Upcoming animal diagnostic lab at Penn State Beaver and expansion of Penn State Beaver among topics discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session for September 17th, 2025

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) The upcoming animal diagnostic lab at Penn State Beaver in Monaca and the expansion of Penn State Beaver were among the topics discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning in Beaver. Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning noted in the section of the session where the Beaver County Commissioners have information they would like to share that there was a yearly Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development meeting on Monday, September 15th, 2025 at Penn State Beaver. The new director of the upcoming animal diagnostic lab at Penn State Beaver was present at that meeting and Manning stated that the animal diagnostic lab there will open in “about a week or so” to provide testing for animals and to provide farming for the Beaver County region, while Penn State Beaver will expand things there including their curriculum and veterinary services. After a $6 million investment was given from the administration of Governor Josh Shapiro towards the expansion of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System for this new animal diagnostic lab at Penn State Beaver, this lab is the fourth animal diagnostic lab in Pennsylvania, joining the ones at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, Penn State’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory in University Park and the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Kennett Square. Manning also noted that testing in this lab could help to find out what occurred “in the wake of the Norfolk Southern train derailment,” which occurred in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3rd, 2023. In other business, Manning wanted to extend a congratulations to the twenty-seven graduates of the Beaver County Firefighters’ Academy who graduated on Saturday, September 13th, 2025. Two upcoming events that were mentioned during the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning were the free Sea, Air, Land, Space Military Exposition on Saturday, September 20th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Beaver County Airport in Beaver Falls to see and experience a presentation of military equipment which was mentioned by Manning and a fall festival in Midland on the nights of Friday, September 19th, 2025 and Saturday, September 20th, 2025 with fall fun and food which was mentioned by Beaver County Controller Maria Longo. Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Director Tony Caltury also said in the Department Head Report session of the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning that Brady’s Run Road in Beaver County will be closed on Saturday, September 20th, 2025 from 6 a.m. until around 2:30 p.m., because the Beaver County Collegiate Triathlon will be held at Brady’s Run Park in Beaver Falls that day during that time where athletes from colleges across the country will compete in a triathlon.

Brittany N. Smith (1987-2025)

Brittany N. Smith, 38, formerly of Industry, passed away surrounded by her family on September 13th, 2025 at Allegheny Health Network Wexford.

She was born in Beaver on February 13th, 1987, a beloved daughter of the late Randy and Karen (Davis) Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents: George and Francey Davis and Bob and Joanne Smith; as well as her uncle, Jack Smith. She is survived by her son, Cayden Parker and his father, Brett Parker, her brother, Brian Smith, her sister, Kristen (Lozzi) Donnelly, her aunts and uncles: Diane and Dan Kennedy, George and Marnie Davis, Lynn and Gary Shahen, Gary and Virginia Smith; along with her nephews, Cory and Brady Earhart, and many cousins.

Brittany’s legacy will live on through the lives she touched, especially through her selfless act of an organ donation. This final act of generosity has given new hope and life to several families, demonstrating the profound impact one person can have. Though Brittany’s life was marked by many challenges, it is this act of giving that will define how she is remembered.

Professional arrangements have been entrusted to Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

As officials searched for Charlie Kirk’s shooter, suspect confessed to his partner, prosecutor says

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Defense attorney Greg Skordas, left, speaks before judge Tony Graf, back center left, as Tyler Robinson, accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, attends a virtual court hearing from prison on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (Scott G Winterton/The Deseret News via AP, Pool)

PROVO, Utah (AP) — As authorities worked feverishly to find the person who assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last week, the 22-year-old man now charged with the crime was texting with his romantic partner and acknowledging he was the shooter, court documents revealed.

Tyler Robinson fired a single fatal shot from the rooftop of a building overlooking the outdoor venue where Kirk was speaking to about 3,000 people on Sept. 10, investigators say. Afterward, prosecutors say he texted with the partner, who he lived with near St. George, Utah, about 240 miles (387 kilometers) southwest of the campus.

He said to look under his keyboard at their home. There was a note that said, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

After expressing shock, his partner asked Robinson if he was the shooter. Robinson responded, “I am, I’m sorry.”

The partner apparently never went to law enforcement with the information. Robinson remained on the run until the next night, when his parents recognized he was the person in a photo released by authorities as they searched for the shooter. They helped organize Robinson’s peaceful surrender.

The partner was not named in the charging documents that contained the narrative of the shooting and were made public Tuesday when authorities charged Robinson with capital murder and other counts. He could face the death penalty.

Law enforcement officials say they are looking at whether others knew about or aided Robinson in the assassination. They have not said if the partner is among those being investigated but have publicly expressed appreciation for the partner sharing information.

Prosecutors allege Robinson used a bolt-action rifle to shoot Kirk in the neck on the campus in Orem, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City. DNA on the trigger of the rifle matched Robinson, according to Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray. The rifle had been Robinson’s grandfather’s.

Robinson appeared briefly Tuesday before a judge by video from jail. He nodded slightly at times but mostly stared ahead as the judge read the charges and said he would appoint an attorney to represent him. Robinson’s family has declined to comment to The Associated Press since his arrest.

Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, was a prominent force in politics credited with energizing the Republican youth movement and helping Donald Trump win back the White House in 2024. He gained a large following through social media, his podcast and campus events that featured him responding to a line of questioners who could query and debate him on any topic.

Was Charlie Kirk targeted over anti-transgender views?

Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but Gray said that Robinson wrote in a text about Kirk to his partner: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”

The prosecutor said Robinson also wrote in one text that he spent more than a week planning the attack on Kirk. Authorities have not said what they believe the planning entailed.

Gray declined to answer whether Robinson targeted Kirk for his anti-transgender views. Kirk was shot while taking a question that touched on mass shootings, gun violence and transgender people.

“That is for a jury to decide,” Gray said.

Robinson was involved in a romantic relationship with his roommate, who investigators say is transgender.

Parents said their son became more political

While authorities say Robinson hasn’t been cooperating with investigators, they say his family and friends have been sharing information.

Robinson’s mother told investigators that their son had turned hard left politically in the last year and became more supportive of gay and transgender rights, Gray said.

Those decisions prompted several conversations in the household, especially between Robinson and his father. They had different political views and Robinson told his partner in a text that his dad had become a “diehard MAGA” since Trump was elected.

Robinson’s mother recognized him when authorities released a picture of the suspect and his parents confronted him, at which time Robinson said he wanted to kill himself, Gray said.

The family persuaded him to meet with a family friend who is a retired sheriff’s deputy. That person was able to get Robinson to turn himself in, the prosecutor said.

Robinson was arrested late Thursday near St. George, where he grew up.

Robinson detailed movements after the shooting

In a text exchange with his partner released by authorities, Robinson wrote about planning to get his rifle from his “drop point,” but that the area was “locked down.”

Later he sent: “I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t wanna chance it.” The texts cited in court documents did not include timestamps and it was unclear how long after the shooting Robinson was texting.

“To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you,” Robinson wrote in another text to his partner.

Prosecutor says Robinson told partner to delete texts

Robinson discarded the rifle and clothing and asked his roommate to conceal evidence, Gray said.

Robinson also was charged with felony discharge of a firearm, punishable by up to life in prison, and obstructing justice, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

He also was charged with witness tampering because he had directed his partner to delete their text messages and told his partner to stay silent if questioned by police, Gray said.

Kash Patel says investigators will look at everyone

FBI Director Kash Patel said Tuesday that agents are looking at “anyone and everyone” who was involved in a gaming chatroom on the social media platform Discord with Robinson. The chatroom involved “a lot more” than 20 people, he said during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington.

The charges filed Tuesday carry two enhancements, including committing several of the crimes in front of or close to children and carrying out violence based on the subject’s political beliefs.

Kirk, a dominant figure in conservative politics, became a confidant of President Donald Trump after founding Arizona-based Turning Point USA, one of the nation’s largest political organizations. He brought young, conservative evangelical Christians into politics.

In the days since Kirk’s assassination, Americans have found themselves facing questions about rising political violence, the deep divisions that brought the nation here and whether anything can change.

Despite calls for greater civility, some who opposed Kirk’s provocative statements about gender, race and politics criticized him after his death. Many Republicans have led the push to punish anyone they believe dishonored him, causing both public and private workers to lose their jobs or face other consequences at work.

Pittsburgh woman arrested for entering the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh despite her being the subject of a lifetime ban from there for guest misconduct

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh report that sixty-two-year-old Rhonda Watson of Pittsburgh was arrested on August 31st, 2025 for entering the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh that day. According to police, Watson arrived on property of the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh on August 31st, 2025 when she was the subject of an active lifetime ban for guest misconduct.

Man from North Versailles, Pennsylvania trespasses into the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh despite him not being licensed or priviledged to do so

(File Photo of two City of Pittsburgh Police Cars with two businesses in the background and a bystander walking in the Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh report that that forty-seven-year-old Claudio Marcelo Barrionuevo of North Versailles, Pennsylvania trespassed into the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh on September 7th, 2025. According to police, Barrionuevo was not licensed or privileged to enter the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and a notice against trespass was given to Barrionuevo in communication with him.

Suspect from Penn Hills in custody for allegedly ramming car into an FBI building gate in Pittsburgh and leaving an American flag there

(Photo Courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Donald Henson of Penn Hills got taken into custody this morning after he allegedly rammed a vehicle into the gate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Field office in the South Side of Pittsburgh. According to the FBI, Henson used his car to ram the gate to the building around 2:40 a.m. this morning and at that time of that crash, there were no injuries. FBI Pittsburgh Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher Giordano also confirms that Henson grabbed an American flag from inside the vehicle and threw it over the gate after crashing into the gate. Witnesses in the area have stated they saw a man get out of the vehicle, drape an American flag over the gate, yell something and then walk away. There was also a message including expletives written in a color of red on the door on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Giordano stated today: “We look at this as an act of terror against the FBI. This was a targeted attack on this building.” The FBI also notes that Henson is believed to be a former military member, Henson is believed to have a history of mental health issues and that Henson recently visited the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Field office in the South Side of Pittsburgh.

Suspect who allegedly stabbed a boy and a woman at a Robinson Township home and later dies after causing a crash in a stolen vehicle along I-576 in South Fayette Township

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) According to police, a boy and a woman were stabbed in Robinson Township on K Row at about 8 a.m. on Sunday by a man who later died in a crash. An unidentified juvenile male with mutiple stab wounds and an undientified woman who had multiple lacerations were found by police. Both of them were taken to a hospital. Police confirm that critical but stable condition was the condition that the boy was in and minor injuries was what the woman was being treated for at a hospital. A preliminary investigation shows that a man stabbed the boy and the woman at a home on K Row and escaped in a vehicle that was stolen and crashed in South Fayette Township along I-576. The unidentified suspect was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. This crash is being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and if you have any information about it, contact 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

Allegheny General Hospital Welcomes Emmy-Winning Drama Series “The Pitt” Back for Season Two Filming

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Noah Wyle accepts the award for outsanding lead actor in a drama series for “The Pitt” during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh is currently serving as a site for filming for season two of the HBO Max Original series, “The Pitt,” which got five wins at the 2025 Emmy Awards across thirteen nominations, with one of its wins being Outstanding Drama Series. According to a release from Allegheny Health Network, filming locations will include the hospital’s LifeFlight helipad, a rooftop which provides scenic views of the city, and various entryways to the facility and interior scenes will continue to be filmed on set at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, which meticulously replicates the unique architectural and historic details of Allegheny General Hospital. “The Pitt” is a realistic series that displays an examination of the present challenges that American healthcare workers face as seen through the frontline heroes working at a Pittsburgh hospital that is modern-day. The cast of “The Pitt” includes Noah Wyle, who earned the a 2025 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “The Pitt.” It is emphasized by hospital officials that patient care and hospital operations will not be impacted during filming, just like for filming at locations including Allegheny General Hospital during the first season of “The Pitt.”

Appalachian Regional Commission Awards $285,441 to the Community College of Beaver County to Expand Aviation Workforce Pathways Across Appalachia

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Community College of Beaver County)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) According to a release from the Community College of Beaver County, CCBC in Monaca has been recently awarded $285,441 through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE). This funding will help the efforts of CCBC to address workforce gaps that are critical in the industry of aviation across 20 counties that are Applachian in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina. According to Statista, global airline shortages are projected to reach 50,000 pilots by 2025, while the National Air Traffic Controllers Association reports that the FAA is short of nearly 4,000 air traffic controllers. $323,305 in matching funds from both CCBC and its partners will go to this project. The partners of CCBC include High Flight Academy, Piedmont Flight, St. Vincent College, Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board, Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board, USAeroFlight and many others across Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Appalachian Regional Commission’s goal of creating stronger multistate collaborations to build resilient economies across Appalachia aligns with this project. The Appalachia Regional Commission has invested $157 million in 56 collaborative, multistate projects through ARISE to date. CCBC’s James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences has a national reputation presently for both its high quality and high standards that include being the only Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) school to operate its own tower, placing an air traffic controller in every tower in the country, putting a pilot in the cockpit of every major airline and partnering with 22 flight providers in Pennsylvania and the southeast to offer online piloting training.

Homicide charges among charges filed against one of the men that is connected with the death of a man from Pittsburgh whose body was pulled from the Ohio River on September 9th, 2025

(Photo of the the late Stephen Williams of Pittsburgh Courtesy of Pittsburgh Public Safety)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to court paperwork, twenty-five-year-old Jose Soto recently got charges that include criminal homicide and robbery that are in connection with the death of forty-two-year-old Stephen Williams of Pittsburgh. The body of Williams was pulled from the Ohio River near the rivers Casino in Pittsburgh on September 9th, 2025 and Williams was reported missing in Downtown Pittsburgh on September 5th, 2025. The criminal complaint filed by police alleges that Soto and another man were seen on surveillance video assaulting and robbing Williams before throwing him into the nearby river and that before the alleged actions happened, surveillance cameras spotted Williams walking on Strawberry Way before making his way through Downtown Pittsburgh. Police confirm that Soto and another unidentified man followed Williams down a ramp located under the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to the walk of the Ohio River, which is when, according to police, the assault and robbery occurred, which included Soto stealing the backpack of Williams before running away. According to the criminal complaint, police say surveillance footage shows Soto running up the steps connecting to the 9th Street Bridge. It is unclear if Williams knew either Soto or the other man that allegedly assaulted him, robbed him and threw him into the Ohio River. Police also confirm that Soto did not identify the accomplice that worked with him and that charges of conspiracy for criminal homicide, criminal homicide and robbery are what Soto is facing as he is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail.