Author: Beaver County Radio

James R. Kairis (1934-2026)

James R. Kairis, 91, of New Brighton, passed away peacefully on May 19th, 2026, at Providence Health and Rehab Center in Beaver Falls.

He was born in New Brighton on November 19th, 1934, a son of the late John Edward and Genevieve (Brzezenski) Kairis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Joyce “Bunny” (Petuch) Kairis, whom he married on February 16th, 1957, his daughter, Laura Lee Kairis, his sons, John and Timothy Kairis, his daughter-in-law, Robyn Trumbetic Kairis and his sister, Patricia Kairis Kondraki.

He is survived by his sons, Brandan Kairis and Daniel (Brenda) Kairis, his grandchildren: Rebecca (Ryan) McDaniel, Patrick Kairis and Sheri Hendricks, Noah (Lexi) Kairis, Taylor Kairis, Renee (Michael) Faletto; as well as three great-grandchildren, his sister, Joann Kairis and his brother, Rich Kairis.

James was a veteran of the United States Army. He served during the Korean War. He retired from Hydril after 30 years of dedicated service working as a machinist. Throughout his life, he remained deeply devoted to his faith and his church community. He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and St. Cecilia Church in Rochester, where he was a life member of the church choir and the Resurrection Choir as he shared his love of music and worship with generations of parishioners. He loved fishing, collecting coins, woodworking, and firearms. Whether crafting something by hand, casting a line into the water, or sharing stories with family and friends, he valued the moments spent with those he cared about most. Above all, he will be remembered for his kindness, loyalty, faith, and the love he gave so freely to others. He will be deeply missed by all those he loved and by all those who loved him.

In accordance with James’ request, there will be no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

To order memorial trees in memory of James R. Kairis, please visit the tree store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding Tours New AI Lab at Penn Vet to See How Shapiro Administration Agricultural Innovation Grants are Helping Veterinarians and Farmers “Get Stuff Done”

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services: Caption for Photo: Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding toured the new DAT-AI-LAB at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) New Bolton Center. The first-of-its-kind laboratory dedicated to monitoring animal behavior using artificial intelligence, officially opened today with $31,000 in grant support from the nations first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, and a $90,000 grant from Pennsylvanias Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence.. .The new, state-of-the-art lab, a collaboration among Penn Vet researchers and Pennsylvania-based AgriGates, will accelerate collection and analysis of animal behavior data to help veterinarians and farmers precisely target treatments, improving animal health and increasing farm profitability.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Kennett Square, PA) Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding toured the new DAT-AI-LAB at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania.

The laboratory, which focuses on using artificial intelligence to monitor animal behavior, officially opened yesterday. It received $31,000 in grant funding from the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program and $90,000 from Pennsylvania’s Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence.

The lab is a collaboration between Penn Vet researchers and Pennsylvania-based AgriGates.

Researchers say the facility will help accelerate the collection and analysis of animal behavior data, allowing veterinarians and farmers to more precisely target treatments and improve animal health.

Attorney General Sunday Unveils teenTALK Report, Summarizing Student Discussions and Offering Action Steps to Improve Social Media Environments

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services, Caption for Photo: Attorney General Dave Sunday was joined by Pennsylvania students and school leaders to summarize the teenTALK program, a series of roundtable discussions between the Attorney General and students about social media’s impact on mental health.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the release of a 20-page report on the teenTALK program for the 2025–26 school year at the Capitol Media Center in Harrisburg yesterday, summarizing a series of roundtable discussions with students about social media and offering recommendations for Pennsylvanians.

The teenTALK program included closed-door meetings between students and Sunday focused on how young people use social media and how technology affects mental health.

In recent months, Sunday spoke with about 160 students from 35 schools across Pennsylvania.

According to the report, students discussed both the benefits and drawbacks of social media, noting that it can be helpful but also a source of stress and anxiety. The report outlines the main themes raised during those discussions.

Vote on railway safety bill written in the aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment to be held

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A view of the scene Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, as the cleanup continues at the site of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that happened on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Norfolk Southern alone will be responsible for paying for the cleanup after last year’s fiery train derailment in eastern Ohio, a federal judge ruled, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Freed, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) President Donald Trump is supporting efforts to advance the Railway Safety Act, legislation written in the aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment.

The derailment occurred on February 3, 2023.

Rep. Chris Deluzio, who introduced the House version of the Railway Safety Act, praised the support, saying on X Tuesday that “the people of Beaver County and East Palestine have waited long enough.”

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill today.

Ohio woman charged after causing two-vehicle crash in Big Beaver Borough

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Big Beaver Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported yesterday that a 25-year-old Cortland, Ohio woman was charged following a two-vehicle crash in Big Beaver Borough on Sunday. 

Isabella Adkins was driving west on I-76 and merging onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Beaver Valley Interchange at about 4:04 p.m. when she struck a vehicle driven by 62-year-old Paul Mays of Germanton, North Carolina, police said. 

Adkins was charged with a traffic violation related to operation on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, according to police. 

No injuries were reported.

Clinton woman charged for not securing load in vehicle after another vehicle hits the load in Moon Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported today that a 48-year-old Clinton woman was charged following a crash in Moon Township on March 29.

Michelle McMichael was driving west on I-376 at about 4:41 p.m. when her vehicle’s load became unsecured, according to police.

A vehicle driven by seventy-year-old Andrea Ross of Clinton struck the object in the roadway.

McMichael was charged with failure to secure a load and improper fastening, police said.

No injuries were reported.

PennDOT crews begin work on $2 million project to improve Zelienople Bridge

(File Photo of the Sign Entering Zelienople)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Zelienople, PA) PennDOT crews have begun work on a nearly $2 million preservation project on the Zelienople Bridge along Route 19. 

The multi-month project will restrict traffic to one direction at a time across the bridge. 

Through July 2, southbound lanes on the Route 19 bridge will be closed for preservation work. 

Construction will pause for the July 4 holiday before resuming and is expected to be completed in August. 

State Board of Higher Education Creates First-Ever Data Dashboards, One Stop Shop for Students, Parents, Policymakers on Higher Education in Pennsylvania

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Board of Higher Education)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) released a set of data dashboards yesterday that allow users to explore key aspects of the state’s higher education system, including enrollment trends, affordability, graduation rates and the production of degrees and credentials tied to workforce needs. 

Officials said the dashboards mark the first time this information has been made available to the public in a consolidated format. 

The tools bring together previously reported data in one location and present it through interactive graphics designed to make it easier to analyze trends in Pennsylvania higher education. 

The dashboards cover five main categories: enrollment; credential and degree attainment; affordability; funding and finance; and postsecondary workforce credential supply, demand and gaps. 

Each dashboard includes filters that allow users to sort and view data based on specific interests.

Matzie: McCarl’s LLC investing $15 million for Aliquippa expansion

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Industrial and mechanical fabricator McCarl’s LLC is investing $15 million to expand its operations in Beaver County, including the purchase of an 80,000-square-foot facility in Aliquippa that will serve as a fabrication hub and company headquarters, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced yesterday. 

Matzie said the company is expanding its pipe fabrication operations to meet growing demand and that Beaver County’s workforce is positioned to support the growth. 

To support the project, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s BusinessPA team coordinated an additional $2 million Pennsylvania First grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development, according to Matzie. 

The larger integrated facility at 210 Bet-Tech Drive in Aliquippa will include welding booths, robotic welding machines and other equipment designed to reduce production time and increase output. The building will also serve as the company’s new headquarters.

Commercial structure fire occurs in Brighton Township

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63, Posted on Facebook on May 20th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) The Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63, was dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire in the 1000 block of Dutch Ridge Road on Tuesday evening. 

Due to the size of the property, additional assistance was requested. 

Crews arrived on scene in less than six minutes and began investigating to locate the source of the issue. Firefighters quickly identified the problem and were able to mitigate the situation efficiently. 

Crews then conducted additional checks throughout multiple floors of the building, including the roof, to ensure there were no remaining hazards before units were cleared from the scene.