Author: Beaver County Radio

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and Steelers agree to contract extension

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press: Caption for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) warm-ups before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward have recently agreed to a contract extension that will reduce his salary cap hit in 2025. According to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Heyward will now play under a two-year contract worth a total of $32.25 million for 2026 and 2027. This new deal will reportedly reduce Heyward’s salary cap hit for the 2026 season by $5.5 million. $16.24 million is also guaranteed for the veteran defensive tackle.

Reena Leigh Schmidt (1949-2026)

Reena Leigh Schmidt, 76, of Economy Borough, passed away on March 9th, 2026 in her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Sewickley on July 27, 1949, a daughter of the late James and Regina Morrow Riley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Carol Wilfong, her second husband, Arthur Schmidt and a brother, Marshall Riley. She is survived by her four children: Regina Lavan, Brad (Jessica) Wilfong, Robert Trakofler, Robert Schmidt; as well as six grandchildren: Ashley, Dominic, Morgan, Jason, Terra, & Kaylee; along with ten great grandchildren and her siblings: Keith (Kathy) Riley,  Roxeen Slappo, Sharmane McCoy, and Patrick Riley.

Reena was a home health aide for Homemakers who enjoyed taking care of people.

Friends will be received on Saturday, March 14th from 1-5 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge ,who was in charge of her arrangements.

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

Joseph Paul Zilk (1953-2026)

Joseph Paul Zilk, 72, of Pulaski Township, passed away peacefully on March 10th, 2026.

He was born in New Brighton on March 16th, 1953, a son of the late George and Mary (Belcufine) Zilk. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Andrea (Raines) Zilk and a daughter, Amanda Zilk. He is survived by his brothers, John Zilk, George (Kathy) Zilk, and David (Peggy) Zilk, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Joseph worked for Crucible Steel and Phoenix Glass for his professional career.

In accordance with Joseph’s wishes, he will be cremated and no services are being planned.

The GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, was honored to provide care and guidance to Joseph’s family during this time and was the funeral home that was in charge of his arrangements.

Monaca geared up for St. Patrick’s Day parade and party Saturday

MONACA — Beaver County’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration is set for Monaca this Saturday.

Monaca Borough Manager Dave Kramer appeared Wednesday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show and offered full details. Here is his interview:

The parade begins at noon, proceeding down Pennsylvania Avenue.

A St. Patrick’s Day party will commence, with vendors, children’s activities, food trucks and Bullseye Brewing of New Brighton.

Spinning tunes will be deejay Ian Sallese, from Monaca’s InnerGroove Records vinyl albums store.

Live music starts around 1 p.m. with Z Town Street, a band that includes flute, fiddle, mandolin and Dobro.

Bob Walk gives Spring Training insights from Bradenton

Is Paul Skenes the new clubhouse leader for the Pittsburgh Pirates? Does the Buccos’ bullpen have an ace closer?

Hear what Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk believes, in this audio from his latest Spring Training report delivered on Beaver County Radio’s Morning Show from Bradenton, Fla. Here’s the interview:

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Bob Walk, Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster. Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates.

 

Honor Women Who Served: Purchase a Women Veterans License Plate and Support the Veterans’ Trust Fund

(File Photo of an American Flag)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Annville, PA) March is Women’s History Month and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding drivers that purchasing a women veterans license plate recognizes the importance of women who served and supports programs assisting the over 62,000 women veterans living in Pennsylvania. According to a release today in Annville from PennDOT and the DMVA, here is some more information about the license plates you can purchase as well as information about doing so:

The following four license plates honoring women veterans are available for purchase and are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT):

  • Honoring Our Women Veterans Registration Plate – This special fund license plate is available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. Each plate costs $42, with $15 going directly to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF). The cost of the plate is paid in addition to the vehicle’s registration fee. Applicants interested in purchasing this plate must submit the MV-914 form, “Application for Honoring our Veterans Special Fund Registration Plates.”
  • Honoring Our Women Veterans Motorcycle Registration Plate – This special fund license plate was first made available by the Shapiro Administration in December 2024. Each plate costs $43, with $15 going directly to the VTF. The cost of the plate is paid in addition to the vehicle’s registration fee. Applicants interested in purchasing this plate must submit the MV-914 form, “Application for Honoring our Veterans Special Fund Registration Plates.”
  • Women Veteran Registration Plate – This standard issue plate is available for a fee of $28. Applicants must submit a completed MV-150V form, “Application for U.S. Military Service Registration Plate,” along with a legible photocopy of their Form DD-214, “Separation or Discharge Papers,” or a legible photocopy of the front and back of their DD2(RET), “United States Uniformed Services Identification Card (Retired).”
  • Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate – This standard issue motorcycle plate is available for a fee of $28. Applicants must submit a completed MV-150V form, “Application for U.S. Military Service Registration Plate,” along with a legible photocopy of their Form DD-214, “Separation or Discharge Papers,” or a legible photocopy of the front and back of their DD2(RET), “United States Uniformed Services Identification Card (Retired).”

PennDOT also currently offers a variety of U.S. military plates recognizing the dedication, service and sacrifice of both military members and veterans. This includes the Honoring Our Veterans and Honoring Our Veterans Motorcycle special funds plates, which includes both also giving $15 to the Veterans’ Trust Fund.

The complete listing of available military plates can be found on PennDOT’s Fact Sheet: U.S. Military Registration Plates by clicking here.

Allegheny County Council passes ordinance that limits cooperation with ICE

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Allegheny County Council has passed an ordinance that limits cooperation with ICE. The council voted on the ordinance on Tuesday night. According to a report from WPXI, the ordinance will:

  • Prohibit county employees from inquiring into an individual’s citizenship or immigration status unless required by court order.
  • Prohibit county employees from disclosing the citizenship or immigration status of others unless required by court order.
  • Prohibit county employees from entering into a contract with a federal agency to provide access to any database with the purpose of assisting in immigration enforcement.

It will also ban ICE or border patrol from housing detainees at the Allegheny County Jail. Seven members of the Allegheny County Council co-sponsored the legislation.

Moon Area School District breaks ground on its stadium

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Moon Area School District)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) Ground has been broken on a new athletic facility and field house at the Moon Area School District’s stadium. That district stated that a ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Tuesday to commence and celebrate the start of construction on renovations at the school campus in Moon Township. Construction began on a project in January that will include renovations to the athletic facility, press box, field house, and tennis courts of the Moon Area School District and the project is expected to be completed in August of 2027. 

AHN Cancer Institute – Forbes to Host Saturday Cancer Screening Clinic on April 18th

(File Photo of the Allegheny Health Network Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monroeville, PA) Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute will host its monthly Saturday cancer screening clinic on Saturday, April 18th, at AHN Cancer Institute – Forbes in Monroeville. This vital clinic provides accessible cancer screenings for both AHN and non-AHN patients and those that are interested in attending must make an appointment by calling 412-359-6665. Patients that either have insurance or not are strongly encouraged to attend.

The available screenings include:

  • Breast cancer (ages 40-74)
  • Cervical cancer (ages 21-65)
  • Colorectal cancer (ages 45-75)
  • Head and neck cancers (ages 18+)
  • Lung cancer (ages 50-80 with a history of cigarette smoking)
  • Prostate cancer (ages 45-75)
  • Skin cancer (ages 18+)

Over thirty members of Pittsburgh’s Emergency Medical Services bureau honored for heroic rescue after pulling woman who later died from the Monongahela River

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Over 30 members of Pittsburgh’s Emergency Medical Services bureau were honored yesterday for their efforts during a rescue on the Monongahela River earlier this year. Pittsburgh River Rescue crews spent hours diving 20 feet down into the Monongahela River after the car of thirty-one-year-old Jacinta Stevens of the West End of Pittsburgh flew off of the Parkway East and into the icy river below on January 29th, 2026. Stevens died hours after the crash at a local hospital. Pittsburgh River Rescue Crew Chief Gregory Tersine was one of three people to receive the city’s Medal of Valor yesterday for actions during the response on the river.