Author: Beaver County Radio

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby joins Team Canada at world hockey championships

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby meets with media in front of his locker at the NHL hockey team’s practice facility in Cranberry Township, Pa, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

(Pittsburgh, PA-AP) Sidney Crosby is heading to Switzerland to represent his country at the men’s world hockey championships, Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday.

This will mark the Pittsburgh Penguins captain’s fourth career appearance at the international tournament, and second in consecutive years. Crosby was available after the Penguins were eliminated by Philadelphia in Game 6 of the first round of the NHL playoffs two weeks ago.

The 38-year-old Crosby’s addition came at the same time Hockey Canada announced New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal will not compete as a precaution because of an injury.

Philadelphia’s Porter Martone and New Jersey’s Dawson Mercer were added to the roster hours before the announcement of Crosby in and Barzal out was made.

It was not immediately clear if Crosby would take over as captain for San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini, who was initially expected to wear the “C.”

Crosby most recently captained Canada’s silver medal-winning team at the Milan Cortina Games in February. He was unable to finish the tournament because of a lower-body injury, which sidelined him for nearly a month.

From Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Crosby is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s elite “Triple Gold” club in having won Olympic and world championship gold medals, and a Stanley Cup.

He’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist and most memorably scored the championship-clinching overtime goal in Canada’s 3-2 win over the U.S. at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Crosby is a three-time Cup champion with Pittsburgh, and was a member of Canada’s gold medal world championship team in 2015.

Canada opens the 17-day, 16-nation tournament facing Sweden on Friday.

Pirates place catcher Joey Bart on the 10-day IL with a left foot infection and call up catcher/DH Endy Rodriguez

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Joey Bart hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Joey Bart on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a left foot infection.

Bart is hitting .259 with two homers and nine RBIs for the Pirates while splitting starting catching duties with Henry Davis.

The Pirates called up catcher/designated hitter Endy Rodriguez from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Bart’s place on the roster. Rodriguez was hitting .221 with one home run and 16 RBIs at the time of his call-up.

Once considered a contender to be Pittsburgh’s everyday catcher, Rodriguez has spent the last two-plus years trying to regain his form after undergoing left elbow surgery in late 2023 and right elbow surgery last year.

Pittsburgh also called up Australian-born reliever Brandan Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned reliever Cam Sanders back to the minors.

Brent D. Smith (1965-2026)

Brent D. Smith, 61, of Daugherty Township, passed away peacefully on May 8th, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford.

He was born in Ellwood City on March 30th, 1965, a son of Sandra (Bishop) Smith and the late David J. Smith. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Janet (Cardosi) Smith, three sons, Ryan and Tyler, both of New Brighton, and Vinnie, of Aiken, South Carolina, his brother, Bruce Smith, of Ellwood City, his brother-in-law, Rob (Kelley) Cardosi of New Brighton, his sisters-in-law, Donna (Jim) Goda of Charlotte, North Carolina and Nancy Sheets of New Brighton. He was also an uncle to many nieces and nephews who loved and adored him.

Brent spent many years as a shop supervisor and was highly regarded as “the boss.” A true handyman, there wasn’t anything he could not fix! He was an avid sport fan—especially Penguins hockey—and his favorite football cheer was: “We Are (NOT) Penn State– Hail to Pitt!” He was a father who coached his sons in Little League, a husband who loved and supported his family, and a son who was always there when needed. Fishing was his passion and he loved sharing the “the one that got away” stories. He had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor. Plain and simple; he was a good man—gone too soon.

He was also an active member of Holy Family Church in New Brighton and Our Lady of the Valley Parish.

In accordance with Brent’s wishes, there will be no public viewing. However, on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, a Mass of Christian Burial will occur at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 521 7th Ave, New Brighton. Fr. Tom Kredel and Fr. Howard Campbell will concelebrate. Private interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, 1501 1st Avenue, New Brighton. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

Memorial contributions may be made in Brent’s name to: KIF1A.ORG in honor of his niece Paisley who is living with this rare disease. Make checks payable to KIF1A.ORG and mail to KIF1A.ORG 1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor #3535 New York, NY 10001 or go online and donate through the website.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brent D. Smith, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Randy. J. Hinzman (1963-2026)

Randy J. Hinzman, 62, of Ambridge, passed away at home on May 11th, 2026. He was born in Sewickley on June 16th, 1963, the son of the late James and Sally Irene (Horton) Hinzman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles W. and Madeline (Matanick) Lutz, a sister-in-law, Renee Lutz, and a nephew, Nicholas Soltis. He is survived by his loving wife, Rochelle (Lutz) Hinzman, 3 daughters, Rebecca (J.C. Reboton) Hinzman, Laura Hinzman and Ashton (David) Weatherly, his adored granddaughter, Margo Weatherly, a sister, Lisa (John) McCullough, 2 sisters-in-law, Roxanne (Jeff) Soltis and Rhonda (Gary) Lazzaretti, his nephews and nieces: Travis McCullough, Tristan (Kyleigh) McCullough, Jay McCullough, Mitchel Lazzaretti, Chanda (Max) Fallecker, Melinda (Andrew) Pisano, Breanna (Larry) Musgrave; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Randy was a carpenter by trade for nearly 30 years. He was also a proud member of the Masonic Hall Sewickley, Lodge 630. In his spare time, he absolutely loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed going camping and riding around on his ATV. In the kitchen, his specialties included homemade jelly from berries that he hand-picked, jerky and his wonderful Christmas cookies, which earned him the title, “The Christmas Cookie Baker.” When it came to movies, he was fond of good-old Western classics, and music, Big Band and Blue Grass.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation on Friday, May 15th, from 4-8 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a blessing service will take place on Saturday, May 16th, commencing at 11 A.M. Interment will follow in Good Samaritan Catholic Cemetery (Ambridge).

New Castle man arrested for possessing marijuana in Lawrence County

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported that a 46-year-old New Castle man was arrested Sunday on drug possession charges in Lawrence County. 

According to police, troopers initiated a traffic stop along Highway 348 in Mahoning Township at about 2:39 a.m. after observing a vehicle code violation. 

During the stop, police said the man was found to be in possession of marijuana. Charges are pending.

Volunteers answer the call to maintain Locust Grove Cemetery in Ellwood City

(File Photo of the Beaver County Partnership/ Community & Economic Growth Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ellwood City, PA) Volunteers at Locust Grove Cemetery in Ellwood City are asking the community for help maintaining the historic burial ground.

Some gravestones at the cemetery have stood for more than a century, but volunteers said mowing and landscaping have become increasingly difficult to manage this year.

North Sewickley Township Police Department shared a Facebook post Monday highlighting the cemetery’s challenges and need for assistance.

The post prompted community members, including Adam Kincaid, to step in and help.

“I seen his post and reacted and that I’d come out in the morning,” Kincaid said.

Others, including volunteer Jeff Syphrit, said they have spent years helping maintain the cemetery — tending not only to family gravesites, but the property as a whole.

“I seen his post and reacted and that I’d come out in the morning,” Kincaid said.

Volunteers said their goal is to have the cemetery cleaned up before Memorial Day weekend, when groups including the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA traditionally place flags at veterans’ gravesites.

Online seller eBay rejects GameStop’s $56 billion takeover offer

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A GameStop sign is displayed above a store in Urbandale, Iowa, on Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Grapevine, TX) eBay said Tuesday it has rejected GameStop’s $56 billion takeover bid, calling the proposal “neither credible nor attractive.”

The rejection comes about a week after GameStop made its offer. CEO Ryan Cohen argued the retailer’s 1,600 stores would provide eBay with a “national network” for authentication, intake and fulfillment.

In a statement, eBay cited uncertainty surrounding GameStop’s acquisition financing, along with concerns about leverage and operational risks tied to combining the two companies.

GameStop, which already owns a 5% stake in eBay, offered $125 per share in cash and stock. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Despite the bid, GameStop remains significantly smaller than eBay. GameStop has a market capitalization of about $10.4 billion, compared with eBay’s roughly $48 billion valuation.

GameStop became known as a “meme stock” in 2021 after retail investors on Reddit drove its shares sharply higher during a historic trading frenzy.

WPIAL postpones 2026 individual track and field championships due to inclement weather

(File Photo of the WPIAL Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Slippery Rock, PA) The WPIAL announced that its 2026 individual high school track and field championships scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, have been postponed due to impending weather.

The meet has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 14, with events at Slippery Rock University set to begin at 11 a.m.

Earlier this week, WPIAL officials said they were in contact with the National Weather Service regarding the potential for inclement weather that could affect the championships.

Citing a high chance of rain and the possibility of thunderstorms, league officials decided to move the meet to Thursday, when weather conditions are expected to improve.

The schedule of events will remain unchanged, with preliminary heats for track events beginning at 11 a.m.

Deluzio, Houchin Announce New Bill Pushing for Kids Screentime Recommendations from U.S. Surgeon General

(File Photo of Congressman Chris Deluzio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) introduced the bipartisan SMART Kids Act on Tuesday, legislation that would require the U.S. Surgeon General to develop evidence-based screen time recommendations for children from birth through age 18.

According to the lawmakers, the recommendations would be based on independent scientific research and would not regulate devices or users.

The bill would also require the Surgeon General to work with an independent entity that is not connected to the technology industry when developing the guidance.

In addition to recommendations on the amount of screen time children should have, the legislation would allow for guidance on the quality and type of screen use, recognizing that educational tools may have different effects than personal devices.

The recommendations would be due within one year of the bill’s passage and could be updated as new research becomes available.

Aliquippa School District holding 5th annual Academic Awards Night

(File Photo of the Aliquippa School District Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa School District will host its fifth annual Academic Awards Night on Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. in the district cafeteria.

During the event, district students will receive more than $100,000 in scholarships. A dinner will be held prior to the awards ceremony.