Author: Beaver County Radio

Pittsburgh-area contractor found guilty on thirteen counts of violating federal fraud and tax laws by defrauding the Defense Logistics Agency

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A federal jury has recently found a Pittsburgh-area defense contractor guilty on 13 counts of violating federal fraud and tax laws. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, 75-year-old Donald Smith was found guilty of eight charges of wire fraud and five counts of failing to file a corporate tax return. Evidence showed that from 2019 to 2023, Smith underwent a process that defrauded the Defense Logistics Agency. That is the department that provides material to every branch of the U.S. military. Smith presented products to the agency and charged payments of over $1 million dollars, but the products were not what he promised or described. Smith also failed to file corporate tax returns reporting any of the payments his company received during that time on top of the scheme he planned. Smith is facing a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000 for the wire fraud counts and in regards to the tax violations, he is facing up to a year in jail on each count or a fine of no more than $100,000 or twice the gain from the offense. He will be sentenced at a later date.  

Enjoy Free Admission to Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on March 20th to Celebrate the #1 Children’s Museum in the Country on Fred Rogers’ Birthday

(File Photo: Source for Photo: 393868 02: (File Photo) Fred Rogers, The Host Of The Children’s Television Series, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Rests His Arms On A Small Trolley In This Promotional Portrait From The 1980’s. “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” Will Broadcast It’s Last New Episode August 31, 2001 It Was Announced August 30 In A Statement By Rogers From Nantucket, Ma. Rogers Has Been Broadcasting His Gentle Entertainment To Children For Thirty-Four Years. (Photo By Getty Images)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will offer free admission for all guests on Friday, March 20th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate it being named the number one children’s museum in the United States by the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. March 20th is also the birthday of the late television personality and minister, Fred Rogers, who is featured in some exhibits and programs at that museum. Those exhibits are part of the reason that the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh earned the nod from USA Today for the best children’s museum in the country. You can visit pittsburghkids.org for more information on its admission, hours and more. 

Winning $1 million Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off ticket sold at a gas station in Pittsburgh

(Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A scratch-off lottery ticket recently revealed a prize of $1 million for a big winner in the city of Pittsburgh who played the “$1,000,000 Winnings” game. According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, the winning ticket was sold at the GetGo convenience store on East Carson Street in the South Side. That store will get a $5,000 bonus for selling this winning ticket. Winners are advised to sign the back of their ticket immediately and call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 1-800-692-7481. The “$1,000,000 Winnings” game costs $20 to play, and it offers top prizes of $1 million. 

Sheetz Aims to Hire 500 Employees in Pennsylvania Through Upcoming Hiring Events

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Sheetz)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Altoona, PA) Sheetz announced today its immediate plans to hire 500 employees in Pennsylvania. Sheetz will be hosting hiring events with on-the-spot interviews on Wednesday, March 25th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time at each of its 315 Pennsylvania locations. According to a release in Altoona from Sheetz, they are focused on hiring for the following key roles across its Pennsylvania stores:

  • Store Team Members: Prepare Made-to-Order® food in the kitchen, provide Total Customer Focus at the register, and maintain store cleanliness.
  • Supervisors: Prioritize in-store tasks, delegate effectively, and foster a positive work culture.
  • Assistant Managers: Lead and manage day-to-day store operations in the manager’s absence, ensure fully staffed stores, and foster positive relationships with employees and the community.

Candidates that are interested in attending a hiring event will need to apply for a store position online at jobs.sheetz.com before arriving. Once inside the store, individuals can scan the QR code that is provided by Sheetz to sign in and then check in at the cash register. Once they are checked in, candidates may enjoy a complimentary soda and take a seat while they await their interview. Sheetz is looking for people who bring some energy and thrive in environments that are fast-paced, where no two shifts are the same. Ideal candidates tackle their challenges head-on, stay positive during the times that are busy, and genuinely care about their customers, community and team.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will return to the lineup three weeks after being put on the injured reserve for injury he suffered at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, left, celebrates his second goal of the first period with Rickard Rakell during an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse confirmed today that when the Penguins take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh, their captain Sidney Crosby will be back in the lineup. The thirty-eight-year-old center suffered an injury in a quarterfinal men’s ice hockey game between Canada and Czechia at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy on February 18th, 2026. The right leg of Crosby appeared to buckle when Czechia defenseman Radko Gudas hit him in the second period of that game. Crosby was put on the injured reserve three weeks ago. 

State Representative Josh Kail presents new Eagle Scout with an official Pennsylvania House citation for work on Eagle Scout restoration project

(Photo Courtesy of State Representative Josh Kail)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(McGuffey, PA) State Representative Josh Kail recently presented Benjamin Michael Piatt of Troop 1103 with an official House citation in Pennsylvania to commemorate his dedication, hard work and leadership. Piatt earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and his Eagle Scout project consisted of restoring the McGuffey Park Flag Area. This project will assist his community by enhancing that patriotic and meaningful space for the residents to enjoy. Kail also thanked Piatt for making a difference in a post on Facebook today.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching rated by broadcaster Joe Block

Joe Block returned to Beaver County Radio airwaves on Wednesday, fielding questions about the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff.

Is Mitch Keller primed for a bounce-back season? Has the relief pitching corps solidified?

Here’s what Block, one of the Pirates’ broadcasters, had to say:

Block will be back on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show at 7:40 a.m. Friday and Monday, chatting with host Scott Tady.

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Jeanette L. Tuffie (Passed on March 15th, 2026)

Jeanette L. Tuffie, 82, passed away peacefully on March 15th, 2026. She was born in Frostburg, Maryland. She spent the majority of her life in Monaca and most recently made her home in Center Township, Pennsylvania. She was a loving daughter of the late Charles Dyche and Thelma Dyche Shriner. Her family’s roots in Monaca stretched back to 1953. She is survived by her devoted husband, August J. “Buzz” Tuffie and their union began on March 14th, 1964, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca. Even though she was preceded in death by her son, Trent Tuffie, Jeanette’s spirit lives on through her son, Dean Tuffie and her daughter and son-in-law, Lainie and Benjamin Liptak. Her joy was multiplied with the arrival of her grandchildren, Trent and P.J. Liptak. She is also survived by her caring sister, Donna Michael, and her brother, John (Patty) Shriner.

Jeanette was a proud graduate of Monaca High School, class of 1962. Her professional journey was marked by a notable tenure as the Director of Activities for Providence Health and Rehabiliation Center in Beaver Falls. She was a longtime member of the Monaca Junior Women’s Club and St. John’s School PTA while her children were students there. Her service extended to the Beaver County Council of Governments and she also held numerous offices with the American Heart Association, demonstrating her commitment to the well-being of others. As we mourn the loss of Jeanette L. Tuffie, we also celebrate a life lived with purpose, joy, and an abundance of love.

Friends will be received on Saturday, March 21st from 12 noon until 3 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Edward C. Dambach (1949-2026)

Edward C. Dambach, 76, of Chippewa Township, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on March 16th, 2026, at Danbury Hudson Assisted Living in Hudson, Ohio. He was born in New Castle on December 4th, 1949. He is survived by his mother, Marian Dambach, his daughter and son-in-law, Gretchen and Steven Fritsch, his granddaughters, Hallie and Adrienne “Addy” Fritsch, his sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Thomas Bishop, his brother-in-law, Carl Hillard, his nieces and nephews including: Kimberly (Kirk) Haberman, Timothy (Anna) Bishop, Robyn Mullin, Abigail (Nathan) Donolo, Allison (Ryan) Boyles; as well as his several great nieces and nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Dean Dambach, his wife, Diana Dambach, and infant brother, Gary Dambach.

Edward graduated from Laurel High School in 1967. He then went on to graduate from Westminster College in 1971 and received his Master’s degree from Westminster in 1976. He taught mathematics at Blackhawk High School for 35 years and at Geneva College for 40 years. He received multiple distinguished teaching awards throughout his careers. He was passionate about education and authored two math textbooks that are still used at Geneva College today. He also served on the Noyse Grant program that contributed to enriching the abilities of STEM teachers. In his spare time, he was an avid golfer who enjoyed refinishing furniture and tutoring many math students. He was incredibly active in his community and church serving on multiple boards. He lived a life of warmth, kindness and an unwavering devotion to the people around him and he treasured time with family and friends. A visitation will occur on Thursday, March 19th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge in his arrangements. A funeral service will also be held on Friday, March 20th at 11 a.m. at Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls. A procession will follow to Sylvania Hills Mausoleum, 273 PA-68, Rochester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Edward C. Dambach Funded Scholarship at Geneva College or the Multiple Myeloma Program at The Cleveland Clinic.

Pittsburgh native and Indiana University football head coach Curt Cignetti will drive the honorary pace car at the 2026 Indianapolis 500

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds the trophy after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh native Curt Cignetti will drive the honorary pace car this year at the Indianapolis 500. Cignetti is the head coach of Indiana University’s college football team, and he led the Hoosiers to their first college football national championship on January 19th, 2026 in Miami. Race organizers made the announcement last night during the World Baseball Classic championship game, which was also held in Miami. Cignetti will drive a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, which is touted as the most advanced Corvette ever made, at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 24th.