Author: Beaver County Radio

Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Offer Maker’s Mark Calligraphy Program for Father’s Day Gifting

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Fine Wine and Good Spirits)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) recently announced that a professional calligrapher will be at select Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FW&GS) locations to personalize bottles of Maker’s Mark bourbon with custom messages in celebration of Father’s Day. This special program is combined with a curated tasting by a Maker’s Mark Diplomat, who will guide guests through the full Maker’s Mark portfolio and will share insights into what makes the bourbons that will be offered so exceptional. If you want to participate, you must be at least 21 years old.

According to a release from Fine Wine and Good Spirits, here are the products available for these events and the schedule for them:

  • Maker’s Mark Straight Bourbon (code 8454; now $29.99 – save $3)
  • Maker’s Mark 46 Straight Bourbon (code 3368; $39.99)
  • Maker’s Mark Straight Bourbon Cask Strength (code 97041; $46.99)
  • Maker’s Mark Private Select Straight Bourbon FWGS Exclusive Barrels (code 19698; now $69.99 – save $10)

FW&GS Premium Collection locations will host the events on the following dates:

  • Village Square, 5000 Oxford Drive, Bethel Park, on Friday, June 19, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Metroplex, 2426 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, on Friday, June 19, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Columbus Commons, 1940 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, on Saturday, June 20, from noon to 2:00 PM
  • Robinson Town Centre, 1106 Park Manor Boulevard, Pittsburgh, on Saturday, June 20, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Susan Jean (Davis) Emerick (1948-2026)

Susan Jean (Davis) Emerick, 77, of New Sewickley, passed away on Monday, June 8th, after a 7-month battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She was born on August 31st, 1948, a daughter of the late Howard Blair and Emma Jean Davis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Howard Blair Davis Jr (Juliann) and her sister and brother-in-law, Karen Irene Shultz (Nelson). She is survived by her husband, Carl M. Emerick, her stepmother, Dorothy Davis, her sisters, Catherine Louise Davis, Rebecca Lee Miller (Ron) and Margaret Alice Grafton (Barry), her children, Diana Lynn Nye (Donnie) and Georgia Ann Vargo (Louis), her grandchildren: Andy, Rosalyn, Heath, Niki, Courtney; as well as her great grandchildren: Kane, Frank, Koa, Stella, Keston, Goldie, and Lewis. She also had a special love for her dogs, Joe and Corky.

Susan graduated from Freedom Area High School with its class of 1966. She married Carl “Mac” Emerick, on July 15th, 1966, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rochester. Together they had two girls. She worked with Carl at Emerick’s Greenhouse for forty-three years. Over the years, they traveled to all but two of the fifty states. Susan loved to read, build puzzles, play Solitaire and Sudoku, as well as loved to bake. She was a Sunday School teacher for a number of years and was a great listener to other people’s troubles.

In accordance with her wishes, she will be cremated with no viewing. Arrangements have been entrusted to William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 13th, at 5 p.m. in Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rochester. All memorial contributions can be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 393 Adams Street Rochester, PA 1504, or the American Cancer Society in her name. Her family would like to give a special thank you to the Good Samaritan Hospice for their extraordinary care and comfort for Susan and the family.

Morcos Habib (1976-2026)

Morcos Habib, 50, of Gibsonia, passed away on June 9th, 2026. He was born on February 16th, 1976, a son of Wahballah Fathallah Habib and Nabila R. Kaldas. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his beloved wife, Sally Henein-Habib, his cherished children, Tiffany Habib and Matthew Habib, his brother, Moheb (Janet) Habib, his sister, Mary (Michael) Ghabour, his nephews, Fady, Marc, and Matthew, his niece, Sherry, his brothers-in-law, Maged (Brandy) Henein and Ramy Henein, as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Morcos dedicated his life to serving others through his faith, his family, and his medical profession. He attended medical school in Cairo, Egypt, and immigrated to the United States in 2005. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at UPMC McKeesport and went on to build a distinguished career in healthcare. He served as Head of Medical Services at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital before continuing his work with UPMC Partners in Health. Throughout his career, he was deeply respected by colleagues and beloved by the countless patients whose lives he touched with his compassion, dedication, and expertise. He was also a devoted member of St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Ambridge. He also faithfully served as a Deacon and was an active servant within the church community. He was especially loved by the children he taught in Sunday School and was admired by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His unwavering faith, kindness, and generous spirit left a lasting impact on his family, church, patients, and friends.

A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, June 12th, at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 12 noon at St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, 995 Melrose Avenue, Ambridge. Interment will follow at Mount Royal Cemetery, 2700 Mt Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Elaine H. Urda (1936-2026)

Elaine H. Urda, 89, of Ambridge, passed away on June 8th, 2026, at Allegheny General Hospital. She was born in Ambridge on December 14th, 1936, a daughter of the late Steven and Ann (Micochin) Herko. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leigh W. Urda. She is survived by two daughters, Laurie A. Urda and Deborah A. (William) Kopchick, two granddaughters, Emily A. and Mary Elizabeth Kopchick, a brother, David S. Herko and a sister, Nancy H. Pravlochak.

Elaine was a member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Ambridge. At church, she was a trustee and then a curator, and active with food preparation and sales, as well as various fundraisers and festivals. She was also a lifelong member of the Ambridge District Sportsman’s Association. She was passionate about music; especially the organ and piano. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, and absolutely loved spending time with them, her church family, friends and neighbors.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation on Saturday, June 13th, from 9 A.M. until the time of a service at 11 A.M., in St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 450 Glenwood Drive, Ambridge. Interment will follow, privately, in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 450 Glenwood Dr, Ambridge, PA 15003.

NASA unveils Artemis III astronauts to test technology for a future moon landing

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This undated photo provided by NASA Tuesday, June 9, 2026, shows the Artemis III crew including, from left, Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik and Frank Rubio, posing for an official portrait. (Bill Stafford/NASA via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — NASA on Tuesday revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission, the next step in the space agency’s plan to eventually land astronauts on the moon.

The announcement came two months after Artemis II’s record-breaking trip around the moon that surpassed the distance record of Apollo 13.

NASA’s Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas and the European Space Agency’s Luca Parmitano won’t fly to the moon or land on the surface. Instead, they’ll orbit Earth while practicing docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers.

“To the Artemis III crew, we wish you Godspeed on the journey ahead,” said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are racing to deliver the lunar landers. The two-week demo is targeted for 2027. Blue Origin suffered a recent setback when its massive rocket exploded during an engine-firing test on the launch pad in Florida, shaking nearby homes and illuminating the sky with an orange fireball.

NASA’s Jeremy Parsons said the setback is a learning opportunity and that the space agency is confident Blue Origin’s rocket will be ready in time.

NASA’s Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon’s surface for the first time since the 1970s. A recent revamp of the program announced by Isaacman aims to fast-track it similarly to the Apollo era, adding the upcoming spaceflight around Earth before eyeing a lunar landing in 2028.

“We are certainly humbled as a crew to be able to be your crew that executes this Artemis III mission in space,” said Bresnik, Artemis III commander.

Added Douglas, mission specialist: “My brain — it is going a mile a minute right now. But my heart, it is so warm. It is so full.”

In May, NASA awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to four companies, including Blue Origin, to build landers, rovers and drones for a future moon base. Isaacman said the goal of the moon base is to lay the foundation for a Mars expedition.

Injured Pirates rookie shortshop Konnor Griffin is hoping to start a throwing program soon

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin singles off Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley, driving in a run during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin’s right forearm strain is improving, and the 20-year-old is optimistic he’ll be back soon.

Griffin initially reported discomfort in his forearm after a loss to the Chicago Cubs on May 27. He appeared as a designated hitter over the next two games before going on the 10-day injured list on May 31.

The team thought his stay on the IL would be brief, though the timeline for his possible return was pushed back after the nature of the injury turned out to be a little more severe than the club anticipated. Griffin is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday but remains out indefinitely.

Griffin, who made his big league debut in early April as a teenager and quickly signed a nine-year deal with the team, was seen by multiple physicians. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said imaging of Griffin’s right (throwing) arm indicated the UCL was “stable.”

While Griffin indicated he hoped to start a throwing program as early as Wednesday, Tomczyk indicated any throwing activity won’t begin until Griffin meets with the medical team “in the coming days.”

Griffin, who turned 20 on April 24, was hitting .270 with four home runs, 22 RBIs and 14 stolen bases at the time of the injury.

“Just trying to take a little break and really make sure I don’t hurt myself worse and just take our time with it,” Griffin said in the Pittsburgh clubhouse before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s still middle of the season, so we’ve got some time to rehab and get back and be ready to roll towards the last half.”

Griffin, who pitched in high school before being drafted in the first round of the 2024 draft, said he’d never experienced any issues in his throwing arm before but made it a point to be proactive in bringing it to the attention of the club’s medical staff.

“I think we caught it at the right time, where I’m not going to have to miss the whole year,” he said. “I can just miss just a couple weeks and try to be back out there as soon as possible.”

Pittsburgh man charged for single-vehicle crash in Findlay Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Findlay Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported yesterday that a thirty-nine-year-old Pittsburgh man was charged after crashing his vehicle in Findlay Township on Saturday. According to police, Mouanes Alrifaie was fatigued while driving home from work on I-376 East at 8 a.m. He then left the road before eventually hitting a guide rail. There were no reported injuries. 

Aliquippa man arrested after driving in Aliquippa under the influence of alcohol

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that a sixty-seven-year-old Aliquippa man was arrested for driving under the influence in Aliquippa on April 23rd. Kevin Kimbrough was stopped by police on the 900 block of Sheffield Avenue after committing a vehicle violation at 1:54 a.m. and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

PUC Releases 2026 Summer Readiness Reports from Electric Utilities and PJM

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) released the 2026 Summer Readiness Overviews submitted by the Commonwealth’s major electric distribution companies (EDCs) and the regional electric grid operator, PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM) yesterday. The reports indicate that Pennsylvania’s electric utilities and PJM have completed extensive preparations for the summer season, including emergency response planning, infrastructure upgrades, storm hardening efforts, system maintenance and investments in technologies that are designed to improve reliability and resilience. 

Smoke seen coming from scrap yard outside of Enon Valley

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Enon Valley, PA) Firefighters were called to a scrap yard on Old Enon Unity Road outside of Enon Valley yesterday morning. Smoke was seen coming from the area and tankers were used to shuttle some water in. Firefighters worked for hours before the incident was resolved.