(File Photo of the Shell Polymers Monaca Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Monaca, PA) Shell Polymers Monaca will be using their ground flares and elevated flare today because of an offline unit. They will provide an update once this activity is complete. If you have questions, you can call 844-776-5581.
(File Photo of a Dollar Sign)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver County, PA) Twenty-eight Beaver County municipalities and/or organizations recently received a total of $100,000 to plan activities and events that will make the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 something to remember. Beaver County Recreation and Tourism partnered with the America250 Beaver County Committee and the Beaver County Commissioners to award mini-grant funding to projects that “highlight community pride, creativity, heritage and civic engagement,” and the approved projects include community festivals, public art installations, educational programming, historical interpretation and placemaking enhancements, according to the awards announcement posted at the Beaver County America250 website.
These municipalities and organizations were also awarded America250 Beaver County mini-grants: Air Heritage Aviation Museum, Beaver County Library System, Beaver County Rehabilitation Center Inc., Beaver Valley Choral Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters Beaver County, Borough of Baden, Brighton Township Parks and Recreation Department, Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls; Chippewa Township, Community College of Beaver County, Conway Borough, Experiencing the ’40s at Hopewell Park, Freedom Borough, Gen. Anthony Wayne Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, Harmony Township, Laughlin Memorial Library, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, Monaca Community Development Corp., Monaca Public Library, Neighborhood North Museum of Play, New Brighton Historical Society, North Sewickley Township, Old Economy Village – Friends of Old Economy, Penn State University Extension (Beaver County), South Heights Borough, South Side Historical Village Association, the Beaver Cemetery and Mausoleum and the Larry Bruno Foundation.
Beaver County Radio
NEW SEWICKLEY TWP. — The Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival announced the musical lineup for the new event at the Big Knob Grange Fair.
On Saturday, April 18, James Tobin and the Dewey Decimators will entertain on the festival’s main stage from 9 to 11:30 a.m., with County Crew playing between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.
On Sunday, April 19, the HonkyTonk Heroes play from 9 to 11:30 a.m., with the Project Band performing from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The festival’s hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days.
Taking the reins this spring from the Beaver County Maple Syrup & Music Festival, which was canceled this year, the Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival will include a pancake breakfast with sausage and choice of drink, costing $16 for adults, $11 for kids ages 4–10.
Unlimited pancakes will come in buttermilk, buckwheat and gluten-free varieties, plus locally sourced sausage from Milkhouse Meats.
Along with the food and music, the festival offers local vendors, maple syrup sales, flour sales and a Kids Zone.
Parking will be on-site.
Big Knob Grange is at 336 Grange Road, New Sewickley Township, site of the grange’s annual summer fair.
(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Washington, D.C.) Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) recently sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to request a heightened federal security designation ahead of the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh. The Department of Homeland Security initially designated that draft as a Level 3 Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) event. Fetterman requested that the Department elevate it to a Level 2 SEAR event because of the changing threat environment in the wake of war in Iran. This designation would provide coordination and deployment of federal, state, and local law enforcement that are greater, as well as counter-drone support, K9 units, and intelligence analysis and sharing. Fetterman stated in the letter: “Increasing the SEAR designation for the draft will help ensure that additional resources are deployed to keep participants and fans secure and able to enjoy the draft without fear.”
(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that a seventeen-year-old girl from Monaca was not charged after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Lawrence County on April 1st, 2026. The female driver was traveling on State Route 18 at its intersection with Galilee Road at 2:32 p.m. and it was determined that while attempting to turn left onto State Route 18 from Galilee Road, she proceeded without clearance during a stop. The vehicle of twenty-six-year-old Kayla Amadio of New Castle hit the vehicle of the teenage driver even though she tried to avoid the collision. Amadio hit a guide rail with her vehicle and she was taken to UPMC Jameson Hospital for further evaluation because of an injury with an unknown severity. The teenage driver and her passenger were not injured.
(File Photo of a City of Beaver Falls Police Department Car)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver Falls, PA) Beaver Falls Chief of Police David Johnson sent out a press release this morning to provide an update about the shooting incident that occurred on Saturday which killed twenty-eight-year-old Stephon Peake. Officers were dispatched at approximately 9:21 p.m. to the area of 1327 8th Avenue and Peake was found shot to death on the front porch of his home. Johnson stated that Peake was found with multiple gunshot wounds, was treated on scene, and was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital in the Pittsburgh area where he later died. Johnson also confirmed that there is no indication of a current threat to the community and the incident is under investigation. Anyone that has information that is relevant to the investigation can call the City of Beaver Falls Police Department at 724-775-0880 or 724-846-7000.
Holden Bradley Eckman, 3, lovingly known as “Holdy B,” passed away unexpectedly on April 2nd, 2026, surrounded by so much love, all his music, and more importantly, his two favorite people, Mommy and Daddy. He was born on December 28th, 2022 and is survived by his parents, Sydney and Brad Eckman, his little brother, Maddox Eckman, his maternal grandparents, John and Melissa Kaercher, his paternal grandmother, Beth Tatko (Bill Parish); his paternal grandfather, Rick Eckman, his uncle and godfather, Jon Kaercher (Jacob Longerbeam), his godmother, Ryleigh Bauer (Shane Hopkins), his maternal great-grandparents, Ronnie and Jackie Golletti, his paternal great-grandfather, Bob Tatko, his aunt, Leeanna (Will) Norman, his great-aunts: Melanie Bauer, Maryann Angeline, Bobbi Naples, Kathy Alvarez, Sue Tatko, and Jessica Tatko; as well as his great-uncles, Ryan Bauer, Ed Angeline, Sam Naples, Joe Alvarez, and John Tatko; along with his “best babysitter,” Ms. Jeri; his nenny and pay-pay, and many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his baby brother; his maternal great-grandparents, John and Rae Kaercher; his paternal great-grandparents, Ralph and Lela Eckman, and his paternal great-grandmother, Marge Tatko.
Holden was the most loving, kind, and caring boy you could have ever met. He stole the hearts of everyone he met with his sweet spirit, joyful heart, comical personality, unforgettable smile and contagious laugh. Though his time here was far too short, he made a lasting impact on every life he touched. He was not dealt a fair chance at life, but he never let that stop him. He loved life more than anyone we know, and made sure to live every moment to the fullest. He never backed down and always going at his own speed and was truly unstoppable. Some of his favorite things included his bb’s, pad-pad, superheroes, dressing up in his costumes, being in his pj’s, his music, Play-Doh, playing outside at the park, baking brownies with Mommy, deer hunting with Daddy, being the best big brother to Maddox, buying a new toy every single day, Donald’s, rolls and dip, tea, popcorn, and slushies, the beach, adventures anywhere, shopping, playing with friends, snuggling, Halloween, The Grinch, and just being at his most favorite place–home.
Holden had a special way of bringing people together. Through his strength, joy, and pure love for life, he touched the lives of people he never even met and taught everyone around him so much about what truly matters: how to live fully, love deeply, and cherish every single moment. Holden will be deeply missed by all those who love him.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Friehling and Dr. Piper for their compassionate care during Holden’s initial AML diagnosis.
A heartfelt and profound thank you goes out to Dr. Randy for the love and dedication he showed to Holden over the last 15 months: for playing with him, caring for him, and most importantly, being by his side throughout his final day.
The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to all of the nurses and staff at Children’s Hospital, who became like family throughout this journey. Your compassion, love, and unwavering support will never be forgotten.
Holden’s love, laughter, and beautiful spirit will live on forever in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him and he will never be forgotten.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a Mass to celebrate the wonderful life of Holden on Tuesday, April 7th, at St. Felix Church, 450 13th Street, Freedom at 10 a.m. Following the Mass, all are invited to join the family for a luncheon at Holden’s favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse.
All arrangements have been entrusted to William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Holden’s name to the Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association, 3582 Brodhead Road #201, Monaca, PA 15061.
Avis Maxine Flick Watt, 96, of Beaver and Beaver Falls, passed away on April 3rd, 2026. She was born in Saxonburg on January 28th, 1930, a daughter of the late Walter and Elma Flick. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Merle Edwin Watt. They had a great life together being married 67 years until the time of his death. She was also preceded in death by her son, Edwin Lee Watt, her brothers and their spouses, Robert (Margie) Flick, Kenneth (Gertrude) Flick, her sisters and their spouses, Genevieve (Kenneth) Bauman and Pauline (Bud) Thurau and her sister-in-law, Amanda Flick. She is survived by her son, Alan (Sandra) Watt, of Smithville, Tennessee, her daughter-in-law, Janet Shaddick of Beaver, her former daughter-in-law Dixie Watt of Brentwood, Tennessee, her grandchildren: Bryan (Stephanie) Watt of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Amy Watt of Brentwood, Tennessee, Abby Watt (Patrick Woods) of Pittsburgh and Megan Watt (Jarred Gates) of Moon Township; as well as her great grandchildren, Ruby Ball, Oliver Watt, Phoenix Watt and Ramy Woods, her brother, Dale Flick and many nieces and nephews.
Avis was raised on a farm in Cherry Valley in Clinton Township of Butler County, PA. She was a bookkeeper for North Star Cheese in Bakerstown, Pennsylvania for many years. She and Merle moved to Beaver where she was a bookkeeper for Vanport Municipal Authority. She has been preparing for this day since an early age completely believing in the Christian Bible verse of John 14: 2-3 and 2 Timothy 4: 7-8. She was raised Presbyterian and over the course of her life she was a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Pastor Search Committee Member and greeter. She loved her church immensely. She maintained active with various Presbyterian churches as her health allowed. She was also a Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star and was an active member of the Tusca Ridge Garden Club. She enjoyed gardening, traveling and fishing on Lake Erie. She was someone that only looked for the good in people. She was also level headed and mild mannered. She’ll be in our hearts always.
The family is grateful to all the staff at Franciscan Manor for their care during the past 12 years.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7th from 6-8 p.m., at Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 3rd Street, Beaver, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a Funeral Service will be conducted on Wednesday, April 8th at 11 a.m.
Followed by burial at Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver.
Roger A. Baker, 63, of Brighton Township, passed away on April 2nd, 2026. He was born in Utica, New York on February 19th, 1962, a son of the late Robert and Ada Sue (Bicker) Baker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Bill Loughman.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Baker, his daughter, Delanie (Grant) Sills, his siblings, Robbee (Tom) Kosak, Ross (Adria) Baker and Randy Baker, his mother-in-law, Nancy Loughman, his sisters in law, Leigh (Gary) Majetic, Laurie (Karl) Ludwig and Lisa Loughman and many nieces and nephews.
Roger was a member of the Hopewell VFW post 8805. He retired from the Pittsburgh International Airport where he was an Air Traffic Controller.
There will be a celebration of life for Roger at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
(Credit for Photos: Headline Photo and Photos Below Courtesy of the Cranberry Artists Network)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Cranberry Township, PA) According to a recent release from the Cranberry Artists Network, Marian Sallade and Deb Letterie are their featured artists for the month of May 2026. Their art shows will be featured at that time at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. The hours for the CAN Art Gallery in the Cranberry Township Municipal Center are Mondays – Thursdays from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM., Fridays from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sallade confirms that landscapes are usually her central theme painting. Letterie states that she has experimented with mediums like oils and soft pastels.
