Author: Beaver County Radio

Lieutenant Colonel Bivens Welcomes 47 New Troopers to the Pennsylvania State Police

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Manheim, Pa., August 21, 2026 — State Police leadership, staff, and families gather at LCBC Manheim to celebrate the graduation of the 176th Cadet Class, recognizing 47 new troopers for completing approximately 27 weeks of academy training and earning the rank of trooper., Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Manheim, PA) 47 people have now become new Pennsylvania State Police troopers. 

Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, the Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), welcomed these new troopers to the PSP during a graduation ceremony at LCBC Manheim on Friday.  

The 176th Cadet Class completed approximately 27 weeks of difficult training at the PSP Academy before earning the rank of trooper. 

AAA: Gas Prices Jump in Pennsylvania as National Average Continues to Rise

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are 18 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at around $4.35 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $4.09, up 3 cents from last week. 

That average is also the highest it’s ever been at this time of the year. 

The monthly average for gas so far is $4.06, currently surpassing the year of 2022, when the monthly average for August was $3.97, and it is shaping up to be the highest on record.

Crude oil is pushing up the national average even though the demand for gas is down, which is typical for this time in the year.

Crude oil prices are still in the range of $80 per barrel amid continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz.

The report also states that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of regular unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $4.40. 

According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various Pennsylvania areas:

$4.335      Altoona
$4.399      Beaver
$4.347      Bradford
$4.169      Brookville
$4.397      Butler
$4.160      Clarion
$4.356      DuBois
$4.326      Erie
$4.371      Greensburg
$4.389      Indiana
$4.420      Jeannette
$4.370      Kittanning
$4.395      Latrobe
$4.387      Meadville
$4.424      Mercer
$4.352      New Castle
$4.352      New Kensington
$4.397      Oil City
$4.369      Pittsburgh
$4.154      Sharon
$4.404      Uniontown
$4.399      Warren
$4.360      Washington

New bookstore opens in Beaver

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Fable & Craft Co., Posted on Facebook on August 24th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) A new bookstore is now open in downtown Beaver. 

Fable & Craft Co. opened on Saturday at 501 Third Street and it is a new woman-owned independent bookstore dedicated to readers of all ages. 

Fable & Craft Co. will have a curated selection of both used and new books for readers of all ages and those books will focus heavily on fiction.  

The store will also have a room that is dedicated to fantasy books and a section for local authors.  

It will also begin hosting community events such as local author signings, craft nights, book clubs and story times for children.  

Representative Aaron Bernstine to Host Telephone Town Hall on September 2nd

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Representative Aaron Bernstine’s Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Representative Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) will host a telephone town hall meeting so he can provide constituents with an opportunity to hear the latest updates from Harrisburg, directly ask questions and discuss issues that affect the community.

This will occur at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2nd.

However, calls that invite constituents to participate will begin shortly before 7:15 p.m. the day that the event occurs.

Participants can ask questions during the town hall, as well as provide feedback on legislation that is pending and hear updates on the issues that affect Butler and Lawrence counties.

Those that miss the call or do not receive a call can still participate in this event by dialing 877-229-8493 and by entering the ID code 116952. 

Allegheny County Man Jailed up to 8 Years for Forging Signatures on Nominating Petitions for 2022 U.S. Congressional Candidate

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced that a western Pennsylvania campaign aide was sentenced to four to eight years in prison for forging signatures on nominating petitions for a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. 

Sixty-six-year-old Kirk Rice of Cheswick was previously convicted by an Allegheny County jury of fifteen counts of identity theft, fifteen counts of forgery, two counts of perjury, one count of theft by deception and other related charges. 

An Allegheny County Judge sentenced Rice yesterday with his prison sentence to be followed by 93 months of probation. 

Rice is also required to pay $1,340 in restitution to the Campaign “Steve Irwin for Congress,” and he is prohibited from working for any county election department and circulating nominating petitions. 

According to trial testimony, Rice was paid $1,340 for collecting 437 signatures for Democratic candidate Steve Irwin for the 2022 primary.

It was determined that the signatures were falsified by Rice, including one of them allegedly by U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Bissoon. 

Hookstown Fair returns to celebrate “80 years of Family, Farming and Fair Fun”

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Hookstown Fair, Posted on Facebook on July 5th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hookstown, PA) The Hookstown Fair, located at 1198 State Route 168, will begin today through Saturday celebrating “80 years of Family, Farming and Fair Fun” with activities and events that promote agricultural education and community service. 

The fair opens at 9 a.m. Aug. 25th-28th and the mechanical rides open each day at 3 p.m. The fair opens at 8 a.m. on August 29th and the rides begin at 12 noon that day. 

Tickets can be purchased at the gate and they are worth $12 per day, and that ticket price includes the mechanical rides, Grand Stand events, as well as Vistra Main Stage entertainment.

The full schedule is posted at the Hookstown Fair website, which can be found by clicking the link below:

Click here: Home | HookstownFair 

Nick Gonzales’ 12th-inning RBI single sends Pirates past Padres 3-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Esmerlyn Valdez (55) is congratulated by Oneil Cruz, center right, after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Nick Gonzales led off the 12th inning with an RBI single and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped their three-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday night.

Esmerlyn Valdez homered and Rafael Flores Jr. had an RBI double in the sixth for the Pirates, who rebounded from getting swept at Dodger Stadium last weekend with just their 11th win in 31 games.

Jake Cronenworth tied it in the eighth with a two-out RBI single for the Padres, whose three-game winning streak ended with only their eighth loss in 29 games. San Diego’s eight-game home winning streak also ended.

San Diego loaded the bases with one out in the 11th, but Kirby Yates (2-5) struck out Jackson Merrill and got Xander Bogaerts to line out. Merrill went 0 for 5 on his bobblehead night, striking out on three pitches with the bases loaded in both the eighth and 11th, and also failed to make a diving catch on Flores’ RBI double.

After Jared Triolo scored on Gonzales’ single off Jeremiah Estrada (2-3), Yohan Ramirez struck out the side in the 12th to earn his second save.

Braxton Ashcraft pitched six strong innings of four-hit ball for Pittsburgh. He has allowed just three runs over 23 innings in his last three starts.

Robbie Ray dueled Ashcraft through five scoreless innings before Valdez led off the sixth with a 414-foot shot to center field. Ray allowed five hits and struck out five in his fourth start for the Padres.

Freddy Fermin doubled later in the sixth and eventually scored on Ashcraft’s balk.

Padres closer Mason Miller allowed two baserunners and barely escaped a ninth-inning jam while facing his hometown team on his 28th birthday.

Up next

Paul Skenes (9-11, 3.95 ERA) returns from another rocky outing on normal rest for the Pirates on Tuesday. Michael King (8-9, 3.38 ERA) makes his team-leading 27th start for the Padres.

David Seretti (1962-2026)

David Seretti, 64, of Center Township, who will forever be remembered as “Skeeter,” passed away unexpectedly at home from a heart attack on August 18th, 2026.

He was born on January 15th, 1962.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David J. Seretti and Isabel (Gerry) Swaney and his mother-in-law, Darlas Bango.

He is survived by his wife, soul mate, and best friend, Tami Sue Bango Seretti, one sister, Karen (Dan) Boyle, one brother, Greg (Robin) Seretti, many cousins and countless friends.

David was an accomplished and self-taught drummer and singer who played in numerous bands including Rain Maker, Fair Game, The Pointe, The Funky Uncles, Twice Shy, Mr. Clean, and The Time Keepers. While performing, he was always known as “The Man of Many Hats.” He worked at American Eagle for 25 years as a systems analyst and he was only a few days from enjoying retirement. He previously worked for Dicks Sporting Goods and was also proud of being an usher and working security at the Civic Arena. He was looking forward to retirement and starting an “Adventure” with the love of his life, Tami, by moving to Portugal. He was an avid hockey player, loved the Steelers and Penguins, and loved watching professional tennis. He was a really kind and generous person, a gentle giant, and truly genuine. His laugh was contagious and unforgettable. He would do anything for anyone and appreciated everything in his life. His biggest love was his best friend, Tami Sue, who will cherish so many great memories from the 26 years they spent together.

There will be a Celebration of Life to honor David on Tuesday, September 1st, at 5 p.m. at Paradise Pub, 3457 Brodhead Road, Monaca.

September 1st is also “Jimmy Buffett Day,” so to honor David, who was a huge Parrothead, please dress accordingly.

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

Ronnie David Fenell (1956-2026)

Ronnie David Fennell, 70, of Rochester, passed away unexpectedly on August 20th, 2026, with his loving wife, stepson, daughter-in-law and other loving family members by his side.

He was born in Sewickley on January 3rd, 1956, a son of the late Blair and Genevieve (Binder) Fennell.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death, by six brothers: Dail, Blair, Tom, Robert, Leroy and Lanny; as well as two sisters, Eileen and Janice.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Gross Fennell (37 years married and 48 years together), his stepson, Gerald (Jerry) Gross, his daughter-in law, Dana Gross (who he loved dearly), two brothers, James Fennell and Larry (Barbara) Fennell, two sisters, Linda (Sharon) Fennell and Diana (Donald) Steines, two sisters-in-law, Sandy Fennell and Carla Fennell, his mother-in-law, Carol Gross, his brothers and sisters- in-law: Lewis and Darlene Gross, Dean Gross, Christine and Pete Osso, Nancy and Dennis Lasko, and Jon and Phyllis Gross; as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Ronnie was the youngest of 13 children. He started his childhood in Economy, then grew up in Fair Oaks. He was a self-employed contractor, and he loved building and fixing things. He loved his camp in Tionesta. In his younger days, he also rebuilt classic cars. He loved animals, and Boomer, his dog, was his most recent best friend. He would do anything to help anyone, and he was a kind, compassionate man, who enjoyed a good laugh and became friends with anyone he met.

In accordance with Ronnie’s wishes, there will be no services.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

Jane F. Uebelacker (1934-2026)

Jane F. Uebelacker, 92, of Daugherty Township, passed away on August 23rd, 2026.

She was born in Beaver Falls on March 12th, 1934, a daughter of the late John and Agnes (Hogan) Uebelacker.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, John Uebelacker, three sisters, Ellen Thompson, Rita Justi, and Marilyn Stahl, a sister-in-law, Phyllis Uebelacker and three brothers-in-law, Chuck Schriver, Rab Thompson and John Justi.

She is survived by her sister, Geraldine Schriver, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, as well as many lifelong friends.

Jane, who was affectionately known to all as “Aunt Jane,” was a loving and devoted woman whose greatest joy in life was her family. She cherished the time spent with her family and held each of them close to her heart. She was a devout Catholic and her faith was the foundation of her life and guided her with kindness, compassion, and love for others. She was active in the church, where she was once a member of the choir. She also enjoyed a successful career as an office manager for Prudential, where she was admired not only for her dedication and leadership, but also for the genuine care she showed to those around her. She had a special way of making her staff feel like family, creating a warm and welcoming workplace where they truly loved working for her. She was also a proud lifelong member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, where she formed many meaningful friendships throughout the years. Her warmth, gentle spirit, and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her. Though she lived a long and beautiful life of 92 years, her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who lovingly knew her as Aunt Jane.

Friends will be received on Thursday, August 27th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC.- 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Family and friends are invited to meet at Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton, on Friday, August 28th at 11 a.m. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Father Howard Campbell will officiate.

Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273-PA 68, Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, it was Jane’s wish that Mass’ intentions be requested in her memory.