Author: Beaver County Radio

Pittsburgh Regional Transit suspends Downtown Pittsburgh service

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This April 2, 2021, file photo shows bridges spanning the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that it’s more advantageous to oppose President Joe Biden’s ambitious rebuild America agenda than to lend support for the costly $2.3 trillion undertaking for roads, bridges and other infrastructure investments. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to Pittsburgh Regional Transit, it’s suspending some of its Downtown Pittsburgh service so some work can be done. Those who want to go on the “T” will experience disruptions and detours because of electrical work being performed on it today. Service is expected to continue tomorrow, and today’s riders should allow for at least another 20 minutes of time for travel. 

Bantam Jeep Building in Butler destroyed by fire

(Photo Courtesy of Butler Radio Network, posted on butlerradio.com on November 2nd, 2025)

(Reported by Butler Radio Network’s Michael Crowley)

(Butler, PA) A historic Butler building was gutted by a three-alarm fire early yesterday morning. Multiple fire companies were called out to the former Bantam Jeep Building in Lyndora around 1:00 yesterday morning, arriving on scene to find a substantial fire. According to our news partners at WPXI, the building’s roof collapsed as firefighters reached the scene and were trying to gain entry to the property. Crews then battled the flames for hours, putting the fire out shortly before sunrise. One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated on-scene. Butler City Bureau Fire Chief Chris Switala said the remaining parts of the building would need to be demolished. The cause of the blaze is currently unknown. The Bantam Jeep Building was located on Bantam Avenue behind Pullman Square. This story will continue to be updated as more details emerge.

House fire occurs in Beaver

(Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) A house fire occurred in Beaver early yesterday morning. Beaver Volunteer Fire Department officials told WPXI that emergency crews were called to the 400 block of Buffalo Street at 1:10 a.m. Smoke was seen billowing out of the second- and third-floor windows of the home.Crews worked for nearly four hours to extinguish the fire and officials confirm there were no reported injuries.

Report: End of federal support triggered spike in Pennsylvania child poverty

(File Photo of Poverty Lane and Prosperity Lane Graphic)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) A new report warns that the end of pandemic-era relief programs has reversed historic child poverty reductions in the Keystone State and nationwide. The Pennsylvania supplemental child poverty rate averaged 11-percent between 2022 and 2024, raising soon after relief programs were cut, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation report. Leslie Boissiere, vice president for external affairs with the foundation, says when the expanded Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program were widely available, they cut child poverty to a record low, but those gains have now vanished. Boissiere notes poverty has a direct impact on the well-being of children. She says anti-poverty programs lift 8-point-5 million children out of poverty. Just the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit keep 5-point-3-million kids above the poverty line.

Dollar Tree store will open “soon” in Rochester

(File Photo of Open for Business Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) Renovations have started to turn the former Rite-Aid on Brighton Avenue in Rochester into a Dollar Tree store. A Dollar Tree sign was installed officially at that location at the end of October. The opening date for the new store has not been announced yet, but a sign on the front of it says that it is “coming soon.” According to its website, Dollar Tree already has 366 locations in Pennsylvania, including stores in Center, Chippewa, Cranberry, Hopewell and Moon townships and Economy, Ellwood City and Leetsdale.

Ronald D. Jones (1954-2025)

Ronald D. Jones, 71, of Economy Borough, passed away October 30th, 2025, in UPMC North Hills Passavant Hospital in Pittsburgh with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Rochester on February 12th, 1954, a son of the late Albert and Vera Clear Jones. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Leheny Jones, his son, Chris (Patty) Jones, his daughter, Rhiannon Dusold, two sisters, Susan Dudash and Pat Miller, his brother, Donald Jones, four grandchildren: Brendan Jones, Delaney, Maverick and Callon Dusold; along with numerous nieces & nephews.

Ronald was a retired employee of J&L Steel, a retired grounds crewman for US Air and was the owner of The Movie Store in Ambridge. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday November 8th, from 12-3 P.M. in the 412 Project Speakeasy, 988 Brodhead Road, Moon Township. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald D. Jones, please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Jason Fennell (1983-2025)

Jason Fennell, 42, of Baden, passed away on October 31st, 2025, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, with loving family by his side. He was born in Sewickley on June 28, 1983, the son of Cheryl Rowley Fennell. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his two daughters, Joselyn Hallahan & Kylee Fennell, his sister, Justine Fennell, his grandmothers, Phyllis Rowley and Regina Wilson and an aunt, Tanya (Michael) Ruchti. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Kermeth Rowley; aunt, Mary (George) Fraser and uncle, Gary Hall.

Jason graduated from Ambridge High School in 2002. He worked for Atlas in their warehouse as a Customer Service Representative for 13 years.  In Jason’s spare time, he loved to go fishing and play video games. He was soft-spoken and truly a kind soul, who loved his daughters, endlessly.  He will be deeply missed and loved, always.

In accordance with Jason’s wishes, he will be cremated. No services are being held. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. 833, Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jason Fennell, please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc by clicking here.

Darlington man charged and jailed after shooting a woman during an argument in Darlington Township

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Darlington Township, PA) Forty-nine-year-old Chris Shutack of Darlington is facing charges of aggravated assault and related charges after police confirm he shot Anna Vellone of Columbiana, Ohio in her leg during a verbal altercation in Darlington Township on Saturday. The incident occurred at 102 Moffett Drive at around 5 a.m. Police also note that Shutack allegedly choked and pushed Vellone before shooting her in the lower leg and Vellone was taken to a Pittsburgh area hospital and is expected to recover. Records show that Shutack is in the Beaver County Jail and online court records state that he is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, strangulation, tampering with or fabricating evidence, simple assault and having a firearm while prohibited. The bail for Shutack is set at $200,000.

Pennsylvania Beef Council and PIAA Team Up for Fourth Year to Celebrate “Beef’s Best” at Fall Sports Concession Stands

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of abundance-creative.com)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bedford, PA) According to a release on Friday from abundance-creative.com, the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI) and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) have launched the second annual Beef’s Best Concession Stand Contest, which invites schools across Pennsylvania to show off their most creative and crowd-pleasing beef menu items. The Pennsylvania Beef Council through the NEBPI, will continue its partnership with the PIAA for the fourth year in a row. The winning school will receive a cash prize of $250, a display banner, and Beef’s Best T-shirts and a commemorative plaque, and the first 10 schools to enter will receive a swag kit that is beef-themed. Entries close tomorrow, but they are open now. The link to enter can be found below, or you can scan the QR code on the headline photo to apply.

Click here to enter the 2025 Beef’s Best Fall Concession Stand Contest.

Comrie makes 28 saves, Lambert scores 1st NHL goal as Jets top Penguins 5-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Winnipeg Jets’ Brad Lambert (93) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Rookie forward Brad Lambert scored his first NHL goal and backup goalie Eric Comrie made 28 saves as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 Saturday.

Kyle Connor scored twice, including an empty-net goal, and Gabriel Valardi and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for Winnipeg (9-3-0).

Sidney Crosby and Blake Lizotte scored for Pittsburgh (8-3-2). Arturs Silovs made 29 saves.

Vilardi scored 15 seconds into the game, grabbing the rebound of a shot by Josh Morrissey and banking the puck off Silovs into the net.

Lambert struck at 2:43 of the first. He was to Silovs’ right and teammate Parker Ford carried the puck behind the Penguins’ net and attempted a wrap around. The puck squirted through the crease and Lambert converted.

The Jets burst out of the gate in the second period, too. Namestnikov and Jonathan Toews rushed into the Penguins’ zone and, after Toews hesitated with the puck for a split second, the Russian winger deflected a pass behind Silovs at 1:17. It was Namestnikov’s sixth of the season.

Connor scored on a penalty shot at 12:13 of the second. Silovs misplayed the puck in the Penguins’ corner during a Pittsburgh power play and threw his stick when Connor lunged for the puck in front of an empty net.

Connor beat Silvos with a backhand shot to the glove side for what was technically a short-handed goal for his seventh of the season.

Crosby scored Pittsburgh’s first goal with 12 seconds remaining in the second, deflecting Erik Karlsson’s point shot behind Comrie.

The Penguins pulled within two goals just after the halfway point of the third. Lizotte crashed Comrie’s crease for his second goal of the season.

The Penguins kept one of the NHL’s top power plays off the scoresheet, killing all three of their penalties.

Up next

Penguins: At the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.

Jets: At the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday in the opener of a six-game trip.