(File Photo of Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) According to a release in Rochester yesterday from Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.’s office, Vogel announced yesterday that several municipalities in Beaver and Butler counties will benefit from nearly $430,000 in state funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT’s) Green Light-Go Program, which is dedicated to enhancing local traffic signals and improving community traffic flow as a competitive state grant program. Center Township is receiving $132,024 for upgrading signal equipment at Pleasant Drive and Autumn Street in Beaver County. Cranberry Township is receiving $94,800 for upgrading detection and controller equipment at multiple intersections, as well as $83,350 for expansion of fiber-optic traffic signal communications, while Seven Fields Borough is receiving $117,520 for replacement of outdated sensors with radar detection, both in Butler County.

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Officials were on the scene last night after a fire broke out in Jefferson Hills. Allegheny County dispatchers confirmed to WTAE that crews were called to the 6600 block of Willem Drive for reports of a fire inside a structure. Both the cause of the fire and if anyone was inside the home at the time it occurred are unclear at this time. No injuries have been reported at this time. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced yesterday a new agreement which allows students in their senior year at participating colleges and universities to earn their remaining credits toward an associate or bachelor’s degree by the successful completion of cadet basic training at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. This new program awards academic credits much like a traditional internship completed during the final semester of a student, but instead of classroom time to earn their remaining credits, students will finish their training at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy to earn the remaining credits needed to graduate, which  allows them to receive their degree and become a trooper at the same time. The program is not limited to majors of criminal justice and participating colleges may apply the credits toward any degree program that they choose. This initiative reflects the commitment that Governor Josh Shapiro has in investing in PSP and law enforcement fully across Pennsylvania. 

The number of colleges and universities that have partnered with the PSP, which is growing in number, includes: 

• DeSales University 

• Keystone College 

• Saint Vincent College 

• Mercyhurst University 

• Luzerne County Community College 

• Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release yesterday that sixty-two-year-old Xiong Zheng of Mahopac, New York had charges withdrawn by police after he caused a two-vehicle crash in Allegheny County on Saturday evening. At 5:52 p.m., Zheng was driving on I-376 East in Carnegie Borough and did not respond to stopped traffic ahead of him and the vehicle of sixty-six-year-old Mark Cipriani of McKees Rocks. Cipriani stopped because of the stopped traffic and Zheng hit his vehicle. There were no reported injuries. 

(File Photo of the City of Aliquippa Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Police recently confirmed that an alleged assault of a man with mental disabilities happened at his apartment on Mill Street in Aliquippa on and around Christmas of this year. Police state that a neighbor who lives at the apartment called 911 on Sunday and told them an older man who lived there was assaulted by a woman identified by police as James-Lea Joann Glenn. The neighbor told police on Christmas that she saw Glenn press a lit cigarette into his face to extinguish it. Police also expressed that the victim told them Glenn punched the back of his head on Christmas, then the next day, said she hit him with what police said was a metal candle lid. Police have noted Glenn confessed to the assault. In addition to this incident, another man, Cody Perich, was taken to jail on drug charges. Glenn and Perich are both due in court on January 8th, 2026. 

(File Photo of Open for Business Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) The burger restaurant chain Shake Shack had a new location open at the Ross Park Mall yesterday. Attendees got mini Shake Shack tote bags during the ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration and throughout that day, Shake Shack also donated a dollar throughout for every sandwich sold to the 412 Food Rescue, which is a nonprofit that rescues fresh surplus food and delivers it to people in need. Shake Shack replaced the Panera Bread at the mall which closed down. 

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) According to a release in Ambridge yesterday from State Representative Rob Matzie’s office, Matzie announced yesterday that new funding of $132,024 will bring a smoother, safer commute to a busy Center Township intersection. This grant was secured under a reimbursement grant program known as the Green Light-Go Program. Matzie stated that the grant will support work to modernize the signal equipment at the intersection of Autumn Street and Pleasant Drive (Route 3017). 

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release yesterday that thirty-eight-year-old Tyrell Jaiquay Dawkins of Aliquippa was arrested for possessing drugs in Aliquippa on the early morning of November 9th, 2025. Dawkins was stopped for committing a vehicle violation on the 1500 block of Kennedy Boulevard at 12:16 a.m., and he was subsequently arrested for drug possession. 

(File Photo of the Big Beaver Borough Municipal Building)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Big Beaver Borough, PA) The Big Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Company posted on Facebook yesterday that on January 1st, 2026, they will continue to provide fire protection services to Big Beaver residents. Big Beaver Borough will not be entering into a contract for services with the Beaver Falls Fire Department at this time. Big Beaver Borough Council and representatives of the Big Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Company met with a mediator on December 11th, 2025 to discuss the continuation of fire services for their community and these discussions are ongoing. Mediation will also continue.