Author: Beaver County Radio

House Republicans Unveil 11-Bill Energy Package to Keep the Lights On and the Costs Down

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives attend a session at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, June 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) House Republicans unveiled a comprehensive 10-bill legislative package yesterday in Harrisburg that is designed to keep lights on, decrease electricity costs, expand baseload generation that is reliable, and cement the role of Pennsylvania as the energy leader of America as PJM issued a Maximum Generation Emergency amid extreme heat and warned of a mounting strain on the regional electric grid. Eleven representatives sponsored this legislative package. They are Representatives Mike Armanini, Eric Davanzo, Jonathan Fritz, Joshua D. Kail, Dallas Kephart, Roman Kozak, Thomas Kutz, Kristin Marcell, Eric Nelson, David H. Rowe and Andrea Verobish. The priorities of building more energy, lowering costs, and strengthening grid reliability are what these bills are organized around.

Pennsylvania State Police trooper hit and killed by a tractor-trailer in Schuylkill County

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Schuylkill County, PA) Authorities confirm that a Pennsylvania State Police trooper was hit and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County yesterday. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro identified the trooper that died as Michael Pahira, who was a nearly 20-year veteran that was assigned to Troop L’s Frackville station. According to investigators, Pahira was inspecting a commercial vehicle around 7 a.m. on I-81 South in Cass Township when another tractor-trailer left the roadway, crashing into him and the truck that he was inspecting before it caught fire. Police noted that Pahira died from his injuries. Shapiro ordered yesterday for flags to fly at half-staff to honor him and Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens stated during a press conference that “the man died a hero.” 

The Cornerstone of Beaver County reminds residents that local cooling centers are available this week during the extreme heat

(File Photo of the Cornerstone of Beaver County Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver Couty Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Marie Timpano of the Cornerstone of Beaver County joined Frank Sparks yesterday on “Driving in the Fast Lane” to talk about the local cooling centers that you can go to during the extremely high temperatures this week. She talked about how great it is when the community comes together for a purpose and how people support each other during situations like this extreme heat warning that the county is going through. Timpano also thanked the partners that her organziation teamed up with to provide these cooling centers to people who need them. Extreme heat can put people and families at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and it can exacerbate preexisting conditions like mental illness and lung and heart disease. According to the Cornerstone of Beaver County, here is a complete list of cooling center locations and their hours of operation:

The Cornerstone of Beaver County (TCBC)

Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

600 6th Street, Beaver Falls

724-846-6400

 

New Brighton Municipal Building

Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

610 3rd Avenue, New Brighton

724-846-1870

 

Uncommon Grounds 

Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

380 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa

724-375-6141

 

YMCA of Beaver County

Monday – Friday from 5 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Saturday from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m.

2236 Third Avenue, New Brighton

724-891-8439

 

Koppel Volunteer Fire Department 

Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.

5525 5th Avenue, Koppel

724-846-5973

American flag arrives in the Pittsburgh region as part of movement to unite the country before the 2026 Fourth of July

(File Photo of an American Flag)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsubrgh, PA) A national symbol is trying to unite the country as the Fourth of July approaches. 

The National Flag Foundation sent an American flag to all of the U.S. states, as well as U.S. territories and military cemeteries around the world. 

It arrived in the Pittsburgh region yesterday under the wings of the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township.  

The Flag Sojourn 250 made its penultimate stop in that region. 

The flag has been traveling around the country and the world since the fall of last year. 

It has traveled to U.S. territories and military cemeteries overseas to unite Americans before the semi-quincentennial celebration of U.S. independence that Americans will celebrate on Saturday.  

Interstate 79 Wexford Interchange Beam Placements Continue Next Week in Allegheny County

(File Photo of a Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that beam placements on Interstate 79 in Marshall Township and Franklin Park Borough in Allegheny County will occur next week, specifically on Monday through Wednesday nights, July 6th-8th, weather permitting. 

Between 7 P.M. and 6 A.M. each night, southbound I-79 will be closed and detoured at the Route 910/Wexford (Exit 73) interchange for beam placement work. 

According to a release from PennDOT District 11, here is the posted detour for this work:

Southbound I-79 

  • From southbound I-79, take the Route 910/Wexford (Exit 73) exit 
  • Cross over Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road onto the on-ramp to southbound I-79 
  • End detour 

The traffic signal at the Route 910/Wexford Bayne intersection will give priority to I-79 travelers to accommodate traffic on the detour. Delays can be expected for drivers that are on Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road. 

Phillies beat Paul Skenes and the Pirates 10-6 as Turner hits a 3-run homer

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner reacts after hitting a three-run home run against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Trea Turner hit a three-run home run during a five-run second inning, Bryce Harper’s misjudged double scored two runs in the fourth, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat struggling Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Pirates 10-6 on Wednesday night.

Skenes (6-8) lasted four innings, allowing six hits and a season-high seven earned runs. He has not won in his last nine starts, losing six decisions in that stretch.

The defending NL Cy Young Award winner’s first loss in this slide came at PNC Park on May 17 at the hands of Wheeler and the Phillies by 6-0. He didn’t allow a run that day until the fifth inning. This time, the Phillies didn’t wait that long.

Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales fielded a bases-loaded grounder in the second inning and had a routine force play at the plate, but he fired the ball off runner Alec Bohm’s hand for an error and two runs. Turner hit the next pitch into the seats for his third homer in as many games and a 5-0 lead.

Henry Davis hit a homer as the Pirates scored twice in the third, but Brandon Marsh got one of those runs back with a solo shot in the bottom half.

The Phillies made it 8-2 in the fourth on another Pirates mistake, this time when Bryce Harper’s line drive was misjudged by left fielder Tyler Callihan for a two-run double.

The Pirates cut the lead to five in the fifth on an RBI single by Gonzales. Kyle Backhus hit two batters consecutively, forcing in a run and making it 8-4.

A two-run double by Pittsburgh’s Jared Triolo cut it to 8-6 in the seventh but Bohm hit a two-run homer in the eighth.

Orion Kerkering (6-0) got five straight outs in the seventh and Jhoan Duran pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Up Next

Despite excessive heat warnings, it’s still a 12:30 p.m. start Thursday for the Pirates and Jared Jones (1-1, 5.76 ERA) against the Phillies and Alan Rangel (0-1, 4.50).

Duquesne Light Company working on power outages in New Brighton

(File Photo of the Duquense Light Company Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Brighton, PA) Duquesne Light Company is working on bringing back power in New Brighton as quickly as possible after nearly 1,500 customers in the New Brighton and Beaver Falls area lost power yesterday afternoon. According to Duquesne Light Company, crews are continuing to make the repairs and they sent out a mobile substation earlier this morning to restore power to the customers in the area by noon. The company recommends customers to find a location with air conditioning if possible because of the extremely high temperatures this week.

Beaver County Boom 250 initial impressions and statistics among topics discussed at most recent Commissioners’ work session

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at this morning’s Beaver County Commissioners’ work session. The meeting started off with talking about the success of Beaver County Boom 250, which took place over the weekend on Saturday, June 27th along Bridge Street in Bridgewater. Beaver County Assistant Gretchen D’Atri went over some of the initial statistics of the event. One statistic she mentioned was the increase of the footprint of where the festival was located. Last year, from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. “seven point nine thousand attendees” were there. This year, “eleven point eight thousand” were present not including children (specifically under eighteen.) D’Atri confirmed that no people under eighteen was mentioned because the company is unable to track these people attending. Only one person was arrested during the event and D’Atri added that “no one jumped off the bridge this year.” Response was given to fourteen medical incidents and no one was taken to the hospital. Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles let the audience know that Allegheny Health Network has officially affiliated with Heritage Valley Health System. Commissioner Jack Manning also talked about the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall coming to Patterson Township from July 16th-20th at Franciscan Manor. Manning also praised Legacies Alive, a group that recognizes lost family members of the military to keep their legacies alive, and told the audience of the session that their picnic is in South Beaver this Friday. Manning also noted that Midland is holding their Fourth of July Parade in Midland this Saturday.

Heritage Valley Health System Enters New Era as part of Allegheny Health Network 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Heritage Valley Health System announced the finalization of an affiliation agreement today between the organizations, which brings two Heritage Valley hospitals, dozens of clinical locations and hundreds of physicians into the expansive network that is based in western Pennsylvania.

This formal approval of the AHN and Heritage Valley affiliation by state and federal regulators this week marks a major milestone for both organizations. It helps to ensure that those who live and work in the many communities served by Heritage Valley will have continued access to comprehensive, high quality healthcare services for generations to come.

The two organizations now turn their full focus to the integration of operations and clinical programmatic synergies which will drive the affiliation’s success and to further enhance the services provided by Heritage Valley to Beaver County residents, Allegheny County residents and surrounding communities.

Elmo J. Mariani (1926-2026)

Elmo J. Mariani, 100, passed away peacefully on June 30th, 2026. He was born in Ambridge on March 19th, 1926, a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Kepics) Mariani.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, Louis Mariani. He is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Mary Mariani, two sons, Joseph (Trudi) Mariani and Gary (Adriana) Mariani, his twin grandchildren, Maria and Anthony Mariani and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Elmo was a barber by trade and proudly owned and operated Elmo’s Barbershop in Monaca, for more than 40 years. He was well known not only for his skill behind the barber’s chair, but also, for his warm personality and the friendships he built with generations of customers.

He was an avid dancer who met the love of his life, Mary, at a dance. Together, they shared 75 wonderful years of marriage and spent countless weekends on the dance floor, enjoying the passtime that first brought them together.

He also enjoyed traveling with Mary and their close friends, watching baseball and football, and tending to his vegetable garden, especially his tomatoes. Gardening was one of his greatest joys, and even at 100 years old, he was still planting a garden. He especially loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and took great pride in watching Maria and Anthony play.

He was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and loved to “kid around,” share stories from the past, and bring smiles to those around him. Above all, he treasured time spent with his family and friends. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, he will be remembered for his kindness, laughter, and unwavering love for those closest to him.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation, on Sunday, July 5th, from 1-5 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and fwhere prayers will be offered on Monday, July 6th, at 10 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 A.M., in Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Entombment will take place in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 100 Resurrection Road, Coraopolis.