Author: Beaver County Radio

Free concerts announced for Hartwood and South Park

Scott Tady

Summer means free concerts at the Hartwood Acres and South Park amphitheaters in Allegheny County.

The Fixx, Don McLean, Reb Beach and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra are among this year’s concerts announced Friday by the county’s Parks Department.

Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Local food trucks, Black Dog Winery and Hop Farm Brewing Company will be on-site at all concerts starting at 6 p.m. Performances will take place rain or shine at open-air amphitheaters with no covered seating.

HARTWOOD ACRES

in Hampton Township, in the county’s North Hills, the lineup is:

June 7 Pittsburgh Opera (Opera)
June 14 Melinda & the Night Sky (Rock)
Opener: Grace Campbell & Rocket Loves Blue
June 21 Yacht Rocket (Dad Rock)
June 28 The Kings of Latin Jazz:
Tito Puente, Jr. & Nestor Torres together! (Jazz, Latin)
Opener: Hugo Cruz and Caminos
July 5 America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Starts at 8:15 pm concluding with a patriotic drone show

Suggested donation of $30 per vehicle to support children and youth receiving services through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services
July 12 The FIXX (Rock)
July 19 Cyril Neville (NOLA Funk & Soul)
Opener: Norside
July 26 Arrested Development (Hip-Hop)
Opener: Cam Chambers
August 2 The Wood Brothers (Folk/Americana)
Presented by WYEP
Opener: Ric Robertson
August 9 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Swing)
August 16 The Lemon Twigs (Alternative/Indie, Rock)
August 23 Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (Ballet)
August 30 Blasey Plays the Beatles (British Invasion)
September 6 Buzz Poets (90s Pittsburgh Rock)
Opener: New Invisible Joy
The Jaggerz.

SOUTH PARK

Located in South Park Township, the schedule is:

 

June 5 River City Brass (Classic/Pop/Jazz)
June 12 Jimmie Ross & The Jaggerz (Rock)
June 19 Coltt Winter Lepley & The Briar Valley Rangers  (Americana)
Opener: Dave Shepherd
June 26 Red Wanting Blue (Rock)
July 3 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Starts at 8:15 pm
July 10 The Heavy Heavy (Retro Rock)
Presented by WYEP
Opener: MT Jones
July 17 Orleans (Classic Rock)
Opener: Pete Hewlett
July 24 Ruthie Foster (Blues)
Opener: Gabriella Salvucci
July 31 Don McLean (Folk)
August 7 Mathias Lattin & Dylan Triplett (Blues)
August 14 Women in Jazz Festival (Jazz)
Featuring
Su Terry with Jazz de Barro
Deanna Witkowski Trio
Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet
August 21 Tamburitzans (Eastern European Folk Music & Dance)
August 28 Summer of Love (60’s Revue)
September 4 Reb Beach (80’s Rock)
Opener: School of Rock House Band

Matzie: $35,000 secured for Beaver County environmental education programs

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Representative Rob Matzie announced that $35,000 in state grants will support environmental education programs for students in Beaver County.

The funding, provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Grant Awards program, will support lessons focused on nature, agriculture and environmental issues, Matzie said.

Among the recipients, RiverWise will receive $30,000 for its Summer Sustainability Institute 2026, a program for middle and high school students that includes activities such as air and water quality testing and urban farming, along with instruction on topics including climate change and environmental justice.

Aliquippa School District will receive $5,000 for its “Roots of Change: A Living Laboratory for Environmental Education” program, which will create an outdoor classroom for elementary students focused on soil health, water conservation and pollinator habitats.

Governor Shapiro Honors America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholars at Harrisburg Luncheon

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services, Caption for Photo: Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro joins America250PA to honor 25 outstanding Pennsylvania students as Semiquincentennial Scholars during a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro joined America250PA to honor 25 students as Semiquincentennial Scholars during a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg.

The students were selected from more than 1,800 applicants representing all 67 counties and recognized for their leadership, service and understanding of civic values as Pennsylvania prepares to mark 250 years of American independence in 2026.

Janice L. White-Faingnaert (1958-2026)

Janice L. White-Faingnaert, 67, formerly of Sewickley and Ambridge, passed away on April 29th, 2026. She was born on July 18th, 1958, a daughter of the late Lee and Ruby White. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James “JC” Faingnaert and her brother, Jimmy White. She is survived by her loving children, Josh (Nicole) Faingnaert and Jamie Faingnaert, her sisters, Barbara Swayer and Marjorie Gibson and her cherished grandchildren: Alexander Buzard, Jayce Rumbaugh, Dakota Chipman, and Aaron Aken. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Kathleen McClain and Marilyn Young, many adopted grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Janice dedicated many years to customer service, working at Red Cap Cleaners and Giant Eagle. She was a devoted homemaker and a supportive, involved mother who took pride in being a homeroom mom for her children. She enjoyed camping and listening to country and oldies music. Known for her sense of humor, she often joked that one of her grandsons would always be “stuck with her”—a sentiment made especially meaningful as she passed on his birthday.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, May 9th, from 2 P.M. until the time of a funeral service at 5 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that a single rose be purchased to accompany Janice on her final journey.

Lawrence Raftery (Passed on April 25th, 2026)

Lawrence Raftery passed away suddenly of cardiac arrest on April 25th, 2026. He was born and raised in Monaca. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clara Mihalco Raftery and Lawrence Clyde (Mike) Raftery. He is survived by his sister, Pamela Varga.

After graduating from Monaca High School, Lawrence earned a law degree from Pitt University. He worked as a law librarian at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut until he returned home to take care of his elderly parents Clara and Mike Raftery. He continued to work from home in the filed of law research. He had a great sense of humor and a kind generous nature. He enjoyed giving gifts to his friends and family and always knew just what to give them. At holiday times, he donated hundreds of dollars in gift items to the Yellow Ribbon Girls, the Monaca Presbyterian Church and other charities. He enjoyed watching Life Time movies on TV and joked about how ridiculous and predictable the plots were. Although he didn’t have much of a “green thumb,” he enjoyed gardening. He filled the backyard and front yard with shrubs, plotted plants, colorful benches and garden art. Every spring, he would tear out the many dead plants and plant more. He wanted to fill the yard so he wouldn’t have to cut grass, a task that he hated. He joked about the “evil” rabbits that would always nibble at his plantings. He also enjoyed drawing and arts and craft projects. He drew a beautiful portrait of his mother Clara that was proudly hung in the family living room. Family was the most important thing in his life. He took loving care of his parents when they grew older and assumed management of the household. He and his sister were very close and loved to tease each other. He always looked after her giving help when needed along with lots of advice about life. He is greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Donations in his honor can be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Friends will be received on Friday, May 8th from 4-6 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where services will be held at 6 p.m.

Wegmans officially purchases land to build location in Cranberry Township

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on May 1st, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Wegmans is one step closer to opening its first location in the Pittsburgh area.

According to public records, a company affiliated with the grocery chain has finalized the purchase of land for a proposed store in Cranberry Township.

The store is planned for Cool Springs Drive near the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, the practice facility of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The location is expected to employ between 400 and 500 people, with an anticipated opening in 2027.

Mock Crash Event at Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School Aims to Raise Awareness of Distracted and Impaired Driving Among Students

(File Photo of Aliquippa High School)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Junior Senior High School will host a mock crash simulation on Friday, May 1, at approximately 9 a.m. on campus as part of an effort to raise awareness about distracted and impaired driving. 

The demonstration will feature a staged crash scene involving local police, fire and EMS personnel. Students will observe how first responders assess the scene, provide medical care and manage the aftermath of a serious accident. 

Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate Remains 4.2 Percent in March, Once Again Below National Average

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry released its preliminary employment report for March 2026.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.2% in March. The state’s rate was one-tenth of a percentage point lower than the national rate, which fell to 4.3%.

Richard S. Hoko, Jr. (1972-2026)

Richard S. Hoko, Jr., 54, of Rochester, passed away on April 28th, 2026. He was born on January 25th, 1972, a beloved son of Margaret Hoko and the late Richard S. Hoko Sr. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen Hoko, his nephew, Stephen Hoko Jr., his stepfather, James Wojcuich and the mother of his children, Stephanie Susie. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his children, Ashley and Taylor Hoko, and Joshua Kinds, his cherished grandchildren, Brayden Hoko, Kinsley Hoko-Scott and Alexandria Hoko-Hemer, his nieces, Alexandria Hoko and Marley Hoko, his nephew, JT Thompson and a close family friend, Ryan Scott.

Richard was a graduate of Freedom High School and worked for many years at Graebel Van Lines. He enjoyed flying drones, playing gambling games on his phone, camping and attending music festivals, fishing, and riding his electric scooter. He was strong-willed, generous, and always willing to help others. He had a deep love for animals and was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins. Above all, he cherished his family, especially his grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6th, from 3-7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a funeral service will take place on Thursday, May 7th, at 11:00 A.M., with burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, 1101 9th Street Extension, Freedom,

Sources: Steelers declining 5th-year option for offensive tackle Broderick Jones

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) plays during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh Oct. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers are declining offensive tackle Broderick Jones’ fifth-year option, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Jones, who turns 25 next month, suffered a season-ending neck injury in a Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears and underwent offseason surgery. It is unclear whether he will be ready for training camp or the start of the season.

Adam Schefter previously reported that Jones experienced a setback in his recovery about a week before the NFL draft.

The Steelers selected developmental tackle Max Iheanachor with the No. 21 overall pick, a move general manager Omar Khan said was influenced by Jones’ injury.

The Steelers originally selected Jones in the first round of the 2023 draft, trading up to take him with the No. 14 overall pick in Khan’s first draft as general manager.