AAA: 45 Million Americans Planning Memorial Day Weekend Getaways

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) AAA projects that 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday period between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25.

That figure is slightly higher than 2025, when 44.8 million people traveled during the holiday weekend.

AAA said the 2026 forecast would set a new Memorial Day travel record, with an estimated 39.1 million people expected to drive and another 3.66 million expected to fly.

Although gas prices are higher than they were during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, average airline ticket prices are lower, according to AAA.

PNC Park named the 9th most expensive MLB stadium for gameday experiences in new Bovada study

(File Photo: Source for Photo: An opening day crowd watches a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Bovada analyzed gameday costs at all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, factoring in average minimum ticket prices, parking, beer and hot dog costs.

According to the analysis, PNC Park ranked ninth among MLB stadiums with an average total gameday cost of $100.10.

The study compared the estimated cost for a fan attending a game at each stadium based on commonly purchased expenses.

Lawrence County Fairgrounds Hosts 2026 Classic Dog Show Weekend in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Owners bring their dogs to a park in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. Veterinary laboratories in several states, including Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire, are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs that causes lasting illness and doesn’t respond to antibiotics. The Oregon Department of Agriculture, which is working with state researchers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory to find out what is causing the illnesses, has documented more than 200 cases of the disease since mid-August 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Several regional kennel clubs are teaming up to host the Classic Dog Show Weekend at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds in New Castle. 

The event will run from Tuesday, May 19, through Monday, May 25, at the fairgrounds located at 464 Midway Road. Activities are scheduled to begin daily at 6 a.m. 

Participating organizations include the Western Pennsylvania Kennel Association, Altoona Area Kennel Association, New Castle Kennel Club and Mahoning-Shenango Kennel Club. 

The event will feature conformation judging for a variety of dog breeds, junior showmanship competitions and AKC-sanctioned puppy events for dogs under six months old. 

Organizers will also host a Pee-Wee class Sunday for young dog handlers beginning their involvement in dog shows. 

Admission to the event is free. Parking will cost $5 per day. 

Pennsylvania nurses encourage advance directives for end-of-life care

(File Photo: Source for Photo: A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Reported by Zamone Perez, Keystone News Service

(Harrisburg, PA) As National Nurses Week comes to an end, one advocate is explaining the importance of nurses when discussing advance care planning, palliative care and hospice. Missy Moore has been a hospice nurse for more than 30 years. She says nurses should strive to do a better job at explaining complex components of advance directives. When patients better understand what an advance directive entails, she says it gives more power to patients. Moore says if someone doesn’t have a plan, it can mean difficulty in the hospital. According to the National Institutes of Health, just a third of Americans have taken the time to establish a directive for end-of-life care.

Volant man charged after two-vehicle crash in Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle said a 25-year-old Volant man was charged following a two-vehicle crash Sunday in Lawrence County. 

According to police, Shane Coast was driving along Lakewood Neshannock Falls Road in Hickory Township around 3:35 p.m. when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle driven by 56-year-old Ginger Grannis of New Castle. 

Police said Grannis suffered a suspected minor injury and was taken to UPMC Jameson Hospital for evaluation. 

No other injuries were reported. 

No charges filed after two-vehicle crash in Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle said no charges were filed following a two-vehicle crash Monday in Lawrence County. 

According to police, 22-year-old Angelo Peak of New Castle was driving along Route 18 in New Wilmington Township around 5:58 p.m. when his vehicle struck the rear of another vehicle driven by 59-year-old Janice Kohl of Evans City. 

Investigators said Kohl was attempting to turn right onto Heather Heights Road at the time of the crash. 

No injuries were reported. 

Rebecca “Becky” Cirka (1951-2026)

Rebecca “Becky” Cirka, 74, of Conway, passed away peacefully on May 6th, 2026. She was born on December 24th, 1951, a daughter of the late John and Margaret (Musserbok) Cirka. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: John, Robert, Richard, David, Madeline Kosela, and Renee Charitonuk.

She is survived by her loving brother, George Cirka, her son, Kevin, several grandchildren, many cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family members, her dear friend, Bill, and the many friends she made at Conway Towers.

Rebecca lived a life centered around family, friendship, and the simple joys she loved most. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Ambridge, where she enjoyed volunteering and helping make pierogi for church events. She dedicated more than a decade of service to working at the Economy Walmart, where she was known for her friendly personality and hardworking spirit.

She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures — shooting pool with friends at her pool club, listening to music from the 1960s, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and playing poker games on her phone. She will be remembered for her warmth, sense of humor, and the friendships she built throughout her life.

Family and friends will be received from 9-10 A.M. on Friday, May 22nd at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 A.M. at Saint Mary’s Byzantine Church, 624 Park Road, Ambridge. Interment will take place afterward at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery,

Maria Joanne Mattson (1971-2026)

Maria Joanne Mattson, 55, of New Brighton, formerly of Erie, passed away on May 6th, 2026. She was born on April 11th, 1971, a beloved daughter of the late William and Betty Mattson, Sr.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Mattson.

She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Walter Harris Jr., her daughter and best friend, Toya Harris and her brother, William Mattson, Jr.

Maria enjoyed relaxing at home watching movies, shopping, and spending cherished time with her husband and daughter. She was known for her outgoing and social personality. She also had a love for soul and R&B music.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, May 14th, from 3-7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a Blessing Service will be held at 4 P.M.

Todd Allan Long (1971-2026)

Todd Allan Long, 54, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 8th, 2026. He was born on May 19th, 1971, a son of Rosemarie (Stose) Sorrels and the late Paul Long, Jr. (Ruth). In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Myron Sorrels and a brother, Paul Stewart Long III. In addition to his father, he is survived by another brother, Keith “Doug” Long (Sharon), his stepbrother, Dominic “Nick” Johanningmeier, his stepsister, Deborah Devincent (Dean), his niece, Brittany Newcomb (John) and his great-niece, Aubree Newcomb. Todd’s absence will be deeply felt by his family and the many friends whose lives he touched.

Todd spent his formative years in Monaca with a brief period attending school in Beaver, before graduating from Monaca High School in 1989. After high school, he chose to honor a family tradition by joining the military, enlisting in the US Navy. Stationed in Guam, he worked as a meteorologist and took great pride in his service as a US Navy Veteran. He dedicated his professional life to caring for others, working as a Licensed Practical Nurse. He focused his compassionate energy on seniors in long-term care, particularly through his role at Asbury Heights in Pittsburgh. His devotion to his patients was evident in the dignity and professionalism with which he treated each individual.

Outside his career, he was an avid sports enthusiast in his youth, playing catcher on the baseball field. His love of music led him to play both the bass guitar and trombone. Ever resourceful and “handy,” he also pursued work in construction and enjoyed undertaking remodeling and home improvement projects. A true science fiction fan, Todd had a particular fondness for Star Wars—he enthusiastically collected memorabilia and spent countless hours building Star Wars models. His affection for animals, especially cats, was well-known; he found joy in caring for his many beloved feline companions over the years.

In accordance with Todd’s wishes, he will be cremated, and his ashes will be interred alongside his mother at Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to The Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Rd, Aliquippa, PA 15001, or to a local veterans’ charity. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Sheetz opening its 4th Greensburg location this week

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of (PRNewsFoto/SHEETZ, INC.) Caption for Photo: Sheetz logo.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Greensburg, PA) Sheetz will open its fourth Greensburg location Thursday. 

The new store, located at 6090 Route 30, is the fourth Sheetz along the Route 30 corridor serving commuters traveling to and from Pittsburgh. 

The store will open to the public at 8 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Customers will receive free self-serve coffee and soda throughout the grand opening day. 

Sheetz also plans to host an outdoor celebration beginning at 9 a.m. Company officials said the event is expected to draw area residents, nonprofit representatives and local elected officials. 

The company will offer giveaways during the event, including $250 in Sheetz gift cards and a chance to win free Sheetz for a year. 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sheetz will present a $2,500 donation to the Westmoreland Food Bank, which serves more than 18,000 households annually. 

Customers attending the grand opening are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items and will receive “Sheetz Swag” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. while supplies last. 

Sheetz will also present a $2,500 donation to Special Olympics Pennsylvania during the event. The company has supported the organization for more than 30 years through volunteer work, product donations and financial contributions.