Prosecutors drop most serious assault charge against Penn State hockey star McKenna

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Canada forward Gavin McKenna (9) controls the puck during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game against Finland, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn, File)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped the most serious assault charge against Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, considered a likely top pick in this year’s NHL draft, but he remains accused of less serious offenses.

The Centre County prosecutor said Friday that aggravated assault would have required proof McKenna acted with the intention of causing serious injury or that he showed an extreme indifference to the value of human life. McKenna was accused of injuring a man during an altercation last weekend.

Although the police complaint alleged the victim sustained injuries to both sides of his jaw and was missing a tooth as a result, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said subsequent investigation showed there were two fractures to the same side of his jaw and that no teeth were knocked out. He is recovering from surgery, Cantorna said.

Canadian McKenna, 18, is a freshman center from Whitehorse, Yukon. A phone message seeking comment was left late Friday for McKenna’s lawyer, Jason Dunkle. The incident occurred hours after Penn State lost to No. 2 Michigan State in an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.

Cantorna said video evidence led him and police to drop the felony charge.

McKenna remains charged with misdemeanor simple assault, along with harassment and disorderly conduct. Cantorna said the preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for March 11.

McKenna decided to play for Penn State after the NCAA lifted its ban on Canadian Hockey League players competing at the Division I level. A name, image and likeness deal with the Nittany Lions helped draw McKenna to join the program.

Late-night stabbing occurs in the Allegheny West neighborhood of Pittsburgh; man expected to survive

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A man is expected to survive after a late-night stabbing in the Allegheny West neighborhood of Pittsburgh. According to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, officers were called to the 900 block of Western Avenue for a reported stabbing just before midnight. Once they arrived, they learned that a man who had been stabbed in the stomach had been taken to the hospital via a private vehicle and was last listed in stable condition. An early investigation has found that a fight occurred inside an establishment, and another man stabbed the victim before leaving the scene. Police do believe that the suspect and the victim do know one another. The name and description of the suspect have not been released and Pittsburgh police are investigating. 

Brad Arnold, lead singer of rock band 3 Doors Down, dies at 47

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of David A. Smith/ Getty Images)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Escatawpa, MS) Brad Arnold, who was the lead singer and the founding member of the band 3 Doors Down, died on Saturday in the United States of America after a battle with Stage-4 kidney cancer. He was 47 years old. 3 Doors Down is a rock band who is known for hits like “Kryptonite.” 

Pittsburgh police investigating shooting that killed woman in its Greenfield neighborhood

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh police are investigating a deadly shooting that took place in broad daylight in the city’s Greenfield neighborhood yesterday. Zone 4 officers were dispatched just before 2 p.m. to the 700 block of Montclair Street for a reported domestic dispute. Arriving officers entered an apartment complex and found a woman who was declared deadThe Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman as 26-year-old Charlee Martin. Officers conducted a sweep of the residence and found a man inside a bedroom. Police state that he resisted officers as they tried to take him into custody. The man was subsequently transported to an area hospital, where he was last listed in stable conditionThe Mobile Crime Unit responded to process the scene and found multiple shell casings. Homicide detectives are continuing to lead the active investigation. 

Massive vehicle pileup in Butler County kills a eighteen-year-old male Slippery Rock University student

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of KDKA)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) An eighteen-year-old male Slippery Rock University student from Pittsburgh was killed and nine other people were injured after a massive vehicle pileup on Interstate 79 in Butler County on Friday morning. Authorities stated that at least 25 vehicles were involved in multiple crashes due to weather and 20 others got stuck on the interstate. 

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby named captain of Team Canada’s men’s ice hockey team for 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Christinne Muschi/AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was selected as the captain of Team Canada’s men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games yesterday morning. This is the second time that Crosby has been the men’s ice hockey team captain for Team Canada. He was a captain back in 2014 and won gold medals in 2014 and 2010. The men’s ice hockey team for Team Canada will take on Czechia on Thursday at 10:40 a.m. for their first match of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

Man apprehended in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Oliver neighborhood after being accused of raping and kidnapping a woman

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Special Victims Unit detectives within the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police have now arrested a man accused of raping and kidnapping a woman during an attack at her home in the 400 block of Parkwood Road in the city’s Mt. Oliver neighborhood on Friday. According to police, the assault occurred after the suspect, identified as the victim’s former boyfriend, entered the residence through a top-floor window. Investigators confirm that the woman was assaulted and raped inside the home. Authorities state that the victim was able to briefly escape the residence to seek help, but the suspect found her outside, forced her into the rear passenger seat of his vehicle and drove away. Thirty-five-year-old Calvin Bennett was taken into custody on Highland Road in Bethel Park by detectives with the Fugitive Apprehension Unit with assistance from Bethel Park police. Bennett was transported to the Allegheny County Jail and he has charges of aggravated assault, rape, kidnapping, sexual assault, unlawful restraint, robbery, false imprisonment and two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. 

Police: Pittsburgh man in early stages of dementia stabbed to death in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood of Pittsburgh

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WPXI/WPXI)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Police confirm that a man was found dead inside a home in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood after a reported stabbing early on Saturday morning. Zone 5 officers were dispatched to the 7200 block of Hilliards Street just before 8 a.m. According to police, the homeowner called 911 and reported that someone broke into his home around 2 a.m. and that he stabbed the intruder. When officers arrived, they found a man dead inside the residence. The victim was identified on Saturday as eighty-three-year-old Lester Bridges of the Lincoln-Lemington Belmar neighborhood. Bridges was in the early stages of dementia and was reported missing on Friday night. Authorities state that the homeowner was transported to police headquarters for further questioning. No charges have been announced. Homicide detectives were called to the scene and are leading the ongoing investigation. 

Man taken into custody after setting after barricading himself inside a home and setting a fire in the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to officials, a man was taken into custody after barricading himself inside a home and setting a fire in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood on Saturday. Pittsburgh police and fire crews were dispatched around 11:45 a.m. to the 1500 block of Ballinger Street for a reported structure fire. Police confirm that a relative called 911 and reported that a man inside the home was threatening to set it on fire. Authorities state that the caller told dispatchers that during a FaceTime call, the man poured lighter fluid throughout the residence. When officers arrived, they found the man barricaded inside the home. A police negotiator made contact and the man eventually surrendered without incident. Officers found two firearms on the suspect and observed smoke and flames that wereg coming from a doorway. Firefighters then entered the home and extinguished the fire. Officials noted that the residence sustained moderate damage throughout and is considered a loss. No civilians or first responders were injured. The man was transported to police headquarters for further questioning and is expected to face charges. Authorities statedg that one cat died as a result of the fire, and one dog was rescued from the backyard. The American Red Cross is assisting the remaining residents who are staying with their relatives.

Investigation underway after man hit by vehicle on Pittsburgh roadway

(File Photo ofg a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) An investigation is now underway after a man was hit by a vehicle on a busy Pittsburgh roadway overnight. According to a Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson, officers responded to a reported pedestrian crash around 2:30 a.m. yesterday at the intersection of E Carson Street and S 13th Street in the South Side Flats neighborhood. Those officers were flagged down for an unresponsive man that was in the roadway. He was later taken to an area hospital in stable condition. The official from Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed that the vehicle that was involved did not stay on the scene. The crash investigation is ongoing.