Author: Beaver County Radio

Verna C. (Roehrich) LaRock (1933-2026)

Verna C. (Roehrich) LaRock, 92, of Aliquippa, passed away peacefully in her home on October 15, 2026, just one day shy of her 93rd birthday. She was born in Sewickley on October 16th, 1933, the cherished daughter of the late Charles & Kathryn (Henderson) Roehrich.

Verna dedicated her professional life to serving others as a compassionate nurse. Her caring nature extended deeply into her personal life, where she was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a member of St. Stephens Church in Sewickley. She had a strong faith in our Lord.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard LaRock.

She is survived by her family: her daughters, Michelle Goehring (Clifford) of Moon Township, Anita Camesi (Alexander) of Moon Township, Suzanne LaRock of Jupiter, Florida, nine grandchildren: Joshua Goehring (Jessica), Caitlin Camesi, Nicole McVicker (Christopher), Breanna Camesi, Stephanie Goehring, Richard Tyler Goehring, Taylor Pardue, Johnny Pardue; as well as nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

All services for Verna will be private at this time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, Coraopolis.

Report: Steelers signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to team’s practice squad, marking return to Steelers

(Caption for Photo: Steelers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling goes for a pass in a Dec. 21, 2025, game against the Lions in Detroit. Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a report from “The Athletic” last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to sign veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the team’s practice squad.

The Los Angeles Chargers released the thirty-two-year-old Valdes-Scantling on Saturday.

He returns to the Steelers after playing for them in 2025 and caught 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

One of the NFL teams that Valdes-Scantling previously played for was the Green Bay Packers, and he has chemistry with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Valdez-Scantling played for the Packers from 2018-2021, and Rodgers was the Packers’ starting quarterback at that time, and McCarthy was the head coach for the Packers during the 2018 season.

Valdez-Scantling’s return to the Steelers comes as the Steelers are dealing with injuries to several of the team’s wide receivers.

The Steelers played a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday without wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson.

Valdez-Scantling’s accolades include being a two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver in his only two seasons playing for the Kansas City Chiefs (2022 and 2023).

Man with connection to missing Washington, D.C. woman will head to trial on Beaver County gun charges

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Russell Ashford is still in the Beaver County Jail on a $2.5 million bond. 

Ashford is the father of a 10-year-old boy whose mother, Antoinette Forbes, has been missing from the Washington, D.C. area since September 4th. 

Ashford learned yesterday that he will go to trial for seven gun-related charges. 

Investigators state that he was not allowed to have guns legally because of a previous conviction in Maryland. 

Pennsylvania State Police filed those charges last month after he was arrested in Brighton Township on September 12th for violating his probation.   

Ashford was convicted previously of assaulting Forbes. 

According to CNN, Ashford served in the military for more than 20 years, and records show he earned the rank of commander and retired as a decorated intelligence officer. 

He was not allowed to leave the state of Pennsylvania, but police stated that he was seen on license plate readers in the Washington D.C. area at around the same time Forbes disappeared. 

A woman who dated Ashford on and off for the last three years took the stand yesterday.

She told the court that Ashford stored the guns at her house.

She believed that he was moving to Nashville and going to and from Washington D.C. for work.

She told police she believed that he was retired from the CIA or FBI.

She also stated that she did not know about Ashford’s previous convictions or about his 10-year-old son, who was found with Ashford when he was arrested in Beaver County.

No one has been charged in the disappearance of Forbes. 

FBI testing suspicious package found at Senator Dave McCormick’s office in Pittsburgh

(File Photo: Source for Photo: David McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, listens during a discussion with military veterans organized by his campaign at an American Legion hall, Jan. 18, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A bomb squad and hazmat team were called to the Grant Building in Downtown Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon after a suspicious letter was reported at Senator Dave McCormick’s office. 

The FBI is conducting tests on what was found, which was a letter-sized package in McCormick’s office. 

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Mat Davis confirmed that there is no risk to the public. 

Two sources told KDKA-TV that the package had a pacifier inside, and one of them said that there was a handwritten note about President Donald Trump. 

A spokesperson for Senator McCormick shared this following statement: “We received a piece of mail that caused us to reach out to local law enforcement, and we have nothing else to say at this time. Our office remains open for business.” 

Kennywood announces new “Phantom Fall Fest” drone show

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Kennywood, Posted on Facebook on October 19th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(West Mifflin, PA) A drone show in the sky is a new element that is being added to Kennywood’s 2026 Phantom Fall Fest schedule. 

This show is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th at 10:15 p.m at the park in West Mifflin.

Over 500 drones will create haunting and iconic images that use lasers. 

A special trick-or-treat event will also be held at Kennywood Park on Halloween day. 

The 2026 edition of Phantom Fall Fest ends on November 1st. 

McDonald’s and Disney Unleash a Villainous Twist on the Return of Boo Buckets

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of McDonald’s)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) McDonald’s is celebrating Halloween as the company’s Boo buckets are returning to the popular restaurant chain.

The Disney Villains Boo Buckets Happy Meal® is coming to McDonald’s, because they are partnering with Disney and this set features five Disney villains: Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians) Jafar (Aladdin) Maleficent, Scar (The Lion King) and Ursula (The Little Mermaid).

This will be available for Disney and McDonald’s fans starting today at participating McDonald’s restaurants while supplies last. 

Customers can order any of their favorite options for McDonald’s Happy Meal® with these Halloween Pail, which will replace the classic Happy Meal box while supplies last beginning today.

Those Halloween Pails will be available only with Happy Meal® orders. This includes the 4 pc. Chicken McNuggets® Happy Meal, 6 pc. Chicken McNuggets® Happy Meal or Hamburger Happy Meal.

Mammoth hold off late charge from Penguins for 5-4 win

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yammamoto, front right, scores against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs (37) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, October 19, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

(SALT LAKE CITY- AP)– — Clayton Keller, Kevin Stenlund, Nate Schmidt and Nick Schmaltz all tallied a goal and an assist to help the Utah Mammoth beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 on Monday night.

Kailer Yamamoto added a goal, and Sebastian Cossa had 15 stops for Utah.

Erik Karlsson, Richard Rakell, Egor Chinakhov, and Declan Carlile each scored for Pittsburgh. Bryan Rust assisted on two goals. Arturs Silovs tallied 24 saves.

Karlsson’s deflected power-play goal put the Penguins on the board just 71 seconds into the game.

Keller leveled the score with a backhand at 6:00 of the first with his third goal in three games. Lawson Crouse snagged the puck near the boards and redirected it around Karlsson’s leg to Keller between the circles.

Stenlund tapped in the puck from close range with 9:50 left in the first to give the Mammoth their first lead.

Rakell tied it up on another power play goal at 7:01 of the second, flicking in a wrist shot near the left post.

Utah surged back in front with a pair of goals late in the second. Schmidt reclaimed the lead with 8:16 to go, blasting a slapshot home from near the blue line. Yamamoto tipped in the puck from the low slot with 5:20 left to extend the lead.

Schmaltz’s power play goal made it 5-2 for Utah at 1:36 of the third. Silovs denied his initial shot, but Schmaltz threaded a backhand around the goalie’s left leg on second effort.

The Penguins cut the deficit to one late in the third period with goals from Chinakhov and Carlile. Chinakhov found the back of the net at 2:55 of the third. Carlile followed with a score off a wrist shot with 5:05 left.

Up next

Penguins: Host Florida on Thursday.

Mammoth: At Seattle on Thursday.

Cranberry Township police ask for help in identifying suspect(s) in incidents of criminal mischief and property damage

(Credit for Headline Photo and Photo Below: Photo Courtesy of the Cranberry Township Police Department, Posted on Facebook on October 19th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Cranberry Township Police are asking for help in identifying the person who is pictured in the photo below.
This person and others are suspected of being involved in incidents of criminal mischief and property damage that occurred over the past couple of weekends in and around the Bristol Creek and Washington Farms developments between midnight and 3 a.m.
If you recognize this person or have any information that may help with the investigation into these incidents, you are advised to call Cranberry Township Police at 724-776-5180 or send an email to tips@cranberrytownship.org.

On Teen Driver Safety Week, Shapiro Administration Highlights the Importance of Teen Driver Safety, Launches New Social Media Campaign for Teen Drivers

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services, Caption for Photo: WSSD Communications Director Bradon Long joins PennDOT, PSP, PA Department of Education, and PA Insurance Commission with West Shore School District education representatives address the challenges facing teen drivers, teen driver safety, education and training at Red Land High School during Teen Driver Safety Week.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT), Education (PDE), Insurance (PID), and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) visited Red Land High School in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania today to mark Teen Driver Safety Week, highlight the importance of teaching teen driver safety and launch a new social media campaign that features tips on vehicle maintenance and safety driving to prepare young drivers as well as all drivers to safely navigate different scenarios that they may face before they leave home and while on the road.   

This campaign will feature informational videos on things like how to change a flat tire, check both vehicle fluids and tire pressure, what to do if you are stopped by law enforcement, as well as Pennsylvania’s distracted driving law called Paul Miller’s law, which bans the use of handheld devices while driving. 

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death that is among teenagers. There were 79,625 crashes involving at least one 16- to 19-year-old driver, resulting in 486 fatalities in the state of Pennsylvania from 2021 to 2025. 62 percent of those crashes involved a teenage driver who was driving too fast for conditions (22,635 crashes), improper or careless turning (14,477), being a distracted driver (10,188), or being an inexperienced driver (7,064). 

PennDOT will release the new social media content each day of Teen Driver Safety Week on its X (click here), Facebook (click here), Instagram (click here), and YouTube (click here) accounts in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).

Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 1,286 in 42 Counties

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Health)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced today that 1,286 measles cases have been confirmed across 42 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to lead the robust response in Pennsylvania to the ongoing outbreak of measles and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, deaths and hospitalizations available on their measles dashboard at pa.gov/measles (click here to learn more.) 

According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, here are the key updates that they include and more information about measles and how to treat it: 

    • New Positive Cases (since October 16, 2026): 26
    • Total Counties: 42
    • Total Cumulative Cases: 1,286
    • Total Hospitalizations: 247
    • Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 5
    • Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)

Outreach and Response 

  • DOH is proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the Commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 
  • State health officials have administered nearly 5,200 MMR vaccinations at 156 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. Overall, state health center staff have administered more than 7,700 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026. 
  • Health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In August 2026, more than 49,000 MMR vaccines were administered across the Commonwealth and over the first three weeks of September 2026, more than 38,000 doses have been administered. 

Getting Vaccinated 

  • The best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection. People who have two documented doses of MMR do not need another. Adults who have only one dose, or who cannot find their vaccination records, should talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about getting vaccinated. 
  • Residents interested in getting vaccinated should contact their trusted health care provider. 

Measles Symptoms and Transmission 

  • Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases. 
  • Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area. 
  • Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. 
  • People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).