(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed during the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session Wednesday morning at the County Courthouse.  The main topic was when Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Director Tony Caltury gave an update to the Commissioners about rules for locals walking their dogs off leash. Commissioner Jack Manning brought this issue up at a previous work session on April 29th because he has gotten several complaints about it happening at Brady’s Run Park because people are either jogging or walking through there and are being approached by dogs that are not on a leash. Caltury received some rules for dogs being walked off leash from sources like Solicitor Garen Fedeles’ office. These rules need to be reviewed. The rules will also be updated and will be presented to the Commissioners “for an updated ordinance.” Caltury also stated: “I think one of the questions we’ll have is ‘Who is the enforcing agents of said instructions and violations?'” Solicitor Fedeles also mentioned some things to keep in mind. There will be a police memorial in Beaver in front of the County Courthouse on Friday at 10 a.m., so residents should know that the roads around there will be shut down at around 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. Fedeles also informed the public that Beaver County is still the number one county in the state in terms of ballots returned at 73%. The 2026 Primary election day in Pennsylvania is May 19th, and the County Courthouse is open to the public on that day. If you have a matter that is related to the election, you can visit the county’s elections office. Fedeles also mentioned some upcoming resolutions for tomorrow, which includes most of them as community development projects. These include one for a portion to assist Harmony Township in having their municipal building redone and another one for a sewer line improvement in Rochester Borough.

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported that William Orton, 23, of Big Lake, Minnesota, was charged following a two-vehicle crash Tuesday in Allegheny County.

According to police, Orton was traveling westbound on Interstate 76 in Pine Township at about 12:46 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle while approaching a lane closure.

Investigators said Orton’s vehicle struck a Turnpike attenuator truck driven by Jacob McNeil, 19, of Gibsonia.

Both drivers were injured and transported to UPMC Passavant Cranberry for treatment.

BY SCOTT TADY

SEWICKLEY — The Lindsay Theater hosts an exclusive documentary screening Sunday of “Boys of Summer: Short Stop,” a road trip film with a heartfelt and inspiring message.

“Boys of Summer: Short Stop” chronicles a precious trip to PNC Park in Pittsburgh and every other Major League Baseball stadium by California filmmaker Robert Cochrane and his father, Dan Cochrane, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001.

The third installment in a four-part series, “Boys of Summer: Short Stop” includes a scene with Pittsburgh Pirates legend Dave Parker, who lived with Parkinson’s disease for 13 years before his death last June.

“Short Stop” will play at The Lindsay on Sunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. All tickets to this event are discounted to $8.75 each.

Robert Cochrane will participate in a virtual Q&A immediately following the screening.

Cochrane appeared Wednesday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show with Scott Tady, expounding upon how much he and his father and son loved PNC Park.

Here that interview here (just press play):

“I hope viewers will engage with us like we are members of their family—or neighbors, to put it in Mister Rogers terms,” Cochrane said. “The greatest compliments are that people laughed, cried, thought and are inspired to do more with their own family.”

Cochrane is the founder and CEO of Yes, And…eXercise!, a nonprofit dedicated to motivating and inspiring people impacted by Parkinson’s to gain confidence, connect with others, and discover joy through improvisation and storytelling.

After his father’s diagnosis, Robert and Dan set off on a two-month, 20,000-mile baseball road trip that he made into the 2004 documentary “Boys of Summer: First Base.”

“Boys of Summer: Second Base” followed in 2014, with “Short Stop” coming in 2020.

Part four, “Boys of Summer: Third Base,” will premiere later this month at the World Parkinson Congress in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Short Stop” picks up almost two decades after Dan’s initial diagnosis. He struggles at times with losing pieces of himself and accepting support as his disease advances. This time, Robert’s son, Giuseppe, joins his father and grandfather on an adventure as they get MVP treatment at Dodger Stadium, Petco Park and the Oakland Coliseum.

The film explores what happens between the big moments, capturing quiet struggles, inside jokes and the unspoken weight of time passing.

“We hope that those affected by Parkinson’s feel a sense of hope despite the many challenges the disease presents,” Casey Peluso, vice president of programs & outreach for Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania, said.

“The collaboration between Robert Cochrane and The Lindsay Theater is very special because it not only brings awareness of Parkinson’s, but it shows that
there is a community of support.”

Adds Robert Cochrane: “I believe movie theaters are sacred space. It’s an amazing and all-too-rare opportunity to share a communal experience in the dark with people we don’t know and remember how we’re much more alike than different.”

(File Photo of the Beaver County Humane Society)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) The Beaver County Humane Society is asking for the public’s help as authorities continue investigating a suspected illegal dog-fighting operation.

Officials said 23 dogs were found tied outside in Aliquippa during a winter storm and were taken to the shelter on January 25th.

According to the shelter, the dogs have now been in its care for more than 100 days — more than twice the typical maximum length of stay for dogs in that environment.

Shelter officials said they are concerned the animals are showing signs of deterioration caused by kennel stress.

Humane Society Police Officer Wendi Stafford said authorities are still trying to locate Ronald Dean Kidder, 48, and Terry Rahman Decarlos, 48, who face charges connected to the investigation.

Because the men live outside Beaver County, Stafford said investigators are relying on assistance from other law enforcement agencies.

The shelter said authorities have repeatedly attempted to serve warrants and arrest the suspects but have not yet been successful.

Anyone with information about the men’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lehigh County, PA) Ten people are facing charges following the takedown of what authorities described as a major Pennsylvania-based drug trafficking organization.

According to a news release from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the group operated out of Lehigh County and used suppliers in Mexico to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine across multiple Pennsylvania counties.

Investigators identified Joaquin Gonzalez, 40, of Emmaus — also known as “Kino” — as the organization’s leader. Authorities said Gonzalez was arrested over the weekend and is accused of transporting drugs into Pennsylvania through a connection in Southern California.

The Attorney General’s Office said the investigation began in 2024 and involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with local police departments.

Officials said searches conducted during the investigation led to the seizure of:

• 5 pounds of fentanyl,
• 7 pounds of heroin,
• 3,000 fentanyl pills,
• 48 pounds of methamphetamine,
• 6 pounds of cocaine,
• and 2 pounds of marijuana.

“This was a high-level, cross-country operation that polluted neighborhoods across the eastern part of the Commonwealth with deadly poisons,” Dave Sunday said in the release.

Authorities said the defendants face charges including corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and related offenses.

The 10 people charged are as follows:

Danny Cancel, 25, of Bethlehem; Joel Castro, 41, of Orefield; Sally Garcia-Colon, 39, of Emmaus; Jorge Marrero-Rodriguez, 60, of Allentown; Jordan Pagan, 37, of Leola; John Pagan DeJesus, 49, of Whitehall; Israel Perez, 45, of Bethlehem; Anthony Planas, 42, of Bethlehem; Hanzel Rivera, 37, of Bethlehem; and Gonzalez.

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced Wednesday that schools can now sign up for a new program aimed at introducing students to careers in the heavy highway industry.

PennDOT’s Heavy Highway Industry Career Day program will bring industry presenters and career information to participating schools beginning this fall.

The heavy highway industry includes jobs such as construction inspector, mechanic, laborer, electrician, stonemason, welder, painter, cost estimator and surveyor.

Pennsylvania middle schools, high schools and Career and Technical Centers can register to host a career day by emailing RA-PDWORKFORCEDEV@pa.gov by clicking here. According to PennDOT, the events will include hands-on demonstrations, presentations and opportunities for students to speak with industry professionals.

State officials said the program was developed following an executive order signed by Josh Shapiro in July 2023 that created the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program, a first-in-the-nation program which focuses on workforce development and infrastructure-related job training.

The program is one of the many ways the Shapiro Administration is investing in Pennsylvania workers to address workforce shortages across industries with real solutions and to empower Pennsylvanians to chart their own course and access the training they need to succeed.

(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 that Brian Miller, 44, of New Castle, was arrested May 7 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to police, Miller displayed signs of impairment during a traffic stop along South Jefferson Street at about 6:22 p.m.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: In this image provided by NBCUniversal, Savannah Guthrie, right, her mom Nancy speak, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in New York. (Nathan Congleton/NBCUniversal via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Qunatico, VA) The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie reached 100 days on Tuesday and may hinge on DNA evidence still being analyzed by scientists at the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. 

Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of the “Today” show, was reported missing on Feb. 1. 

DNA recovered from Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Arizona was initially sent by Pima County Sheriff’s Department detectives to a private laboratory in Florida for analysis. Weeks later, the evidence was transferred to the FBI crime laboratory in Quantico, where law enforcement sources told CBS News the analysis remains ongoing. 

Investigators have not publicly disclosed details about the sample or where it was recovered. 

Another lead that has drawn significant attention is footage from a Ring doorbell camera that showed an individual wearing a ski mask, gloves and a backpack at Guthrie’s front door the night she disappeared.