Author: Beaver County Radio

Ellwood City man arrested at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh after violating PGCB Self Exclusion Advisory from that casino

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh reported yesterday that thirty-one-year-old Alexander Kirkwood of Ellwood City was arrested after an incident of criminal trespass at that casino on Saturday.

Kirkwood entered the casino on 4:09 p.m. and violated his Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Self Exclusion Advisory which was issued on October 15th, 2024.

Kirkwood did not cooperate with troopers and while he was escaping from security, he was issued a verbal lifetime property ban from the casino.

A charge of criminal trespass was filed against him. 

Aliquippa woman charged with disorderly conduct after incident at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh reported yesterday that twenty-three-year-old Shalone Nibintije of Aliquippa was charged with disorderly conduct after a recent incident at that casino.

According to police, Nibintije, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly created a risk thereof, did create a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose on or about Sunday at 2:40 a.m. at the casino. 

Eduardo Rodríguez goes 8 innings, Moreno hits 2-run homer as Diamondbacks blank Pirates 3-0

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez delivers in the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Eduardo Rodríguez pitched eight shutout innings, Gabriel Moreno hit a two-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Wednesday, clinching the three-game series.

Arizona (57-52) now sits two games up on the Pirates (55-54) for the final NL wild card.

Rodríguez (10-3) struck out two while giving up five hits on 105 pitches before Brandyn Garcia closed out a hitless ninth inning for his second save of the year.

The loss marked the fifth straight against a left-handed opener for Pittsburgh, while Diamondbacks starters gave up zero earned runs in 20 2/3 innings pitched this series.

Moreno scored the game’s first runs, smashing a slider 407 feet into the lawn past the center-field wall. With the hit, he extended his on-base streak to 26 consecutive games.

Max Kepler drove in the only other score with an RBI single in the sixth inning.

Despite three consecutive three-up, three-down innings to start the game, Jared Jones (2-2) surrendered all three runs and struck out five in six innings for the Pirates.

The Pirates have been shut out in three of their last seven games. They lost 2-0 to the Yankees a week ago and 11-0 to the Cubs on Saturday.

Up next

Diamondbacks: After an off day, LHP Mitch Bratt (0-1, 6.32 ERA) takes the mound for Game 1 of a weekend series at the Cleveland Guardians on Friday against RHP Tanner Bibee (4-10, 3.89 ERA).

Pirates: Will start RHP Yohan Ramirez (6-3, 3.21 ERA) for Thursday’s opener of a four-game series at the Cincinnati Reds against RHP Rhett Lowder (3-7, 5.61 ERA).

Westbound I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Lane Closure Continues in Potter and Vanport Townships

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that a lane closure on westbound I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in Potter and Vanport townships will continue. 

Traffic on westbound I-376 will still be reduced to a single-lane between the Monaca/Shippingport (Exit 39) interchange and Beaver (Exit 38B) exit, and along the Vanport Bridge through early September around-the-clock. Operations to both steel repairs and painting operations will continue to be conducted by crews.  

Operations westbound started on March 28th.

Restrictions eastbound are expected to continue through late October. 

Wildwood Road closure 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 yesterday during the meeting of the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session at the County Courthouse.

One of them was the ongoing closure of Wildwood Road, which has been closed since 2025.  

That road is located in Brighton Township has been a shortcut for a long time between Route 51 and Dutch Ridge Road to get to the hospital there.

Solicitor Garen Fedeles addressed recent reports from WPXI that made it “apparent that PennDOT might need something from the county” to reopen Wildwood Road.

Fedeles noted that PennDOT did not reach out to the county at all before those reports and the Commissioners have contacted PennDOT and are in the process of coordinating a meeting with them next week to get their perspective of what they need from the county to not only get the road open, but also for the safety and convenience of those getting to the hospital.

Another road closure that was mentioned was Achortown Road, which has been closed in Beaver Falls.

Commissioner Jack Manning mentioned that it will require the money needed to reopen it.

Manning also let those at the meeting know about the next location for the 2026 Beaver County Farmers Market Vouchers, which is at Geneva College’s Northwood Hall tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

County Recreation and Tourism Director Tony Caltury was also proud to announce during the department head report that the Old Economy Park pool in Baden will reopen on Saturday. Admission is free for the rest of the summer, specifically for until September 30th at the park’s pool. The closure of the pool occurred because the pool’s liner needed to be fixed. However, you need to register to go into the pool with a waiver at beavercountyymca.com.

Pennsylvania Capitol Police Department Now Hiring for January 2027 Recruit Program

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Capitol Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Joe Jacob announced today that individuals interested in a law enforcement career who have not yet obtained their Act 120 certification, which is Pennsylvania’s required credential for municipal police officers, may now apply for the January 2027 Capitol Police Recruit Program.

Applications will be accepted through August 14th, 2026 for this program, which covers the full cost for candidates that are qualified to attend the six-month Act 120 certification police academy through Harrisburg Area Community College while earning benefits and a full-time salary.

Recruits are full-time employees of the state of Pennsylvania throughout their time at the academy.

After graduation, recruits need to complete a comprehensive field training program before they become sworn Pennsylvania Capitol Police officers.

According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, key requirements for applicants include:

  • Being at least 21 years of age on or before completion of the academy
  • Possessing a valid driver’s license
  • Successfully passing a physical fitness/agility test
  • Successfully completing a background investigation
  • Successfully completing a psychological evaluation

You can apply for the January 2027 Capitol Police Recruit Program and get more information by going to the Pennsylvania Capitol Police website by clicking here.

J. Kim December (1953-2026)

J Kim December, 73, a lifelong resident of New Brighton, passed away on July 27th, 2026. He was born in New Brighton on February 13th, 1953.

J. Kim was a Cement Mason with the OPCMIA Local 526 for fifty years, as well as a member of the NRA. He was a former member of the OakHill Vets and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was an avid boater, exotic car enthusiast, hunter, and sportsman. He would spend all summer on the boat soaking up the rays. He had a love of shooting and shared his passion with others. He would spend hours reading and watching documentaries, shows, educational, and sporting networks on TV.

He is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Mary Ann (Lagdan) December, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Kip and Debbie Andreas of Wexford and Kerry and Debra Stewart of Virginia, as well as two brothers-in-law, James Abrams of West Virginia and John Lagdan of Philadelphia, a dearest family member, Sherry Shaffer, multiple extended family members: Julie Shaffer (Robert), Ed and Amy Smartnick, Kerry and Bobbi Jo Stogsdill and his beloved pets, Teddy and Brody.

The family of J. Kim wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to his doctors, medical team and the passionate and skilled nurses of the CCU of AHN / Heritage Valley Beaver, who cared for him, and they say are indeed special with a talent only few possess.

J. Kim’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

The family wishes in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the NRA, Tunnels to Towers, or the Wounded Warriors Foundation.

Interactive solar power system switches on in Beaver Falls

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published July 29, 2026 1:15 P.M.

(Beaver Falls, Pa) A new interactive solar power system was unveiled Wednesday morning in Beaver Falls. The switch was flipped to turn on the system shortly after 11am at Neighborhood North Museum of Play.

The total installation features a ground mounted solar array, a battery bank and power inverter, solar exhibits, and a solar powered van to use as a mobile classroom, which will expand access to other communities.

Solar powered mobile classroom

The purpose of the system is to let kids experience solar power at an interactive level, offering learning opportunities in the field of solar energy.

When Neighborhood North eventually moves to their future long term location at the old News-Tribune building, they plan to further expand the system on a larger scale.

The flipping of the switch

The installation is the first Rural Innovation through Solar Empowerment (RISE) project in Beaver County. The RISE partnership was brought together by nonprofits RiverWise and the Pennsylvania Solar Center.

Representatives of Neighborhood North and RiverWise spoke at the event along with Beaver Falls Mayor Kenya Johns highlighting the significance of having such a system available for our local youth.

Beaver Falls Mayor Kenya Johns addresses the crowd

The two-year project was awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energizing Rural Communities Prize and funded by the Environmental Mitigation Community Fund.

Martha A. Valo (1938-2026)

Martha A. Valo, 88, of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Aliquippa and New Jersey, passed away peacefully on July 25th, 2026.
She was born on April 6th, 1938, the daughter of the late George and Susan (Pollak) Valo. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her beloved husband John “Jack” Dempsey and her sister-in-law, Edith Valo. She is survived by her brother, Albert Valo; nieces, Mary Ann (Jim) Gillooly and Joanne (John) Katekovich; nephew, Albert Valo; great-niece, Rachel Katekovich; and numerous relatives in Switzerland and Slovakia.
Martha was a graduate of Carlow College and continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her master’s degree and became a registered dietitian. She devoted her professional life to caring for others through nutrition and service, serving as the head of the dietary department at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. She and her husband made their home in New Jersey 30 years before relocating to Florida. She especially enjoyed spending time at the beach with her family during vacations, creating cherished memories with those she loved. Martha will be remembered for her dedication to her work, her thoughtful care for those around her, and the many ways she enriched the lives of family, friends, colleagues, and patients.
A private blessing service was held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Aliquippa, where Martha was laid to rest with her husband.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Martha A. Valo, please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Donna F. Mihalko (Passed on July 26th, 2026)

Donna F. Mihalko, 78, of Beaver Falls passed away on July 26th, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in the coal mining community of Coalport, Pennsylvania, in Clearfield County.

Donna was the daughter of the late John and Marcella Opina. She grew up in a household where cleanliness and hard work were emphasized, values that remained with her throughout her life. Her family maintained a garden and preserved much of what they grew through canning, a way of life that taught her the importance of self-reliance, care, and making the most of what one had.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Michael Mihalko, who passed away in 2018. Her family was always at the center of her world, and she took great pride in the people she loved and the life she helped build with them.

She is survived by her two sons, Michael Mihalko and Robert Mihalko, three grandchildren, Zane, Forristt, and Taylor, as well as four great-grandchildren, Charlotte, twins Sam and Liam, and Graham, her brother, Thomas Opina, and her niece, Eva.

For more than 30 years, Donna worked as a waitress, first at the Beaver Falls Eat ’n Park Restaurant and later at the Center Township Eat ’n Park. Over the course of her long career, she served countless customers and formed many lasting connections.

She enjoyed simple pleasures that brought her happiness, especially playing cards and going to the casinos. These pastimes gave her opportunities to relax, enjoy good company, and share in the excitement of the moment.

The family had a private family gathering for Donna.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Those wishing to make a memorial in Donna’s memory are asked to please consider the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa PA 15001.