmetology. The most important things in Anna’s life were her Lord, Jesus Christ and her family. Her children and her Grandchildren were her whole world.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Les and Gladys (McCann) Brown of New Galilee, her brother, Dale Leo and her grandson, Ryan James Brown.

She is survived by her beloved children, Courtney Bales, Cody Rader, and Haley Hill, her cherished grandchildren: Taelor and Conner Brown, Kallan Bales, Keegan and Kalilah Rader; as well as her loving siblings: Charlie Brown, Lynda Balmer, Deanna Bowser, and David Brown; along with her best friends, Bud Hill Jr., father of Haley, Jodi Rader and Chris Tress, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 1st at 5 P.M. at Edgewood Church, 430 Edgewood Road, Beaver Falls.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to care for Anna Marie and her family during this difficult time, and was the funeral home that was in charge of her arrangements.

To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit the flower store of the Gabauer Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services by clicking here.